Duobao emerged from the second trial feeling utterly lost.
In that trial, he had doubted himself twice. First, he had questioned his strength. Under Liu Mang's relentless assault, he had not had a chance to catch his breath for the time it took an incense stick to burn. It had felt as though he faced a Great Luo cultivator, not a Grand Unity Golden Immortal.
Second, he had begun to question his own Daoist name.
He was the first treasure-seeking rat in Hong Huang to attain the Dao. Not only could he burrow through the void, but he could also sense treasures with uncanny precision. Naturally, he possessed plenty of magical treasures. Since the second trial forbade their use, Duobao refused to accept his defeat.
"Netherworld, could you lift the restriction and let us fight again with magical treasures?"
Outside the formation, even Tongtian covered his face with a hand when he heard Duobao's request.
"You think banning magical treasures limits your strength. It's actually helping you."
"Are you sure?" Liu Mang turned back, amusement glinting in his eyes.
He had seen Duobao's dissatisfaction, of course. He just had not expected him to propose this kind of contest.
Duobao sensed that something was faintly amiss, but the thought of his many magical treasures restored his confidence.
"I am!"
"Then have it your way." With that, Liu Mang lifted the formation's restriction on magical treasures.
The next instant, before Duobao could open his eyes, the halos of magical treasures behind Liu Mang dazzled him so badly that tears streamed down his face. His eyes squeezed shut on their own.
I'm finished! Duobao thought. He expected Liu Mang to attack while his eyes were closed, but after waiting a long while, he sensed not the slightest ripple of magic.
Duobao opened his