Wood that Grows Tall in the Forest

Shen Qiu was the first to enter the Second Layer of the Illusion Realm. When he looked back and found that no one could keep up with him, a triumphant smile spread across his face.

"Ten years to hone a sword—my sweat does not lie."

He struck a dashing pose, but before he could look cool for three seconds, a massive wave slammed him sideways.

Cough, cough!

Water had gone down his windpipe, and Shen Qiu coughed for a long while before he recovered.

The Second Layer of the Illusion Realm was a surging river that stretched beyond sight. The raging waves were a deep blue, tossing him up and down.

"This is heavy water!"

Shen Qiu's expression changed. Knowing the danger within, he no longer dared to let down his guard.

Heavy water was a first-grade spirit material, nearly ten times denser than ordinary water. It was often used to temper high-grade Magic Tools and could even snap low-grade Magic Tools apart.

The entire river was made of heavy water; its force was easy to imagine. Each drop was so deep and dark it seemed capable of swallowing sunlight, and the instant it struck a person, blood splashed forth.

Shen Qiu suppressed the urge to howl, wanting to preserve the genius image he had worked so hard to build. His face turned bright red from holding it in.

"Netherworld Demonic Art! Hold the line for me!"

He directly erupted with power. Every strand of his shoulder-length hair stood on end as he strode forward with firm, powerful steps, charging into the river.

Nearly a quarter-hour later, someone finally entered the Second Layer of the Illusion Realm.

Shangguan Mo strode forward with his head held high. When he looked up and saw Shen Qiu far in the lead, his expression immediately darkened.

"The more outstanding your talent, the more supreme pleasure I will feel when I destroy you."

Shen Qiu had become a thorn in his eye and flesh. Ever since Ye Chen had crippled his talent, Shangguan Mo felt uncomfortable all over whenever he saw a genius, and his temperament had grown more and more twisted.

Shangguan Ya Closely Followed. Feeling the terrifying impact of the Heavy Water River, her expression turned grave. "Even with an Illusion Heart Stone, it is difficult to withstand this. Yet he can still move forward steadily. This kid absolutely cannot be allowed to live!"

The two quickly came to an agreement. They had to cripple Shen Qiu before he joined the Sword Sect.

Within the First Illusion Realm, the vanguard was still some distance from the finish line.

"Miss Yu'er, go on ahead. Don't let us hold you back."

The Su Family disciples had weaker cultivation and simply could not withstand the invasion of the wind and snow filling the sky. Their steps gradually came to a halt.

The Shangguan Family members were also struggling to continue. Without a treasure like the Illusion Heart Stone, reaching this point was already their limit.

"Brother Cheng, proceed according to the plan."

The two Shangguan Family disciples wore resolute expressions as they unleashed a Wood Element Dao Method. Azure radiance enveloped the man at the front.

The bewitchingly handsome man named Shangguan Cheng had a brilliant gleam in his eyes. He began absorbing the spiritual power transmitted by the two of them, gradually recovering to his Peak state.

"You have worked hard."

Shangguan Cheng nodded to them and strode toward the Second Layer of the Illusion Realm.

Only then did the crowd suddenly realize that the Shangguan Family had actually used the tactic of sacrificing the cart to save the commander.

"What a scheme—sacrificing two Qi Refining Sixth Layer disciples just to improve Shangguan Cheng's results."

Everyone felt a chill in their hearts, awed by the Shangguan Family's far-reaching calculations.

Even a lion used its full strength when hunting a rabbit.

Not only was the Shangguan Family the strongest family in the arena, they were even exploiting loopholes in the rules. No wonder they could lord over Canglang Mountain.

The Su Family disciples seemed to have discovered a new continent and prepared to copy the same method, but the results were meager, and their circumstances only became worse.

Seeing their bedraggled state, Shangguan Cheng sneered. "What a laughable imitation. My two clansmen are both Wood Element cultivators and are deeply versed in the art of transmitting power. How could you possibly imitate us?"

Like a nimble monkey leaping among branches, he took one step into the Second Layer of the Illusion Realm.

With four people already having entered the Second Layer of the Illusion Realm, Shen Feng could no longer sit still.

"My younger brothers and sisters, I'll take my leave first."

The moment he finished speaking, he began striding forward in great steps, completely different from his earlier performance.

Shen Qingruo's beautiful eyes flickered as she softly said, "I never expected Big Brother Shen Feng to have held back his strength."

Shen Wude rubbed his chin. "Something feels strange. He doesn't seem like the sort of person who would do this."

After saying that, he nudged Shen Yun's arm. "Big Brother, what do you think?"

Shen Yun slowly closed his eyes. His Divine Sense completely covered the surrounding fifteen li; not even a wisp of wind could escape his perception.

Ever since breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Realm, his Divine Sense had undergone another breakthrough.

According to the Dao Scripture, a Divine Sense range exceeding ten li was already within the scope of the ninth level of Foundation Establishment.

It was said that Golden Core experts could extend their Divine Sense beyond thirty li. As for the even stronger Nascent Soul Realm, the Dao Scripture contained only a few sparse lines—not enough to speak of to outsiders.

Shen Yun's Divine Sense was sufficient to overpower a ninth-level Foundation Establishment cultivator. At such close range, he immediately detected something unusual.

"The pressure he faces is much less than ours."

Upon hearing this, the two wore uncertain expressions, feeling that Shen Feng had become mysterious.

Shen Yun did not make baseless guesses. He merely noted the detail silently in his heart before saying, "No one knows what we will encounter in the Second Layer of the Illusion Realm. Everyone, be careful."

After about the time it took an incense stick to burn, the three entered the Second Layer of the Illusion Realm without drawing much attention.

Su Yu'er Closely Followed. She was the only remaining seedling of the entire Su Family, which left Su Yu somewhat embarrassed.

However, because of his authority, no one dared discuss it to his face. In private, though, it was hard to say.

At that moment, a roar erupted from the crowd.

"He Guang did it! Even a False Core Family can produce an outstanding genius."

"This man possesses an unyielding will. He is bound to accomplish great things in the future."

"Heroes are not judged by their origins. I believe he will definitely join the Sword Sect."

"..."

Su Yu's expression became even uglier, and he decided that once they returned, he would properly drill these brats.

"Up at dawn, asleep at midnight, with one day of rest each month!"

A gust of sinister wind swept past, and the Su Family disciples in the arena All together shuddered.

With He Guang's entry, a total of ten people had entered the Second Layer of the Illusion Realm. Not a single member of the Shen Family had been left behind.

Such a performance was astonishing. The First Elder's face was glowing, and as he sensed the envious and jealous gazes around him, he felt exceedingly pleased.

Granny Aramaki's expression was so gloomy that it seemed water might drip from it. She had played so many Off-the-board Moves, only for the Shen Family to crush them completely. She was deeply dissatisfied.

Duanmu Tong's gaze was profound as he loosely clasped his hands, feeling that matters had become somewhat thorny.

If one had to name the most dazzling person in the entire arena, it was undoubtedly Shen Qiu, who stood alone above all the Heroes.

"Only when great waves scour the sand does gold appear; when the wind sweeps away the clouds, the victor becomes king. Failure will only make me stronger!..."

By now, he was submerged beneath the river up to his shoulders, yet he still pressed forward without pause. Such a desperate, fight-to-the-end spirit drew endless praise.

Shangguan Mo Closely Followed, a thin black needle clamped between his fingers like the stinger of a venomous bee, radiating a dim and murky aura.

I refuse to believe you can truly defy the heavens. Just don't let me catch you—otherwise, I'll let you taste the Black Bee Needle.

Like a venomous snake, he clung tightly behind Shen Qiu, ready to launch a fatal strike at any moment.

The Black Bee Needle was an exceptionally sinister concealed weapon. It specialized in piercing a cultivator's Physical Body and inflicted enormous damage upon one's foundation.

Even more ingenious, the Black Bee Needle dissolved into poison and lurked within the bloodline, making it nearly impossible to detect.

Here within the Illusion Realm, with the Heavy Water River concealing it, this was the best possible time for him to Make a Move.

The others were still resisting the scouring of the Heavy Water River. Those with weaker wills had already revealed obvious signs of defeat.

Shen Feng and Shangguan Ya were doing all right. With the enhancement of their Illusion Heart Stones, their faces were merely somewhat pale.

People like He Guang and Shangguan Cheng could barely remain standing and would soon be defeated.

Shen Qingruo's willow brows were tightly furrowed, as though she were suffering immense pain. She was holding on entirely through sheer tenacity.

"It hurts so much, Fatty is dying! Who came up with this torture!"

Shen Wude cried out repeatedly, hopping and jumping about. His exaggerated movements were too painful to watch.

Shen Yun ignored the fellow. Even if everyone else was wiped out, he would be fine. Shen Qingruo, however, probably would not be able to hold on until the top five.

Eh!? These two are somewhat strange.

He suddenly noticed a detail. There was an inexplicable rhythm around Shangguan Ya and Shen Feng, and the Illusion Realm had very little effect on them.

How exactly did they do it?

Shen Yun's Divine Sense quietly extended outward, enveloping them both. He soon discovered that their hands were clenched tightly, and they could even block his investigation, which seemed abnormal.

He recalled the earlier scene. Shen Feng seemed never to have loosened his right hand from beginning to end.

These two have a problem.

Shen Yun's gaze deepened, and he quickly thought of his next move...

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