Fate Lots Set the Matches · The Hall Battles Begin
The ten members of the Nightmare God Clan were completely annihilated in Qin Yu's silent gaze and Azure Ring's final radiance, leaving not even a wisp of their souls behind in the void.
Yan Yue's eyes narrowed, and with a flick of her slender fingers, she controlled the origin of space, reversing a spatial teleportation rift. "We must head to the Eternal Abyss Fate Platform immediately."
Qin Yu nodded, and the five of them silently stepped into the crevice. In a flash, they had already crossed the spatial barrier spanning countless ages.
The scene shifts, and the world changes abruptly.
At this moment, they had arrived at the central sacred site of the Source of Epochless:
Eternal Evolution Realm Hall, Eternal Abyss Fate Platform.
Between heaven and earth, it seemed as if the entire realm was revolving around the Fate Platform. The Eternal Abyss Fate Platform floated at the top of the sky, like a heavenly platform connecting the Epoch Origin and the future. It was itself a super Source Artifact, jointly forged by several elders of the Eternal Evolution Realm Hall, and each Fate Rank stone slab carried the power of the ancient era.
A triple life-or-death formation hangs high in the sky:
The Abyss of Fate Sequence: A chaotic sea, where countless causes and effects intertwine, and one can almost see the destinies of billions of cultivators crumbling and being reconstructed.
Fate-Path Star Wheel: The vast star map slowly rotates, each star vaguely corresponding to a participant in the battle;
Fate-Authority Law Pillars: Twenty ancient pillars stand tall in the sky, corresponding to the Twenty Source Halls, symbolizing the final judgment of the order of power and destiny in the Source Realm.
The area around the altar was already packed with people.
All the powerful figures from the various Origin Palaces have arrived to watch the battle: Five ancient Origin beings float above the Life Platform in the nine heavens, their souls intertwined and their fortunes surging;
The Heavenly Pivot Divine Generals Corps arrayed themselves in formation, resembling a celestial army.
The disciples representing the Twenty Source Halls also gathered on the Destiny Platform to watch the assessment battles of the first-stage geniuses of the First Divine Hall Eternal Evolution Realm Hall, who were advancing to the Hall Guardian Divine Guards. Each of them carried the fate of their clan and the fate of their realm, their eyes flashing like lightning.
Many ancient clans and Epoch Origin are also secretly observing, and some mysterious figures have quietly appeared.
A myriad of mirrored barriers appeared in the surrounding space, recording the battle achievements of each participant.
The battle cries thundered, and the death knell tolled.
At the center of the Fate Platform, an ancient and majestic figure appeared—it was Ji Sichen, the Fate Executor of the Eternal Evolution Realm Hall, a master of the No Consciousness Realm Supreme.
He raised the Life Bell high, announcing the imminent commencement of the most crucial "Eternal Evolution Realm Hall Temple Guardian Disciple Selection Battle - First Sequence Assessment".
This battle will not only determine the future rankings of many Source Temples,
More importantly, it concerns who is worthy to protect the Source of Epochless.
All cultivators from all races, elders from various halls observing the battle, those who supervised the Epoch Origin, and those who were envoys of the source spirit inscriptions all gathered here.
At this moment, the entire Source of Epochless seemed to hold its breath in anticipation:
Who will achieve godlike status through combat prowess, and who will fall short and be defeated?
No one knows about Qin Yu and his group's return yet.
The moment the five stepped onto the outer edge of the life platform, a gray-silver light streaked down from the sky and appeared in front of them in the next instant.
It was none other than Shu Xunyan, the one with the plain gray robe and the three rings in his eyes.
Her expression was slightly anxious, and her voice carried a hint of reproach. "You guys... you're finally back! I was so worried about you these past few days!"
She glanced at Qin Yu, Yan Yue, Zi Xue, Extinguished Light, and Yunyi, and only after confirming that they were all unharmed did she breathe a sigh of relief.
"I've heard about the Annihilation Abyss, but how come the Nightmare God Clan also...? What exactly happened to you?!"
Qin Yu simply smiled slightly, his words tinged with apology:
"Senior, this is a long story. The Fate Platform assessment is imminent. I will tell you everything in detail after I pass it."
Shu Xunyan's eyes flashed slightly, then he nodded:
"Alright, the assessment is the priority. This time, the entire Origin Palace is watching closely, even the 'Eternal Life Master Platform' has been activated, we absolutely cannot afford to fail."
"Let's go, the disciples who signed up for the promotion to temple guards have been waiting for you for a long time."
Having said that, she waved her sleeve and a halo of light transformed into a passage mark, instantly imprinting itself into the bodies of Qin Yu and the other four.
Shu Xunyan turned around, her voice clear. "Today on the Destiny Platform, all the geniuses of the various palaces are present. What you want is not just victory, but—the pinnacle of achievement."
At this moment, north of the Eternal Abyss Fate Platform, on a high-level viewing platform shrouded in a pale silver barrier.
Yu Yuance, dressed in an obsidian-patterned robe, exuded a deep and unfathomable aura. He stood with his hands behind his back, his expression icy. His eyes, which seemed to pierce through the threads of fate, were fixed on the figures of Qin Yu and his group as they stepped onto the Fate Platform.
After a moment, he spoke in a low voice, tinged with dissatisfaction:
"Where did they go during this time?"
Behind him, Feng Li knelt with his head bowed, his robes stained with pale blue soul energy, his expression one of remorse.
"My lord... I have mobilized all the hidden spies and contracted informants of the Yu Clan, and even sought help from several 'masterminds behind the Ji Gou,' but we still cannot find out which dimension they went to... It seems that they have completely disappeared from the Source of Epochless for some time."
"Not even the 'Source Cause Office' side left a trace."
Yu Yuance's eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of killing intent flashing like needles in the depths of his gaze.
"Well, Annihilation Abyss Epoch... as expected, it still has the strength to launch a counterattack."
"But--"
He flicked his sleeve, his tone turning cold and sarcastic:
"Since they've come all this way to participate in this 'Temple Guardian Disciple Promotion Battle Assessment,' let's play along and have some fun."
"Play them until they die."
He slowly sat down, his fingers tracing the edge of the armrest, his voice cold and low:
"I'd like to see just how many trump cards you, Qin Yu, still have up your sleeve..."
Outside the Eternal Abyss Fate Platform Destiny Platform, azure-gold divine light flowed. Yan Yue gently retracted the teleportation barrier, and the five of them slowly stepped into the core disciple waiting area. The deacons and high-ranking elders of the various Source Halls were already lined up in all four directions. On the Destiny Platform, nine spiritual array platforms appeared in the battle domain, waiting to be finally activated.
At this moment, Shu Xunyan frowned slightly and quietly transmitted his voice to Qin Yu and the others:
"A total of eight novice disciples participated in this 'Temple Guard Promotion Assessment'."
Her gaze swept over her surroundings, her voice slightly lowered:
"Apart from you, Yan Yue, and the other two, the other eight are all core battle embryos selected by other Origin Palaces, all at the Annihilation Lord Realm · Supreme, and some even..."
The two had already reached the half-step into the highest realm of the Primordial Void. However, only three spots were ultimately available for becoming temple guards.
She paused, then added:
These eight individuals are respectively from [Observing Abyss Law Hall], [Grand Cognition Divine Hall], [Void Law Realm Hall], [Light Discourse Extremity Hall], and [Realm Origin Awakening Hall].
[The Silent Retrospection True Hall], [The Bewildering Heaven Hall], and -- [The True Word Extremity Hall]."
When the "True Word Extremity Hall" was mentioned, Qin Yu's eyes flickered slightly, Yan Yue and Zi Xue also glanced at him subconsciously.
Shu Xunyan continued to transmit his voice:
"Their goal isn't just to be promoted to Temple Guard... there's likely some other hidden mission."
Her gaze sharpened, and her tone was low and solemn:
"Although you two are newly promoted to the initial stage, you are now the focus of the entire audience. Do not underestimate anyone—especially that 'Mirror Abyss Yu' from the True Word Extremity Hall... His soul core has already reached the ' Evolution Character Tier, and he is someone secretly promoted by Yu Yuance."
Upon hearing this, Qin Yu remained calm, but his eyes became even more profound.
"Thank you for the reminder, senior."
He spoke casually, then turned his gaze to the center of the battle barrier, where layers of barriers were emerging, a cold smile playing on his lips:
"No matter who comes... this time, I will show no mercy."
Upon hearing this, Qin Yu's expression remained unchanged, but a hint of sharpness slowly solidified between his brows.
Shu Xunyan continued in a low voice:
"You must understand that the Eternal Evolution Realm Hall is the true number First Divine Hall in the entire Source of Epochless. Other so-called Origin Palaces, no matter how powerful they may be, cannot compare to us."
Her gaze was calm as a mirror, yet it concealed a sharp edge.
"Becoming a temple guard is not merely an elevation in status, but a comprehensive evolution in identity, authority, cultivation resources, and the inheritance of secret scriptures. Even in many main domains, one can roam freely without hindrance."
"Once both of you successfully advance to become Temple Guardians, your cultivation paths will receive preferential support from the entire Eternal Evolution Realm Hall —not only will you be able to access higher-dimensional cultivation techniques and combat skills ahead of time, but you might even... step into the Eternal Evolution Main Cosmos."
Qin Yu and Yan Yue were both moved upon hearing this.
Shu Xunyan raised her eyes and glanced at the Golden Radiance flame of destiny high above the Destiny Platform. Suddenly, her tone changed, and her voice deepened:
"However, you should be careful... Yu Yuance, he has quietly broken through during this time through Yu's foundational secret technique, and his cultivation has reached the initial stage of the Primordial Void Realm. Furthermore, the Yu Clan behind him has a very deep presence in the Eternal Evolution Core."
"This time, he might secretly plot to interfere with the promotion assessment."
Her gaze swept over Yu Yuance, who sat with a cold and aloof posture on the other side of the stands, and she said in a cold voice:
"What he fears most is not your cultivation levels, but the 'Source' and 'Annihilation Realm Construct Core' you possess. These are the factors he cannot control and most wants to destroy."
Upon hearing this, Qin Yu's eyes turned completely cold. He recalled the black-robed figure from the [Nightmare God Clan] saying, "Someone offered them a high price to make a move." Now it seemed that Yu Yuance, the Yu Clan, and Xuan Yan You Zun of the True Word Extremity Hall Mystic Emanation Nether Venerable Liang Jichen, "This debt... we'll settle it one by one later."
He spoke calmly, but his voice held a murderous intent.
Yan Yue stood beside him, her eyes cold and resolute, while Zi Xue's fingers clenched slightly, and the starlight feathers behind her vibrated slowly.
Shu Xunyan looked at their reactions with satisfaction and nodded, saying:
"Good. I'm relieved that you understand. Don't forget, the Eternal Evolution Realm Hall is your true root... Today's battle is not just against the enemy, but also..."
It's a fight for the destiny and glory of an eternal future. We must keep the spoils within our own ranks. Therefore, you must take it.
Just then, a clear, yet solemn voice, as if ruling the order of destiny, slowly resounded throughout the entire Destiny Platform.
The voice of the Eternal Evolution Realm Hall's Executor of Fate--
"The Eternal Evolution Realm Hall - Temple Guardian Promotion Assessment has officially begun!"
As soon as the words were spoken, the entire "Eternal Abyss Fate Platform" trembled instantly, as if all the paths of fate were resounding in unison.
Countless cultivators looked up at the sky above the center of the Destiny Platform, where a man clad in a gray-silver robe embroidered with destiny patterns and bearing three halos of destiny wheels slowly materialized—it was none other than...
[Eternal Evolution Realm Hall - Fate Executor - Ji Sichen]
His entire being seemed to be connected to the source of history, and every move he made seemed to be inscribed with destiny.
Ji Sichen's gaze swept over the ten initial-level candidates in the arena, his voice authoritative yet calm:
"This promotion assessment involves ten initial-stage disciples, all of whom are at least at the Annihilation Lord Realm. This battle will determine whether you possess the ability to defend..."
The true qualifications to protect the Gate of Eternal Life. (Choose three out of ten)
The assessment method is: one-on-one match-up by drawing lots.
Each player must win two matches to advance to the next round.
"The temple will record your combat skills, reactions, logical reasoning, and soul level throughout the process. The final decision on promotion will be made by the seven-star assessors of the main temple, the director of the Fate Order Division, and the Realm Master Council."
Ji Sichen raised his right hand, and nine silver life tablets appeared in the void. They slowly rotated, merged, and then exploded into countless points of light, falling into the soul consciousness space of the nine beginner disciples.
At this moment, the ten are about to begin their trial of fate!
Ji Sichen stood atop the high platform of the Eternal Abyss Fate Platform, his voice like thunder in the still sky, proclaiming:
"These ten novice disciples are all outstanding talents from the various temples of Ji Source of Epochless Yuan. Now, the Spirit Master of the Fate Platform will begin the lottery to determine their opponents."
As he waved his hand, a silvery-white life light shot into the sky, transforming into ten streams of light that hovered above the fate platform before slowly descending in front of everyone. Each fate token displayed a corresponding battle number.
The results of the draw are as follows:
1. Qin Yu Yongyan Realm Palace vs. Guanyuan Law Palace - Yu Cangxu
2. The Eternal Evolution Realm Hall Yan Yue the Void Law Realm Hall - Luo Guifeng
3. Grand Cognition Divine Hall - Si Xunmo vs. Silent Retrospection True Hall - He Liusha
4. The battle between the Light Discourse Extremity Hall Lan Xuanzhou the Storm Bewildering Heaven Hall and the Xiao Heng.
5. Realm Origin Awakening Hall · Lan Qisheng vs. True Word Extremity Hall · Mirror Abyss ·Yu
As the divination slips shimmered, the ten contestants displayed a variety of expressions; though their killing intent remained unseen, their willpower was already taut.
Meanwhile, on the high platform, Shu Xunyan's gaze sharpened slightly as she whispered to Qin Yu, "The draw results are in, especially for Yu Cangxu, who is said to have broken through to the Supreme under the personal guidance of the Guanyuan Law Master... Be careful in your dealings."