Chapter 146: Black Bear
Chapter 146: Black Bear
“The third round of selection was a comprehensive assessment of their cultivation levels. This stage was challenging, dividing them into different zones based on their Realms and sending them to designated locations. It was an individual trial where they couldn’t seek help from anyone. Failure meant elimination.”
While the first two rounds depended on luck, the third round required genuine strength.
“Could this trial endanger our lives?”
“No Life-threatening risks exist, but injuries were inevitable. You’ll have half a day to prepare. This afternoon, I’ll open the trial grounds.”
“Are magical artifacts permitted?”
“This tests overall strength—all means are allowed.”
Hua Mantian left with a smile, giving everyone time to prepare.
Cheng Lingyu, Lan Xiaozhu, and Qu Wei exchanged glances, discussing the upcoming trial.
Being individual assessments without external help, the difficulty became crucial.
Lan Xiaozhu remarked, “The final trial won’t be overly harsh. Since Lou Ri City seeks disciples, some will pass—though exact numbers remain unclear.”
Qu Wei stated, “If grouped by Realms, I’ve eighty percent confidence at the Soul Martial Fourth Realm.”
Cheng Lingyu frowned. “I’ll manage, but I’m concerned about you two.”
Lan Xiaozhu shook her head. “Don’t worry about me. I’ll fight with everything.”
All three were strong. After merging with the Immortal Soul, Lan Xiaozhu far surpassed peers at her Realm.
That afternoon, Hua Mantian reappeared. “This stone wall contains a stone tablet. Enter through the cave entrance I’ll open. Place your hand on the tablet—it’ll transport you to zones matching your Realm. Reach the palace atop the mountain within one hour. Fail if delayed.”
“Sounds straightforward.”
“It isn’t. You’ll face five trials en route. Fail any, you’re eliminated. Intentional delays or poor performance also mean failure.”
“Do we all enter together?”
“Groups of one hundred. Eliminated spots get filled immediately by others.”
Hua Mantian ordered cultivators to line up by Realms—Soul Martial First Realm on the left, followed by Second Realm, third stage of Soul Martial, continuing until Seven Levels of Soul Martial Arts.
Blood Martial Realm cultivators formed another line, over a hundred strong. Cheng Lingyu was startled—these were all Blood Martial Kings under twenty-five, gathered from across the empire.
Hua Mantian unsealed the stone wall, revealing the cave entrance.
“First in each row enters left to right until one hundred are inside.”
The third selection commenced.
Cheng Lingyu stood among third stage of Soul Martial cultivators, behind over a hundred others.
Lan Xiaozhu and Qu Wei waited in the Soul Martial Fourth Realm line, two hundred ahead.
Tension thickened as cultivators vanished into the cave. No one knew the trial’s true harshness or pass rate.
Observing the ordered lines, Cheng Lingyu noted sparse numbers—less than three hundred in the Soul Martial First Realm.
The number of cultivators in the Soul Martial Second Realm doubled the previous count. Those at the third and fourth stages of Soul Martial were most numerous, followed by the fifth stage, while the sixth and seventh realms showed gradual decline.
In the Blood Martial Realm, most were at the first level, with many at the second. The strongest reached Blood Martial Fourth Level, with none surpassing it.
Cheng Lingyu withdrew his gaze, silently watching the stone wall while counting time.
Hua Mantian stood outside the cave wearing a smile.
Within mere minutes after the first hundred cultivators entered, one was eliminated. Hua Mantian immediately ordered a replacement.
Soon another was expelled, tightening the nerves of those waiting outside.
Thirty-five cultivators got eliminated within half an hour without a single success, fueling collective anxiety.
Cheng Lingyu’s relaxed expression turned solemn as he awaited the hour mark, curious about the pass rate.
When the hour arrived, only twelve had succeeded.
The pitifully low ratio hung like a great mountain over the crowd.
Time flowed on. The eliminated were expelled through the mountain gate while successful candidates remained scarce.
By next morning, Cheng Lingyu’s turn came. Under Lan Xiaozhu and Qu Wei’s encouraging gazes, he entered the cave.
Dim light revealed an emerald stone tablet bearing a clear handprint. Cheng Lingyu pressed his right palm against it.
The tablet vibrated faintly before mystical energy whisked him to a peculiar valley.
Standing in the depression, Cheng Lingyu looked up to see his target – the radiant palace atop the summit.
Surveying surroundings, he discovered the supergravity field prevented flight, forcing climbers to scale the slope.
This restriction confined movement for upcoming trials.
The several-mile ascent would take minutes even without obstacles under supergravity.
Cheng Lingyu rushed forward without delay.
Upon crossing a gentle slope, the supergravity vanished abruptly.
Simultaneously, crisis struck as violent force engulfed him.
Roaring, Cheng Lingyu unleashed rapid punches whose shockwaves rippled outward.
A massive shadow crashed down, blasting him backward.
Regaining footing, Cheng Lingyu locked eyes with a hulking brute – ugly-faced yet radiating savage dominance.
“Who are you?”
The giant ignored him, iron claw-hands slashing downward with unexpected agility.
Cheng Lingyu leaped, somersaulting mid-air to meet the assault with Thousand Strikes.
Though also at Soul Martial’s third stage, the brute possessed monstrous strength and combat mastery.
Cheng Lingyu relished such clashes. His supreme constitution granted peerless physical power, overwhelming same-realm opponents.
Both favored direct attacks, creating an even match.
Cheng Lingyu marveled – this brute was his first equal in raw combat.
Enraged, the giant roared. His hands swelled as beastly traits emerged.
“Monster?”
Cheng Lingyu pressed the attack, merging Thunder Palm with Thousand Strikes.
The giant’s fist shattered when colliding with Cheng Lingyu’s strike, sending him flying.
Howling, the brute’s eyes blazed crimson as he transformed into a massive black bear stomping downward.
Cheng Lingyu’s fist pierced the paw, spraying blood.
The bear charged madly, but Cheng Lingyu’s agile Movement Technique and Thousand Strikes forced it back, blood dripping from its mouth.
Known for invincible hide and dominance, the bear had never met its match – until encountering this freak who nearly broke its limbs.
Cheng Lingyu lunged for the final blow with Mount Tai descending force.
The bear retaliated with a soul-piercing mental assault from its furious eyes.
Unfazed, Cheng Lingyu’s eyes glowed violet-red. His Fourth Layer of Soul Refinement combined with Soul Severing Technique shattered the mental attack, crippling the bear’s spirit.
Descending like a hawk, Cheng Lingyu unleashed hundreds of kicks whose accumulated force nearly disintegrated the bear.
With final whimper, the bear collapsed, too wounded to rise.