Despite being several kilometers away from the holy tree, Shi Xiaobai could still catch a scent of the aroma the tree's leaves were emitting. The refreshing fragrance was different. To him, it was the fragrance of a delicacy.
What would be the flavor of the crystal leaves?
Shi Xiaobai gulped his saliva once again, taking a moment to suppress his terrifying appetite that nearly reared its head.
...
As he proceeded forward, the closer he reached the heart of the city, the scene looked even more flourishing. Although the buildings had a medieval flavor to them, they were frequently adorned with ornaments like gold and crystal, making the buildings very opulent.
Every brick that made up the royal palace in Transcendence was adorned with gold, making it look extremely extravagant.
After passing by the royal palace, they finally reached guest houses the Transcendents had prepared for foreign Bravehearts.
These guest houses were not considered luxurious but it was rather spacious and clean.
However, Moya did not stop at any of the houses but instead walked towards a corner.
"There is the resting area for you humans."
Moya pointed to a corner.
When Shi Xiaobai saw this when he walked over, he immediately frowned.
It was a tiny hut and looked dingy on the outside compared to the terrace houses from before. There was no need to mention how little room there was on the inside.
It was like a barn beside a high-end hotel.
This was the guest house prepared for humans!?
Shi Xiaobai was immediately incensed.
Moya said with a chuckle, "Sorry, as you humans, who suddenly have the title of Bravehearts, appeared out of the blue, it has exceeded our expectations. As there are too many foreign Bravehearts that came for the tournament, there is a shortage of rooms, so all of you can only be temporarily put up here. Really sorry about that."
The green-skinned dwarf's words were apologetic, but be it his facial expression or the tone in his voice, there was not the slightest hint of apology.
Shi Xiaobai took a deep breath and said coldly, "You will feel remorse for what you have done very soon."
Despite knowing that the Transcendents did not really exist, with them being non-playing characters created by the assessment program, Shi Xiaobai was so infuriated that he nearly lost his reason when faced with such racial discrimination.
However, Shi Xiaobai was vaguely aware how terrible things would become if he were to let his anger boil.
Therefore, he forcefully repressed his anger.
Moya said in a deadpan manner, "It seems you are very angry, but that is normal. You should cherish this moment of anger. That's because when you realize the power of the Transcendents, you will have awe and fear left in your heart. Look at all those other species, they are just like you humans. They complain and resent the disparate treatment, but now, they have accepted it. This is because the world is not fair. From the moment you are born, your race is decided, destining your stature. Then, we shall meet in the Martial Arts Tournament. If you wish to prove the stature of humans, that is the best opportunity."
After Moya finished speaking, he left.
Shi Xiaobai stood in his original spot with a deadpan expression. He took a few deep breaths, suppressing an inexplicable impulse in his heart.
He realized that when he was angered, he felt a faint feeling of him losing his reason. There was a raging desire to destroy. That primordial foul emotion made Shi Xiaobai have no choice but to force himself to calm down.
Shi Xiaobai realized that he could not be so easily controlled by anger.
However, it was impossible for him to take this injustice lying down.
Smacking faces only at the Martial Arts Tournament?
No, that would be too late. Shi Xiaobai was eager to vent his pent up feelings!
This desire was extremely intense!
As Shi Xiaobai took deep breaths, he could not help but look at the towering tree that could be seen from any location.
This was the holy tree of the Transcendents?
Shi Xiaobai's eyes lit up slightly as he had a thought on his mind.
Since these Transcendents who thought highly of themselves belittled humans, to the point of giving them unfair treatment, why did he need to maintain any decorum with them?
"It's all of you forcing This King...to eat your holy tree!"
Shi Xiaobai sneered as he began pondering how to devour the holy tree.
Regardless what problem would be provoked from eating the holy tree, Shi Xiaobai could not take this lying down!
To dare mess with This King?
Eat first, talk later!
...
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Chapter341 The powerful Transcendents
The reason behind Shi Xiaobai having thoughts of eating the Transcendence Holy Tree was not only due to the unfair treatment of humans by the Transcendents that infuriated him, but also because the leaves of the Transcendence Holy Tree emitted a fragrance that made him salivate.
Now, Shi Xiaobai was located in the middle of the city, so he was very close to the holy tree. The fragrance was permeating through the air, constantly invoking his 'appetite'.
Eating the holy tree could vent his anger as well as satisfy his 'appetite', so why not?
However, Shi Xiaobai did not immediately take action.
Back when he passed the holy tree, Shi Xiaobai had taken note of the area. The holy tree did not have many guards, apparently because the Transcendents were not too worried that others would have nefarious thoughts on the holy tree. However, the area around the holy tree had a steady stream of foreign races passing through.
The holy tree was the most famous landmark of Transcendence, so it was very natural for foreigners to take a look, having come to Transcendence.
Therefore, if Shi Xiaobai were to 'eat' the holy tree in a view of everyone, he would be committing a crime openly, which would definitely stir everyone in Transcendence.
Shi Xiaobai did not mind causing a scene since he did not plan on obtaining the assessment program's approval through the Martial Arts Tournament.
However, the other trial-takers belonged to the same human camp as he was. If he were to do something so atrocious, he might implicate them, causing them to lose their eligibility for the tournament. They might even be dealt with as enemies by the Transcendents.
Shi Xiaobai could ignore the rest, but he did not want to harm Sunless.
Therefore, his plan of eating the holy tree could only be done incognito. He had to find an opportunity when there would be fewer tourists so as to hide inside the holy tree's crown. He could then slowly eat clean the holy tree without anyone knowing.
Now, it was best he met up with Sunless first, so as to fulfill the promise that he made with her on the fifth level.
Go ahead first. Let us meet on the seventh level.
This was what Shi Xiaobai had previously said and he was never one to break his word.
...
...
"Knock, knock..."
Shi Xiaobai gently knocked on the mottled wooden door on the short and aged hut.
"The door isn't locked. Please enter."
A voice responded immediately from the inside.
It was a familiar but also unfamiliar male's voice. Shi Xiaobai had heard it before but it had not left a deep impression on him.
Shi Xiaobai immediately opened the door.
As the wooden door opened, it let out a light creaking sound. The scene inside the narrow house was imprinted in his eyes. It was a house without a single window. There was only a chimney for ventilation, and the sunlight that entered was extremely dim; therefore, the room was lit with candles.
In the dim candlelight, the old walls and floor were filled with the marks of time, but they were extremely clean, apparently having been meticulously cleaned not long ag
o.
Shi Xiaobai scanned the room and saw only three people. They were sitting in three separate corners of the room. Two of them were in Cogitation with their eyes closed, while one of them was looking extremely bored.
Shi Xiaobai focused and indeed, the two people in Cogitation were familiar. One of them was Pulp Farmer and the other was Liu Yu. As for the person looking bored, he was an armored-youth.
If he wasn't mistaken, this youth was called Feng Yuanlin? From what Mu Yuesheng said, the youth had once protected him on the fifth level.
With the door opened, the cogitating Pulp Farmer and Liu Yu did not open their eyes, apparently unconcerned with the person who had knocked.
Feng Yuanlin widened his eyes as he looked over, and when he realized it was Shi Xiaobai, he immediately exclaimed, "Wow, Boss Shi Xiaobai!"
With this said, Pulp Farmer and Liu Yu spontaneously opened their eyes as they looked surprised.
Shi Xiaobai's appearance here was a very problematic matter for them. This was because the Bravehearts that had slain the seven dragons had already been decided. They were finding it unfortunate that Shi Xiaobai had been eliminated on the sixth level, but now, he had appeared here with them.
Could it be that he was directly promoted to the seventh level after killing four Level Lords? If that was the case, it was somewhat reasonable.
However, how was Shi Xiaobai able to kill four Level Lords? And why did he do so?
The three people in the room were immediately filled with questions.
Shi Xiaobai asked before they could ask their questions, "There's only the three of you?"
Feng Yuanlin guessed at what Shi Xiaobai was really referring to and answered, "That's right. We are the only three participating in the Martial Arts Tournament. Sunless isn't here."
Shi Xiaobai was slightly disappointed when he heard this. After all, he had specially made the trip to Transcendence to meet Sunless. He never expected that she wasn't here and that only three people, a number less than half the Bravehearts, were participating in the tournament.
Shi Xiaobai could not help but ask, "Isn't it said that participating in the tournament is the most mainstream way to clear the level?"
Feng Yuanlin said with an awkward smile, "The most mainstream way usually means the simplest... Proud geniuses like Speechless, Mu Lengxi, and Sunless probably do not wish to go down a well-trodden path, or they might be attempting to leave the beaten track, or challenge the Conquest King or the Hero King's feats."
With Feng Yuanlin saying so, Shi Xiaobai was immediately enlightened. After all, he too did not wish to clear the level using the tournament. After hearing the four different stories, there was an inclination for people to have the impassioned hope of creating the fifth story.
However, Shi Xiaobai had a feeling that things were apparently not that simple.
At this moment, Pulp Farmer did not agree with what Feng Yuanlin said. He said, "The most mainstream way doesn't necessarily mean the simplest. Ever since Xu Taibai clinched victory at the tournament, the strongest member of the Transcendents, Leonis, had an enhancement in strength. As such, not a single trial-taker has managed to defeat Leonis in the tournament for the several thousand years. People say that the Ji Feng and the Conquest King would be able to easily defeat Leonis, but it might not be the case. After all, they were at the Psionic Mortal Realm back then. As for Leonis's strength, it was likely on the same level as the Infernal King. Therefore, it might not be the simplest way to clinch victory at the tournament. However, there is a lower risk even if this ends up failing; hence, it became the most mainstream way."
Liu Yu added as well, "Let's not talk about Leonis. Throughout history, the number of trial-takers that can defeat Moya, the second strongest Transcendent so as to have the right to challenge the defending champion can be counted with one's fingers. Most trial-takers get halted during the qualifying matches. In fact, being able to defeat any of the eight Bravehearts of the Transcendents is already an extremely impressive feat."
Shi Xiaobai said in astonishment, "The Transcendents are that powerful?"
Liu Yu said with a nod, "The Transcendents is the only race in this level's world that can put up a fight with the Infernal King, allowing them to enjoy a stature above all other races. They are naturally gifted with strong physiques, and the strength of the eight Bravehearts has already exceeded the Psionic Mortal Realm. Especially Leonis and Moya, their strength is unfathomable. Over the thousands of years of history, only five people have been able to defeat Moya. The only person that could defeat Leonis was Xu Taibai. Furthermore, it was against a weaker Leonis. Now, Leonis almost has the same power as the Infernal King!"
...
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Chapter342 Leonis and civil strife
"Leonis is also quite a legendary figure among the Transcendents. He is not a purebred Transcendent, but a 'hybrid' of Transcendents and a member of the lion-headed species. The Transcendents are extremists when it comes to racial superiority. Therefore, Leonis suffered discrimination and bullying from a young age, but for some reason, the talent he possessed far exceeded all Transcendents, so he slowly became the strongest member of the Transcendents. Although he was able to use its redoubtable strength to become the king of the Transcendents, there are many people who are unconvinced about its reign as king. Especially when Leonis recently revealed his intentions of overthrowing racial discrimination, a revolutionary faction was secretly formed, with Moya, the second strongest Transcendent, as the leader. At the tournament, they would mutiny and attempt to overthrow Leonis. This is the story background of Transcendence. How is it? Is it interesting enough?"
Feng Yuanlin patiently introduced the situation regarding Transcendence to Shi Xiaobai.
This information was of course readily available on the Internet, collated by countless trial-takers over the years. This was also the reason why the first six levels of the Nine Revolutions Transcendental Tower were determined randomly. It was to prevent trial-takers from using prior experience to come up with strategic shortcuts.
However, from the seventh level onwards, even if one knew exactly how to clear it, it would be useless without the strength to do so.
Shi Xiaobai had already experienced the Transcendents' racial discrimination. Furthermore, the green-skinned dwarf that led the way was also called Moya.
The dwarf had spoken with an air of superiority, but it was unexpected for him to be the second strongest member of the Transcendents!
Shi Xiaobai could only feel a sense of 'schadenfreude' regarding the Transcendents' civil strife. He had a poor impression of the race that found themselves superior.
"How did the civil strife end?"
Shi Xiaobai could not help but ask. Since this story was repeated every month, its ending should have happened countless times.
Feng Yuanlin held up two fingers and he said, "There are two outcomes. The simpler outcome is that the trial-takers, which is us, defeat Moya in the qualifying match, Moya would lose all prestige, demolishing the chance for mutiny."
"The slightly more complicated outcome is Moya gaining the qualification to challenge the defending champion, battling the seven times defending champion, Leonis, in a final match. In that match, the eight Transcendent Bravehearts will suddenly attack Leonis sneakily. After that...guess what happens?"
Feng Yuanlin playfully kept Shi Xiaobai guessing.
Shi Xiaobai thought for a moment before saying, "Leonis won?"
Feng Yuanlin said with a chuckle, "Not only did he win, it was a wipeout! Leonis had always been hiding his true strength. In his rage, he finally went mad, killing the eight Bravehearts instantaneously. Moya could only last a few moves before dying as well!"
Shi Xiaobai was slightly surprised. Despite only five trial-takers after Xu Taibai managing to defeat Moya over thousands of years to qualify to challenge the defending champion, Leonis was able to wipe out the eight Bravehe
arts. It was able kill Moya in a few moves despite being ganged up upon. If that was the case, how terrifying was his strength!? It was no wonder no one after Xu Taibai had managed to win the championship.
At this moment, Liu Yu said, "Therefore, although challenging the tournament is the most mainstream method, it might not be the easiest. The true strength of Leonis should not be much worse than the Infernal King. However, this method is less risky. Even if one fails in the challenge, one can still attempt the other methods."
Feng Yuanlin said with a bashful smile, "It seems that's the reason. Thinking about it carefully, there's no hope to clinch victory at the tournament. Being able to defeat Moya is enough to brag for years. Anyway, Liu Yu and I are nobodies here to join in the bustle. Being able to reach the seventh level and enter the top ten for the selection is already something to be content with."
The remark sounded lacking in ambition, but Liu Yu, who had been dubbed a 'nobody', did not retort. Instead, he said earnestly, "This Penniless Priest doesn't have great ambitions. Being able to witness the outcome of the civil war is enough to content me. But for Benefactor Xiaobai and Benefactor Pulp Farmer, both of you are different as both of you possess limitless possibilities. If it's possible, please do your best to defeat Moya. Let those snobbish Transcendents see how powerful we humans are!"
Be it the way the Transcendents looked at them or how bad the guest house designated to them was, they could feel the racial discrimination from the Transcendents, as well as the unequal treatment. In fact, Liu Yu and company were infuriated just like Shi Xiaobai.
Pulp Farmer nodded his head seriously and said in a heavy tone, "There's no need for you to say that. I already can't wait to let the Transcendents know that we humans are a great race that far exceeds their imaginations!"
Upon hearing this, Shi Xiaobai's blood boiled with fervour. He could not help but sigh, "This King...does not intend to participate in the tournament."
Shi Xiaobai never planned on participating in the tournament even though he had the strong desire to brutally smack Moya and the Transcendents in the face at the tournament.
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