Nine Star Hegemon Body Art c1-2048

by Translator: BornToBe; Author: Ordinary Magician (平凡魔术师); Licensed From: 17k

  “Those who haven’t collected the full tablet must retreat three hundred meters.”

  Tu Fang’s voice was like a loud bell, his voice filled with dignity and majesty. It echoed against the stone wall.

  Of the crowd that had gathered here, a huge portion immediately withdrew, leaving just over three thousand people.

  Long Chen was astonished. Wasn’t this ‘only’ a seventy-five percent wash-out rate? How were there so few people left?

  If one in four had managed to pass, then of the thirty thousand people at the beginning, at least seven thousand should have gathered the tablet.

  But Long Chen immediately thought of the problem. If people lost or damaged their tiles, or perhaps ended up dying to Magical Beasts, then that meant a set had been destroyed.

  And perhaps it was also like senior apprentice-brother Wan had said in the beginning: some people who knew they wouldn’t pass would just directly destroy their own tile. If they couldn’t pass, they would at least drag down three others. Of course, if four people with different tiles all had the same thought, all together that would just be one set.

  Those reasons could explain why there were so few people. Of thirty thousand people, only three thousand remained. That elimination rate was absolutely shocking.

  Tu Fang nodded as he looked over these remaining people.

  “I will be in charge of this last trial. You can all see that there are over nine thousand caves behind me. That place is the location of your final trial.”

  Tu Fang pointed to the stone wall behind him. Following his movements, those seniors slowly opened their eyes.

  A stone pillar slowly rose in front of each of them. Those stone pillars were several feet thick and rose around three meters high. All kinds of strange looking lines covered them, giving them an incredibly ancient feeling.

  When those stone pillars appeared, all the Elders extended a hand and placed it on their respective stone pillar, inserting boundless energy into it.

  Those lines atop the stone pillars began to glow as the Elders inserted more energy, almost seeming to come to life.

  BUZZZ!!! When those lines completely lit up, a booming sound came from the entire stone wall. The land trembled as terrifying pressure shot out, seeming to want to crush people into dust.

  That was a kind of spiritual pressure that came from the deepest depths of a person’s soul. It would cause someone to involuntarily feel both reverence and terror. They couldn’t help but take a couple of steps back. That was just a kind of instinct.

  But there were six people who didn’t retreat and were still standing in their original location like relaxed cypresses. They were Tang Wan-er, Ye Zhiqiu, Lei Qianshang, Qi Xin, Yue Zifeng, and also Long Chen.

  Tu Fang looked at these six and nodded. This time there were six experts. If the other regions also had that many, the Xuantian Monastery’s rise to the top would be impossible to stop.

  Crack, crack, crack…

  Following the shaking of the stone wall, stone doors that originally had completely sealed their caves slowly began to rise. That sight was almost as if a fiend was opening its eyes, and a sinister air blew over, causing people to shiver.

  The insides of the caves were pitch-black, so they were unable to see inside. It was only with the light of the stone pillars that people could see that atop each cave were a couple of talismans.

  “These caves are your final test. There are three different trials: outer disciple, inner disciple, and core disciple.”

  Tu Fang pointed to the thousands of caves behind him. “You can all see that these caves are not all the same size. The lower layer contains 5876 caves. Those are the outer disciple trials; if you pass, you will become an outer disciple of our monastery.”

  Only then did Long Chen realize that the caves on the stone wall were split into three layers. The sizes of the caves were a bit different, but the difference wasn’t that great. If it wasn’t for Tu Fang’s indication, it was difficult to tell.

  “The middle layer has 3096 caves for the inner disciple trial.

  “And the upper layer has 187 caves for the core disciple trials. If you want to become a core disciple, you must pass through one of them.”

  Everyone’s gazes were focused on those caves. They were filled with anticipation. Once they passed this, they would become true disciples of the Xuantian Monastery.

  Within the trial region, there were many people who hadn’t managed to obtain anything good. So, they needed to join the Xuantian Monastery even more so that they could obtain something.

  “But before this trial, I need to tell you guys a story. Listen carefully, because this will determine your future life and death.” Tu Fang solemnly looked over everyone.

  Those two words, life and death, continued to echo throughout their heads, smashing their hearts like hammers.

  Within their families, they were precious treasures. But here, they had become just weeds. They would never be the leading figures again.

  Furthermore, many people had seen geniuses on the same level as them die in the trial region. Their courage had been broken, as that was the first time they had ever been so close to death.

  Seeing everyone was appropriately pressured, Tu Fang nodded and continued. “You are all disciples from powerful families and have been doted on greatly. Your talents are extraordinary and your families have placed great hopes on you.

  “But after this long of a trial, have you all realized that you are just a group of trash?”

  His words were completely indifferent without the slightest emotion. There was not the slightest bit of ridicule. It was as if he was simply stating a fact. That infuriated many people as they felt they had been insulted.

  “Will you be cowardly in the face of death? Will you be indecisive? Will you want to give up? If you think you will, then don’t refuse to accept that you are trash.

  “Those Magical Beasts within the trial region were all placed there by the monastery. Most of them were second rank Magical Beasts. In normal circumstances, if you even used eighty percent of your strength, you would be able to easily kill them.

  “But the actual results have greatly disappointed me. Within the trial were 1587 people who died just to weak second rank Magical Beasts. Tell me, are you guys trash or not?

  “In front of a second rank Magical Beast, if you don’t have any experts as guards, you’ll all be terrified. Under the threat of death, you are unable to use even half of your strength. If you aren’t trash, then what are you?”

  Tu Fang’s words caused the majority of people to lower their heads in shame. They truly were just as Tu Fang described. With the threat of death hanging over them, they would all be terrified and unable to use their full strength. Some of them, who had barely managed to escape from the grip of death, were still dealing with a lingering trauma.

  “Don’t try to give me any excuses. Your families never tempered you enough and have pampered you too much. Experts are only able to become experts because they are willing to do anything to become stronger. As for weaklings, they don’t even have a chance to find an excuse. That is because they will all die.” Tu Fang icily continued as he saw there were still many people who were unconvinced.

  Tang Wan-er stealthily glanced at Long Chen when she heard Tu Fang’s words. He was expressionlessly looking up into the sky. How come his words seemed so similar to Tu Fang’s?

  “I’m telling you this as an alarm bell. Cultivation is a path of no retreat. If you are afraid of death, then just leave.

  “That is because what you will be facing today is just some childish playthings. Your future enemies will be ten thousand times more terrifying than them.

  “We’ve decided to give them a name: Corrupt Devils!”

  [1] In Chinese, when you say ‘I’m older than you’, you can use the same word as ‘big’.

  Chapter 162 Terrifying Trial

  “Corrupt Devils!”

  This unfamiliar term was something Long Chen had never
heard of. But he could clearly sense the extremely ancient, sinister aura coming from those caves.

  The majority of the crowd had also never heard that term. From their blank expressions, he could tell this was a kind of secret.

  But when he looked at Tang Wan-er, he saw her expression hadn’t changed. It seemed she had long since known what a ‘Corrupt Devil’ was.

  “The Corrupt Devils I speak of aren’t what you imagine. They are not the goblins and ghosts from your childhood myths and stories. They are Corrupt Devil cultivators.

  “And this trial will be to defeat those cultivators. Chop off their heads and you will pass,” explained Tu Fang.

  Everyone let out startled cries as they all looked towards the stone wall.

  “Yes. Each of those caves contains a Corrupt Devil cultivator. We term them Corrupt cultivators.

  “Their cultivation methods are completely different from ours. They are extremely sinister and ruthless. They are even more berserk than Magical Beasts. You can still choose to give up now, so think about it carefully,” said Tu Fang.

  The entire crowd was silent. Currently, there were only just over three thousand of them that had made it to this point. But what Elder Tu Fang was talking about was too shocking. Their hearts pounded nervously.

  “What kind of joke is this? Let them come! We’re all geniuses; do you think we’ll be scared away by just words? Hmph, if the rest of you don’t dare, then let me, Li Changfeng, take the lead!”

  One man ran out of the crowd arrogantly. Blood Qi surged from him as he held a longsword. He was an expert.

  “Think about it properly. This isn’t an ordinary trial, but a life and death battle. The slightest carelessness will cause you to lose your life,” warned Tu Fang.

  “Don’t worry Elder, this disciple understands,” replied that person.

  Tu Fang sighed somewhat helplessly. Why does every year always start with this kind of opening? Was that the will of the heavens?

  “If you want to take the lead, then come. Choose a cave according to your power level. If you feel like you cannot win, you can immediately flee from the cave and save your life.” Tu Fang gave one final warning to everyone.

  Long Chen was slightly startled. Looking at the stone pillars in front of those Elders, he saw they were all emitting a faint light that completely lit up the entire stone wall. Did that light have some kind of purpose?

  “Many thanks, Elder, for your concern. Disciple will go now.”

  That person confidently smiled and turned to glance back at everyone, sneering, “This junior is attached to Lei Qianshang. With how grand and powerful boss Lei is, as boss Lei’s subordinate, I pledge my absolute loyalty to what will be the most powerful faction!

  “With honor right before me, junior won’t be courteous and will take the first spot! This glory isn’t mine, but my most respected boss Lei Qianshang’s!”

  That person arrogantly laughed and ran over to the mountain cliff.

  Long Chen was a bit dumbstruck. This kind of advertising was a bit much, wasn’t it? As for Lei Qianshang, he nodded appreciatively. With such an intelligent disciple beneath, what couldn’t he accomplish?

  “I wonder what level he’ll choose.”

  “Looking at how boastful he was, he’ll probably choose the inner disciple level.”

  “Probably. Otherwise, wouldn’t all his boasting have just been crap? That really would be just giving himself a slap in the face.”

  Just as people were guessing he would choose an inner disciple level cave, he had already run over to the cliff. The large set of stairs was there.

  When he arrived at those stairs, one of the Elders asked, “Which cave do you want to go to?”

  “The one at the most right side on the lowest level.” That person immediately replied without even thinking about it.

  Displeasure rang out amongst the crowd. According to the cultivation world’s standards, the upper left side was most powerful while the lower right side was the weakest. By choosing the most right cave on the lowest level, he had chosen the absolute weakest cave.

  He had acted so grandly like an expert at the beginning, but now he chose the simplest trial.

  “That bastard is too shameless! He actually picked the most advantageous spot and didn’t even try to hide it!”

  Everyone knew that this fellow was definitely relying on his smarts. He had made the first move in order to get an advantage.

  “This fellow is so shameless; he really is just like you. Could it be that he is your long lost brother?” Tang Wan-er laughed.

  Long Chen didn’t get angry, shaking his head. “I definitely don’t have such a foolish brother. Looking at his face, I’m thinking he’ll soon want to repent and turn over a new leaf-”

  “AHH!”

  A miserable scream rang out from the cave. That person had only just entered before letting out that miserable scream, bringing with it a rain of blood that shot out of the cave.

  Long Chen frowned slightly. He took a step forward, blocking Tang Wan-er’s line of sight to that cave.

  The entire crowd let out startled exclamations. There were also some people who directly vomited. That boastful person was now torn in two, badly mutilated. That scene was absolutely terrifying.

  Previously he had been so lively and arrogant; now in the blink of an eye, he was a dead man. Furthermore, he had been killed with such a cruel and disgusting manner, horrifying everyone.

  “Long Chen, let me see. I’ll have to face this kind of reality sooner or later, so it might as well be sooner.” Tang Wan-er felt some warmth, knowing that Long Chen was looking after her by blocking her line of sight.

  Long Chen nodded as she was absolutely correct. How could you possibly not run into dead people on the path of cultivation? If she couldn’t even get past this, then she might as well give up on cultivation.

  But letting a fairy-like woman face such a cruel scene really was somewhat unacceptable. However, in the end, Long Chen still moved away.

  Seeing that badly mutilated figure, Tang Wan-er shook, her face becoming white as paper. She felt her stomach heaving.

  Just at that moment, a hand silently braced her shoulder, and a gentle spiritual qi was sent into her body. That nauseous feeling was immediately suppressed.

  Long Chen had already been anticipating her reaction, and so that was why he had been prepared to help her. It wasn’t the act of vomiting that would affect her, but if she really did vomit at this sight, it would affect her confidence.

  “Thank you. I’m fine now.” Tang Wan-er gratefully looked at Long Chen. If it weren’t for his assistance, she really would have lost control and vomited.

  Everyone’s expressions were all pained, and even people like Lei Qianshang were slightly pale. They had seen death but never such a cruel one.

  Seeing that everyone had already seen their fill of it, Long Chen extended a hand and shot out a ball of flame that landed on the corpse. That high temperature immediately burned the corpse to ash, causing everyone to let out a breath of relief. The pressure really was too great when seeing that corpse.

  Tu Fang glanced at Long Chen and nodded in praise. Long Chen was definitely the smart one. He knew how to balance the terror and pressure that people were feeling.

  “And that is why humans are stupid. They don’t even know how stupid they are, not knowing what respect is.”

  Tu Fang icily looked at everyone, gloomily saying, “Did you carefully listen to what I said before? Did you think I was just joking?”

  As he spoke, Tu Fang’s expression became incredibly gloomy. Light shot from his eyes, and a terrifying pressure shot out. He was truly infuriated.

  “Are you all idiots? Didn’t I just tell you? This isn’t an ordinary trial, but a life and death battle that will cause you to lose your life at the slightest carelessness!

  “If you know it relates to your life and death, why are you so careless? Before entering the cave, why wouldn’t you release your aura and take
out your weapons? Why weren’t you completely focused and on guard?

  “You didn’t even know what your enemy was, but you still walked in so brazenly? Was that to show off? To make you look brave?

  “Haha, not bad, definitely not bad. This interpretation of how to be a fool really is excellent. You’re definitely a group of ‘geniuses’.”

  Tu Fang icily looked over them, his expression became uglier by the second. Originally, he had thought that with this many geniuses, the monastery would finally begin to soar. However...

  They might be geniuses, but their heads were empty as fuck. If it weren’t for the monastery’s rules, he really would have desired to slap a few to death as a wake-up call.

  He had repeatedly urged them to be careful, even telling them how terrifying Corrupt cultivators were. Unfortunately, some fellows had taken his words to be a load of rubbish. He really had wasted his time.

  He really did need to give them a proper wake-up call. This trial was no game. If a monster-class genius ended up being negligent and dying here, he really would be angered to death.

  “Hmph, don’t think yourselves to be so smart. The trial this year isn’t the same as before. Don’t think that just because you got some information about the previous years that you are completely prepared.

  “In the past few years, the great wars between the Righteous and Corrupted paths have taken the lives of countless geniuses. The puppets within those caves were once living people just like you!

  “That’s right, the Corrupt cultivators in the caves aren’t actually alive. They are all corpses that have been carefully selected to fight with people of your cultivation base.

  “Their souls have been sealed, leaving behind only an instinctual fighting consciousness. So within them is only a desire to brutally massacre others. If you guys want to die, find somewhere alone to resolve that. Don’t die here and ruin the mood,” Tu Fang scolded them, irritated that they had not met his expectations.

  Tu Fang hadn’t had the heart to see that previous person die tragically and had even given him an extra warning. Unfortunately, that kind of person would never listen no matter how many times he was warned.