Nine Star Hegemon Body Art c1-2048
Page 638
Su Mo didn’t rush them, just calmly waiting for their decision. What they were experiencing, he had also experienced. So he wasn’t the slightest bit impatient.
Finally, after an hour, everyone had made their decision. There were twenty thousand people who chose to give up, and eighty thousand that chose to continue to the inner sect trial.
Seeing this many people still wanted to participate in the inner sect trial, a helpless expression appeared in Su Mo’s eyes. But he didn’t say anything.
People quickly came to lead the disciples who had given up away. They should be setting up their residences and positions.
Once the outer sect disciples were led away, Su Mo said, “Since you’ve chosen to participate in the inner sect trial, then as your senior apprentice-brother, I can only wish you good luck. But before the trial, you have to meet a few people. Perhaps they can save your life on the battlefield.”
Countless runes on the floor tiles beneath their feet lit up. The space around them twisted, and they suddenly appeared in a dark and damp environment.
Chapter 1013 Merged With Heaven and Earth
Everyone found that they had been transported to a dark and damp environment. An aura of decay and death filled the air.
They jumped in shock. Before they could clearly examine their surroundings, they were deeply shaken by the group of people in front of them.
There was a sea of people staring coldly at them. A rough estimate put them at over three hundred thousand.
There were men and women amongst them, and they were all young. Although they were also Sea Expansion experts, they gave off heavy pressure just by standing there. They were like immovable mountains.
“True experts.” Even Long Chen’s heart shook. These people’s auras weren’t just condensed to the pinnacle, but their eyes were like blades. These people were completely different from the three outer regions’ disciples; they were real experts who had seen blood before.
Several people amongst them gave even Long Chen a sensation of heavy pressure. That made him understand something.
“Let me introduce you. The ones in front of you are disciples from the same generation as you. However, they are disciples from the Central Plains,” said Su Mo.
That shook the four regions’ disciples. Although they had long since prepared themselves, having their guess confirmed still shocked them.
That was because even though they were all at Sea Expansion, they could clearly sense immense pressure from these people, a pressure that made it hard for them to breathe. They definitely weren’t on the same level.
The Central Plains’ disciples looked at the bewildered disciples from the other four regions. Different emotions appeared in their eyes. Some were curious, some were disdainful, and some were icy. The four regions’ disciples didn’t know what to think.
Looking at those complicated expressions, Su Mo said, “I’m sure you feel a great deal of pressure, but you don’t need to feel inferior. It’s not your fault; it’s the fault of your sects. In order to achieve the highest results, your sects focused on the quantity of disciples, slightly neglecting quality. Thus, your power is a bit empty.
“This is also due to the Xuantian Dao Sect’s practices. The sect sends resources in accordance with how many disciples the branch sects can send to participate in the trial. So after making sure you were fat and plump, they sent you over. Because they were worried about losing out, they pampered you a hundred ways, not letting you participate in life and death battles. If you are shelved weapons that have rotted in storage, then these Central Plains disciples are weapons that have gone through countless temperings and begun to release their light.”
Hearing Su Mo’s cold and frank words, Long Chen couldn’t help but nod. Su Mo was worthy of being a true expert. His vision was sharp, and he dared to say whatever he wanted. In front of these disciples, he dared to criticize the Xuantian Dao Sect’s practices. That required a certain amount of courage.
Furthermore, his words were absolutely correct. Other than the Eastern Wasteland, the other four regions were too peaceful. They naturally wouldn’t need to risk their lives.
There was no way around it for the Eastern Wasteland. Many good sprouts fell during the battles between the Righteous and Corrupt paths. Even whole sects might be attacked, so there was no way to preserve the lives of their disciples.
The Eastern Wasteland’s disciples had no choice but to put their lives on the line, because if they didn’t, they wouldn’t have lives any longer. But the other three regions had it too good, and there was no reason for them to risk their lives.
Now that Su Mo said this, the three regions’ disciples couldn’t help but become a bit angry. They felt like their sects had limited their growth.
“But you shouldn’t complain. Complaining is forever the helpless display of the weak. The reason the strong become strong is because they are always searching for their own reason to get stronger. The reason the weak become weak is because they are always searching for excuses for their own laziness.
“Hard work is never late, and in the Xuantian Dao Sect, as long as you are talented and work your hardest, you will eventually be able to release your light. However, your previous laziness and peace have overdrafted your luck.
“Now that you’ve decided to participate in the inner sect trial, the heavens will be taking everything that you owe. I tried to advise you not to participate, but you all still chose to try it. I don’t know whether I should praise you for your courage or your foolishness. As your senior apprentice-brother, I’ll be ruthless and give you another blow: in your current state, it would be a miracle if even a third of you manage to survive the inner sect trial.” Su Mo shook his head.
Hearing this, all their expressions changed. Although they had felt the inner sect trial would be difficult, this terrifying mortality rate caused their hearts to sink. Of every three of them, only one would survive, and those that survived had to be both strong and lucky.
“It is too late for regret. I’ll direct you to a smart path right now: if you want to live, join one of the factions of the Central Plains’ disciples. When the Central Plains’ disciples arrive at the Xuantian Dao Sect, they don’t need to participate in the outer sect trial. They can directly participate in the inner sect trial. They were originally elites, and each one of them has experienced over ten life and death battles. You can’t compare to their battle experience. In terms of talent, you might be around the same, but when it comes to combat strength, they are ten times stronger than you. If you want to keep your lives, abandon your dignity and try to join them.”
The four regions’ disciples didn’t know what to say. Looking at those icy Central Plains disciples, it felt like they were wagging their tails pitifully. They were geniuses, not beggars!
Most importantly, even if someone did give up all their face, what if they refused you? Would you not feel ashamed to even keep on living?
Su Mo turned to the Central Plains disciples. “In the Xuantian Dao Sect, you have to establish your own factions, so this is the best way to expand. Gold will eventually release its light, but once it does, it will quickly be taken away by others. This is now a test of your ability to see who is gold. The four regions’ disciples have unsteady foundations, but their talent is still high. They’ve passed the Xuantian Staircase, so their will is also firm enough. They aren’t actually inferior to you; they’re just lacking an opportunity to rise. So whether you’re recruiting or joining, this is a good opportunity for you. Grab hold of it yourselves.”
“Senior apprentice-brother Su Mo, can we form our own faction? We have the power to protect others,” said Yan Mochen.
At the same time, Han Yunshan and Wei Changhai also stood with him. Quite a few disciples were following them.
Long Chen shook his head. Yan Mochen’s intent was clear: as a rank five Celestial, he definitely wouldn’t lower his head to anyone. He wanted to work together with Han Yunshan and Wei Changhai to form their
own faction.
“Tch, with your little power, just protecting yourself would be difficult enough. How do you have the power to protect others?” A tall and skinny man from the Central Plains’ disciples suddenly walked out.
As soon as he did, the other four regions’ disciples were shocked. There were no fluctuations coming from him, but the space around him was constantly twisting. Heaven and earth seemed to ripple like he was standing in water. Some faint runes flickered around him, but that wasn’t intentional or conscious.
“The realm of being merged with heaven and earth?!”
Han Yunshan, Yan Mochen, and Wei Changhai were all shocked. Others might not know, but they knew that this was a level only possible when one’s Heavenly Dao runes were condensed to a pinnacle. A portion of their runes would merge with heaven and earth.
That was a realm only innate rank five Celestials had the qualifications to reach. And even though the three of them were also innate rank five Celestials, reaching the realm of merging their Heavenly Dao runes with heaven and earth wasn’t just a matter of talent. It also required comprehension.
“Correct. If a Celestial hasn’t even reached the realm of merging with heaven and earth, then they’re no more than an amateur Celestial. Only once you reach this realm can you control Heavenly Dao energy with just a thought. You’re still a far cry from this point,” said that man.
“But… Even if I haven’t reached that realm, it’s just a matter of time! Even if I don’t possess that ability, I’m still a rank five Celestial. I have the power to protect myself, as well as the power to protect others!” cried Yan Mochen.
“Is that so? Then let’s test that. I’ll be your opponent. See if you can protect yourself.”
After saying that, no one even saw him bend his knees or raise his feet before he moved like a phantom. There was no sign at all, and by the time people realized he had moved, he was standing right in front of Yan Mochen.
Yan Mochen was startled, and he let out a punch. His earth runes covered his fist, and still not feeling reassured, he summoned his Great Earthen Armor.
Shockingly, when Yan Mochen’s fist struck that thin man’s body, his body exploded in an instant.
“What speed.” Long Chen’s eyes narrowed. Perhaps others hadn’t seen, but the instant that man had been about to be struck by Yan Mochen’s fist, his feet had taken a strange step, and he had vanished.
To others, it looked like his body had been destroyed by Yan Mochen’s fist, but he was just too fast. What was struck was just an afterimage.
An icy sword pressed against Yan Mochen’s neck, its sharp edge easily going through Yan Mochen’s runic armor. Blood slowly seeped down the sword.
For a moment, everyone was deathly silent. An icy voice rang out behind Yan Mochen.
“Now tell me, how are you supposed to protect yourself, let alone others?”
Chapter 1014 The Difference is Too Great
His voice resounded in all their ears, and blood dripped down his sword drop by drop, causing everyone to smell the scent of death.
This tall, skinny man was too terrifying. Even someone as strong as Yan Mochen was unable to receive a single blow from him. If he had wanted to kill him, his head would already be rolling on the ground.
It had happened so suddenly that it felt like it was over before it started. The four regions’ disciples all felt a chill. The difference in power was too great.
The Central Plains’ disciples just indifferently watched, as if they had long since expected such a thing. There was faint derision in many of their eyes.
Su Mo didn’t say a word. Everything was within his expectations.
“How powerful! What kind of footwork was that?” Tang Wan-er was also shocked. She had exchanged blows with Yan Mochen, and so she knew how strong he was.
Last time, she had been able to fight evenly with him, even slightly winning. But she had been taking advantage of his minimal battle experience and using the openings between his moves. Even so, she had been unable to defeat him.
But this person was able to defeat Yan Mochen in one move. Although they were both rank five Celestials, the difference was immense.
“In truth, this is normal. This is the power a rank five Celestial should possess. Yan Mochen and the others are truly marvels; you can’t learn a rank five Celestial’s power by fighting them,” said Long Chen. He felt his blood quicken, and he sensed excitement in his bones. That was a desire to fight against real experts.
“You… this was… it was just an accident! I wasn’t properly prepared and didn’t agree to fight you yet before you started!” Yan Mochen was sweating, but he still put on a strong act.
“Hahahaha…” Hearing Yan Mochen’s quibbling, the Central Plains’ disciples laughed. He actually wanted to find such reasons for his loss. Did he think this was a game for children?
Long Chen was also speechless. Even he was being laughed at indirectly. The Central Plains’ disciples weren’t just laughing at Yan Mochen, but also at all the four regions’ disciples.
“Laughably childish. On the battlefield, will your enemies tell you that they’re going to kill you before doing so?” sneered the tall, skinny man. “Furthermore, I warned you, but you were unable to block. I didn’t even use my Heavenly Dao energy or activate my Spirit Blood. You’re too weak. Your cultivation base might be high, but you don’t know how to use it. A sheep with no claws is still prey no matter how big it grows. Since you aren’t convinced, I’ll give you another chance. The three of you can join hands. If you can receive three exchanges from me, you can go ahead and form your own faction.”
He put away his sword and looked at Yan Mochen, Han Yunshan, and Wei Changhai. His tone was flat without a hint of derision, but it was completely unacceptable to them.
“Fine, then we’ll attack!” Yan Mochen refused to give up like this. Although he had to admit he wasn’t his match, he didn’t believe that they wouldn’t even be able to last three exchanges once they joined hands.
“Earthen Suction!” Yan Mochen shouted, and the ground began to shake. People felt a powerful force pull them down into the earth. It was like their bodies suddenly became thousands of tons heavier and they were unable to move. This was an incredibly rare gravitational move.
The Central Plains’ disciples’ derision faded, replaced with shock. This earth energy was extremely powerful.
Even the aftershocks already possessed such power, not to mention the force that the tall man was enduring. It had to be at least a hundred times stronger.
“Your earth energy isn’t bad, not bad at all!” The tall man’s eyes brightened.
Although it sounded like praise, it wasn’t the praise of someone acknowledging his equal, and so it was no different than a slap in the face. Yan Mochen was enraged.
“Earth Spirit Fist!” Yan Mochen roared and countless runes lit up on the ground. The instant Yan Mochen attacked, the earth erupted and a huge arm shot out at the tall man.
This was Yan Mochen’s strongest attack. He hadn’t used it against Tang Wan-er. But at that time, it wasn’t that he hadn’t wanted to use it, but that he hadn’t had the chance. This move had a long cast time, and Tang Wan-er never gave him the chance to use it.
But now it was different. This tall man was allowing Yan Mochen to absorb as much energy as he wanted so he could unleash his strongest move.
Seeing this move, Han Yunshan and Wei Changhai, who had been brewing their own attacks, stopped. They were afraid they would kill their opponent, and that would be troublesome.
BOOM!
Suddenly, heaven and earth trembled and everyone staggered, almost falling. Yan Mochen’s fist had smashed into a runic barrier, shaking it slightly.
All of the spectators could clearly see Yan Mochen’s runic energy being broken down by the barrier. The tall man stood within the barrier, indifferently looking at Yan Mochen.
“Bastard, break!” roared Yan Mochen. The earth around him trembled even more intensely than
before. Endless earth energy surged toward him.
“What an idiot. It’s like he’s trying to make a bag explode by pouring in water, but the bag has holes in it. No matter how much water he pours in, it’s useless. Li Qi, Song Mingyuan, don’t learn from him,” said Long Chen.
“Don’t worry boss, we have brains,” said the two of them, expressing the greatest difference between them and Yan Mochen.
“Chilling Ice Slash!”
“Water Dragon Attack!”
Han Yunshan and Wei Changhai saw that their expectations were off, and they also unleashed their strongest attacks.
The two of their attacks were incredibly powerful. A huge water dragon and ice blade mercilessly crashed down on the barrier.
“Be repelled.” The tall man extended a single hand. A terrifying force suddenly erupted, and runes filled the sky.
BOOM! Three figures flew back, wildly vomiting blood. Yan Mochen, Wei Changhai, and Han Yunshan were blown back with a single attack.
As for the tall man, he was still in his original posture with his arm outstretched. His body hadn’t moved at all.
“How could he be so terrifying? He can send the three of them flying without the slightest effort?” asked Guo Ran.
Everyone was shocked. Was the difference really this great? Three peak experts joined hands but were unable to even shake their opponent? That blow to their confidence was a bit too strong!
“What he used was technique. His runes are very special, and he absorbed Yan Mochen’s runic energy without him even noticing. He’s very powerful to be able to absorb his opponent’s energy and transform it into his own power secretly. By the time they sense it, it’s too late. It’s like they just beat themselves. It saves energy, it’s effective, and it’s simple. In battle, each little bit of energy you can save gives you a greater chance of survival. So this person is definitely an expert,” said Long Chen.
This person was powerful and had plenty of battle experience. Compared to Yan Mochen and the other greenhouse flowers, he was probably over ten times stronger.