649: First level!

Chapter 649: The First Trial!

Maple Leaf was greatly looking forward to tomorrow’s events.

After some discussion, the gods dispersed to attend to their own affairs.

They would gather here from time to time; what seemed like a council was actually more of a party.

After all, what council has all sorts of delicious food and wine, with people wandering around everywhere?

Moreover, it was mainly the higher-ranking gods who spoke, and the decision-making power rested primarily with them.

The other gods, such as the Spring Water Goddess and the Goddess of Harvest, would eat and drink, chat and gossip, and just listen to the council content enough to know what was happening.

The rest of it they generally didn't need to bother with; they usually weren't needed anyway.

And if they were needed, they would be specifically told, and they would just do as instructed.

Therefore, the weaker gods were quite comfortable.

They won by lying down!

They had strong support!

Just coast along!

These gods had lived for so many years; they understood this principle perfectly!

...

Because he had completed the cultivation of his Fifth Sense ahead of schedule, After El learned meditation from the instructor, he returned home and continuously practiced meditation, striving to further enhance the power of his Little Universe.

In addition to tempering his body over the past three months, El also learned many combat techniques and several martial arts.

“I hope tomorrow’s trial goes smoothly.” El took a deep breath, ending his meditation.

To be honest, he was indeed very nervous right now.

He was a bit worried, what if he didn't pass? Although he had gone through many actual combat experiences over these three months, these battles, after all, weren't to the death.

No matter what, he was still an ordinary person, even though he had transmigrated… fundamentally, he still was.

“Ah! This is a bit annoying!” El scratched his head in frustration, wanting to lie down and sleep, but he couldn't fall asleep. It felt a bit like the college entrance exam back then.

...

Early the next morning.

El arrived at the training ground.

The instructor had been waiting there for a long time.

“You’re here. Let’s go. The rest of you, continue training well!” an instructor said to El, then shouted to the other young men and women who were frequently looking their way.

El followed behind the instructor, walking towards the Holy Mountain.

Soon, he arrived at the foot of a mountain.

There was a winding mountain path leading upwards.

And at each turn, there was a layer of architecture.

Layer upon layer upwards, El counted, there were as many as twelve layers!

“So many…” El looked at the winding path all the way to the top. From a distance, it vaguely formed a “circle.”

“Zodiac Twelve Palaces?!” El couldn't help but exclaim in his heart.

Because it looked very similar!

And the architectural style… plus the number twelve.

Good heavens, no, am I fighting the Zodiac Twelve Palaces?

I’m a rookie fighting a Gold Saint, right?

El had a speechless expression, but since he was already here.

The instructor had stopped: “Alright, you can just follow the mountain path all the way up! Go! The Hall of the Gods at the summit awaits you!”

“…” El took a deep breath, nodded to the instructor, then his expression turned resolute, and he embarked on this journey!

The path was very quiet, with no “minions” or traps.

He arrived at the first trial unobstructed.

Looking at the massive palace, its great door was tightly shut, and there was a familiar statue on the doorway: Aries.

El took a deep breath, stepped forward, and pushed open the great door. The Aries statue split in the middle, and the door slowly opened.

This door weighed at least several tons, but fortunately, El was not his former self.

He could push this weight open with just a little effort.

El walked into the great hall. The empty hall clearly echoed with the sound of his boots striking The Ground.

Bang!

The great door automatically closed.

This startled El. After glancing at the door, his gaze returned to the great hall.

“Is anyone here!” El walked in and saw no one, so he called out.

Is anyone here ~ Is anyone here ~ anyone here ~ here ~

His voice echoed in the great hall.

Thump ~ thump ~ thump ~ A slightly heavy footsteps echoed, and a person walked out from behind a pillar.

This person was clad entirely in plain bronze-colored armor without any patterns or designs, wearing an open-faced helmet.

His build was robust, and he was at least half a head taller than El, who was 178cm.

However, when El saw the other person, he felt a slight sense of relief.

Because the other party was not a “Gold Saint.”

That’s right, a selection trial couldn't possibly make them actually fight the Zodiac Twelve Palaces!

“Welcome to Aries Palace. I am the guardian of this trial.” The person said to El, let’s call him the “Aries Palace Guardian.”

“Enough talk. Let me test your mettle. Remember… you must have the heart to kill me! Use all your strength, otherwise, you will die here!” The Aries Palace Guardian said to El: “In this trial, death carries no responsibility!”

El’s heart tightened when he heard the other party’s words, and he took a deep breath.

He had to face it eventually!

If he couldn't even pass this, how would he fight those great battles in the future? He found the terrifying nature of those great battles dreadful just thinking about them.

Whoosh!

The next moment, the Aries Palace Guardian suddenly crouched down and turned into an afterimage, rushing towards El.

El jolted, instinctively raising his arm to block.

Bang! The Aries Palace Guardian’s arm was blocked, and then he suddenly delivered a front kick, swift and fierce, directly striking El’s chest.

Thump!

With a heavy thud, El was directly kicked flying.

The Aries Palace Guardian pressed his advantage, catching up to El from behind.

He suddenly clenched his fist and swung it down hard towards El.

El instantly exerted force in his waist and abdomen, twisting his body. At the same time, he smoothly grabbed the opponent’s arm, his body drawing a semicircle in mid-air, flipping over, and pushing off the opponent’s shoulders with both feet. He instantly shot out.

He performed a backflip and landed in the middle of the great hall.

The Aries Palace Guardian stumbled two steps from the kick before regaining his balance.

El’s kick didn't cause any damage; it was more for leveraging himself away and regrouping.

The Aries Palace Guardian turned to look at El, his gaze deep.

“Not bad, you have some skill.” The Aries Palace Guardian said: “But next, I’ll have to get a little more serious.”

El stood ready, his gaze fixed on the opponent.

He dared not be careless in the slightest.

Whoosh!

The Aries Palace Guardian suddenly rushed towards El, three points faster than before.

El, who was already prepared, immediately retaliated.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Their fists and feet met, constantly colliding.

Pure physical collisions, like two iron hammers striking each other.

Dull thuds continuously echoed in the great hall.

Their battle seemed to involve only pure physicality and grappling techniques.

This was the most primitive form of combat!

The collision of muscle against muscle! The friction of technique against technique!