21: Test crystal pillar

"Those who step through the Spiritual Realm Dragon Gate within the time it takes an incense stick to burn are considered to have passed the first stage."

A magnificent, bell-like sound appeared in the Void Realm.

With that command, hundreds of examinees swiftly rushed toward the entrance of the passage.

A lean, monkey-like black-armored Martial Artist happened to be standing right at the passage entrance, and he was secretly delighted.

"What kind of bullshit 'Top Ten Seeded Contestants'? I, Hou Tong, am going to seize the lead in the first stage."

The moment his black boots stepped into the passage, eye-like holes suddenly appeared all around the passage.

Whoosh—

Beams of white hot rays shot out from them. Hou Tong was caught unprepared and was struck hard in the chest by a ray. The surging immense force instantly blasted him out of the passage, sending him to the back of the line.

At the same time, the examinees displayed their Movement Technique, dodging the rays' attacks while desperately rushing towards the end of the passage.

Soon, the first examinee reached the light screen.

"How can a mere light screen stop me?"

Guo Huai strolled leisurely, throwing a punch that blasted a huge hole in the light screen before him, and he immediately stepped through.

Chen Yanran and the others followed closely behind.

Within a few breaths, dozens of Martial Artists tore through the light screen and stepped into the Dragon Gate.

Suddenly, a sturdy mysterious armor Martial Artist slammed into it, but was violently repelled by the light screen, a painful expression crossing his face.

"The rays test Movement Technique, and the light screen tests attack power. Overall, the difficulty of the first stage assessment is enough to eliminate most Early Stage Innate Martial Artists." Li Jiangchen did not rush into the passage, but instead analyzed the stage.

After all, the first stage had no ranking, it was merely a screening process.

Even being the first to leap into the Dragon Gate offered no advantage.

There were quite a few Martial Artists as steady as him, including many Late Stage Innate Martial Artists.

Suddenly, Li Jiangchen raised an eyebrow. He saw a Novice Monk wearing a tiger-skin tunic actually shatter the incoming hot rays with a single punch, his fist completely unharmed. Step by step, he arrived before the light screen.

Whoosh—

Slapping out with his palm, the light screen shattered like glass, and the little Novice Monk stepped into the Dragon Gate.

This action immediately astonished everyone.

Unlike others who used Movement Technique to evade the rays, this tiger-skin Novice Monk relied on Body Refining defense to forcefully advance.

"This little Novice Monk's Body Refining strength is impressive; that's rare." Li Jiangchen smiled slightly.

It seemed that the Jianghu rumor mongers were not entirely trustworthy.

Otherwise, based on this skill alone, he had the potential to contend for the top ten.

"I've seen enough." Li Jiangchen took a step, his figure transforming into several phantoms, and in the blink of an eye, he passed through the light screen and leaped into the Dragon Gate.

This action surprised quite a few people.

"Huh? That person's Movement Technique is so brilliant! He can actually create three phantoms. His speed is definitely in the first echelon, comparable to the eighth-ranked Divine Traveling Protector Dai Zong."

"Strange, it's fine that he's fast, but why could he pass directly through the light screen without any obstruction at all?" one person wondered.

"Idiot. That person's speed of attack just now was too fast, and his control over his strength was excellent. The light screen only cracked open a small fissure, and he slipped right in.

It looked as if there was no obstruction whatsoever," said a perceptive Martial Artist.

On the other side.

A spacious Training Ground inside the Spiritual Realm.

"So this is inside the Dragon Gate." Li Jiangchen looked around, and twelve ten-zhang statues came into view.

In front of the statues were placed White Jade Meditation Cushions, varying in distance.

To the side stood pillars inlaid with white crystals. Counting them, each pillar had twelve crystals.

At this moment, many people surrounded the crystal pillars and struck them hard. The color of the crystals on the pillars immediately changed, lighting up continuously from bottom to top.

But not a single person was able to light up all twelve crystals on the Testing Crystal Pillar.

"I didn't expect there to be Testing Crystal Pillars inside here. According to records, every four crystals represent one major Realm, and one crystal corresponds to one minor Realm.

These twelve crystals can measure the upper limit of the attack power of an Aperture Opening Realm Martial Artist.

This assessment is far too highly rated for a group of Xiantian Realm Martial Artists like us."

"Heh, even a Peak Xiantian Realm Martial Artist can only light up eight crystals at most.

Even Chen Yanran, ranked first in this assessment, couldn't do it with a full-force strike."

Soon, the incense stick finished burning, and more than three hundred Innate Martial Artists successfully passed the stage.

At this time, a voice sounded again in the Void Realm.

"The second stage is the Comprehension Ability assessment. The twelve statues on the field represent different paths of martial arts. You may choose one, sit on a meditation cushion, enter the Spiritual Sensing Space, and study the martial arts provided by the statue.

Those who successfully comprehend a martial art within one hour, defeat the illusion, or persist under the phantom's attack for the time it takes an incense stick to burn, will pass.

A friendly reminder: the White Jade Meditation Cushions in front of the statues have the effect of concentrating the spirit, calming the Qi, and enhancing Comprehension Ability.

The closer you are to the statue, the better the effect.

Those who strike the Testing Crystal Pillar and light up the most crystals will have priority in choosing."

As soon as these words were spoken, the crowd, who had previously been indifferent, began testing themselves.

A mysterious armor middle-aged Martial Artist took the lead, suddenly drawing the long saber from his waist, injecting True Qi, and hacking towards the Testing Crystal Pillar.

The crystals at the bottom of the Testing Crystal Pillar quickly lit up, six of them lighting up in succession. The seventh crystal briefly glowed, but ultimately extinguished.

"Attack Power: Middle Stage Innate, above average."

Text appeared on the crystal pillar.

"My turn."

Another black-armored youth stepped forward, unleashing a punch while wearing steel rings, but only six crystals lit up; the seventh crystal didn't even flicker.

"Attack Power: Middle Stage Innate, normal."

Soon, one person after another began testing.

"Attack Power: Late Stage Innate, normal."

"Attack Power: Peak Innate, below average."

...Suddenly, cheers erupted from the crowd not far away. The Testing Crystal Pillar in front of Guo Huai had lit up eight crystals, and the eighth crystal rapidly turned crimson, finally changing to purplish-black.

Text appeared on the Testing Crystal Pillar.

"Attack Power: Peak Innate, superior."

Exclamations arose all around.

After the eighth crystal lit up, it first turned crimson, and then purplish-black, indicating that Guo Huai's attack power surpassed that of an ordinary Peak Xiantian Realm Martial Artist by two levels.

Only then could he receive a superior evaluation.

"As expected of Brother Guo Huai, even a casual strike exceeds the limit of a Peak Innate Martial Artist."

"In my opinion, besides Brother Guo Huai, no one else here can make the eighth crystal turn purplish-black," a Martial Artist nearby flattered.

Guo Huai removed the Mysterious Ice Crystal Silk Gloves from his hands, casually glancing at Chen Yanran in the distance, and said lightly, "Just so-so."

Soon, test results continued to appear.

All of the Top Ten Seeded Contestants managed to light up the eighth crystal, turning it crimson.

However, the only person who, like Guo Huai, managed to turn the eighth crystal purplish-black was Chen Yanran.

Unlike Guo Huai, who was surrounded by many people, Chen Yanran stood alone, her gaze fixed on a sword-wielding statue in the distance, as if the entire assessment had nothing to do with her.

Finally, it was Li Jiangchen's turn. He approached the Testing Crystal Pillar, clenched his right fist, unleashed his qi force, and slammed the twenty thousand jin of strength onto the Testing Crystal Pillar.

Crystal after crystal quickly lit up.

The eighth one lit up, rapidly turning crimson.

A wave of surprise spread instantly.

Besides the Top Ten Seeded Contestants, someone else was actually able to turn the eighth crystal crimson.

Not far away, Ye Tian opened his eyes, let out a cold snort, and then ceased paying attention.

"The crimson light lit up slowly, so he won't make the top ten." White Gold, ranked third, had a faint glow in his eyes, as if he could see through others' true capabilities.

However, just when everyone thought everything was about to end, Li Jiangchen used his finger as a sword, pointing it at the Testing Crystal Pillar.

Instantly, the eighth crystal rapidly turned purplish-black, resembling a ripe mulberry.

In that instant, all eyes converged upon him.