One hundred people were gathered in the arena.
"We congratulate all of you to be able to reach this round. It shows that your talent is above average. The next round will commence tomorrow. We expect you all to be present in the earlier hours after sunrise."
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The seven figures, along with Long Mengchen and Jiao Shen, had the highest talent and prowess. Many people started enquiring about silhouettes.
Only the figure clad in black robes was known to be living on the outskirts of the royal city. The nobles, as well as sect representatives, sent their spies to monitor and gather information about the other party. Every power wanted to recruit him.
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In the royal palace, the spies sent by Jiao Sheng returned with no new set of information.
"Sir, except for the man clad in black, no other figures were visible in the city anymore. All of them are most probably living in the city under a disguise. All except the black figure."
Jiao Sheng dismissed the servants, and after the room was empty, the prince came into view.
" What are your thoughts on the matter?"
"Replying to the royal father, the black hoodie is going to be the biggest obstacle. The other one was the figure who approached me. He was trying to curry favour with me. Most probably because, as he proclaimed, he wants to join the royal military academy."
Jiao Sheng nodded, "Make sure to have a good relationship with the figure. Given his talent, although his cultivation base is lower than yours, I think his prowess is at least equivalent, if not more than you. You should try and become a good friend of him."
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Jiao Shen's thoughts were the same. A talent such as that was worthy of befriending and will come into play when the need arrives. Jiao Shen left. "What are your thoughts on this?" Jiao Sheng asked.
"I think all of the figures are somehow related. Also, from what I see, although their bone age is not high, their talent and cultivation state is not limited to what any of the seven silhouettes showed."The minister beside Jiao Sheng replied.
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In Long clan's residence, Long Mengchen was currently in her room cultivating. Suddenly she opened her eyes, and said: "What have you found out?"
"Each of the seven figures has more talent and cultivation state they are showing. I didn't think that people who are that talented would be present in this place. Also, each of them has a masking treasure of high grade. It shows that their origin is not ordinary. But they still pale in-front of Little miss".
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The next day arrived soon enough, and all the chosen 100 participants were currently gathered in the trial grounds.
"Today, the second round of the gathering will occur. This round is the test of your martial heart and will, and the further details will not be explained to you."
"As soon as you enter the trial, you will be notified as too what you have to do. The rest is upon your comprehensions.".
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The host waved his hand, as the 100 figures were transported from the area. As the view in front of them became clear, they were in a massive valley with both sides having high mountains.
Embedded within those mountains were Caves.
"The next test will occur here. You will be entering these caves, and as soon as you enter, the trial would begin. The ones to get out first will be ranked accordingly."
"There are two phases. One is that of martial heart and the other being the test of Martial will. The first round will chart out fifty candidates, and the next round will give us the top thirty-two. The trial will end after only thirty-two candidates remain"
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The participants proceeded towards the caves, and as soon as they entered the scene in front of them changed:
' a strong martial path requires a strong will to be forged.'
The participants started facing their heart demons, and soon people were ejected out. The test could strengthen the martial heart, or crush it to nothingness.
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Night dawned, and only 50 figures were remaining.
The scene changed once again. They were standing amid a field full of blood, as they tried to move around, an invisible pressure started bowing down on them.
Soon these figures were flattened to the ground, and their bodies were entangled and tied with manifested ropes.
A sword suddenly fell and pierced their bodies. Miserable cries sounded from each of the caves. It was the trial testing the will and martial heart of the candidates. The longer they persist, the higher is their determination and surety in themselves, and more durable is their martial heart.
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The Crimson Lord world-
" The illusion is quite useful for Long Tao's cultivation. He could use it to temper his martial will. Although, I doubt the amount of benefit it might provide."
The Keeper was analyzing the situation along with the puppet. Long Tao was immersed in this illusion.
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The cries continued on and on. If one tried to look into the scenes playing in the minds of these individuals, one would see multiples weapons being embedded continuously into their bodies. The participants were soon being eliminated.
Although these people had above average talent in terms of the gathering, their martial hearts were too weak. These people couldn't rise to the top of the martial way and won't be able to go far in their Qi cultivation realms.
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In the world the prince was in, his face was now ashen, but he persisted, and will continue to endure till the end occurs.
The geniuses from the four clans also had the same situation. But how could they be compared to the earlier ones?
Long Mengchen had an expression of pain, but she too decided to persist. She couldn't give up so easily.
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Long Tao and his avatars also persisted until the end of the competition. It was too easy for him.
Soon the view vanished as the figures slowly exited their caves. "Congratulations. You 32 peoples are the chosen ones of this gathering and will compete for the title of the supreme genius of the country. I hope you take a good rest and bring yourself to your peak conditions. The 3rd round will commence tomorrow. "