Chapter 1738 – The Final Reward
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As time passed, Lin Ming could feel the repelling force of the Asura Heavenly Dao become increasingly intense. At the rate this force was accumulating, Lin Ming guessed he would be transmitted out from the final trial in around a day.
"I wonder how Xian'er and Mo Brightmoon are doing…" Lin Ming couldn't help but wonder. In the sixth level, everyone would have their own respective lucky chances. He had no idea what Xiao Moxian had obtained here or how much her strength increased.
As the power of space was brewing and the exit of the final trial was about to open, Lin Ming saw that in front of the ancient bronze book, countless Law lines gathered, gradually forming into a square array diagram.
This square array diagram was similar to the Myriad Demon Karmic Wheel but there were many other things included. Within it shimmered countless magnificent and phantasmal lines and numerous ice crystals.
Although these lines seemed dense and incomparably complicated, Lin Ming could make out many clues from just a single glance.
His heart began to beat faster. These lines were similar to the Asura Heavenly Dao Law lines that appeared when drawing up a divine runic symbol…
Looking more carefully, the astonishment in Lin Ming's eyes became increasingly bright.
"This array diagram is not just the Myriad Demon Karmic Wheel, but an array diagram formed from the union of all three volumes of the Asura Sutra. Moreover, these beautiful lines are similar to those that appear when I'm drawing up a divine runic symbol…"
If he were only a divine runic master then he might be confused about seeing these crystalline lines. After all, these lines seemed extremely messy, and besides seeing some enchanting figures, everything else looked strange.
But Lin Ming's grasp of the Asura Heavenly Dao Laws had reached an unbelievable degree. He quickly looked at these chaotic crystalline lines and was able to dismantle the infinitely powerful divine runic symbol refinement process.
With how each line overlapped and crossed, they were able to produce trillions and trillions of geometric changes.
Besides being materials that hadn't been refined into divine runic symbols, the divine runic symbol refinement lines recorded on these ice crystals could be called perfect.
"These ice crystals must be divine runic symbol wisdom in crystallized form that the Asura Road Master personally refined in the past!"
Realizing this, an ancient voice suddenly sounded out in Lin Ming's mind.
"Ten of nine, the peak of numbers, may inherit the Asura Heavenly Array Diagram. This array diagram is formed from the three forces of grandmist energy, genesis energy, and spirit source. Take the Asura Heavenly Array Diagram and fuse it into the flesh and blood, growing a microcosm of the Asura Road within the body. Sunder the Great Dao of the 33 Heavens and wander through the 33 Heavens with the Asura Heavenly Dao Laws unhindered."
As this information flowed into Lin Ming's mind, he was immediately overjoyed.
He suddenly recalled that after someone was able to obtain the approval of the final trial, the most important reward a trial challenger could obtain was the ability to bring the Asura Heavenly Dao Laws back with them to the 33 Heavens.
this Asura Heavenly Array Diagram was buried within the body, it was the same as having a mini Asura Road world within oneself. He would be able to use the power of the Asura Heavenly Dao Laws, and even the many Laws within divine runic symbols could be used in the 33 Heavens.
The divine runic arts were different from the inscription technique of the 33 Heavens. The difference lay in the fusion of the Asura Heavenly Dao Laws and god runes within the inscription symbol itself.
The reason that the divine runic arts were useless outside of the Asura Road world was because the 33 Heavens' Great Dao pushed back and repelled the Asura Heavenly Dao Laws. Generally speaking, a martial artist wouldn't have the incalculably mighty ability of the Asura Road Master to defy the will of the heavens and establish their own Heavenly Dao. Thus, they couldn't use the Asura Laws.
But with this Asura Heavenly Array Diagram, Lin Ming had no need to fear the 33 Heavens' Great Dao!
Realizing this, Lin Ming no longer hesitated. His body flashed as he rushed into the center of the Asura Heavenly Array Diagram.
The moment that Lin Ming rushed in, the endless runes of the array formation swept towards him like a whirlpool, sinking into his body and rapidly shrinking within him until they completely fused into his body and blood essence.
The array diagram was formed from highly compacted source strengths of essence, energy, and divine; the impact of this fusion was astonishing.
It was like countless stars were breaking into his body. Even though Lin Ming's body had been tempered to an incredible degree, it still caused his blood vitality to tumble and seethe. Two hours later, Lin Ming had slowly absorbed all of the Laws. Within his inner world, the Asura Heavenly Array Diagram had formed, slowly revolving.
Whorl –
Runes emitted the mystic source strength of a universe, flooding Lin Ming's inner world. Because of this, even the boundaries of his inner world began to develop and expand outwards.
In that moment, Lin Ming felt his cultivation come infinitely close to reaching the Holy Lord realm. As long as he wanted to, he could break through at any time.
And at this moment –
The complete Asura Heavenly Array Diagram took root in Lin Ming's body, completely integrating with his flesh and blood, becoming a part of him.
The vast power of the Asura Dao Laws within the final trial surged up, roaring out into the outer world.
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Inner Asura Road, Asura Sea –
In the broad Asura Sea, waves crashed up in smoky clouds, limitless and without end. Some people had once tried to find the end of the Asura Sea, but even if they rode top quality spirit ships and sped to the depths of the Asura Sea, they still weren't able to find its limits. As for trying to use great void shifts to traverse long distances, this sort of travel would cause one to be easily lost in the chaotic fluctuations of space and time, unable to find the exit afterwards.
It was like the Asura Sea itself represented the end of the Asura Road world. And this end blurred in with the chaotic power of space. The space here was perilous and filled with cruel dangers; there was no one able to truly arrive at its end.
Not only was the Asura Sea infinitely broad, it was also unfathomably deep.
Even a star could be submerged within its great waters. Beneath the surface, ancient sea beasts lived, approaching colossal, incomprehensibly large sizes. Among these sea beasts, there were even many God Beast level existences.
Although it was said that there were many buried treasures hidden in the Asura Sea, because the water was too deep and there were too many dangers, it was nearly impossible to find them; one would only find life-threatening emergencies. Thus, very few people came to the Asura Sea.
But on this day, deep in the Asura Sea, there were over a hundred thousand people gathered.
These people were all outstanding individuals from different influences. There were senior supreme elders and also extraordinary young elites. All of them floated above the sea waters with overwhelming momentum, many of them riding opulent spirit boats and spirit ships.
This scene was truly magnificent.
The reason for this was that recently in the skies above the Asura Sea, space storms constantly flashed as if there was something horrifying brewing there. And according to previous experiences, this meant that the exit to the Asura Road's final trial was about to open at last!
The final trial that had gone on for several years was finally coming to an end!
To the many influences of the Asura Road, this was an incredibly significant event!
If there were influences who had sent disciples to attend the final trial, there was no need to mention just how important the opening of the final trial's exit was to them.
Even influences who hadn't sent any disciples to participate still came to the Asura Sea to see what outcomes others had.
They all wanted to see what the completion percentage of other geniuses from large influences were like. This completion percentage would reflect to a great degree the future achievements that martial artist would be able to reach. If there was a sect who had a trial challenger that reached 77-78%, this would meant that in the future they would reach the half-step Empyrean realm, and there was even a considerable chance they would become an Empyrean!
The birth of an Empyrean. In an Empyrean level influence, there was no need to mention how important this was. They would unhesitatingly spend every resource possible to chase after such a goal!
In truth, the birth of an Empyrean was an event worth great celebration even in a True Divinity level influence, one for which heroes from all over the world would be invited. For instance, the Divine Void Divine Kingdom. If one If one ignored Soul Emperor Divine Void, then Divine Void Divine Kingdom only had seven Empyreans.
So, any influence that could produce a trial challenger with 77-78% completion would absolutely draw enormous attention.
As for a completion percentage of 79, that was even more exaggerated. Such a character had an extremely high possibility of becoming an Empyrean and perhaps even a powerhouse amongst Empyreans.
A step higher than that was 80% completion! That was a mythical score. Although there was only a single percent between 80% and 79%, the truth was that it was as far as the heavens and earth. In the last 100 million years, there were several such people who had appeared with this score, and nearly all of them had become Empyreans, with many close to becoming True Divinities!
However, there were no influences that dared to hope for this completion percentage. In this round of the final trial, only Sheng Mei had a chance to uphold this legend. But, Sheng Mei was someone from the 33 Heavens and had nothing to do with the Asura Road.
In the Asura Sea, the various great influences set themselves up according to their strengths.
There were dozens of large and small sea platforms. The central platforms, the seats of honor, naturally belonged to those of Divine Void Divine Kingdom and Heaven Union Divine Kingdom.
At this time, whether it was Divine Void Divine Kingdom or Heaven Union Divine Kingdom, they both had core disciples attending the final trial. The Divine Void Divine Kingdom's Third Crown Prince and Heaven Union Divine Kingdom's Bigflame had both entered, and they were destined to be the most brilliant and dazzling characters of the final trial. They had also made a bet beforehand, causing everyone to anticipate their confrontation even more.
In a sense, the results of the final trial were also a competition between the futures of the Heaven Union Divine Kingdom and Divine Void Divine Kingdom. Both sides had attached great importance to the final trial.
The group leader of Heaven Union Divine Kingdom's team here was a direct disciple of Divine Emperor Heaven Union – High Prince White Feather, a half-step Empyrean.
As for the Divine Void Divine Kingdom's side, their team was led by the Third Imperial Scholar of the Divine Void Divine Kingdom, Imperial Scholar Sun. He was also a half-step Empyrean.
The two platforms that these two great influences stood upon were less than 200 feet apart. As they glared at each other from across the sea, they both stood in sharp opposition.
High Prince White Feather comfortably reclined on his kirin throne, a smile dangling on his face. To one side, a beautiful maid was holding up a screen for him and on his other side, another beautiful maid was hand feeding him rare and precious spirit fruits. This sort of pose was similar to that of an emperor of the mortal world enjoying himself; he looked extremely relaxed.
High Prince White Feather also had a look of confidence. He looked at Imperial Scholar Sun, who had a table next to him with a jar of celebratory wine. He smiled and said, "Imperial Scholar Sun, you even have the celebratory wine prepared? It seems you've prepared it for the Third Crown Prince? Imperial Scholar Sun seems to have already assumed that the Third Crown Prince will return in glory, but it seems you prepared the festivities too early… you might need to be careful of accidentally slapping yourself…"
High Prince White Feather taunted. Heaven Union Divine Kingdom and Divine Void Divine Kingdom were both respective leaders of the saints and spiritas in the Asura Road. They were both hostile to each other to begin with, and now that they were sitting near each other it was normal for them to engage in verbal battles in their boredom.
Chapter 1739 – The Exit Opens
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Facing High Prince White Feather's taunting words, Imperial Scholar Sun cackled. His fingers rhythmically tapped on the armrest as he leisurely said, "There is no need to speak so arrogantly, otherwise the one who will have to leave from shame might be you."
Whether it was Heaven Union Divine Kingdom's Bigflame or Divine Void Divine Kingdom's Third Crown Prince, both were amongst the most outstanding young disciples of their generation. In the future it was likely they would become Empyreans.
In this final trial, except for the anomaly known as Sheng Mei, everything was theirs for the taking. Whether it was High Prince White Feather or Imperial Scholar Sun, they both had absolute confidence in their influence's disciples.
"Hahaha!" High Prince White Feather laughed. "Very good! Then, let us take a good look at whether the Third Crown Prince or Bigflame has a higher completion percentage! However, I only fear that your joy will turn to sorrow. If there is anything that might have happened to your precious disciples… hehe!"
"That is what I am cautioning you about. Since ancient times, it has been common for peak disciples to perish in the final trial. If Nephew Bigflame were to recklessly try to show off his power and have some accident befall him, that would truly be regretful."
The barbs between Imperial Scholar Sun and High Prince White Feather became increasingly cruel and sinister. At this time, winds and clouds began to surge. The power of space rapidly converged above the sea.
The final trial's exit was about to open.
Everyone's minds tightened. The originally boisterous scene suddenly quieted down. Everyone waited in complete concentration for the exit path to open!
In the final trial, the truth was that there was more than one exit path. Besides the largest one, there were many small exits and the trial challengers would be transmitted to random locations. It wasn't necessarily true they would be transported out to this location. Thus, many people had already prepared sound transmitting talismans and signal flares to call out to their disciples as soon as possible.
As everyone was preparing to receive and greet their disciples, at this time, monstrous waves formed atop the sea. From the distant horizon, a majestic golden mountain came flying towards them, bursting out with flashes of golden brilliance.
This divine mountain had just appeared on the horizon but in the blink of an eye it had arrived in front of everyone, as if it had appeared out of thin air. This mountain was incredibly high, and the peak was buried deep in the clouds, unable to be seen. Wherever the mountain went, gargantuan waves would rise up and the earth would quake.
"Boundless Divine Mountain! Soul Emperor Divine Void's personal transportation!"
Just the appearance of Boundless Divine Mountain wasn't worthy of surprise. This was because Soul Emperor Divine Void didn't necessarily need to be on Boundless Divine Mountain; many times it was used as a spirit ship. But, what shocked everyone was that there was a faintly terrifying pressure emitting from Boundless Divine Mountain, as if there were a spiritual god at the summit of this divine mountain!
This sort of pressure made one feel awe from the depths of their heart. It even caused their soul to shiver!
From such a great distance atop the divine mountain, this existence could actually cause the hundred thousand plus people to have their minds quake in fear, and even cause World Kings to tremble. This was a pressure that only a True Divinity could possess!
"This… how can this be… Soul Emperor Divine Void, he came here personally?"
"This is only a trial for juniors, it shouldn't be enough to alarm him…"
Just what sort of status did Soul Emperor Divine Void have? No matter how significant the final trial was, Soul Emperor Divine Void still wouldn't come to greet the disciples. In ordinary times only a half-step Empyrean would be sent out to manage
these matters.
But the current situation was different and that was because Soul Empress Sheng Mei was also participating in the final trial. Her status almost stood on par with Soul Emperor Divine Void's. And, the most important factor was that Sheng Mei was a woman who Soul Emperor Divine Void admired from the depths of his heart.
Sheng Mei had already been in the final trial for several years. Moreover, this final trial was extremely important to Sheng Mei and concerned whether or not her sixth reincarnation would be able to reach perfection. This was why Soul Emperor Divine Void personally came out to greet her.
The appearance of Soul Emperor Divine Void caused all the martial artists present to hold their breath. No one dared to needlessly speak; they simply quietly waited for the exit paths of the final trial to open.
As for Boundless Divine Mountain, it remained peacefully floating above everyone's heads, waiting for the exit to open.
A few hours passed. Slowly, dusty pink clouds rose like smoke, condensing in the skies above the Asura Sea. Multicolored heaven and earth origin energy gathered from all directions, condensing into a thick mist that was incomparably gorgeous.
Chi chi chi!
In this mist, thunder and fire sparked.
The wild waves became increasingly turbulent. At this moment, a thousand mile long vortex began to form.
As this vortex appeared, the surrounding heaven and earth origin energy became increasingly violent. A massive space gate appeared, like the maw of a giant beast that was ready to swallow the world.
The final trial that had lasted for over three years had finally ended!
The appearance of the space gate also meant that the trial challengers would be transmitted outside soon.
"We can finally find out the results!"
"I wonder how many trial challengers perished this time, and what are the results of the survivors?"
"It's certain that Sheng Mei will be number one, but I don't know if she managed to create a new record or not. And, we need to find out whether the Divine Void Crown Prince or Bigflame did better."
Everyone began to wildly discuss. Even Divine Rune City's Old Xue and Old Su were mixed up in the crowd. In their old age, the chances of making another breakthrough were slim to none. Thus, they spent their days idly enjoying themselves. If they weren't out taking strolls then they were setting up their stalls. As for such a grand occasion as this, they certainly wouldn't miss out on it.
Moreover, there was a junior that they were paying particular attention to – that was Lin Ming.
"I wonder how that brat Lin Ming did? I really cannot understand him. In the last several years he's given me many pleasant surprises in the divine runic arts for my eyes to enjoy, and now all of a sudden he became a talented martial artist. I have no idea when he managed to collect the necessary sets of god runes to earn the qualifications to enter the final trial…"
"Let's wait and take a look. Although I've never seen this boy fight before, he's always managed to surprise me. In terms of combat, he should definitely have some talent. I don't think his results will be bad."
As Old Su and Old Xue were speaking, a trial challenger had already appeared from the portal.
He appeared several hundred miles away from the group, but to these martial artists this distance wasn't anything at all. He was soon received by the people from his sect.
As he appeared, more and more disciples were transmitted out. They were all transmitted in a scope of tens of thousands of miles in the Asura Sea. Every sect used their own unique sound transmitting talismans to call out to their disciples.
"What's your completion percentage?"
"How far did you go?"
"What rewards did you obtain?"
As the trial challengers returned to the welcome embrace of their sects they were rapidly peppered with questions.
Trial challengers with a high completion percentage naturally replied with pride. As for those with a low completion pe
percentage, they hung their heads and answered in shame.
Many of them had poor results and had withdrawn from the final trial midway, forced to wait the three years until they were transmitted out of the final trial.
Seeing the trial challengers all emerge in droves, Heaven Union Divine Kingdom's High Prince White Feather had a confident expression on at all times. His maid stood by his side, feeding him a peeled spirit fruit.
At this time, from beside High Prince White Feather, a disciple suddenly said, "High Prince Your Highness, some of our disciples have returned!"
"Oh?"
High Prince White Feather's eyes brightened. Focusing his eyes, he could see that on the distant horizon there were five disciples rapidly flying towards him. They all wore star crowns and had similar sect clothing on. They were disciples of Heaven Union Divine Kingdom.
As the disciples of Heaven Union Divine Kingdom appeared, they immediately attracted the attention of many people. Out of all the influences present, Heaven Union Divine Kingdom was one of the leads. It was impossible not to notice them.
They all wanted to take a look and see what the results of the chosen prides of heaven from Heaven Union Divine Kingdom were like.
High Prince White Feather stood up. He glanced at Imperial Scholar Sun with a hint of mocking superiority. Then, he turned to the arriving disciples of Heaven Union Divine Kingdom and welcomingly laughed.
"Good! Very good! In this final trial, you have all returned with merits. When you return to the sect in the future you will definitely be vigorously cultivated. Your futures will be wonderful!"
High Prince White Feather boisterously praised. As he spoke, the five disciples gulped, as if they were afraid of something.
High Prince White Feather noticed this but didn't care much. He was only speaking polite words just now. In truth, he didn't care about the results of these disciples at all; he only cared for Bigflame.
"Bigflame? How come he isn't with you all?"
As High Prince White Feather asked this question, the ears of many nearby martial artists pricked up. As Imperial Scholar Sun heard this, he also carefully listened even as he continued rapping his fingers. He similarly cared about Bigflame's completion percentage.
However, the complexions of the five disciples had turned ugly.
"Mm? What is it?" High Prince White Feather frowned.
"Senior-apprentice Brother Bigflame, he… he… hasn't… come out yet?" These disciples asked with fear in their voices. They looked in all directions, holding onto some hope that Bigflame was here.
However, even as more and more trial challengers arrived, they didn't discover Bigflame's shadow at all.
The response of these disciples caused High Prince White Feather's face to darken. "What are you all hesitating for? If there's something to say then spit it out!"
The disciples awkwardly looked at each other and then said, "Reporting to Your Highness the High Prince… this disciple didn't see Senior-apprentice Brother Bigflame in the fourth level. Even when the channel to the fifth level opened, Senior-apprentice Brother Bigflame still didn't appear and we didn't see him afterwards either. We thought that perhaps… Senior-apprentice Brother Bigflame was stranded somewhere on the fourth level…and when the final trial ended, he would be transmitted out…"
The disciples said, their voices weak and quivering. In truth, there was something that they didn't say, and it was that in such a situation, the logical conclusion was that Bigflame had died in the final trial.
"What did you say!?"
As High Prince White Feather heard this he was immediately shocked.
Bigflame disappeared in the fourth level? If he didn't come out even now, then it was likely something had happened to him!
How could this be possible!?!?
And at this time, Imperial Scholar Sun began to wildly cackle, "Unfortunate, unfortunate, far too unfortunate! I wonder what sort of accident befell Apprentice Nephew Bigflame? If he If he went missing in the fourth level and still hasn't come out then… wouldn't his fate likely have been more unfortunate than fortunate?"
Imperial Scholar Sun loudly and openly said, pouring as much salt as he could on High Prince White Feather's wounds.
But seeing Imperial Scholar Sun's appearance, the several Heaven Union Divine Kingdom disciples glanced at each other, a strange look on their faces. They suddenly said, "Senior is from Divine Void Divine Kingdom? Your Third Crown Prince also went missing with Senior-apprentice Brother Bigflame; has he come out yet?"
This sudden question caused Imperial Scholar Sun's face to stiffen. His expression immediately became quite wonderful indeed.
Chapter 1740 – Legend
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"What did you say?" Imperial Scholar Sun's eyes widened as he glowered at the disciples of Heaven Union Divine Kingdom.
"I said that the Divine Void Third Crown Prince has also gone missing and neither he nor our Senior-apprentice Brother Bigflame have been seen since the fourth level. From Senior's response, it seems that the Third Crown Prince hasn't appeared yet. If so… then… his fate is likely no better…"
A Heaven Union Divine Kingdom disciple said. But, his words had touched upon Imperial Scholar Sun's reverse scale.
Imperial Scholar Sun hissed, "Stop speaking nonsense!"
Although his words were rough, a strong sense of unease had appeared in his mind. Even though the disciples of Heaven Union Divine Kingdom were hostile towards the Divine Void Divine Kingdom, he didn't think that they would speak recklessly about such things, because these types of matters were too easily seen through. If they were to speak lies then their words would eventually come back to haunt them.
The several disciples of Heaven Union Divine Kingdom had 'believe it or not' expressions on their faces and didn't argue back. At this time, someone standing near Imperial Scholar Sun said, "Lord Imperial Scholar, Senior-apprentice Brother Yang has returned!"
Just as this voice spoke out, Imperial Scholar Sun grabbed onto it like a life-saving thread. He quickly turned and saw five people flying towards them from the far off horizon.
These people were the trial challengers that Divine Void Divine Kingdom had sent out. One of them was the one referred to as Senior-apprentice Brother Yang.
The first thing Imperial Scholar Sun did was try to search for the Third Crown Prince amongst the group. However, he didn't see him.
This caused his heart to turn as cold as ice.
"Where is the Third Crown Prince!?"
He didn't wait for the Divine Void disciples to steady themselves before he aggressively approached them and asked.
"The Crown Prince, he…"
After having Imperial Scholar Sun ask them this question right to their faces, the several disciples were dazed for a moment, not knowing how to respond.
"Where did he go!?"
Imperial Scholar Sun was breathless. Right now he didn't care about the Third Crown Prince's completion percentage; he just wanted to see the live person.
"Well…" The several Divine Void Divine Kingdom disciples looked at each other in dismay. Finally, Senior-apprentice Brother Yang said with fear in his voice, "Reporting to the Imperial Scholar, his Highness the Crown Prince… as well as Duke Fullmoon… disappeared on the fourth level and their whereabouts are unknown. We tried looking for them but… afterwards, there was a giant staircase of 33 steps leading from the fourth level to the fifth level, and after I climbed to the 31st step I entered the fifth level, and after that I didn't see the Crown Prince."
The Senior-apprentice Brother Yang was one of those people who had followed Lin Ming and the others to fifth level and helped confront of the Undying Inferno. But, he was also one of those that were afraid of the Undying Polar Ice that appeared afterwards and left the group at a critical moment.
"He's missing…"
Imperial Scholar Sun mumbled to himself. He fell back into his wooden chair, a stunned expression on his face.
The Divine Void Third Crown Prince was of their Sun Family bloodline and was also the most outstanding disciple from their family. Because of this reason, Imperial Scholar Sun had been chosen to lead the delegation to greet the Third Crown Prince. But now, he discovered that the Crown Prince was missing and had likely suffered some fatal accident. This information was naturally a great attack to him.
For a time, Imperial Scholar Sun had no interest at all in bickering with High Prince White Feather.
At the same time, High Prince White Feather had no intention of kicking Imperial Scholar Sun while he was down. Right now, they could be called fellow sufferers grieving together. Because Bigflame was missing, he too had fallen into despondency.
Originally, the Divine Void Divine Kingdom and Heaven Union Divine Kingdom were the stars of the final trial. With their overly dramatic and tragic end, this caused more and more martial artists to notice them.
Everyone now realized that two of the most outstanding disciples from Divine Void Divine Kingdom and Heaven Union Divine Kingdom, Bigflame and the Third Crown Prince, had gone missing in the final trial and had likely suffered some tragic end!
The two of them had been the main leads of the final trial and they had even made a bet based on their results. But currently, the final trial's exit had been open for some time already and seemed to be closing soon, and yet the two of them hadn't appeared. The hopes of them showing up became more and more uncertain, and the surrounding people couldn't help but start speaking in hushed whispers.
"Bigflame and the Third Crown Prince both perished?"
"Unbelievable… that two extremely talented individuals with chances of becoming Empyreans in the future would die here. The final trial is far too dangerous!"
"Indeed… although many people survived, the truth is that most of them don't have a high completion percentage. Many of them had given up on the fourth level. If they really had to struggle for great lucky chances then that would have been extremely perilous for them. Before, I envied those people who found such great lucky chances but now that I see it, if we were to go it's unknown whether we could come back out."
As everyone was speaking, an enchanting blue light shot over their heads, followed by a faint cold wind.
As everyone was startled, they looked up to see a blue beam of light arcing across the endless skies and disappearing into Boundless Divine Mountain. The speed was so fast that some people even wondered whether or not that was an illusion just now.
The cold wind gradually dissipated, but a vague and ethereal pressure remained in the air, not fading for a long time.
"Soul Empress Sheng Mei!"
"Yes, she seems to have entered Boundless Divine Mountain…"
Everyone took a deep breath, their words filled with reverence.
For the last 100 million years, Soul Empress Sheng Mei had maintained the top final trial record of 83% completion, even suppressing the Good Fortune Saint Son and leaving behind a legend that would last for a hundred generations.
And this time, without a doubt, Soul Empress Sheng Mei had created an even higher record!
It was horrifying just thinking about it. Outstanding young elites like the Divine Void Third Crown Prince and Bigflame had likely perished in the final trial, yet Sheng Mei had not only easily returned, but created new records!
This difference was simply far too great.
"Soul Empress… what was her completion percentage?"
Someone couldn't help but ask. They began looking towards the several Divine Void Divine Kingdom disciples that had returned from the final trial.
Of these disciples, some of them had joined with Sheng Mei in combatting the Undying Inferno. Because of their hesitancy and fear, they had been a single step away from entering the sixth level and becoming legends in their own right. Otherwise, they could have easily obtained a completion percentage in the seventies.
Hearing this question, Senior-apprentice Brother Yang replied, "The Soul Empress, she is likely at… 89%..."
On the fifth level, when Sheng Mei, Lin Ming, Xiao Moxian, Dragonscar, and the others had killed the Undying Polar Ice, the ones who had left weren't too far away. With their extremely keen hearing, they were able to hear what was happening far away. Thus, when Sheng Mei, Lin Ming, and Xiao Moxian joined forces to create a miracle, they had faintly heard what Sheng Mei's completion percentage was. To them, this hadn't been too shocking, but had seemed perfectly normal.
But when this information fell into the ears of those present, it was like a bolt of lightning smashing down from nowhere.
"W-what… what!? 89%!? Are you joking with me?"
The one who asked was shocked. Let alone them, even Imperial Scholar Sun and High Prince White Feather suddenly regained their composure from their sorrow of losing their top disciples. They both looked towards the disciple who had been speaking with disbelief etched on their features.
This number was far too bewildering. For a time, all of them were unable to accept it.
"89%... are you sure?"
"It's true…" Senior-apprentice Brother Yang gulped, a bitter smile on his face. He had been just a step away from leaving behind his own legend; how could he not be filled with regret?
"How can it be so high!? Do you know what sort of concept that number is? In the stories, even those who become True Divinities will only reach 85% or above! She… how… how can her score be so high?"
Imperial Scholar Sun muttered to himself again and again. He simply couldn't regain his wits.
Senior-apprentice Brother Yang helplessly said, "It wasn't so high to begin with, but because they killed the fifth level Overlord they were able to enter the sixth level and thus their score increased by several points. Originally, the Soul Empress' completion percentage wasn't so exaggerated…"
The more Senior-apprentice Brother Yang spoke, the more bitter he felt. Speaking these words was the same as picking at his scabs.
Killing the fifth level Overlord and entering the sixth level?"
Imperial Scholar Sun and the others sucked in a breath of cold air. Although they didn't know what the fifth level Overlord was, they did know that the sixth level was a legend. In the last billion years, there hadn't been anyone who managed to accomplish the magnificent feat of entering that mysterious land.
"The Soul Empress is really fierce, she actually killed the fifth level Overlord…"
High Prince White Feather gulped. Even though the saints were hostile to Sheng Mei's spiritas race, he couldn't help but admire such a powerful woman.
However, these words caused a strange look to appear on Senior-apprentice Brother Yang's face.
"This is…" Although he didn't want to, he couldn't help but say, "The one who killed the fifth level Overlord wasn't the Soul Empress…"
"Mm?"
Everyone paused. They all looked towards this Senior-apprentice Brother Yang.
"If it wasn't Sheng Mei then who was it?" High Prince White Feather asked, puzzlement on his face.
"It… it was that fellow called Lin Ming."
Speaking Lin Ming's name, Senior-apprentice Brother Yang couldn't help but sigh in his heart. Really, this was what it meant to be inferior to others. Lin Ming's horrifying performance on the fifth level had left him shocked and awed, and he knew he could never catch up to this Lin Ming no matter how hard he tried.
"Lin Ming? You're speaking of…" Imperial Scholar Sun was stunned. He queerly said, "Are you telling me it's that boy from the Divine Runic Masters Guild?"
Many people hadn't heard Lin Ming's name before. Although he could be called a celebrity within the Asura Road, the truth was that Lin Ming was only a big figure within the professional circles of divine runic masters, so it wasn't strange if others didn't know of him. But, when he entered the final trial, there had been a good number of people that recognized him.
Because a divine runic master invested so much time into studying the divine runic arts, their combat ability was normally nothing to mention at all. It was already fantastic for young divine runic masters to be able to follow the cultivation pace of their peers, let alone participate in the ruthless final trial.
Thus, when Lin Ming appeared many people had started to talk about him and so others knew of his existence.
And now they were being informed that Lin Ming had killed the fifth level Overlord. They couldn't help but glance at each other, dumbfounded. What was the meaning of this?
"Do you need to use the divine runic arts to kill the fifth level Overlord?"
Some people couldn't help but make this association. They didn't believe that Lin Ming surpassed Sheng Mei in strength.
But these people were soon disappointed. Senior-apprentice Brother Yang shook his head and said, "No… in order to kill the fifth level Overlord what you need is strength. When the fifth level Overlord was in the state of the Undying Polar Ice, only Lin Ming had the ability to kill it. He really did have the true ability to kill the fifth level Overlord. Moreover… his completion percentage was even more exaggerated…"
As the disciple spoke to here, he slowly said, "…He had 92% completion."
With this number, the entire audience of martial artists fell into a deep silence.
"…92%?"
Everyone held their breath, unable to believe this…