Long Jiu swatted a person away with a claw, but suddenly sensed danger coming from his tail. Someone had the power to threaten him.
Turning his head, Long Jiu roared in anger. In the void, a silver needle pierced the fleshy ball at the end of his tail, causing him to howl in pain.
The person wasn't wrong—the fleshy ball on the tail was indeed a weak spot for the Dawei Wumang Dragon. Many forces in the Inner Universe knew this, but very few peers could break through its defense and harm the dragon. Long Jiu hadn't expected to encounter such a person in the Outer Universe.
Though the silver needle injured the fleshy ball, the damage was minimal. However, it was enough for the attacker, who never intended to defeat Long Jiu but merely to break through his blockade.
Seizing the moment when Long Jiu was hurt, a woman dashed into the light beam, holding a glinting silver needle.
Enraged, Long Jiu vented all his fury on the others.
On the mossy stone platform, Lu Yin looked out at the distant rain, listening to its sound, feeling increasingly calm. He sensed there was something unusual about this rain.
Lulu was also lost in the rain, staring into the distance.
At that moment, a figure descended, surprising everyone.
The newcomer was a man, plain in appearance and attire, seemingly ordinary. But his jet-black hair, absorbing the surrounding light like a black hole, made him look eerie.
The man ignored the others, standing still.
Almost simultaneously, another figure appeared—a woman.
"Zora!" Coco exclaimed in delight.
Zora's eyes lit up when she saw Coco. "Coco, are you alright? Are you hurt?"
Coco shook her head, beaming. "Zora, are you okay? Are you hurt?"
Zora shook her head quickly. "No, I'm fine."
"Oh," Coco said, disappointed.
"Coco, let me introduce you," Coco pulled Zora over to Lu Yin and Lulu. "This is Brother Lu Yin, and this is Sister Lulu. I passed the test thanks to them; otherwise, I wouldn't have made it."
Lu Yin nodded at Zora, recognizing she was from Suspended Wind Hall too.
Lulu was more reserved but still polite.
After expressing her gratitude, Zora pulled Coco aside for a private conversation.
At the end of another path of the integration realm, under scorching heat, there was dead silence. The land seemed flattened by some force, devoid of life. Even the Ross Empire's guards in front of the light beam had turned into scrap metal, soaked in blood. This path was one of utter slaughter.
"Incredible, that black-haired boy has amazing talent."
"Pity he's so bloodthirsty."
"Considering his background, it's understandable. Our academy needs someone like him."
In the starry sky, countless people waited. Two light screens appeared on two integration paths. One showed the name Zora from Suspended Wind Hall, the other had just two words: Hei Xu, with no origin mentioned.
As time passed, another day went by. At the end of one integration path, Asharum stood proudly, facing dozens of integration cultivators he had roasted with his high temperature.
He came from the Fire Domain, ranking in its top five, unmatched by these weaklings.
Suddenly, the sun was sealed in ice, and extreme cold swept the land.
The cultivators Asharum had roasted rejoiced. Without the environmental advantage, they believed they could challenge Asharum.
However, when flames enveloped Asharum's body, they despaired again. This was a talent—a combination of natural fire ability and Fire Domain combat skills, making him nearly invincible.
Asharum enjoyed watching their shift from hope to despair, highlighting the superiority of the Inner Universe.
Suddenly, a graceful figure appeared amidst the flames, performing a seductive dance. Her enchanting beauty and dark red pupils, along with her snowy white hair, captivated everyone.
People swallowed hard, staring dumbfounded at the stunning woman as she gracefully walked through the flames, passing by Asharum and entering the light beam.
Only after she vanished did they realize Asharum hadn't stopped her.
Asharum stood still, recognizing her instantly as Michelle, known as the Red Lotus Enchantress, sister of Red Lotus Bow Mila from the Ten Decisions Council. She was not to be provoked.
On the mossy platform, the arrival of Michelle drew everyone's attention, even the man from Myriad Sword Mountain and the black-haired man who had been silently observing the rain.
Michelle's allure was undeniable, from her appearance and demeanor to the subtle charm she exuded, even making Coco's eyes sparkle.
Lu Yin stared at Michelle, almost seeing Mila in her—same irresistible beauty, same white hair, same dark red pupils.
Despite her fiery exterior, Michelle's expression was indifferent. She glanced at the group before looking away.
No one approached her. Those who passed the test were strong-willed, not easily swayed by beauty.
Soon after Michelle's arrival, another person appeared—Meng Yue, the young lord of the Wilds Sect who had walked the same path as Lu Yin. Achino, the guardian of their path, had been killed by Lulu's punch. Those who reached the end could pass the test, but so far, only Meng Yue had made it. The others were injured or failed due to Achino's attacks.
Meng Yue stared at Lu Yin, then at Lulu, with wary eyes but said nothing and walked aside.
Time passed again. The most anxious were Doran Yushan and his people, as no one from the Dayu Empire had passed the integration path yet.
The cold night represented not only the environment but also their state of mind.
Shu Zi and others felt an endless winter.
Ahead, a half-man, half-machine lowered his arm, standing amidst a dozen fallen integration cultivators.
"I told you, you can't pass. The gap between the Inner and Outer Universe is like heaven and earth," he said coldly, his voice mechanical.
The cultivators were terrified. The half-man, half-machine's attacks, though within the integration realm, were terrifyingly powerful, beyond their league.
Shu Zi gritted his teeth and stepped forward. As the top young expert of the Dayu Empire, he couldn't retreat. He had to enter the Tenth Court, to prove himself to Princess Wendy.
The mechanical man glanced at Shu Zi, impatient. "Come out, and you die." He fired a shot, a series of beams attacking Shu Zi from strange angles.
Shu Zi roared, swinging his blood-red battle blade, unleashing a brilliant slash that swept through the air, surprising the other cultivators with his strength.
However, the beams easily tore through Shu Zi's attack, converging into a force he couldn't resist, aiming for his heart.
Shu Zi roared, blocking with his battle blade, but it shattered instantly. He felt the overwhelming power of the mechanical man, far beyond his imagination.
As everyone thought Shu Zi was doomed, the beams suddenly vanished.
Everyone stared in shock. Shu Zi wasn't dead?
Shu Zi looked up at the mechanical man, seeing another figure behind him—a man with a gentle smile and soft eyes.
Shu Zi recognized him as one of the Dayu Empire's integration cultivators, but not from Yutang. He had seen him once but hadn't asked further. This man had saved him.
"Who are you?" The mechanical man's voice was icy.
"Sharo. Sorry, please let us pass."
"Fine."
Sharo nodded at Shu Zi and walked towards the light beam.
Shu Zi felt conflicted. The inner universe expert had been intimidated by Sharo, a terrifying person from the Dayu Empire.
Everyone watched as Sharo and Shu Zi walked towards the light beam. The mechanical man never turned back, his eyes cold. He had felt the chill of death and instinctively ceased his attack, fully on guard. How could such a fearsome person exist in the Outer Universe?