Sen Lei looked at Feng Tianya, who was pretending to be righteous on stage, and clenched his fists. So, this was the Crown Prince of Feng Country, the thief who had insulted his parents and stolen his spiritual root!Beside him, Feng Jing Sheng shivered when she saw the murderous look in Sen Lei's eyes."Why does he hate my brother so much?" In Feng Jing Sheng's impression, she barely saw her older brother and knew little about him. She didn't understand how he could hold such a crucial position at Rade Academy. But looking at Sen Lei's expression, it seemed there was some deep, irreconcilable hatred between them.Feng Jing Sheng felt distressed. Why couldn't Feng Country and Sen Luo live in peace? She resolved that when she had the strength, she would bring the two nations to peace!This seemingly impossible and naive idea began to take root in Feng Jing Sheng's heart.Listening to Feng Tianya's elaborate explanation, the crowd below finally understood what this "Star Path" was all about.The Star Path had six levels, each with different levels of spiritual pressure. If compared to the spiritual pressure when climbing the mountain, the first level would have twice the pressure, the second level four times, and so on. When this was mentioned, some cultivators' faces twitched.Of course, if it was just spiritual pressure, there would be no opportunities to be gained. After passing each level, there would be a chance for spiritual energy infusion, but only if one passed the illusion challenge of each level. Each person's illusion was different but of equal difficulty, and the difficulty increased with each level, similar to the spiritual pressure.
These multipliers were based on one's cultivation level.
For instance, if one was at the fifth stage of the Spiritual Body realm, they would start from the illusions of the Spiritual Body realm.
Back then, Feng Tianya, with his first stage of the Spiritual Sea realm, had managed to overcome the illusions of the fifth stage of the Spiritual Sea realm.
One important reason for this was that he possessed Sen Lei's spiritual root, which allowed him to regenerate spiritual energy endlessly, making it common for him to challenge higher levels.
Although the people below were daunted by the difficulty of the Star Path, they were ecstatic at the mention of spiritual energy infusion.
After all, spiritual energy infusion was the best reward for directly enhancing strength. Such a reward was enough to make them risk their lives. Even if they couldn't gain admission to the academy, getting some benefits would be good. Such opportunities might only come once in a lifetime, so they had to seize them!
"Awoo, awoo?" Xiao Qi poked its head out and licked Sen Lei.
Sen Lei turned to see Xiao Qi's curious eyes and smiled, "Today, we'll go for the infusion together!"
"Oh, by the way, this time, we'll directly eliminate cultivators below the second level," Feng Tianya said with a smile, then looked towards the direction of Sen Luo.
"This time, I'll make sure none of you from Sen Luo get in!" Since Sen Lei and his group entered the academy, he had been observing them. Not one of them was at the Spiritual Sea realm, and he couldn't even sense the cultivation of that little waste.
Usually, there were two reasons for this: either the person's realm was too high and concealed, or their cultivation was too low, without any fluctuation. He knew Sen Lei's situation; the cruel act of removing his spiritual root was his doing. Initially, Feng Jun didn't know about it, but even after finding out, he let it go. Feng Tianya wouldn't allow anyone more talented than him to exist. It was a pathological way of thinking, but aren't all strong people somewhat pathological?
Sen Lei also sensed the strange gaze from the stage and met it.
He saw Feng Tianya's disdainful smirk.
Sen Lei clenched his fists so tightly they cracked.
"A record of the fourth level? Looks like I have to clear it to the end today, so you, Feng Tianya, and the master of Xuan Xiao Hall can see who the real genius is!"
After Feng Tianya finished his instructions, a massive gate emitting a purple glow appeared before the crowd, releasing a small vortex that made some lower-level cultivators dizzy just by looking at it.
Countless people were shocked.
It seemed the Star Path was indeed challenging!
Even the gate was a test!
"Hall Master!" Feng Tianya bowed to the back.
Qing Chan also bowed beside him, saying, "Grandfather."
"Mm. Everything is set up?" Elder Qing Feng waved his whisk.
"Yes, I followed the Hall Master's instructions and only selected those who could reach the third level for the next test," Feng Tianya replied respectfully.
"Good work!" Qing Feng just glanced at Feng Tianya briefly, then looked at Qing Chan with a kind expression, "Chan'er, your mother wants you to bring some supplements to your aunt. She's busy with academy affairs and can't leave. Go quickly."
"Yes." Qing Chan nodded and left the stage directly.
The elder turned back and said, "Hall Master Su Yan from the Great Fire Hall will come over later. Let him host."
"Yes!" Feng Tianya responded.
The elder nodded in satisfaction.
Then he turned to Feng Tianya, "I remember the Crown Prince of Sen Luo is here too. Don't make things too difficult for him. Remember, your strength also comes from him." The elder said this because he had pondered over the years. Sen Yan had once saved his daughter's life. Although he was angry about how Sen Yan handled things, he began to feel he might have been too harsh. If Sen Lei's talent still shone after losing his spiritual root, he would directly take him in and compensate him.
Feng Tianya was stunned but responded, "Okay."
Hearing the elder's tone, he naturally felt his actions might have been excessive.
Feng Tianya's face darkened, abandoning his sunny demeanor, and thought, "Even if I don't sabotage you now, do you think you can enter the academy? Dream on!"
The people eagerly entered the vortex gate one by one. Initially, they went in small groups, but now they were entering in droves.
Su Qianyi took the lead and stepped into the vortex.
Feng Jing Sheng nodded to Sen Lei, "Let's go in too."
"Alright!"
Sen Lei stepped forward and swiftly entered the vortex.
The moment Sen Lei entered the Star Path, he was astonished. There was no one around; everyone else had disappeared. In front of him appeared a star river.
There was no actual "path" in the Star Path.
He saw only endless stars, and Feng Jing Sheng had vanished too. The vast, silent starry sky had only him.
"So realistic!" Sen Lei felt the tiny gravel around him.
The pressure of the first level's spiritual energy weighed on Sen Lei, causing only slight discomfort. After all, Sen Lei mainly cultivated his blood energy, and his body's resistance was not to be underestimated.
"This first level's pressure should be bearable for most cultivators!" Sen Lei waved his palm.
Outside on the square, there was no one in sight. The previously crowded scene seemed to have vanished suddenly.
Feng Tianya stared at the flashing names on the Star Path's guide board, smiling faintly.
These names were inscribed with spiritual power, indicating who would be eliminated or who would advance to the next level.
"What a waste!" Feng Tianya sneered as he saw Sen Lei's name unmoved on the first level.
The elder sipped his tea and paid no attention.
By now, most of the Spiritual Sea realm cultivators, including Yu Chu Yanran, Hou Chu Xiao, and Song Qiao, had swiftly passed the first level's illusion challenge and moved on to the second level.
Meanwhile, Sen Lei remained on the first level, motionless.