A Spear Sealing The Throat

A Spear Sealing The Throat...

As more contenders gathered on the stage, the atmosphere grew increasingly tense. Many among them, fueled by ambition and determination, engaged in combat, hoping to showcase their martial prowess and win the favor of the nine great sects.

The truth was, the tests devised by these sects were incredibly challenging. Merely standing on the stage was a qualification, but it fell far short of securing entry into any of the nine sects.

Shang Qi, a prominent figure from Xuan King City's royal branch, immediately sensed the overwhelming power emanating from the nine rows of sword beams. Without hesitation, he chose to withdraw.

Surprisingly, Shang Qi, who had initially appeared dominant, quickly retreated when confronted with the Battle Sword Sect's test. A single sentence from the sect's expert had been enough to dissuade him. This sword formation not only inflicted physical harm but also targeted the inner fortitude of martial practitioners. Death was almost certain for those lacking the necessary resolve.

Shang Qi dared not attempt it.

Meanwhile, among the younger generation of experts, individuals continued to challenge the entry tests. Some succeeded, while others failed. In the midst of this, a mysterious young man dressed in black approached one of the pathways and boldly stepped into it.

The moment his foot touched the ground, a resounding drumbeat filled the air, and a bolt of violet lightning raced toward him. Unperturbed, Qin Wentian allowed the lightning to strike him as he calmly advanced. His senses extended, unraveling the secrets of the formation.

"The Violet Thunder Sword-Drum Formation," he mused. "The key to mastering it lies here." Qin Wentian quickly grasped the formation's secret. The more resistance he offered, the stronger the retaliatory shockwaves from the drums became, amplifying the ferocity of the lightning-infused sword qi within.

The formation was indeed extraordinary.

With grace, Qin Wentian ascended the inclined pathway, seemingly strolling on level ground. Despite numerous lightning strikes upon his body, he endured them by enveloping himself in the combined power of the Mandate of Force and Mandate of Demons. These two forces acted as protective barriers, allowing him to swiftly exit the Violet Thunder Sword-Drum Formation.

This display left the spectators in awe. They had witnessed countless individuals attempt the entry test, with several successfully forcing their way through using brute strength. However, none had passed as effortlessly as Qin Wentian.

The black-robed figure exuded an aura of cold arrogance, and an air of mystery enveloped him. No one could decipher his true intentions. As he stepped onto the stage, he casually strolled to its edge, calmly observing the unfolding events. He showed no eagerness to partake in any of the tests presented by the nine great sects.

Meanwhile, Xie Yu stood amidst the group of successful candidates, silently evaluating the challenges posed by the sect tests.

All the tests were exceedingly demanding. Following Shang Qi's withdrawal from the Battle Sword Sect's test, another candidate dared to attempt it. Tragically, this bold soul perished within the nine rows of sword beams. Despite passing the entry test, he met his demise after crossing just the third row, leaving nothing behind but bones. This gruesome spectacle underscored the formidable nature of the Battle Sword Sect's trial.

Xie Yu, however, wasn't foolish enough to tempt fate by choosing that sect's test. He had already failed the Qinghua Mountain's trial earlier.

"Xie Yu, why not consider the Great Earth Sect's test? Given your proficiency in the Mandate of Great Earth, you might have a shot at passing," a voice resonated in Xie Yu's mind, transmitted by one of the elders from the Ecliptic Sect. Although Xie Yu was a member of the Ecliptic Sect, the sect had no intention of hindering his potential. For talents like him, the sect nurtured their growth and hoped that they would remember their origins as they soared to greater heights.

Xie Yu glanced in the direction of his sect and nodded to a middle-aged man. He then strode toward the area designated for the Great Earth Sect.

At the same time, Jin Yan also headed in the direction of the Great Earth Sect. Despite his expertise in the Mandate of Fire, he had garnered insights into the Mandate of Great Earth. Back in the hidden realm, he, Yin Ting, and Xie Yu had all vied for the Earth Mandate Fruits, but Qin Wentian had seized them all, leaving nothing for the others.

Yin Ting, on the other hand, had his sights set on the Violet Thunder Sect, thanks to his uncle's position as an elder there. A potential entry into that sect would ensure he received ample support, smoothing his path to the future. Consequently, he didn't attempt the Great Earth Sect's trial.

The test for the Great Earth Sect featured a colossal, three-meter-tall Great Earth Puppet. Its body bore an earthen yellow hue, resembling a towering earth giant. The pass criteria were straightforward: shatter the earth giant with a single strike, regardless of one's cultivation level.

Rumors had it that this puppet was, in fact, a guardian construct of the Great Earth Sect, used to toughen and enhance the combat abilities of the sect's disciples. Brute force alone wouldn't suffice to shatter this puppet.

Jin Yan and Xie Yu approached, exchanging glances as they reached a silent agreement.

"Brother Xie, if you please," Jin Yan gestured courteously, signaling for Xie Yu to take the lead.

"Of course," Xie Yu nodded. His nine arms materialized, and an energy pulsated from him, shaking the very ground with each step.

"SMASH!" With a furious bellow, Xie Yu's nine arms converged on a single point of the earth giant's body, filling the air with a flurry of fist shadows. A thunderous explosion echoed, sending destructive shockwaves surging into the earth giant. A portion of the giant crumbled, transforming into yellow earth that scattered on the ground. Yet, in a blink, the damaged area regenerated, leaving the earth giant unscathed.

"I unleashed eighty-one streams of fist might, all focused on the same spot of the earth giant's body, and I still couldn't destroy it?" Xie Yu's expression darkened as he stepped out of the test zone, making way for Jin Yan.

Jin Yan's golden fire bloodline ignited, enveloping him in flames. He clasped his hands together, crafting a golden lotus that radiated an astonishing brilliance. His figure flickered as he thrust the condensed golden lotus into the earth giant, aiming to rupture it from within using the explosive power of fire.

Despite the fierce blaze consuming the three-meter-tall giant, it remained unmoving and unharmed beneath the searing flames. Jin Yan's face contorted with dismay at this sight.

"Brother Jin Yan, the Great Earth Sect's test is clearly linked to the Mandate of Great Earth. You can't expect to pass it by relying on the power of fire," Xie Yu commented with an air of satisfaction. At least, his attempt had been more promising than Jin Yan's.

"Do you want to try instead of just talking?" Jin Yan retorted, his gaze now fixed on Xie Yu. Xie Yu's eyes gleamed with determination as he focused on the Great Earth Puppet.

"Very well."

A voice resonated from behind them, causing Xie Yu and Jin Yan to turn. There, a black-robed young man stood, his eyes sharp as blades, fixed upon them.

Numerous spectators shifted their gaze toward the black-robed young man. Xie Yu had already demonstrated a commendable performance, and yet this newcomer had the audacity to order him and Jin Yan to leave.

Upon sensing Qin Wentian's aura at the fourth level of Heavenly Dipper, Xie Yu's lips curled into a disdainful smile. "You might want to reconsider your words, or else, despite your passage through the Violet Thunder Sword-Drum Formation, I will make you regret ever setting foot on this stage."

"Get lost," Jin Yan coldly added. Their confrontation drew the attention of many in the crowd. Yun Rou, standing among them, was baffled. Although this individual had passed the entry test, why would he provoke Xie Yu and Jin Yan, the chosen representatives of the major powers in Xuan King City? Was he seeking his own demise?

Qin Wentian reached behind him, untying a bag and retrieving a long spear. He cast a direct and simple question at the representatives of the nine great sects, "I have only one question: Are we permitted to kill here?"

A laughter resonated from the royal clan's direction. "Since you have graced this magnificent arena, life and death shall be determined by fate. Spectators shall not intervene."

Ecliptic Sect and Golden Fire Aristocrat Clan members fixed their sharp gazes on the black-clad youth. His inquiry seemed to suggest that he intended to kill Xie Yu and Jin Yan on stage. However, no matter how formidable his combat skills were, how could he be a match for chosen representatives of the major powers with a cultivation level a whole stage higher?

"Courting death," scoffed the experts from the Golden Fire Aristocrat Clan.

Xie Yu and Jin Yan, on the other hand, displayed expressions of intrigue as they observed Qin Wentian.

"Indeed, we are permitted to kill," Xie Yu affirmed, a sinister grin spreading across his face, while a glint of killing intent gleamed in his eyes.

Qin Wentian dramatically flung the black cloth concealing his spear onto the stage, then advanced with an eerie silence. His steps seemed to defy gravity, accompanied by an oddly calm expression that bordered on unnatural.

Xie Yu's nine arms radiated an earthen yellow glow, generating an oppressive atmosphere as he locked his gaze on the approaching Qin Wentian.

"This guy..." Yun Rou's eyes widened with intensity. Although she didn't know Qin Wentian personally, she couldn't help but feel an intense surge of nervousness on his behalf.

The spectators below couldn't help but shift their focus onto Qin Wentian.

As the distance between Qin Wentian and Xie Yu dwindled, his measured steps turned into explosive stomps. With each footfall, Xie Yu felt an inexplicable pressure enveloping him. The calm surface hid a brewing storm, and a sense of impending doom gripped him.

"GO TO HELL!" Xie Yu roared and lunged forward. His nine arms struck out violently, releasing a surge of qi that swept through the arena.

In the same instant, Qin Wentian thrust his spear.

It was as if the spear didn't exist; there was no whistling of the wind, no disturbance in the air. The speed was beyond any measure of "fast." The moment the spear moved, it pierced through sword light and headed straight for Xie Yu's throat.

"Peng!"

At that critical moment, Xie Yu felt his consciousness slipping away. He found himself in a surreal dreamscape, standing defenseless amid countless spear lights. Xie Yu's face drained of color, realizing he had been ensnared by this enigmatic black-clad youth.

"Puchi..." A soft sound marked the end of the illusion. Xie Yu's mind cleared, but it was too late. He gazed at the black-robed young man before him, lips quivering as if he wanted to ask a question.

"Who are you?"

"The six chosen of Xuan King City? You're just the first," a voice echoed in Xie Yu's mind. Shock filled his widened eyes as he stared at the black-clad youth.

The tone of that voice reminded him of the white-robed young man who had been encircled by the six major powers' experts. This person was Qin Wentian!

Withdrawing his spear, Xie Yu's blood splattered the ground, and an eerie silence descended. All eyes were now fixed on the black-clad young man.

The demon-level genius, Xie Yu of the Ecliptic Sect in Xuan King City, had fallen to a single throat-sealing spear strike!