Intentionally Targeting

Intentionally Targeting . . .

Dongsheng Ting maintained his graceful smile as he observed the participants on the platform. He addressed them, "The rankings of the first round are not set in stone. Now, everyone must continue to exert themselves and vie for the top three positions."

Suddenly, a voice echoed from the platform, catching everyone's attention. It was none other than Jun Mengchen.

Dongsheng Ting regarded Jun Mengchen and nodded, saying, "Of course, please go ahead."

Jun Mengchen spoke up, causing a ripple of curiosity among the onlookers. His typically irritable temperament hinted at an underlying message in his words.

"In the second round, can we make things more transparent? Allow everyone to witness our experiences," Jun Mengchen suggested. His words elicited quizzical looks from the audience, who were quick to discern a hidden meaning in his words.

Jun Mengchen was known for his straightforwardness. By not explicitly stating his intentions, he left room for interpretation, and the audience grasped the subtext.

"In the first round, we entered the dreamscape of the Dream Demon King, and I checked with my senior brother and sister to find that our experiences were unique to each of us. While we have faith in the Dream Demon's abilities, such a subjective process could potentially introduce deviations, leading to inaccurate results. Bluntly put, the Dream Demon King could decide our rankings at his discretion. In his realm, we have no means of resistance. If he wished for us to fail first, we would undoubtedly fail first."

Jun Mengchen's tone grew sharp, but he refrained from questioning the first-round results. He recognized that dwelling on the past would be futile.

"Therefore, I propose a more transparent second round. At the very least, we should all be aware of each other's experiences, and the immortal king judges can also observe clearly. This way, there won't be any suspicion regarding the final results. Of course, it's merely a suggestion. This event is hosted by the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect, and you, Your Highness, have the final say."

Jun Mengchen's intentions were crystal clear, especially with his last statement. This was an immortal banquet organized by the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect, with Dongsheng Ting overseeing it. If he wanted to manipulate the outcome secretly, he could easily declare the top three without any need for subtlety.

"I support Jun Mengchen's proposal and hope Your Highness will consider it," Zi Qingxuan added her support for her junior brother. Her expression remained composed, revealing nothing of her thoughts.

"I concur," Mo Wen chimed in, surprising those present. With three participants now in agreement, their voices carried considerable weight. It was noteworthy that Qin Wentian had not yet spoken.

However, Qin Wentian's voice broke the silence, saying, "I also hope for transparency in the second round. If I end up at the bottom once again, I will accept the results with grace." Mo Wen's unexpected support had prompted Qin Wentian to speak up, bringing the total to four out of ten participants who had voiced their agreement. Dongsheng Ting couldn't help but consider their suggestion more seriously now.

With the support of four participants for their proposal, it would have been blatant if Dongsheng Ting ignored their request.

Dongsheng Ting wasted no time in acknowledging their suggestion. He spoke openly and directly, displaying no signs of hesitation. "Since many of you share this sentiment, I, Dongsheng Ting, naturally concur."

He continued, "I must apologize for the misunderstanding that arose from the first round. You all are exceptional individuals, leaving a remarkable legacy for generations to come. With such confidence in yourselves, those ranked lower understandably wouldn't accept the results if transparency is lacking. I should have exercised greater caution when formulating the rules for the first round."

Dongsheng Ting's words subtly shifted the blame onto Qin Wentian and the others, implying that their low rankings were the cause of the disturbance. He proved himself a skilled actor, deftly turning the situation in his favor with a few well-chosen phrases.

"Rest assured, the second round will be entirely transparent," Dongsheng Ting assured them with a wave of his hand. He continued, "Bring in the Devil Statue."

As his words trailed off, a group of experts appeared and advanced toward the battle platform, dragging along a massive devil statue. This grotesque statue exuded a profoundly powerful aura and possessed three heads and six arms. Its six eyes provided a 360-degree field of vision, capable of locating anyone within its gaze.

When the participants locked eyes with the statue, they felt an eerie force pulling at their consciousness. The pitch-black eyes of the devil statue seemed as though they could consume them, and within their minds, they witnessed horrifying demons charging toward them, radiating a crushing force that threatened to overwhelm their sanity. The participants quickly averted their gazes, guarding their minds against the onslaught.

"This devil statue is truly peculiar," the participants whispered, noting the unsettling nature of the statue. The experts carefully positioned the statue at the center of the battle platform.

Qin Wentian and the others had already sensed the statue's abnormality upon laying eyes on it. It possessed a menacing will capable of launching mental attacks.

After placing the statue, the experts promptly retreated. Dongsheng Ting explained, "The second round is straightforward. This devil statue contains a malevolent will that can assault your minds. You will all encircle the statue, gazing at it. The first to avert their gaze will be ranked last, while the one who can maintain their gaze the longest will be ranked first. I trust this second round is transparent enough."

The participants remained silent as they listened to his instructions. Dongsheng Ting continued, "Now, prepare to take your positions around the statue. Close your eyes for now. When I signal to begin, open your eyes and lock gazes with the statue."

Following Dongsheng Ting's instructions, the ten participants closed their eyes and took their positions around the statue.

"The second round is about to commence, and it holds great significance for Qin Wentian, Jun Mengchen, and Zi Qingxuan. Given their lackluster performance in the first round, if they fail to improve their rankings, hope will slip through their fingers. The top three spots may be out of reach for them."

"As expected of Gusu Tianqi, the top-ranked contestant from the Eastern Prefecture. He stands the greatest chance of securing one of the top three positions. His combat prowess is unquestionable, and he clinched the top rank in the first round. If he can secure a top-three spot in this second round, he's nearly guaranteed a place as a personal disciple of the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor."

As the participants prepared to face the devil statue in the second round, the spectators engaged in lively discussions. Earlier, many had believed that Qin Wentian and Jun Mengchen were strong contenders for the top three positions. However, the first round had shattered those expectations, and now the possibility of their success appeared almost negligible. Everything hinged on this round, and everyone was eager to see if they could stage a comeback.

"Begin," Dongsheng Ting's voice resonated through the arena. Simultaneously, the ten participants opened their eyes, fixing their gaze upon the ominous devil statue.

The moment Qin Wentian's eyes met those of the statue, his heart quivered. The statue's eyes seemed like an unbeatable abyss, and in an instant, he was irresistibly drawn in.

It felt as though his soul had been transported to another dimension—a nightmarish abyss of blood and darkness. The landscape resembled a nightmarish purgatory, with a ruined ancient city and shattered earth. Embedded in the ground were countless fragmented divine weapons, oozing fresh blood. As Qin Wentian gazed upward, a colossal devil, standing at a towering 1,000 meters, fixed its eyes upon him.

In an instant, a blood-red saber materialized in the devil's hand, radiating sheer terror. It swung down with cataclysmic force, as if rending the fabric of reality itself. Qin Wentian paled, realizing that he had no means to defend against this strike.

A single slash would cleave him in two.

"No, this is just a fragment of my will. As long as my soul endures, my will remains unyielding," Qin Wentian whispered to himself. As the saber descended, everything vanished. Qin Wentian's will was torn asunder, as if he had undergone a deathly trial.

In the physical world, Qin Wentian groaned in agony, his face as pallid as paper. A splitting headache assailed him, forcing him to stagger back a step. Nevertheless, he kept his resolute gaze fixed upon the devil statue, unwavering.

The devilish eyes held an irresistible allure, drawing yet another fragment of Qin Wentian's will into them. Once more, he found himself in that blood-soaked realm of darkness.

The devil king's gaze remained locked upon him, exuding an aura of overwhelming dread and coldness. The devil king launched another attack, its massive palm descending like a dark shroud, plunging the entire sky into darkness. Qin Wentian desperately sought an escape route but discovered there was nowhere to flee.

In an instant, the gigantic palm enveloped him, bringing him before the devil king's eyes. Those abyssal eyes pierced his soul with a single glance. Then, the devil king's fingers clenched, and Qin Wentian screamed in agony and despair as his body was crushed into pieces, experiencing death once more, in a manner even more excruciating than before.

Back in the physical world, Qin Wentian's true self was forced back several more steps. He groaned in misery, his complexion growing even paler. His reactions were far more intense than those of the other participants.

Qin Wentian's eyes had turned bloodshot, yet he continued to fix his gaze upon the statue ahead. Once again, a fragment of his will was drawn inside, and he could do nothing to resist it.

Whispers and hushed murmurs filled the air as the participants in the second round observed Qin Wentian's intense reactions. It was impossible not to notice his heightened distress. Even an immortal king couldn't help but comment, "Could it be that this Qin Wentian's will is truly lacking? He was already ranked last in the first round, and now, his reactions are the most pronounced among the participants."

Among the celestial beings of the highest echelon, the Undying Immortal King and the Myriad Incarnations Immortal King furrowed their brows, their expressions betraying suspicion. They had witnessed the indomitable strength of Qin Wentian's will years ago. While the participants on the platform were undoubtedly formidable, it seemed unlikely that he should be the weakest among them.

However, the undeniable truth lay before their eyes. Every participant was facing the same trial, and Qin Wentian was no exception.

Throughout this ordeal, Bai Wuya remained outwardly calm, like a neutral observer. Yet beneath his serene exterior, waves of concern surged through him. This test had undeniably placed immense obstacles in the path of these three young individuals. It was becoming increasingly evident that Dongsheng Ting had no intention of allowing them to secure a place among the top three.

As Bai Wuya's gaze lingered upon the sinister devil statue, he couldn't help but harbor a deep suspicion. There was a haunting feeling that the will contained within this statue was anything but ordinary, as though it were being intentionally manipulated by an unseen hand.