Free Web NovelChapter 378: Chapter 377: Each Shows Their Prowess
In the clearing at the foot of the mountain, everyone except for Shen Haoran and his companions gazed up with envy at Ouyang Shaoyu, who stood at the summit, looking down on them all. ƒree𝑤ebnσvel.com
The Divine Martial Elder nodded and then addressed the crowd, "Next, who’s up?"
With Ouyang Shaoyu leading the charge, the other Martial Artists felt their confidence surge. They had all come to the same conclusion: whether they could make it to the top or not, they had to at least try. They were all going to die sooner or later anyway. How could they accept dying without putting up a fight?
However, after Ouyang Shaoyu, very few managed to reach the summit. The only exceptions were two Tier Eight Spirit Marquises, both powerhouses ranked in the top twenty of the Hidden Dragon List. But their ascent hadn’t been nearly as effortless as Ouyang Shaoyu’s. The crushing Energy pressure had broken at least several of their bones, and they were now grimacing in pain.
As time went on, the crowd at the foot of the mountain thinned. In the end, only six people remained: Xue Shitian, Jian Wushuang, Nameless, Shen Haoran, Murong Wanqing, and Han Xu. Of the more than twenty Martial Artists who had attempted the climb, only six, including Ouyang Shaoyu, had made it to the summit. The rest had all been eliminated.
Shen Haoran murmured as he watched the Martial Artists on the summit, "It looks like you need the strength of at least a Tier Eight Spirit Marquis to reach the top."
Hearing this, Murong Wanqing and Han Xu’s expressions fell. The strength of a Tier Eight Spirit Marquis... one of them was a Tier Six Spirit Marquis, the other a Tier Four Spirit Marquis. They were still a long way from Tier Eight.
"Brother Shen, it seems you and your two companions are in a bit of a predicament! Do you need my help?" Just then, Jian Wushuang of the Wind Sword Sect sidled over, speaking with a light chuckle.
Jian Wushuang didn’t mean this sarcastically, nor was he trying to kick Shen Haoran while he was down. He simply wanted to help. He was quite interested in this Shen Haoran, who was only a Tier Two Spirit Marquis, and wanted to befriend him.
However, Shen Haoran disliked being indebted to others. He smiled, shook his head, and said, "Thank you for your kind offer, Brother Jian, but I think I can handle it."
"Oh?" Jian Wushuang was taken aback. He had expected Shen Haoran to accept his offer, so he was surprised by the refusal and even more so by his words. He couldn’t help but size Shen Haoran up again. But when their eyes met, Jian Wushuang was struck by the confidence radiating from Shen Haoran’s gaze. He could almost see the powerful self-assurance hidden deep within him—it wasn’t blind arrogance, but genuine conviction.
"Very well, then. I’ll be waiting for you at the top, Brother Shen!" Jian Wushuang said, cupping his fist. With that, he walked toward the stone steps.
"Divine Martial Elder, my grandfather sends his regards!" Instead of immediately stepping onto the stairs, Jian Wushuang first bowed to the Divine Martial Elder. The old Sect Leader of the Wind Sword Sect and the Divine Martial Elder were close friends, so as a member of the younger generation, Jian Wushuang naturally had to observe the proper courtesies.
"Haha! It’s good to know that old coot still remembers me. I was starting to think he’d forgotten all about me!" the Divine Martial Elder boomed with laughter.
"That old fellow is lucky to have such a fine grandson. Your Talent is impressive. Given time, you’ll surely surpass him!" the Divine Martial Elder said, looking at Jian Wushuang with admiration.
Hearing the Divine Martial Elder’s praise, Jian Wushuang gave a modest smile. "It is all thanks to my grandfather’s guidance. I will begin the trial now!"
The Divine Martial Elder nodded. Only then did Jian Wushuang approach the foot of the steps. With a single-handed gesture, the longsword on his back let out a hum. A flash of Sword Light appeared as it instantly left its scabbard and flew toward the summit.
The instant the longsword left its sheath, Jian Wushuang leaped onto its body. He rode the blade upward, using his Sword Control Technique. The sharp Sword Qi cleaved the oppressive Energy in two, offering him no resistance whatsoever. Moments later, Jian Wushuang reached the summit, looking completely at ease.
"The Wind Sword Sect’s Sword Control Technique... To think Jian Wushuang has mastered it so proficiently. He truly is the Wind Sword Sect’s most promising disciple!" The onlookers couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration as they watched Jian Wushuang’s effortless ascent. freewebnovёl.ƈom
However, not everyone was pleased. Ouyang Shaoyu’s face darkened. He was supposed to be the strongest one here; all eyes should have been on him. It was no wonder he was upset that Jian Wushuang had arrived and stolen his thunder.
Down below, Shen Haoran was also stunned by Jian Wushuang’s power. ’The younger generation of the Northern Domain is truly full of hidden masters,’ he thought.
After Jian Wushuang’s ascent, Xue Shitian came to the foot of the steps. Without even waiting for the Divine Martial Elder to announce the start, he shot forward. Blood-red Spiritual Power enveloped his body, brutally tearing the oppressive Energy to shreds. The display was incredibly forceful!
Unsurprisingly, Xue Shitian also encountered no resistance and quickly reached the summit. The savage aura of his charge lingered in the minds of the crowd, refusing to dissipate.
After Xue Shitian, Nameless was next. If Jian Wushuang’s ascent was one of nimble agility and Xue Shitian’s was one of brutish force, then Nameless’s climb was, to the onlookers, a work of art. The entire process was as smooth as flowing clouds and moving water, his movements as beautiful as a painted scroll. Even the Divine Martial Elder was stunned. It wasn’t until Nameless had been standing on the summit for several minutes that the crowd finally snapped back to reality.
"So... so incredible! He’s practically on par with Xue Shitian!"
"It seems the rumors were true after all. Nameless’s strength really is comparable to Xue Shitian, the number one on the Hidden Dragon List!" a Martial Artist murmured, staring at Nameless’s back.
"Looks like the spots for the Divine Martial Blood Pool are decided, then. It’ll be the nine people who made it to the top!" someone said, having counted the figures on the summit.
"Only nine? But what about those three over there who haven’t tried yet?" another person asked, pointing at Shen Haoran and his companions.
"Hah! To get to the summit, you need to be at least a Tier Eight Spirit Marquis. Look at them. The strongest is only a Tier Six Spirit Marquis, and there’s also some Tier Two Spirit Marquis kid. You think they can make it up there? I doubt they’ll even make it halfway!"
"They’ll probably get scared and give up, haha!" someone jeered.
But the words had barely left his mouth when Shen Haoran walked to the foot of the steps. He gave the blood-tinged summit a calm glance, then turned to the Divine Martial Elder. "Divine Martial Elder, I was wondering, would it be possible for me to attempt the trial with my two friends?"
At these words, the Divine Martial Elder’s brow furrowed slightly. "This third trial isn’t one that can be overcome with numbers," he said. "The Divine Martial pressure strengthens with each additional person. If the three of you go together, the pressure will triple. At that level, not even a Spirit Aspect Powerhouse could withstand it. Are you certain you want to attempt this as a group?"
Hearing the Divine Martial Elder’s words, Shen Haoran’s expression didn’t change in the slightest, as if he wasn’t concerned at all. He simply nodded and replied, "We are."
