Free Web NovelChapter 1562: The Void Twin Blades
"Fine..."
The girl in white pouted, then shifted back into the form of the plump Wuyazi. It turned out that the Void Twins had taken on those bizarre appearances mainly to intimidate the crowd.
Just as the Great Emperor who died at Wuyazi's hands had guessed, the twins might look unfathomable, but in truth they were only sword spirits.
The power of a sword spirit largely came from its master. When a sword lost its owner and too much time passed, the spiritual energy within it would gradually fade. The spirit would weaken, sometimes even falling into a deep slumber, until a new master appeared to awaken its essence once more.
Ever since the Void Saint Sovereign died, their strength had been sealed away and continued to diminish.
Wuyazi's effortless killing of that early-tier Great Emperor earlier had in fact used up all his strength.
As for Xulingzi, he was even weaker than Wuyazi. The power their master had left within their true forms had long since been nearly exhausted.
The so-called game was actually a trial set by the Void Saint Sovereign before his death, a test for those seeking to inherit his legacy.
Only those who passed could obtain his true inheritance and become the new master of the Void Twin Blades.
The reason the twins coaxed, deceived, and threatened as many people as possible into joining was simple. They needed to find a new master as soon as they could. If their strength completely faded, no one would ever be able to open this tomb again, and the two divine blades would remain buried here forever.
The two sword spirits flew into a pavilion and sat down casually. There was still an hour left, so they could simply wait.
Based on past experience, very few people managed to win within an hour. The fastest had still taken more than half an hour.
Xulingzi tapped the table lightly and said, "This time, quite a number of humans made it into the tomb. There might actually be someone who can obtain the master's inheritance. If that happens, we might finally see the outside world again."
"That may be true, but if the master's inheritance were that easy to obtain, we wouldn't have been trapped here for thousands of years."
Wuyazi counted on her fingers, lips pursed. "One thousand years, two thousand years, three thousand years..."
"Enough complaining. The master never wanted his abilities to fall into the hands of useless fools."
Xulingzi spoke slowly. "Only those with strong will and exceptional talent are worthy of becoming the new master of our Void Twin Blades."
"That's true." Wuyazi nodded, then added, "But next time, I want to play the bad guy. Look at how scared those humans were. It was so fun."
"Fine, fine. Women really are troublesome."
Xulingzi rolled his eyes. In truth, the so-called nine chances of death out of ten was just something the twins used to scare people. Those who won the game would naturally enter the tomb and claim their opportunities. Those who failed would only have their memories of the tomb erased and be sent out. They would not actually be killed.
Of course, the unfortunate fool who had tried to disrupt things earlier and questioned the twins had truly died.
"By the way, Second Sister, since we have time to spare..."
Xulingzi glanced at the eight chambers and chuckled. "Who do you think will pass the test first? There are a few among them who look promising. They might not reach the level needed to obtain the master's highest inheritance, but entering the treasury and taking one or two treasures should still be possible."
"Me, of course."
The plump Wuyazi blinked her tiny eyes and said with a grin, "Didn't I already say? I like that youngest and most handsome one."
"... "
Xulingzi looked at her current appearance, then listened to her sugary tone and felt a chill run through him. Dark lines seemed to form on his forehead.
"Not necessarily. I favor that woman instead. If I'm not mistaken, she cultivates the Dream Illusion Rule. That makes her a rare spiritual refinement cultivator. Her mental strength and will far surpass the others. As for the boy you mentioned..."
He paused, then let out a cold laugh. "His vitality is far too strong. He's most likely a body refinement cultivator. The master always looked down on such people, saying they rely on brute strength and lack the mind to reach the Great Dao."
"I don't care. He's the most handsome." Wuyazi grinned. "Look at the others. Some are old, some are ugly, some look like brutes, some look scheming. None of them compare to him."
"Can good looks fill your stomach?"
Xulingzi almost choked. He steadied himself and said, "From a talent standpoint, he's not bad. At such a young age, he has already reached the third level of the Human Emperor Realm, and his performance in the previous trials was impressive. His character also seems excellent. Unfortunately, rules are rules. He must pass the Void Chess Game. His foundation is still too shallow, and since he focuses on body refinement, he'll likely be the last to pass."
"I don't care." Wuyazi crossed her arms and huffed. "As long as he's good-looking, that's enough."
"You women..."
Xulingzi shook his head, giving up on arguing further. "Just wait and see. You're going to lose."
While the Void Twins argued over who would pass the test first, all eight participants had already entered their respective chambers. Each of them saw a chessboard floating in the center.
Black and white pieces were already placed, forming a fixed position.
The moment their eyes fell on the board, their spiritual consciousness sank as if into a swamp. When their awareness returned, it felt as though they had been transported into a chaotic void.
"Where is this?"
Ling Feng looked around. Understanding slowly dawned on him. This so-called chess test was not about playing chess at all. It was likely some kind of trial of the will.
In the next instant, the chaotic space shifted.
He found himself clad in armor, standing on a battlefield.
Corpses lay everywhere, blood flowing like rivers. The sword in his hand was chipped and cracked, as though it had endured a brutal battle.
"General, the enemy is attacking. Their forces are ten times ours. Retreat now, hurry!"
Beside him, a blood-soaked guard grabbed him tightly, urging him to withdraw.
A sharp sound cut through the air.
An arrow shot toward them. The guard shoved Ling Feng aside, taking the hit himself. The arrow pierced straight through his chest, and he collapsed into a pool of blood.
"General, go..."
The guard lifted his head for one last look at Ling Feng, then died on the spot.
Even though Ling Feng knew this was an illusion, only a test, a surge of uncontrollable anger still rose from deep within him.
In the next moment, he seemed to glimpse the Heavenly Dao Clan being wiped out by countless Immortal Emperors. Their entire lineage was destroyed, their people reduced to materials for forging heavenly weapons.
The hatred buried deep within his bloodline erupted in an instant, flooding his heart and dragging him into an abyss he could not escape.
