Chapter 467 - 464: Underestimated
The sixth Celestial Essence Sect disciple stepped into the passage.
His strength was clearly weaker than those before him. He fought the six puppets for no more than thirty moves before the Mantis Puppet’s blade slashed across his chest, sending him flying backward to crash heavily at the entrance of the passage.
A golden barrier appeared and enveloped him. Three Jade Boxes containing Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures landed in his hands.
The seventh, eighth, and ninth.
The three of them also failed to pass and were successively enveloped by golden barriers and sent out of the Ancient Ruins.
"They actually passed the fifth trial! They broke the highest record for the surrounding counties, and a full five of them passed!"
The hall fell into a brief silence before someone exclaimed in amazement a moment later.
"Disciples from an Overlord-level Influence really live up to their reputation."
Someone spoke in a low voice, their tone filled with awe and emotion.
"If they can pass, so can we!"
another person said, their courage ignited.
Following the Celestial Essence Sect disciples, the prodigies from the various counties entered the passage one after another.
However, the results were disappointing.
One after another, they all failed.
Some lasted for dozens of moves, while others were sent flying in just over ten. Without exception, all were sent out of the Ancient Ruins by the golden barrier.
It was clearly not easy to break the previous record.
After a long time, still no one had passed the trial. In the hall, the only ones who had cleared the fifth trial were the five from the Celestial Essence Sect.
The five from the Celestial Essence Sect stood in the hall of the sixth trial, watching as the prodigies from the surrounding counties failed their challenges one by one and were sent out of the Ancient Ruins.
Among the five, a tall, slender young man with a cold expression withdrew his gaze, the corner of his mouth curling into a slight arc.
"It seems the rest of the trials will become an internal competition for our Celestial Essence Sect."
His tone held no mockery, but it carried an air of self-evident certainty.
"Not necessarily."
Another young man with delicate features among the five from the Celestial Essence Sect said.
"That Fang Han from Qingyang County isn’t weak. He might be able to pass the fifth trial."
"That Fang Han’s strength is indeed top-level among the surrounding counties."
The tall, slender man who had spoken earlier heard this and shook his head slightly.
"But compared to the five of us, there’s still a considerable gap. Passing the fourth trial was already his limit."
In the hall of the fifth trial, the atmosphere was somewhat stagnant.
The gazes of the prodigies from every county fell upon the six Metal Puppets in the passage, and their expressions were not pleasant.
The Fierce Tiger Puppet, the Giant Bear Puppet, the Giant Python Puppet, the Giant Ape Puppet, the Giant Eagle Puppet, and that Mantis Puppet, which was dark gold all over with scythe-like forearms—
The six figures stood in a ring, their six pairs of differently colored eyes glowing with a cold light.
Those who could pass the fourth trial to arrive here were all prodigies among prodigies from their respective counties, existences who stood at the pinnacle of the younger generation.
But facing six Metal Puppets comparable to the Middle Stage of Third Grade, the formless pressure still made their hearts sink.
For a moment, they were hesitant to advance.
"Senior Brother Fang."
Luo Yuntian’s voice sounded, steady yet tinged with gravity.
He turned his head to look at Fang Han, his calm eyes holding a hint of inquiry.
"This fifth trial... are you confident?"
"Yes."
Fang Han said, his expression calm.
As he spoke, he walked toward the passage.
His green robes stirred slightly, the Cloud Splitting Sword hanging at his waist, his pace neither fast nor slow.
"That Fang Han from Qingyang County is going to attempt the trial."
Seeing Fang Han about to attempt the trial, the reactions from the various county prodigies were indifferent.
Some spared him a glance before looking away, while others didn’t even raise their eyes, merely whispering something to their companions.
This was hardly surprising.
Since the fifth trial had opened, the prodigies from the various counties had tried one after another, and failed one after another.
After the five from the Celestial Essence Sect passed, no one else had been able to replicate their success.
Over time, an impression formed in everyone’s mind: the fifth trial could not be passed by anyone other than disciples of an Overlord-level Influence.
Although Fang Han was number one on the Qingyang County Celestial Pride List and his Talent was astonishing for someone only twenty years old...
...Talent was Talent, and strength was strength. How strong could a twenty-year-old possibly be?
Fang Han stepped into the passage.
In that same instant, the eyes of the six puppets lit up.
The Fierce Tiger Puppet kicked off with its four paws, its dark gold metallic body transforming into a streak of light as it shot straight for his face.
The Giant Bear Puppet took great strides, the ground trembling slightly with each step, and slammed its palms down from the left with Mountain-Splitting Stone-Shattering Momentum.
The Giant Python Puppet’s body coiled, then shot out like an arrow loosed from a bow, its giant metal maw snapping toward his waist from the right.
The Giant Ape Puppet leaped up from behind, its dark silver arms reaching past its knees, its fists clasped together like a giant warhammer as it smashed down.
The Giant Eagle Puppet beat its wings, its bronze metal feathers slicing through the air as it dove from above, its sharp talons aimed straight for the crown of his head.
And as for the Mantis Puppet.
Its speed was astonishing. Its dark gold metal body left a distorted afterimage in the passage.
Its pair of scythe-like forearms slashed out in a crisscross pattern, the blades glowing with a faint blue light, sealing off all of Fang Han’s forward paths.
Six puppets, six directions, attacking simultaneously.
Their coordination was flawless, sealing off every inch of escape.
Fang Han’s expression did not change as his right hand rested on the hilt of his sword.
SHINK—
The Cloud Splitting Sword left its sheath.
Its dark cyan blade shimmered with a restrained brilliance under the light of the Luminous Pearls.
At the same time, an indescribable aura suddenly burst forth from him.
The aura was exceptionally sharp, carrying a terrifying Tearing Realm that seemed capable of ripping everything to shreds.
Wind Sword Intent, unleashed.
The cyan-gold light on the blade suddenly transformed, becoming an almost transparent, yet tangibly solid sharpness.
The sword hummed and vibrated, like a long-starved beast that had finally scented blood.
He slashed out.
It was not one slash, but six.
The speed was too fast for the naked eye to follow. The sword light left six barely perceptible trails in the air, striking all six puppets at almost the same instant.
CLANG CLANG CLANG CLANG CLANG CLANG—!
Six sounds of metal clashing exploded almost simultaneously, merging into a single, long toll that echoed through the hall.
The Fierce Tiger Puppet flew backward and slammed heavily into the passage wall with a dull THUD.
The Giant Bear Puppet staggered back seven or eight steps before steadying itself.
The Giant Python Puppet’s head was knocked aside, its massive metal body rolling twice on the ground.
The Giant Ape Puppet’s fists were blasted apart. It flipped backward and crashed onto the passage floor.
The Giant Eagle Puppet was sent soaring into the air by the sword strike, hitting the ceiling before falling back down, its metal wings scraping white marks across the floor.
As for the Mantis Puppet, its scythe-like forearms were knocked high into the air. Its dark gold metallic body slid back several feet, the faint blue light on its blades flickering violently.
Fang Han sheathed his sword.
He passed through the gap the six puppets had left and arrived at the other end of the passage.
The hall of the fifth trial fell deathly silent.
Those prodigies from the various counties who had previously only spared him a casual glance now stood completely stunned.
They stared wide-eyed at the green-robed figure about to disappear at the far end of the passage, their mouths agape, but no sound came out.
’How is this possible?’
"He... he passed?"
someone murmured, their voice filled with disbelief.
"And so easily..."
another person added, their voice so hoarse it was almost inaudible.
Lie Yunting’s pupils constricted slightly. His gaze remained fixed on Fang Han’s back for a long time.
The all-tearing sharpness that had erupted from Fang Han moments ago still made his heart tremble, even from a distance of dozens of yards.
"Sword Intent..."
He breathed out those two words, his voice so soft only he could hear.
’To have comprehended Sword Intent at only twenty years old.’
’We’re both number one on our respective Celestial Pride Lists, but the gap between me and Fang Han is immense.’
’Thank goodness, thank goodness...’
Lie Yunting withdrew his gaze, an indescribable sense of relief washing over him.
He was thankful that he had chosen to back down in the matter with Xue Wu.
’If I hadn’t backed down then and had fought Fang Han...’
He didn’t dare to think further, but the answer was self-evident.
In the hall of the sixth trial, five figures in moon-white robes stood at the other end of the passage.
Bai Yan stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze fixed on Fang Han as he emerged from the passage. A flicker of unconcealable surprise flashed through his placid eyes.
"Sword Intent..."
he said in a low, soft voice.
Xu Qing stood beside him, also staring at Fang Han’s figure, her eyes full of astonishment.
"Even in the Celestial Essence Sect, disciples who can comprehend an Intent before the age of thirty are exceedingly rare."
She paused, her voice tinged with emotion.
"To think that in this remote place, someone could actually comprehend Sword Intent at the age of twenty."
Bai Yan said nothing, merely watching Fang Han quietly.
"It seems I misjudged him."
The tall, slender young man with the cold face, Shi Chong, had now shed his earlier disdain.
His gaze fell upon Fang Han, his brow slightly furrowed with a scrutinizing look.
His voice was still level, but it had lost some of its previous casualness.
"He actually passed!"
Luo Yuntian stood in the hall of the fifth trial, watching Fang Han disappear into the passage, and fell silent for a moment.
He remembered asking Fang Han if he was confident, and the single word he had replied with: "Yes."
A single word, as placid as water, yet as firm as a mountain.
He had thought that even if Fang Han could pass, it would inevitably be a difficult struggle.
He never expected it to be so easy.
’The gap is actually this huge!’
A bitter smile then appeared on his lips.
How long had it been? The gap between him and Fang Han had already grown to such an extent.
He had been called a genius his whole life, but compared to Fang Han, what kind of genius was he?
"My turn!"
Luo Yuntian took a deep breath and strode toward the passage.
The moment he stepped into the passage, the six puppets moved in unison.
He drew his sword, its light steady, and engaged the six puppets in battle.
His Swordsmanship was unhurried, carrying a dense, impenetrable quality.
But six puppets at the Middle Stage of Third Grade were simply too difficult for him.
In just over ten moves, the Giant Python Puppet’s tail swept across his waist, the impact leaving his blood and qi in turmoil.
Only a few moves later, the Fierce Tiger Puppet’s claws raked across his left arm, leaving a deep, bloody gash.
He gritted his teeth, holding on with all his might.
But the gap in strength was not something willpower could overcome.
After thirty moves, the Mantis Puppet’s scythe slashed across his chest. He was sent flying backward, crashing heavily at the entrance of the passage.
He spat out a mouthful of blood, his face deathly pale.
A golden barrier appeared and enveloped him. Three Jade Boxes containing Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures landed in his hands.
He looked down at the Jade Boxes in his hands and was silent for a moment before the golden barrier enveloped him and sent him out of the Ancient Ruins.
In the hall, the prodigies from the various counties finally recovered from their shock.
"I’ll give it a try!"
Lie Yunting took a deep breath and strode toward the passage.