Divine Wilderness Dragon Emperor

"Very well," the Celestial Emperor nodded. "What are your thoughts, everyone?"

"Since Young Master Ling is willing, it is naturally acceptable," said the elders from the Four Major Sects.

"You were already at the second trial before. Therefore, We shall send you there to continue the assessment," the Celestial Emperor said.

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Ling Fei said, cupping his hands.

The Celestial Emperor waved his hand, carrying Ling Fei through the mountain forest and placing him at the location of the second trial.

The first trial tested one's fundamental strength. Failure meant losing the qualification to enter the major Sects.

The second trial was an Illusion Realm.

It was a test of one's mind. Only those with a resolute will could achieve anything in Martial Arts.

Passing this trial granted entry into the major Sects.

As for the third trial, it tested one's overall combat prowess.

Ling Fei had already passed the Cold Illusion Realm trial.

He only needed to advance a little further to reach the third trial.

Ling Fei pressed onward through the misty mountain forest.

Finally, a tall mountain appeared on the horizon.

Before the mountain lay a Sea of Fire.

The crimson Sea of Fire dyed the mountain ahead a fiery red.

A scorching heat filled the air, making one's mouth and throat dry, and skin feel as if it were being roasted.

At this time, people were continuously arriving.

"Do we have to cross the Sea of Fire to move forward?" Many people stopped before it.

"Shangguan Qingmu and the others have already gone in. I wonder how they're doing," someone said.

However, most people were still filled with trepidation.

After all, the Fire Flame was so scorching. They felt like they would be incinerated into nothingness before even reaching the Sea of Fire. Who would dare to advance recklessly?

"Ling Fei is here!" Just as everyone hesitated, Ling Fei arrived.

"Does he dare to go in?" Many people looked on in anticipation.

"Greetings, Young Master Ling!" As Ling Fei approached, many people took the initiative to greet him.

Ling Fei gestured to the crowd in acknowledgment.

"Why aren't you all moving forward?" Ling Fei asked.

"This Sea of Fire is terrifying. It's too dangerous to go in rashly!" a young man said, his face full of fear.

"A Sea of Fire?" Ling Fei asked. "Has anyone gone in?"

"Shangguan Qingmu and Miss Wan'Er have both gone in," a student from Celestial River Academy said.

"Oh." Ling Fei nodded slightly. "In that case, I'm going too."

He then strode forward, walking straight toward the Sea of Fire.

"Young Master Ling, are you really going in?" that student asked, his face etched with worry.

"If I shrink back from even this, how can I ever rise up in the Martial Arts World of the Southern Wilderness?" A determined glint shone in Ling Fei's eyes as he spoke. "As a Cultivator, one must have the resolve to press forward relentlessly." As his words fell, he took a step, his foot landing in the Sea of Fire before him.

WHOOSH!

A torrent of fire surged, swallowing Ling Fei like a Fire Dragon.

Scorching Fire Flame washed over him, and Ling Fei could smell his own skin charring.

But he didn't hesitate in the slightest. He strode forward, continuing on until his whole body was inside the Sea of Fire.

The Fire Flame roiled and submerged him, and the people outside could no longer see his figure.

"He just went in like that?"

"Is he going to die?" someone murmured.

"'As a Cultivator, one must press forward relentlessly'?" Another person mumbled the phrase, a resolute look appearing in his eyes. He then strode forward, heading toward the Sea of Fire as well.

These people were all originally strong-willed.

Otherwise, they wouldn't have been able to pass the previous Illusion Realm.

But after experiencing the Illusion Realm, many were left with lingering fear and dared not take any more risks.

That was why so many people had stalled here.

...

After stepping into the Sea of Fire, Ling Fei saw a world of fire.

Before his eyes, Fire Flame churned, looking as if it could truly incinerate everything, inspiring fear.

But his mind was clear of all distractions, as if he had entered an ethereal state. He continued to move forward, even as his feet were being burned down to the bone.

He was still moving forward!

Finally, after Ling Fei took seven steps, the Light Patterns ahead flickered. The Sea of Fire vanished, and his pain disappeared with it.

A tall mountain appeared before him.

The mountain was so high it pierced the clouds.

At the foot of the mountain stood a Stone Stele.

Third Trial: Mountain Climb!

'Mountain Climb!' Ling Fei's gaze sharpened, and he looked past the Stone Stele.

At the foot of the mountain, a set of stairs stretched upward like a ladder to the heavens, leading straight to the summit.

This trial was to climb the mountain.

"Heh, so Ling Fei has reached the third trial!" At that moment, atop the mountain summit, Han Beihai chuckled.

Before his eyes, Light Patterns flickered, clearly displaying the scene at the foot of the mountain.

The Stewards from the various Sects were all focused on the third trial.

Because this trial could reveal a genius's potential.

This trial was a measure of one's overall combat prowess!

"That Shangguan Wan'Er is quite good. Her will is firm and she is fearless. In the trial corresponding to the Innate Realm, she has already won forty-four consecutive matches."

"She is indeed a talent. Her performance in all aspects has been excellent." The elders of the various Sects all nodded slightly.

Even the Steward from the Beiming Sword Sect couldn't help but give Shangguan Wan'Er a second look.

"Indeed. Her ultimate Physical Power in the Body Tempering Realm reached 25,000 jin. To think a woman could have such a foundation."

"And now, the mastery of the Sword Dao she's displaying in the Innate Realm is even stronger, clearly surpassing the others. While physical constitution is important, comprehension of Martial Arts is even more so. Only with great talent can one comprehend various Divine Techniques. That way, her future prospects will be limitless. This girl's Swordsmanship has already reached a notable level of achievement."

"I remember in the last few assessments, the one with the best results was Li Yufeng. His ultimate Physical Power in the Body Tempering Realm reached 33,000 jin. However, his comprehension of Martial Arts seems inferior to Shangguan Wan'Er's. It looks like the number one person from the Great Tang Empire this time will be her!"

The Steward from the Lingyun Sect said with a smile.

"It should be her!" the Steward next to him nodded in agreement.

Physical Power represents one's foundation.

However, a decent foundation is good enough.

In their eyes, talent was more important.

"I wonder how far this Shangguan Wan'Er can go?" The nearby Stewards were all full of anticipation.

If they could recruit a genius here, they would be rewarded upon their return.

"That Ling Fei is about to start the mountain climb. Heh, it would be hilarious if he's defeated in the very first stage." While the crowd was full of anticipation for Shangguan Wan'Er, a genius from the Southern Wilderness sneered.

They were quite curious to see what abilities this young man—who had disrespected the Sect Stewards and insisted on continuing the assessment to prove himself—truly possessed.

...

'A mountain climb... but I wonder what kind of assessment it is?' Ling Fei arrived at the foot of the mountain, filled with curiosity.

Then, he moved his feet and stepped onto the first stair.

The moment his foot landed on the stair, Light Patterns flashed, and he felt as if he had entered an Array Space.

A huge resistance washed over him, and he felt his Power being suppressed.

'I only have the Power of the Body Tempering Realm left.' Upon careful sensing, Ling Fei discovered that his Gang Qi had been restricted. He could now only use the Blood Qi of the Body Tempering Realm.

At that very moment, Light Patterns flickered before him, and a Beast Puppet forged from metal appeared.

The Beast Puppet swung its giant palm, swatting toward Ling Fei.

The force of the palm was immense, carrying the might of nine thousand jin.

'In that case, let's see whose Power is greater!' Ling Fei's eyes narrowed. He didn't dodge, but instead struck directly at the Beast Puppet before him.

BANG!

His fist collided with the iron palm, producing a clang like striking steel.

Then, those watching saw the Metal Beast Puppet's giant palm crack and shatter from Ling Fei's blow.

"Not bad. Ling Fei's foundation in the Body Tempering Realm is decent enough." At this moment, on the mountain summit, a Steward from the Lingyun Sect nodded slightly.

"Now we'll have to see what his ultimate Power in the Body Tempering Realm can reach." The few Cultivators beside him just smiled faintly, showing no signs of being particularly impressed.

The Body Tempering Realm is the foundation, and solidifying that foundation is extremely important.

That's why this trial exists.

After he knocked back the giant metal puppet with one punch, the Light Patterns flashed, and the Beast Puppet dissipated.

Immediately, the second stair appeared before Ling Fei's eyes.

'Is it one trial per step?' Ling Fei's eyes showed a pensive look. He then took a large stride toward the second stair.