Chapter 1303: Venerable Spirit

When Yi Tianyun was expecting that things might still be this troublesome, the Ten Lives Heavenly Beads in their possession suddenly merged together, forming a miniature version of the Ten Lives Heavenly Bead, significantly smaller than before.

Once it condensed, it emitted a beam of light that guided them onward. The two of them felt a surge of joy; apparently, they didn’t need to find all ten beads to locate the entrance after all.

They followed this guiding light for quite some time before finally exiting the forest. What appeared next was a massive stone gate.

This stone gate had ten grooves on its surface, looking exactly like the ones they’d seen before.

“Are we gonna need all ten beads to open this gate again?” Yi Tianyun frowned. If that were the case, leading them here wouldn’t make much sense.

Right then, a divine radiance descended upon them. In the next moment, the illusions on their bodies were lifted, and they could once again see each other’s true forms.

“The illusion is dispelled.” Yi Tianyun’s eyes lit up. It was different from what he’d imagined.

“Yes, the illusion finally wore off. But now what?” Domain Lord Liuli looked at the massive door in front of them, unsure of its meaning.

Just then, a silhouette floated out from the gate, instantly drawing their attention and making both of them alert.

“Welcome, challengers. I am the artifact spirit of the Myriad Venerable God Tower Tool Spirit. You may call me Venerable Spirit.”

The Venerable Spirit appeared as a benevolent-looking old man, smiling at them.

“Myriad Venerable God Tower Tool Spirit?” Yi Tianyun’s eyes narrowed. At last, they’d found someone who seemed to know what was going on, unlike before when everything felt like blindly chasing a fly.

Exchanging a glance with Domain Lord Liuli, Yi Tianyun spoke up:

“Senior Venerable Spirit, can you explain what all these trials mean?”

The Venerable Spirit, as the artifact spirit left by an Upper Heavenly Venerable, possessed cultivation at the Lower Heavenly Venerable level. He could easily crush them if he chose.

“These are the rules set by my master, aiming to select a disciple. Therefore, these trials were arranged,” the Venerable Spirit explained.

“Just as we suspected…”

Yi Tianyun had guessed as much, high-level cultivators often wanted to choose talented successors to pass on their legacy. If not, their arts could be lost forever. Unless they were the lone-wolf type, most seniors tried to leave behind disciples. Someday Yi Tianyun himself might do the same: a rigorous selection to find worthy inheritors.

But he couldn’t help finding these particular trials too difficult, so harsh they’d practically drive people mad. Especially the stage where allies might kill each other. Was this really for recruiting disciples, or just creating enemies?

Still, he didn’t argue. Instead, he asked:

“So what’s next? Do we need all ten beads to open this gate?”

“That won’t be necessary. The door can be opened based on how many beads you possess. However, the place you go and the rewards you’ll receive vary according to your bead count,” the Venerable Spirit said.

“I see…” Yi Tianyun’s eyes lit up. That meant it wasn’t essential to gather every bead. With their five beads, maybe they could still get somewhere decent.

But soon, his excitement waned when the Venerable Spirit continued:

“However, each time this gate is opened, only one person may pass through. Don’t attempt forcing your way in, unless you can defeat me.” The Venerable Spirit smiled as he spoke.

Yi Tianyun’s brow furrowed. So they couldn’t enter together. Since different bead totals opened different places, and they didn’t know whether it would be harder or easier, that meant they’d be split up, unless one of them gave up a bead. But doing so would surely lead to a worse outcome or lesser rewards.

“Senior Venerable Spirit, how exactly does this work? More beads means higher difficulty, or…?” Yi Tianyun asked.

“The more beads you have, the lower the difficulty. If you have only one bead, you’re basically facing near-certain death,” the Venerable Spirit replied with a genial expression. “I advise you to collect as many as possible. If you come with a single bead, you likely won’t be pleased with the result.”

“Near-certain death…”

Yi Tianyun paused. That was a huge pitfall. One bead meant nine chances of dying to one chance of living. Two beads might still be “eight chances of dying, two of survival.” Even three beads might be “seven deaths to three survivals.”

They had no idea how tough it would be, but at least if the two of them worked together, maybe it’d be more manageable. However, to face it together, they’d need six beads. That was the only way they could tackle the same trial.

They kept these thoughts to themselves, aware they stood on the artifact spirit’s domain. Criticizing the Heavenly Venerable’s setup openly would be unwise. A single swat from the Venerable Spirit could end them if he got displeased.

“More challengers are arriving,” the Venerable Spirit said, smiling at the horizon. Sure enough, God Monarch Bing Que soon appeared, having followed his bead’s guidance.

Next came God Monarch Lu Yuan, who also seemed fine. Finally, God Monarch Si Tian arrived, looking beaten and battered, apparently having lost to Lu Yuan.

Hence all the participants gathered, bringing the Ten Lives Heavenly Beads together in one spot. Yi Tianyun’s eyes flashed. Maybe he could somehow snatch just one more bead off them to balance his own advantage. Collecting all ten would be ideal, but even one more would help, and if others ended up dead…that was their problem.

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