Ye Tian's confidence surged after hearing the mysterious voice's words. He was no stranger to pain. The inhuman torture he had endured back in the Gravity Chamber was something many people could never withstand. However, the immense fortitude the voice spoke of might entail something even more agonizing.
'Every effort has its reward. The more you give, the greater the return.' "I understand," Ye Tian said. "Don't worry, I will endure it. How can I receive this altar's baptism?"
After Ye Tian finished speaking, the mysterious voice did not reply. A long moment passed before it spoke again. "The altar baptism is a special Body Refining Technique for Washing Marrow. It is something countless people can only dream of."
"There are three altar baptisms. You are now about to receive the first. Given your current strength, even this first one is a bit much for you. I had originally assumed that anyone who made it here would be at least at the Six Veins Power Realm, yet you possess only a Four Veins Power Realm."
"This means someone at the Four Veins Power Realm must endure the agony meant for a Six Veins Power Realm expert. You should understand what that entails. However, if you can successfully pass, you will have the chance to become superior to all others. Ascending to other worlds in the future will also become very easy."
"But it is also extremely dangerous. It's highly likely you will lose your life here. So, you'd best think it over carefully before you decide. If you give up on the altar baptism, I will still give you a powerful Technique for your Cultivation."
"Although it cannot compare to the Heaven-defying Cultivation Technique on this altar, if you cultivate it well, you can still ascend. I will give you the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn to consider your options!"
Ye Tian's heart was in turmoil. 'I could actually lose my life.' For him, this was no small matter. However, everyone knew the principle that great rewards require great risks.
After only a few breaths, he spoke, "There's no need to consider. Since I was able to make it this far, I must accept this altar baptism. If I really do lose my life here, it can only be my destiny. Everyone wants to become strong, and I, Ye Tian, am no exception."
"Good! Very good! It was not easy to pass two trials to get here. It would indeed be a shame not to pass this final one. In that case, step forward! When the time comes, the altar will naturally begin your baptism. Good luck, young man!"
Ye Tian nodded and strode forward, stopping five meters before the altar. The front of this altar was also protected by a Barrier. Otherwise, he could have just walked right up to it and taken the Heaven-defying Cultivation Technique from the box. Why would there have been a need for three trials?
Ye Tian stood motionless, but the Immortal Spiritual Power within his body was circulating continuously. Not long after, he sensed a powerful Energy fluctuation around him and immediately opened his eyes.
When he opened his eyes, he discovered that his surroundings had changed again. He was now standing in an extremely spacious grand hall. Before him was still an altar, but it was much larger than the one he had seen before.
The stone walls of the hall were white and incredibly smooth, without a single crack, as if they were a single, seamless piece of nature's work. High above in the hall's ceiling, seven enormous gems shone with white light, arranged in the formation of the Big Dipper.
'This must be the true place for the altar baptism,' Ye Tian realized. 'As long as I pass this, the Barrier on the previous altar will disappear, and the Heaven-defying Cultivation Technique in the box will be mine.'
At that moment, a very faint voice echoed from high above in the hall. It sounded ancient, like an echo from a time long past.
"The altar baptism begins now!"
As the voice faded, the seven gems on the ceiling shot down seven pillars of light, which landed around Ye Tian and trapped him within.
Instantly, Ye Tian felt an immense pressure descend upon him, even greater than the pressure from the Ice-Attribute Demon Beast. Without any chance to resist, he was slammed flat on the ground.
Ye Tian felt as if his entire body was about to fall apart. It was the first time he had ever encountered such immense pressure. Golden Dragon Scales instinctively appeared on his body, but even so, the pressure barely lessened. He was now completely immobilized.
The only thing that could still move was the Immortal Spiritual Power inside him. However, its circulation was extremely faint, though it did manage to alleviate a tiny fraction of the pain.
Ye Tian knew this was only the beginning; the real baptism was yet to come. At this moment, he didn't even know if he could survive. 'I was careless, or maybe I overestimated my own abilities.'
His muscles and bones began to emit a series of sickening pops and cracks. Ye Tian could clearly feel his muscles tearing apart. Even though they were covered by the Dragon Scales, they were still ripping open, and his bones were slowly shattering.
The pain was truly unbearable. Blood began to pour from his body, but it was all absorbed by the Black Glaze Sword at his side, so at least it wasn't wasted.
After a while, the seven pillars of light suddenly vanished. The pressure on Ye Tian disappeared in an instant, but his entire body felt as if it had been crushed flat. Not a single bone or muscle was intact. If Xiao Yaoyao or Zhang Xinlan were to see Ye Tian now, they would not be able to recognize him at all.
Ye Tian knew the altar baptism wouldn't be this simple. What came next would be the true test, a fate worse than death. Yet, he hadn't made a sound until now. The muscles on his face were twisted into a knot, and the mix of sweat and blood on his body gave off a foul stench.
Just as Ye Tian had thought, the altar began to move. It emitted a faint glow, and Ye Tian's body floated involuntarily onto it.
Unable to move, Ye Tian could only let it have its way. 'I hope this altar baptism isn't too severe,' he thought. But contrary to his hopes, a white flame erupted from the altar, instantly enveloping him.
Searing heat instantly swept over his entire body. Ye Tian was being burned alive. The Dragon Scales on his body quickly turned crimson, and he felt as if his shattered muscles were being cooked through. The immense agony was too much to bear. Stubborn as he was, he could no longer hold back a pained groan.
Ye Tian felt this was the closest he had ever been to death, and the most helpless. But there was nothing he could do. Although he was filled with unwillingness, a sliver of hope remained. 'Maybe, just maybe, I can hold on.'
The flames burned on Ye Tian's body for only a short while before extinguishing. He then saw that his body was covered in a layer of a pitch-black substance. He knew what it was—impurities from his body. Once these were removed, his Cultivation would become incredibly fast. He had experienced this before.
'I never expected the altar baptism to be this potent, to be able to cleanse the impurities from my body so thoroughly.' Just as Ye Tian was processing this, a stream of cool water emerged from the altar and similarly enveloped him…