After the ten remaining participants from the under 100-year-old age group had been determined, they were led out of the Sword Trial Pavilion to complete their registration to join the Heavenly Pool Palace.
At this time, those in the group between the age of 100 to 200 had begun to prepare for the test. The number of people in this group was fewer than the previous group, but there were still roughly 100 of them.
âBegin.â
As soon as Lei Ying the Merciless Celestial Emperor and the Pavilion Master of the Heavenly Pool Palaceâs Sword Trial Pavilion finished speaking, everyone began to attack.
Naturally, the participants were only allowed to use their Celestial Weapons. Celestial Talismans were strictly prohibited; those who broke the rule would be instantly killed.
As time passed, the participants began to fall one after another. There were also some who surrendered.
About half an hour later, only twenty people were left standing. It was also at this time that the battle intensified.
Perhaps, they had learned from the mistake of the strongest person from the previous group; everyone seemed to be holding back their strength and exhibiting roughly the same strength. However, as time passed, they gradually grew stronger and stronger. After a while, when a few participants exhibited more power, the others would join forces to take them down. In the end, ten participants remained.
At this moment, Lei Ying said, âFor those from the under the age of 100 group who were eliminated, you can choose to challenge any of these ten people. If you win, youâll be able to join the Heavenly Pool Palace without taking any more tests.â
Those who were previously eliminated were naturally excited and eager when they heard these words.
It did not take long before two participants under the age of 100 stepped forward to issue a challenge. However, both of them failed again. It was not surprising since the remaining ten participants from the group between ages 100-200 were incredibly strong. It was a tall order for those below the age of 100 to succeed in this challenge.
Following that, there were several more people who stepped forward. Similar to the first two participants, all of them failed.
Finally, Lei Ying looked at those who were eliminated but were still alive and said indifferently, âWait at the side. Someone will send you out once the third test ends.â
Then, Lei Ying looked at one of the nine elders from the Sword Trial Pavilion and said, âLead the ten of them out to complete the registration.â
Finally, it was time for those between the ages of 200 to 300 to fight. Duan Ling Tian and Huanâer both belonged to this age group.
When everyone stepped onto the vast platform, the other participants were all looking at Duan Ling Tian warily with a hint of helplessness. It was only natural since they had witnessed the duoâs outstanding performances during the first and second test. They were aware that even if they joined forces, they would not be able to defeat the duo. Moreover, the duo was clearly together so they would definitely help each other out.
Xu Lang the Verdant Prairie Celestial Emperor said to Lei Ying through Voice Transmission, âI donât think anyone will dare to attack them. Itâs pointless putting them through the third test...â
Indeed, Xu Lang was right. As soon as Lei Ying gave the green light for the participants to start, everyone began to attack, but they were also consciously giving Duan Ling Tian and Huanâer a wide berth. No one dared to attack the duo at all. They fought each other valiantly while the duo stood at the side peacefully.
The sounds of thunderous attacks continued to ring in the air, but the attacks did not come close to Duan Ling Tian or Huanâer at all.
With this, Duan Ling Tian and Huanâer, naturally, became the focus of everyoneâs attention.
âThey... No one dares to attack them...â
âEarlier, I heard that both of them injured an examiner whoâs a Six Combos Celestial Lord during the first test. With such strength, the others definitely wonât stand a chance of defeating the duo even if they join forces.â
âWho are they? Is it possible for a sectless cultivator to be this strong?â
âTo think theyâre so strong when theyâre not even 300 years old. There arenât many like them in the Boundless Heavenâs heaven-grade forces.â
âTheyâll definitely be part of the young prodigies once they join the Heavenly Pool Palace.â
âI agree.â
Many participants from the other groups who did not pay attention to Duan Ling Tian and Huanâer earlier learned about their terrifying strength at this moment.
...
Finally, after about an hour had passed, only ten people were left. Needless to say, Duan Ling Tian and Huanâer were part of the ten participants. It was as though the other eight people had tacitly agreed to leave two places for the duo.
Lei Ying looked at those who were between the ages of 100 to 200 as she said loudly, âSimilar to earlier, those who are previously eliminated may challenge any of ten people here. If you succeed, youâll be able to join the Heavenly Pool Palace.â
The eliminated participants were reinvigorated. Although they knew their opponents were strong, they still wanted to try to join the Heavenly Pool Palace. Naturally, none of them planned to challenge Duan Ling Tian or Huanâer; they were not stupid and were aware of the duoâs strength.
Meanwhile, the other eight participants were challenged one after another.
However, at this moment a young man dressed in a luxurious robe sent a Voice Transmission to Duan Ling Tian, trying to make a deal with him, âDuan Ling Tian, what if I challenge you, and you let me win? Iâll give you an Emperor Grade Celestial Weapon in return. What do you think? With your strength and talent, the Heavenly Pool Palace will definitely make an exception and accept you even if you lose.â
âEmperor Grade Celestial Weapons?â Duan Ling Tian thought to himself disdainfully. He only glanced at the young man briefly before ignoring him.
Upon seeing that, the young man sent a similar Voice Transmission to Huanâer who was standing next to Duan Ling Tian. Alas, she was even colder than Duan Ling Tian. She did not even deign to look at him.
Similar to before, nobody succeeded in their challenge.
At this moment, Lei Ying said as she looked at an old man, âDuan Ling Tian and Huanâer, stay back. The rest of you follow Elder Qian to complete your registrations.â
âFollow me.â The old man, Elder Qian, led the others away.
Meanwhile, the third test was temporarily delayed by Lei Ying. She looked at Duan Ling Tian and Huanâer and smiled amicably as she said, âDuan Ling Tian, Huanâer, would you like to follow me or Xu Lang? You donât have to acknowledge us as masters if youâre unwilling; we can be your teachers.â
Based on her words, it was obvious Lei Ying had considered the fact that the duo might already have a master and did plan to force the issue with them. Since she did not deliberately lower her voice, those who were present heard her words as well.
In just a moment, burning gazes filled with envy and jealousy turned to Duan Ling Tian and Huanâer. They whispered among themselves and waited for the duoâs answers.
âWho would have expected this? Duan Ling Tian and Huanâer received invitations from two titled Celestial Emperors from the Heavenly Pool Palace before they even left the Sword Trial Pavilion... You know, thereâs only a handful of titled Celestial Emperors in the entire Heavenly Pool Palace.â
âWith their talents, itâs not a surprise at all.â
âBoth of them are prodigies. Iâm sure any one of the Heavenly Pool Palaceâs titled Celestial Emperors would be happy to accept them as disciples or students, right?â
Meanwhile, Duan Ling Tian was communicating with Huanâer through Voice Transmission, âHuanâer, you should follow Lei Ying the Merciless Celestial Emperor, and Iâll follow Xu Lang the Verdant Prairie Celestial Emperor. This way we will have two means to look for your parents. Moreover, this also means we have the support of two titled Celestial Emperors in the Heavenly Pool Palace.â He had planned this since earlier.
Naturally, Huanâer agreed to Duan Ling Tianâs suggestion obediently.
âDuan Ling Tian...â
Since the duo was communicating via Voice Transmission, to Xu Lang and Lei Ying, it looked like they were hesitating.
With that, both titled Celestial Emperors sent Voice Transmission to Duan Ling Tian, promising him many things, in hopes that he would follow them. Naturally, if they had to pick between Duan Ling Tian or Huanâer, they would definitely pick Duan Ling Tian. Moreover, it was obvious Huanâer listened to Duan Ling Tian. There was a high chance she would follow Duan Ling Tianâs decision.
âSenior Xu Lang, Iâll join you,â Duan Ling Tian said as he looked at Xu Lang.
Xu Langâs eyes brightened immediately while Lei Yingâs smile froze.
Then, Duan Ling Tian turned to Lei Ying and said, âPavilion Master Lei Ying, Huanâer will join you...â
Lei Yingâs expression eased when she heard Duan Ling Tianâs words. After all, she was certain Huanâer would follow Duan Ling Tian.
âAlright.â
âXu Lang, you got the longer end of the stick,â Lei Ying complained through Voice Transmission. Then, she turned to Huanâer and said amicably, âHuanâer, you can follow Xu Lang and Duan Ling Tian to complete the registration. Iâll look for you once the test ends.â
After saying that, Lei Ying turned to Xu Lang and said, âXu Lang, you should be fine with this arrangement, right?â
âYes, yes.â Xu Lang laughed. Then, he motioned Duan Ling Tian and Huanâer to follow him.
After they left, the test began once again.
...
Duan Ling Tian asked after leaving the Sword Trial Pavilion, âSenior Xu Lang, the place we were at wasnât formed from a Formation but a Little World, right?â
Xu Lang nodded. âThatâs right. Itâs a Little World created by Pavilion Master Lei Ying.â