As Duan Ling Tian and the others drew closer and closer to the Title Temple, Duan Ling Tian could feel the pressure from the Title Temple increasing as well. He thought to himself, âThose who arenât Celestial Lords with only a mediocre comprehension of the law wonât be able to withstand this pressure and enter the Title Temple.â
The pressure was not only physical, but Duan Ling Tian could feel the pressure on his soul as well. Even Xu Lang could not help him bear this pressure.
Huanâer, Hu Mei, and Wen Wanâerâs expressions were solemn as well due to the pressure from the Title Temple.
Xu Lang said, âFor the titled Celestial Lordâs test, all of you will be sent to the same testing ground. As long as you manage to eliminate nine participants, youâll be considered to have passed the test. Apart from that, the testing ground is actually a good cultivation place as well. If youâre on the brink of a breakthrough, itâs a good idea to consider cultivating there to expedite your breakthrough.â
When Xu Lang finished speaking, they had already arrived in front of one of the main entrances of the Title Temple. The Title Temple had two main entrances; each of them looked like an abyss with no end in sight. A wide stone platform was erected in front of the two main entrances. One of them was devoid of people while the other one had people gathering around it.
Xu Lang looked at the empty stone platform as he explained, âThatâs the entrance for Celestial Emperors who are here to obtain a title. I entered through that entrance when I came to take the test to become a titled Celestial Emperor. After I passed the test, my title and name were recorded in the record of titled Celestial Emperors.â
The Title Temple kept a record of all titled Celestial Emperors and titled Celestial Lords. An announcement would also be made for a new titled Celestial Emperor and a new titled Celestial Lord. Although not many were capable of obtaining a title, the names listed in the records were still numerous. Some people had resorted to copying the names into Celestial Talismans, but due to the countless names, sometimes people would still have to come to the Title Temple if they wanted to have a look at the records of titled Celestial Emperors and titled Celestial Lords.
âAs youâve guessed, this is the entrance for Celestial Lords who are here to obtain a title. Needless to say, those who arenât here to obtain a title are forbidden to enter; theyâll definitely die if they enter the temple without due cause. Iâm not familiar with the other Title Temples in the other Devata Realms, but in the history of the Boundless Heaven, there were a few ignorant titled Celestial Emperors who disregarded the rule and tried to enter. All of them died in the Title Emperor; there was no exception,â Xu Lang said as his expression turned slightly grim, âTherefore, this is where Iâll part ways with all of you. Youâre on your own now...â
At the same time, Nan Liu Feng who had been briefed by Zheng Yu Yi had already entered the Title Temple.
âGo now,â Xu Lang said to Duan Ling Tian and the others.
âLittle Junior Brother, Junior Sister Huanâer, letâs go!â Hu Mei said as she held Wen Wanâerâs slender hand upon seeing Nan Liu Feng entering the Title Temple. Soon enough, both of them vanished into the darkness behind the entrance of the Title Temple.
âHuanâer, letâs go.â Duan Ling Tian and Huanâer walked side by side as they entered the Title Temple. He could clearly feel a gentle energy shrouding him and Huanâer when they ventured deeper into the temple. Soon enough, he felt his vision go black. When his vision was restored to him, he discovered he was standing on a platform.
At this moment, there were many people around Duan Ling Tian who were standing on the platform as well.
Suddenly, Hu Meiâs voice rang in Duan Ling Tianâs ears. âLittle Junior Brother, we are here.â
Soon enough, Duan Ling Tian discovered Hu Mei was standing only 10 meters away from him,
âThird Senior Sister.â
Duan Ling Tian was about to walk toward Hu Mei when Huanâer suddenly stopped him. âBrother Ling Tian.â
Duan Ling Tian looked at Huanâer in confusion.
âBrother Ling Tian, this is an illusion,â Huanâer explained. She narrowed her eyes as her Celestial Origin Energy surged out in all directions, causing a tremendous change in the scene before their eyes.
In just a few moments, Duan Ling Tian discovered he was standing in a main hall. When he looked up, he saw people standing around him, looking as though they were in a daze and completely unaware of the people around them.
âTheyâre still trapped in the illusion,â Huanâer said.
âWhat a powerful illusion! I couldnât tell it was an illusion at all,â Duan Ling Tian said with a sigh. Then, he asked, âHuanâer, was the illusion deadly?â
âNo.â Huanâer shook her head. âItâs just an illusion that briefly confuses people...â
âThird Senior Sister!â Duan Ling Tian saw Hu Mei at this moment. She was standing next to Wen Wanâer with a frown on her face as though she was faced with a difficult problem.
As Duan Ling Tian and Huanâer drew closer to his senior sisters, he saw Wen Wanâer, who was usually gentle, currently wearing a dark expression on her face. It seemed like she was greatly upset by something.
âLittle Junior Brother, youâve already come out of the illusion?â Hu Mei seemed surprised when she saw Duan Ling Tian and Huanâer. Then, she turned to look at Wen Wanâer with a bitter smile and said, âIt... It seems like Fourth Junior Sister is still trapped in the illusion.â
âThird Senior Sister, didnât both of you enter together? You should be in the same illusion as her,â Duan Ling Tian said curiously.
âIndeed. However, in our illusion, we saw you and Huanâer being separated so we parted to help both of you. I know a thing or two regarding illusory techniques so it didnât take long for me to break free of the illusion. However... I donât know what happened that caused Fourth Junior Sister to still be trapped in the illusion.â
Duan Ling Tian nodded before he looked at Huanâer and asked, âHuanâer, is there a way to help Fourth Senior Sister?â
Upon hearing Duan Ling Tianâs words, Huanâer narrowed her eyes before two beams of white light entered Wen Wanâerâs body.
Soon enough, Wen Wanâerâs expression began to ease and she returned to her senses. She said in confusion, âLittle Junior Brother? Junior Sister Huanâer? Third Senior Sister? That... That was just an illusion?â
Hu Mei shocked her head as she said, âIâve never heard anything about illusions in the Title Temple.â
As soon as Hu Mei finished speaking, an indifferent voice rang in the air.
âYou passed.â
With this, those who were still trapped in the illusion gradually regained their senses.
A black mist converged in the air before a black-clad woman with a curvaceous figure appeared before everyoneâs eyes. The cold beauty swept her eyes across Duan Ling Tian and the others with an icy expression on her face before she said with a scoff, âHey, all of you are here to participate in the test to become a titled Celestial Lord, but it took so many of you almost half a day just to break free of the illusion. Some of you couldnât even free yourself from the illusion. Are you sure you want to participate in the test? I really hope you donât embarrass the Title Temple in the Boundless Heaven!â
Without further explanations and before the participants could react, the main hall was suddenly plunged into darkness.
As soon as darkness fell, the black-clad womanâs voice rang in Duan Ling Tianâs ears. âYouâre all being sent to the testing ground now. After killing nine people in your group, youâll be sent back to the main hall. After that, youâll obtain a title.â
When Duan Ling Tian could see again, he discovered he was in a valley surrounded by majestic mountains with a crystal clear stream snaking through it. The valley was tranquil with birds chirping in the air.
âSo this is the testing ground?â Duan Ling Tian studied his surroundings. He was alone; Huanâer and the others were nowhere to be seen.
Now that he had arrived at his destination, Duan Ling Tian called out to the World Cleansing Divine Water. âSister Water, Iâm here. What should I do next?â
The World Cleansing Divine Water replied immediately, âI thought all ten participants would be transported to the same place. I didnât expect all of you would be transported to different locations; this means youâll have to look for the other nine people before you can kill them in order to leave this place. This testing ground, a secret realm, has obstacles that were left behind by various supreme powerhouses. You should attempt to overcome the obstacles. Theyâll allow you to improve your strength and absorb the energy from the Pine Willow Divine Tree before mastering the Godly Image Phenomenon.â
âAlright.â Duan Ling Tian did not waste time and extended his Divine Consciousness to scan the valley. After confirming there was nothing out of the ordinary, he left the valley.
âI wonder where Huanâer and my senior sisters are transported to...â Duan Ling Tian thought to himself. His heart could not help but skip a beat as a thought appeared in his mind. âThe Celestial Lords from 81 Devata Realms are all gathered here. The only way to leave this place is to kill 9 Celestial Lords.â