Willpower was very special. Sometimes, a mortal could have strong willpower. Sometimes, even a Godfiend wouldn’t have shocking willpower.
One genius after another stopped in their tracks.
“They need to reach the 30th step at the very least. If they can’t reach it, their willpower would be too weak.” The Godfiends watched.
“Huh?”
All the Godfiends’ expressions changed. The spectating families and friends also revealed looks of astonishment.
The thin Ji Yuantong—with a pair of huge hammers on his back—stopped on the 17th step. He stood still as the black fog gradually gathered around his head.
“No way!?”
“Ji Yuantong, he, he can’t be…”
The Godfiends were astonished.
He was one of the two most dazzling geniuses in this year’s entrance examination. His physical talent was definitely the best. His spiritual perception talent was also rather good, second only to Meng Chuan! He was one of the rare geniuses that would only appear once every ten years in Archean Mountain.
But he had actually stopped at the 17th step?
“Go on up.” The sloppy man frowned, his eyes filled with anxiety.
Ji Yuantong trembled slightly as if he was struggling. However, the black fog gradually gathered around his head, and his eyes gradually turned black. In the end, there was not a single hint of white…
He was like a statue—motionless.
“Ji Yuantong stopped at the 17th step?” The Godfiends were heartbroken. They were overjoyed every time they saw a peerless genius. It meant that they might have a powerful companion in the future. Ji Yuantong had only reached the 17th step in the final trial, and it truly disappointed them. They were left anxious.
“Sigh.” King East River shook his head gently. With a thought, Ji Yuantong flew off the altar and was brought to the ground. Ji Yuantong came in ninth from the bottom in this trial.
Chapter 88 - How Could That Be Me?
Translator: CKtalon Editor: CKtalon
The geniuses on the Darkness Altar all had black fog—which seeped into their bodies—rising from beneath their feet.
Meanwhile, Ji Yuantong regained consciousness. Ji Yuantong’s gaze swept around him. Only nine people have been eliminated? His heart sank. I’m ranked 92nd out of a hundred people?
How proud was he?
He had been supercilious towards his peers since he was young. He couldn’t care less about his siblings. His family clan also nurtured him with all their might, hoping that the Ji family would produce another powerful Godfiend.
He had regarded Meng Chuan as his only competitor in Archean Mountain’s entrance examination. However, he was ranked near the bottom for the final assessment.
Their wills are all stronger than mine? Ji Yuantong looked at the geniuses above him. Many of them had never consumed natural treasures before. He had thought nothing of them in the past, but these geniuses were slowly advancing step by step. As for him, he had already been eliminated.
…
Ji Yuantong’s potential needs to be greatly reconsidered. I hope there won’t be any accidents with the others that have strong Godfiend foundations. This was a common thought shared by many Godfiends.
Archean Mountain valued Godfiends with strong foundations, high cultivation realms, and good combat talent. They hoped that the geniuses wouldn’t be lacking when it came to willpower.
One after another, geniuses collapsed as they ascended the altar.
“Hahaha…”
The Godfiends suddenly laughed. This was because among these geniuses, the youngest genius—Yan Chitong—had stopped at the 22nd step. His eyes had also turned pitch-black. King East River smiled as he moved Yan Chitong down.
“Marquis West Sea, your son is not bad.”
“That’s right. To be able to reach the 22nd step of the Darkness Altar at the age of thirteen is already very impressive.”
“His mind is still maturing. He’s very outstanding for reaching the 22nd step,” commented the Godfiends while smiling.
Yan Chitong was still a teenager. However, Ji Yuantong was already an adult. An adult’s mind was typically mature, but he only reached the seventeenth step. This truly broke the hearts of many Godfiends.
I actually lost. Yan Chitong returned to his senses as well. He couldn’t help but clench his fists indignantly as he stared at the geniuses still on the Darkness Altar. However, when his gaze landed on Ji Yuantong, he grinned.
…
The 30th step was Archean Mountain’s minimum requirement for their future Godfiends. Fortunately, the other geniuses—who they thought highly of—with strong Godfiend foundations had all achieved the minimum requirement. Among 100 geniuses, 26 had failed to reach the 30th step.
“Huh?”
“Chu Yong also stopped?”
The Godfiends frowned slightly.
The former number one genius of the capital, Chu Yong, stopped at the 38th step. His eyes turned pitch-black, and he stood still like a statue. Although he had passed the demarcating line, his result of 38 steps was very mediocre. It was below average amongst the 100 geniuses.
But following that, Princess Li Ying and Jin Huan—whose speed was second only to Meng Chuan—stopped at the 39th step.
“What?”
“The three of them stopped in succession.”
King East River and the others frowned slightly. Other than Yan Chitong, those with robust Godfiend foundations numbered ten. They were none other than Chu Yong, Yan Feng, Meng Chuan, Yan Jin, Zong Sha, Li Ying, Jin Huan, Ning Yibo, Dong Fang, and Ji Yuantong. Apart from Yan Feng having a fortuitous encounter, the rest were specially nurtured by their family clans.
Their cultivation realms and Godfiend foundations were extremely profound. Ji Yuantong had broken many people’s hearts after halting on the 17th step. Chu Yon had stopped at the 37th, while Li Ying and Jin Huan had stopped at the 39th step. Their results were below average. Soon, the brawny Dong Fang stopped at the 43rd step. He was considered average, ranking fiftieth.
“Out of the ten geniuses with robust Godfiend foundations, half of them are below the 50th step.” The Godfiends watched calmly. This was something they had expected. One’s Godfiend foundation and talent had nothing to do with willpower. Of the 100 geniuses, 61 didn’t reach the 50th step. It was normal if half of those—with strong Godfiend foundations—to fail to reach the 50th step. The ratio was expected.
…
Time passed.
The geniuses advanced up the altar step by step.
Ning Yibo stopped on the 59th step and was moved away from the Darkness Altar.
Oh? When Ning Bo regained consciousness, he raised his head and saw that the slowest remaining genius on the Darkness Altar was at the 60th step. There are still 18 geniuses left on the Darkness Altar.
Among the geniuses he paid much attention to, only Meng Chuan, Yan Jin, Zong Sha, and Yan Feng were still climbing the Darkness Altar with great difficulty.
Meng Chuan felt like he was in a nightmare that he couldn’t wake up from. He could sense his body, but it was like he was in a trance.
These are all illusions. They are all fake. Continue walking. Meng Chuan tried to maintain clarity of his mind and forced his body to continue moving.
Illusions constantly barraged his mind, making him feel like he had fallen into an abyss. He was starting to confuse his real memories with the illusions. It was as though the illusions were real.
Wake up. Stay awake. Meng Chuan roared angrily. You can’t hold on because of these puny illusions? You want to kill all demons with such willpower?
He was furious. He was angry about being affected by the illusions. However, no matter how angry he was, his memories became blurrier as his consciousness sank deeper into the illusions. The illusions became closer and closer to reality.
In one illusion, he was a soldier. He and his companions faced the overwhelming horde of demons on the battlefield. His companions died one
after another.
I can’t stop them. I can’t. How can I withstand so many demons alone? I’ll be killed. He and his remaining companions were gripped with fear. Countless demons surged towards them. He only had a few allies left by his side. His comrades were torn apart, and their blood splattered on his body.
Fear and despair filled his heart.
Eventually, he was the only human alive on the battlefield! All his comrades lay dead as countless demons charged at him ferociously.
There was no hope! It was over!
How can this be me? So weak and so fearful! How can this be me?
An angry roar sounded in his heart.
He felt pure anger.
He was angry at his weakness, angry that this was all fake!
Even if I—Meng Chuan—were to die today, I’ll continue killing until I drop. If I can kill one demon, I’ll kill one. If I can kill ten, I’ll kill ten. Meng Chuan roared inwardly. I, Meng Chuan, will never fear demons! Even in death!
Meng Chuan’s will condensed, and he escaped the illusions. His perception of his body grew clearer. Meng Chuan regained some control over his mind, and his memories became much clearer.
He remembered that he was still walking on the Darkness Altar.
Continue walking. Remember Eastcalm Prefecture. Remember those weak civilians that used their bodies to block the demons for their children. Remember how Third Elder sacrificed himself for the young clansmen.
For generations, people have charged forward. I’m also one of them. How can I be afraid of demons? I once swore an oath to kill all demons! I’ll first sever my weakness and fear!
Meng Chuan’s will continued to condense as he continued climbing the altar.
Chapter 89 - Spots
Translator: CKtalon Editor: CKtalon
Black fog would seep into Meng Chuan’s body every step he took up the altar. The illusions continued to increase in potency.
Countless illusions attacked his mind, yanking Meng Chuan’s consciousness so that he would fall into an abyss.
No one can stop me. If I can’t even destroy illusions, how can I kill all demons? Meng Chuan’s condensed will was like a saber. This saber was for demon-slaying, so he wanted to slice through the obstructions on his cultivation path.
He continued to advance with great difficulty, but as he advanced, the black fog grew thicker. The illusions’ influence on his body and consciousness grew stronger. Even though his will was like a blade, his consciousness was shrouded by the illusions.
When his memories were muddled up, the illusions became more realistic. He gradually lost his perception of his body.
Boom!
An invisible force appeared in his mind.
Oh? Power of the Soul? Meng Chuan suddenly sobered up. He had completely recovered his memories, blocking the illusions’ influence over him. Although he didn’t use the Power of the Soul actively, it had expelled the black fog from his body just before he succumbed to the illusions.
The Power of the Soul is impressive. It can easily block these illusions. But if that’s the case, how would I temper my willpower? He immediately restrained the Power of the Soul, preventing it from helping him. The illusions attacked his mind once again, causing his consciousness to sink into the abyss. However, the Power of the Soul ultimately allowed him to keep a sliver of consciousness.
This sliver of clarity allowed him to identify the illusions, however, he was unable to break free of them. Furthermore, he couldn’t sense his body. His consciousness seemed to be trapped in a cage of darkness.
Although he could destroy the cage of darkness with his Power of the Soul, Meng Chuan didn’t do so.
I can’t sense my body at all. I can’t move any further. I should have failed.
…
Outside.
King East River and company watched from afar. After Ji Yuantong stopped, they paid even more attention to Meng Chuan.
If Ji Yuantong was a rare genius that appeared once a decade, then Meng Chuan’s spiritual perception talent was simply inconceivable. Such talent had only appeared once in recent centuries. Therefore, all the Godfiends present placed great importance on Meng Chuan. If Meng Chuan lacked willpower, it would be ten times worse than Ji Yuantong failing at the 17th step.
30 steps, 40 steps, 50 steps, 60 steps.
Seeing Meng Chuan slowly advance, the Godfiends gradually relaxed. To pass the sixtieth step meant that he had outstanding willpower.
On the 66th step, Yan Feng stopped. Meng Chuan stopped at the 68th step.
“Oh? Meng Chuan is about to stop?”
“The 68th step is not bad. He’s ranked 10th for this assessment.”
“To become a Great Solar Godfiend, one needs to reach the 103rd step of the Darkness Altar! He has reached the 68th step at the age of 18. He will naturally grow. In ten years, he will easily reach the top of the altar.
The Godfiends were quite satisfied with Meng Chuan’s results.
Meng Chuan stopped on the 68th step for a few seconds, his eyes gradually turning pitch black. However, his eyes soon returned to normal. Meng Chuan continued to move upwards. Meng Chuan was angry at his powerlessness, so his willpower and resilience improved. His willpower was a blade that cut through illusions, which is why he continued to move upwards.
“Oh? He was about to fail, yet he managed to escape the illusion? Having breakthroughs at critical moments is very rare,” said Elder Yi with a smile.
King East River nodded. “His inner will is very powerful. After encountering trouble, his heart will become more resolute. His will can be even more resilient.”
Under the Godfiends’ watch, geniuses gradually stopped.
Zong Sha stopped at the 71st step. He ranked 8th among the hundred geniuses! He was extremely outstanding.
At the 75th step, Meng Chuan stopped again. The black fog enveloped his head again, and his eyes gradually turned pitch-black. Although he struggled midway, his eyes eventually turned black. His entire body remained motionless like a statue.
“75th step. Very good.” King East River smiled and nodded. An invisible force enveloped Meng Chuan and dumped him in an empty area. The black fog quickly separated from his body and receded into the Darkness Altar.
Without the black fog in his body, Meng Chuan quickly regained consciousness and his control over his body.
I was moved down? Meng Chuan looked up. There were four people left—still struggling to climb higher.
The only genius with an extremely strong Godfiend foundation left was Yan Jin. The other three didn’t enjoy much fame.
“Meng Chuan, you reached the 75th step.” Princess Li Ying smiled as she walked over. Her eyes glimmered, and she became much more endearing. “You’re fifth amongst the hundred of us. However, the ranking isn’t important. A strong will is needed to become a Great Solar Godfiend. All you need to do is reach the top of the Darkness Altar. Since you’ve already reached the 75th step, you’ll probably reach the top in three years or so.”
Meng Chuan sighed. As expected of the princess of the imperial family. She knew a lot. He didn’t know much about Great Solar Godfiends. His father was a Body Tempering Godfiend, and the Body Tempering Godfiend lineage stopped at the Great Solar realm.
“But, I’m in much worse shape. I only reached the 39th step. I’ll have to spend more effort on my will in the future,” said Princess Li Ying with a smile. “Thankfully, reaching the Great Solar realm usually takes 20-30 years. I have plenty of time to increase my willpower slowly. By the way, do you know that Ji Yuantong stopped at the 17th step?”
“17th step?” Meng Chuan was shocked.
“Yes, I believe the Archean Mountain Godfiends have headaches,” said Li Ying.
Meng Chuan and Li Ying chatted until they saw Yan Jin finally stop on the 81st step. After he left the Darkness Altar, only two geniuses remained.
Zuo Xiao stopped on the 85th step.
Zhang Lie stopped on the 93rd step.
Zhang Lie’s re
sults in the previous assessments were very mediocre. He was ranked 99th during the preliminaries. However, he ranked first in the final trial. He reached an unbelievable height of 93 steps. He wasn’t far from reaching the summit.
Zhang Lie and Zuo Xiao had never consumed any rare treasures. They were all from ordinary family clans, and they had suffered much hardship.
They only lack opportunities. They didn’t have any family help. Meng Chuan looked at Zuo Xiao and Zhang Lie and sighed inwardly.
This was human fate.
If he had grown up in a large family clan, living in luxury since a young age—thus being an elite with excellent cultivation conditions—he wouldn’t have experienced much hardship. That would’ve probably prevented him from reaching the 93rd step today.
“All the assessments have come to an end,” said King East River in a clear voice. “You can rest for an hour. After a discussion, the final twenty will be announced.”
The final name list is going to be decided.
Will I be included?
I wasn’t ranked at the top for the preliminaries, but I wasn’t too bad either. My performance was very average. I should be able to enter the top 20.
Many geniuses were extremely nervous as they thought about how Archean Mountain would decide the final twenty.
To many of them, obtaining a spot was a leap in status! If they couldn’t obtain a spot, they would have to accumulate credit on the battlefield slowly. Furthermore, they wouldn’t have any good teachers to guide them. In Archean Mountain, powerful Godfiends would guide disciples, and they were allowed to learn the strongest Godfiend legacies. They would also enjoy rare resources as nourishment. Most of the Great Zhou Dynasty’s Great Solar Godfiends came from Archean Mountain.
Meng Chuan walked to Meng Dajiang. Yan Jin came as well.
“Both of you did well,” said Meng Dajiang happily. “From what I’ve seen, both of you will definitely get a spot.”
“Yan Jin, you ranked ninth in the preliminaries, and can be considered to be in the top five for the final selection.” Meng Chuan nodded. “You’ll definitely get a spot.”
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