“What could possibly be in the seventh palace?”
“Speaking of which, this secret realm really tests how greedy people are for wealth…”
Ke Mo continued to climb upward.
This time, after stepping onto the stairs, a series of sounds echoed deep within his heart.
That voice was chanting something.
It sounded like a sutra, like Buddhist doctrine, flickering between the teachings of a great Confucian scholar.
Just as he stood before the palace…
Boom—
The voice in his ears suddenly surged with intensity, like a great bell, clearing his mind completely.
“This is…..”
Ke Mo looked around.
Inside the palace, three bronze statues were enshrined.
The first statue depicted a solemn Buddha, sitting cross-legged, his face radiating compassion, in a posture like he had just plucked a flower and smiled.
The second statue was dressed in Confucian robes, gesturing as if he were commanding the world, his silence transforming him into the embodiment of ‘Confucian principles’. This was a statue of a sage.
The third statue… was not a Confucian or a Buddha, but rather a shamanic figure.
Confucian, Buddhist, and Shamans.
The three statues all exuded a heavy aura, standing so still that it felt like the heavens were pressed down upon them.
If one truly meditated upon them, perhaps they could condense an incredibly strong divine form in the Observation Realm.
[Kneel and bow to enter this gate.]
Thud, thud, thud.
More than a dozen people dropped to their knees.
Some didn’t want to kneel.
But their faces turned pale, veins bulging, and they tried to stand, only to be forcefully pinned to the ground.
“This…..”
Although Ke Mo felt the pressure, he only found his breathing a bit restricted.
Other sensations disappeared entirely.
“The aura from these three statues exudes a dignified pressure.”
Ying Bing murmured nearby, “If anyone feels intimidated by any of them, even those who don’t want to kneel will have to.”
Whether it be the Buddha, the sage, or the shaman.
She had always only believed in herself.
“So, this first palace tests the respect for wealth.”
“I wonder why the designer of this secret realm is so obsessed with making everyone kneel.”
Ke Mo pondered.
In his previous life, he was an atheist, unable to kneel even if he wanted to.
But why select those who disrespect gods and don’t covet wealth for such a test?
Munching on watermelon, he stepped onto the staircase again.
By now, about half of the fifty people had gone.
On the way to the third palace, several more couldn’t bear the pressure and jumped into the abyss.
At the top, only ten remained.
The statues enshrined here were familiar to everyone.
Draped in a yellow robe, with the Emperor’s Sword hung at his waist and a jade seal held aloft, a pair of bold eyes looked down upon the heavens.
Founding Martial Emperor of Da Yu.
He looked just like he did at his coronation, impressively overwhelming, swallowing the seas and the wilderness.
Thud, thud—
The sound of knees hitting the bronze echoed constantly.
Most people knelt.
Including the stalwart Tie Qi, the chief Ouyang of Ruyi Peak, and Bai Jinghong.
“I… sigh…”
Tie Qi struggled a few times but felt as if a mountain sat upon his shoulders.
He could only throw an apologetic glance at Ke Mo.
Ke Mo nodded at him.
The Emperor?
That probably represented imperial power.
What a joke.
Little Ke Mo’s enlightenment could only be tested by the people!
Thus, the pressure felt here was almost zero for him.
But he understood Tie’s situation well.
As a citizen of Da Yu, having grown up listening to the stories of the Founding Martial Emperor, how could he not feel awed?
So it was understandable that this layer resulted in almost a complete loss for everyone.
“Why aren’t they kneeling?”
Countless glances of resentment or bitter smiles shot over.
Only three were qualified to enter the fourth palace.
“Let’s go, Little Treasure.”
Ice Chunk had already moved on, and Ke Mo tossed aside the watermelon rind and waved to Tang Xiaobao.
Little Treasure was over there, putting in great effort to try and lift the statue.
“Why?”
Bai Jinghong was about to bite his own teeth in frustration.
He wouldn’t accept it!
From his birth, he was told by a master that he was born with a sword body; at six, he was taken as a direct disciple by a powerful figure from Hengyun Sword City.
At sixteen, he comprehended the Hengyun Sword Intent and climbed onto the Qianlong List.
At thirteen, he tested his sword against the best of the land, with seventy-four victories and two ties, harboring a sword energy in his chest.
What qualified him less than those three who went down faster in this little Eastern Wilderness?!
He wouldn’t accept it!
Buzz—
Looking at the backs of Ke Mo and the others, the sword energy and intent emanated from Bai Jinghong powerfully.
Behind him, a divine sword appeared faintly among the clouds.
He stood up, bl**d trickling from the corner of his mouth.
Each step he took caused him to tremble, overwhelmed by immense pressure, with the sound of his bones popping under strain.
He was getting closer to the stairs.
Just a friendly reminder: if you think this book is good, don’t forget to add it to your shelf so you can find it again next time!
Finally,
Bai Jinghong stepped onto the platform.
Huh?
The sensation beneath his foot felt a bit off?
He looked down and saw the watermelon rind under his foot.
He tried to retract his foot, but it was already too late.
Bai Jinghong: “!”
Everyone else: “……”
He stepped on the watermelon rind and instantly performed a spectacular rendition of the ‘Invincible Fire Wheel.’
“Li Mo! I hate you to d*ath ahhhh!!!”
Noises came from behind.
“……”
Li Mo turned to see this scene and said sternly:
“Little Treasure, this is why quality is important.”
“Even in a secret realm, we shouldn’t litter.”
“?”
Tang Xiaobao scratched his head.
You ate the watermelon and tossed the rind—why am I being lectured?
Sadly, he didn’t have the wits to figure out why it felt strange but still nodded his head.
The three continued upward.
This time, an even stronger pressure swept over.
If the previous stage tested respect and reverence.
Then this one was pure, unfiltered pressure, a mighty force’s dominance over the weak! It made the soul tremble involuntarily.
Tang Xiaobao radiated a faint golden light.
“It’s the bl**d Phoenix essence… no, not just that…”
Ying Bing’s forehead glinted with a mysterious pattern.
She recalled glancing at Li Mo.
“Are you not feeling anything?”
“I’m fine.”
Li Mo was also puzzled.
It felt as easy as walking on flat ground, like the previous stair step.
But noticing Ice Chunk’s serious expression, this particular stair seemed more challenging than the previous ones?
“If it’s to choose a successor, it shouldn’t be like this.”
Ying Bing’s eyes reflected the final bronze palace, squinting slightly.
Since the first trial, she felt something was off.
Only now did she confirm it.
She probably knew what awaited them above.
“The intent of these tests doesn’t seem aimed at finding a successor.”
Li Mo nodded.
“Reaching the end might still have variables; you can wait here for me.”
Suddenly, Ying Bing spoke:
“This aura comes from a Master of the Profound realm.”
The seventh level of martial arts, the Master of the Profound!
Those who stood above the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths were figures in the clouds, receiving countless tributes and reverence, called the holy powers, the Martial Saints.
While they were merely at the Internal Breathing level.
Whatever the Master of the Profound was plotting, the Internal Breathing level was far too weak.
Li Mo shot her a glance: “We’ve come this far.”
The palace at the end should lead to the third layer of the bl**d Phoenix Secret Realm.
It was also where Ice Chunk emerged from.
Ying Bing frowned slightly but soon relaxed.
If he wanted to follow, then follow he would.
If any anomaly occurred, she would have her own backup…
Before long.
Only the last eight levels of stairs remained.
The pressure like thunder multiplied with each step, as if they were facing life and d*ath.
Ying Bing’s entire body flowed with Taiyin power, her form standing resolutely, her expression calm.
But based on her aura, the burden she bore was immense.
“Should we take a break?”
Li Mo, who’s been casually walking, softly asked.
Yet—
Ying Bing didn’t turn back.
She fixed her cold gaze forward.
“You think a mere Master of the Profound can make me submit?”
“Whoever you are, you’re just seeking your own demise.”
Her eyes sparkled coldly, her imposing aura becoming even more dominating and frigid.
Li Mo: “…”
He vaguely felt that the girl’s back resembled a deity, or perhaps a demon.
As if she were the one standing in the clouds, looking down upon all beings, ruling over the world.
But hearing such lines from her….
Isn’t that a bit self-destructive?
But if those same words came from Ice Chunk, it would be a warning to all.
If it came from him, it might just come off as awkward.
In this matter of imposing presence, Ice Chunk had a firm grip…
At this moment.
Ying Bing stepped onto the end of the staircase.
Boom—
In an instant, a fierce wind erupted.
It was as if the entire secret realm had become enraged.
