AGM 328 - Not a genius, no gazing upon the Heavenly Stele
Qin Wentian shifted his gaze onto Situ Po, before turning it onto the Heavenly Stele Steps. A mysterious energy enveloped all twenty-seven steps, each emanating an extremely formidable might.
At this moment, not only those from the Unmatched Realm came, there were also several silhouettes with extraordinary demeanors, who exuded auras that didn’t lose out in the slightest to Situ Po.
Situ Po would definitely be a Heaven’s Chosen from the Sword Extinction Sect, however he was still lacking in one aspect; he had not yet fought against the other top rankers of the Heavenly Fate Ranking. And for those top rankers in the Azure Continent, many of them had recently been in closed-door seclusion preparing to break into Heavenly Dipper or for the journey to the Ancient Kingdom at the end of the year. They rarely showed their faces in the Unmatched Realm these days.
Yet, how could they miss the opportunity today?
For the Ouyang Aristocrat Clan, other than Ouyang Kuangsheng’s faction, there were two other great camps of power. One of the other camps were led by a young man robed in purple, and not far away from him, were Duan Qingshan and Ouyang Ting.
This young man was a Heaven’s Chosen from the Ouyang Aristocrat Clan. Ouyang Zheng, ranked tenth in the latest update of the Heavenly Fate Ranking.
However, there were rumors saying that Hua Taixu and a few others had already broken through to Heavenly Dipper. This meant that there was definitely going to be another change in rankings after the year end trip to the Ancient Kingdom. Most of the time the changes in the rankings were minor. But once every three years, the Venerate Heavens Sect would do a complete overhaul and re-do the Heavenly Fate Ranking entirely. Therefore, most people would only look at the names on the Heavenly Fate Ranking once every three years.And since this was the case, if one were to disregard the appearance of even stronger characters than himself, Ouyang Zheng would have a high probability to be ranked within the top eight.
Currently, the Ouyang Aristocrat Clan, had two of their chosen in the Yuanfu Realm—Ouyang Zheng and Duan Qingshan. Apart from those two, Ouyang Kuangsheng also had a special status that was considered of a higher grade than them.
“Zang Lengfeng from the Multidirectional Thunderwind Sect has also arrived.” The gazes of the crowd turned to a young man with a cold-looking face. This was a Heaven’s Chosen from the Multidirectional Thunderwind Sect, ranked twelfth on the Heavenly Fate Ranking.
In the direction of the Mystic Maiden Palace, Li Shiyu was standing beside a beautiful young lady. That lady glanced over towards Qin Wentian and surveyed the people around him as she stated, “Xuan Xin, come over here.”
Xuan Yan, ranked seventeenth on the Heavenly Fate Ranking, a Heaven's Chosen from the Mystic Maiden Palace.
“Ouh.” Xuan Xin cast a glance at Fan Le before moving towards Xuan Yan.
“You will accompany all of us to conquer the Heavenly Stele Steps,” Xuan Yan stated, she made no mention of Fan Le.
“Bingying, is he the person you were referring to”
In the direction of the Azure Emperor Palace, a silhouette stood beside Yue Bingying. He was pointing to Qin Wentian as he questioned her.
“Yes.” Yue Bingying nodded, her eyes flickering with a cold light.
“If Situ Po is victorious, he will slay this fellow. But if Situ Po somehow doesn’t manage to do it, there’s still me,” that person quietly spoke. He was the Heaven's Chosen from the Azure Emperor Palace, Yue Bufan.
Yue Bufan didn’t bother to mask his voice, the surrounding crowd’s gaze all followed his fingers that were pointed right at Qin Wentian.
“This person is the rumored one that flipped the entire Unmatched Realm upside down? I heard that he’s the same as Situ Po, gaining access to all thirty-six halls. He even insta-killed Lin Haotian, as well as two others from the Sword Extinction Sect. It appears that Situ Po’s Extinction Swordplay wasn’t sufficient to claim his life.”
“Not only that, I’ve heard that his third Astral Soul was condensed from the Demon Sovereign Constellation, an Astral Warbeast ranked first in the Warbeast Index. His Astral Soul is more outstanding than those condensed by the other Azure Continent geniuses.”
“Yeah, and that fatty by his side goes by the name of Fan Le. He excels in archery and is the disciple of the Unmatched Realm’s Arrow Emperor. The Arrow Emperor is a formidable existence whose fame has resounded throughout Grand Xia, he can kill opponents from a thousand miles away with no one noticing his presence.”
“True, but look at his appearance, I don’t understand why the little princess of the Mystic Maiden Palace would fall in love with him. How interesting, maybe it’s because of his flowery words? After all, with Xuan Xin’s talent, there’ll be countless geniuses pursuing her in just a few year’s time. Why would she fall for that damnable fatty?”
The buzz of conversation echoed through the crowd. Almost everyone knew of the reason for the eccentrics lending the Heavenly Stele, which was all because of the dispute between Situ Po and Qin Wentian. It was also partly because of the mutual love between Qin Wentian’s good friend Fan Le and the little princess of the Mystic Maiden Palace.Moreover, the famous Ouyang Kuangsheng chose to side with them.
The crowd was wondering how this group of people would perform regarding the test of the Heavenly Stele Steps.
On the steps, the old man standing there slowly spoke, “Those who desire to take this test, do so at your own risk.”
His words caused the hearts of many to shudder, as the countless rumors of the Heavenly Stele Steps resurfaced in their minds. Although this was a miraculous place that would enable one’s strength to rise, there had also been many geniuses who found themselves unable to advance their cultivation further after their experience with the Heavenly Stele.Hence, there had been a saying in the Azure Emperor. If you were not a demon-level talent, you better not enter the Heavenly Stele Step.
Not entering was definitely better than entering. Why risk their current amount of talent in some mystical hope of changing their level of innate talent? They were all geniuses, they could still advance without using the Heavenly Stele Steps, there was no need to take the risk.
But of course, there would also be proud geniuses that wanted to ascertain their own level of talent. Currently, those that wanted to try the test were all gathered at the bottom of the steps.
Situ Po, Qin Wentian, Ouyang Zheng, Zang Lengfeng, Xuan Yan, Yue Bufan, Duan Qingshan, Ouyang Kuangsheng, Fan Le, Xuan Xin and the rest; they naturally drew the attention of the crowd. Aside from this distinguished group, there were a few other rankers on the Heavenly Fate Ranking that caught the eye of many.
In the past ten years, the highest record was the 18th step. Would that record finally be broken today?
Situ Po no longer paid attention to Qin Wentian, he decisively moved forwards, being the first to step upon the Heavenly Stele Steps.
Without treading on that first step, one wouldn’t know what Situ Po was currently experiencing.
“Fan Le.” A voice drifted over, Fan Le turned to see Xuan Yan, as well as Liu Xi, someone who was bashed by Qin Wentian in the Unmatched Realm before. There was also Wang Xiao’s girlfriend, Qiao Xuan, Li Shiyu and lastly, Xuan Xin. These people, were all geniuses that were qualified to enter the Unmatched Realm.
The Mystic Maiden Palace’s maidens all stood together, completing a picturesque scene that delighted the eye and warmed the heart.
“If you can’t climb higher than me today, leave Xuan Xin of your own volition,” Xuan Yan emotionlessly spoke, as she stepped forwards, similarly advancing onto the first step of the Heavenly Stele Steps.
Ouyang Zheng, Zang Lengfeng exchanged glances filled with competitiveness as they both stepped upon the first step at the same time.
Yue Bufan and Yue Bingying moved together, after they shot a glance at Qin Wentian.
Duan Qingshan and Ouyang Ting stood together, with Duan Qingshan encouraging Ouyang Ting, “Ting`er, since you are qualified to enter the Unmatched Realm, you should be able to conquer these Heavenly Stele Steps as well.”
“Mhm.” Ouyang Ting nodded her head heavily. As a spoiled young lady from the Ouyang Aristocrat Clan, even she couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming pressure when surrounded by so many geniuses in the Azure Continent.
“Ouyang Ting, I advise you not to even go up with your temperament. I’m afraid you won’t be able to withstand the psychological impact.” Ouyang Kuangsheng shifted his gaze over, his words causing the beautiful eyes of Ouyang Ting to gleam with a cold light.
“I’m warning you for your own good. But since you can’t even listen to a well-intentioned warning, just assume I said nothing.” Ouyang Kuangsheng casually shrugged. After which he turned to Qin Wentian and the others and added in a low voice, “You guys, it’s best to be more cautious when taking the test.”
Qin Wentian and the rest nodded lightly, as their aura gushed forth from them. Lifting their heads, they saw that Situ Po had already advanced to the third step, securing his position there.
Finally, Qin Wentian and his friends advanced, stepping heavily on that first step, formally beginning their test.“Bzzzzz!”
The mysterious glow covering the steps enveloped their bodies, and they were immersed in the overpowering sensation that there was no one else around them, as if they were taking the Heavenly Stele test alone.
Above the platform, the mighty force the three-sided Heavenly Stele projected seemed to be like an eye, examining Qin Wentian.
“Can your body of flesh and blood withstand this level of power?” A voice cut right into Qin Wentian’s mind, endlessly reverberating throughout. In the next instant, a heavy pressure enveloped his body, causing his body to tighten involuntarily. He had the feeling that if he were to relax even slightly, he would be blasted off the Heavenly Stele Steps.
Can your body of flesh and blood withstand this level of power?!
“Naturally.” Qin Wentian opened his eyes, as a demonic light glinted. The demonic qi he exuded permeated the air as the blood in his body surged. He took another step forward, advancing on the second step.
“RUMBLE~” A terrifying force slammed right into him, like formless lightning. This strike caused the blood and qi within his body to surge chaotically, as Qin Wentian involuntarily let out a low groan.
Qin Wentian stepped even more firmly, locking his feet down onto the surface of the steps. The look in his eyes was filled with an incomparable resoluteness, this was merely the second step, how could he waver in his determination?
Facing forward, gazing at the Heavenly Stele far ahead, he steadily forced another step upwards. A deafening sound echoed as a massive wind kicked up. Qin Wentian’s feet landed on the third step.
“BOOOOM!”
An immense pressure gushed against him, the force of it causing his footsteps to slide backwards involuntarily. His countenance turned white, no wonder Ouyang Kuangsheng was taking this so seriously, the Heavenly Stele Steps were truly daunting.
“ARGHHH…”
Nearby, from the side, a blood-curdling screech echoed out.
“Ting`er!” Duan Qingshang called out in alarm. Turning his gaze backwards, he saw Ouyang Ting being forced down the steps by the pressure. She was slammed onto the ground and lay there in a crumpled position. Her countenance was pale and traces of bloodstains could be seen on her mouth. Her body was shiveringly unceasingly.
The second step, she had only reached the second step and was blasted down the next instant. How could this be?? Was this the limit of her talent?
Turning her gaze onto the spectators around, Ouyang Ting could feel hints of derision and mockery in the eyes of the crowd. She was a proud daughter of the Ouyang Aristocrat Clan, yet she couldn’t even surpass the second step. Truly too weak.
“No…” Ouyang Ting let out a miserable shriek filled with agony. Several people glanced at her as they sighed in their hearts. This was the cruelty of the Heavenly Stele Steps. Her attainment was only two steps; from here on after, an inner demon would be born in her heart, casting shadows of doubt on her own abilities, suppressing her future advancement.Her confidence had been utterly smashed.
Not a genius, no gazing upon the Heavenly Stele!