Chapter 77: The Card Drawing Session Arrives
Before the echo of that clear, long cry had faded and before the palpitations in everyone's hearts had subsided, the scene at the core of the ruins had completely captivated them.
Where everyone's attention was focused, a magnificent hall stood quietly, much more intact than the broken walls and ruins outside.
Before the palace gate, a phantom of a mythical beast in the form of a Qilin lay prostrate on the ground. Thousands of auspicious energies and auspicious light surrounded it, as if it were an ancient formation or a wisp of undying obsession. It indifferently watched the group of uninvited guests in the distance, quietly guarding the last remaining hall.
"The opportunity lies within!" Someone couldn't contain himself and summoned a magical artifact to protect himself before rushing towards the area enveloped by the celestial light.
The phantom of the Qilin didn't even raise its eyes. The immortal light rippled slightly, and the man and his magic weapon were as if they had crashed into an invisible soft wall. His figure swayed and was instantly sent back to the original spot, unharmed, but his face was full of astonishment and confusion.
Several more people tried it against their will, and without exception, they were all gently "invited" back by that seemingly gentle but actually irresistible force.
"Don't act rashly!" A disciple from Bailu Academy hurriedly pulled back his fellow disciple who was trying to step forward, his voice urgent: "It's auspicious beasts protecting the path! This is a trial of immortal destiny recorded in ancient books. Those who do not have a compatible temperament, aptitude, and destiny cannot force their way in!"
Everyone finally realized that forcing their way in was not an option.
The opportunity to enter this core hall requires "recognition" and some kind of unknown "trial".
At this moment, the seven-colored celestial light that enveloped the hall began to flow like a living thing, its light rippling like water, slowly sweeping across the entire perimeter of the ruins and shining on everyone.
As the light swept over them, some people trembled slightly, as if sensing something, and a look of understanding flashed in their eyes; others frowned and looked around, without any reaction, only feeling that the light was warm and quite comfortable.
Some people, like Fang Li, have an even more peculiar feeling.
When the celestial light shone on her, the chaotic spiritual power within her body spontaneously became slightly active, creating a subtle resonance with the celestial light, as if they had encountered an energy of the same origin.
"Is it time for the card draw? Is this a moment to see who's lucky enough to win in Europe, or a PVP qualifier to see who's the best at fighting? System, can you hack into the trial system's backend and open a backdoor for me?" Fang Li muttered to herself as she felt the strange resonance.
[High-dimensional law-level fluctuations detected... The underlying code of this thing is too advanced! This system is powerless! However, host, your Chaos Dao Foundation seems to have some connection with this immortal light? The resonance is very strong! Calm your mind, this may be your destiny!]
Fang Li immediately focused her mind and carefully sensed the faint connection.
On the other side, when Shen Yunzhou felt the celestial light shining upon him, the icy sword energy around him paused slightly. The celestial light seemed to be scrutinizing his pure sword heart. He calmed his mind and responded with his sword intent.
Xie Chen gently waved the jade fan in his hand, and a beam of immortal light swept across it. Countless tiny runes flashed in his eyes, as if he were rapidly analyzing and calculating something, trying to understand the rules of this trial.
When Ji Qianqiu was bathed in the divine light, he felt extremely uncomfortable, as if he had been completely seen through. He let out a low roar, his blood and qi surging, and he subconsciously resisted this prying.
Chu Yunfan felt a sense of peace and tranquility. The techniques of the Qingxu Sect were quite compatible with this auspicious light. He stood quietly and accepted the illumination with equanimity.
A disciple of the Tianyin Sect, who was holding a guqin, felt the strings of the guqin vibrate slightly, echoing the celestial light.
Outside the secret realm, although the scene reflected in the water mirror remained blurry, the soaring seven-colored celestial light and the phantom of auspicious beasts were still faintly visible. The elders of each sect wore varying expressions, watching with tense anticipation.
Just then, the vast celestial light covering the hall suddenly changed.
Instead of spreading evenly, it was as if it were being gathered together by an invisible hand, condensing into more than ten dazzling pillars of light that suddenly fell down!
One of the paths, perfectly aligned, completely enveloped Fang Li.
Also covered were Shen Yunzhou, Xie Chen, and Ji Qianqiu beside her.
Another beam of light enveloped Chu Yunfan, while another fell upon the disciples of the Tianyin Sect.
Another seven or eight beams spread out, covering several disciples from other sects who possessed extraordinary auras.
Inside the beam of light, the figure became blurred.
"Fang Li!" A hint of alarm cracked across Shen Yunzhou's icy face. He instinctively tried to move closer to her, but was restrained by his own beam of light and could not move.
Xie Chen's hand, which was waving the jade fan, stopped. His gentle smile froze on his face, and a trace of uncontrollable shock flashed deep in his eyes.
Ji Qianqiu let out a low roar, his muscles bulging beneath his black martial arts outfit, a violent power surging within him. He actually wanted to punch the pillar of light that was binding him, but his power was like a mud ox entering the sea, the pillar of light did not budge.
"Idiot! Don't do anything reckless!" Fang Li shouted at him, disregarding her own nervousness.
Ji Qianqiu paused, his crimson eyes fixed on her. He actually obediently withdrew his strength, but his fists remained clenched tightly as he stared intently at her, as if afraid she would disappear in the next second.
Those who were not chosen were in an uproar! Envy, jealousy, resentment, disappointment... all sorts of emotions intertwined.
Why wasn't I included?!
"I refuse to accept this!"
"A predestined connection..."
However, before they could make any move, I...
Buzz!
The next moment, the light suddenly intensified, so bright that people couldn't open their eyes.
By the time everyone regained their sight, the dozen or so beams of light, along with the people inside, had vanished without a trace.
As the seven-colored light faded, Fang Li felt her feet become solid.
Once she could see her surroundings clearly, she realized she was standing in a very familiar place.
The main hall square of the Tianyan Sect.
At this moment, the sun was shining brightly, the cloud platform was built high, and the elders and disciples of each peak gathered together, the atmosphere was so solemn that it was almost oppressive.
On the high platform, Ye Wuyang sat upright, his black hair still flowing freely, his appearance unparalleled, but his empty eyes were now fixed on her, with a cold scrutiny she had never seen before.
Shen Yunzhou, Xie Chen, and Ji Qianqiu stood on either side of the high platform.
Shen Yunzhou frowned, Xie Chen had an enigmatic smile on his lips, and Ji Qianqiu clenched his fists, his eyes filled with anxiety.
Below the stage were all the fellow disciples, a sea of black faces.
She saw the disappointment and heartache in her master Qingxuan Zhenren's eyes, the worry in her senior brother Moyun's eyes, the bewilderment in Tiepan's eyes, the coldness in her senior sister Lingshuang's eyes, and Su Wanqing's undisguised smugness.
She herself stood in the very center of the square, like an alien being watched.
"Fang Li, you witch!" Elder Qin Meng of the Punishment Hall's voice boomed like thunder, echoing across the square: "You are a heretic, colluding with evil spirits, and infiltrating the sect. What are your intentions? Confess now!"
Heresy? Evil spirit?
Fang Li's heart skipped a beat, and a strong sense of unease gripped her.
[“Host! Host! Something’s wrong!”] The system’s panicked voice screamed in her mind, [“They…they seem to be able to see me! My existence has been…it’s been detected! This fluctuation…it’s the highest level of exposure warning!”]
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