Some, like Xu Ling, decisively gave up the assessment, demonstrating considerable self-awareness. Xu Ling's rewards from the first three trials were quite good: a high-grade sixth-rank medicinal herb; a protective water-attribute robe (presumably a spiritual artifact, though its exact grade would be determined after exiting); and a seventh-rank Breakthrough Pill from the third trial. With this pill, she could at least cultivate to the Nascent Soul stage. The Breakthrough Pill is most effective the first time it's taken, with subsequent doses halving its effect. However, once a breakthrough is achieved, lifespan increases significantly, allowing more time to seek opportunities and break through again. Therefore, the preciousness of the Breakthrough Pill is self-evident.
After being teleported out, Kong Qingqiu's physical injuries had healed, but the mental blow was unimaginable. Having to give up the prize that was practically in his grasp was a truly difficult choice: money or life. He was lucky to survive, but the frustration he felt was indescribable.
"Senior sister, although we failed the assessment, we weren't teleported out. Maybe there are other opportunities?" Xu Ling didn't expect her senior sister to be so fierce, actually taking on sixteen Golden Core cultivators single-handedly. Although she was eventually ganged up on, her courage was commendable.
"Yes, it's already good enough that we survived." The speaker was Lei Ming, known for his lightning attribute's formidable attack power. Although his lightning spiritual root hadn't mutated, its offensive capabilities were still extremely strong. However, being number one in attack power comes at a price: the cost was enormous. He simply couldn't replenish his energy in time and was worn down to death by sixty-four Golden Core cultivators. Although he hadn't considered the possibility of failure before the assessment, he ultimately had no choice but to give up the prize; survival was paramount. In a way, he and Kong Qingqiu were in the same boat.
After seeing the sixty-four puppets, Zhang Yue immediately gave up, waved her fan, and was teleported out with her prize.
He was the last one to be teleported out. When he opened his eyes and saw the familiar faces in the main hall, Zhang Yue didn't stand on ceremony and sat down directly.
"I gave up, and then I was teleported out. I guess I failed the test!"
“We’re in the same boat.” Lei Ming gave Zhang Yue a bear hug: “Senior brother, I’m wronged.”
"What's there to feel aggrieved about? It's not shameful to lose."
"This assessment is insane! I worked so hard for half a day, and all my rewards were taken away." I feel so frustrated, I really want to curse.
Zhang Yue glanced over and saw that Xu Ling looked embarrassed, while Kong Qingqiu's expression was somewhat similar to his junior brother's.
Lei Ming's burly physique almost suffocated Zhang Yue.
"Let me go first, junior brother."
Zhang Yue tried to soothe Lei Ming: "Junior brother, you're just too honest." He must have gotten so caught up in the fight that he couldn't stop for a while. By the time he realized things were going badly and tried to run away, it was too late.
"Junior brother, let's go back and cultivate in seclusion to improve our strength." A Nascent Soul cultivator is quite impressive on the continent, especially someone as young as them; they're already considered rare geniuses. However, in the Ancient Domain, Golden Core cultivators are everywhere, and Nascent Soul cultivators are as common as dogs. One wrong move and you'll be reduced to ashes.
Lei Ming nodded, agreeing wholeheartedly.
"Now we only need Xiu Qiyu." Zhang Yue's voice carried a hint of disappointment.
Living in the same era as Xiu Qiyu, it's hard to say whether it's their good fortune or their misfortune. That person's brilliance is so dazzling that it almost makes all the other geniuses pale in comparison.
He gave up halfway, while Xiu Qiyu's cultivation level was a small realm lower than his, yet he hasn't given up yet.
"I have a feeling that Senior Brother will definitely pass the test smoothly." Xu Ling raised her little fist, looking excited.
Zhang Yue smiled wryly: "One person ganging up on a hundred Golden Core cultivators, the scene is too beautiful to imagine."
Xu Ling's face also fell: "Yes, the assessments will get harder and harder as we go on. I hope Senior Brother can succeed."
"Even if he fails the assessment, his gains will be the best among us."
"As expected of the senior brother, his strength and luck are unmatched." Xu Ling sighed, "I really want to see the senior brother's true face. I heard he's incredibly handsome, and one look at him can make people dizzy."
Zhang Yue sighed, realizing he didn't understand the world of this brainless, infatuated girl.
Lei Ming, with his burly body, drew circles and circles.
"It seems we must wait until Senior Brother Xiu comes out before we can make any further plans."
The more extreme the assessment, the more extreme Xiu Qiyu became, making it impossible for anyone to feel jealous.
Meanwhile, the perverted Xiu Qiyu was on the verge of a berserk descent into darkness. The final challenge wasn't the martial arts test he'd imagined, but a damn illusion. And to make matters worse, it showed him that scumbag and that bitch. Needless to say, Xiu Qiyu's mood plummeted to rock bottom…
That scumbag deceived his idiotic mother into living a life of misery for him, yet he colluded with that vile woman, who was even responsible for his mother's death. Thinking of this, Xiu Qiyu felt an urge to rush into that family and kill that scumbag and that vile woman.
So what if he killed his father? In that bitch's eyes, his mother and he didn't exist at all. If it weren't for his maternal grandfather's side of the family helping him, he might have been killed by them by now.
He would return to fight back sooner or later. Xiu Qiyu's eyes were bloodshot, not from anger, but from disgust. Although this illusion had conjured up the person he loathed most, and had indeed disgusted him, did it really think it could provoke him with just that? It was a pipe dream.
Xiu Qiyu snorted coldly and shattered the unpleasant scene in front of him with a single sword strike.
The next scene features the leader of Sunset Valley, who looks more like a charlatan. He wouldn't be alive now if his master hadn't taken him in and sealed most of his bloodline. The Ice Spirit Clan is known for its abundance of treasures, and children are generally well protected by the clan.
It's ironic that he really had to leave that cannibalistic place.
"Master, I'm sorry." With that, he shattered the illusion before him.
The final scene left Xiu Qiyu with mixed feelings. He truly hadn't expected to see Xiao Yezi here, especially not the grown-up Xiao Yezi.
She was truly alluring and dazzling, possessing unparalleled beauty and an indomitable aura—a veritable empress. Yet, this very Ye Zi stood before him, choosing to defy the entire world.
"Without him, what does it matter if the world is destroyed?" In her hand was a top-grade pill brimming with violent energy. Her gaze towards him was gentle yet tinged with despair.
Xiu Qiyu shattered the illusion; he didn't have the courage to see the final outcome, he couldn't bear the horrific scene. If possible, he hoped this would never happen.
(To be continued.)
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