Chapter 1431: Courage
When the members of the Evil Sky Pavilion tried to enter the blue barrier to obtain recognition from the Pillar of Destruction. However, they were sent flying. Apart from that, the force of the barrier was getting stronger and stronger as well. Qin Naihe, whose cultivation base was second only to Lu Zhou in the Evil Sky Pavilion, grunted and spat out blood after he was sent flying back.
Everyone was surprised by Qin Naihe’s injury and no longer dared to recklessly charge forward. In their opinion, strength and cultivation base were often the key to approval and recognition. If even Qin Naihe failed, what hope did they have?
Everyone stepped back and looked at the barrier.
Yan Zhenluo turned around to ask, “Qin Naihe, are you okay?”
“Thank you for your concern, Left Envoy Yan. It’s just a minor injury. It’s not serious. I thought after absorbing the Great Void energy, I’d have a good chance of gaining recognition. Who knew I’d have no fate with it,” Qin Naihe said.
Yan Zhenluo said, “Maybe Tianwu is right. The pillar chooses based on one’s character.”
“Character?”
Everyone looked at each other.
Character was something abstract, after all. It was like traits based on astrological signs. Even a rough person could be described as delicate, thoughtful, a diamond in the rough, and other complimentary words. One could sit on a chair and listen to these words the entire day. After all, most people did not have a clear understanding of themselves.
At this time, Zhu Honggong patted his chest and confidently said, “If it’s dependent on character, then it can only be me!”
“???”
“All of you underestimate me too much! When I was in the yellow lotus domain, people called me the Divine Lord. I was respected and loved by the people. I fought for them and killed the enemies! It’s not an exaggeration to say that in the yellow lotus domain, I’m this…” Zhu Honggong said as he ended his words with a thumbs-up.
Everyone nodded, feeling slightly awkward. It was alright if one was bragging about another person in such a manner, but who would brag about themselves in such a manner?”
Mings.h.i.+ Yin finally said, “Then, you try again.”
“Okay.” Zhu Honggong nodded before he charged forward like a bull. As soon as he drew close to the barrier, a repelling force sent him flying.
Bang!
There was no suspense at all.
The repelling force had grown even stronger. Zhu Honggong, who was. .h.i.t by the rebound, let out a m.u.f.fled groan before spitting out blood. Then, he slumped to the ground, exhausted.
“Mr. Eighth, are you alright?” Yan Zhenluo asked worriedly.
“I’m fine,” Zhu Honggong calmly replied. Inwardly, he was rather frightened.
Mings.h.i.+ Yin pointed at the blue barrier and said enticingly, “Old Eighth, you can do it! Come one, let’s continue…”
“Uh… Fourth Senior Brother, why don’t you give it a try?” Zhu Honggong asked.
“No need. I’ve already obtained recognition from one of the pillars,” Mings.h.i.+ Yin smugly said.
Meng Changdong had not tried again since he was first sent flying. At this time, he asked, “What are the benefits of being recognized by the pillar?”
Lu Li said, “Look at the center. That should be the yet-to-mature Great Void Seed. If you’re recognized, you’ll be able to enter the barrier and collect the soil. It contains Great Void energy that’s immensely useful in cultivation.”
Everyone grew expectant when they heard these words. They were a little hesitant previously, but their pa.s.sion was reignited by talks of the Great Void Seed and the Great Void energy. Although the Great Void Energy had yet to mature, the Great Void energy was still very beneficial.
“Again!”
Only Zhu Honggong sat on the ground and waved his hand repeatedly as he said, “I give up! All of you can continue. Heavens! It hurts so much!”
“…”
Lu Zhou had been observing everyone’s changes with the power of sight, trying to see if he could find a pattern in the energy. Alas, there was nothing unusual. What was even stranger was that the barrier’s force grew stronger and stronger as they kept trying. At this point, its force was no longer minor.
“d.a.m.n it! This isn’t fun at all!” Little Yuan’er said indignantly as she stomped her foot and retreated to the side, indicating that she had given up.
Everyone felt much more at ease when they saw this. If even the little ancestor could not do it, then it was reasonable that they could not do it as well. After all, her talent was truly heaven-defying. If she also obtained recognition from the Pillar of Destruction, they would feel even worse about themselves.
Following that, Conch gave up as well. She moved to stand next to Little Yuan’er to watch the show.
Pan Zhong and Zhou Jifeng had the greatest desire for the Great Void energy. Alas, they were too weak; they could not withstand the rebound and were forced to give up. The duo then reluctantly retreated to the side, filled with frustration.
Kong Wen and his brothers were the same.
As the saying went, ‘Wisdom comes with age’. The four elders were not reckless and approached the blue barrier slowly. With this, they were able to minimize the force of the rebound. They advanced slowly as soon as they felt a resistance, they would hurriedly retreat.
Leng Luo, Zuo Yushu, Pan Litian, and Hua Wudao were the first group of people to enter the Evil Sky Pavilion. Lu Zhou naturally hoped their strength would improve.
The four elders advanced from different directions at the same time. When they were about ten meters from the barrier, they were pushed back.
“I guess it’s not the four elders as well…”
Everyone shook their heads.
“Do we still try?” Zuo Yushu looked at the other three elders.
The four of them were already covered in sweat and were panting. They did not even have any excess Primal Qi to create energy seals at this moment.
Leng Luo was the first to say, “I give up.”
“Old Leng, you’re giving up just like that?” Pan Litian said disdainfully, “This isn’t your style.”
Leng Luo said, “Old Pan, you continue then. I’ll watch.”
“I give up too.”
“…”
‘We’re all cowards. There’s no need to hurt each other.’
Hua Wudao shook his head and stopped trying.
Zuo Yushu was unwilling to give up. She tried again, but the result was the same. In the end, she could only helplessly retreat to the side.
Before long, only Yu Zhenghai, Yu Shangrong, Duanmu Sheng, Zhao Yue, and Ye Tianxin were left.
The two eldest disciples had the greatest desire for strength, and they had persevered up until now.
“I think Mr. First will receive the recognition.”
“I bet on Mr. Second.”
Yu Zhenghai looked at the barrier. Naturally, he wished he could breach the blue barrier, but he was powerless. In all honesty, he would have retreated to the side a long time ago if Yu Shangrong did not persist.
Needless to say, Yu Shangrong shared the same thoughts as Yu Zhenghai.
Unaware of their thoughts, everyone placed their hopes on the duo at this moment, waiting for them to create a miracle.
“Eldest Senior Brother!”
“Second Senior Brother!”
“As senior brothers, we shouldn’t s.n.a.t.c.h opportunities from our juniors, right?” Yu Shangrong asked with a straight face.
Yu Zhenghai nodded and said, “Second Junior Brother is right. I didn’t think of this at all. Hmm, as the Eldest Senior Brother, I shouldn’t have partic.i.p.ated at all. Fortunately, it’s not too late for me to step back and give way to the juniors.”
Then, Yu Zhenghai took a step back.
“Since Eldest Senior Brother has already retreated, how can I be shameless and compete with my juniors?” Yu Shangrong said as he took a step back as well.
“???”
Everyone was speechless.
Only Duanmu Sheng cupped his fists together and sincerely said, “Thank you, Eldest Senior Brother and Second Senior Brother, for giving us juniors this chance!”
“…”
“You’re welcome.” Yu Zhenghai and Yu Shangrong’s expressions did not change as they accepted Duanmu Sheng’s thank you.
Duanmu Sheng patted his chest as he continued to say earnestly, “Eldest Senior Brother and Second Senior Brother have the highest talent and cultivation base. To be so magnanimous to give me such an opportunity, I, Duanmu Sheng, really have no words to express my grat.i.tude! In the future, if senior brothers need any help in the future, please don’t hesitate to let me know!”
“…”
Yu Zhenghai and Yu Shangrong felt slightly embarra.s.sed.
“Third Junior Brother, you can continue.”
“Okay.” Duanmu Sheng charged toward the barrier. He did not change his tactic at all. He just simply charged forward. Then, he was sent flying.
Zhao Yue smiled and said, “Third Senior Brother, it’s too early to say who will be recognized. Perhaps, it’ll be me.”
Ye Tianxin chimed in, “Not necessarily.”
The trio continued to enter the barrier.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
No matter how many times they tried, they were all sent flying.
After trying for about two hours, the trio was getting exhausted. They were also slightly injured.
Mings.h.i.+ Yin rubbed his chin and frowned. ‘It can’t be. Don’t tell me it’s Old Seventh?’
Mings.h.i.+ Yin knew the Pillars of Destruction would recognize those with Great Void Seeds that had grown at the respective pillars. Since none of them was recognized, it only meant that it was someone else, and the only person that was not around was Si Wuya.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The trio was sent flying back again. This time, they grunted and spat out blood.
Seeing that his disciples were injured, Lu Zhou raised his hand and said, “Stop.”
Everyone turned to look at Lu Zhou who had been mostly quiet.
Lu Zhou said, “Perhaps… no one will be recognized by the pillar here.”
Everyone was slightly disappointed upon hearing this.
“What a pity.”
Naturally, quite a few of them had already thought about Si Wuya, but none of them dared to say anything. They could only sigh to express their helplessness.
Pan Zhong said regretfully, “Although I can’t obtain recognition, the Pavilion Master’s disciples can definitely do it. Why don’t we let them continue trying?”
“The force of the rebound is increasing. We might get seriously injured if we continue,” Yan Zhenluo said.
“This thing is too strange. Why is it different from the barrier in Yu Zhong? The barrier there didn’t get stronger and stronger, and I just easily walked in,” Mings.h.i.+ Yin said as he walked forward. When he tried to touch the barrier…
Bzzzt!
Mings.h.i.+ Yin felt as though he had been electrocuted. He could not get any closer. It was as though the Pillar of Destruction in Ji Ming was directly shutting the door in his face, not even giving him a chance to try.
“Hmm? Do the Pillars of Destruction repel each other?” Yan Zhenluo asked.
“Perhaps, it’s only because Mr. Fourth has been recognized,” Lu Li said.
The others nodded.
“Pavilion Master, do you want to try?” Pan Zhong suggested.
Everyone looked at Lu Zhou, hoping he would try and succeed in one go.
“Pavilion Master had also entered the barrier at Yu Zhong. Did it count as obtaining the recognition of the pillar as well?” Yan Zhenluo asked.
Qin Naihe shook his head and said, “That’s impossible. The Pillar of Destruction will only recognize one person. Since it has already recognized Mr. Fourth, it won’t recognize another person.”
“Then, why was Pavilion Master able to enter the barrier?”
“Perhaps, it’s due to overwhelming strength on the Pavilion Master’s part,” Qin Naihe said.
It was a very reasonable explanation.
Lu Zhou did not say anything. Just as he was about to walk forward…
Duanmu Sheng suddenly flew out with his Overlord Spear and said, “I still want to try!”
Bang!
Duanmu Sheng was sent flying. This time, the force of the rebound was so strong he vomited more blood than before.
“Mr. Third!”
Pan Zhong and Zhou Jifeng ran over and helped him up.
Duanmu Sheng still looked unconvinced. “I’m fine!”
Duanmu Sheng stood up and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth as he said, “I don’t believe that I can’t get in!”
“Third Junior Brother, you’ve been rejected so many times. The backlash will only grow stronger if you continue. Don’t try again,” Yu Zhenghai advised.
Everyone advised Duanmu Sheng to give up, but he was unwilling to give up. He thought that if he did not obtain recognition from the Pillar of Destruction now that he was here, he would regret it.
“There are other Pillars of Destruction you can try. There’s no need to waste time with this one,” Qin Naihe said, “Legend has it that the pillars recognize a specific quality.”
Upon hearing this, Little Yuan’er looked at Mings.h.i.+ Yin curiously and asked, “Then, what kind of rare quality does Fourth Senior Brother have that the Pillar of Destruction at Yu Zhong recognized him?”
Everyone looked at Ming s.h.i.+yin.
It was hard to put on airs when everyone was so familiar with each other.
Lu Zhou glanced at Mings.h.i.+ Yin. If one had to say what quality Mings.h.i.+ Yin had, it would likely be cunning and cowardly, but those were not n.o.ble qualities.
Mings.h.i.+ Yin: “…”
Everyone was still puzzled when the barrier’s size increased by 30%. It had clearly gotten stronger as well.
“It’s getting stronger.”
“Step back!”
Everyone stepped back. If they touched the barrier again, the consequences would be unimaginable.
The barrier was like the starry sky of the universe, vast and boundless, filled with profundity and mystery.
The tiny Great Void Seed protruded out of the ground slightly as energy surged from all directions toward it.
Lu Zhou moved in front of everyone and said, “Step back!”
Everyone retreated to the corridor.
Lu Zhou raised his hand. Just as he touched the barrier, he felt a surge of power.
Bang!
Lu Zhou flew backward in the air!
The powerful explosion shook his arm until it went numb.
Divine power!
The Golden Buddha’s Body!
With these two, Lu Zhou stabilized himself in the air.
“What a powerful force!” Qin Naihe exclaimed in surprise.
“Let’s not try again,” Yu Zhenghai said.
“Who would dare to try again now? Isn’t it just like seeking death?” Mings.h.i.+ Yin said as he looked at Yu Zhenghai speechlessly.
“It seems like no one from the Evil Sky Pavilion can do it.”
If even the Pavilion Master of the Evil Sky Pavilion could not do it, who could?
The Pillar of Destruction at Ji Ming was really too strange.
At this moment, a voice rang from the mulberry tree in the ring-shaped lake.
“To gain its recognition, you must have enough courage. The Pillar of Destruction in Ji Ming signifies dawn. It not only signifies the start of the day, but it also signifies the end of the day. It’s like life and death. The expansion of the barrier means that you’ve pa.s.sed the first round of a.s.sessment. Those who fail the next round… will die.”
“Courage?” Lu Zhou asked.
“Let me remind you that if you fail, you’ll be suppressed by the Pillar of Destruction. You’ll die a true death. Alright, if any of you have the courage, you can go now.”
Lu Li said, “If it’s courage, then Mr. First, Mr. Second, Ms. Fifth, and Ms. Sixth should all try. In my opinion, you’re all not lacking in courage.”
Yu Zhenghai and Yu Shangrong: “…”
The duo looked at Lu Li with an expression that seemed to say, “What nonsense!”
“Old Eighth…”
Zhu Honggong did not allow whoever it was to finish speaking. He waved his hands and said, “I’ll pa.s.s. Although I’m courageous, there’s no need for me to prove myself in this way.”
Everyone looked at each other, but no one dared to step forward.
Lu Zhou transmitted his voice and asked, “Princess Mulberry, what’s courage?”
“If you beg me, I’ll answer you. I’ve already broken the rules earlier,” Princess Mulberry replied.
“This person is so pretentious,” Little Yuan’er said with a huff.
“Hm?”
Princess Mulberry laughed. Her laughter sounded melodious. “Little girl, you’re the first human to refer to me as ‘this person’. Based on that alone, I’ll tell you what courage is.” Her tone darkened as she said, “Courage is a heart that knows no fear.”
Little Yuan’er shook her head. “I don’t understand. I know no fear so I have courage!”
“It’s not enough,” Princess Mulberry said with a laugh, “For example, right now, none of you dare to throw your lives away to try again. That’s not courage. Like I said, if you fail, you’ll definitely die. Do you still dare to try?”
At this moment…
“I dare!” Duanmu Sheng suddenly charged forward with the Overlord Spear.
“Mr. Third!”
Everyone exclaimed in shock. However, it was too late. They could only watch, helpless and powerless, as Duanmu Sheng rushed forward like a bolt of lightning.
Lu Zhou brought out the Hourgla.s.s of Time but found that it was still in the recovery period. If he used the power of the Dao, it would be too late.
Boom!
A thunderous explosion sent Duanmu Sheng flying.
Boom!
Duanmu Sheng crashed against the inner wall of the Pillar of Destruction and slid to the ground. He was… dead!
“Third Senior Brother!”
“Third Junior Brother!”
Everyone was stunned.
A regretful voice rang from the ring-shaped lake again. “Unfortunately, he failed.”
Yu Zhenghai gritted his teeth and said, “Witch! How dare you trick us! I’ll kill you!”
Whoos.h.!.+
Yu Zhenghai got up and charged forward.
Lu Zhou raised his hand and launched a palm seal that pulled Yu Zhenghai back at lightning speed. “Don’t be reckless.”
Princess Mulberry chuckled and said, “I told you those things out of kindness, and you still blame me?”
“Who knows if you’re lying?” Little Yuan’er retorted.
“Uh… Half of it is true, and the other half is false,” Princess Mulberry said.
“…”
Everyone was infuriated by these words. Was that not lying?
Lu Zhou asked, “Do you really think I can’t kill you?”
Princess Mulberry said, “I’m already dead.”
“In my opinion, since you can speak and have consciousness and a will of your own, you’re alive. Since you caused the death of my disciple, I’ll bury you today. You won’t be able to speak and move any more!” Lu Zhou said clearly.
“Oh,” Princess Mulberry continued to say, undaunted, “What I said about needing courage is true. You can only blame him for not having enough courage and failing to obtain recognition from the Pillar of Destruction.”
“You’re still trying to quibble?” Yu Zhenghai said in a deep voice.
Everyone looked at the strange barrier, confused and frustrated.
All of a sudden, a blue energy orb shot out of the barrier into Duanmu Sheng’s body.
Swoos.h.!.+
Following that, Duanmu Sheng flew into the barrier. The blood on his body evaporated, and a huge energy surged into his Dantian’s sea of Qi.
“…”
“It… worked?!” Mings.h.i.+ Yin exclaimed in surprise.
Zhu Honggong’s eyes widened in surprise, “I-If I knew this would happen, I’d send myself to death as well!”
‘Why do these words sound so awkward?’
Buzz!
The energy resonated.
“Great Void Seed.”
Everyone raised their heads and looked at Duanmu Sheng..