Three spots are available, two of which can be considered already secured, leaving only the last one, which is unpredictable for everyone.
However, one thing is certain: the competition for this final spot will undoubtedly be fierce and exciting.
This has everyone quite eager.
Inside the arena.
The third ten-metre stone platform remains unoccupied, though many are eyeing it.
As for the other seven five-metre stone platforms, many have already claimed them, and intense battles have erupted on several.
Lin Yun is also quietly waiting.
“Since no one is taking it, I’ll step up!”
After a brief wait, a Heavenly Saint Realm cultivator finally rushes towards the third ten-metre stone platform.
“Hmph, you think you’re qualified to claim this third spot? You’re not up to it!”
No sooner has the person stepped onto the platform than a man with a small moustache charges towards it.
The moustached man leaps onto the platform, immediately brandishing a red staff, swinging it fiercely with a whistling arc. His realm is also Heavenly Saint.
Boom, boom, boom!
A battle erupts instantly on the third stone platform.
The platform’s area is small, only a few square metres, so the clash doesn’t last long. The moustached man, who initiated the challenge, soon knocks the first Heavenly Saint Realm cultivator off the platform.
Both are Heavenly Saint Realm, but the moustached man’s combat strength and techniques are clearly superior.
Lin Yun is also observing, gauging these people’s strengths.
After defeating his opponent, the moustached man naturally claims the spot.
For a moment, no one else rushes to challenge.
The surrounding seven five-metre platforms, however, see fierce competition.
This situation continues for over ten minutes.
“It’s been over ten minutes, and still no one is challenging for the third ten-metre platform? This isn’t intense at all!”
The spectators around the arena, seeing no one contesting the third spot for so long, start feeling bored.
“The main reason is that this time, two Transcendent Realm cultivators have taken two spots, leaving only one for everyone else. With just one spot, everyone is naturally cautious.”
“That’s true. With plenty of time left until the trial ends, the latter half will likely be the most intense.”
“Indeed, Xuan Ziheng hasn’t made a move yet. The excitement is still to come.”
…
In the past, if only one Transcendent Realm cultivator participated, or none at all, leaving more spots to compete for, the early stages would be very intense.
Inside the arena.
Lin Yun stays in a corner, quietly waiting. During this time, no one bothers him.
Everyone’s attention is mostly on the platforms.
“I’ll challenge!”
After waiting so long, another Heavenly Saint Realm cultivator loses patience and rushes onto the platform to challenge the moustached man.
A battle erupts again on the third platform. The moustached man proves his strength, defeating his opponent after a fierce fight.
Just as the fight ends, another figure charges towards the platform.
Lin Yun looks closely and sees that the challenger is A Yu, a subordinate of Commander Guang Tiancheng.
A Yu rushes onto the platform and quickly launches an attack.
“A Yu’s strength is indeed impressive, and his physical realm is stronger than the moustached man’s,” Lin Yun observes, staring at the platform.
Though the platform is small, the two battle for several minutes before A Yu finally knocks the moustached man off.
Thus, the third ten-metre platform changes hands.
Through the recent fight, Lin Yun notices that A Yu wields a Saint-tier weapon, a rarity among Heavenly Saint Realm cultivators, which is a major asset in his challenge.
…
Outside the arena.
“Great, A Yu took the platform!” one of Guang Tiancheng’s subordinates cheers excitedly.
Guang Tiancheng, however, is slightly worried. “My biggest concern now is that Xuan Ziheng. He still hasn’t made a move.”
Xuan Ziheng is a rising star who gained fame in the last thousand years, claiming to be invincible below the Transcendent Realm.
Five hundred years ago, when signing up, Guang Tiancheng had high hopes for A Yu, believing that if this Heavenly Fire Trial had only one Transcendent Realm cultivator or none, A Yu would have a strong chance of securing a top-three spot.
But this time, luck wasn’t on their side. With two Transcendent Realm cultivators and Xuan Ziheng participating, this trial’s difficulty is exceptionally high!
“Indeed, it depends on whether A Yu can defeat Xuan Ziheng. They’ve never fought before,” Guang Tiancheng’s subordinate says.
As the two talk, two more Heavenly Saint Realm cultivators challenge A Yu in the arena, but both are defeated by him.
Inside the arena.
After A Yu consecutively defeats two challengers, the scene falls into an odd calm.
No one immediately rushes to challenge again.
On a nearby ten-metre platform.
Bi Chaoqun, a Transcendent Realm cultivator, sits on his platform and speaks, “You have to fight sooner or later. Those eyeing the top three, what are you waiting for? There’s only one spot left. Hurry up and challenge A Yu. If you’re hesitant or afraid, give up on the top three and go for the seven five-metre platforms instead.”
Bi Chaoqun, occupying a ten-metre platform with no challengers, sits there watching the热闹 unfold.
He’s enjoying the spectacle, making snide remarks since no one dares challenge him.
Hearing this, no one can easily retort.
From his ten-metre platform, Bi Chaoqun looks at someone in the crowd below and speaks again, “Xuan Ziheng, you’ve got quite a reputation. What are you waiting for? Go claim that third spot. In my opinion, that third spot is likely yours.”
“Eighty percent? That’s an insult to me, Xuan Ziheng. I was planning to let everyone have their fun first, so it wouldn’t be too boring after I take the last platform. But since Brother Bi Chaoqun has spoken, I won’t hold back.” This Xuan Ziheng speaks with utmost arrogance.
