Between heaven and earth, four identical rows of Trial Gates were arranged, each positioned on one side of the mountain, with the final eighth-level Trial Gate located at the very peak, emanating a hazy and mysterious chaotic light.
"What is this?"
This scene was beyond everyone's expectations, causing them to gasp in surprise, unable to comprehend why four identical Trial Gates had suddenly appeared.
At this moment, Elder Ouyang spoke up, "This is a unique power of the Trial Gates. Once someone challenges a Trial Gate, if another person challenges one during that time, another Trial Gate will manifest, possessing identical abilities. However, the final eighth-level Trial Gate is only one; no matter which row of gates, they all ultimately connect to this eighth-level Trial Gate."
The crowd understood. They hadn't expected the Trial Gates to possess such a miraculous power, capable of manifesting other gates.
The three Ancient Talents were all figures possessing extraordinary phenomena. From the crowns of their heads, divine light pillars surged upward, their blood energy rising like wolf smoke striking the heavens. They descended before the first stone gate of their respective Trial Gates, glanced at each other, nodded, and began their trial.
Almost without any hindrance, the three Ancient Talents swiftly passed through five levels of the Trial Gates. Such obstacles were simply incapable of blocking these most dazzling individuals.
Now, as they reached the fifth-level Trial Gate, they received a partial baptism of light rain. Their entire bodies absorbed these miraculous droplets of light, each starry point possessing an indescribably wonderful effect, giving them a marvelous sensation of ascending amidst rosy clouds. They couldn't help but exclaim, "We never expected the Trial Gates to bestow such gifts. Truly miraculous."
They could feel the miraculous power of the light rain. It wasn't the ordinary Heaven and Earth Spiritual Energy of cultivation, nor was it the power of heaven and earth, but an even more wondrous force—a mysterious power containing a trace of Dao charm. It could enhance their five senses and six perceptions, baptize their essence, energy, and spirit, elevating everything to a stronger level.
This also made them increasingly curious about the true origins of the Trial Gates, artifacts from prehistoric times.
At this moment, Ye Chen also moved. While everyone was focused on the several Ancient Talents, he arrived at another side of the mountain peak, where another row of Trial Gates manifested and appeared before him.
The moment he pushed open the first Trial Gate, the stone door felt cold and heavy, its texture so real it made one wonder whether this was a manifested illusion or another real row of Trial Gates.
Ye Chen moved. Like a True Dragon soaring into the sky to strike, just like the other Ancient Talents, he passed through the five levels of Trial Gates without any difficulty, directly pushing them open. At the fifth-level Trial Gate, he received a baptism of brilliant light rain.
Every pore on his body opened, absorbing this light rain. He felt his entire essence, energy, and spirit elevate by a significant margin. From his pores, auspicious radiance emanated, and the light of his Primordial Spirit at his glabella shone even more brilliantly.
Even though he had suspected it earlier, he was still somewhat surprised upon truly knowing: "This is... Primordial Spirit Spiritual Energy. I never expected it to be this kind of power."
For physical cultivation, there was Heaven and Earth Spiritual Energy. For the Primordial Spirit to cultivate and grow stronger, there was also Primordial Spirit Spiritual Energy to absorb.
However, Primordial Spirit Spiritual Energy was extremely rare and precious, unlike ordinary Heaven and Earth Spiritual Energy. It was difficult to obtain; many Martial Gods might not even get to absorb it once in their entire lives.
Ye Chen never expected to encounter it here, and even be able to absorb it. The benefits for his Primordial Spirit were unimaginable.
In an instant, the light of his Primordial Spirit brightened many times over, becoming as conspicuous as a small sun. Powerful fluctuations emanated from his entire body, astonishing him. Then, he arrived at the sixth-level Trial Gate.
With a shake of his arms, the Trial Gate, weighing as much as eight hundred thousand jin, was easily pushed open by him. More Primordial Spirit Spiritual Energy spilled out, all of which he absorbed, devoured and transformed by his Primordial Spirit, making it even more brilliant and crystalline. His five senses and six perceptions were comprehensively enhanced.
"Excellent. If there were more Primordial Spirit Spiritual Energy, it could elevate my Primordial Spirit by another level."
As for Primordial Spirit Spiritual Energy, the more, the better.
Ye Chen pushed open the seventh Trial Gate with heavy, resounding steps.
Simultaneously, the three Ancient Talents on the opposite side of the plaza almost simultaneously broke through the sixth-level Trial Gate, receiving a baptism of even more Primordial Spirit Spiritual Energy that enveloped them. Their entire essence, energy, and spirit were elevated—an alternative form of baptism and advancement.
"So fast! It's simply like splitting bamboo with a sharp knife. Is this the true strength of Ancient Talents? The six-level Trial Gates can hardly hinder them at all."
The crowd marveled. Such a breakthrough speed was astonishing. Truly worthy of being considered the most dazzling geniuses throughout history by various superpowers. Extraordinary indeed.
After lingering only briefly, the three Ancient Talents absorbed most of the light rain formed from Primordial Spirit Spiritual Energy, not fully refining it because now was the time to ascend to the final level. They couldn't let Long Gu'ao monopolize the glory. One by one, they exerted themselves to contend.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Several loud booms exploded almost simultaneously. The three Ancient Talents successfully pushed open the seventh-level Trial Gate. A vast expanse of divine radiance completely submerged them—this was the Trial Gate's bestowal upon them. The divine radiance swirled, making each of them seem as if they were about to ascend amidst rosy clouds. Their entire bodies emanated a powerful aura, surpassing their previous states.
However, the three only absorbed and internalized it, still not refining it immediately. They even left behind some Primordial Spirit Spiritual Energy they hadn't had time to absorb as they charged toward the direction of the eighth-level Trial Gate. Because at this moment, Long Gu'ao had already begun pushing the eighth-level Trial Gate.
They didn't want Long Gu'ao to truly push it open, because the eighth-level Trial Gate might connect to a land of creation. They couldn't let him monopolize it and obtain all the fortune alone.
They even suspected that behind the Trial Gate might lie the hope of surpassing the Divine Spirit.
Long Gu'ao was pushing the gate, but his expression changed drastically because it was too heavy—like an Ancient Divine Mountain, incomparably weighty, far heavier than any mountain range, immovable.
Even for a powerful Ancient Talent like him, when the other Ancient Talents were clearing the gates, he had only managed to push it open a crack with great difficulty.
Now, his expression changed. At this moment, the other three Ancient Talents arrived and attacked him simultaneously.
"Seeking death!"
Long Gu'ao roared. Six golden dragon auras blasted out, like six golden True Dragons sweeping across, colliding fiercely with the other powerhouses.
The heavens and earth boomed. Before the eighth-level Trial Gate at the mountain peak, space trembled violently. Divine light surged and submerged that area, resulting in a world-shaking collision.
If not for the Trial Gates, if not for the extraordinary divine mountain, an ordinary mountain would have long been shattered.
After the collision, Long Gu'ao was ultimately sent flying, coughing up large mouthfuls of blood. Strands of blood stained the corner of his mouth, and he sustained injuries.
Because among the Ancient Talents—Li Taixu, Yang Wushuang, Wu Yunyan—which one was truly weaker than him? With the three of them attacking together, they were simply unstoppable, invincible.
All of this was seen by Ye Chen. However, Ye Chen did not step forward to compete. Instead, he sat cross-legged on the seventh-level Trial Gate, completely submerged by the surging Primordial Spirit Spiritual Energy. He even saw the Primordial Spirit Spiritual Energy left unabsorbed by the other three Ancient Talents at the seventh level. Shaking his head helplessly at their wastefulness, he traced the trajectory of the Dao, quietly drawing this Primordial Spirit Spiritual Energy over to be absorbed by himself.
This was a classic case of quietly making a fortune, doing nothing overt.
He understood that in the short term, no one would truly be able to push open the eighth-level Trial Gate, because none of these Ancient Talents wanted anyone else to succeed. There would inevitably be more obstruction. It was better to quietly cultivate like him, refining the Primordial Spirit Spiritual Energy to strengthen himself. That was a better approach.
At this moment, his entire body was submerged in Primordial Spirit Spiritual Energy. Divine radiance permeated the air. At his glabella, majestic light and radiance shimmered. His entire body was pure and flawless, vaguely seeming as if it were about to transform into a small figure undergoing rebirth.
The Primordial Spirit, in its initial form, was merely a shapeless mass. To truly possess form, especially a human-like shape, required the Primordial Spirit to be strong enough to a certain degree.
Clearly, Ye Chen was currently developing in this direction. After absorbing so much Primordial Spirit Spiritual Energy, his entire Primordial Spirit underwent a sublimation and transformation, beginning to evolve toward having form.
His Primordial Spirit was already strong because he had once borrowed the power of Divine Spirit essence blood, at least comparable to a fifth-level Martial God powerhouse. Now, after absorbing this vast amount of Primordial Spirit Spiritual Energy, he felt he could advance further, even rivaling the level of a super Martial God.
It must be known that the strength of the Primordial Spirit represented a stronger grasp of the Dao.
At the mountain peak, before the final Trial Gate standing one hundred and twenty-four zhang tall, the four Ancient Talents each stood in a different direction in the void, confronting each other.
Although they hadn't truly attacked each other, their immense power was evident through the aura and pressure they erupted. Layer upon layer of invisible waves spread out, colliding, causing space to tremble and distort—all demonstrating world-shaking might.
This was the manifestation of their true strength, like Divine Beings from the Heavenly Realm confronting each other. Divine radiance surged into the sky, overwhelming and awe-inspiring, making others feel the vast gap.
Though of the same younger generation, the strength of these Ancient Talents could rival, even surpass, that of the older generation.
"Very well. Since we are all the strongest and most dazzling Ancient Talents of our respective forces, we've long wanted to see who among us is truly stronger. This is a good opportunity to properly spar. Whoever emerges victorious shall push the final Trial Gate, and none of us shall interfere," Yang Wushuang said, his body boiling with intense fighting spirit, surging and rolling.
The four Ancient Talents were each the most dazzling individual of their respective superpowers, of similar age. Among them existed a fighting spirit to compete and determine superiority; none would yield to another.
"Indeed. As Ancient Talents, all hailed as freaks with the potential to surpass the Divine Spirit, I've long wanted to battle you all to see who is truly stronger. This time is also a good opportunity."
Wu Yunyan also spoke. Though the only woman, she was forceful, inheriting the domineering and supreme nature of the Martial God Hall, fearing nothing.
"It's a pity we're still missing Yuan Jiu. It's said this person is even more mysterious than us. Previously, when the alien race Divine Spirit crossed realms, he contributed to resisting it because he foresaw it in advance. He is suspected to be the successor of that Great Seer from the ancient era."
Li Taixu's figure was indistinct, as if he had completely merged with the void, ethereal and untraceable.
After a period of time apart, his mastery of the Void Dao had deepened. It was because Ye Chen had once opened a new door for him, allowing him to gain deeper insights into this Dao, becoming even stronger.
However, his words shocked everyone even more. The Ancient Talent Yuan Jiu, sealed within Tian Du Academy, actually had such an astonishing background. This left everyone astounded.
The Great Seer of antiquity was the most mysterious inheritance, capable of accurately foreseeing some major events about to occur in the future.
The reason the Ancient Talents of various superpowers did not achieve the Dao in the ancient era but were sealed until this era was because the Great Seer of antiquity glimpsed a corner of the future, seeing a later age shrouded in mist—this very era—where the hope of surpassing the Divine Spirit appeared.
For Ancient Talents to surpass the Divine Spirit, they had to be sealed in their youth until this era, because youth offered the greatest plasticity. Once they achieved the Dao and became Divine Spirits, even if they obtained the opportunity, their Dao would already be formed, and success wasn't guaranteed.
The Great Seer had only one inheritance, passed down only to a destined individual throughout history. No one expected Yuan Jiu, the Ancient Talent of Tian Du Academy, to be that destined one.
Ye Chen also heard this. He was somewhat surprised that Yuan Jiu, the Ancient Talent of Tian Du Academy, was actually a successor of the Great Seer.
Inheritances of this kind were never simple, because prophecy involved the mysterious River of Time. Even attempting to glimpse a corner of the future along the direction of the River of Time was extremely difficult. That was the domain of the Heavenly Dao, not to be violated. One could easily suffer the most terrifying backlash, with death and Dao dissipation being the norm.
Of course, prophecies weren't necessarily accurate. The Heavenly Secrets could not be spied upon; the glimpsed corner of the future might not come true!
Long Gu'ao suddenly said, "Don't forget, there's also Ye Chen."
Suddenly, the four Ancient Talents fell silent, recalling the battle in the Trial World. Powerful as they were, Ancient Talents, they had all been banished by this person. He was truly a young great demon king in name and reality, someone anyone would genuinely be wary of.
"Hmph, what about Ye Chen? Did you all employ your ultimate combat power in that battle?" Long Gu'ao snorted coldly, his gaze sweeping over these Ancient Talents with intensity.
Yang Wushuang stood up, glanced at the eighth-level Trial Gate, and said, "Enough talk. Let's act. Let's see who is truly number one!"
"Agreed!"
As the four Ancient Talents' words fell, they simultaneously struck like lightning.