Sunlight, sand. An old man in sunglasses was questioning his existence.
His mood could be described as ups and downs.
Clearly, the quality of this generation of human trialists was excellent;
Clearly, his legacy, Wu Tianzhu’s, could point directly to the source;
But why had it devolved to this point?
Elder Wu couldn't help but reminisce.
The first candidate was quite mysterious, and he couldn't see through much of him. He could only tell that this candidate possessed a vast array of skills, and not just broadly, but with both breadth and depth.
He, Wu Tianzhu, had also achieved the pinnacle by integrating countless martial arts, achieving profound understanding, and innovating.
This candidate shared similar traits with him – mastering skills, integrating skills – making him perfectly suited to inherit his legacy!
When Wu Tianzhu left his foundational legacy, he likely never imagined finding such a fitting successor.
Yet, this candidate refused, leaving decisively.
Elder Wu had no time to stop him.
Moreover, how could he, the dignified Wu Tianzhu, the pinnacle of humanity, grovel to force his legacy upon someone?
Impossible!
Elder Wu could only watch the first candidate leave with grumbles and await the arrival of the second. However, he had already lost all interest.
With a gem in front of him, how could he possibly favor other candidates?
Ah, but he did.
The second candidate didn't possess as many diverse skills. This young man only studied the sword, loved the sword, but he was like a drawn divine sword, capable of cleaving everything.
As soon as he entered this place, the young sword saint began to inquire about the path to the Ninth Realm.
His path, Wu Tianzhu's path, was to integrate countless martial arts and forge a path through them.
If the young sword saint accepted his legacy, he wouldn't need to learn other martial arts beyond the sword; he could focus on the sword and integrate countless sword skills.
This aligned with Wu Tianzhu’s legacy and also allowed the young sword saint to tread a path more suited to himself.
It wasn't necessary to follow his path precisely, step by step.
A legacy wasn't such an inflexible thing.
Although Wu Tianzhu favored the first candidate, the excellence of this sword saint's talent also far exceeded his expectations. Some of their insights during their discussion of the Ninth Realm path even made his eyes shine.
However, just as he was about to bestow the legacy, this second candidate left.
He left.
With a single, decisive farewell, he departed, leaving Elder Wu blinking in disbelief.
He grumbled.
He was unhappy.
He was disinterested.
Under these circumstances, the third candidate arrived.
As soon as this candidate stepped in, Elder Wu’s eyes suddenly lit up.
“Blade, sword, spear, fist… proficient in all martial arts, reaching the pinnacle in each!”
Wasn’t this just like him in his youth!
His affection for this candidate was no less than that for the first.
He had to keep him!
The two sparred on the beach, discussing the Dao against the tide.
Few people, no, no one at all, had ever kept pace with his thinking in martial arts discussions. This young man in black mastered far too many techniques.
But after a while,
“Integrating countless martial arts? This is not the path I desire.”
The black blade withdrew from the legacy space.
Leaving the elder to question his existence.
…
What was the path to the higher realm?
Was it a concept, a ritual, or a materialized road?
All were possible.
Fang You had only a vague idea about his own path, as he hadn't yet cultivated to the peak of demigod.
However, two of his apostles had already cultivated to the peak of demigod, reaching the end, at a stage where they needed to forge their own paths to advance further.
At the end of the "Realm" column on their status panels, a "!" symbol had also appeared.
Just like the eight awakenings before.
They could now attempt the Ninth Awakening.
But breaking through the Ninth Realm was no longer called awakening; it was called the path to the higher realm. This chasm-like obstacle could not be shattered by a simple "Guidance: Awakening."
[Path to Higher Realm (Liu Feng)] (In Progress...)
[Basic Guidance: Fate Points 1,000,000, Divine Crystals 100]
[Basic Conditions: Flawless Demigod Body, Perfected Demigod Dharma Idol, River of Divine Blood, Blazing Divine Soul...]
[Basic Ritual: Crimson-grade materials x3, Divine Crystals x100, a pile of other materials.]
All these conditions were mundane.
The truly demanding conditions were:
[Path of xx]
[1. Sword Forger: With heart's blood, forge three divine-demonic weapons, and at least one hundred divine swords.]
[2. Ultimate Sword Cultivator: Beginning with the sword, perfecting the sword, and ending with the sword. A pure sword cultivator needs only the sword; everything else only affects the speed of drawing it.]
[3. Myriad Swords Bowing: Pave the path of xx with billions of precious swords, cleaving open the gate to the higher realm.]
This was the path revealed to Liu Feng through 'Fate Guidance'.
However, even with fate guidance, this path was still displayed as 'xx'. Only when Liu Feng truly broke through would the path he walked become apparent.
This was the path most suited to him.
Compared to this, no matter how profound Wu Tianzhu's path was, it was merely someone else's path.
“However, it is only because fate provided guidance. Otherwise, it would be too difficult for a peak demigod to forge their own path.”
It was better than a blind cat stumbling upon a dead mouse, but not by much.
Of course, there was more than one path a peak demigod could forge. Just as Wu Tianzhu discussed with Liu Feng, integrating countless sword skills, achieving profound understanding, and climbing upwards on these steps… this path was likely traversable by Liu Feng.
However, without accepting Wu Tianzhu's legacy, it would take him a long time to figure it out himself.
And this path of integrating swords was not as suited as the 'Path of xx' guided by fate.
“Moreover, even with fate guidance, many parts of the revelations are vague and require the ascendant to ponder and comprehend themselves.”
Liu Feng was, after all, a super genius, so he wouldn't be unable to comprehend it.
The three prompts given by the 'Path of xx' were such that the first was the clearest but also the most financially draining.
The three divine-demonic weapons that the Sword Forger needed to forge were undoubtedly extreme-grade weapons of Crimson rarity. The hundred divine swords also needed to be legendary divine swords.
This was called a Sword Forger? It was a money burner!
Of course, Liu Feng was not a blacksmith and did not forge swords.
What he had to do was take over a hundred ordinary epic-grade sword embryos, along with various rare materials, and use his own heart's blood to cast and nurture them.
In terms of consumables, it was much cheaper than truly forging a hundred divine weapons or extreme-grade weapons.
What would be cast would be his own life-bound divine weapons.
The price was… his life force.
A massive amount of life force!
How could one attempt the path to the higher realm without a price? Moreover, the path he was forging was an ultimate sword path. If he succeeded, he would enter a new world; if he failed, he would perish.
Hei Dao, Xidina, Xing Jinglei, and others had also passed Wu Tianzhu's legacy test, but they also chose not to accept the legacy.
They all wanted to forge their own paths.
Instructor Fang naturally supported them.
Even if this path was a little bit expensive.
“What about my own path?”
…
Liu Feng, Hei Dao, and the others were not the only ones who obtained the qualification for the Heavenly Pillar's legacy.
Yiluoxi chose to enter the legacy space of Yan Tianzhu for a look, then pouted and walked out. The style of this boisterous strongman did not match her, Empress Yiluoxi!
While the legacies of the Eight Heavenly Pillars were precious, they desired more to forge their own paths.
Their instructor had given them revelations.
But even without fate's guidance, people like Liu Feng and Yiluoxi would stubbornly choose the latter. They were still young and possessed boundless sharpness.
How could someone without an unyielding heart reach the highest peak and glimpse unknown scenery?
The strands of consciousness left behind by Yan Tianzhu, Gang Tianzhu, Hua Tianzhu… and several other Heavenly Pillars were surprised to see their legacies rejected and shook their heads with a wry smile.
Wu Tianzhu was certainly not unaware of the temperament of super geniuses, but he was different from the other Heavenly Pillars.
His path not only pointed directly to the highest peak but also encompassed all kinds of martial arts. Inheritors could completely forge a new path of their own within his path.
“But Kandara has already failed. This path is a dead end no matter how you walk it.”
This made perfect sense.
Elder Wu fell silent, speechless.
The Trial Land was not a monopoly of the Heart Fire. After Hei Dao and the others refused the legacy, the qualification for legacy was extended downwards, and other trialists could enter the legacy hall to try in turn.
But the reincarnated ancient gods did not want to accept the legacy either; they were interested in the treasures left by Kandara.
They already possessed their own paths.
However, it had to be admitted that Kandara’s nine Heavenly Pillars were by no means weak. Even the most ordinary Heavenly Pillar was a top-tier expert among the Ninth Realm, stronger than they were at their peak in their previous lives.
It would be a lie to say they weren't envious.
But after much thought, they still leaned towards forging their own paths. Building upon the foundation of their past lives as ancient gods, and integrating it with the mysterious paths of this life, they were confident they could reach a higher peak than in their previous lives.
“But if it is the legendary Wu Tianzhu, the man known as the God of Martial Arts…”
To become the disciple of this man would not be shameful, but rather an honor.
Receiving this legacy might even give oneself a chance to impact the Tenth Realm and ascend to the highest position.
A reincarnated ancient god stared at the first legacy pillar, murmuring in his heart.
However, this legacy pillar did not open its doors to him, and he could only leave in disappointment.
Many reincarnated ancient gods held similar thoughts.
They gazed at the legacy pillar exuding mysterious halos, confirming their previous speculation, “As expected, those ranked above us are other reincarnated ancient gods, not humans.”
“Otherwise, they wouldn't have left without taking even a single legacy.”
“However, obtaining Wu Tianzhu’s legacy seems extremely difficult… it can only be said that he is worthy of being called the God of Martial Arts!”
…
Time passed, and trialists came and went.
“It wasn't easy, but the Heavenly Pillar’s legacy has finally been passed on.”
Trial Officer Wei wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.
Fang You was also observing from within the central control of the Trial Secret Realm. The trialists entered the legacy hall individually, but for Fang, he could see clearly who obtained the Heavenly Pillar’s legacy.
“This is arguably the best outcome.”
“A significant increase in human strength will also aid in resisting the calamity of the evil gods.”
His top experts did not wish to tread another's path and did not need this legacy so much. However, for those old demigods who had stagnated in the demigod realm for hundreds or thousands of years, this legacy was more valuable than any treasure.
Soon, one legacy pillar after another dimmed.
Only…
Wu Tianzhu’s legacy light pillar remained.
The trialists he favored were unwilling to tread his path.
And the trialists who wanted to be his successor, he no longer seemed to favor.
On the beach, Elder Wu lay gazing at the sky, sighing with emotion.
…
The legacies of the eight Heavenly Pillars were merely a part of the substantial rewards within the central trial land.
Far from being the entirety.
The Kandara Empire had also left behind many treasures and top technologies, and two god-slaying weapons awaited him to unbox.
A portion of these rewards were treasures suitable for individual use.
Including ultimate-grade weapons of Crimson rarity, legendary ability legacies, and legendary secret treasures that could directly increase strength, etc.
Liu Feng and Zhou Bao, who could briefly rival those in the higher realm at the peak of demigod, saw their combat power significantly increase after obtaining these treasures.
Other Heart Fire workers who received top rankings saw even greater improvements.
More treasures required usage and coordination at the faction level.
Fang You summoned Hei Dao, An Jianyoo, and others, packed up the spoils here, and had Xiao Huan tabulate them.
His gaze fell upon a few of the major treasures.
[Withered Seed of the Life Tree (Red)]
[This seed has withered and died, unable to truly sprout, but it still contains much of the original power of an adult ancient life tree.]
There were as many as three such withered seeds of the life tree!
They were collected during the early stages of Kandara’s god-slaying plan, by scavenging world resources.
Kandara was not adept in this area, so these seeds were preserved until now.
“The power within the seed is very difficult to extract, and it contains extremely strong pollution. Its value is on the lower end among these divine-demonic treasures…”
Trial Officer Yuan asked.
Are you sure you want to take these three seeds?
The Trial Land contained an abundance of treasures. Even though Heart Fire had secured half of the top 100 spots and the vast majority of the top 30 and top 20 spots, he could not take all the treasures here.
At most, he could take a large portion.
This required making choices.
But for his own Heart Fire, these three seeds of the life tree were far more valuable than ordinary divine-demonic weapons.
Of course, compared to special Crimson-grade treasures like the Dimensional Palace, their value was slightly lower.
He also picked up two major treasures similar to the Dimensional Palace, to serve as public transportation for the organization.
[Visual Garden (Red)]
[Description: A palace-type treasure with the ability to leap along dreams and thoughts, able to hide within dreams.]
[Great Kun Tower Ship (Red)]
[Description: A palace-type treasure, capable of expanding and shrinking, as large as a world.]
These were the only two palace-type treasures in the entire Trial Land treasury.
Instructor Fang naturally picked them up first.
In addition, he also picked up 5 World Marvel Stones and 120 Man-made Secret Realm Stones.
Although man-made, their function was not different from true secret realm stones.
Kandara possessed man-made secret realm stones and the technology for them! Such technology was a top secret during the Kandara period, but here, it could be easily exchanged for.
Oh, right, and a total of 13 Divine Origins.
Not a large quantity.
Kandara had killed far more high-level aberrant beings and high-level evil god servants than this number. However, Kandara also used up most of them for research and manufacturing god-slaying weapons.
These dozen or so were preserved as collectibles.
To be precise, there were 14 in total.
However, not long ago, he had used the Battle Tower as a trial ground, bearing the combat of hundreds of mythical beings, demigods, and even high-level powerhouses. During this process, a full Divine Origin's energy was consumed.
Fang You inventoried them, walking forward step by step, and stopped before two enormous boxes.
God-slaying weapons.
They were the pinnacle of Kandara’s rune artistry! Without exception.
Of course, the creation of any god-slaying weapon was based on countless legendary materials and treasures; mere technology was not enough.
He looked at Trial Officer ‘Yuan’.
“Our empire forged a total of 18 god-slaying weapons. These weapons each have their own duties and functions.”
“The god-slaying weapon of Sequence 02, ‘Silent City’, possesses the power to suppress everything, and it can even affect evil gods. Not to mention high-level Ninth Realm beings, even ancient gods of the Tenth Realm would lose most of their power and status, even becoming ordinary mortals within it.”
“The god-slaying weapon of Sequence 03, ‘Clock of Reincarnation’, possesses the power to manipulate time. It can cause time in an area to repeat infinitely, forming an unsolvable time loop.”
Hearing this made Fang You’s heart surge.
As expected of weapons qualified to slay evil gods.
“So, the god-slaying weapons preserved in the Trial Land are these two?”
“Cough…”
Trial Officer Yuan awkwardly turned his head away. “Of course not. Even among god-slaying weapons, these two are the most top-tier. We have also searched for the whereabouts of these two weapons, but there has been no result.”
“Of course, these two weapons also possess infinite power.”
The god-slaying weapon on the left, at first glance, appeared to be an ordinary sphere, somewhat like a globe.
“This weapon is called ‘Sky Dome World Fortress’, Sequence 14. Its type is similar to common sky fortresses and sky citadels. However, the foundation of this weapon is a high-level world. The empire modified an entire world and turned it into a war weapon.”
“It possesses the longest range, the greatest energy output, and infinite energy.”
“This god-slaying weapon is damaged, but it still possesses terrifying destructive power.”
Fang You nodded.
There was a distinct notch on this globe, like a bitten apple.
The Shallow Red and the Master’s Hand were severely damaged, but the damage to the Sky Dome World Fortress was much less than he had anticipated. Perhaps the trial officer had made repairs.
“The god-slaying weapon on the right is named ‘Spear of Fate and Karma’, Sequence 08. It possesses the strongest offensive capability and the rule of absolute accuracy. However, this god-slaying weapon is extremely difficult to activate and requires paying a considerable price in fate. Otherwise, its sequence number would not be merely 08.”
“This weapon is lightly damaged, but one must be extremely cautious when using it. If one forcibly uses it without the ability to pay enough fate, it will lead to disaster.”
The plain-looking spear, with a touch of rust, floated quietly in mid-air.
Fang You gazed at it.
The power of fate surged like a tide.