The joys and sorrows of people are not shared. If the Trial Official had seen one genius after another charging towards the seventh or eighth stage with a smile in her eyes, she would have long ago changed her evaluation criteria.
This era, it's not that disappointing either.
Although she verbally called them mere 'average geniuses', average geniuses were not that mediocre. Moreover, the emerging geniuses only referred to this generation, geniuses within these one or two decades.
From this point, it could be seen that the humans of this era were not weak... Although, there were only four demigods who had come to this trial ground, which was a bit few. This was also why she had previously felt this era was lacking.
As the two conclusions intertwined, the Trial Official, Ruo, felt somewhat bewildered.
She could also see that these trial-takers were not from a single country, but from many. Among them, the two countries that had cultivated the most geniuses were 'Ranhuo' and 'Xinhuo'. They were likely representatives of the top countries in this era. However, Ruo, with her complete control over the secret realm, knew very well that neither the Ranhuo nor the Xinhuo teams had any demigods accompanying them.
This, she understood even less.
The two judgments kept clashing, her mind and consciousness felt as if they were about to crash. A faint wisp of white smoke rose from the top of her head. Realizing something was wrong, Ruo quickly stopped her diverging thoughts.
As a Trial Official, her primary duty was to supervise and maintain the operation of the trial grounds and distribute rewards to the geniuses.
However...
Ruo glanced at the treasure inventory, then at some of the young people from the Xinhuo and Ranhuo teams who had yet to compete. She actually felt a worry that she wouldn't have had a few days ago:
Would the treasures in her trial grounds be... completely emptied?
The trials below the mythical level continued. Some geniuses with excellent performance in the trials were granted the right to 'infinite challenges'. They were using the trials, where death was not a concern, to hone themselves and strive to break their limits and reach higher stages.
They had to fight hard!
Who knew where so many other people's geniuses had suddenly appeared from. If they didn't achieve good results in this trial, they would likely be locked up at home and forced to train relentlessly upon their return.
But the mythical beings did not want to watch any longer.
The four overlord mythical beings considered themselves magnanimous and sophisticated. They would not be angered by a small setback. However, their hearing was too acute, and the whispers drifting from all directions were somewhat grating.
"The Seven Stars Alliance and the other four overlords were completely defeated?"
"Ranhuo Chamber of Commerce... I even exchanged business cards with their mythical beings before. Do they have some unique methods for cultivating geniuses? After this trial is over, I must find their mythical beings to learn from them."
"If you ask me, the mysterious force that appeared with the White Shark-class airship is even stronger. I just tallied it up; the mysterious force had dozens of geniuses in action, far surpassing the Ranhuo Chamber of Commerce, and their records were all between the 5th and 7th stages. The average... it's as if they aren't geniuses, but merely elites who can be mass-produced."
"How is that possible! The birth of such geniuses requires resources, talent, and effort, all of which are indispensable." Especially resources, which are the primary condition.
After all, families that can afford to invest significant resources in cultivating their descendants must have powerful parents. Offspring born from the union of strong individuals often have exceptional talent. Even if one or two are not so good, if they have ten children, not all of them can be mediocre, right?
Large families often pour their resources into the most talented juniors of each generation. In this way, they have no shortage of resources, possess excellent talent, and also put in the effort, allowing them to possess combat power far exceeding their peers.
Zhan Xing Jian Ai Chen is the descendant of a mythical being. Not only him, but the vast majority of geniuses who can reach the seventh stage are from mythical families, or more directly, they are disciples of a mythical being who has no offspring.
However, this trial requires participants to be under 30 years old, which they find too uncertain. Perhaps the direct descendants of the four overlords either exceeded the age limit or were too young, which led to the four overlords being completely defeated by two unknown 'minor forces'.
"But the stages of the trial grounds are indeed perverted. Some super oases can't even find a single genius who can pass the third stage... Isn't this because the mysterious force is too strong?"
Someone weakly remarked.
They were quickly refuted by those around them, "You, who come from a large oasis, have seen so little of the world. How can you understand the greatness of super oases or even the Four Overlords!"
Then they chattered on with various allusions and historical honors.
Many direct mythical descendants of the Four Overlords listened and felt ashamed. "It would be better if you just insulted us! It's true that our juniors are not living up to expectations and have disgraced the legacy of our ancestors."
They were not afraid to admit it, but they certainly wouldn't explain. It was meaningless.
Since their juniors had lost face, they, the elders, would earn it back! There was a saying that the age limit of 30 years below was too uncertain, but the mythical trials had no age limit.
The glory of Seven Stars/Guyue/Honglian shall be defended by us! The mythical trial grounds were located deeper within the high-altitude platform.
Trial Official Ruo also wished to witness whether the level of mythical beings in this era was also as lacking as that of mortals.
She left behind a clone to oversee the outer trials and then walked towards the depths. The mythical beings of the Four Overlord factions exchanged glances and were the first to follow.
The deeper part of the high-altitude platform was also empty, except for a magnificent sculpture in the center—a majestic figure whose face was unclear, clad in pure white armor, and wielding a broadsword.
The Radiant Emperor!
The Emperor who led the Kandela Empire to its peak but also caused its downfall and destruction.
Undoubtedly, the Radiant Emperor was a great high-level existence, but some said that this Emperor was too arrogant, attempting to confront an unspeakable evil god, which led to the destruction of the Radiant Empire.
These were all speculations.
After all, information about this Emperor was scarce. Some mythical beings even muttered that perhaps the Radiant Emperor was an empress. Just like this sculpture, at first glance, it seemed to be male, but the sculpture's face was blurred. If a female face were superimposed, it would also... not seem out of place?
Trial Official Ruo could not read minds and was unaware that some mythical beings were slandering the great Emperor she admired.
She cleared her throat and introduced, "The mythical trial has only one mode: one-on-one combat. The opponent is the crystallization of our Kandela Empire's skills—the mythical-level combat puppet, 'Radiant Blade'! And there are a total of 7 stages for the mythical-level trial. You will face Radiant Blades with progressively increasing combat power and different specific models."
"Any mythical being is eligible to participate in the mythical trial, with no age limit. However, the rewards for the trial are tied to age."
As she spoke, she waved her hand, and images of treasures appeared before her. "Passing the first stage will grant a participation prize of 3 Divine Crystals."
"Passing the second stage will grant a small mythical gift pack, the inheritance of an Epic ability, and 10 Divine Crystals."
"Passing the third stage will grant a large mythical gift pack, a Legendary anomalous artifact, and all the information for an Advanced technique, including rituals, anomalous artifacts, items, potions, and more."
The mythical beings' eyes immediately lit up.
The much-coveted technologies of the Kandela Empire were beckoning them! Moreover, the inheritance of Legendary anomalous artifacts and abilities was incredibly precious. Any one of them was worth the mythical beings fighting for.
Especially the Epic abilities; they were extremely envious! The Four Overlord factions did not have inheritance grounds of this level; they couldn't build them!
Even the lowest participation prize, '3 Divine Crystals', was an enormous fortune. Some mythical beings' entire wealth might not be enough for one Divine Crystal, let alone three!
And this was just the reward for the first stage, which seemed easy enough to obtain, right? However, Trial Official Ruo's tone changed.
"I said, the rewards for the trial are tied to age groups. Young mythical beings under 60 years old will receive the above rewards. Youthful mythical beings over 60 and under 120 years old will have their rewards reduced by one tier. That is, they will only receive the participation prize after passing the second stage and a small mythical gift pack after passing the third stage."
"Middle-aged mythical beings under 300 years old will have their rewards reduced by another tier; elderly mythical beings over 300 years old will have them reduced by another tier accordingly... Of course, it is advised that elderly mythical beings do not participate in the trial grounds, as this is a stage for young mythical beings."
The mythical beings had heard enough sarcasm from the Trial Official and were immune to it. She was not human, so there was no need to argue with her.
They could only sigh at the pity. Indeed, although the trial grounds were generous, they were not fools. There was no easy money to be made.
"Furthermore, if young mythical beings under 60 years old can pass the third stage, they will gain entry qualification to the Kandela Empire's 'Strongest Trial'. Those over 60 will advance according to the aforementioned standard."
Seeing the mythical beings of the post-mystical era looking at her with wide, confused eyes, Trial Official Ruo continued:
"I don't know much about the Strongest Trial, only that our Kandela Empire's nine Pillar of Heavens have left their inheritances there. Any genius who passes the basic trial is eligible to go there. If any of you can go, you will gain immense benefits."
This was stating the obvious!
The mythical beings of the Four Overlords already knew that below the Radiant Emperor of the Kandela Empire were nine great Pillar of Heavens who guarded the nation. The inheritance left by such figures was difficult to even imagine.
Other mythical beings could also guess something from the Trial Official's words. It would be a great opportunity!
Of course, most mythical beings had a realistic self-assessment. They definitely did not meet the Kandela Empire's standard of 'top geniuses'. They only wanted to extract some benefits from the trial grounds to take back, and that would be enough.
A mythical being stepped forward. "I'll do it!"
Yiluoxi's eyes widened. "Damn it, someone beat me to it!"
She had just been fantasizing about dominating the 'Strongest Trial', astonishing the Kandela Trial Official, and achieving even greater results than Youyou... She had been so engrossed in her thoughts that she had lost her chance.
This whoever-it-is, I'll remember you!
The mythical being walking towards the high platform suddenly shivered. Was he too nervous? No, he wasn't a child anymore.
As he shivered, the Trial Official urged him on again. The mythical being dared not delay and hurried forward.
After passing the age test, he was in the second tier, a 'youthful mythical being' over 60 but under 120 years old. Of course, in his opinion, he was a mythical being who was as young as possible.
He was now clad in an Epic-grade anomalous artifact and held a broadsword, his face solemn as he stared at a slowly rising figure in the distance.
This puppet was humanoid, painted with white and yellow coating, and stood over ten meters tall. Compared to humans, it was a complete giant, though much smaller than a bizarre entity.
Facing the Kandela Empire's mythical puppet, the youth did not dare to be careless. He immediately unleashed his ability without reservation. Golden radiance bloomed from his broadsword, like sunlight showering the earth, accentuating his heroic posture.
Sunlight Paladin! This was his esteemed title, as brilliant as the sun.
He was a formal mythical being who, although young, had honed his skills in the mythical realm for over a decade! "In the scorching sun, turn to ashes!" *Boom*—The golden figure that strode forward and the over ten-meter-tall white and yellow puppet collided head-on.
This was a clash of fists and swords. The moment they collided, a fierce wind erupted, engulfing both figures. The next instant, *Boom*—!!!
The white light screen seemed to tremble, but it was an illusion. However, the youth, who appeared like a flattened fly on the white light screen, was real.
Defeated in one blow?
Oh no, not yet. The youth was still struggling. Then, the Radiant Blade puppet, which charged forward again, delivered another charged punch, completely eliminating him from the trial.
It was over. The mythical beings were silent.
Although they had expected it, the Kandela Empire's trials would not be easy, but the first stage alone was more difficult than dealing with a Seven-Star Bizarre Entity. This was hellish difficulty!
They were really fools! Really! Trial Official Ruo was also somewhat bewildered.
Just now, during the mortal stage trials, the geniuses of this era had performed quite well. Why were the mythical beings so lackluster?
Their combat methods were also one-dimensional bursts of ability, lacking the integration of dual or triple abilities, or the coordinated use of abilities.
She shook her head, a look of disappointment on her face.
The other mythical beings were still reeling from their shock. At this moment, Yiluoxi, who had 'long prepared', soared forward and seized the second trial spot... even though no one wanted to compete with her.
From today onwards, the name Empress Yiluoxi will truly spread, making her renowned throughout the various domains of the bizarre realm!
"Hurry up, this Empress needs to go. I can represent the standard of our era. The previous weaklings don't count."
All the mythical beings: "..." They seemed to have been broadly generalized, and there was evidence!
After all, she was a little girl, younger than their great-great-great-great-granddaughter. The older mythical beings didn't mind much. Young people, after all, were prone to arrogant pronouncements. Geniuses should have the arrogance of geniuses.
However, little girl, how can you represent the standard of this era by yourself? Don't think that mythical beings under thirty are as common as cabbage!
Sorry, we might be dragging this era down. As they pondered, all eyes fell on Yiluoxi. She had only reached the mythical realm for a few years at most. Could she pass the first stage?
"Perhaps she can. It seems that Miss Yiluoxi's combat power is not weak." "Young and with high combat power, this is already quite remarkable."
Listening to the discussions around him, the Island Master of Shadow Isles crossed his arms and let out a cold snort of disdain.
You guys still lack vision. With Miss Yiluoxi's combat power, passing the first stage is a certainty. Perhaps she can even pass the second stage!
Of course, the truly formidable one in the Ranhuo Chamber of Commerce is His Excellency Qianqiu. It seems His Excellency Qianqiu is also very young, perhaps under 60?
With the proud demeanor of "only I see through everything," the Island Master of Shadow Isles smiled.
On the age detection platform, Yiluoxi, as expected, was detected in the first tier, and bright golden light emanated from the edge of the platform.
Trial Official Ruo looked at the young girl with wine-red long hair before her and asked with a gentle expression, "Do you need to adjust your state... Oh, by the way, the puppet in the first stage, besides the charged punch, also has a chest energy cannon. Be careful."
The youth 'Sunlight Paladin', who was lying far away, severely traumatized mentally, widened his eyes and clutched his chest again, as if he had been pierced by a sword.
How could the treatment difference between people be so great.
But Trial Official Ruo felt it was fine. Geniuses should have the treatment of geniuses. Revealing some information about the puppet was not a violation, as this information would eventually be observed as the trial progressed.
She even hoped Yiluoxi wouldn't rush and would observe a few more matches before trying. These supporting mythical beings were truly inconsiderate, not making way for the genius!
Especially you two mythical beings from the Ranhuo Chamber of Commerce, how could you bear to let your juniors attempt the trial so early?! You've lowered yourselves a generation for no reason! Yiluoxi was completely unaware. She was just rubbing her fists.
"Let's begin. I... this Empress can't wait any longer." Teleportation! Mythical Trial Stage One, Countdown: 10, 9, 8...
In the sky above the arena, golden light intertwined to form constantly changing numbers.
Opposite her, a puppet stood, encased in a cylindrical white light screen. Yiluoxi also had one in front of her.
When the countdown reached zero, Yiluoxi rose into the air and slowly spread her arms.
Behind her, as if pebbles had been dropped onto a calm lake, ripples continuously appeared in space. Within these ripples, flashes of fire quietly bloomed.
"Praise! The moment of the inferno's descent!"
Fire! Endless heavenly fire poured down, filling the sky and the earth.
The approaching giant figure was engulfed by crimson flames. The raging inferno then spun and transformed into a terrifying tornado, surging towards the heavens.
After a while, when the flames dispersed, only a charred puppet lay on the ground.
Sunlight Paladin, lying on the ground, stared with wide eyes, his chest feeling as if it had been stabbed again. The other mythical beings fell silent, unable to recover for a long time.
Only a few, like the Island Master of Shadow Isles, who were more familiar with the Ranhuo Chamber of Commerce and had business dealings with them, felt it was normal... somewhat normal?
Trial Official Ruo's eyes widened.
Yiluoxi was undoubtedly a top-tier genius. Even if she failed the first stage, she might be disappointed, but not completely.
But what did she see?
The mythical puppet, slightly stronger than a Seven-Star Bizarre Entity, was... instantly killed?! "You're surprised already? Hmph! The show has just begun." "Hurry up and start the second round. This Empress doesn't need any rest time."
The puppet for the second round was still a Radiant Blade, but its appearance had changed slightly. Its weapon had transformed from fists to a pair of sharp, bright yellow light blades, making one's hair stand on end just looking at them.
When the countdown reached zero, the puppet shot out.
Yiluoxi's move was still the same. She raised her right hand and slowly pressed it forward, like an Empress commanding a vast army.
The flames dancing in the ripples were her unquenchable soldiers! Endless flames enveloped, *boom*!
A terrifying energy tide swept through, crashing into the white light screen with a rumbling sound.
This time, the heavenly fire coverage lasted a little longer, but the result was the same.
The charred mythical puppet fell, and flames surrounded the maiden's figure. She was the sole empress! The entire mythical audience fell silent...
"This is nothing yet. Hurry up and start the third round. An invincible Empress never needs rest time."
No, my dear, you don't need it, but we do! Give our hearts a moment to recover! Yiluoxi's fighting spirit ignited, her whole body felt invigorated and wonderful!
This was... the world's attention she craved! Wahahaha!
When the puppet for the third stage, still similar in appearance, appeared, Yiluoxi restrained her smile. She was serious now! She had seen too many examples of failing to show off due to carelessness. She would not be careless!
She still started with heavenly fire.
Endless flames descended, as if she never had to worry about energy consumption. But this time, the puppet's figure burst out from the raging heavenly fire. Apart from some burn marks on its surface, there was no other damage.
It seemed she couldn't break through its defenses.
Indeed, such large-scale attacks, while terrifying, were inferior in terms of piercing power.
The charging puppet tore through invisible force fields like tearing cloth. But Yiluoxi was not alarmed.
"How could this Empress not have foreseen such a situation? So, tremble!"
Infinite Meditation elevated her mental power to the point of making space vibrate.
Combining Infinite Gate and Furnace Quenching, she instantly expanded hundreds of 'Invincible Blazing Roar' pellets that she had previously refined. She controlled them, firing hundreds of extremely concentrated crimson light spheres, each capable of destroying a city, all at once.
All in! The heavens and earth roared!
It was as if tens of hundreds of suns had risen at the same moment, spreading infinite light and heat. Even the spectators standing outside the light screen felt their eyes blinded and their skin stinging.
Whether they had seen Yiluoxi fight before or not, at this moment, they all had one thought:
Holy shit!