A wind stirred.
The ten final examinees each found their own space, sitting cross-legged to perform Breath Regulation as they waited for the third round of the examination that would determine their final rankings.
One of them sat in a corner. Though his eyes were closed, his eyelids twitched from time to time. He would secretly crack open his eyes to glance around, his expression clearly fraught with panic and unease.
He was the lucky one who, just moments ago on Spirit Realm Peak, had been fought over by Chu Bai and Ji Li as if he were their final prey.
Though the process had been humiliating—a narrow escape from death, even—the result was undeniable: he had survived to the end and coasted into the top ten.
Of course, to have made it this far, the examinee was no slouch.
But having just witnessed the terrifying methods of those two Gods of Slaughter firsthand, the oppressive feeling that seeped into his very soul left him with lingering fear, even now that he was safe.
’I’ve been avoiding combat, so my condition is actually better than everyone else’s, but...’
He stole a glance at Chu Bai and Ji Li not far away, his heart sinking.
’If I get unlucky in the draw later and face either of them... I’m afraid I won’t stand a chance!’
’Oh well. If it really comes to that, I’ll just surrender. There’s no shame in it.’
He took a deep breath, trying to convince himself.
The sight of the two of them in their killing frenzy was still seared into his mind. Even though Judge Li was presiding over the duels, so death wasn’t a possibility, he truly didn’t want to once again experience the terror of being crushed as easily as an ant.
He turned his gaze toward Chu Bai.
He saw that the absurdly young newcomer had already finished his Breath Regulation and was now gleefully testing the power of the Gold Acceptance Seal in his hand.
HUM!
As golden light flowed, the Dharma Seal underwent a thousand transformations.
One moment, it was a sharp long halberd, its point gleaming coldly. The next, a three-foot cyan blade, crisscrossing with Sword Qi. In the blink of an eye, it shifted again, becoming a heavy shield or a suit of brilliant, full-body armor.
The Metal Element masters transformation, ever-changing, displaying the full might of a Divine Weapon.
’Such control... Did he really get that Dharma Artifact less than half a day ago?’ the examinee wondered, inwardly astonished.
Then, he turned his gaze to the other side.
Ji Li remained seated cross-legged, his eyes tightly shut. His tattered, blood-stained white robes fluttered gently in the wind.
’Strange...’
The examinee frowned slightly as a strange feeling suddenly welled up inside him.
’Logically speaking, with Ji Li’s deep reserves and recovery speed, his Spiritual Power should have been fully restored by now.’
’Why is he still sitting there so rigidly? Even the aura around him has become a little... strange.’
’It didn’t feel like simple Breath Regulation for recovery. It was more like he was... accumulating something.’
Just as he was puzzling over this, a heart-pounding wave of Spiritual Power erupted from Ji Li’s body without warning!
A whirlwind of Spiritual Power suddenly whipped up over the previously calm square.
In an instant, a realization struck the examinee, and his eyes flew wide open.
’He’s not performing Breath Regulation right now, he’s...’
’He’s breaking through!’
The Great Zhou Immortal Law decreed that anyone who obtained a Gray Talisman would receive a formal Daoist Record and could participate in the Celestial Examination.
However, to ensure stable foundations and to properly screen for talent, their Cultivation was suppressed by the Law Net to the Early-stage of Qi Cultivation, with the absolute peak being Third-Layer Perfection of Qi Cultivation.
It was like an invisible shackle, capping the potential of all who had not yet obtained Official Status.
But now, with the White Talisman integrated into his body, that shackle—had shattered!
Who knew how long Ji Li had spent polishing his skills at the Qi Cultivation Third Layer; his foundation was so profound it had long been on the verge of overflowing.
All he had lacked for a breakthrough was the permission to take that final step.
And now, that permission was granted!
Although there was only an hour until the next round began, he possessed the audacity and confidence to attempt a breakthrough on the eve of battle!
In an instant, Ji Li’s aura began to climb steadily, like a hidden dragon emerging from the abyss.
The ubiquitous Spiritual Qi of the Law Net above the square seemed to answer a summons, converging on Ji Li like a great whale inhaling the sea.
After receiving the White Talisman, his affinity for nature’s spiritual energy had clearly risen to another level.
"Hm?"
High in the air, Dean Su, who had been monitoring the situation below, suddenly froze, a look of astonishment on his face.
"He’s choosing to break through now? The third round is about to start."
Dean Su frowned, glancing at Lu He and Judge Li beside him. His voice was hesitant. "This... won’t it affect the fairness of the rankings?"
In his opinion, Ji Li’s move was far too radical.
All the examinees present were at the Qi Cultivation Third Layer, competing on a level playing field.
If he broke through to the Qi Cultivation Fourth Layer, crossing that great divide between the Early and Middle stages, what suspense would be left in the duels? Wouldn’t that be a Dimensional Strike?
But as the Dean, he couldn’t possibly intervene at a time like this.
Obstructing one’s path to enlightenment is a grievance as deep as murdering their parents.
Ji Li was undergoing a natural breakthrough, with all conditions perfectly aligned. If he were forcefully interrupted, he would suffer severe injuries at best, and at worst, his entire cultivation path would be ruined.
"It’s fine."
Just as Dean Su was agonizing over the decision, Judge Li gave a calm smile and waved his hand.
"Now that he has the White Talisman, he holds Official Status and is no longer bound by the restrictions of the Gray Talisman. That he can break through is a testament to his own ability; his actions are naturally within the rules."
Judge Li watched the figure below, whose aura was growing magnificent, his eyes filled with admiration.
"Besides, to dare a breakthrough at a time like this—without absolute confidence and a profound foundation, the slightest misstep would lead to cultivation deviation, and all his previous efforts would be for naught."
"This young man not only possesses outstanding talent, but his courage and decisiveness are even rarer finds."

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