"Choose wisely," the Mirror Lake Holy Spirit instructed, its ancient voice resonating through the Sacred Pillar Space. "Select the Holy Pillar you wish to challenge, preferably one compatible with your cultivation path, such as the Water-Sky Holy Pillar."
The cyan-blue flame flickered, seeming to study Han Jue with ages-old wisdom before continuing.
"The Sacred Pillar Trial primarily tests your understanding of fusion laws and your combat ability. During each level, enemies formed from Holy Flames will materialize to face you. Their base strength matches yours precisely, but as you progress, their comprehension of the laws increases gradually. If you pass the third level, the Sacred Pillar will grant you a permanent Origin Fire. Should you reach the fifth level, you'll gain the power to comprehend and cultivate the Holy Flame itself."
The Mirror Lake Holy Spirit's tone shifted, taking on a warning edge.
"For your first attempt, you need only pass the first level to qualify for subsequent trials and gain the right to challenge different Sacred Pillars. However..." The flame pulsed ominously. "If you cannot even pass the first level, you will be expelled from the Sacred Pillar Space permanently, never to enter again."
Although Han Jue had defeated Dulan Lian, the Mirror Lake Holy Spirit understood that victory had relied heavily on the Star-Eating Grass and the temporary power boost from the Water-Sky Holy Flame. The ancient being couldn't accurately gauge the depth of Han Jue's law comprehension from that battle alone, hence the cautionary words.
Han Jue nodded respectfully. "I choose the Water-Sky Holy Pillar."
The decision aligned perfectly with his cultivation path, the fusion of Water and Space laws. To select anything else would be foolish.
The Sacred Pillar Trial has seven levels in total, Han Jue mused, reviewing what he'd learned from Yaoguang Tianyou's intelligence.
The first level tested law comprehension equivalent to an ordinary World Master.
The second level required understanding on par with a high-level World Master.
The third level demanded comprehension matching a peak World Master.
The fourth level corresponded to a World Master General's mastery.
Yaoguang Tianyou, despite his formidable strength, had failed to surpass these first three levels during his own attempts.
Han Jue suspected the fifth level would require law comprehension equivalent to an ordinary Immortal, with the sixth and seventh levels likely corresponding to Marquis and King-level understanding respectively. It was the only logical progression.
Yaoguang Tianyou shared this information primarily because I hold his grandson's life in my hands, Han Jue thought pragmatically. And because he's guessed my true identity. This was his way of establishing goodwill.
Given his current level of law comprehension, Han Jue felt cautiously optimistic about reaching the fifth level, though nothing was guaranteed until he actually faced the trials.
The Mirror Lake Holy Spirit directed Han Jue toward the base of the towering Water-Sky Holy Pillar. The massive jade structure stretched impossibly high, disappearing into the ethereal mists above.
"Ascend the steps," the ancient being instructed, gesturing toward the translucent stairs spiraling around the pillar. "Every 1.42 million kilometers, you'll reach a platform. Defeat the enemy waiting on each platform to advance. For your first attempt, you cannot fly or employ external forces to climb, you must walk every step. Once you've passed the first level, you may fly directly to the first platform on subsequent attempts."
Despite its impatient demeanor, the Mirror Lake Holy Spirit's explanations remained thorough and detailed.
Han Jue acknowledged the instructions with a respectful nod, then stepped onto the first translucent step without further hesitation.
Boom!
A tiny flame ignited beneath his foot, its heat immediately intercepted by the Unlimited technique's defensive barrier.
Han Jue's expression tightened.
So walking the stairs is part of the test itself.
The threat seemed manageable, however. The flame's power was well within his tolerance threshold.
Han Jue continued climbing steadily, step by step. With each ascending footfall, the flames beneath his feet gradually intensified. Yet even as their power increased, they remained comfortably within his ability to withstand. Even if he deactivated the Unlimited technique entirely, his physical body alone could endure the punishment.
But as he progressed higher, Han Jue noticed something peculiar.
These small flames bore certain similarities to the Holy Flame itself, and they could actually be absorbed into his body! Unlike the Holy Flame's external manifestation, however, these flames worked differently, they didn't coat his exterior but were directly absorbed, subtly transforming and strengthening his physical form!
Understanding dawned, and Han Jue's eyes lit with interest. He deliberately slowed his pace, pausing on the stairway to study these fascinating flames more carefully.
This is an unexpected benefit, he thought, his analytical mind already working to understand the mechanism. The Sacred Pillar Trial isn't just a test, it's also an opportunity for body refinement.
Within the Sacred Pillar Space
"It seems he's discovered the secret," the Qiming Holy Spirit observed with an approving smile.
"He hasn't even reached the first platform yet," the Mirror Lake Holy Spirit countered, shaking its ethereal head. "Those tiny flames offer minimal benefits. He'd be better served moving forward quickly rather than wasting time on such negligible gains."
"Don't forget, he's only at the Universe Level," the Qiming Holy Spirit replied, its tone noncommittal. "Those flames may be worthless to beings at our level, but for someone at his cultivation rank, they provide genuine value."
"Jinghu, Qiming, Linmu, do you have new challengers?" A deep, rumbling voice interrupted their discussion.
"Panshi!" The Linmu Holy Spirit turned toward the newcomer, exasperation evident in its tone. "The four of you spend your days cultivating in seclusion, paying no attention to events in the Land of Order. Did you know that a while ago, a new Lord of the Main City appeared in your Panshi Divine Kingdom? I had someone escort him here. Would you consider accepting a few more students?"
The Rock Holy Spirit materialized, a massive earthen-colored flame radiating solidity and permanence. It chuckled innocently. "Isn't cultivation what we should be focusing on? My previous students had such poor qualifications that they couldn't even attract the Virtual Universe Company's attention. But that student Floating Life accepted all those years ago has now reached the Immortal realm!"
"You mean Void Emperor?" the Mirror Lake Holy Spirit asked, surprise evident in its voice.
The assembled Holy Spirits naturally knew of Void Emperor's challenge to the Floating Life Holy Spirit. Though Void Emperor had ultimately failed the trial, his exceptional talent for puppetry had impressed Floating Life enough to accept him as a disciple. What happened after that initial acceptance had largely escaped their notice, each Holy Spirit remained focused on their own cultivation and concerns.
"Yes, didn't you know?" The Rock Holy Spirit seemed genuinely surprised. "Ah, that's right. Floating Life was absolutely furious at the time. After accepting Void Emperor as his disciple, he learned that rumors had been circulating throughout the Seven Flames Palace claiming he was the weakest Holy Spirit. He went out of his way to eliminate several city lords who spread those rumors, though he never did find the original culprit."
The Rock Holy Spirit's voice took on a thoughtful tone. "Later, Floating Life contacted Lord Flame Phoenix King and secured Void Emperor's admission to the Virtual Universe Company. That allowed him to leave the Seven Flames Palace and eventually achieve Immortality. His current strength barely qualifies him for Marquis rank, I believe? Weaker than us individually, but he's managed to remain by Lord Flame Phoenix King's side all these years, which places him in a far better position than we occupy."
The Rock Holy Spirit's tone shifted, becoming uncertain. "Isn't that correct?"
"Hiss..." The Qiming Holy Spirit made a sound of sudden realization, its flame flickering with what might have been embarrassment. "This can't be traced back to me, can it?"
A distant memory surfaced, had he casually mentioned something to a disciple back then? Something about comparative strengths among the Seven Holy Spirits?
"You spread those rumors?" The Rock Holy Spirit turned its full attention on the Qiming Holy Spirit. "Then you'd better be careful. Floating Life has apparently made significant progress in his cultivation recently. According to external rankings, his strength should now approach the high Marquis level."
"I believe this matter requires serious discussion," the Qiming Holy Spirit said sternly, its previous levity vanishing.
The Seven Holy Spirits were all Immortals who had passed the sixth level of the Sacred Pillar Trial, each possessing strength equivalent to an initial-stage Marquis. Among them, determining superiority was exceedingly difficult, they were essentially peers. But if the Floating Life Holy Spirit truly broke through to high Marquis level, he would become the strongest among the Seven by a significant margin.
"What a pity," the Linmu Holy Spirit sighed regretfully. "The disciples I accepted long ago lacked exceptional talent. Even those who managed to break through to the Immortal realm barely reached that threshold. The Virtual Universe Company would never value them."
"Floating Life was simply fortunate," the Mirror Lake Holy Spirit agreed, a hint of envy coloring its words.
Void Emperor had originated from the Mirror Lake Holy Spirit's Divine Kingdom, the Jinghu territory. The ancient being had possessed some understanding of the talented individual and had even summoned him once for evaluation. Ultimately, however, the Mirror Lake Holy Spirit had chosen not to accept Void Emperor as a disciple because his cultivation path, the Fire-Sky fusion, proved incompatible with its own specialization.
Who could have anticipated that Floating Life would accept him as a disciple and later secure his service to the Flame Phoenix King?
The opportunity had been right there, and the Mirror Lake Holy Spirit had let it slip through its grasp.
"Let's see how far this prince can progress," the Qiming Holy Spirit suggested, deliberately changing the subject.
The four Holy Spirits turned their attention toward the distant Water-Sky Holy Pillar, where Han Jue's small form continued its steady ascent.
The last time a prince from the Virtual Universe Company had attempted the Sacred Pillar Trial had been... well, it had been quite some time ago. These opportunities for observation were rare and valuable.
They watched with genuine interest, curious to see just how far this particular genius could climb.
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