Chapter 439 - 234: Divine Soul Trial! Jiang Che Ignites the Crowd! The Final Trial Begins

"Go! Chief Brother!"

"Jiang Che! Go!"

Everyone from Cangzhou Prefecture was screaming themselves hoarse.

All except for one person.

Qin Xuange.

He stood amidst the crowd, his face so dark it could drip ink as he watched the scene of mass celebration, his gaze fixed on the figure bathed in countless halos of light.

His heart was bleeding, seething with jealousy, twisting in resentment.

’That spot... That should have been mine!’

’I’m Cangzhou’s number one prodigy! I’m the General’s son! This cheering, this glory—it should all be mine!’

He gritted his teeth, a venomous look flashing through his eyes before vanishing.

...

Atop the Celestial Ladder.

Jiang Che’s breathing grew heavy, but he kept pushing forward.

Fifty-three!

Fifty-four!

When his foot landed on the fifty-fifth step, the Tearing sensation from the depths of his Divine Soul reached the absolute limit of what he could endure in his normal state.

’Haaah...’

Jiang Che halted, feeling the pressure wash over him like a tide.

’Without the Black Armor Transformation, this... is my limit.’

He assessed his situation inwardly.

Although reaching only the fifty-fifth step didn’t seem as world-shattering as Nalan Ruoshui’s achievement,

he was well aware that his own Realm was merely the Second Layer Peak of True Master Realm!

To withstand the Divine Soul pressure of the Peak of the Fourth Layer of the True Master Realm at his level was, in itself, a miracle worthy of the history books!

’Going too far is as bad as not going far enough. It’s best to hide some of your strength.’

’This result is more than enough!’

Jiang Che looked up at the ranking Jade Disc in the distance.

[Jiang Che]

[Current Divine Soul Ranking: Nine]

Top ten!

Breaking into the top ten among thousands of the nation’s top prodigies!

Jiang Che was quite satisfied with this result.

Without any hesitation, he turned and walked back down, step by step, amidst the roaring applause and cheers that filled the air.

CLAP CLAP CLAP—

The thunderous applause was relentless and long-lasting.

This time, it wasn’t just the people from Cangzhou Prefecture. Even the prodigies from the Great States who had previously looked down on him were now clapping, their eyes filled with complex emotions.

It was a show of respect for the strong and a tribute to a miracle.

Back in the Cangzhou Prefecture waiting area.

"Well done! Jiang Che!"

"Chief Brother is invincible!"

A crowd swarmed him, surrounding Jiang Che completely, their faces beaming with ecstatic pride as if they shared in his glory.

Xiao Qingge went right in for a bear hug, laughing heartily. "I knew you had it in you, kid! You’ve really made us proud!"

Even the perpetually arrogant Qin Wuya walked over, looking at Jiang Che with a complicated expression, and finally said in a low voice, "Not bad."

As for his master, Xu Qingshan, tears were already streaming down his old face, his body trembling with excitement.

"Ninth... Ninth place overall..."

"Ancestors above, I, Xu Qingshan... have taken on a fine disciple!"

On the high platform.

Daoist Wu Wei cheerfully pocketed the Sword Intent Talisman that Su Wuming had tossed over, his mood excellent.

"It seems my judgment is as sharp as ever," he said with a smile, stroking his beard. His gaze fell upon Jiang Che below, and the more he looked, the more pleased he was.

"Hmph!"

Su Wuming’s face was dark as he snorted coldly. "His Divine Soul is merely a bit tenacious, that’s all. It’s not a measure of true skill! In the end, a Cultivator’s fists do the talking!"

"Tomorrow’s third trial, the combat assessment, is when we’ll see his true abilities! I refuse to believe that kid has any more tricks up his sleeve!"

"If he can’t fight, no matter how strong his Divine Soul is, he’s just a living target!"

Seeing the tense atmosphere, Master Xuan Kong quickly put his palms together and tried to mediate. "Amitabha Buddha, please, calm yourselves. We will find out tomorrow if this child has true ability. However, I observe that his fortune runs deep. Perhaps... he may yet surprise us again."

After speaking, a new sliver of interest in Jiang Che quietly appeared in his half-closed eyes.

After a few more minor states were tested, the second trial came to a close.

The atmosphere of the Celestial Strategy Guard selection was pushed to a climax.

Everyone knew.

Tomorrow’s third trial: combat in the Asura Illusion Realm.

It would be a true...

Battle between dragons and tigers!

...

「On the third day.」

Xuanwu Plaza.

After the competitions of the previous two days, today was the final battle to decide who would secure a spot in the Celestial Strategy Guard.

The Martial Arts Demonstration Pass!

The crowd was stunned by the sight before them the moment they stepped into the plaza.

In the center of the plaza, the once-empty area had been transformed into a massive Array, a hundred zhang wide and long!

At the four corners of the Array—north, south, east, and west—stood a one-zhang-tall, jet-black banner.

Embroidered on the banners with golden thread were ferocious Asura visages, which flapped loudly in the morning breeze and exuded a palpably grim and murderous aura.

A translucent, pale red curtain of light connected the four banners, enveloping the entire area.

The area within was filled with a dense fog, obscuring all sight.

This was the Asura Illusion Realm Array, specially deployed by the Court for this selection!

On the high platform, the red-robed official, his expression solemn, gathered his True Qi and announced in a clear, loud voice:

"The third pass, the Martial Arts Demonstration, begins now!"

"The rules for this pass are different from the previous two days. The order will not be determined by drawing lots."

His gaze swept over the thousands of young Martial Artists below, all poised for action, as he declared in a deep voice:

"All participants, once the assessment begins, will enter the Array area simultaneously!"

"After you enter the Array, your Divine Souls will be drawn by the great Array into an independent Illusion Realm Space. In that Space, you will not see any other participants, only yourselves!"

"Likewise, those outside the Array will not be able to see the specific battles within, only this expansive fog!"