Chapter 1277 - 19: Expansion Pack [Winter is Coming]

It is said that to initiate it requires the consumption of a large amount of Spirit Stones, so naturally, one must experience it thoroughly.

"Everyone, do not be nervous," Jiang Zhencang said. "Once the Trial Pod closes, you will enter a world that lies between reality and illusion. In that world, all your actions will be recorded by the Trial Pod, transforming into a comprehensive evaluation of five qualities."

"There is no standard answer for the trial; you can be more carefree and follow your own thoughts. However, if a task fails, the score will drastically decrease."

At the same time.

Jiang Zhencang glanced at Wang Yingxuan discreetly and whispered, "Yingxuan, carry out the tasks according to the experience and techniques taught by your master. The twenty-point gap is easily recoverable."

Then he activated the switch and announced the start of the trial.

As the Trial Pod slowly closed, the metallic "Cocoon Pod" quickly became seamlessly tight, and the colorful lights on the door flickered. Streams of light flipped up and down within the pod, reflecting an array of bizarre colors inside.

Soon, the large Crystal Stone Screen in front lit up, displaying lines of text.

"Trial Taker Number One: Name [Lvwei], Talent [Unparalleled Celestial Pride D-class Initial Stage], Talent Score [Eighty]."

"Trial Taker Number Two: Name [Zhen Shichao]..."

Those texts were the talent scores previously provided by Treasure Manual Lingyun. Clearly, she was not just talking aimlessly before; even if one’s talent was intentionally understated beforehand, entering the Trial Pod would expose it completely.

Furthermore, the results detected by the Trial Pod were evidently more precise than their own estimates, able to detect even the slightest differences.

And the scoring standard is indeed that ruthless.

On site, a group of True Men, Ascendants, and young members from various branches focused intently on watching. Although they were not fortunate enough to participate in the trial, it was said that a live broadcast would be shown on the large Crystal Stone Screen, allowing each decision of the Trial Taker to be seen within.

Wang Shouzhe also picked up the Spirit Tea, slowly savoring it while focusing on the large Crystal Stone Screen.

This made him recall distant memories from his past life on Earth. Back then, with nothing to do, he had experiences watching game livestreams as well.

Under everyone’s gaze, the monitoring results of the numerous Quasi-Saint Sons and Quasi-Saintesses were quickly shown in rotation. The large Crystal Stone Screen dimmed, and suddenly began playing fragmented scenes seemingly picked from the dust of history.

Accompanying the images, lines of subtitles appeared at the bottom, a heavy and aged voice rang out simultaneously.

"A long time ago, the [Splendid Continent] was once a land rich in resources. On this continent, there was a powerful dynasty, known as the [Senluo Dynasty].

The [Senluo Dynasty] had a long history, splendid civilization, and brilliant culture. Countless humans lived and worked here in peace and contentment, where the brilliance of humanity shone.

That glorious era was called the [Era of Radiance]."

"Yet, at the end of the [Era of Radiance], a terrifying cold wave swept across the whole [Splendid Continent].

The terrifying low temperature enveloped the entire continent. Countless plants and animals could not withstand the invasion of the cold. Crops decreased dramatically, famine began to spread across the continent, internal unrest started to erupt, followed by war and plague.

In less than a hundred years, the royal family of the [Senluo Dynasty] completely lost its ruling power.

At the end of the [Era of Radiance], with the death of the last "king" of the [Senluo Dynasty] in a palace coup, the powerful [Senluo Dynasty] was thoroughly disintegrated.

The once gloriously radiant [Era of Radiance] was hereby declared over."

"In the subsequent hundreds of years, humans fell into prolonged turmoil. The remaining nobles of the Senluo Dynasty established various temporary governments, each attempting to become the legitimate succession of the dynasty. Fierce battles between different forces ensued, causing societal instability.

This period in history is known as the [Sixteen Kingdoms Era]."

"It was also during this period that individuals with special abilities known as those [Favored by Heaven] began to emerge in human society.

Meanwhile, some surviving wild beasts hiding deep in the mountains gradually adapted to the cold climate. Unnoticed by humans, they proliferated, slowly transforming into powerful Fierce Beasts."

"In the year three hundred twenty-seven of the [Cenozoic Era], a rare cold wave struck the Splendid Continent.

It was in this year that the Fierce Beasts, having completed their transformation, emerged from the mountains in droves, launching large-scale attacks on human towns, destroying vast tracks of farmland, and demolishing humans’ hard-earned newly reconstructed homes.

In just a few years, the Sixteen Kingdoms were obliterated, humans completely lost their homes.

During their transformation, the intelligent and formidable Fierce Beasts claimed the throne, dividing the territories once belonging to humankind, and raising humans as reserve food.

Hence, the social structure collapsed, civilization regressed, and humans fell into an unprecedented peril.

This period is known as the [Fierce Beast Dominance Era]."

"This..."

Wang Shouzhe, watching and listening, couldn’t help but break into a cold sweat on his forehead.

Just who from the Divine Martial Era engineered this simulation trial? It’s just a trial, yet it comes with a background story...

Moreover, this background story is laden with a heavy flavor reminiscent of third-rate online games...

The [Fierce Beast Dominance Era] is the darkest and most disgraceful period in human history, when humanity’s confidence and dignity were utterly destroyed.