Chapter 93: Testing Array; Killing Array

Lu Jin was also very helpless. For the past few days, he had experienced a sense of weakness: a feeling as if his body had been hollowed out. It was fortunate that the Heaven Burial Coffin backfed him spiritual Qi, and the Great Transformation Dragon Art possessed rapid restoration techniques; otherwise, he would not have even been able to make it here today.

Of course, he was by no means forced into this situation against his will. He had originally thought that Empress Qinglian’s disposal of the Mo Family Ancestor was a casual effort; he never imagined that the woman would suffer significant damage because of it. When Lu Jin pressed for the reason, she only said that the spiritual Qi of this trash plane was insufficient: she scolded Lu Jin for his low strength and his inability to provide enough essence power to fully restore her physical form.

Lu Jin was quite helpless regarding this. However, facing such a benefactor, even if he felt inadequate, he could only grit his teeth and push forward. He supported her as much as he could, exhausting his mind and soul without reservation. Fortunately, through his efforts over the past few days, he had stabilized the Empress’s injuries. He promised her that he would definitely head to the Blood Dragon Pool secret realm within the Blood Moon Holy Land: only then did he compose his mind to attend this selection of the Five Gates and Three Sects.

When Lu Jin arrived, he immediately saw Long Xiwei’s eyes: she was looking for him with a gaze filled with longing. Yet the moment he looked back, Long Xiwei retracted her gaze: she seemed to be intentionally avoiding him.

Not only is she insecure, but she’s socially anxious too…

Lu Jin gave a knowing smile. He then raised his gaze to scan the field. He was looking for Liu Ruyan’s trail.

As expected, she didn’t come…

The moment Lu Jin appeared in this area, the expressions of many disciples from various sects became fervent. During this period, Lu Jin’s reputation had exploded. He had returned after three years and risen with unstoppable force: many existences with higher cultivation than him had been slaughtered by his hand. Various rumors, inevitably embellished and exaggerated, had made his battle records sound increasingly sinister.

“The people from the Ten Thousand Swords Sect are here!”

When the group from the Ten Thousand Swords Sect arrived, it immediately triggered a commotion. After all, the news that the sect housed a super expert who could even wipe out the Mo Family Ancestor had caused quite a stir recently. Aside from that, Lu Jin’s forceful rise kept the crowd talking.

“That’s Lu Jin from the Ten Thousand Swords Sect? He certainly looks the part. However, he seems very low profile. Could he really be as formidable as the rumors say?”

“Heh. Whether he is formidable or not will be revealed today after the testing!

“I heard he offended quite a few people: even the Blood Moon Holy Land. I wonder if Elder Chi Yu will even accept him today?”

“The rumors might not be true: otherwise, Lu Jin wouldn’t dare to show up.”

“That makes sense…”

While the crowd discussed, the Ten Thousand Swords Sect members stood their ground. Chu Tianxiong’s eyes scanned the surroundings, probing the situation. Lu Jin was taking a massive risk by appearing today. Liu Ruyan had been crushed by Lu Jin and fled with heavy injuries; furthermore, the Blood Messengers had suffered heavy casualties. Elder Chi Yu would certainly react to this.

It was precisely for this reason that Chu Tianxiong had personally escorted Lu Jin. Back at the sect, he had advised Lu Jin to skip today’s selection. However, Lu Jin had promised Empress Qinglian he would go to the Blood Dragon Pool. That place was a forbidden zone in the deepest part of the Blood Moon Holy Land: no one but members of the Holy Land could enter. Additionally, Lu Jin wanted to investigate the internal situation of the Holy Land to prepare for his revenge. Joining the Blood Moon Holy Land was a necessity.

As for the hurdle that was Elder Chi Yu, he did not fear it. The news that Empress Qinglian had one-shot the Mo Family Ancestor should have reached her ears long ago: she would certainly be wary.

Suddenly, several figures flew through the void from a distance. They descended upon the field, triggering a wave of exclamations.

“Look! That woman holding the large mink in her arms: that is Elder Chi Yu!”

“I finally see a powerhouse of the Blood Moon Holy Land! Elder Chi Yu still possesses such charm!”

“Her cultivation is unfathomable. I wonder what stage of the Zifu Transformation she has reached…”

“I hope I can pass the Holy Land’s assessment this time! I want to leap through the dragon gate!”

Amidst the discussions, Elder Chi Yu and the several experts accompanying her landed on the highest altar of the Eight-Part Blood Dragon Altar. Upon her arrival, a majestic aura radiated in all directions. The rolling waves of spiritual Qi caused many hearts to tremble. This aura was too powerful: it swept out like a hurricane, fully displaying the temperament of a peerless expert.

Elder Chi Yu’s eyes swept through the crowd. Her gaze paused for a moment on the Ten Thousand Swords Sect: her eyes showed no emotion. She then retracted her sight.

“Begin,” Elder Chi Yu said softly.

An accompanying expert nodded and then spoke in a resonant voice: “Today is the day my Blood Moon Holy Land selects disciples from the Five Gates and Three Sects of Qingzhou!”

“This selection will be presided over by Elder Chi Yu personally!”

“This selection has been held many times before; therefore, this Seat will not say much. Once the testing array of the Eight-Part Blood Dragon Altar is activated, all outstanding disciples selected by each sect shall enter the array for talent testing!

“The minimum requirement for the Blood Moon Holy Land is a 2nd-grade Jindan cultivation! Anyone below this level will be eliminated by the testing array, and you will likely lose your life within the formation!

“Therefore, you must not be too reckless. The testing array truly kills people!”

The expressions of the crowd shifted. Indeed, in many previous selections, there had been ignorant disciples who entered the array only to die miserably. The fact that the testing array could kill made many disciples wary. This was also why each sect held its own internal competitions before this event. Cultivating to the Jindan Realm: or close to it, represented the future of a sect. Without enough confidence, a sect would not allow such disciples to risk their lives.

However, reaching the Jindan Realm provided some capital. Some disciples volunteered to test their skills. Even at the risk of death, they wanted to attempt this adventure to “leap through the dragon gate.” The testing array of the Eight-Part Blood Dragon Altar truly was a gamble where one could lose their life at any moment.

“Disciples who wish to try: begin now!”

As the deacon elder finished speaking, disciples from the Five Gates and Three Sects, and even other minor factions, moved out one after another. The lively scene was quite unexpected. It was originally thought that under the deterrent of the array’s destructive power, those with mediocre cultivation would stay away. Instead, they rushed out in rows, leaping into the array.

Boom!

Above the Eight-Part Blood Dragon Altar, blood-red spiritual Qi surged into the sky, transforming into a massive net that descended. A thunderous roar echoed as a horrific pressure swept down. The disciples who entered the range of the array felt the surrounding atmosphere turn heavy: that indescribable sense of oppression made their hearts skip beats.

“The array has started! Deal with it carefully!”

“What terrifying pressure! It’s still not too late to withdraw!”

“Once you enter, you must persist until the exit! Otherwise: death is the only path!”

“Charge! I have already advanced to the Jindan Realm. Can an array truly oppress me to death?”

Roar!

The disciples inside the array all revealed savage expressions. Just then, eight gargantuan blood dragon phantoms manifested above the array! Though they were phantoms, they contained an incredibly horrific aura. Roars like those of true dragons shook the world. The rolling pressure made many disciples’ hearts tremble.

“Xiwei: With your current strength, this array poses no threat to you. Charge ahead with confidence!” Yun Chaomu said to Long Xiwei, her eyes full of trust and resolve.

“Master: I will definitely enter the Blood Moon Holy Land!” Long Xiwei nodded slightly and leaped into the array in the next second.

At the same time, Lu Jin’s figure flashed as he entered as well.

“The array is decent: unfortunately, the grade is too low…” Lu Jin felt the rolling pressure from the array but shook his head indifferently.

To the current him: this array could not exert even a sliver of pressure. His entry was merely a formality. When he entered, Elder Chi Yu’s expression shifted slightly. Her eyes fixed on him: she seemed to want to see through something.

However, Lu Jin remained indifferent throughout the process. Even when she manipulated the eight blood dragon phantoms to exert greater pressure on his area, he showed no panic. He walked through the array as if strolling through a courtyard: his speed did not change in the slightest.

What kind of divine ability does this kid possess…

Several Holy Land experts, besides Elder Chi Yu, also showed great surprise in their eyes.

“To be able to injure Liu Ruyan so heavily: this kid truly has some skill. However, the stronger he is, the more the Ancestor will like him!” Elder Chi Yu said with a cold laugh.

Within the array, dozens of disciples from various sects unleashed their trump cards, struggling forward under the suffocating resistance. Outside the array, the onlookers were incredibly tense, their eyes glued to the situation inside.

Chu Tianxiong was the same. Only three disciples from the Ten Thousand Swords Sect had come to participate: Lu Jin, Tang Liu, and Yan Mo. As for other disciples, they had no intention of joining. Everyone knew how difficult it was to enter the Blood Moon Holy Land: the array allowed for no opportunism. While minor sects had reckless disciples participating, the Ten Thousand Swords Sect did not. The smaller the sect, the more they rushed for success, failing to understand that turning the tide was no easy feat.

Puchi…

Less than half the time for an incense stick after the array started, a disciple suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood. His eyes were filled with thick terror. Before anyone could react, his life force began to dissipate. The horror of the array power made people’s scalps go numb.

“That disciple was just… killed by the array???”

“What terrifying power! That disciple had just advanced to the Jindan Realm! Even that strength couldn’t pass the test!”

“If even that cultivation level can’t pass, does that mean most will be eliminated?”

“This isn’t being eliminated! They are being slaughtered!”

“No… my Kuangdao Gate spent so much to nurture a disciple!”

“As if it’s easy for our sect to nurture a genius…”

As time passed, the power within the array became increasingly horrific and violent. The disciples’ internal resolve began to crumble under the erosion of this force. Only those who had reached the 2nd-grade Jindan Realm or higher seemed to handle it with ease. Disciples below that level found every step difficult: they had to exhaust every method just to have a chance at staying alive.

“Hahaha! Brother Lu Jin: We meet again!” A hearty laugh rang out within the array.

Lu Jin saw the person and cupped his hands. “So it is, Brother Tianchou.”

This was Duan Tianchou: the man who had previously given Lu Jin a treasure. He hadn’t expected to meet him here in the array today.

“Brother Lu Jin actually remembers me? I am quite moved!” Duan Tianchou laughed heartily: it was sincere. Lu Jin’s reputation had recently soared: he was a celebrity in all of Qingzhou. Duan Tianchou had clearly heard the news.

“Brother Duan is joking. Your cultivation is not weak either.” Lu Jin narrowed his eyes, sensing the other’s aura. A 3rd-grade Jindan: he met the selection criteria for the Blood Moon Holy Land.

“Come: let’s go outside the array and have a good chat,” Duan Tianchou said with a smile.

Lu Jin nodded. The two of them walked toward the exit as if they were taking a casual stroll. They were completely unthreatened by the array power. Even when the pressure of the eight blood dragons descended again, it caused them no harm.

In contrast: around them, a group of disciples could not withstand the horrific pressure and spat blood, falling dead one after another. Within the entire array, the death toll was rising sharply! For a moment, the atmosphere became eerie. The interior of the array had almost become a slaughterhouse, yet outsiders were forbidden from interfering. Once the array was activated: even Elder Chi Yu did not possess the means to shut it down! It could only continue in this frantic manner.

As time moved on: the expressions of the sect experts watching from outside grew increasingly complex. Some who saw their geniuses perish right before their eyes looked ghastly: yet they were powerless! Some felt nothing but regret: they shouldn’t have ignored the warnings. If you don’t have the tools: don’t take on the job! Forcing it only led to a dead end.

“In this array: thirty or forty disciples have already been slaughtered!”

“These are the futures of their sects! To think they would be lost here so easily!”

“Look! Someone has already walked out of the exit!”

At this shout: everyone’s eyes turned toward the exit of the testing array. Amidst a wave of blood-red mist: Lu Jin, Duan Tianchou, Long Xiwei, and Tang Liu stepped out.

“Not bad this time. We can take in several disciples at once. The Ancestor will be very pleased…” Elder Chi Yu said with a cold laugh, her eyes full of playfulness.