Chapter 267

Chapter 267: Third Layer

Just now, the Five Element Tribulation had covered Li Shuang’s altar so fully that even they could not see inside. They whispered that, under such force, she could fall off at any time. But they waited and waited and never saw her fall. Instead, all the visions vanished at once. Li Shuang was half kneeling on the altar, and they could not read her face.

Someone cried out: “The five source threads are gone. All five are gone.” Others snapped to attention. “Where are the threads? Those five clear threads?” “Why did they all disappear?” A terrible guess rose in their minds. But how could that be? It had not been that long. You Lan had only just started cutting her second thread. As for Li, had she cut all five at once? Was that right? Was that even real? Silence fell.

Five crystals appeared on the altar, then the Lesser Five Elements Crystals turned into streams of light and flew straight into Li Shuang’s sea of consciousness. In the Sword Spirit Space, Li Li’s happy voice sounded: “Sister Li Shuang, we did it.” She had only felt she might help and had acted on instinct. She had not expected she would truly help. Li Shuang’s lips curved in a gentle smile as she said, “Thank you, Li Li.” Li Li’s face bloomed with a cute grin. She giggled and said: “I only tried it. But this Soul Fusion skill won’t work a second time anytime soon. I’m not sure how long it will take to recover.” Soul Fusion usually appears only when a Sword Spirit is trained to Unity of Heaven and Man. Because she and Li Li have Purple Affinity and a special bond, they triggered it early. No matter what, it was a good thing. It gave her a useful card to play.

Li Shuang said softly, “Li Li, rest well first. Next time, tell me before you act.” Li Li agreed at once. Only then did Li Shuang study the Five Elements Crystals in her sea of consciousness. Her five element insights had condensed into crystals and now sat quietly in the center of the Azure Lotus. The crystals kept sending out understandings, and new bits of knowledge flowed into her mind without pause. These were only basic Five Elements Crystals. If they were middle grade or high grade, how strong would the effect be? A flash of ambition crossed her eyes.

To reach a stronger Integration Realm, she needed to grasp more of heaven and earth before she advanced. If she relied only on her own steady learning, it would be slow. It was like the peerless genius her Master had told her about. With great talent, he could have gone farther, but because he wanted a more perfect Integration Realm, he lingered at the Divine Transformation Stage. In the end, his life ran out and he could not break through. It was a matter of choice. Without the Five Elements Crystals, she would not dare aim too high; when she felt her insights were enough, she would move forward. But now, if she could gather more Five Elements Crystals, Perfect Advancement might be possible.

The five elements give birth to all things. Do they not stand for the world itself?

Up in the air, the City Lord’s lips curved in a faint smile. She looked calmly at Li Shuang, a touch of praise in her eyes. Breaking all five at once meant Li had used every method she could, even the thunder marrow the City Lord had given her. Even so, when the five elements pressed together, the pain was something ordinary people could not bear. Li had surprised her again. The City Lord’s gaze deepened as she watched the Water Screen. The next moment, Li Shuang’s altar rose. She was the first to reach the third layer. That lone altar hung high in the sky, looking down at the cultivators below. People lifted their heads in a daze to stare. The first cultivator to jump straight to the third layer had appeared. Her name was Li.

The Revolving Wheel in You Lan’s hand paused for a heartbeat. She pressed her lips together, then wrestled even harder with her second source thread. Cang Yin pulled back her gaze, a little dazed. In that moment, she did not even feel like making snide comments about You Lan. At least You Lan had cut one thread. As for her, she had not cut even one when Li broke all five at once. Was the gap between her and Li really that big?

High above, Li Shuang did not show off. She sat cross legged and drew in the five element insights with all her focus. After a short hush, everyone returned to their trials. Maybe it was just a feeling, but their expressions now carried a hint of gritted teeth, as if they were ready to fight with everything they had.

The City Lord could not help a small smile. If she did not control the Wanfa Eye, she would never have guessed that Li was not even a cultivator of the Central Continent. This was a good result. One Li had sparked the pride of all the other geniuses. She hoped they would remember this mix of bitterness and anger and chase hard. One Li was not enough, and one You Lan was not enough. The Human Race needed more and more people to grow strong.

The City Lord glanced at the little betting board inside the Wanfa Eye, smiled, and announced the result: “Second wager, fastest Trialist to reach the third layer: Li.” Everyone who had bet on Li would split the Merit Points in the pool. Many had backed her, but far fewer than those who backed You Lan. Each person still got a hefty sum. Yan Fan stared at the sudden deposit of over three thousand Merit Points, stunned. He had struggled through the Three Grand Secret Grounds and never earned that much. He thought: [Did Li just carry me to a win?]

While Li Shuang calmly absorbed the insights, the three day prep period inside the Golden Soul Altar sped by. The Five Element Tribulation began to show at random on the altars. One moment sword rain fell from the sky, the next moment wild waves crashed. Cultivators were eliminated one after another. The number of altars dropped fast. None of the Trialists dared relax. Everyone used every skill they had. From up high, Li Shuang saw many strange methods and widened her horizons.

On the seventh day of the tribulation, You Lan cut her five source threads. Her altar rose slowly and reached the third layer as well. Across the vast Sky-Piercing Pillar, Li Shuang and You Lan faced each other from afar. Li Shuang felt nothing special toward this peerless genius. She lifted a hand in a friendly greeting. You Lan gave her a steady look, then sat down and began training at once; she clearly did not want to talk. Li Shuang did not mind. She closed her eyes and kept drawing in the five element insights.

As more cultivators were eliminated, ten days finally passed. Li Shuang opened her eyes. A voice rang out: “Golden Soul Altar, second layer. Clearers: 89. The third layer trial is about to begin.” It was only the third layer, but now only eighty nine people were left.