Chapter 85: Go Ahead and Strike Me If You Dare!

Mysterious experts continued to emerge, and only then did the disciples of Pure Yang Temple realize that those participating in the Heavenly Selection were not limited to the eight major righteous sects and the seven demonic clans. Many independent cultivators from remote regions and members of smaller sects had also entered the Heavenly Selection ruins in considerable numbers.

However, unlike the disciples from the eight righteous sects who started from the very beginning, the other participants entered directly into the final stage of the first survival trial.

In fact, those who entered directly into the last stage of the first survival trial were numerous—nearly a thousand walked out of the small city in succession. Even the weakest among them had reached the fourth tier of the Golden Core realm, and some were even stronger than the Lin brothers before they entered the small city.

“So it seems our Pure Yang disciples have lost their advantage in the first stage. The trials ahead will be much more difficult for the brothers who remain,” Zhou Qian said, worry etched on his face.

Ever since Wang Meng left the small city, the disciples led by Luo Heng felt a mounting pressure. The steady stream of powerful cultivators emerging gradually eroded the advantage Pure Yang had established from the outset, causing those in the new city to grow anxious for their fellow disciples still in the small city.

Luo Heng shook his head. “The loss of advantage isn't the most pressing issue. Our Pure Yang disciples have never feared challenges. The influx of experts from other sects merely levels the playing field, putting us on equal footing. Besides, we've already gained much; our young disciples collectively surpass those of the other major sects. So from here on, the focus is on us Golden Core and Nascent Soul disciples. It has nothing to do with the others.”

“My real concern is that the experts in the small city aren't all there is to the Heavenly Selection. Do you recall Steward Wang's speculation that some participants might be at the Divine Transformation realm?” Zhou Qian thought for a moment, uncertainty in his voice. “Senior brother, are you suggesting that Sister Yun Jingzi might also be in the small city? Or perhaps there are experts as powerful as Sister Yun Jingzi?”

“It’s hard to say. So far, the most advanced cultivators who have emerged are at the eighth tier of the Nascent Soul realm,” Luo Heng mused. “I suspect that even if there aren’t Divine Transformation experts in the small city, they will appear when the second stage of the trials begins—or perhaps they're already in the ruins' battlefield.”

“I doubt it. If such experts were present, surely they'd rank on the Heavenly Selection list,” Zhou Qian replied, shaking his head. “We should ask Sister Jiang Yue; she might have the answer.”

“She’s crossing her tribulation right now. It’s not wise to disturb her,” Luo Heng said. “Don’t mention the possible existence of Divine Transformation cultivators to the others. Wait until Jiang Yue has finished her tribulation.”

“Understood. I know what’s at stake,” Zhou Qian replied, then asked, “Our brothers who left the small city said it’s very dangerous inside. Although advancement is rapid, the rules forbid teaming up. Isn’t it too risky for Sister Jiang Yue to enter? I worry for the Master…”

He trailed off, but his meaning was clear: he opposed Jiang Yue taking such a risk, given her special status. If anything happened to her, it would be difficult to answer to Master Liuguang.

“Haha, you worry too much,” Luo Heng laughed. “Even if we’re all eliminated, she’ll proceed smoothly to the third stage. Don’t forget, she’s the host of the Heavenly Selection list. She must bring the list back to the Heavenly Profound World—how could the list let her come to harm?”

“That’s true, I suppose,” Zhou Qian admitted.

…

Twenty miles outside the new city, within a protective formation, Jiang Yue gazed up at the tribulation clouds overhead, bored and yawning. “Come on, strike me already! Hovering there like a raincloud—what’s the point?”

“If you don’t strike, how am I supposed to form my core? Don’t worry, I’ve put the scroll away, so you can go ahead and hit me. It won’t interfere.”

“I’ve waited half the day—hurry up and get on with it!”

After muttering for a while, Jiang Yue grew impatient. She stood up and pointed at the tribulation clouds, hurling a series of friendly insults.

Watching from afar, Jiang Yu, who was safeguarding her, turned pale with fright and hurriedly transmitted a message to stop Jiang Yue’s reckless behavior.

That was a heavenly tribulation, representing the will of heaven and earth—how could she insult it so casually?

“Little Yue, sit down and regulate your breathing. Don’t act rashly!”

“Alright, alright, what else can I do if it won’t strike?” Jiang Yue threw up her hands, helpless.

She had long since reached the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage, but delayed forming her core to make more preparations and increase her chances of success. Yet when she finally summoned the courage to face the tribulation, the clouds behaved as if they’d lost their minds, crackling above her head but refusing to descend.

Wasn’t this just toying with her?

The young girl could hardly bear it, and it was no surprise she lost her temper.

Jiang Yu was left speechless.

“What exactly did you learn in the Pure Yang secret realm? Don’t you know any basic common sense?” She transmitted, “The tribulation clouds aren’t reluctant to strike you—it’s because the energy in your body isn’t strong enough to draw the lightning!”

“Idiot, release all your energy!”

“Oh… so that’s it!” Jiang Yue smiled sheepishly. “I thought the Heavenly Selection list scared the tribulation off!”

Smack!

…

Jiang Yue helplessly patted her forehead, silently repeating: My own little sister, my own little sister…

She was thankful this odd little girl had managed to grow up without accidentally killing herself—a true miracle!

At last, Jiang Yue triggered the tribulation and successfully formed her Golden Core.

Luo Heng, Jiang Yu, and Zhou Qian could finally enter the small city for their trial without worry.

Surprisingly, the little girl didn’t rush to join them, but proudly declared:

“I won’t bother with the selection—I’m going to the final secret realm to find Wang Li!”

Before anyone could ask what she meant, she vanished from sight.

After a long moment, the others realized: she’d gone straight to the endpoint to wait for them!

Jiang Yue was the host of the Heavenly Selection list; she couldn’t leave the ruins until the selection ended.

Her claim that she was going to find Wang Li also revealed that Wang Li was still somewhere in the ruins.

This news excited everyone.

“I knew Steward Wang couldn’t have come to harm—turns out he was already at the end.”

“Exactly! Steward Wang’s strength is unfathomable. It’s perfectly reasonable for him to reach the final stage before us. We worried for nothing.”

“We can’t say that for sure. Steward Wang hadn’t formed his core last we saw him—it’s natural for us to be concerned.”

As Luo Heng and the others entered the small city, Xing Kai stumbled out in a sorry state.

Most who emerged from the small city—apart from the Pure Yang disciples, who suffered some casualties due to unfamiliarity—were composed, since those selected for the city had spent years inside and adapted to its rhythm. Rarely did anyone leave wounded like Xing Kai.

Xing Kai was gravely injured. The moment he exited the city, he collapsed in an orchard, and was lucky enough to be found by a patrol team from the new city—otherwise, he might have become a meal for the wild beasts nearby.