txolops Chapter 103 Dazzled
Chapter 103 Dazzled
Chapter 103 Dazzled
[During the last simulation, you also experienced this inexplicable fluctuation.]
[This should be a method specifically designed to detect aptitude and talent.]
【"Um?"】
You waited a while and noticed a strange fluctuation continuing to surge.
It didn't end as quickly as the last simulation.
You look towards the armored guardian deity.
[You notice a red glint in their eyes, flashing continuously as they scrutinize you.]
You know this perfectly well.
[It seems my age and cultivation level were detected.]
What you want to know right now
Based on the principles of the Armor Guardian's aptitude test, how would my aptitude be rated?
[Can I obtain a Golden Core Pill as a reward?]
[The passage of time]
[Dozens of breaths passed]
The red glow in the eyes of the armored guardian has finally faded.
That same inexplicable fluctuation also quickly dissipated.
The armored guardian looked at you and spoke slowly, his tone subtly changing.
[“The Dharma Cultivation Qualification Test is over—”]
[Race: Human.]
[Age: Seventeen]
[Cultivation Level: Second Stage Perfection.]
[Status: Abundant potential, surging vitality.]
[Evaluation: Top-tier aptitude, suspected of possessing innate talent.]
[Test result: Pass.]
Upon hearing this, you fell into deep thought.
The top-tier aptitude in this era undoubtedly refers to talents such as Heavenly Spiritual Root, Precious Body, and Dao Body.
However, the world within Youshan originated from ancient times, and the top-tier talent mentioned by the puppet guardian deity naturally refers to the top-tier talent of ancient times.
In ancient times, the spiritual energy and resources of heaven and earth were abundant, so even a celestial spiritual root was not considered a top-tier talent.
Some exceptionally gifted cultivators possess multiple talents, integrating celestial spiritual roots, precious bodies, and Dao bodies into one.
Those are the true chosen ones.
[Top-tier aptitude for becoming a Nascent Soul True Monarch]
Only cultivators with Heavenly Spiritual Roots who have formed a flawless Golden Core are qualified to be called Nascent Soul Seeds.
However, those with top-tier talent in ancient times, even if they had not yet formed their core, could still be considered as potential Nascent Soul seeds.
"Does he/she seem to possess innate talent?"
A strange feeling involuntarily arose in your mind.
The reason for adding "suspected" here is probably that the armored guardian spirit, after examining itself for a long time, still couldn't find any qualifications it possessed.
But given my age, condition, and cultivation level, it's not like I'm being possessed by a real person.
Therefore, after eliminating all the impossibilities, there is only one possibility.
That means you possess some kind of undetectable talent or aptitude.
This is why the assessment is based on the possibility of possessing some kind of innate talent.
In fact, in some ways, the armored guardians were not wrong.
You do possess some kind of undetectable talent.
That's simulation ability.
Although this ability is extremely incredible, it can be considered your talent.
After all, it's unique to you, and only you can use it.
[Splash—]
The Armored Guardian is testing your other talents once again.
The test results were not much different from the previous simulation.
Because of your purple talent, Unyielding Will, you also possess aptitude and talent in ghost cultivation and soul cultivation.
However, they still do not possess the qualifications to pass the test and become trial participants in ghost cultivation or soul cultivation.
["Soul Cultivation and Ghost Cultivation..."]
[During the final simulation, when you were in the wilderness with Da Chun, you encountered a ghost cultivator whose methods were indeed incredibly bizarre.]
However, its weakness is also obvious; it is completely countered by Da Chun's physical body and blood energy.
"Trial participant, you have passed the test..."
]
The armored guardian looked at you and said, "Since ancient times, you are the nine thousand six hundred and thirty-first trial participant to pass the test..."
【"The early modern era..."】
A thought stirs within you: "This must be the era I live in now."
"Where does my aptitude rank among these nine thousand-plus trial participants?"
You asked curiously.
The armored guardian was silent for a moment before speaking, "Thirteenth."
"There are still twelve ahead of us?"
You silently reflect and come to a conclusion.
Your emulator isn't working hard enough!
"You may call me the guardian deity; I have protected this place for millennia."
"If you have any questions, feel free to ask me anytime..."
[The armored guardian deity looked at you and said...]
"His attitude has definitely changed..." you thought to yourself, while simultaneously asking the question that had been on your mind, "Can I bring other people in here to participate in the trial?"
If you can bring people in, do you plan to wait until you reach the Core Formation stage before selling entry slots to the public?
Although it is said that only cultivators with at least a Heavenly Spiritual Root aptitude can barely pass the aptitude test and enter the trial stage,
However, it's impossible for the entire Taiyuan Domain to be without a single cultivator possessing a Heavenly Spiritual Root.
Furthermore, every cultivator with a Heavenly Spiritual Root has an outrageously powerful background, and the price they are willing to pay is certainly very high.
"The Netherworld Trial Grounds will have ten trial slots every five hundred years..." the armored guardian deity spoke.
"The Netherworld Trial Grounds..." You finally learned the name of the inner world of Nether Mountain, and at the same time, you were somewhat disappointed. "Only ten spots?"
"How many spots are left?" you asked immediately.
"Two," the armored guardian replied.
"Seven were used?" you asked, quite puzzled. "Is there more than one entrance to the Netherworld Trial Grounds?"
[In such a remote place as Youshan, seven cultivators with at least the Heavenly Spiritual Root have visited over the past few hundred years?]
"The Netherworld Trial Grounds have a total of 363 entrances," the Armored Guardian said.
【"I see."】
You looked suddenly enlightened.
The secluded mountain is merely an entrance connecting this world.
"There's another question: what kind of beings are the Ancient Saints, and what is the Ancient Saint bloodline?"
[You continue to ask questions]
[At the end of the third simulation, you were quite curious about Da Chun's ancient sage bloodline.]
Unfortunately, Da Chun probably didn't ask the armor guardian much, so he doesn't know either.
"In the beginning of time, there were ancient sages who roamed the world. After their deaths, their blood spread throughout the human realm, and thus the bloodline of these ancient sages took root in the bodies of all living beings..."
"Only a very few beings will awaken the ancient saintly bloodline within them."
"Those who awaken the bloodline of ancient saints can reach the threshold of top-tier aptitude..."
[The armored guardian deity said...]
You listen quietly as the armored guardian explains the basics.
After a moment, you asked a few more questions.
You intend to inquire about the origins of this Netherworld Trial Grounds and who its creator is.
However, the armored guardian remained silent, seemingly unaware of the situation itself.
【"never mind."】
You asked directly, "What reward will I receive after passing the test?"
The Armored Guardian said that as long as you pass the test, you will receive a reward; the specific reward depends on your aptitude.
In other words, the higher the qualification level, the more valuable the reward.
This is also why you rushed over right at the start of this simulation.
Your goal is to form the Golden Core. The earlier you arrive and the younger you are, the higher your final evaluation will be.
"You are the thirteenth most talented genius in recent history, and you may choose one of the following rewards..."
..」】
[The armored guardian waved his hand, and a series of images coalesced and flashed before your eyes.]
"Millennial Yin-Yang Vine... Four-Patterned Longevity Fruit... Ten-Thousand-Year Vermilion Fruit... Prototype of a Spiritual Treasure..."
"
]
As the images flashed before your eyes, your breathing involuntarily quickened.
Because you have already passed the qualification test, and even passed it in 13th place since ancient times, the reward list you see this time is far more valuable than the treasures you saw in the last simulation.
[The starting point is at the third tier, and there are even fourth-tier rare treasures.]
For example, the Thousand-Year Yin-Yang Vine is a top-tier fourth-order rare treasure. Whether it is refined into a top-grade magic weapon or cultivated, it is enough to make a Nascent Soul True Monarch eager for it.
There are also four-patterned longevity fruits... Longevity fruits are the most precious treasures for prolonging life.
The four-patterned longevity fruit signifies its effectiveness even against Nascent Soul True Monarchs.
A single four-patterned longevity fruit can extend the lifespan of a True Lord by approximately two hundred years.
[Two hundred years of lifespan! You must know that a True Monarch only has a lifespan of a thousand years. Two hundred years of lifespan? That's enough to drive an elderly True Monarch mad.]
As for the Ten-Thousand-Year Vermilion Fruit, it is a life-saving item. Anyone below the True Lord level, regardless of the type of injury, can quickly recover as long as they have a trace of their soul remaining after consuming it.
If one loses their physical body, they will condense a Fire Spirit Body, perfectly complementing their remnant soul.
For any Golden Core cultivator, a ten-thousand-year-old Vermilion Fruit is a life-saving treasure that is both desirable and unattainable. Not only can it save one's life at any time, but it can also grant one a Fire Spirit Body out of thin air.
[If the Blood Sea Immortal, sealed within the Mountain and Sea Ring, possessed a ten-thousand-year-old Vermilion Fruit, why would he need to choose a vessel for possession?]
However, a ten-thousand-year-old Vermilion Fruit is extremely rare; most Vermilion Fruits can only grow to a maximum of a thousand years before withering and decaying.
[Ten thousand years? Who knows how many Vermilion Fruits are needed to produce just one?]
"This is the treatment given to top-tier geniuses since ancient times..."
[You are amazed]
I want them all...
..」】
You thought to yourself.
Even if you don't need most of them, such as the rudimentary form of a spiritual treasure, only True Lords are qualified to use it. Even True Persons cannot activate it, let alone you.
However, keeping it in hand is enough to make a deal with the True Lord.
You glanced at the armored guardian and couldn't help but ask, "Could I choose a few more?"
"You can only choose one item..." the armored guardian said expressionlessly.
[After careful selection, you finally found the Golden Elixir on the list near the middle.]
Even in ancient times, the Golden Core was extremely precious, but among these treasures, it was not one of the most valuable.
However, for you, the Golden Core is the best choice.
Even the most precious treasures are secondary to the formation of a flawless golden elixir.
Only a flawless golden elixir can lead to the Nascent Soul stage; external forces are ultimately just external forces, and cannot compare to the strength of one's own True Monarch.
Furthermore, these treasures are not available for selection in this simulation; they can be chosen in the next simulation, and the one after that.
"I choose to form my Golden Core."
[You looked at the armored guardian and spoke.]
"Form the Golden Core." The armored guardian looks at you. "Are you sure?"
【"Sure."】
You nod.
The armored guardian closed his eyes, opened them after a moment, and then extended his right hand.
A slight spatial fluctuation flashed above his right hand, and a green jade box appeared.
"This is the Golden Core Pill." The armored guardian handes you the green jade box.
You took the green jade box and examined it carefully.
Even disregarding the Golden Core pill inside, this jade box alone is a rare treasure.
[This ensures that the medicinal potency of the pills stored inside will not be lost.]
You gently open the green jade box.
[A pure golden pill was placed in the middle.]
Compared to current elixirs, this pure golden elixir has no pill patterns; it is a single, seamless whole, as if it were born naturally and not refined later.
"A Golden Core..."
You gently closed the green jade box.
Whether it's the Golden Core or the Crystallization Core, the formulas aren't actually that hard to obtain.
The key is the raw materials.
The main and auxiliary ingredients of the Crystal Condensation Pill are monopolized, and the main ingredient of the Golden Elixir Pill has completely disappeared.
"Trial participant, would you like to proceed with the first stage of the cultivation trial?"
"[The armored guardian asked.]"
"The first stage of the trial?" You put away your Golden Core and asked, "How exactly does the trial work? Are you imprisoned in one place for over a hundred years?"
This is the first stage of the Great Spring Trial.
[Stranded in one place for over a hundred years, constantly killing monsters]
However, Da Chun also said that each trial is different.
Da Chun participated in the physical cultivation trial.
The first stage of the Dharma cultivation trial is to master a secret technique...
'
]
"This trial can be terminated at any time, and the participants can withdraw and return to the outside world at any time."
The armored guardian looks at you. "The trial participant will be teleported to a certain space to view the trial walls."
"Master the secret technique inscribed on the stone wall within a year, and you can choose another treasure."
The armored guardian's gaze upon you held a hint of anticipation.
"Choose another treasure."
You suddenly became interested.
Knowing that the trial could be interrupted or withdrawn at any time also brought a sense of relief.
[In the outside world, you still have many methods you haven't developed. If you are imprisoned for one or two hundred years, you will miss many opportunities.]
"Take me there."
With a wave of your hand
[Full of enthusiasm]
"Trial participants, please prepare..."
The armored guardian immediately took action; his mission in guarding this place was to cultivate a trial participant capable of completing all the trials.
The qualities you've demonstrated have given the armored guardian a glimmer of hope.
[Buzz—]
Spatial fluctuations have begun to stir up waves once again.
You only sense the changing world; wait until your awareness of your surroundings returns.
But she found herself standing in a desolate desert.
The armored guardian spirit appears beside you, saying, "Trial seeker, that's the trial wall."
As you follow your gaze, you see a dilapidated stone wall, thousands of meters high, standing there.
On the stone wall, silver seal characters resembling tadpoles are engraved.
The silver seal script is not static, but constantly merging, separating, and changing.
You gaze at the crumbling stone wall, lost in deep contemplation.
Several days later, you slowly looked away.
You didn't understand.