Chapter 197 The Trial of Asura!

The winds are rising and the clouds are surging.

The entire Central Province was in a total frenzy due to a single piece of news.

Ye Haocheng, the Palace Master of the Asura Hall, was going to take on a personal disciple.

What drove people even more wild was that this recruitment did not care about background or talent, only about one's character.

Even the prize for the top spot was that Heaven-grade peak-tier divine weapon that had slain countless powerhouses—the heaven-burning sword.

For those young rogue cultivators of humble origins or average talent, this was undoubtedly a stroke of incredible luck falling from the sky.

It could even be said to be their only chance to change their fate against the heavens.

...

On the outskirts of the Central Province, in a small tavern in a place called Luopo Town.

A youth in tattered clothes was crouching in a corner, gnawing on a hard, dry bun.

He carried a rusty iron sword on his back, which looked even less valuable than a fire poker.

The surrounding diners were heatedly discussing the news about the Asura Hall.

"Have you heard? That Palace Master Ye is a ruthless man who even killed the ancestor of the Chu family!"

"If one could join his sect, wouldn't they be able to walk tall and unhindered in the Central Province?"

"Tch, you think you can go? A place like that where people kill without blinking—going there is just seeking death!"

As the youth listened to these discussions, his chewing gradually slowed down.

Though his eyes were cloudy, a ruthless drive like that of a hungry wolf was hidden deep within them.

"Background doesn't matter..."

"Talent doesn't matter..."

The youth swallowed the last bite of his bun and fished out a few copper coins from his robe, placing them on the table.

He tightened the strap of the broken sword on his back and turned to walk out of the tavern.

Although he didn't know where the Asura Hall was.

Although he was just a mere mortal who hadn't even awakened a spiritual root.

He knew that this was the only chance in his life to turn things around.

Even if there was only a one-in-ten-thousand hope, he was willing to gamble his life for it.

There were many others just like him.

Countless young people carrying dreams swarmed from all directions toward the Tianyun Mountain Range like carps crossing a river.

...

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

During these three days, the once-quiet base of the Asura Mountain Range gradually became bustling with people.

Tens of thousands of young cultivators from various places gathered here.

Some were dressed in luxurious clothes with guards following them, clearly children of noble families.

Some were in rags and alone, obviously rogue cultivators from the bottom of society.

There were even some outcasts from other sects or avengers carrying deep-seated blood feuds.

All sorts of people were mixed together.

But they had only one goal—to join the Asura Hall.

"There are way too many people..."

In the crowd, a little fat boy in green clothes wiped the sweat from his forehead.

Looking at the dense mass of heads before him, he couldn't help but feel a bit nervous.

"There are at least fifty or sixty thousand people here!"

"Can we really make it?"

"What are you afraid of!"

A youth in black standing next to him let out a cold snort.

A hint of disdain flashed in his eyes.

"Most of these people are just here to join the fun."

"The real opponents are only those who have already awakened their spiritual roots or even have some cultivation."

"Look over there, that guy with the giant sword on his back has a strong aura; he's at least at the Martial Master realm."

"And that woman in red, she smells of blood; she's likely killed quite a few people."

The black-clad youth's observations were very meticulous.

Among these tens of thousands, there weren't many with real strength.

Most had come hoping for a stroke of luck.

But this also meant that the competition would be exceptionally brutal.

...

Just as the crowd was buzzing with discussion.

A deafening roar suddenly echoed from the sky.

Everyone instinctively looked up.

They saw that high in the sky, the floating Asura Heavenly Palace suddenly emitted a dazzling golden light.

Immediately after.

Several figures slowly descended from the heavenly palace.

The leader wore a black and gold robe, with a face as beautiful as a demon and eyes as deep as the sea.

It was the Palace Master of the Asura Hall, Ye Haocheng.

Behind him followed the Grand Steward Jin Daoming, as well as several newly promoted Hall Masters, including Chen Pufan, who was skilled in formations.

On either side of them were the two terrifying protectors who struck fear into people's hearts—Fan Wujiu and Protector Xie Bian.

With their appearance, a terrifying and suffocating pressure instantly enveloped the entire area.

The once noisy crowd fell silent in an instant.

Even those arrogant children of noble families lowered their heads at this moment, not daring to look Ye Haocheng in the eye.

This was the majesty of the strong.

There was no need to act; a single look was enough to make people submit.

"Greetings, Palace Master!!"

Someone took the lead and shouted.

Tens of thousands of people knelt on the ground in unison.

The sound was like a tsunami, echoing through the clouds.

"Rise."

Ye Haocheng spoke indifferently.

His voice wasn't loud, but it reached everyone's ears clearly.

He raised his hand slightly, and a gentle force lifted the crowd up.

Looking at the dense crowd below, Ye Haocheng didn't feel much emotion.

To him, most of these people were just cannon fodder.

Those who could actually catch his eye probably didn't even amount to one in a thousand.

"I know why you have come."

Ye Haocheng looked down at the crowd, his tone frighteningly calm.

"Is it for that heaven-burning sword?"

"Or for the prestigious name of the Asura Hall?"

"Or perhaps to become stronger, for revenge?"

At this point, Ye Haocheng paused, a playful smile curling at the corners of his mouth.

"No matter what your reasons are."

"I only want to tell you one thing."

"The Asura Hall does not keep idle people."

"And it certainly does not keep trash."

"If you want my recognition, if you want power."

"Then trade your life for it."

As soon as these words were spoken, a commotion broke out in the crowd.

Although many had been mentally prepared, hearing such a blunt declaration of death still made them want to shrink back.

"This... will people really die?"

"Nonsense! The Asura Hall built its reputation on killing!"

"I... I think I'll pass; my life is more important."

Many of the more cowardly people began to lose their nerve.

They quietly started to retreat.

Ye Haocheng did not stop them.

People who didn't even have the courage to face death were not worthy of becoming disciples of the Asura Hall.

"It seems those who remain are not afraid to die."

Ye Haocheng scanned the area.

Although some had left, the majority still stood their ground with determined eyes.

This made him slightly more satisfied.

"Since that is the case."

"Let us begin."

Ye Haocheng turned to look at Chen Pufan beside him.

"Open the secret realm."

"As you command!"

Chen Pufan responded respectfully.

He then pulled out a formation plate from his robes.

The formation plate was pitch black and covered in complex runes, emitting a heart-palpitating spatial fluctuation.

This was the 'Asura Trial Ground' that he and Black and White Impermanence had jointly created.

It integrated various formations such as illusion arrays, killing arrays, and trapping arrays.

It could be described as a miniature version of the Asura Hell.

"Open!!"

Chen Pufan shouted loudly.

He tossed the formation plate into the air.

At the same time, he formed hand seals, casting one spiritual incantation after another.

Hum—!!!

As the formation plate was activated, a massive black vortex suddenly appeared in the center of the originally empty square.

The vortex was a hundred zhang wide, pitch black inside and seemingly bottomless.

The faint sounds of ghosts wailing and wolves howling could be heard coming from within.

It was hair-raising.

"This is the first trial."

Ye Haocheng pointed at the vortex and said coldly.

"Asura Purgatory."

"Inside are various demonic beasts I've placed there, as well as illusionary tests."

"The rule is simple."

"Survive."

"Anyone who can persist for three days without dying and walk out from within..."

"...will be considered to have passed."

"As for whether you can take the top spot, that depends on how many demonic beasts you kill and how many point tokens you seize inside."

Having said all this.

Ye Haocheng wasted no more words.

He turned around and flew back to the Asura Heavenly Palace.

Leaving the crowd with a profound and mysterious silhouette.

"This..."

Looking at the black vortex that resembled the mouth of a giant beast.

The crowd looked at each other.

For a moment, no one dared to be the first to enter.

After all, no one knew what dangers lay inside.

"A bunch of cowards!"

Just then, the black-clad youth from before sneered.

He stepped out from the crowd.

"Since no one dares to enter, then let me take the lead!"

With that.

He leaped and jumped directly into the vortex.

He vanished instantly.

"Good! You've got guts!"

"Since someone has taken the lead, I can't fall behind either!"

"Let's do it! At worst, I'll be a hero again in eighteen years!"

With someone leading the way, the blood of the remaining people was stirred.

One after another, they scrambled to rush into the vortex.

The youth carrying the rusty iron sword also moved silently through the crowd.

His gaze remained firm.

Without the slightest hesitation, he plunged into the darkness.

...

Inside the Asura Heavenly Palace.

Ye Haocheng sat in the center of the main hall.

Before him floated a massive water mirror.

What was displayed in the mirror was exactly the scenes inside the 'Asura Purgatory.'

At this time.

Tens of thousands of cultivators had been randomly teleported to various corners of the secret realm.

Some had bad luck and landed directly in a demonic beast's nest.

They were torn to pieces by several bloodthirsty demon wolves the moment they landed.

Others were trapped in illusions, swinging their weapons at the air, looking like they had gone mad.

Screams, sounds of slaughter, and cries for help rose and fell one after another.

It was simply a living hell.

"Tsk tsk tsk, how tragic."

Jin Daoming stood to the side, watching the images in the water mirror, and couldn't help but click his tongue.

He was still holding a spirit fruit and gnawing on it.

"It hasn't even been half an hour since it started, and several hundred people have already died."

"Palace Master, are we playing a bit too big?"

"If word gets out that we treat human lives like grass..."

"Is it big?"

Ye Haocheng glanced at him.

His expression was cold and indifferent.

"If they don't experience this kind of life-and-death trial, how can they survive in this cruel world?"

"The resources of my Asura Hall are limited."

"They can only be reserved for the strongest."

"As for those who die..."

Ye Haocheng picked up his teacup and took a light sip.

"Then just consider it as fertilizing this land."

"Palace Master is wise!"

Chen Pufan flattered from the side.

"This Asura Purgatory was meticulously designed by me. Although dangerous, it is also a good place to temper one's character."

"Those who can survive, even if they can't become personal disciples, can be recruited into the outer sect to serve as the foundation of the sect."

"Mm."

Ye Haocheng nodded.

His gaze continuously scanned the water mirror.

He seemed to be looking for something.

Suddenly.

His gaze fixed on a certain corner.

There, a fierce battle was taking place.

...

Asura Purgatory, the outer wasteland.

The youth carrying the rusty iron sword was currently locked in a hard fight.

Besieging him were three peak first-rank Armored Barbarian Bulls.

Although these demonic beasts were low in intelligence, they had thick hides, tough flesh, and immense strength.

Even a powerhouse at the Martial Master realm would find them a headache to deal with.

And this youth clearly did not have the cultivation of a Martial Master.

He wasn't even a Martial Apprentice.

He was fighting entirely on ruthless drive and instinct.

"Roar!!"

An Armored Barbarian Bull let out an angry roar and charged at the youth with its head lowered.

Those sharp horns were like two daggers, enough to pierce through rock.

The youth's eyes narrowed.

He didn't take the hit head-on.

Instead, he performed a desperate roll, narrowly avoiding this fatal strike.

But the clothes on his back were still sliced open, leaving him bloodied.

"Huff... huff..."

The youth was panting heavily.

The iron sword in his hand trembled slightly from the previous block.

The webbing between his thumb and index finger had already been split by the shock.

"No... I'll be worn down to death at this rate..."

The youth was anxious.

His stamina was nearly exhausted.

Yet these three barbarian bulls were still full of energy.

"I must find a way..."

The youth's gaze quickly scanned the surroundings.

Suddenly, he saw a narrow mountain crevice not far away.

That gap could only accommodate one person passing through.

The massive barbarian bulls definitely wouldn't be able to get in.

"That's the spot!"

A light flashed in the youth's eyes.

Enduring the sharp pain throughout his body, he used his last bit of strength to run toward the mountain crevice.

"Moo!!"

The barbarian bull behind him seemed to realize his intention.

It let out an angry bellow and sped up its pursuit.

Just as the youth was about to rush into the mountain crevice.

A massive bull hoof stomped heavily onto his back.

Pfft!

The youth spat out a mouthful of blood.

He was sent flying like a kite with a broken string.

He slammed heavily onto the entrance of the mountain crevice.

With this blow, at least three of his ribs were broken.

His internal organs felt as if they had been displaced.

The intense pain almost made him black out.

"Am I going to die here..."

The youth's consciousness began to blur.

The scenery before him was spinning.

But he still gripped the iron sword in his hand tightly.

He refused to let go.

"No... I'm not willing to accept this..."

"I haven't taken my revenge yet..."

"I haven't become a powerhouse yet..."

Just then.

That barbarian bull had already caught up.

It looked at the youth lying on the ground, a cruel light appearing in its eyes.

It raised its hoof, preparing to give him the final blow.

"Damn it!!"

The youth suddenly bit the tip of his tongue.

He used the pain to force himself awake.

He didn't know where the strength came from.

Unexpectedly, at the moment the barbarian bull's hoof was falling, he raised the iron sword in his hand.

Pfft!!

This sword strike was perfectly aimed.

It hit the softest part of the barbarian bull's belly.

Moreover, by using the force of the bull's own stomp, it directly pierced through its heart.

"Moo—!!!"

The barbarian bull let out a shrill scream.

Its massive body crashed to the ground.

It pinned the youth beneath it.

Seeing this, the other two barbarian bulls were so frightened that they turned and fled.

Demonic beasts also feared death.

The death of their companion made them instinctively feel terror.

"I... I survived..."

The youth pinned under the bull's corpse had a smile on his face that looked worse than crying.

He breathed in the blood-scented air in large gulps.

He felt as if he had just walked back from the gates of hell.