39: Soul Talent and Nine-Colored Light Pillars

The brutal elimination of the first stage left the survivors with lingering fear.

The once mighty team of dozens now numbered less than twenty, each bearing wounds and exuding a feeble aura.

On the Platform of the Other Shore, the atmosphere was heavy.

Everyone knew that the upcoming trials would only be more difficult.

“Second Stage: Soul Talent Test,” the cold prompt echoed above the platform.

“The nine-colored light pillars represent nine types of soul talent attributes.

Choose the light pillar that resonates with your own soul and accept the test.

Those whose compatibility meets the standard will proceed to the next stage.

Failures will be eliminated.”

As the voice fell, the nine light pillars in the center of the platform simultaneously lit up, emitting different colored lights and unique soul fluctuations:

Crimson light pillar: Fiery, violent, representing the “Fire” attribute soul talent.

Orange light pillar: Heavy, steady, representing the “Earth” attribute.

Yellow light pillar: Sharp, keen, representing the “Metal” attribute.

Green light pillar: Vitality, healing, representing the “Wood” attribute.

Cyan light pillar: Agile, swift, representing the “Wind” attribute.

Blue light pillar: Profound, vast, representing the “Water” attribute.

Purple light pillar: Destructive, overbearing, representing the “Lightning” attribute.

White light pillar: Pure, holy, representing the “Light” attribute.

Black light pillar: Eerie, devouring, representing the “Dark” attribute.

These nine attributes covered the common soul talent directions on the Dou Qi Continent.

“Soul talent test?” Mad Lion’s brows furrowed.

He mainly cultivated Earth attribute Dou Qi, but his soul talent might not match it.

This was a test of innate aptitude and could not be faked.

The Old Woman of the Black Emperor Sect’s eyes flickered.

She cultivated poison arts, and her soul leaned towards sinister toxicity, which should be related to the Dark attribute or a Poison attribute (not among the nine colors).

Ge Ye of the Yunlan Sect and Xie Biyan of the Ten Thousand Scorpion Sect also pondered, choosing the light pillars that might resonate with them.

The Sloppy Old Man remained nonchalant, shaking his wine gourd and casually walking towards the Cyan (Wind attribute) light pillar.

Xiao Chen looked at the nine-colored light pillars, rapidly analyzing in his mind.

His soul power originated from the system, not from traditional cultivation, so its attribute seemed relatively neutral.

But the Spirit Nurturing Art leaned towards nurturing and refining, perhaps similar to “Water” or “Wood” attributes?

Or perhaps, the soul bestowed by the system had something special about it?

“System, Scan my soul talent attribute,” Xiao Chen ordered in his mind.

【Scan: Host Soul】

【Attribute】: ??? (Affected by system rules, attribute cannot be determined, leans towards all-rounder type)

【Talent】: Replicate All Things (System core ability, transcends conventional talent judgment)

【Suggestion】: Host can choose any light pillar for testing; the system will simulate the corresponding attribute fluctuations to ensure passage.

However, choosing different light pillars may affect the direction of the inheritance obtained later.

Choose arbitrarily?

Simulate attributes?

Xiao Chen understood.

The system was indeed powerful!

This meant he could choose the direction of his future inheritance based on his own needs!

He looked at the nine light pillars.

Fire attribute was violent, suitable for attack; Water attribute was profound, suitable for defense and nourishment; Wood attribute was vital, suitable for alchemy and recovery; Wind attribute was swift, suitable for movement techniques and perception; Dark attribute was eerie, suitable for stealth and soul attacks...

“What do I need?” Xiao Chen asked himself.

Attack?

He had system replication, so he wouldn't lack means in the future.

Defense?

Soul power itself had a certain defensive capability.

What he lacked most now was life-saving ability and precise control over soul power!

Wind attribute seemed like a good choice?

Agile and swift, enhancing perception and evasion, and Wind attribute souls were often sensitive to energy flow, which would help him better control system energy.

“I’ll choose the Wind attribute then!” Xiao Chen made up his mind.

He walked towards the Cyan light pillar, choosing the same attribute as the Sloppy Old Man.

Hai Bodong, who mainly cultivated Ice attribute (a variant of Water attribute), walked towards the Blue light pillar.

Ya Fei, whose cultivation technique leaned towards gentleness, chose the Green light pillar.

Mo Chen, whose sword techniques were sharp, chose the Yellow light pillar.

Xiao Yan, with the aura of an abnormal flame within him, unhesitatingly walked towards the Crimson light pillar.

The others also made their choices.

When everyone stood before their chosen light pillars, the test began!

The light pillars shone brightly, enveloping the chosen ones!

A powerful suction force emerged, beginning to draw a trace of the testers' soul origin to determine attribute compatibility!

Xiao Chen felt his soul tremble slightly as a trace of its origin energy was absorbed by the Cyan light pillar.

He immediately communicated with the system in secret: “System, simulate Wind attribute soul fluctuations!”

【Ding! Simulation started... Simulation successful! Compatibility judgment: Excellent!】

The Cyan light pillar suddenly erupted with dazzling light, completely engulfing Xiao Chen!

Within the light pillar, it was as if a gentle breeze flowed, emitting a pleasant hum!

Compatibility, excellent!

On the other side, the Cyan light pillar where the Sloppy Old Man stood also erupted with light no less brilliant than Xiao Chen’s, even more profound and distant!

Compatibility, extremely excellent!

Hai Bodong’s Blue light pillar shone steadily, with good compatibility.

Ya Fei’s Green light pillar shone gently, with good compatibility.

Mo Chen’s Yellow light pillar shone sharply, with good compatibility.

Xiao Yan’s Crimson light pillar, however, erupted with astonishing crimson light, like a blazing fire!

Compatibility, excellent!

It even drew a few gasps of surprise!

However, not everyone was so smooth.

Mad Lion’s chosen earthy-yellow light pillar was dim, its fluctuations weak, and its compatibility was barely passable!

His face was grim, but he barely passed the test.

The Old Woman of the Black Emperor Sect’s chosen Black light pillar was dim, with good compatibility, but faint black gas lingered within the light pillar, giving an uncomfortable feeling.

Ge Ye of the Yunlan Sect’s chosen Purple light pillar (Lightning attribute) flickered unsteadily, with average compatibility.

Xie Biyan’s chosen Black light pillar was dim, with barely passable compatibility.

The most miserable were a few small faction leaders and rogue cultivators who had chosen incorrectly.

The light pillars they stood in barely reacted, and some even directly extinguished!

“Insufficient compatibility! Eliminated!” the cold prompt sounded.

The few failed testers were thrown out by the power erupting from the light pillars before they could even scream, falling into the colorful cloud sea below and disappearing!

The second stage once again eliminated five or six people!

Now, only twelve remained on the platform!

Xiao Chen, the Sloppy Old Man, Hai Bodong, Ya Fei, Mo Chen, Xiao Yan, Mad Lion, the Old Woman of the Black Emperor Sect, Ge Ye, Xie Biyan, and two lucky lone Dou Spirits who barely passed.

Those who could reach this point were all individuals with both strength and excellent talent!

“Congratulations on passing the second stage,” the prompt sounded again, “The third stage: Soul Potential Test, is about to begin.

Those who pass will enter the core of the Illusory Spirit Palace to accept the final inheritance trial.”

The platform vibrated, and the nine-colored light pillars slowly sank into the ground.

In their place, twelve colorful light doors, emitting a hazy glow, appeared before everyone.

Each light door corresponded to the attribute direction tested earlier.

“Choose the light door that corresponds to your talent and enter.

Beyond the door will be the ultimate trial targeting your respective soul potential.

Pass the trial, and you can obtain the inheritance.

Fail, and your soul will be severely damaged, or even annihilated!”

The ultimate trial!

The inheritance was within reach!

Everyone’s breathing quickened, their eyes filled with longing and tension.

“Xiao Chen, be careful,” Hai Bodong looked at Xiao Chen gravely, “In this final trial, we cannot help each other.

Everything depends on you.”

Ya Fei and Mo Chen also cast encouraging glances at Xiao Chen.

Xiao Yan clenched his fists, his eyes firm: “Big Brother Xiao, let’s do our best together!”

Xiao Chen nodded, took a deep breath, and looked towards the Cyan light door.

What would the ultimate trial of the Wind attribute be like?

He didn’t hesitate, stepping towards the Cyan light door.

The moment he stepped into the light door, he looked back at the Sloppy Old Man, only to see the Old Man also looking at him, with a meaningful smile in his eyes, before he too stepped into the light door.

With a flash of light, Xiao Chen disappeared into the light door.

The other few also chose their corresponding light doors and stepped into them.

Above the platform, only twelve silently standing light doors remained, awaiting the results of the trial.

The ultimate struggle for inheritance had officially begun!

And what Xiao Chen didn't know was that the Wind attribute light door he chose would bring him an unexpected opportunity, and would also unveil a corner of the secret behind the Illusory Spirit Realm...