Chapter 909: Chapter 908: At a Complete Loss

The consultation of Zhi Xuan and his group finally yielded a result.

This is also a tacit understanding in the Cultivation World for magical duels, a way of cultivation, rather than the endless entanglement and harassment found in the Mortal World.

It resembles a test that began the moment they entered the Medicine King Furnace. The countless spirit plant creatures are the first hurdle, but this doesn’t seem difficult due to the distinguished guests from the Upper Realm. Replacing them with cultivators from Hell Star would eliminate at least half of them at this stage alone.

The space rift is the second hurdle, testing the comprehensive abilities, insight, and background of a cultivator. The fact that more than half of them made it here indicates their skills, whereas none of the Hell Star convicts would reach this point.

Pushing the monsters is the third hurdle, testing human cultivators’ organizational cooperation, evidenced by the minimal losses they suffered. When they approached the pestle, the surrounding monsters only surrounded without attacking, which is another form of tacit understanding.

Their contest boils down to a graceful competition, avoiding desperate struggles; now, it has reached the final hurdle, where the main target appears. Naturally, they must use the graceful competition method. If they bombarded it simultaneously with hundreds of attacks, it would fall short. With the power of an Innate Spiritual Treasure, it single-mindedly guards this place, rendering it immovable to anyone; not even a thousand or ten thousand would succeed.

This is why human cultivators can calmly plan and decide on the method of action. They have effectively ceased to consider the impact of the monsters and can focus entirely on how to overturn this Innate God through Daoist methods.

This is a game where they need to find the weak point of the pestle, using an admirable method to effect change. The pestle must also accept such a contest, refraining from using its near Dao-like abilities.

In fact, discussing these contests rarely yields new ingenious methods; a cultivator represents a domain, a Daoist tradition. Collaboration is impossible, making it a contest between human cultivators and Innate Spiritual Treasures, as well as a contest among human cultivators themselves.

There’s still the Nine Heavens, presenting opportunity to all the 168 cultivators here; some coldly observe, hoping to take advantage after others, while others boldly claim the chance to lead the way.

Once the strategy was set, a cultivator stepped forward—a slender figure from the reserves, who had fought alongside Hou Niao and the others.

Under everyone’s watchful eyes, the cultivator approached the pestle, appearing particularly frail compared to the giant tree-like, several-zhang-wide pestle.

With few words, he knew his advantages and disadvantages, realizing it’s futile to observe others’ performance since his method differs from the others, and he couldn’t learn even if he watched.

With a deep inhale, his body inflated like blowing air, internal essence burning, power rising from the lower dantian, bones, flesh, and meridians growing, growing taller and stronger, turning into a giant equal to the pestle in a blink.

With a loud roar, he bent down to grasp the pestle, arms wrapping around the base…

“This person is named Liang Shan, origins unknown, likely following the path of body cultivation through essence and blood. Such traditions, incomparable to others, mean it’s neither early nor late; ultimately, success is success, if not, there’s no regret,” Wei Yi commented.

Gu Zai smirked, “His blood energy lacks the earth’s root; without a foundation, where does his strength come from? He merely amuses others.”

Wei Yi glanced sideways, “Compared to your Blood River Path, which is superior?”

Gu Zai scorned to reply, his expression showing disdain. In the Universe Cultivation Realm, the Blood River Path is a renowned acquired Great Dao, not some shady path, but an important Daoist branch.

Fairy Fei Bai returned to mix with the group, despite her bad impression of Hou Niao. Perhaps it’s due to a lack of familiar faces, while Yan Guan Qi Zheng were two dull gourds, completely joyless.

“Either way, it’s worth trying, even a failed attempt may inspire others,” she remarked.

In the midst of their commentary, Liang Shan let out a breath and a roar, causing the space to tremble, then straightened his waist for a pull, seeming to hint at vibrations in the space; however, the pestle remained unmoved.

After a solitary attempt, Liang Shan didn’t persist, knowing he couldn’t handle it. Firstly, the disparity in levels was too great; secondly, as Gu Zai mentioned, unable to draw power from the earth beneath his feet, he couldn’t unleash his full potential. What could be done?

He showed no disappointment; his heart was clear whether successful or not, rise high with no dust in his heart, worthy of being a notable force in the Universe Cultivation Realm, with a lucid heart realm.

It was the beginning; subsequent individuals lined up, mostly like Liang Shan, whose traditions were unique and unconventional; if they were from Daoist or Buddhist sects, they could rely on other monks’ attempts to discern what’s viable and doomed to fail. They didn’t need that.

Fairy Fei Bai, seeing more than ten return dejected, again considered targeting someone,

“Those stepping forward hold quite peculiar traditions. Well, Hou Daoist, how about a try? Watching won’t help either; in the end, it’s just a sword’s matter. Why contort yourself?”

Hou Niao calmly replied, “Me? I won’t go; naturally, my senior sister of Qingkong Sword Vein should step forward. I shall just cheer from below. Why bother?”

Fairy Fei Bai insisted, still upset after having a large elixir extorted,

“Participation is the key; failing to try is unworthy of a Sword Cultivator!”

Hou Niao smiled, turning to Wei Yi and Gu Zai, “If not a pestle, solely from its appearance, what does this seem to resemble to you both?”

The two spoke in unison; “More like a tribal fertility totem.”

This wasn’t because of their muddled thoughts; they were candid cultivators, speaking their minds when it was obvious. Why be evasive when it’s clear, avoiding hinting at the truth may elicit contempt, but in the Cultivation World, this isn’t uncommon.

Life’s legacy, isn’t it worth discussing?

Hou Niao chuckled, “Here’s a question; if Dual Cultivators were present, what would they do?”

Without waiting for a reply, he turned to Fairy Fei Bai, “I believe Dual Cultivation disciples would certainly first soften the jade pestle… The Fairy naturally has this innate advantage, why not heed my suggestion; slightly move up and down? You might surprise yourself with effortless success.”

Wei Yi and Gu Zai laughed heartily without heart, while Fairy Fei Bai glared angrily.

Hou Niao, smug and exuberant, quieted immediately as Yue Duo shot a glance his way.

Actually, it did make sense; if he were female, he’d do the same!

A bit more warmth and some lubrication, then perform a Heavenly Demon Dance…