Chapter 263: Chapter 256: Five Elements Test

Moo WuZheng was at the Fire Gate. Each of the Five-Star Monarchs watched over one gate, mainly to see if anyone with decent aptitude showed up this time. If they found someone suitable, they would pull them into their own faction.

Here, a Sect was more like a background; factions were what truly mattered.

Moo WuZheng saw Wang Meng and Li Tianyi but paid them no mind. If not for the fact that these two had won him a bet, he probably would have ignored them completely.

"Excuse me, excuse me, I’m here to learn a Cultivation Technique. Pardon me, please let me through."

Wang Meng was all too familiar with that voice. It was Fan Hong.

Most people would wait a bit or re-read the instructions in their Star Ring on how to traverse the gates, but Fan Hong just stumbled right in.

The moment he entered, Fan Hong’s body swayed as he clearly felt a wave of resistance.

For the trial of the Five Elements Gates, one had to walk with all their might until they could go no further. The Cultivation Technique they received was determined by how far they got.

Of course, if an attribute was unsuitable and one walked into the wrong gate, it was nearly impossible to go very far. Inside, there was a fiery red line every ten zhang, and one had to at least cross the first red line to obtain a Cultivation Technique.

If none of the Five Elements Gates worked for you, then sorry, you were doomed.

Although Fan Hong stumbled along, he still managed to cross the first red line. He went about four more zhang before stopping, slowly sitting down cross-legged to begin receiving the Cultivation Technique.

With the reckless Fan Hong setting an example, people gradually began to enter. Of course, the more cautious ones remained on the sidelines, observing. Some would even spend several days or longer watching, trying to ensure they achieved the best possible result.

Moo WuZheng watched with utter boredom. Generally, stopping within three zhang of the first line was considered poor. Four-plus zhang was passable.

The challengers were very cautious. The first attempt was free, but any subsequent attempts required an astronomical amount of Spirit Stones.

Even if the people here had the backing of their Sects, most Sects couldn’t afford the exorbitant prices demanded by the Cultivation Academy.

Wang Meng had already experienced the "cost of living" here firsthand.

"Wang Meng, let’s go too," Li Tianyi said, noticing the crowd was thinning.

"Let’s do it."

Normally, people undertook the trial alone to avoid being disturbed, but Wang Meng and Li Tianyi were undoubtedly the odd ones out.

Moo WuZheng figured the show was over for today. ’If no one can break past the second red line, it isn’t worth my attention.’

Both Wang Meng and Li Tianyi were full of vigor. It had to be said that while their strength wasn’t much to look at, they had great presence. To be precise, Moo WuZheng liked the look in their eyes, which were filled with fighting spirit.

The moment he entered, Wang Meng’s body visibly swayed. He felt an immense resistance.

’Damn, is it this tough right from the start?’

But Li Tianyi... he faced no obstruction at all. He strode forward, and within a few breaths, a gap had already opened between the two.

Li Tianyi didn’t pause. He marched forward, chasing his dream.

Moo WuZheng smiled knowingly. The Cultivation Academy truly allowed one to witness all aspects of life. In a Small Thousand Realm, two fellow disciples might be of comparable strength, with one perhaps having a slight edge. But here, everything could be overturned. A gap that was once negligible could suddenly become enormous in an instant.

The scene before him was a living example of this.

Many people went mad from such contrasts. They weren’t afraid of a strange, powerful world, but they couldn’t handle this kind of unprepared-for disparity.

’If this Wang Meng can’t pass the first red line, it means there’s still hope for him to try the other gates. But if he passes...’

Wang Meng was struggling badly, while Li Tianyi ahead of him moved with ease. When Li Tianyi crossed the first red line and still maintained his effortless pace, the expressions of many onlookers changed, especially the veterans.

After the first line, Li Tianyi also began to feel some resistance, but it was manageable. One zhang... two zhang... three zhang... Someone was silently counting.

The closer he got to the second red line, the greater the resistance became. Yet, Li Tianyi broke through the second red line without any suspense. Moo WuZheng was delighted. He’d had a good feeling about Li Tianyi from the start. He never thought a Phoenix would actually emerge from a chicken coop.

’This kid is interesting.’

By this point, no one was paying attention to Wang Meng anymore. He was still two zhang away from the first red line, yet he already looked like he was crawling.

Wang Meng gritted his teeth and pushed forward. ’I’ve already overcome so many obstacles. I have to make it through.’

’Back then, I managed to enter the Holy Hall at only the Second Layer of Life Mark. What in this world can possibly stop me now!’

As Wang Meng fought with all his might to cross the first red line, Li Tianyi had already passed the second.

Wang Meng was a single step away from the first red line, while on the other side, Li Tianyi had reached three zhang past the second.

Moo WuZheng let out a huge sigh of relief. ’If that kid had actually made it five zhang past the second red line, it would have caused an uproar.’

For a Sect ranked 186th to produce such a genius was already a miracle. Without a doubt, the Holy Hall would gain a lot of points for this, which was a much-needed lifeline given their current situation.

Everyone looked at Li Tianyi with a mixture of envy, jealousy, and hate. Regardless of which Sect he came from, with this kind of talent, he would definitely be courted by the major factions. Moo WuZheng of the Empress Faction was right here, and he wasn’t likely to miss this opportunity.

Compared to Li Tianyi, the still-struggling Wang Meng looked even more like... a clown.

No one paid him any mind. Struggling this much meant one of two things: either he had chosen the wrong gate, or he was just... too pathetic.

No one cared about that, but Wang Meng didn’t let it bother him. He was certain of one thing: among the Five Elements, his mastery of the Fire Attribute was the best. He couldn’t have made a mistake.

’Am I just a little bit short?’

Anyone else in this situation would surely start to doubt themselves. ’Did I choose the wrong gate?’

But Wang Meng wouldn’t. His eyes were practically shooting flames. He didn’t care about anyone else. His eyes were fixed only on that red line. Everyone’s abilities were different. His goal was that red line. He had to cross it. He had to!

Wang Meng’s teeth ground together with a loud CRUNCH as he roared in his heart.

Inch by inch, Wang Meng finally stepped across the first red line. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

But that was his absolute limit.

He sat down cross-legged, and a Cultivation Technique appeared in Wang Meng’s Sea of Heart.

The Fire Burning Technique.

Without a doubt... it was the worst Cultivation Technique available here.

No one else was attempting the trial. After a powerhouse like Li Tianyi had appeared, the others all chose to come back another time.

(A new week has begun! To my fellow readers, please toss a few recommendation tickets Master Wang’s way ^_^)

(To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian.com to vote with recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)