"Semua orang meremehkanmu."
Bai Yan berbicara dengan lembut, suaranya masih datar, tetapi bernuansa kekaguman yang tulus.
"Kau sendiri juga tidak buruk!"
Fang Han membalas, lalu berbalik dan menelusuri aula itu dengan pandangan.
Dinding di bagian paling depan aula mulai berubah lagi.
Riakan menyebar di permukaannya saat dinding itu menjadi transparan dan lenyap.
Di baliknya, sebuah koridor lain terungkap.
Ketika mereka melihat pemandangan di dalam koridor itu, pandangan Fang Han dan Bai Yan sama-sama menajam.
Di tengah koridor berdiri sembilan Boneka Logam dalam formasi melingkar.
Seekor harimau, seekor beruang raksasa, seekor ular piton raksasa, seekor kera raksasa, seekor elang raksasa, seekor belalang sembah, seekor laba-laba, seekor kalajengking—dan di tengah-tengah mereka, ada satu boneka lagi.
Itu adalah Boneka Logam berbentuk kelabang, berwarna emas gelap dan cukup lebih panjang daripada Boneka Laba-laba.
Tubuhnya terbentuk dari lusinan segmen logam yang saling bertaut, masing-masing diapit sepasang kaki logam tajam berujung cahaya biru samar.
Kepalanya berbentuk segitiga, dan capitnya yang besar mengeluarkan suara logam berderit samar saat membuka dan menutup. Lusinan mata majemuknya bercahaya merah gelap, menatap dingin ke arah koridor.
Sembilan boneka, sembilan pasang mata.
Perasaan menekan, tak terhitung kali lebih kuat daripada ujian ketujuh, memancar dari koridor itu.
"Ujian kedelapan."
Bai Yan berbicara dengan suara rendah, nadanya mengandung bobot yang belum pernah ia tunjukkan sebelumnya.
"Sembilan boneka... Mengikuti polanya, boneka-boneka dalam ujian ini kemungkinan sebanding dengan Tahap Menengah Tingkat Kedua."
Sembilan Boneka Logam pada Tahap Menengah Tingkat Kedua.
Koordinasi mereka sempurna, tidak merasakan lelah atau sakit, dan tubuh mereka tidak bisa dihancurkan.
Formasi seperti ini akan merepotkan bahkan bagi seorang Praktisi Martial Tingkat Pertama.
Bai Yan terdiam sesaat sebelum melangkah menuju koridor.
Jubah putih bulannya berkilau samar dalam cahaya Mutiara Bercahaya. Luka-lukanya masih merembeskan darah, membasahi perban.
Langkahnya masih mantap, tetapi membawa beban lebih daripada sebelumnya.
Begitu ia melangkah masuk ke koridor, kesembilan boneka itu bergerak serentak.
Bai Yan menghunus pedangnya, Niat Pedang Kayunya meletus keluar.
Namun, kali ini, ia tidak berhasil melewatinya.
Serangan terkoordinasi dari sembilan boneka Tahap Menengah Tingkat Kedua itu terlalu rapat, terlalu ganas.
Ia bertarung dengan segenap tenaganya, mengumpulkan sekitar selusin luka lagi. Jubah putih bulannya basah oleh darah, dan wajahnya sepucat kertas.
Ia mencoba menerobos kepungan mereka berulang kali, hanya untuk dipaksa mundur setiap kali.
Setelah puluhan pertukaran,
puluhan pasang kaki logam Boneka Kelabang menusuknya secara bersamaan, menutup semua jalur pelariannya.
Ia tidak lagi punya tenaga untuk melawan.
Sebuah penghalang keemasan muncul dari udara kosong, menyelubunginya.
Sebuah Kotak Giok, yang memancarkan cahaya berharga, mendarat di tangannya.
Cahaya berharga itu lembut namun cemerlang, berputar-putar dengan kilau memesona di bawah sinar Mutiara Bercahaya.
Tidak mungkin mengetahui apa isinya, tetapi sebagai hadiah karena melewati tujuh ujian, nilainya pasti melampaui bahkan sebuah Teknik Kultivasi tingkat Mental.
Penghalang keemasan itu menyelubunginya dan ia lenyap dari pintu masuk koridor.
Di aula itu, hanya Fang Han yang tersisa.
Pandangannya jatuh ke koridor itu.
Sembilan Boneka Logam berdiri dalam formasi melingkar mereka, sembilan pasang mata mereka yang berbeda warna berkilau dengan cahaya dingin.
Sembilan Boneka Logam pada Tahap Menengah Tingkat Kedua.
Fang Han menarik napas dalam-dalam dan melangkah menuju koridor.
Begitu ia melangkah masuk ke koridor, kesembilan boneka itu bergerak serentak.
Koordinasi mereka bahkan lebih baik daripada di ujian ketujuh—lebih tajam, lebih mematikan.
SHING!
Fang Han menghunus pedangnya, melepaskan kekuatan penuh Niat Pedangnya dari Teknik Pedang Pembelah Langit pada Alam Pencapaian Kecil. Ia mendorong Langkah Dewa Anginnya hingga batas mutlaknya.
Sosoknya menyusup di antara serangan terkoordinasi sembilan boneka itu, cahaya pedang dan Teknik Tubuhnya saling melengkapi dengan sempurna.
Namun serangan sembilan boneka Tahap Menengah Tingkat Kedua itu sungguh terlalu mengerikan.
Lima puluh pertukaran.
Sebuah cakar dari Boneka Harimau Buas menyerempet bahu kirinya, merobek jubah hijaunya dan meninggalkan luka berdarah.
Delapan puluh pertukaran.
Kait ekor Boneka Kalajengking menusuk lengan kanannya, membuat darah berhamburan.
Seratus pertukaran.
Sebuah kaki logam Boneka Kelabang menebas punggungnya, meninggalkan luka berdarah yang panjang.
Ia menggertakkan gigi, bertahan dengan setiap ons tenaganya.
Akhirnya, pada pertukaran keseratus lima puluh, ia merebut celah yang sekilas. Tubuhnya berubah menjadi aliran cahaya hijau dan melesat melalui celah di antara boneka-boneka itu.
Begitu ia melewati koridor, ia terhuyung dan terjatuh berlutut.
Jubah hijaunya basah oleh darah, tubuhnya kini dipenuhi lebih dari selusin luka baru, besar dan kecil. Wajahnya sepucat kertas, auranya lemah.
Tetapi ia telah berhasil melewatinya.
Ia menelan Pil Embun Giok dan merobek potongan kain untuk membalut luka-lukanya yang lebih dalam secara kasar.
Saat itu, dinding di bagian paling depan aula mulai berubah lagi.
Riakan menyebar di permukaannya saat dinding itu menjadi transparan dan lenyap.
Di baliknya, sebuah koridor lain terungkap.
Di tengah koridor berdiri sepuluh Boneka Logam dalam formasi melingkar.
Seekor harimau, seekor beruang raksasa, seekor ular piton raksasa, seekor kera raksasa, seekor elang raksasa, seekor belalang sembah, seekor laba-laba, seekor kalajengking, seekor kelabang—dan di tengah-tengah mereka, ada satu boneka lagi.
Itu adalah Boneka Logam yang tampak seperti persilangan antara belalang sembah dan laba-laba. Tubuhnya berwarna perak gelap, dan ukurannya satu tingkat penuh lebih besar daripada boneka-boneka lainnya.
Ia memiliki enam kaki logam yang panjang dan ramping, dan tungkai depannya berbentuk sabit, bahkan lebih panjang dan lebih tajam daripada tungkai Boneka Belalang Sembah.
Kepalanya memiliki lusinan mata majemuk yang bercahaya emas gelap, menatap dingin ke arah koridor.
Perasaan menekan, tak terhitung kali lebih kuat daripada ujian kedelapan, memancar dari koridor itu.
"Ujian kesembilan."
Fang Han berbicara dengan suara rendah dan serak.
Sepuluh boneka. Mengikuti polanya, boneka-boneka dalam ujian ini kemungkinan sebanding dengan Tahap Akhir Tingkat Kedua.
Sepuluh Boneka Logam pada Tahap Akhir Tingkat Kedua.
Bahkan seorang Praktisi Martial Tingkat Pertama belum tentu mampu melewati formasi seperti ini.
Fang Han terdiam sesaat sebelum melangkah menuju koridor.
Begitu ia melangkah masuk ke koridor, kesepuluh boneka itu bergerak serentak.
Ia menghunus pedangnya, Niat Pedangnya meletus saat ia mendorong Teknik Tubuhnya hingga batas mutlaknya.
Namun, kali ini, ia hanya bertahan selama tiga puluh pertukaran.
Serangan terkoordinasi dari sepuluh boneka Tahap Akhir Tingkat Kedua itu seperti jaring kematian yang tak terhindarkan, menutup semua ruang baginya untuk mengelak.
Ia bertarung dengan segenap tenaganya, mengumpulkan beberapa luka lagi.
Tetapi ketika boneka perak gelap itu menerjang, enam tungkai depannya yang seperti sabit menebas dari enam arah sekaligus, menenun jaring mematikan bersama serangan sembilan boneka lainnya,
ia tidak lagi punya tenaga untuk melawan.
Sebuah penghalang keemasan muncul dari udara kosong, menyelubunginya.
Sebuah cincin polos berwarna hitam pekat mendarat di tangannya.
Cincin itu seluruhnya hitam, terbuat dari bahan yang tidak diketahui. Terasa agak berat saat disentuh, dan permukaannya memiliki pola-pola samar yang memancarkan aura kuno dan misterius.
'Cincin?'
Fang Han menunduk memandangi cincin di tangannya.
Ia tidak tahu untuk apa cincin itu, tetapi sebagai hadiah karena melewati delapan ujian, nilainya pasti harus lebih besar daripada apa yang diterima Bai Yan.
Ia tidak punya waktu untuk memeriksanya lebih dekat sebelum penghalang keemasan itu menyelubunginya dan mulai memindahkannya keluar dari Reruntuhan Kuno.
Ia secara alami memahami prinsip untuk tidak memamerkan kekayaan, jadi ia cepat-cepat menyimpan cincin itu, berencana memeriksanya nanti saat ada kesempatan.
Terbungkus dalam penghalang keemasan, Fang Han melesat naik dengan cepat dari kedalaman Reruntuhan Kuno.
Dunia berputar di sekelilingnya dalam kabut cahaya dan bayangan. Ketika ia sadar kembali, ia sedang berdiri di luar pintu masuk reruntuhan.
Di belakangnya, gerbang giok yang miring ke dalam bumi perlahan menutup dengan suara menggelegar. Pola-pola rumit di sepanjang tepinya perlahan meredup, akhirnya menjadi sunyi.
Di tepi cekungan itu, ratusan pandangan jatuh pada Fang Han secara serempak.
Jubah hijau Fang Han robek di banyak tempat, dengan darah merembes dari bahu kiri, lengan kanan, dan punggungnya. Wajahnya pucat, auranya tidak stabil.
Tetapi di mata mereka, ia sama sekali tidak tampak menyedihkan. Sebaliknya, ia tampak sangat misterius.
Bagaimanapun juga, inilah orang yang keluar terakhir dari Reruntuhan Kuno.
"Fang Han!"
Suara Chen Wanjun terdengar.
Wakil Kepala Aula Penegak Hukum itu berkelip, muncul di sisi Fang Han seperti hantu.
Pandangannya menyapu luka-luka Fang Han, dan ia mengerutkan kening hampir tak terlihat.
Ia mengeluarkan sebuah Botol Giok dan menuangkan sebuah Eliksir sebesar buah lengkeng yang berkilau.
Ini adalah Pil Penciptaan, harta yang bahkan lebih berharga daripada Pil Embun Giok.
"Minum ini dulu."
Chen Wanjun meletakkan Eliksir itu di tangan Fang Han, suaranya mantap dan penuh kepedulian yang tak terbantahkan.
Fang Han tidak menolak dan memasukkan Eliksir itu ke mulutnya.
Pil Penciptaan itu larut begitu masuk ke mulutnya, dan gelombang Kekuatan Obat yang lembut namun luar biasa langsung mengalir melalui anggota tubuh dan tubuhnya.
Ke mana pun ia melewatinya, luka-lukanya yang masih berdarah berhenti merembes dengan kecepatan yang terlihat, dan qi serta darah yang bergejolak di dalam dirinya perlahan mereda.
Sedikit warna akhirnya kembali ke wajah pucatnya.
"Terima kasih atas Eliksirnya, Wakil Kepala Aula Chen."
Fang Han berkata sambil menangkupkan tinjunya.
Chen Wanjun sedikit menggelengkan kepala. Pandangannya tertinggal padanya beberapa saat lagi, dan hanya setelah memastikan luka-l
"Everyone underestimated you."
Bai Yan spoke softly, his voice still flat, but tinged with genuine admiration.
"You’re not bad yourself!"
Fang Han replied, then turned and scanned the hall.
The wall at the very front of the hall began to change again.
Ripples spread across it as the wall turned transparent and vanished.
Behind it, another corridor was revealed.
As they saw the scene within the corridor, both Fang Han’s and Bai Yan’s gazes sharpened.
In the center of the corridor stood nine Metal Puppets in a circular formation.
A tiger, a giant bear, a giant python, a giant ape, a giant eagle, a mantis, a spider, a scorpion—and in their center, there was one more puppet.
It was a Metal Puppet shaped like a centipede, dark gold in color and a fair bit longer than the Spider Puppet.
Its body was formed from dozens of interlocking metal segments, each flanked by a pair of sharp metal legs tipped with a faint blue light.
Its head was triangular, and its massive pincers made faint, grinding metallic sounds as they opened and closed. Dozens of compound eyes glowed dark red, staring coldly down the corridor.
Nine puppets, nine pairs of eyes.
An oppressive feeling, countless times stronger than the seventh trial’s, radiated from the corridor.
"The eighth trial."
Bai Yan spoke in a low voice, his tone laced with a gravity he hadn’t shown before.
"Nine puppets... Following the pattern, the puppets in this trial are likely comparable to the Middle Stage of Second Grade."
Nine Metal Puppets at the Middle Stage of Second Grade.
They had perfect coordination, felt no fatigue or pain, and their bodies were indestructible.
A lineup like this would be trouble even for a First Grade Martial Artist.
Bai Yan was silent for a moment before striding toward the corridor.
His moon-white robes shimmered faintly in the light of the Luminous Pearls. His wounds were still seeping blood, soaking through the bandages.
His steps were still steady, but they carried more weight than before.
The moment he stepped into the corridor, all nine puppets moved at once.
Bai Yan drew his sword, his Wood Sword Intent erupting forth.
However, this time, he did not make it through.
The coordinated assault of the nine Middle Stage Second Grade puppets was simply too dense, too fierce.
He fought with all his might, accumulating another dozen or so wounds. His moon-white robes were soaked in blood, and his face was as pale as paper.
He tried to break through their encirclement again and again, only to be forced back each time.
After dozens of exchanges,
the Centipede Puppet’s dozens of pairs of metal legs stabbed at him simultaneously, sealing off all his escape routes.
He no longer had the strength to resist.
A golden barrier materialized out of thin air, enveloping him.
A Jade Box, radiating a treasured light, landed in his hands.
The treasured light was gentle yet brilliant, swirling with a captivating luster under the glow of the Luminous Pearls.
It was impossible to know what was inside, but as a reward for clearing seven trials, its value surely surpassed even that of an Mental-level Cultivation Technique.
The golden barrier enveloped him and vanished from the corridor’s entrance.
In the hall, only Fang Han remained.
His gaze fell upon the corridor.
The nine Metal Puppets stood in their circular formation, their nine pairs of differently colored eyes gleaming with a cold light.
Nine Metal Puppets at the Middle Stage of Second Grade.
Fang Han took a deep breath and strode toward the corridor.
The moment he stepped into the corridor, all nine puppets moved at once.
Their coordination was even better than in the seventh trial—sharper, more lethal.
SHING!
Fang Han drew his sword, unleashing the full force of his Sword Intent from the Sky-Splitting Sword Technique at the Minor Achievement Realm. He pushed his Wind God Step to its absolute limit.
His figure weaved through the nine puppets’ coordinated assault, his sword light and Body Technique complementing each other perfectly.
But the assault of nine Middle Stage Second Grade puppets was simply too terrifying.
Fifty exchanges.
A claw from the Fierce Tiger Puppet grazed his left shoulder, tearing his green robes and leaving a bloody gash.
Eighty exchanges.
The Scorpion Puppet’s tail hook stabbed his right arm, sending blood flying.
One hundred exchanges.
A metal leg of the Centipede Puppet slashed across his back, leaving a long, bloody wound.
He gritted his teeth, holding on with every ounce of his strength.
Finally, at the one hundred and fiftieth exchange, he seized a fleeting opening. His body transformed into a stream of green light and shot through a gap between the puppets.
The moment he passed through the corridor, he staggered and dropped to one knee.
His green robes were soaked in blood, his body now covered in more than a dozen new wounds, large and small. His face was as pale as paper, his aura weak.
But he had made it through.
He swallowed a Jade Dew Pill and tore off strips of cloth to crudely bandage his deeper wounds.
Just then, the wall at the very front of the hall began to change again.
Ripples spread across it as the wall turned transparent and vanished.
Behind it, another corridor was revealed.
In the center of the corridor stood ten Metal Puppets in a circular formation.
A tiger, a giant bear, a giant python, a giant ape, a giant eagle, a mantis, a spider, a scorpion, a centipede—and in their center, there was one more puppet.
It was a Metal Puppet that looked like a hybrid of a mantis and a spider. Its body was dark silver, and it was a full size larger than the other puppets.
It had six long, slender metal legs, and its forelimbs were shaped like scythes, even longer and sharper than those of the Mantis Puppet.
Its head had dozens of compound eyes that glowed dark gold, staring coldly down the corridor.
An oppressive feeling, countless times stronger than the eighth trial’s, radiated from the corridor.
"The ninth trial."
Fang Han spoke in a low, hoarse voice.
Ten puppets. Following the pattern, the puppets in this trial were likely comparable to the Late Stage of Second Grade.
Ten Metal Puppets at the Late Stage of Second Grade.
Even a First Grade Martial Artist would not necessarily be able to pass a lineup like this.
Fang Han was silent for a moment before striding toward the corridor.
The moment he stepped into the corridor, all ten puppets moved at once.
He drew his sword, his Sword Intent erupting as he pushed his Body Technique to its absolute limit.
However, this time, he only lasted for thirty exchanges.
The coordinated assault of the ten Late Stage Second Grade puppets was like an inescapable web of death, sealing off all his room to evade.
He fought with all his might, accumulating several more wounds.
But when the dark silver puppet lunged, its six scythe-like forelimbs slashing from six directions at once, weaving a lethal net with the attacks of the other nine puppets,
he no longer had the strength to resist.
A golden barrier materialized out of thin air, enveloping him.
A plain, pitch-black ring landed in his hand.
The ring was entirely black, made of some unknown material. It felt slightly heavy to the touch, and its surface bore faint patterns that exuded an ancient and mysterious aura.
’A ring?’
Fang Han looked down at the ring in his hand.
He didn’t know what the ring was for, but as a reward for clearing eight trials, its value surely had to be greater than what Bai Yan had received.
He had no time for a closer look before the golden barrier enveloped him and began to transport him out of the Ancient Ruins.
He naturally understood the principle of not flaunting one’s wealth, so he quickly put the ring away, planning to examine it later when he had the chance.
Wrapped in the golden barrier, Fang Han ascended rapidly from the depths of the Ancient Ruins.
The world spun around him in a blur of light and shadow. When he came to his senses, he was standing outside the entrance to the ruins.
Behind him, the jade gate that slanted down into the earth slowly boomed shut. The complex patterns along its edges gradually dimmed, finally falling silent.
At the edge of the basin, hundreds of gazes fell on Fang Han in unison.
Fang Han’s green robes were torn in many places, with blood seeping from his left shoulder, right arm, and back. His face was pale, his aura unstable.
But in their eyes, he didn’t look wretched at all. Instead, he seemed incredibly mysterious.
After all, this was the person who had emerged last from the Ancient Ruins.
"Fang Han!"
Chen Wanjun’s voice rang out.
The Vice Hall Master of the Law Enforcement Hall flickered, appearing at Fang Han’s side like a phantom.
His gaze swept over Fang Han’s wounds, and he frowned almost imperceptibly.
He took out a Jade Bottle and tipped out a lustrous, longan-sized Elixir.
This was a Creation Pill, a treasure even more precious than a Jade Dew Pill.
"Take this first."
Chen Wanjun placed the Elixir in Fang Han’s hand, his voice steady and filled with unquestionable concern.
Fang Han didn’t refuse and put the Elixir in his mouth.
The Creation Pill dissolved the moment it entered his mouth, and a gentle yet immense wave of Medicinal Power instantly surged through his limbs and body.
Wherever it passed, his still-bleeding wounds stopped seeping blood at a visible rate, and the churning qi and blood within him gradually calmed.
Some color finally returned to his pale face.
"Thank you for the Elixir, Vice Hall Master Chen."
Fang Han said, cupping his fist.
Chen Wanjun shook his head slightly. His gaze lingered on him for another moment, and only after confirming his injuries were not serious did he relax.
He didn’t ask how many trials Fang Han had cleared, only saying calmly,
"Rest for now."
Fang Han nodded and sat down on a nearby green rock.
Only then did the various factions at the edge of the basin snap out of their astonishment.
"The last one out was... Fang Han from Qingyang County?"
someone murmured in disbelief.
"That Bai Yan from the Celestial Essence Sect came out before him."
"Does that mean he cleared at least as many trials as Bai Yan?"
A brief silence fell over the crowd at these words.
Who was Bai Yan?
He was the strongest disciple on this trip from the Overlord-level Influence, the Celestial Essence Sect.
And Fang Han, from a remote place like Qingyang County, belonged to the Qingxuan Sect—a mere ordinary top-level influence. The gap between it and the Celestial Essence Sect was as wide as the heavens and the earth.
But despite his background, he was the last one to remain in the Ancient Ruins.
The Elders leading the major factions from Qingyang County exchanged glances, all seeing unconcealed surprise in each other’s eyes.
However, mixed in with their surprise was a faint sense of relief, as if this was only to be expected.
After all, this was Fang Han.
The man who had topped the Celestial Pride List just over two years after his Entry Level, and comprehended Sword Intent at the age of twenty.
His path of growth was already the stuff of legends in Qingyang County.
Now, achieving a result in the Ancient Ruins that matched or possibly even surpassed that of the strongest disciple from an Overlord-level Influence was shocking, but not entirely unbelievable.
But the factions from the four counties of Donglu, Songquan, Bailu, and Taishun were not so "accustomed" to it.
"The last one out... was actually him!"
Elder Shi Jing of Songquan County’s Cangsheng Temple murmured, his experienced eyes filled with unconcealable shock.
He had lived for over sixty years and seen many astonishingly brilliant talents, but he had never witnessed a scene like this—
a young man from a remote county who had remained in the Ancient Ruins until the very end, performing even better than the disciple from an Overlord-level Influence.
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