"Bukankah ini terlalu berlebihan?" Ekspresi tetua Demi-Mortal Lord dari Sekte True Element tampak jelek, sangat jelek, hingga kata 'jelek' pun tidak cukup untuk menggambarkannya.
Menyaksikan pertarungan Huang Xiaoming, ada rasa frustrasi, kekalahan, dan kecewa di matanya. Dia tidak lebih kuat banyak. Bahkan, dia justru lebih lemah dan lebih tua dari Huang Xiaoming. Kultivator pengembara itu berbakat luar biasa dan kuat secara abnormal sebagai kekuatan independen, sepenuhnya membenarkan kemampuannya tetap bebas dan tidak terikat oleh berbagai kekuatan demi sumber daya.
Di Kenaikan Rune Kelima, dia sudah bisa dianggap elit di antara Ascended di Wilayah Bintang Grand Cyclic, tapi sebagai Ascended berusia enam ribu tahun di Fase Demi-Mortal Lord, bakatnya tinggi secara obscene. Soulspan seorang Demi-Mortal Lord adalah 30.000 tahun, jadi Huang Xiaoming bisa dianggap sangat muda.
"Bahkan dengan Heavy-Earth Lightning Gourd, dia tidak bisa menang." Lin Xianxian menatap panggung sambil menghela nafas, wisps kekuatan mistis dan energi meresap ke mana-mana; petir kuning gelap itu sangat tiran, seperti kabut tebal, bergejolak tanpa henti di panggung. Formasi alami panggung membersihkannya dari kekuatan, sementara penghalang transparan telah menebal, menandakan tidak bisa dilewati untuk saat ini.
Heavy-Earth Lightning Gourd adalah senjata Mystic-Earth high-grade yang bisa melepaskan campuran unik Energi Bumi Berat dan Energi Petir Dasar, menciptakan petir sangat berat yang bisa menenggelami seluruh planet, mengalahkan musuh dan berfungsi sebagai medium kuat untuk manifestasi.
Bagi Demi-Mortal Lord, senjata Mystic-Earth high-grade adalah top-tier. Mereka bisa menggunakan kekuatan terbesarnya tanpa masalah, memberikan dukungan luar biasa dalam pertarungan.
"Ini lelucon? Apakah Earthly Saints hanya main-main dengan kita?! Apakah mereka tidak ingin siapa pun lolos uji keji ini?!" Seorang Venerable yang kecewa, kultivator Fase Soul of Mysticism dari kekuatan Mystic-tier di Great Sea Starfield, berteriak marah. Huang Xiaoming sangat kuat dengan potensi tremendu, tapi dia dilarang masuk. Sedangkan mereka, backing dan tahun terbang mereka melebihi Huang Xiaoming; mau mereka berbuat apa?
Bagaimana mereka bisa menguji makhluk Ascended, yang sudah membuktikan bakat mereka di Ascension mereka, dengan kriteria tidak adil seperti ini? Segumpal energi mistis terkontenrasi yang dibekali Way of Mysticism's Permanence dan dikendalikan oleh Spiritual Sense dan Kekuatan Earthly Saint? Bukankah ini terlalu berlebihan untuk sekadar pengembara?!
Dia hanyalah salah satu dari beberapa kultivator vokal yang merasa Everlore Association sangat tidak adil. Mereka ingin menjadi bagian dari sejarah, dari peristiwa penentu era yang akan mengubah keadaan wilayah bintang untuk milenium.
Sementara udara keputusasaan dan diskusi panas meletus, Lin Xianxei dengan tenang menyaksikannya berlangsung. Dia tidak bisa menahan grimace cemberut pada ketidakmasukakalan Ascended ini; bahkan tetua di sampingnya dipenuhi amarah keadilan atas standar yang absurdly tinggi.
'Ini semua untuk menyaring sampah, menemukan hanya pilar bakat dan kekuatan di antara fana dan makhluk Ascended. Sungguh tidak tahu malu,' pikirannya bergema sebagai cibiran di hati banyak Chosen, Saintess, dan Heroes. Mereka bakat top-tier, muda dan ambisius, dan percaya pada kekuatan, potensi, cara, dan kultivasi mereka. Sangat sedikit yang melihat kegagalan saat menatap panggung di atas.
Ascended ini berteriak ketidakadilan sambil mengabaikan derajat status dan kekuatan makhluk Ascended di Main Hall. Mereka murni Earthly Saints dan Mortal Sovereign Alchemists! Bagaimana mereka bisa dibandingkan dengan keberadaan mulia yang berjumlah, total, kurang dari lima ratus di SELURUH Wilayah Bintang Grand Cyclic?
Bahkan di Aeternal Sky Starfield, starfield yang menampung Asosiasi Alkemis nomor satu di Wilayah Bintang Grand Cyclic, hanya tiga puluh empat Mortal Sovereign Alchemists yang dikenal, tidak termasuk Wei Wuyin. Angka itu paling tinggi di antara semua starfield. Faktanya, Moonfall Starfield (kedua puluh dua) hanya memiliki tiga Mortal Sovereign Alchemists total.
Dengan panggung sedang dibersihkan, kerumunan punya waktu cukup untuk berkeluh kesah dan mengeluh satu sama lain. Beberapa mencoba membahas taktik mengatasi ujian ini, sementara yang lain fokus kultivasi murni, tanpa niat mempertaruhkan nyawa. Manfaat di sini sudah cukup bagi mereka.
Soal masuk Main Hall, kurang dari 1% populasi di sini benar-benar percaya kualifikasi mereka saat tiba dan setelah Huang Xiaoming dan Pangeran Ke-34 gagal, realitas seperti percikan air dingin yang memadamkan kebanyakan pikiran mereka.
"Ini panggung untuk Chosen, Saintess, dan Heroes starfield kita. Bukan tulang tua seperti kita, yang ditakdirkan dilampaui oleh generasi muda." Seorang wanita tua berkulit keriput dan mata yang menyimpan vicissitudes of time, yang telah menyaksikan banyak era datang dan pergi, bicara pada saat ini.
Suaranya ringan, tapi menjangkau pikiran dan hati semua orang hadir. Hampir ekspresi semua orang bergeser derajat tertentu, dan kebanyakan Venerable dan Highlord menghela nafas berat, dengan tidak suka menerima realitas ini setelah mendengar kata-kata itu. Terutama karena diucapkan oleh High Mother Beyond Light Starfield, sosok tertua dan paling dihormati di seluruh tempat, dan Ancestor dari Illuminating Grace Bright Queen, pemimpin saat ini Illuminating Grace Sect dan kekuatan terdepan Beyond Light Starfield (kedelapan).
Sayangnya, bahkan dia tidak memiliki kualifikasi untuk diundang langsung, dipaksa membuktikan kualifikasinya seperti orang lain.
Tiga satu-satunya yang lolos di antara lima penantang sejauh ini adalah kultivator generasi muda yang sangat berbakat—dan cantik. Lebih penting lagi, ketiganya berusia di bawah seratus tahun. Saint Cyclic Renewal Summit dimaksudkan untuk generasi mereka; era mendatang mereka ditentukan di sini. Ini panggung mereka; oleh karena itu, masuk akal suara mereka yang paling penting dalam menentukannya, dan peluang mereka paling tinggi untuk lolos.
Adapun Exalted, sebagai makhluk Ascended 'gagal', tidak satu pun yang datang ke sini dengan ilusi kualifikasi—mereka tidak punya. Kebanyakan hanya senang dengan energi kaya yang dihadiahkan Everlore Association. Mereka mengekstrak dan menyimpan apa yang bisa dari simbol menggunakan berbagai alat untuk murid, keturunan, atau organisasi mereka.
Pemikiran mereka melampaui summit.
Setelah satu jam, energi kacau panggung dibersihkan sepenuhnya dan direset sempurna. Sekarang tersedia untuk penantang, pertanyaan tak terucap dan menganga di udara: "Siapa berikutnya?"
Kelihatannya sederhana, tapi bukan. Harus Chosen dulu? Atau calon Chosen? Harus kekuatan top turun? Atau bakat silver-rank dulu, menguji air, lalu naik perlahan ke gold-rank, lalu dorong ke mystic-tier? Tantangan urutan naik?
Atau siapa saja yang percaya diri bertarung? Saat ini, tetua dan pemimpin sudah paham tantangannya mungkin variabel. Jika cukup bakat gagal awal, ini mungkin memaksa pengutus sedikit menurunkan standar secara keseluruhan. Ini sangat menguntungkan.
Namun, kebalikannya juga benar. Jika bakat elite itu semua lolos dan menunjukkan kekuatan guncang dunia di usia muda, berasal dari kekuatan lemah, seperti tiga wanita tadi, maka ada kemungkinan kekuatan penentu bisa menaikkan standar bagi yang statusnya lebih tinggi, menurunkan peluang keberhasilan mereka signifikan.
Ini dilema. Lebih jauh, siapa pun yang mengambil inisiatif pasti akan mempengaruhi standar masa depan, gagal maupun sukses. Tidak ada yang mau jadi biduan.
"Kalau bukan karena pasti diusir kalau menolak, akan lebih banyak penantang—hanya untuk lihat level Entity mereka." Lin Xianxian mengomentari saat merasa atmosfer penuh ketegangan semakin kental. Secara logis, kekuatan top-tier harus duluan, siap untuk tantangan dan kesempatan membuktikan diri, karena mereka punya Chosen yang paling kuat secara ekspektasi; tapi dari percobaan Pangeran Ke-34 Eighth Sea, jelas standar saat ini agak terlalu tidak masuk akal.
Dia menasihati tiga Chosen Sekte True Element soal kemungkinan ini, dan mereka semua memilih menunggu.
Tiga jam lagi berlalu. Tidak ada yang bergerak. Pada titik ini, banyak yang memutuskan memanfaatkan manfaat Everlore Association sepenuhnya, kultivasi rajin dan diam di area masing-masing. Karena mereka punya sekitar lima bulan tiga minggu lagi, beberapa merasa tidak perlu terburu-buru.
Tak lama, suasana damai terbentuk saat ketegangan perlahan mereda karena ketidakaktifan. Baik fokus kultivasi atau merancang rencana aksi, itu mengambil banyak fokus, kegusaran, dan perasaan putus asa.
"Jadi begitulah caranya."
Seorang wanita berjubah ungu berdiri, menarik perhatian orang di sekitarnya. Meski basis kultivasinya rendah relatif ke semua orang di sana, dia duduk teguh di posisi kepemimpinan tanpa rasa tidak nyaman sedikit pun.
Pasang mata abu-abu cerah dan indah itu terasa bisa menerangi roh dan menangkap hati dengan sekali pandang. Dia memancarkan aura daya tarik tak terbatas, tak terduga intensnya, tapi di samping aura menarik itu ada rasa bangga, percaya diri, dan keunggulan duniawi.
Saat dia terbang naik, fitur magnifiknya tertonjol, dari pinggang ramping dan lentur, hingga payudara penuh dan berbentuk indah. Setiap gerakannya mengangkat dan mengayunkan dua puncak identik itu, memaksa pandangan menatap, menginspirasi keinginan panas, dan mengukirnya di memori. Sayangnya, mereka tertutup rapi, hanya ukuran dan bentuk kasar yang terlihat lewat jubahnya, tapi sudah cukup untuk seumur hiduplah pria biasa.
Fiturnya tidak berhenti di sini, memiliki kulit sehalus, sehangat, dan sekaya madu di samping rambut cokelat dengan sorotan emas yang mengalir ke bawah seperti air terjun tenang berkilau kesehatan dan kilau. Bibir penuhnya yang menarik pandangan dan alis terpotong sempurna melengkapi ansambel indah yang merupakan keberadaannya.
"Saintess?" Wanita indah lain yang berdiri di belakangnya berkata. Kulitnya sangat berbeda dari wanita berjubah ungu, putih seperti susu, membedakan mereka. Dia dengan mudah sosok paling dikenali di antara kekuatan gold-rank Aeternal Sky Starfield sebagai Exalted Purewhite, Palace Master Dark Yin Palace.
Jun Baiyin, Palace Master Dark Yin Palace, tidak bisa menahan tanya: "Saintess, jangan-jangan kau—"
Wanita berjubah ungu tidak menjawab, memotong wanita itu saat aura yin murni memancar keluar. Dia dengan berani terbang ke atas di bawah tatapan terkejut kelompok all-female-nya, menghancurkan gravitasi buatan!
HANCUR!
Tindakannya langsung menimbulkan keributan saat dia jadi pusat perhatian. Dan saat dia melakukannya, mayoritas pria hadir langsung terstimulasi!
Chapter 956: SCR Summit, Cold Splash of Reality
"Isn't this a little too much?" The expression of the Demi-Mortal Lord elder of the True Element Sect was unsightly, extremely so, to the point where 'ugly' wasn't sufficient enough to describe it.
Witnessing the battle of Huang Xiaoming, there was a sense of frustration, defeat, and grievance within her eyes. She wasn't much stronger. No, in fact, she was quite weaker and older than Huang Xiaoming. The vagabond of a cultivator was extraordinarily talented and abnormally powerful as an independent force, completely justifying his ability to stay free and unchained from various forces for resources.
At the 5th Rune Ascension, he could already be considered elite amongst Ascended of the Grand Cyclic Stellar Region, but as a six-thousand-year-old Ascended at the Demi-Mortal Lord Phase, his talent was obscenely high. The soulspan of a Demi-Mortal Lord was 30,000 years, so Huang Xiaoming could be considered very young.
"Even with the Heavy-Earth Lightning Gourd, he wasn't able to win." Lin Xianxian sighingly stared at the stage as wisps of mystic power and energies permeated throughout; the dark-yellow lightning was exceedingly tyrannical, like a heavy mist, crackling ceaselessly on the stage. The stage's innately inscribed formations were cleansing it of power, while the translucent barrier had thickened, signifying it as impassable for the time being.
The Heavy-Earth Lightning Gourd was a high-grade Mystic-Earth armament that could unleash a unique mixture of Heavy Earth Energies and Basic Lightning Energies, creating exceptionally heavy lightning that could flood entire planets, overtaking enemies and serving as a powerful medium for manifestations.
For a Demi-Mortal Lord, a high-grade Mystic-Earth armament was top-tier. They could utilize their greatest might without any issue, granting them extraordinary support in combat.
"Is this a joke? Are the Earthly Saints just messing with us?! Do they not want anyone to pass this dastardly trial?!" A disgruntled Venerable, a Soul of Mysticism Phase cultivator of a Mystic-tier force in the Great Sea Starfield, shouted in anger. Huang Xiaoming was terrifyingly powerful with tremendous potential, yet he was barred from entering. As for them, their backing and years exceeded Huang Xiaoming; what were they supposed to do?
How could they test Ascended beings, those who've proven their talents in their Ascensions, with such unfair criteria? A clump of concentrated mystic energy instilled with the Way of Mysticism's Permanence and controlled by an Earthly Saint's Spiritual Sense and Strength? Wasn't this too excessive for a mere vagabond?!
He was but one of a few vocal cultivators that felt the Everlore Association was being completely unfair. They wanted to be a part of history, of the era-defining event that will alter the state of the stellar region for millennia.
While an air of despair and heated discussions flared, Lin Xianxei calmly watched it unfold. She couldn't help but grimly frown at the unreasonableness of these Ascended; even the elders beside her were infused with righteous indignation at the absurdly high standards.
'This is all to sift through the trash, finding only the pillars of talent and strength amongst mortals and Ascended beings. How shameless,' her thoughts echoed as sneers in the hearts of many Chosen, Saintesses, and Heroes. They were top-tier talents, youthful and ambitious, and they were confident in their strength, potential, means, and cultivation. Very few saw failure when they looked to the stage above.
These Ascended were crying out unfairness while simultaneously ignoring the degree of status and strength the Ascended beings in the Main Hall had. They were strictly Earthly Saints and Mortal Sovereign Alchemists! How could they possibly compare to these exalted existences that numbered, in total, less than five hundred throughout the ENTIRE Grand Cyclic Stellar Region?
Even in the Aeternal Sky Starfield, a starfield housing the number one Alchemist Association in the Grand Cyclic Stellar Region, only thirty-four Mortal Sovereign Alchemists were known, excluding Wei Wuyin. That number was the highest amongst all starfields. In fact, the Moonfall Starfield(22nd) had only three Mortal Sovereign Alchemists in total.
With the stage undergoing cleansing, the crowd had sufficient time to wallow and complain to each other. Some tried to discuss tactics to overcome this trial, while others focused solely on cultivating, with no intention of risking their lives. The benefits here were enough for them.
As for entering the Main Hall, less than 1% of the population here actually had genuine beliefs of their qualifications when they arrived and after Huang Xiaoming and the 34th Prince had failed, the reality was like a cold splash that doused most of their thoughts.
"This is a stage for the Chosen, Saintesses, and Heroes of our starfield. Not old bones like us, destined to be surpassed by the young." An elderly woman with wrinkled skin and eyes that contained the vicissitudes of time, having seen numerous eras come and go, spoke up at this moment.
While her voice was light, it reached the minds and hearts of everyone present. Almost everyone's expressions experienced a shift of some degree, and most of the Venerables and Highlords heaved out sighs heavily, unwillingly accepting this reality after hearing those words. Especially since it was spoken by Beyond Light Starfield's High Mother, the eldest and most respected figure throughout, and the Ancestor of the Illuminating Grace Bright Queen, the current leader of the Illuminating Grace Sect and leading force of the Beyond Light Starfield(9th).
It was a shame that even she lacked the qualifications to be directly invited, forced to prove her qualifications like everyone else.
The only three to pass amongst the five challengers thus far were exceedingly talented—and beautiful—cultivators of the younger generation. More importantly, all three were beneath the age of a hundred. The Saint Cyclic Renewal Summit was meant for their generation; their upcoming era was being determined here. It was their stage; hence, it only made sense their voices mattered most in deciding it, and their chances were the highest to pass.
As for the Exalted, as 'failed' Ascended beings, not one had arrived here with any delusions of their qualifications—they had none. Most were simply happy with the enriched energies the Everlore Association gifted them. They extracted and stored what they could from the symbols using various tools for their disciples, descendants, or organizations.
Their thinking went beyond the summit.
After an hour, the stage's chaotic energies were thoroughly cleansed and granted a perfect reset. Now available for challengers, the lingering and unspoken question of the crowd hung in the air: "Who's next?"
While seemingly simple, it was anything but. Should Chosen go first? Or prospective Chosen? Should the top forces descend? Or should silver-rank talents go first, testing the waters, and then slowly rise to gold-rank, and then push to mystic-tier? A challenge of ascending order?
Or should it just be anyone confident in fighting? By now, the elders and leaders have grasped that the challenges might be variable. If enough talents fail initially, this might prompt those deciding few to lower standards overall. This would be extremely beneficial.
However, the inverse was similarly true. If those elite talents all passed and demonstrated world-shaking powers at young ages, belonging to weaker forces, such as the three women from before, then there was a possibility that the deciding powers could elevate the standards for those with higher statuses, significantly decreasing their chances of success.
It was a dilemma. Furthermore, whoever seized the initiative will undoubtedly impact future standards, regardless of failure or success. No one wanted to be a sacrificial piece.
"If it wasn't for the certainty of being kicked out after refusal, there would be more challengers—if only to see their Entity's level." Lin Xianxian commented as she felt the tension-filled atmosphere grow thicker. Logically, the top-tier forces should go first, primed for the challenge and chance to prove themselves, as they had the expectedly strongest Chosen; however, from the 34th Prince of the Eighth Sea's attempt, it was clear the current standards were a little too unreasonable.
She advised the three Chosen of the True Element Sect of these possibilities, and they all chose to wait.
Another three hours passed. No one moved. At this point, many had decided to take full advantage of the benefits the Everlore Association had provided, cultivating diligently and quietly in their respective areas. Since they had roughly five months and three weeks left, some felt there was no need to rush.
Soon, a peaceful atmosphere developed as tensions gradually declined due to inactivity. Either focused on cultivating or devising a plan of action, it took much of their focus, vexation, and despondent feelings away.
"So that's how it is."
A violet-robed woman stood up, gathering the attention of those around her. Despite her cultivation base being low relative to everyone there, she sat firmly in the leadership position without the slightest discomfort.
Her bright, gorgeous pair of grey eyes felt as if they could illuminate the spirit and ensnare the heart with a single glance. She carried an aura of boundless, unfathomably intense allure, but alongside that attractive aura was a feeling of pride, confidence, and worldly excellence.
When she rose upwards, her magnificent features were highlighted, from her supple, slender waist, to her bountiful and shapely breast. Her every movement lifted and swung those identical twin peaks, forcing one's gaze to look, inspiring heated desires, and etching it in one's memory. Unfortunately, they were properly covered, only their size and rough shape revealed through her robes, yet it was more than enough to last the common man a lifetime of solo material.
Yet her features couldn't be said to conclude here, possessing skin as smooth, warm, and rich as honey alongside her brown hair with golden highlights cascading downwards like a serene waterfall glinting with health and luster. Those full lips of hers that drew one's gaze and trimmed eyebrows perfected the beautiful ensemble that was her existence.
"Saintess?" Another gorgeous woman who stood behind her said. Her skin was vastly different from the violet-robed woman, being as white as milk, setting them apart. She was easily the most recognizable figure amongst the gold-rank forces of the Aeternal Sky Starfield as Exalted Purewhite, the Dark Yin Palace's Palace Master.
Jun Baiyin, the Palace Master of the Dark Yin Palace, could help but probe: "Saintess, don't tell me you're-"
The violet-robed woman didn't respond, interrupting the woman as her aura of pure yin effused outward. She brazenly flew upwards under the shocked gazes of her all-female group, shattering the artificial gravity!
SHATTER!
Her actions instantly caused a commotion as she became the center of attention. And as she did, the vast majority of men present instantly became stimulated!
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