Chapter 493 - 353: The Second Layer’s Trial, Part 2

Chapter 493: Chapter 353: The Second Layer’s Trial, Part 2

"Every time you restart the trial, these ninety-nine Beast Souls will suffer some degree of wear. The information about the Ten Thousand Spirits Technique stored within their True Spirits might also be damaged or lost. So, try your best to pass on the first attempt."

The Sui Xian Sword Spirit took a breath, tapped his head lightly, and offered a well-intentioned reminder:

"After all, the inheritance of a Saint-level Technique is different from others. It involves a profound and special process called Dao Seed Inheritance. If you restart the trial too many times, the Ten Thousand Spirits Technique you eventually inherit might be incomplete. It could fail to form a Dao Seed, ultimately preventing it from becoming a Saint-level Technique. That’s a real possibility."

Upon hearing this, Yu Changsheng’s brow tightened, and a sense of helplessness grew in his heart.

’There’s such a hidden danger if I can’t pass on the first try? Didn’t I come to this historic cavern for the sole purpose of obtaining this Cultivation Technique?’

’If I make a mistake because of this... I can’t afford to take that gamble.’

’So be it. Even if I have to risk my life, I cannot allow any mistakes. Losing the chance to obtain a Saint-level Technique would be a regret I’d carry for the rest of my life.’

Yu Changsheng pressed his lips together, his expression turning grave. After a long moment, he took a deep breath and nodded at the Sui Xian Sword Spirit.

"I understand. Senior, please begin the trial."

"You’re ready? Then let’s begin."

The Sui Xian Sword Spirit spoke in a deep voice, and without further hesitation, took a deep breath and swiped a finger upward.

KRAK...

Instantly, the Sui Xian Sword, lodged diagonally in the center of the ground, began to tremble. It suddenly erupted in a brilliant light, and then a breathtaking slash of Sword Qi shot out, tearing through the void and cleaving toward the heavens.

The Sword Qi was immense, as if it would rip the sky asunder. As the Sword Qi rippled, stars trembled across ninety thousand li. The entire ruin was filled with this magnificent Sword Light, and Yu Changsheng’s attention was completely captivated.

"Taichu... Opening the Heavens..."

Yu Changsheng’s expression was dazed as he watched the sword strike, muttering subconsciously.

As the sword swept out, the world lost its color. The endless starlight was torn open like a receding tide, and the clouds vanished.

BOOM!

Star after star swayed, erupting in dazzling light. Finally, spurred on by the Sword Qi, remnant Beast Souls seemed to break through their seals and emerge one after another.

"ROAR!"

The beasts’ roars shook the heavens, resounding like a great temple bell, like muffled thunder rolling across the ruined land. The sound suppressed the starlight and overpowered the might of the heavens.

Yu Changsheng looked up, feeling the bestial aura that filled the entire space. His shoulders suddenly sank as if an invisible shackle had been placed upon his body.

One Beast Soul after another appeared. They were not solid, but existed somewhere between illusion and reality. They were clearly tattered and incomplete, but even so, the pressure they exuded was enough to make Yu Changsheng’s face pale and his heart pound with alarm.

There were ninety-nine of these Beast Souls in a dense swarm. They plummeted from beneath the stars with an unstoppable momentum, roaring to kill everything in their path. The world trembled beneath their howls.

Dragons soared and phoenixes danced, trailing ribbons of auspicious light. Lions and tigers vied for dominance, their roars turning into thunderbolts. A Great Roc spread its wings and soared, its massive pinions stirring the clouds. Flying fish turned the sky into an ocean, descending into endless azure waves...

The eyes of every single Spirit Beast were crimson, filled with a suppressed, ferocious instinct. They stirred up boundless storms. Yu Changsheng could only briefly sense them, but even a rough estimate told him that the weakest among them was at least Tier Three, and there were quite a few at Tier Four!

"These are the remnant souls of Spirit Beasts that my master truly slew in the past. Their Grade is naturally not low."

The Sui Xian Sword Spirit spoke lightly. With a point of his finger toward Yu Changsheng, the ninety-nine remnant Spirit Beast souls charged at him, their roars unceasing and their oppressive might blanketing the sky.

"Be careful. Although this trial is about Beast Taming, it places high demands on one’s Divine Soul strength. Only if your Divine Soul is powerful enough can you withstand the bestial pressure of these Spirit Beast souls, connect with them on a deep level, and thus tame them," the Sui Xian Sword Spirit kindly reminded him, a sharp glint flashing through his eyes before disappearing.

"Your Divine Soul is also exceptionally strong, a rare talent indeed. You have a great advantage, so don’t worry too much. Just take it seriously."

Yu Changsheng’s brow furrowed slightly. He gave a small nod to show he understood. In truth, even without the Sui Xian Sword Spirit’s explanation, Yu Changsheng had already felt it.

These Spirit Beasts had no physical form, only illusory Soul Bodies. They posed no threat to his physical body, but the burden on his Divine Soul was immense.

His Divine Soul was the first thing to be impacted. Furthermore, every one of these Beast Souls was left with only its instinctive, brutal thoughts. To make deep contact, he would inevitably be affected. Only a powerful and consolidated Divine Soul could withstand it, hold onto reason, and avoid being consumed by their boundless Resentment.

Only on this foundation could he begin to tame and control them.

’The first trial seemed to test Sword Dao, but it actually tested the physical body as well.’

’This second trial tests Beast Taming, but it also emphasizes testing the Divine Soul.’

’This inheritance truly isn’t for just anyone.’

Yu Changsheng sighed internally, but he also felt a little fortunate. Thankfully, his physical body and Divine Soul were both at the pinnacle of his current realm, and now the benefits were becoming apparent.

In reality, the trial was designed precisely to select such a talent. Perhaps influenced by its master, the Sui Xian Sword Spirit believed that for a Cultivator, the three paths of essence, energy, and spirit were all indispensable.

Both the physical body and the Divine Soul were parts of one’s cultivation. Only a genius who developed comprehensively in all three aspects could walk a longer path and touch the Great Dao.

And that was why this trial was created.

...

The Beast Souls roared, each filled with an irrepressible ferocity as they charged Yu Changsheng. All sorts of techniques emerged. A tiger’s roar echoed through mountain forests, its sound waves transforming into a Divine Soul Attack that reverberated through the void in all directions.

A dragon soared through the sky, its draconic might vast, opening its mouth to spew an endless Sea of Fire. A Great Roc beat its massive wings, unleashing infinite Wind and Thunder that blasted through space. A bizarre-looking divine bird swiped its claws, and azure waves rippled out, parting all obstacles to become a monstrous, sky-blotting tsunami...

Although these attacks were all illusory and could not harm Yu Changsheng’s physical body, the impact on his Divine Soul was undeniable.

"Huuu..."

Yu Changsheng let out a long, slow breath. As he exhaled, his Sea of Consciousness trembled.

"Thousand Thoughts Slash!"

His Divine Sense became electricity. For a moment, thunder was born from the void. Streaks of ink-black Divine Sense Thunderbolt flickered into existence, forming a dense web that filled the space before Yu Changsheng and enveloped the swarm of Beast Souls.

BOOM!

Invisible waves crashed, one after another. A storm began to rage. Yu Changsheng’s gaze was sharp, like a world-shaking sword, its edge hidden within the scabbard, possessing peerless sharpness.

An intangible aura had already begun to take form around Yu Changsheng.

He unleashed the full power of his Golden Core Peak Divine Sense without reservation, even overdrawing it. As he dealt with the sky full of Beast Souls, he also began to frantically circulate the Ten Thousand Spirits Technique.

In an instant, a peculiar fluctuation spread out from Yu Changsheng, triggering ripples of Dao Rhyme.

"It’s here. The Ten Thousand Spirits Technique..."

The Sui Xian Sword Spirit’s gaze focused. He murmured softly, a nostalgic look on his face as he watched Yu Changsheng intently.

’This kid’s Beast Taming skills are impressive, and his cultivation of the Ten Thousand Spirits Technique is also excellent. His physique is special, and his Divine Soul is exceptionally powerful. Normally, this trial should be no challenge for him...’

’...But if he wants to obtain the Dao Seed inheritance from this and complete the Ten Thousand Spirits Technique, well, that won’t be easy...’

The Sui Xian Sword Spirit thought this to himself, but his face remained impassive. He put aside his thoughts, and after a moment of consideration, made a gesture toward the sky full of Beast Souls.

A flicker of light, and the intensity of the Beast Souls’ assault immediately dropped by a notch.

’Whether you can succeed or not is all up to your own fortune...’

The Sui Xian Sword Spirit shook his head gently. After doing all this, he floated silently in the air, watching.

Even he only had limited authority to modify parts of the inheritance trial; he couldn’t just do whatever he wanted.

...

Meanwhile, Yu Changsheng had naturally noticed what the Sui Xian Sword Spirit had done. While his whole body relaxed slightly, he seized the opening to shoot a grateful look at the Sword Spirit.