Chapter 373: Chapter 372: Evolution?
"This... What’s happening?" The Divine Martial Elder’s eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets as he watched the image of Shen Haoran carrying out what was essentially a massacre.
As the Guardian of the Divine Martial Realm, the Divine Martial Elder knew the realm like the back of his hand. The Celestial Level Skeletons might only have the cultivation of Tier Five Spirit Marquises, but once their numbers stacked up, they were far more than a simple numbers game. Even a Spirit Aspect would struggle to break through without fighting for their life. Furthermore, the skeletons’ physical bodies were no weaker than a Martial Artist at the Spirit Marquis Peak, or perhaps even a Spirit Aspect. So why did they seem to be made of paper in front of Shen Haoran, shattering at the slightest touch?
The Divine Martial Elder had originally thought Shen Haoran would back down in the face of such difficulty, and he wouldn’t have looked down on him for it in the slightest. After all, the fact that he could activate the Celestial Level Skeletons proved his Talent was already top-tier. His only weakness was his actual strength; he simply couldn’t hold out against countless Celestial Level Skeletons, each with the power of a Tier Five Spirit Marquis. The Divine Martial Elder believed that an early retreat was, in fact, the best option.
The moment Shen Haoran charged forward, the Divine Martial Elder was still scolding him in his mind. ’He’s too impulsive!’ But when he saw Shen Haoran’s unstoppable attacks, the Divine Martial Elder was completely dumbfounded. ’This isn’t the kind of power a Tier Two Spirit Marquis should have at all! Looks like this kid has been hiding his true strength!’
"Is that Fire Spirit Black Obsidian?" the Divine Martial Elder murmured, his gaze fixed on the churning, pitch-black Fire Dragon in the tunnel. The Celestial Level Skeletons might be part of a trial in the Divine Martial Realm, but that didn’t change their fundamental nature as creatures of yin and evil. A substance like Fire Spirit Black Obsidian, one of the most purely yang and unyielding things in existence, was their ultimate counter. That had to be why Shen Haoran could advance through the skeleton army completely unimpeded!
’I really underestimated you. But, little one, the Celestial Level Reincarnation Tunnel isn’t that simple. If it were, wouldn’t anyone be able to charge through and activate it? How would it live up to its ’Celestial Level’ name?’ Watching Shen Haoran advance rapidly through the tunnel, a cryptic smile touched the corners of the Divine Martial Elder’s lips.
BOOM!
Just then, as Shen Haoran sprinted through the tunnel, he suddenly felt the entire passage begin to shake violently. A furious aura erupted from the depths of the tunnel, instantly shredding the roiling Black Flame Fire Dragon and scattering it into innumerable sparks. At the same time, the previously rampaging Celestial Level Skeletons around him fell eerily silent and stopped attacking him.
"Hm?" At this sight, Shen Haoran skidded to a halt. He stared at the bizarre scene before him, his nerves tightening once again.
CRACKLE... CRACK...
While Shen Haoran was surveying his surroundings, the stationary Celestial Level Skeletons suddenly disintegrated, collapsing into countless bone fragments that littered the ground!
As the skeletons crumbled, an extremely powerful sense of danger washed over Shen Haoran. This feeling was far more intense than before!
WHOOSH... A sinister wind swept through. The scattered bone fragments on the ground began to tremble, and then, to Shen Haoran’s astonishment, they slowly started to converge. A moment later, a skeleton of incomprehensible size—many times larger than the previous ones—materialized before him.
This colossal skeleton was no longer dark gold; its bones had become a lustrous, jade-like white. A faint, eerie glow hovered over its frame, making it look like a specter. Its body now completely filled the tunnel, and an incredibly powerful aura radiated from it. This giant skeleton, formed from the Celestial Level Skeletons, had actually reached the power of a Tier Eight Spirit Marquis!
And deeper in the corridor, the same scene was repeating itself. The once-crowded tunnel was now empty of the Tier Five Spirit Marquis skeletons, all of them replaced by these massive behemoths!
ROAR!
While Shen Haoran was still reeling in shock, the skeleton before him roared. Its massive bone claw shot toward him like a bolt of lightning, and the razor-sharp wind from its passage carved deep gashes into the tunnel’s stone walls!
The colossal skeleton’s attack was not only swift but also had a massive area of effect. Shen Haoran had no room to dodge. He could only cross his arms above his head and brace for the impact.
BAM!
With a dull thud, immense power surged from the giant skeleton’s arm, forcing Shen Haoran’s body to buckle. The stone slabs beneath his feet, unable to withstand the pressure, instantly shattered!
’Fuck, are you kidding me?’ Feeling the immense pressure from above, Shen Haoran’s expression turned grim. The original skeleton soldiers had been at the Tier Five Spirit Marquis Level, which he could handle. But now these monsters’ power had skyrocketed to Tier Eight Spirit Marquis. Looking down the seemingly bottomless tunnel, he had no idea how many more of them were waiting. For a moment, Shen Haoran really had to wonder: was this a trial or just plain murder?
ROAR!
Just as Shen Haoran was cursing internally, the giant skeleton roared again, the power in its arm surging once more. Shen Haoran was driven down even further, forced to one knee. The impact smashed a crater into the ground, sending countless spiderweb cracks spreading in all directions!
’Dammit, that’s enough of this! Looks like it’s time to stop holding back!’ Feeling the arm above him growing ever heavier, Shen Haoran’s gaze narrowed as a furious power began to build within him!
"Heaven-Dominating Tribulation!"
Shen Haoran roared as the Fire Spirit Black Obsidian erupted from his body. Simultaneously, the furious power within him was completely unleashed. His aura began to skyrocket, reaching Tier Five Spirit Marquis in a mere instant!
Now that he was in the Spirit Marquis Tier, Shen Haoran could use the first stage of Heaven-Dominating Tribulation at will. The physical toll was also much lighter, well within his ability to control. However, the power boost from this first stage was becoming less and less significant. Back at the Spirit General Tier, using it could boost his power by five or six Levels. But after breaking through to Spirit Marquis, it could only raise his cultivation by three Levels at most.
Still, a three-Level boost was more than enough to deal with these monsters!
With his power now magnified, Shen Haoran felt the immense pressure above him vanish instantly. He pushed back against the colossal skeleton’s arm with both hands and slowly rose to his feet.
"Had your fun, didn’t you? Now it’s my turn!" Shen Haoran sneered. With a surge of strength, he twisted the massive skeleton’s arm over. In the next instant, the bone-white limb was contorted like a pretzel, turning over and over an impossible number of times before shattering inch by inch!
"Next!"
After finishing one off in an instant, Shen Haoran let out a battle cry. His figure flickered as he took the offensive, charging head-on toward the next colossal skeleton...
