Chapter 341: Chapter 340: The Spirit King’s Path
After the Spirit Race Ancestor’s announcement, a large crowd made their way to the site of the Spirit King’s trial—the Road of the Spirit King.
The Road of the Spirit King was the trial grounds. One simply had to walk to the end, obtain proof, and return to be considered successful. It sounded simple enough, but this very trial had prevented many Spirit Race People from becoming the Spirit King. Numerous talented Spirit Race disciples, who had even been nominated for the position, ultimately ended in failure. That was the greatest pity.
"Are there any special circumstances for this Spirit King trial?" Yi Tianyun asked from the side.
"I’ve never been, so how would I know?" Ye Qingxuan said, shaking her head. "You’ll have to ask the Ancestor. He was a Spirit King before, so he’s sure to know the details."
"The Spirit King trial is divided into several stages, and the conditions of each stage are random, so telling you the specifics would be of limited use. However, a few things are certain. It tests whether your overall abilities meet the standard. Honestly, for you, who defeated General Long at such a young age, there shouldn’t be much pressure."
The Spirit Race Ancestor smiled faintly. "My earlier words were merely a formal announcement according to the rules. For you, it won’t be a big problem—at least, the journey itself won’t be. The biggest problem is whether or not you can gain the recognition at the very end. There is a stone monument at the finish line. Once you are recognized, you will receive a Divine Rune. Take that Divine Rune, and you will become the Spirit King."
"So that’s how it is. I imagine most people fail at that final step, right?" After hearing this, Yi Tianyun realized that was the true crux of the matter. The trials along the way were just a trifle, not particularly difficult.
Especially for those with powerful cultivation, even the toughest trials had their limits. Therefore, as long as one’s cultivation was formidable, getting through was simple. The real question was whether or not they could gain recognition!
"Correct. Most get stuck there. They fail because they cannot gain recognition," the Spirit Race Ancestor said after a moment of thought. "As for what it takes to be recognized, we truly do not know. It was left to us by our ancestors, and we cannot explain its meaning. As long as you are recognized, you can become the king of the Spirit Race."
"I see..."
Yi Tianyun felt a bit helpless. What the Ancestor said was basically the same as saying nothing; it wasn’t very useful information.
Soon, under their guidance, they arrived at the Road of the Spirit King. It did not lead into another forest, but rather, deep underground. The entrance was a cave mouth, not particularly large—just wide enough for two people to enter side by side. As they approached the entrance, they could feel a gust of cold wind rushing out from within, a chill that pierced to the bone.
This cold wind was incredibly sharp, making even Yi Tianyun feel a slight chill. One had to understand that unless it was intensely cold, it would have no effect on him whatsoever. The fact that this place made him feel even a little cold was significant enough.
Anyone with lower cultivation or a weaker Physique would surely have been frozen into an ice sculpture in an instant.
"This is the Road of the Spirit King?" Yi Tianyun looked at the entrance. It was just an ordinary cave. No one would imagine it was the trial grounds for the Spirit King, where success meant simply walking to the end and obtaining a Divine Rune.
"That’s right. This is the Road of the Spirit King. Walk to the end, get the Divine Rune insignia, and you will become the Spirit King," the Spirit Race Ancestor said grimly. "There is no time limit, but if you stay inside for too long, even those at the Void Spirit Stage will be affected."
"That powerful..." Yi Tianyun was startled. ’This is basically a cave of death. It even affects those at the Void Spirit Stage. No wonder I felt a chill.’
"Yes. So if you don’t receive recognition, don’t linger. If you can’t get it, you can’t get it. There’s no need to stubbornly stay there and keep trying; it’s meaningless," the Spirit Race Ancestor said with a sigh. "There was one before who, after failing to gain recognition, kept trying inside and never came back. The difficulty isn’t low, but as long as your cultivation is strong enough, you can make it to the end."
"If I can’t get it, I won’t force it. What’s not meant to be is not meant to be. I won’t deliberately push for something impossible," Yi Tianyun said with a calm smile. If he truly couldn’t become the Spirit King, he wouldn’t insist.
Protecting his family and growing stronger didn’t necessarily require becoming the Spirit King. Uniting their two sides also didn’t require him to be the Spirit King. It’s just that if he did become the Spirit King, everything would be much easier to handle.
"As long as you understand, you should go. Go now and return quickly. We will all be waiting here for your return!" the Spirit Race Ancestor said.
"Go on. I’ll be waiting here for you to come back," Ye Qingxuan said with a slight smile, confident that Yi Tianyun would succeed.
"Yi, you have to succeed!" Ye Wan’Er said, clenching her small fists and waving them at him. "You’re the one I brought back, after all!"
"Don’t worry. I won’t let you down."
Yi Tianyun smiled, then turned and strode into the cave. The moment he stepped inside, a world of ice and snow greeted his eyes. A thick layer of ice Frozen everything around him. It was far colder than outside, and he felt a distinct chill.
If one’s Physique were weaker, this cold energy would undoubtedly invade their body, creating a sensation like being sliced by knives.
Before he had taken more than a few steps, a strange cry reached his ears.
"So cold, so cold... Let me... out..."
Yi Tianyun searched for the owner of the voice. Turning his head to the side, he discovered Thundercloud bound to an ice pillar. Half of his body was already Frozen, and if it continued, he would be turned into a complete ice sculpture.
Only then did Yi Tianyun realize that this Road of the Spirit King was also where they imprisoned traitors. It was certainly cold enough; even Thundercloud was frozen half to death, especially since his cultivation had been crippled, leaving him completely unable to resist the cold energy.
"Long time no see. You’re a tough one to kill, aren’t you?" Yi Tianyun said with a smile as he walked over to stand in front of Thundercloud.
"It’s... it’s you..." Thundercloud stammered, looking up at him. His eyes kept rolling back into his head.
"That’s right, it’s me. I’m here to take the Spirit King’s trial. Once I succeed, I’ll be the new Spirit King. Are you jealous?" Yi Tianyun said to him with a grin.
"No, impossible... You’re a Foreigner! How... how could you become the Spirit King..." Thundercloud said, his voice trembling.
"Why would it be impossible? Oh, by the way, I destroyed Netherworld Prison. I also rescued the Spirit Race Ancestor. And I killed General Long... Tsk, tsk. I wonder who the Netherworld Empire will send next. No matter who they send, it’s a dead end for them!" Yi Tianyun gave him a cold smile and patted his head. "Enjoy your time here. I hope you can hold on until the moment I come back out."
"You... you..." Thundercloud’s eyes rolled back, but even when he wanted to faint, he couldn’t. The intense cold would jolt him awake again. It was impossible to pass out!
This was the true torture of his situation. He couldn’t be frozen into unconsciousness. Unless he was Frozen completely solid, he would suffer endlessly until the moment of his death. This was the most severe punishment they could bestow upon him: to be slowly frozen to death.
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