Chapter 503: Leave a Clue
It is well known that the three Great Dynasties each possess some information about the Imperial Secret Realms.
Such intelligence is not something the Great Dynasties would share lightly.
For instance, if the Haiya Dynasty knows of a treasure in a certain place, people from the Sky Dome Dynasty may not be aware of it, and vice versa.
Therefore, sharing of intelligence would be beneficial to both parties.
Of course, the premise is to find a trustworthy Martial Artist to form an alliance with, otherwise, the authenticity of the shared intelligence would be questionable.
Should Zhao Letian obtain the information controlled by the Haiya Dynasty from Shi Tao, he would have a greater advantage in this competition.
However, after forming the alliance, Zhao Letian and Shi Tao did not hurry to leave but stood under the Proving Rock, continuing to comprehend the various moves inscribed on it. The Martial Arts Realms imbued within those moves would aid in their future cultivation, and the more they could comprehend, the better.
They were willing to give up the chance to search for treasures and even risk a battle with Chen Feng, all for the opportunity to gain insight here, and naturally, they would not leave easily.
Time stealthily passed by.
Soon, an hour had elapsed.
During this time, other Martial Artists had practically turned the entire City Lord Mansion upside down.
Anything of value had been almost completely looted by them, and they did not spare even the tables, chairs, and kitchenware because these seemingly mundane objects were also passed down from Ancient Times and might contain some unexpected mysteries.
While under the Proving Rock, Shi Tao had already concluded his comprehension, standing with crossed arms waiting for Zhao Letian, his eyes full of envy.
How much one can comprehend from the Proving Rock depends on one's talent and fortune. Although his talent was not bad, his fortune seemed to lack, managing to comprehend for only a quarter of an hour before he could no longer grasp more.
As for Zhao Letian, whether it was because of his superb talent or outstanding fortune, the duration of his comprehension was several times longer than Shi Tao. Naturally, his gains from this trip were also more significant. How could Shi Tao not feel envious?
"This fellow, with a strength already comparable to an invincible fighter, after this session of insight, his power will surely climb to another level; should he face Chen Feng again, it would no longer be a closely matched battle."
Shi Tao thought quietly to himself.
"Brother Shi, sorry to have kept you waiting!"
Just at that moment, Zhao Letian finally recovered his senses, finished his comprehension, and apologized with a light smile, his tone carrying a sentiment of gratitude.
He knew that after Shi Tao finished his cultivation, he could have gone to the other palaces to seek treasures.
But Shi Tao chose to stay behind, acting as his protector to prevent disturbances, which moved Zhao Letian deeply and further convinced him that allying with Shi Tao was definitely the right choice.
"It's nothing, this City Lord Mansion is full of nothing but rubbish. I didn't care for it at all, better to stay here with you. Besides, this also gave me the chance to study the mystery of the Proving Rock."
Shi Tao shaked his head with a smile, unconcerned.
"From what I see, this Proving Rock is likely used to test the strength of Martial Techniques."
Zhao Letian looked up again at the Proving Rock and spoke with a grave voice.
"You're right. I took a closer look, and the moves inscribed on the Proving Rock do seem to vary in strength and weakness. The more exquisite the Martial Technique, the higher the position. Brother Zhao, since we have come here, why don't we each leave a move as well? Who knows, in countless years, future generations may also come here to admire our moves."
Shi Tao nodded, speaking magnanimously.
"Why not!"
Zhao Letian replied with a light smile, a glint of eagerness apparent in his eyes.
On this Proving Rock, numerous powerful Martial Technique moves were engraved, and while comprehending those moves, Zhao Letian also desired to measure up against those ancient Martial Artists.
"I'll go first, Sea Covering Palm!"
A flash of brilliance appeared in Shi Tao's eyes, and an immense aura of the ninth level peak of the True Martial Realm surged from his body. He unleashed a huge Palm Seal, like a massive tidal wave, crashing fiercely onto the Proving Rock.
"Boom!"
The next moment, a loud boom resounded, and a distinct Palm Seal had been added to the Proving Rock.
"Whoosh!"
Originally, Shi Tao's Palm Seal was around eighty zhang high, but immediately after, a flash of Spirit Light occurred, and his Palm Seal rapidly descended to just over sixty zhang.
"Just over sixty zhang? Cough, I've embarrassed myself in front of Brother Zhao."
Shi Tao showed an astonished expression, feeling somewhat ashamed as he scratched his head and spoke awkwardly.
The Proving Rock, standing over a hundred zhang tall, where sixty zhang was barely a passable mark, reaching only an average level.
And to think, Shi Tao was a supreme genius from the True Martial Realm of the Haiya Dynasty, his talents and strength only second to those who are invincible, belonging to the very pinnacle of the pyramid.
In his expectations, that Palm Seal of his should at least be ranked above eighty zhang, and even reaching above ninety zhang wouldn't be out of the question.
Unexpectedly, the result just barely made it, leaving him somewhat unable to accept it.
"Brother Shi, don't be disheartened; if I'm not mistaken, the Martial Artists who dare to leave their mark on this Proving Rock, even during the times when Martial Arts thrived in Ancient Times, must be individuals with exceptional talent. Achieving above an average level is already very good!"
Zhao Letian consoled him with a light smile.
"Perhaps."
Shi Tao returned a bitter smile.
"Hum!"
At that moment, the Proving Rock suddenly flickered with light, and a line of text emerged.
"Good technique, average talent!"
Shi Tao read the line with his eyes wide and his mouth agape, his complexion instantly turning ashen, increasingly ugly.
Zhao Letian was also slightly startled, looking quite embarrassed.
This line of text was clearly the Proving Rock's evaluation of Shi Tao.
However, such standards of the Proving Rock seemed to be too high.
If Shi Tao was just of average talent, then the majority of Martial Artists in the Four Symbols Domain would probably have to be described as worthless.
"It seems that this Proving Rock not only evaluates the Martial Technique but also assesses a Martial Artist's talent. But, I seriously doubt its accuracy!"
Shi Tao stared at the Proving Rock and spoke disdainfully.
"Let me give it a try!"
Zhao Letian didn't say much, and as soon as he made his move, he used the Invincible Sword, slashing out a sword light tens of zhang long, as if intending to cut the entire Proving Rock in half.
"Swish!"
Moments later, a brand-new sword mark was imprinted on the Proving Rock, located just over fifty zhang high.
"Whoosh!"
In the next instant, a flash of Spirit Light occurred, and the sword mark left by Zhao Letian fell from the top to the very bottom of the Proving Rock.
"This..."
Seeing this, both Zhao Letian and Shi Tao were stunned in disbelief.
At this moment, Shi Tao was certain that this broken rock was definitely malfunctioning, its evaluations completely without any reference value.