Martial Conquest of the Nine Desolates

The first round of assessments at the Holy Palace Main Hall involved thirty-five thousand participants, with the majority eliminated. Now only three thousand remain.

After the Grand Elder of the Main Hall declared the assessment over, they all sighed in relief, trembling as they descended from the Bright Jade Stone Platform.

It goes without saying, this round was too abnormal, many disciples were frightened to the point of pale faces, unable to recover their sense for a long while.

"This kid's Martial Arts Heart, it's actually stronger than mine!" Fang Jie, one of the outstanding disciples from the Heavenly Hall, cast a gloomy look at Xiao Ye, feeling increasingly heavy-hearted.

Because of his jealousy towards Xiao Ye, who was favored by the Holy Palace Master, he had always seen Xiao Ye as his rival, wishing to surpass him in the assessments to prove himself.

However, he was met with a huge setback in the first round.

Xiao Ye's performance on the Bright Jade Stone Platform, though seemingly in a dire state, was clearly much better than his own, with a very powerful Martial Arts Heart!

"Hmph, in the following rounds, I must surpass you!" Fang Jie clenched his fist in secret.

Aside from Fang Jie, the other distinguished disciples from the Heavenly Hall also cast inconspicuous glances at Xiao Ye.

There was no helping it, Xiao Ye's fame in the Holy Palace was too prominent; participating in the Main Hall's assessment with such a reputation, he would draw attention wherever he went.

Sure enough, apart from the Heavenly Hall disciples, other disciples who had came to spectate were also looking towards Xiao Ye.

With Xiao Ye held in such regard by the Holy Palace Master, many wondered, if Xiao Ye were to fail the assessment, wouldn't that be slapping the face of the Holy Palace Master?

"Alright, congratulations to you all for passing the first round. The coming tests will be even more difficult. You now have one incense stick's worth of rest to adjust your condition before facing the next round of assessments," the Law Enforcement Elder of the Main Hall announced.

"I wonder what the next round of assessment will be." Xiao Ye stepped down from the White Jade Stone Platform, ignoring the astonished looks of everyone, he immediately sat down cross-legged on the ground, starting to regulate his breathing.

In the first round, his Heart Power was greatly consumed. The Spiritual Shock Waves released by the Bright Jade Stone Platform had injured his Martial Arts Heart.

If he could not adjust quickly, it would certainly have a big impact on his future Martial Arts cultivation, something Xiao Ye was well aware of.

As for the other disciples who had passed the first round, they too, like Xiao Ye, seized the time to begin their breathing regulation.

The spectating disciples burst into discussions.

In the first round, they assessed not the cultivation or power, but the strength of the Martial Arts Heart, which made this Main Hall assessment not very interesting to watch.

They preferred to watch fierce Martial Arts competitions, which were more exciting.

"I guess the initial setup of the assessment content is designed to eliminate most of the disciples, with the Martial Arts competitions happening at the end."

"Right, otherwise, if so many disciples were to compete at once, when would it end? It would be a huge waste of time."

Many disciples guessed as such, their gazes occasionally shifting to the three thousand Heavenly Hall disciples on the plaza.

In reality, they were not wrong. The original purpose set by the Law Enforcement Elders of the Main Hall for the first round of assessment was indeed this.

Apart from power and cultivation, those who want to enter the Main Hall must also possess strong willpower, which is one of the necessary conditions to become a strong warrior.

Soon, the time of one incense stick passed by.

"Time's up, now we will start the second round of assessments," announced the Law Enforcement Great Elder, walking out majestically.

Three thousand Heavenly Hall disciples on the plaza opened their eyes at the same time, a powerful momentum swept out.

After resting for one incense stick, they had all returned to their peak conditions, filled with high fighting spirit.

"The content of the second round of assessment is simple, still about selection and elimination."

The Law Enforcement Elder pointed towards a large black stone.

Xiao Ye's eyes flashed with curiosity as he looked at the black stone.

What use is this thing? It can screen them out?

At this moment, the Law Enforcement Elder continued, "Don't underestimate this stone. Its name is the Illusion Realm Stone, and it's akin to a gateway to the Illusion Realm."

"After you enter, you will need to find an exit within three days. Disciples who find the exit and come out are considered to have passed this round of assessment."

"Illusion Realm?" Xiao Ye was slightly stunned.

This was the first time he had heard this term.

Could it also be an independent Small World?

Since it could serve as the content for the second round of assessment, he believed the Illusion Realm was definitely not simple.

But what could this Illusion Realm test for?

As he looked around, he saw that the other Heavenly Hall disciples were also showing puzzled expressions. Apparently, they had not heard of it before either.

"The timer has already started. You may enter now."

"Remember, in the Illusion Realm, you must prioritize finding the exit. Do not waste time, because this will affect whether you pass the assessment or not," urged the Law Enforcement Great Elder.

Xiao Ye deeply engraved this instruction in his heart.

Although he didn't understand what exactly this round was testing, as long as he could find the exit, other things could be temporarily put aside.

Whoosh!

As soon as the Law Enforcement Great Elder finished speaking, a black light shot from his fingertips towards the stone.

Splash!

When the black light hit the stone, it emitted a hazy white light, warping the space and forming a vast gateway. From the outside, one could vaguely see some mountain ranges and peaks inside.

Swoosh! Swoosh!

Almost the instant the gateway manifested, many disciples immediately took to the sky and flew towards the portal.

Xiao Ye followed the crowd, flying into the gateway.

In an instant, Xiao Ye felt a blur before his eyes, and when his vision returned, he found himself in a strange world.

"The Illusion Realm, somewhat similar to the Emperor Martial World," Xiao Ye observed his surroundings and couldn't help but click his tongue in amazement.

This place didn't seem like a Small World at all but was filled with a sense of reality.

Mountains, streams, and standing stones were almost everything one could ask for, as if he had come to a wilderness, with a primeval qi rushing towards him, desolate and vast.

Once all three thousand disciples qualified for the assessment flew in, the glowing gateway slowly closed, leaving no trace behind.

"The exit must have been sealed by the Grand Elder of the Main Hall. With only three days, we must quickly find another exit," Xiao Ye mused internally.