Soul Emperor Martial God

Above the Cloud Sea, twelve chains stretch across the sky.

Occasional gusts of sharp Gang Wind make the eleven people still on the chains feel anxious.

"Damn, what kind of stupid trial is this? I'm not participating anymore."

One person finally could not endure the torment that could crush them at any moment, and shouted loudly.

"Old guys at the Heavenly Hidden Academy, hurry and save me back."

"Save?" The elderly man chuckled, shaking his head.

"Sorry, as I mentioned before, you can leave if you do not wish to participate. Our Heavenly Hidden Academy won't force you to stay."

"And now, since you have stepped onto the chains, it means you are participating in the trial."

"According to the rules, no one can interfere with the trial, not even myself."

"You..." The Heavenly Talent's face suddenly turned furious.

But that furious expression did not last long before another gust of sharp wind swept down from the sky.

The swaying chain frightened him, turning his face pale, and he quickly grasped the chain tightly.

Once the wind passed, and the chain returned to normal.

"Phew." The Heavenly Talent heaved a heavy sigh, calming his fearful heart.

"Hmph."

"I'm not going any further on this broken chain. I don't believe I can't walk back across these mere tens of meters."

With that said, the Heavenly Talent slowly retreated, his face abnormally heavy.

The other ten people also began to retreat.

A few minutes later, they anxiously returned to the mountain cliff's edge.

"This isn't a trial, it's a death sentence."

"Heavenly Hidden Academy, you call yourselves the First Academy of the Central Region, yet issue such inhumane trials."

"Such an academy, I'm not joining."

Among the Heavenly Talents, bouts of discontent erupted from time to time.

Some Heavenly Talents even began to leave.

The elderly man remained unmoved, without blocking their exit.

As he said earlier, the Heavenly Hidden Academy will not force them.

If you participate, move forward; if not, feel free to leave now.

"Don't you think this trial is excessive?"

Some of the remaining Heavenly Talents said in a deep voice.

"We are Heavenly Talents, our names carry weight among martial artists."

"This is just a trial, is it worth so much?"

"We have already passed six trials, proving our talent and aptitude."

"In Heavenly Hidden Academy's eyes, are we Heavenly Talents worth so little?"

"Indeed." The elderly man nodded without hesitation.

"You..." Some Heavenly Talents showed an angry expression.

The elderly man put away his previous playful smile, instead showing a cold demeanor.

"So you claim to be renowned martial artists, yet don't realize that within the Central Region, lives are the cheapest commodity?"

"Did your own elders not tell you this truth, amidst all the Heavenly Talents from various places?"

"As for being excessive." The elderly man coldly barked.

"Within the Heavenly Hidden Academy, over a hundred thousand disciples have personally crossed these Sky-locking Chains before entering for their cultivation."

"Being excessive, is it aimed only at you?"

"Crossing these chains is dangerous, it's difficult; do you think walking outside isn't dangerous, isn't difficult?"

"You may be famous in one area, but that's all; you are not yet fully grown, more fragile than anyone, easier to die than anyone."

"So, perishing in battles outside, versus dying under the Sky-locking Chains, what's the difference?"

"At the very least, if you cross the chains, you can enter Heavenly Hidden Academy, become an Academy Disciple, and receive protection from the Academy."

"At the very least, you can pursue a further Martial Arts Dao and continue to grow."

"Thinking about this way, is Heavenly Hidden Academy wrong?"

"To expect to proceed smoothly down the Martial Arts Dao without tremendous hardships and endless waves, and comprehend Heaven and Earth Martial Arts, and realize the secrets of Martial Arts? Rubbish."

The elderly man coldly barked, no longer bothering to speak.

At this moment, there still remained tens of thousands of Heavenly Talents at the mountain peak.

Only a few dozens had left just now.

Some Heavenly Talents began to rekindle their previous confidence.

Though they have not officially entered the Heavenly Hidden Academy, the elders here have already taught them a lesson.

"I'll go." At this moment, a crisp and familiar voice rang out.

A white-clad figure slowly emerged from the crowd.

Xiao Yi glanced over, it was Cheng Suyan.

Cheng Suyan stepped to the cliff's edge and confidently walked onto the Sky-locking Chains, beginning to move forward steadily.

"Hmph, I'll go too."

At this time, another familiar voice rang.

A red-clad figure leapt out onto another chain.

It was Qin Hongyi.

Qin Hongyi and Cheng Suyan were the two major Heavenly Talents within the Wind Saint Territory's Flame Sacred Mountain.

Their rivalry has persisted for a long time.

Cheng Suyan participated, so with Qin Hongyi's personality, naturally she also participated immediately.

At the mountain peak, Eldest Prince, Kuanglan Sect Master, and others appeared eager to join.

However, Lih Fengxing stopped the crowd.

"No rush, let's go one at a time."

Lih Fengxing was experienced and careful in his thinking.

It was likely because of this, under his guidance, everyone managed to arrive near the Heavenly Hidden Academy without delay, without any mishap along the way.

Cheng Suyan and Qin Hongyi each picked a chain and started walking.

The other ten chains remained temporarily unchallenged.

A few minutes passed as the two walked about dozens of meters forward.

At this moment, another gust of Gang Wind emerged, causing the chains to shake violently.

However, the two were already aware and prepared, grabbing hold of the iron chain.

Suddenly, Cheng Suyan's complexion changed, and she unexpectedly fell down.

If not mistaken, it was the heavy injury she received from an ambushed strike while climbing the mountain wall.

Walking on the chains locked her Cultivation, while cautiously focusing all attention on proceeding.

So, when the chains violently shook, Cheng Suyan was startled, triggering her injury.

"Not good." Lih Fengxing exclaimed.

Just then, a figure flashed out with incredible speed.

In the eyes of those present, a blur appeared.

A floating figure already appeared on the chain ahead, grabbing hold of Cheng Suyan.

The figure held the chain with one hand, the other catching the falling Cheng Suyan.

A swift pull, a graceful spin, and the figure stood back firmly on the chain with Cheng Suyan.

"This guy." On the mountain cliff edge, the elderly man's brows furrowed.

Lih Fengxing and others, recognizing the figure on the chain, rejoiced, "It's Xiao Yi."

"Young Master Xiao Yi?" Cheng Suyan looked at Xiao Yi ahead, pleasantly surprised.

"Are you alright?" Xiao Yi asked faintly.

"Yes." Cheng Suyan nodded, unable to hide her joy.

"Hey." Just then, the elderly man on the mountain edge grumbled, "Kid, you interfered carelessly, breaking the rules."

"Did I?" Xiao Yi turned and glanced at the old man, "Is there a rule stating two people can't pass on a single chain?"

"I was merely impatient to join the trial and happened to step onto the chain."

"Trying to argue?" The elderly man smirked, "Kid, let me tell you, I'm the referee."

"If I say you broke the rules, you broke the rules."

Xiao Yi frowned, "Then I must tell the elder, ignoring rules and ignoring the lives of friends, I still know what to choose."

...

Second update.