The Shining Star Above The Heaven

Many were already talking about Zander, as what they saw had truly shocked them. A middle Earl stage cultivator who had already comprehended sword intent? For the people of the continent, this was the first time they had ever seen such a thing.

For the outsiders, Zander was the closest person to approaching the record of the Sword Maiden, who had comprehended sword intent at the Baron stage!

However, they knew the Sword Maiden possessed a special physique, which made them wonder if Zander also had a special physique related to the sword.

"Who is that? Is there someone like that in our continent?" one of the spectators asked in astonishment.

"I don't know, but with him already comprehending sword intent at his stage, he might become a powerful swordmaster in the future. I wouldn't doubt if he became one of the ten great swordmasters of the continent," another replied.

"Hey, isn't there news that someone from Heavenly Path Academy also comprehended sword intent at the Viscount stage? And that disciple also broke through to the Earl stage, which made him taken in by His Majesty?" someone suddenly asked, causing the people nearby to start thinking.

They couldn't help but think that this masked figure was actually the rumored disciple taken in by Aldrian the Great. The news had spread easily because there were many witnesses at that time who had seen Zander, which made the story believable. It was said that a genius sword cultivator had been taken by His Majesty from the Heavenly Path Academy.

It was also said that this so-called genius had once been considered trash, but his fate had been flipped after hearing Aldrian the Great's lecture.

"It might be, but I heard that disciple was only at the low Earl stage when His Majesty took him in. It hasn't been that long since then, and now that person there is already at the middle Earl stage. Doesn't that not match with that disciple's cultivation? Unless that disciple advanced this quickly, which would make his cultivation speed as absurd as His Majesty's," another gave her opinion.

Many were also confused about the identity of the figure, as there were inconsistencies with the information that had already spread.

The group from the central continent that observed Zander also couldn't help but comment.

"It looks like there is someone here who also has a special physique, just like you, Miss Meilan," Sect Master Han said. "I can sense that he has not unleashed his full sword intent. With such powerful sword intent, it is highly possible he possesses a special physique," he added.

The Sword Maiden nodded her head as she looked at Zander, who was receiving treatment."He does indeed have a special physique, and his sword intent is truly powerful at his level. He is a remarkable sword cultivator," she said, which made her friend Rei both surprised and smiling.

"Another strong sword cultivator, huh? It seems that lately you've been meeting more cultivators who meet your standards. First His Majesty Aldrian, and now that figure over there. I think this continent is truly a place full of hidden dragons," Rei said.

Although it was still too early to make a final assessment, from their observations since the start of the tournament, the potential of the continent was not bad at all. In fact, it could even be said to be much better than most places outside.

After more than ten minutes, the Earl category finally ended, with the cultivator from the Black Dragon Pavilion standing the longest. His name was Kang Yongjin, the successor of the Black Dragon Pavilion. He was already on the path to inheriting the position of sect master in the future, once Sect Master Kang stepped down.

Many truly commended him for enduring the gravity with only his body strength for about six minutes before he had to use his own comprehension of elemental laws to support himself. Despite being only at the high Earl stage, he lasted the longest, clearly displaying his power.

However, even with that, the one who stole the spotlight was still Zander, even though he had not stood as long as him. Zander's achievement was enough to become the talk even among people from other stars, who now saw that talents like the Sword Maiden also existed on this continent.

Kang Yongjin looked at Zander, who was sitting in meditation to replenish his energy, and couldn't help but feel his competitive spirit ignite even more.

This place was truly the right place for him to train and seek out strong competitors. He needed stimulation to keep growing stronger, as he already had no one left who could challenge him in the Earl stage. Now, with this seemingly strong competitor appearing, even though that figure's cultivation was much lower, it pushed him not to grow complacent.

Zander, who could sense someone observing him intently, opened his eyes and looked at Kang Yongjin. As he observed Kang Yongjin in return, he couldn't help but feel that this man would be a tough opponent for him. However, he was not afraid, and he resolved to give his best if they were to face each other.

This category was truly special, as the ones who drew the most attention were not the peak cultivators of the realm, but rather these two figures at the middle and high Earl stage.

Not long after, it was the turn of the Marquess stage. These participants thought that, since they already knew the trick of this phase, they could pass the challenge easily. Yet the moment the trial began, they quickly realized it was not as easy as they had assumed.

Just like the earlier problem in the Earl stage, many drained their energy before even reaching five minutes. The ones who mostly succeeded were instead those who did not overly depend on their comprehension of elemental laws.

They were the ones who relied primarily on their body strength, or who knew how to cleverly manage their energy expenditure, sometimes relying on their physical endurance, sometimes on their elemental laws, and alternating between the two as needed.

After five minutes had passed, the results showed that more than a thousand still continuing while the others were eliminated. The ones who held on the longest this time were from the Buddhist Sect.

From the beginning, only two sects had dominated the longest-standing times, the Black Dragon Pavilion and the Buddhist Sect.

Many people were not surprised, as these two sects possessed powerful cultivation techniques that specialized in body cultivation. The Black Dragon Pavilion had a body cultivation method said to originate from the Black Dragon, which, according to legend, was the beast mount of the Heavenly Demon. Through it, they gained bodies as strong as the Black Dragon itself.

The Buddhist Sect, on the other hand, had many techniques, but they have famous body-hardening art known as the Buddha's Golden Body. Every monk could use it to some degree. Legend said that if a Buddhist cultivator reached the highest level of this body-hardening technique, nothing in the universe could pierce them.

With such advantages, there was no one who could stand against these two sects in this kind of challenge.

After the Marquess stage ended, Orlav turned his gaze toward the participants.

"Now, for the next phase, those who passed the first phase from the beginner stage, please sit in the same place where you stood during the first challenge. Make yourselves comfortable in your meditation position."

The beginner stage participants who had passed the first phase were still resting and watching, but they obeyed Orlav's instructions and returned to their original positions. They sat down in meditation and looked toward him.

"In this phase, you won't need to use your physical strength, so you can rest your bodies without worry. Instead, this phase will test the strength of your mentality." As Orlav spoke, several staff came forward carrying cauldrons, placing them in a circle around the participants area.

"Soon, all of you will be covered by a barrier, and we will burn a special type of pill provided by the Alchemist Association. The smoke it produces will draw you into a deep illusion. That illusion will show you fearsome things. For the beginner stage, we have already measured a dose appropriate for you, so the sensation will not be as strong as for the other categories."

"What you must do is endure it for three minutes. Once the three minutes pass, we will wake all of you immediately without exception."

"For those who feel they cannot withstand the illusion, all you need to do is move your body and run. You will be awakened shortly after that."

"This challenge may be dangerous, as it might trigger your inner demon that lie deep within your heart. But do not worry, we are here to ensure none of you fall to your inner demon and turn into fiend. Still, because of the terrifying nature of this challenge, we will ask you once more, do you dare to continue?"

"To those who do not wish to continue, please step aside."

Orlav waited for a few moments to see if anyone would move. After several seconds passed and no one left their position, a smile spread across his face.

"Good. I applaud your resolve. This is how cultivators should be, unafraid of challenges."

He then nodded to the staff as a signal. Immediately, they opened the lids of the cauldrons and lit the red-colored pills inside. Once the flames rose, the staff stepped back, while others formed a transparent barrier that enclosed both the participants and the cauldrons.

"The challenge begins! May you succeed, participants!"