At Yunmeng Martial Academy.
On the stone platform.
Just after the time for one incense stick had passed, more than ten students abruptly opened their eyes and stood up, their faces pale, drenched in sweat, and full of lingering fear. They quickly checked their bodies and, realizing they were unharmed, let out a relieved sigh of joy.
But before the smiles could fully form on their faces, a cold and emotionless voice suddenly echoed in their ears from nowhere:
"You only lasted one incense stick? Pathetic. You're eliminated."
"What?!"
The expressions of the ten or so elite students from various martial academies instantly turned ashen. Looking around, they realized everyone else was still shrouded in a faint white glow, eyes tightly shut, expressions twisted in pain, calm, or frowning — clearly still undergoing the trial within the illusion.
So… they were the first ones out. Among hundreds of students, they were at the very bottom.
Their faces turned bright red from embarrassment, and they slunk down the platform in shame.
Less than the time of two incense sticks had passed, and of all the elite students selected from martial academies across the Wind Martial Nation, fewer than half remained — the rest had been mercilessly eliminated.
…
The elimination rate of the Martial Heart advancement trial was, indeed, outrageously high.
But Yunmeng Martial Academy had every reason for it — they only wanted the cream of the crop, the true prodigies. Their resources would only be used to nurture those truly worthy of them.
The path of martial cultivation was filled with hardship and danger. Without not only talent but also unwavering resolve and commitment, one could never become truly strong. And such people had no place in Yunmeng.
As more time passed, more and more students were eliminated. The number of students still enduring the trial on the stone platform grew fewer and fewer.
"Whoosh—"
A faint white glow dispersed, and another student abruptly opened his eyes, drenched in cold sweat and clearly shaken.
"You lasted one quarter-hour. Qualified. You may enter Yunmeng Martial Academy." A cold voice echoed in his ears.
The student was stunned at first, then quickly burst into elation. He leapt up, laughing wildly.
"I did it! I actually passed! I made it into Yunmeng Martial Academy! Hahaha!"
…
In one of Yunmeng Academy's lavish side halls.
"A quarter of an hour in, and over thirty percent of the students are still holding on. Looks like this year's batch isn't too bad," a graceful female examiner smiled as she spoke, nodding in approval.
"Indeed, not bad at all. Especially that Su Ba and Xi He — both still seated calmly, like it's nothing. That level of willpower is rare. Truly good seedlings!"
"Haha, you flatter me too much," Summer Han chuckled heartily.
Su Ba's performance had pleasantly surprised him. At first, seeing Qu Tai recruit a three-star genius had made him feel some pressure, but now, Su Ba's seemingly more relaxed state compared to Xi He gave him a huge boost of confidence.
Summer Han glanced sideways at Qu Tai and lifted his brow slightly.
Tch.
Qu Tai's expression darkened like the bottom of a pot. He pretended not to notice.
Though he was reluctant to admit it, Xi He did seem to be slightly behind at this point. But the trial wasn't over yet — Qu Tai coldly snorted.
"Just keep watching. Some geniuses have much higher tolerance thresholds than normal people."
…
Inside the illusion realm.
The ground temperature had already soared past 100°C — enough to boil water. One could only imagine the agony of having such scorching heat invading one's body, burning from the inside out.
"Aaaahhh, fuck! It hurts, it hurts, it hurts!!"
All throughout the illusion, shrieks and wails echoed. Almost everyone was writhing on the ground in torment. Their skin blistered and split, blood soaking their robes. One by one, they started to vanish from the trial space.
Four incense sticks' worth of time had passed. The temperature now exceeded 130°C. And without being able to use true essence to resist it, each additional degree was exponentially more torturous.
A youth in green robes sat cross-legged on the ground, shrouded in dense vapor. Some of it was from the ground's heat; some was his own sweat evaporating instantly.
Within the mist, Xi He's face flushed abnormally red. His muscles twitched slightly, and the blood vessels beneath his skin had burst in countless places, dyeing his clothes deep crimson.
Eyes tightly shut, he clung to the last shred of consciousness in his mind.
He had to endure it. If he fainted, it was over.
It must've been more than four incense sticks by now, right? That alone was an outstanding score. Probably no one else had lasted this long.
Xi He thought to himself with pride.
He, Xi He, the only three-star talent in this batch, stood far above the others. He had worked relentlessly from a young age, clawing his way forward through grit and talent alike. He deserved to shine.
In terms of determination and perseverance, he didn't believe anyone could surpass him.
This Martial Heart trial — he would be the brightest star. The undisputed number one. Who else could compare?
Just as that thought crossed his mind, he forced open his eyes through the pain, looking around the now-empty trial realm.
Empty?
But before the pride could settle in his heart — in a far corner of the space, someone was still sitting.
That figure… dressed in black, sharp-eyed, and cold-faced.
It was that youth who had reacted slightly faster than him earlier — Su Ba!
What?!
Xi He's eyes narrowed with a trace of malice.
Despite being soaked in blood, despite the twisted grimace on Su Ba's face, he still didn't look completely overwhelmed. He hadn't collapsed. He still had strength left.
"Hmph… Still acting tough? You think you can compare to me? You're dreaming!"
Xi He sucked in a sharp breath, and with gritted teeth, shut his eyes once more and continued to endure.