Chapter 176

"That mountain... seems alive."

As Qin Shi drew closer, the massive copper mountain inverted into the ground seemed to emit a throbbing pulse like a heart beating a drum.

He couldn't help but narrow his eyes, spreading his spiritual power farther, concentrating his mind to sense, and inexplicably heard a battle roar containing a barbaric flavor.

"The pressure the core area gives is indeed different."

Qin Shi suddenly halted his steps, restraining his breath, as a humanoid creature over twenty meters in size strode past with heavy footsteps.

Like a deep-red giant stripped of its skin, wherever it passed, vast heat waves steamed up, and gravel was melted by the burning.

That vitality was terrifyingly vast, like a substantial tide howling and washing over space, making one incomparably suffocated, as if a tiny fish slapped by raging waves, flung back onto the shore.

"Professional-grade! And one that has gone through several evolution stages at that!"

Qin Shi quietly hid in a corner, waiting for the deep-red giant to depart far away.

Against this kind of foreign race creature, even if it stood still, letting him hand-roll Dimensional Slashes, it would probably be very hard to eliminate.

"No wonder that batch of people thrown into the core area, none of them hunt much. The possibility of becoming prey themselves is too high."

Qin Shi carefully made his way, discovering that those powerful foreign race creatures seemed unwilling to approach the Bronze Demon Mountain, with a sense of taboo or fear.

"So that mountain is instead the safest place."

His speed was extremely fast; once the Swift as Wind of Hundred Forms Tempering Momentum activated, his figure seemed to merge into the airflow, without any resistance, and before long he arrived at the "mountain foot."

Accurately speaking, the end inserted into the ground is the summit, but because it stands inverted, it presents a structure narrow at the bottom and wide at the top.

"Walk up along the stairs, you must climb over to the other side to count as passing the trial."

Qin Shi tried stepping onto the first level, and the expected heavy pressure did not appear.

"Turns out it's not hard either..."

He continued upward, and when he reached the tenth level, his tendons and bones began to suffer obvious compression.

By the time he stepped onto the twenty-seventh level, his mortal body felt like it was electrocuted, hands and feet slightly numb, the strange feeling growing stronger and stronger, bones and viscera all trembling, as if being hammered.

After the fiftieth level, Qin Shi saw several figures ahead, they were roughly around the hundredth level position, each step taken with great difficulty.

"This Bronze Demon Mountain has truly given birth to life? It's assimilating me!"

Qin Shi stepped onto the sixtieth level, finally discovering the source of the wrongness.

In his gradual ascent, his mortal body gradually adapted to that forging-like trembling, flesh vitality resonating with it.

This is tempering, making tendons and bones, skin membranes, five viscera and six bowels continuously expel "impurities," becoming harder and denser.

But it is also "assimilation," making one's own flesh increasingly approach a certain "form."

"Assuming this mountain truly is alive. This trembling and vibration is more like breathing! And I, and the other climbers, the higher we go, the more we'll only adapt to this breathing rhythm!"

Qin Shi's heart chilled; without a doubt, the Bronze Demon Mountain from the Netherworld is the concrete manifestation of a certain Great Demon's authority.

He had once heard Lao Liang say, whether Netherworld Great Demons or Divine Spirit Pillars, they are existences fundamentally different from other living beings.

They stand at the upper reaches of the path, and for those below, they often hold absolute control.

"The closer the lower ones get to the higher ones, the deeper the control and domination they suffer. This is also why the First Martial God Yan Haishan, and later Ning Yuanhai, were unwilling to become the Four Pillar Spokespersons."

Qin Shi's thoughts were clear, swiftly perceiving the essence of this trial: resist the Bronze Demon Mountain's assimilation, maintain self, climb over it.

"To pass, first the inheritance level must be high; if too ordinary, one is destined to be unconsciously influenced, then conform to the demon mountain's breathing rhythm.

Second, flesh vitality must be abundant, like a long-distance run, only with enough stamina can one persist to the end. Good thing I lack neither!"

Understanding this, Qin Shi began adjusting his climbing speed, trying to maintain one step every two minutes, walking very steadily.

At the end of the Great Rift Valley lies a lush oasis; Lao Zhang leaned on his wheelchair, eyes closed, sunbathing.

Beside him was a middle-aged man, broad forehead, square jaw, hard lines; the other spoke slowly, his voice carrying a heavy weight:

"Must admit, Hengzhou these few years has indeed produced quite a few talents. This batch is the best quality seedlings since the Wilderness Trial was halted."

Lao Zhang didn't open his eyes, saying lazily:

"Dongxia has never lacked talent, only those who can grow up and realize their talent into true proud Suns. Before that, any evaluation is meaningless."

The middle-aged man was the "Chief Examiner" dispatched by the Hengzhou Martial Association; compared to Representative Li, his power was greater, even able to halt or terminate the competition.

"Presumably the predecessor has seen worldly affairs, great winds and waves, hence this sigh. As the saying goes, insects chirp for a lifetime but only through autumn; all beings struggle to cross; the Star Sea buries too many proud sons who could have become Dragons; before stepping onto that path, who wasn't outstanding and high-spirited."

Lao Zhang still kept eyes closed, voice hoarse:

"Little Xu ah, haven't seen you in many years, your skill at empty talk has improved greatly. Still preferred the old you; now the official air is too thick, official might too heavy, unlikable."

The middle-aged man named "Xu Sheng," brows habitually furrowed then relaxed, smiled bitterly:

"Predecessor, a person in the Great Dye Vat, how can they stay clean. The system has many rules, pressure from above, pleas from below; if you can't balance both, it's hard to go far. Without the predecessor's peerless strength, wanting to walk horizontally at will, sooner or later you'll be kicked away."

Lao Zhang couldn't be bothered listening to Xu Sheng's "complaining"; he was unwilling to get close to the Martial Association, even intentionally distancing himself, precisely because of this.

In the early years of the Martial Association, Grandmasters gathered, Hundred Meridians converged, the atmosphere of discussion and verification was very thick.

But where there are people there is Jianghu; the Martial Association, certified by Dongxia, also gathered the vast power of the Old Era martial arts world, gradually becoming a giant system standing shoulder to shoulder with the Three Departments.

Plus the promotion and popularization of the Martial Path, listed as an exam item, a necessary path to University, the resources grasped grew more and more, naturally deriving factions and mountains; after several thousand years, it has now completely become half a bureaucratic system.

"Less of this set; if it's really this hard, this bitter, why do you suffer this sinecure? To put it bluntly, you're still attached to that bit of power, that bit of profit; this has nothing to do with strength or weakness.

Be a good examiner, wait for those young children to slowly shuffle over; if you ask me, you bunch of masters love crying bitterly, the ones truly living bitter lives scream until their voices are hoarse, and you lot might not even hear them."

Lao Zhang seemed to have rested enough, finally willing to open his eyes, gazing at the distant Bronze Demon Mountain, his palm involuntarily clenching.

"Old Zhao is a bit impatient, stride too large; that mountain is the 'Elephant Demon' manifesting in the Material Realm. It fell into the Great Rift Valley, likewise contaminated, faintly showing signs of activation. Letting contestants not even Professional-grade challenge a Netherworld Great Demon is pulling up seedlings to help them grow."

The "Old Zhao" in his mouth is the highest Leader of the Hengzhou Martial Association Branch.

Due to this Nanhuang Dao Guan Master's seniority being too deep, aside from the First Generation Ten Greats batch, it's hard to find anyone qualified to sit on equal footing with him.

Xu Sheng spoke in a deep voice:

"The Elephant Demon Bronze Mountain counts as an anchor point of the Netherworld fallen into the Material Realm; if we don't find a way to deal with it, it's hard to guarantee a rift entrance won't form someday. The Martial Association leadership believes, if someone can 'subdue' the Elephant Demon's residual mental imprint, completely conquer this copper mountain.

That is the true, undisputed Hengzhou Champion, the Top Hundred's number one!

Lao Zhang pursed his lips and punctured the illusion:

"He's coveting the Blood Crystal that Copper Mountain is about to give birth to. During the Great Reclamation Period, that Elephant Demon arrived and was shattered with a single palm strike, its flesh and blood exploding, leaving behind only a heart-like Blood Crystal. This thing has taken root deep within Copper Mountain; unless extraordinary means are employed, don't even think about getting it."

Xu Sheng's face was awkward, rendered speechless, unable to continue the conversation.

Unexpectedly, this Old Generation Senior of the Nanhuang Dao Guan was even privy to this kind of hidden secret.

"You are the Chief Examiner; you must fulfill your responsibility. The Core Area — those participants who can reach Copper Mountain and climb it all count as geniuses. If they cannot endure it and are assimilated by the Elephant Demon, we cannot just stand by and watch."

Lao Zhang reminded him.

"Of course; otherwise the Martial Association wouldn't have arranged for me to stand guard here."

Xu Sheng nodded; although the Wilderness Trial had been restarted, it wouldn't go so far as to truly let outstanding students die prematurely like in the past.

"Senior, since you know the Elephant Demon's Blood Crystal is hidden inside Copper Mountain, why not tell your own disciple? This is also a fortuitous opportunity — if he obtains the Blood Crystal to irrigate his Mortal Body, he might be able to break through the Great Limit."

Lao Zhang shook his head:

"The Elephant Demon's true name is 'Gro Xux', meaning 'He Who Buries the Earth'. The Magic Nature formed from the residual Mental Imprint He left behind is contained within the rhythm and cadence of that beating heart. To obtain the Blood Crystal, one must use one's own Breathing to suppress Copper Mountain; even in my younger years, I might not have been able to do it.

Telling Xiao Qin in advance would only add worry; driving him to deliberately chase after it would instead easily harm him."

……

……

"Pei Xuezhang, I've finally caught up to you."

Qin Shi stepped onto the one hundred and fiftieth stair, standing shoulder to shoulder with Pei Han, who had been deployed to the Core Area early on.

The latter, seeing his face full of smiles, looking relaxed and happy, reacted as if he had seen a ghost.

"Qin... Shi?"

Pei Han was drenched in sweat; the Qi Life Force inside his body surged outward like a burst dam, releasing unceasingly.

"It must be an illusion! How could he possibly so easily run from the Outer Area to the Core Area and catch up to me!"

Pei Han shook his head, expressing disbelief; this Copper Mountain's Magic Nature ran deep, even his spirit was on the verge of being contaminated.

"Pei Xuezhang, your Flesh Vitality has been consumed too much, it's about to bottom out; your entire body's breathing and vibration rhythm have almost resonated at the same frequency as this mountain."

Qin Shi's perception was keen; he detected that the one hundred and fiftieth stair was Pei Han's limit.

Thinking of how the other party, before the competition started, because of Lin Yunqing's entrustment, had taken the initiative to invite him to form a team.

He couldn't help but sigh, deciding to lend a hand:

"Pei Xuezhang, if you are assimilated, your flesh and blood fall into imbalance, and your vitality dries up, the impact on your future path would be a loss outweighing the gain.

So, go back down and settle down, settle down!"

Qin Shi operated the Self-Cultivation Furnace; intense firelight covered his body, five fingers clenched into a fist and smashed over.

"As expected, it's an illusion! Delusional attempt to attack me, force me to fight, make me consume more stamina!"

Pei Han grinned, as if he had completely seen through it, silently standing on the stair, not moving an inch.

Bang!

The powerful fist struck Pei Han's eye socket, instantly imprinting a ring of black marks.

"Huh! He didn't even dodge? As expected, he's exhausted, Pei Xuezhang!"

Qin Shi's face showed surprise; he hadn't expected Pei Han to already be tired to this extent.

So painful!

Pei Han widened his eyes; something's wrong — why is this illusion so real?

"Could it be my senses have also been deceived?"

Qin Shi sighed; since everyone knew each other, he no longer stood on ceremony.

He immediately quickly climbed up two stairs, then turned and kicked out with a flying foot.

"Pei Xuezhang, no need to thank me; saving a life surpasses building a Seven-Story Pagoda."

Thump thump thump thump——

Pei Han hadn't even reacted before he rolled down like a tumbling gourd, continuously rolling downward.

"This illusion... isn't an illusion!"

Climbing is hard, but falling is easy; in a few minutes he lay powerlessly at the "Mountain Foot".

That strange rhythm that constantly invaded the Mortal Body, consuming Flesh Vitality, vanished in an instant.

"He got second place results, he shouldn't have reached the Core Area yet, how did he catch up so fast... what a Monster!"

Pei Han lay sprawled, panting heavily, rubbing the black-and-blue marks on his eye socket, smiling bitterly:

"Letting a little junior brother who hasn't even taken the College Entrance Exam knock me down — truly losing face big time! Pretty much qualifies to stand alongside those guys defeated by the Shen Neng Xi Old Martial Arts faction as the Wu Dao Zhi Chi!"

……

……

After another while, Qin Shi climbed with slight difficulty to the two hundred and eightieth stair; the Mortal Body that had broken the Three Great Limits weakened the terrifying pressure emitted by Copper Mountain itself to the greatest extent.

Moreover, with the Spiritual Residence Inner Landscape and Entry into Samadhi, approaching condensation of the Holy Embryo, the dense Magic Nature's battle cries and roars also couldn't interfere too much.

The only issue to consider was probably how to resist the increasingly clear pulsation transmitted from inside Copper Mountain.

The Old Era martial arts world had a Secret Technique, rendered miraculous by later novelists, named "Crack Heart Lock".

By and large, it amplifies Breathing, mobilizes Blood and Qi, making the heart pound wildly like a beating drum, shaking so that it can be heard in all directions.

Through this crude act of displaying unmatched surging vitality, it forcibly drags the weak into one's own bodily rhythm, thereby shattering their heart palace and making them bleed from the seven orifices until death.

Attempting to summit and cross this massive Copper Mountain would subject one to an attack similar to "Crack Heart Lock".

"What humans take most pride in is their tenacious adaptability to the environment. Biology has a saying called 'Survival of the Fittest'. But at this gate, the stronger the adaptability, the more likely one is to suffer heavily; one must hold fast to one's own rhythm and not be led astray..."

Qin Shi silently operated the Self-Cultivation Furnace; the Nanhuang Dao Guan's Inheritance has always emphasized "strengthening the self", opening up the Small World within the body, forming Great Unity.

And He Lanchan's Void Meditation Method is "Only I".

Combined, the two are hard to be affected by Copper Mountain.

Only that Iron Heart he carried in his bosom seemed to have been placed in a heated large urn, gradually beginning to melt.

This Furnace Heart obtained from a Leader Level Iron Rust Beast actually couldn't withstand the Copper Mountain Pulse; cracks surfaced on its surface, and then like a candle meeting high temperature, it slowly melted away.

"It's gone soft, like taro paste."

Qin Shi pinched it with his hand, easily leaving marks.

Before he was still pondering how to digest this thing.

"Fortune."

Qin Shi's mouth corner hooked up in an arc, satisfied smile, directly tilted head and swallowed.

The originally incomparably hard texture seemed like overcooked mountain yam.

Eating it sticky and mushy, texture not bad.

This Iron Heart entered the belly, quickly absorbed.

The panel instantly added a stone tablet rising from the ground.

【Activated Junior Achievement-Iron People】

Simultaneously, the pixel-style gray embryo grew larger at a visible degree, faintly revealing body shape outline.

Entirely round-headed and round-brained, sprouting pointed ears, at first glance, like a small fur ball.

Giving a feeling full of elasticity, very good to knead.

(Chapter End)