Chapter 788: The Fourth Trial Begins

The fourth trial has begun!

This trial is called the Trial of the Myriad Worlds, also known as the Battle for the Stone Steles.

The ultimate goal is to eliminate opponents, acquire more jade tablets, and ultimately compete for the five stone steles.

Whoever claims a stele gains one hundred points.

This trial's arena is not the Stone Platform Staircase Square, but a vast square within another stone platform city.

In the void, a green vortex slowly rotated, spewing forth unique spatial Dao laws.

"This is the entrance!" Nan Qiqi said. "And it is also the exit!"

"Once all the prodigies entering the fourth trial have gone in, this opening will seal. You will compete within the Myriad Worlds. When the trial ends, the Emperors will reopen the entrance and exit of the Myriad Worlds and personally enter to verify the rankings!"

The prodigies of the Zhu Que Emperor Domain nodded one by one.

He Pingsheng's gaze swept from the entrance to the surroundings.

The square was filled with many people: prodigies of various races, along with observers and dignitaries—numbering no fewer than tens of thousands.

In the void, several Demon Emperors had condensed their Dharma Phantoms.

Jin Gang Demon Emperor looked at the crowd and said: "Silence…"

"I have already announced the rules for this trial. You have all received them, correct?"

Everyone bowed in unison: "We have received them!"

"Good!" Jin Gang Demon Emperor said. "All prodigies, go to the back to collect a jade tablet!"

The jade tablet was previously a life-saving token: if danger arose inside, breaking it would instantly teleport you out, but the broken tablet would remain within the Myriad Worlds.

Thus, for participating prodigies, whether killing an opponent or forcing them to flee the Myriad Worlds, one jade tablet would be awarded.

Final rankings would be determined by the number of jade tablets collected.

First place earns one hundred points, second place ninety-nine, and so on.

But now it's different: in this Battle for the Steles, jade tablets no longer possess teleportation or life-saving functions—they are merely tokens.

He Pingsheng received his own jade tablet: white, engraved with his name: Human, He Pingsheng!

"Brother-in-law!" Qiao Xiaoqiao appeared beside He Pingsheng without warning.

He Pingsheng asked: "Did you collect your tablet?"

"No!" Qiao Xiaoqiao said. "They all know my identity and my connection to you. I fear they'll kidnap me to threaten you."

"So… I'm withdrawing."

Qiao Xiaoqiao smiled.

She seemed to have lost her usual cheerfulness and optimism.

He Pingsheng said: "If you withdraw, what about your previous points?"

"What points do I have?" Qiao Xiaoqiao gave a bitter laugh.

Since beginning cultivation, whether on Tianfu Mountain, later at the Xiaoyao Immortal Sect, or after arriving in the Spirit Realm among humans, she had always been a genius, a prodigy.

The kind everyone revered and elevated.

But since arriving at the Stone Platform Gathering, Qiao Xiaoqiao realized her abilities were truly ordinary.

She received no ranking in the Red Dust Force trial.

She received no ranking in the Hundred-Year Enlightenment trial.

She received no ranking in alchemy either.

To this day, she had earned not a single point.

Only now did Qiao Xiaoqiao understand: even prodigies have hierarchies.

"Fine!" He Pingsheng nodded. "This trial is indeed dangerous, and specifically designed against our human race. It's wise of you not to enter."

"But brother-in-law!" Qiao Xiaoqiao looked anxious. "You must be careful. I fear they'll target you."

"Yesterday I saw several senior brothers bring their clones. I worry they're plotting something!"

"Clones?" He Pingsheng frowned slightly.

Clones…

What could they do?

Could they merge their Dao here, reach Body Integration, then crush me with a higher realm advantage?

This…

Surely not?

He Pingsheng grew uneasy.

But now, the arrow was already on the string—he had no choice. Worry was useless.

…

After all prodigies collected their jade tablets, they reassembled beneath the green vortex.

He Pingsheng counted: there were not nine hundred seventy, but only over seven hundred.

Damn.

Did over two hundred just quit because of the danger?

Of course, it wasn't hard to understand!

Many, like Qiao Xiaoqiao, earned zero points in the first three trials. Even if they won first place here, they still couldn't challenge the Stone Platform Staircase.

If the contest had no meaning, and this fourth trial carried risk of death, why persist?

Just withdraw.

Isn't watching the spectacle enough?

"All of you!" Jin Gang Demon Emperor pointed to the green vortex. "This trial lasts ten days!"

"Extend your spiritual sense into your jade tablets—you'll see a map!"

"This is the map of the Myriad Worlds!"

"It will prevent you from getting lost once you enter."

"Of course, your entry points are random, so you'll land at varying distances from the center's 【Prodigy Stele】. Your fortune determines your starting position!"

"But before entering, surrender all your magic treasures!"

"No magic treasures are permitted in this trial—neither offensive, supportive, nor defensive!"

"And note this: this trial is purely about combat. Whoever kills whom, no grievances allowed!"

"I will call your names one by one to surrender!" Jin Gang Demon Emperor said. "First: Zhu Xuanlun!"

The first name called was Zhu Xuanlun—He Pingsheng knew they were calling in order of the first three trials' rankings.

Zhu Xuanlun stepped forward, waved his hand, and produced a fire-element long spear. "Your Majesty, this spear is my life-bound magic treasure—it cannot leave my body, so I must carry it. But I swear I will not use it inside."

"All other magic treasures were already handed over to my father."

Jin Gang Demon Emperor nodded, then scanned Zhu Xuanlun with his spiritual sense. "Good. Your life-bound magic treasure may be carried. Enter."

Life-bound treasures couldn't be helped!

Shhh…

Zhu Xuanlun was the first to step into the vortex.

"Second: Feng Wanxi!"

Feng Wanxi stepped forward, producing a crimson flying sword. "Your Majesty, this is my life-bound magic treasure, 【Nirvana Immortal Sword】. I cannot part with it. All other treasures have been entrusted to my Phoenix Clan's Seventh Elder."

Jin Gang Demon Emperor similarly scanned Feng Wanxi with his spiritual sense. "If anyone sees you using magic treasures inside the Myriad Worlds, and the talisman images are retrieved, your qualification will be revoked!"

"Go."

Feng Wanxi entered the vortex second.

"Third: He Pingsheng!"

Jin Gang Demon Emperor looked at He Pingsheng.

Every eye turned in unison—swift as a blade—and fixed on He Pingsheng.