Martial Ascent to Divinity-Chapter 437 - 422: Long Spike

Zhou Leng said, "The Demon Spirit Trial is still advanced; the Dwarf Trial and Giant Trial hardly have any saves, with extremely severe casualties."

"That also depends on the trial. Some Demon Spirit Trials will see a large number of people perish as well."

After finishing their meal, Frosty Hand bid farewell to the legends of the Divine Sect, even paying respects to a Demigod Demon Spirit Master residing there.

The Demigod Demon Spirit Master cast a long-lasting blessing spell, preventing minor ailments and disasters, with a duration of one year.

The Pegasus cart ascended, treading clouds, and raced through the sky towards Tower City.

Watching the Pegasus cart leave, Frosty Hand sighed, saying, "If I’d known he was in such a hurry to go to the Ancient Spirit Road, I wouldn’t have given him the Ancient Spirit Bird Token."

"He’s a Martial Artist; even if he was given it, it wouldn’t be of use," Snow Mountain Wolf replied.

"Even if it’s discarded, it’s better than giving it to those incompetent ones. For the last Ancient Spirit Bird Token, they’re willing to do anything shameless; gifting it to the dancer is better than giving it to them."

"You’re right, those few are too much. No one dares ask for it, afraid they’d be bitten. Giving it to Zhou Leng, no one got it, so it didn’t cause a commotion. Even if they were extremely bold, they wouldn’t dare mess with the dancer."

"I actually hope they do something to alarm the Demigod."

"Teacher, you’re still so... benevolent."

Zhou Leng was satisfied with everything; the only regret was that there were six female Demon Spirit Masters crammed into the cart.

Four were granddaughters or grandnieces of Frosty Hand; two were offspring of the Demigod.

The good news is they were beautiful; the bad news is they were too beautiful.

Zhou Leng thought to himself, he’d never mock Zhang Xinglie again.

No, he should mock him even more.

After a day’s journey, Zhou Leng felt something was off and slowly asked questions, only to find out the Pegasus cart had taken a detour.

What should’ve been a day’s journey now took two days to fly.

Zhou Leng was helpless; once the cart landed, he left immediately.

Martial Arts first, all else is fanciful.

Zhou Leng pulled out the Demon Spirit Artifact previously given by Cyan Flame and, following its instructions, entered a magic potion shop.

This was the Cyan Flame family’s store; Cyan Flame stayed here when visiting Tower City.

"I am looking for Cyan Flame."

Identifying himself, the shopkeeper warmly led Zhou Leng to the reception hall in the shop’s backyard.

Shortly thereafter, Cyan Flame approached quickly, smiling as he looked Zhou Leng over.

"Ice Snow Divine Sect is willing to let you out? I thought they’d drain you dry."

"You know too?"

"You don’t understand what a remarkable bloodline means in the Demon Spirit World."

"I see your bloodline is rather outstanding; I’ll find time to introduce you to Frosty Hand."

"You’re ruthless. So, are you ready?"

Zhou Leng said, "I know nothing; I’ll rely on you, I’m just an assistant. You’re the main force."

"A few days ago, I consulted a legendary prophet. His prediction was a bit strange."

"Are prophecy spells effective in the Demon Spirit World?"

"Quite effective."

"What did he say?"

"He said, in this trial, I would suffer a great loss, with mixed emotions, but the final harvest would exceed imagination."

Zhou Leng said, "This prophecy is a bit strange."

"It’s strange, but as long as the outcome is good, it doesn’t matter."

Zhou Leng said, "Take me around Tower City, taste some local delicacies and buy some cheap cultivation resources."

"Let’s go, you’ll be satisfied."

Guided by Cyan Flame, Zhou Leng experienced the differences in the Demon Spirit World.

In less than a day, he spent all remaining money.

But some important cultivation resources weren’t purchased; he had to sell some fierce beast bones.

Fierce beast products are rare and expensive in any world.

In the evening, he met some Demon Spirit Master friends with Cyan Flame.

After relaxing and having fun, they returned to the backyard of the magic potion shop to make final preparations for the Ancient Spirit Trial.

Cyan Flame first introduced the Ancient Spirit Trial to Zhou Leng.

"The Ancient Spirit Trial started twenty-five thousand years ago."

"A powerful Demigod Demon Spirit Master discovered a broken high-level civilization trial ground while excavating a treasure."

"Many Demigod Demon Spirit Masters later teamed up for excavation and found some places impassable."

"So they patched it up and created the Ancient Spirit Road on the foundation of the broken trial ground."

"The process of the Ancient Spirit Trial, aside from aspects related to Divine Text, is mostly understood."

"It’s nothing but tests of magic power, spiritual power, Demon Spirit, learning capacity, battle techniques, etc. However, the order and specifics vary, with little major changes."

"One Ancient Spirit Trial has tens of thousands of participants. Everyone entering gets some form of gain."

"Rewards for the top hundred, top ten, and top three increase dramatically."

"Everyone who gets into the top ten of the Ancient Spirit Road receives a brand new Ancient Demon Spirit."

"Additionally, top three recipients gain rewards from high-level civilizations. Though the era is long past, the rewards are weakened, they still significantly boost a Demon Spirit Master’s spiritual power."

Zhou Leng said, "Our target is the top ten? I heard from Frosty Hand that we can’t aim for the top three."

Cyan Flame sighed, "You even know about it. The top three spots are monopolized by the Three High Towers, we can’t compete for them. However, the most precious thing on the Ancient Spirit Road is neither the Ancient Demon Spirit nor the rewards from the High-Level Civilization."

"Then what is it?"

"Spell book, Divine Text Magic Book. That’s the real purpose of establishing the Ancient Spirit Road. Because ancient Demigod Demon Spirit Masters discovered that the Ancient Spirit Road was originally a place where the High-Level Civilization tested Innate Demon Spirit Masters, and demigods couldn’t enter."

"And among the original rewards from the High-Level Civilization, there were Divine Text Magic Books. However, to the High-Level Civilization, these Divine Text Magic Books are quite ordinary."

"But to us, the Elementary Civilization, the value of Divine Text Magic Books surpasses all else."

Zhou Leng said, "Indeed. If it were a Martial Arts trial, a complete Cultivation Technique that could be passed down would be far more valuable to all humanity than a single Pill."

Cyan Flame said, "But in these twenty-five thousand years, no one has figured out how to acquire a Divine Text Magic Book. Only the great Torch of Blaze got one by coincidence, and then soared rapidly, dominating ten generations, still holding the top position."

"However, none of this is very related to us. The top three aren’t related to us either; our goal is the top ten."

Zhou Leng said, "Tell me the specific strategy. Since it’s a trial for Demon Spirit Masters, I’m just supporting, don’t expect too much from me, I’m just along for the ride."

Cyan Flame laughed, "You can’t say it like that. If we come across tough obstacles like the Colossal Statue class, we’ll need you."

"Those steel colossi immune to Demon Spirit attacks?"

"Yes. Aside from the colossi, I’m confident I can handle every checkpoint. Dealing with the colossi is primarily why I asked you. Only those who can face challenges head-on and use the Mountain-Separating Bull-Striking Force can deal with the colossi effortlessly. This force is also the nemesis of our spell shields."

The two prepared thoroughly, and Zhou Leng returned to his room to cultivate.

Cyan Flame worked late into the night, learned his father had arrived in High Tower City, and went to pay his respects.

Cyan Flame Blue sat behind the desk, the lampshade covering most of the light, with only a faint cold light shining on his stern face.

"Father." Cyan Flame slightly lowered his head, showing respect without a hint of closeness.

"I came to High Tower this time to ask how your preparations are going. I heard you were playing with friends recently."

"It’s to relax my mind. I was too tense in preparation before." Cyan Flame said.

"That person is called..."

"Zhou Heavenly Extreme Cold."

"How is he better than the person I found?"

"He is very strong. His status among humans is not lower than mine."

"I just got the ranking of the human Innate list; he’s not on it."

"He’s concealing his strength." Cyan Flame said.

"Not showing off is a good trait. Besides..."

Cyan Flame Blue raised his hand and took out a one-foot-long spike, placing it on the table and pushing it to the edge.

The end of the spike was carved with a snake-shaped Demon.

The Demon Spike devours other people’s flesh and blood, transforming it into magic power, greatly enhancing oneself in a short time.

The stronger the person devoured, the greater the increase in magic power.

A few Demon Spirit Masters carry it with them and use it on Demon Spirit Warriors in urgent situations to enhance themselves.

Cyan Flame’s expression slightly changed, "Father, I don’t need this."

Cyan Flame Blue slowly said, "Back then, I failed to enter the top hundred of the Ancient Spirit Road, causing the family to decline again. You have the chance to advance to the top ten, don’t miss it."

"I won’t use it."

"You don’t have to use it, just keep it with you, you might need it sometime."

"I’ll take it after I finish the Ancient Spirit Road."

"You’re grown up with talent now, you look down on me as your father, and have nothing in your eyes for the Cyan Flame family?"

"No." Cyan Flame lowered his head.

"For three generations, the family got nothing from the Ancient Spirit Road. All hopes rest on you. Is an outsider more important than you and the future of the Cyan Flame family?"

Cyan Flame remained silent.

"Take it; as long as you break into the top ten, the family will fully support your cultivation in the Three High Towers for three years. Once you come out, you’ll be the patriarch, everything will be up to you, I won’t restrain you anymore."

Cyan Flame was still silent.

"Do you remember why your mother died?"

"Yes."

"Do you remember why your grandfather died?"

"Yes."

"Now, as long as you take the Demon Spike, you have the chance to become a legend and avenge your grandfather and mother."

Cyan Flame bit his teeth hard, eventually, slowly reached out and grasped the Demon Spike, placing it in the Magic Spirit Bag.

"Go rest, and don’t forget that prophecy." Cyan Flame Blue’s tone was indifferent.

Cyan Flame’s heart suddenly raced; the prophecy said that on the Ancient Spirit Road, he would suffer a great loss, but because of this loss, the final gains would go beyond imagination.

"Could it be..." Cyan Flame dared not continue thinking, unable to suppress the guilt surging in his heart.

Early the next morning, Zhou Leng went downstairs to the living room, preparing to head to the Ancient Spirit Road.

The table was covered with food, and Cyan Flame stared blankly out the window.

"You don’t look well; too nervous and couldn’t sleep?" Zhou Leng asked.

A trace of panic flashed on Cyan Flame’s face, then he smiled, "Indeed, I didn’t sleep well, after all, it’s the most important Ancient Spirit Road."

Zhou Leng said, "Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Appreciate your luck, accept your fate, do your best and regret nothing. Not every demigod master ranks at the top of the Ancient Spirit Road, right? The Ten Realms offer opportunities, and the Ancient Spirit Road is just one of them. Your harvest in the Tree-man World might not be less than on the Ancient Spirit Road."

"You have a point," Cyan Flame said.