The Shining Star Above The Heaven-Chapter 991: The Second Test

The one who reached the top first was the same person who reached the second stair first. Aldrian once again focused on this male participant. He looked young for a middle marquess stage cultivator.

’Revanus Alberin, sixty years old. That is young for someone to reach that cultivation level. Was he from a noble family in the past?’ Aldrian thought after he saw his information through his system.

’It seems I have found a truly potential figure in this recruitment.’

After Revanus, there were others who finally reached the top. After waiting for another two hours, there was finally no one still standing on the stairs of the platforms across all cities.

"Congratulations on passing the first test. 202,564 people have passed the first test. I am really impressed with our empire’s potential," Aldrian said as his head projection appeared once again.

"Now, for the next test, it will test your strength. I want each of you to keep a distance of at least one hundred meters. Do you remember the grand tournament in the past where gravity was used as a challenge? It will be the same as that, but you will have to withstand it purely using your body’s raw power for three minutes. Easy, right?"

"Of course, the gravity’s heaviness has already been adjusted to each cultivator’s cultivation level. You might struggle while facing it, but I do not think that would be a problem. Also, in the midst of you withstanding the gravity, I will give you a surprise, so be prepared. For now, I will give you fifteen minutes to prepare yourselves." 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

After that, the projection disappeared.

Many participants sighed in nervousness and started doing what was instructed, making distance from each other. They did not know what kind of surprise would be waiting for them in the next test.

Although the test sounded easy and Aldrian gave them time to prepare, they knew it would not be so simple. Just like the first test, they knew that the second test would be challenging, or even more difficult.

Revanus, the one who reached the top platform first, took a deep breath to calm himself and prepare for whatever might come in the next test. His expression was truly determined.

’I have to successfully join the Divine Vanguard. I have to,’ he thought.

After fifteen minutes, suddenly Aldrian’s voice resounded across the forest region without any projection.

"All participants, you may stand up. The test will commence soon."

Hearing the announcement, the participants took their positions and readied themselves for the second test. After all of them were ready, Aldrian continued.

"The test starts."

A split second after that, heavy gravity hit all participants. Because they were already prepared, there was no one who collapsed, but it could be seen from their expressions that they were struggling to withstand the gravity.

The onlookers who saw this wondered what kind of surprise Aldrian would give in this test, because from what they could see, at least visually, this test was not so challenging.

Even compared to the first test, this kind of test could be said to be much easier, especially if the participants were body cultivators. They might be able to withstand it until the end easily.

The people who watched from many places across the continent through the screen also thought the same.

Actually, Aldrian did not intend to spread the selection’s process through screens across the continent because he thought he did not need to.

The ones who made this possible were various news organizations that thought they should spread the participants’ test across the continent. Aldrian also did not mind and allowed them to record the test.

As time passed and almost a minute was about to pass, there was still no one who collapsed.

The people were confused.

Was this test only like this? Where was their emperor’s surprise?

However, the moment a minute passed, suddenly a strong sword will spread across the continent, along with killing intent focused on each of the platforms.

The sudden, terrifying sensation instantly caused tens of thousands of people to collapse, and they were immediately thrown outside the platforms.

Those who were still concentrating on withstanding the heavy gravitation truly did not expect to receive the sudden sensation of sword will and the terrifying killing intent.

Even the killing intent caused the weather to start changing with the appearance of overcast clouds. The onlookers near the platforms sensed their swords trembling as the sword will did not disappear and instead combined with the killing intent.

All people were truly shocked as fear gripped them at how terrifying the killing intent was.

They seemed to have never seen their emperor showing his killing intent.

But then many remembered a few strange phenomena in the past, where they suddenly sensed killing intent from nowhere that spread across a wide region, killing intent that so terrifying it could even affect the weather.

Was that Aldrian’s killing intent?

Now that killing intent appeared again, it seemed even more powerful.

It made sense, since their emperor was much stronger than in the past and had killed more enemies since that time.

However, that terrifying killing intent was directed toward the participants and was still combined with powerful sword will. The sword will from Aldrian alone was already terrifying. Now they also had to endure his killing intent.

This was truly crazy!

The onlookers could finally see the real difficulty of this second test.

Those who only watched already felt goosebumps from the sensation they received even from afar. The sword will gave them a piercing sensation, while the killing intent gave them the feeling of death.

They could not imagine the participants who had to endure all of this, especially when they also had to withstand heavy gravity.

As expected, as time passed, the number of failed participants kept increasing. Those enduring the combined three challenges experienced something entirely different from those who were only watching.

The sword will alone already made their souls tremble, and it felt as though death was looming above them. The killing intent gave them the illusion that they would truly die if they continued to remain in their positions.

They began to fall into an illusion where they were surrounded by death, and it started to consume their souls. Many failed as they instantly collapsed under the heavy gravity.

They simply could not concentrate anymore to withstand the gravity when both their souls and bodies were being attacked by the combination of sword will and killing intent.

"This is crazy. Is this test even possible to pass?" one of the onlookers said in astonishment.

"I don’t know, but the ones still standing are truly amazing. Even if they fail later, holding on for this long is already an achievement in itself. Withstanding the gravity combined with His Majesty’s sword will and killing intent is no easy feat. Even I have goosebumps just watching from here," another replied.

Many commented on how difficult the second test was, wondering if Aldrian might not get any recruits today.

However, as time passed, they were truly astonished that there were still participants standing. Despite their bodies already bending, they did not let their knees touch the ground. Even when their faces showed fear and extreme struggle, they still held on.

When two minutes passed, Aldrian strengthened his sword will and killing intent. Those who had been withstanding it earlier also started to collapse one by one. The number of failures increased at a rapid speed, and at this moment, some of the participants who were forcing themselves began to show signs of internal injury.

Blood started to flow from their noses, and a few seconds later, from their eyes. Then, blood began to flow from all of their orifices.

Many collapsed as they could no longer withstand the pressure. The onlookers were truly shocked by those who were still standing and even worried that they might die at any moment.

They started to pity these participants and even began to think that Aldrian might be too excessive in this test.

Still, they were truly amazed and admired the ones who were still standing, knowing that they were the best of the best that their emperor had spoken about.

Finally, after what felt like forever for the participants, the three minutes passed, and at that exact moment, the gravity, the sword will, and the killing intent instantly disappeared.

The moment they vanished, the participants who were still on top of the platforms instantly collapsed. They were sweating so much as if they had taken a shower, and they closed their eyes because blood was blocking their sight.

But a second later, they felt a warm sensation flowing through their bodies. They felt comfortable, and they could feel the wounds in both their bodies and souls being healed.

Aldrian healed them with his energy from his throne. In fact, he also did the same for those who failed in the second test after the appearance of his sword will and killing intent.

He had to do that to prevent any aftereffects that might remain after experiencing his killing intent. He knew how terrifying his killing intent was for these people, after all.

After a few moments, the participants who lasted felt healthy again and were able to open their eyes. They blinked a few times and looked at their surroundings.

They sighed in relief, having truly succeeded.

Aldrian’s projection then appeared once again.

"Congratulations to those who passed the second test. It is truly amazing, and I truly admire your will and strength. I knew the test would be difficult, but the number of those who remained surpassed my estimation."

Hearing that, the remaining participants felt proud, but their hearts still could not rest as they thought there might be another test. The second test was already truly difficult, so what about the third test?

"From more than five million participants to only two hundred and fifty three, be proud, as you are the best of the best for reaching this point," Aldrian continued.

"Once again, congratulations on reaching this point. All of you who remained on the platform are worthy of becoming knights of the Divine Vanguard. You have passed all the tests."