Chapter 86: The Arrival of Qianxue

But as time passed, pain slowly surfaced on Hua Wuhen’s face. Soon after, even his body began to tremble, as if he was enduring immense agony. Yet none of the others present knew just what kind of torment he was suffering in that moment.

Moments later—

A wretched scream tore from Hua Wuhen’s lips as he was flung violently backward, blood spurting from his lips, his face deathly pale. He had been gravely wounded by the resonance of the Great Thousand World’s Dao contained within the character.

“Not bad. You lasted seven minutes before the character for Dao.” Overlooking him from above, Dantai Wushuang nodded in appreciation and announced, “Hua Wuhen, prince of the Baidan Sacred Kingdom, has passed the second stage of the trial and advances to the third. Next.”

“I’ll go!” As her words faded, a young man strode forward, standing resolutely before the character, ready to face the assessment.

Soon—

The young man’s agonized scream echoed as he was hurled aside, blood spraying from his lips, his face ashen, a sight as tragic as Hua Wuhen’s had been. The terror hidden within the Dao character was evident.

“Trash!” Hua Wuhen sneered from the sidelines, his disdain obvious. He had endured for seven minutes; this young man only managed four. His sense of superiority swelled instantly.

High above, Dantai Wushuang, seated on her snow-white beast, shook her head in disappointment. “Fu Hanmo, prince of the Immortal Talisman Sacred Kingdom, lasted only four minutes—eliminated!”

Fu Hanmo’s face fell, and he silently withdrew from the Frozen Battle Platform.

The trial proceeded in an orderly fashion.

Again and again, Dantai Wushuang’s disappointed voice echoed from above:

“Ou Feiwei, princess of the Soft Cloud Sacred Kingdom, lasted only four minutes—eliminated!”

“Sikong Huo, prince of the Green Peak Sacred Kingdom, lasted only three minutes—eliminated!”

“Xin Hongshuo, prince of the Myriad Dust Sacred Kingdom, lasted only two minutes—eliminated!”

…

The arena was silent as death—not even the sound of breathing could be heard.

Even Chen Changsheng frowned slightly. This trial was too merciless! These were all princes and princesses of the great Sacred Kingdoms, their status incomparably exalted. Yet now, they slunk away from the Frozen Battle Platform like beaten dogs.

Hua Wuhen’s expression grew more cheerful—so far, no one had surpassed his record. If nothing unexpected happened, he would advance to the third stage at the top of the rankings.

An hour passed, and only Donggong Qianxue remained untested.

Of the seventeen princes and princesses who had faced the trial, only a handful, including Hua Wuhen, had passed. Thirteen had been eliminated. The elimination rate was staggering.

“Now I realize just how terrifying Hua Wuhen’s seven-minute record is!”

“Indeed. He was first in the initial stage, and if nothing changes, he’ll claim first again in this second stage.”

Low whispers rose around the edge of the Frozen Battle Platform, all eyes turning toward Hua Wuhen with complex emotions.

Hearing these murmurs, the Baidan Sacred Emperor, Sacred Empress, and other Baidan Kingdom elites wore expressions of pride. Their prince had truly brought honor to their nation today.

At the platform’s center, Hua Wuhen lifted his head slightly, a self-assured smile lingering on his lips as he calmly accepted the admiring and envious gazes cast his way. This was exactly the effect he wanted!

Such a scene filled him with boundless satisfaction, to the point of feeling almost euphoric.

His gaze slid coolly to Donggong Qianxue, the meaning clear: Donggong Qianxue, do you see my excellence now? That so-called Chen—what is he, compared to me?

“Hmph, brainless idiot.” Donggong Qianxue lifted her delicate nose and snorted, her rosy lips curled in utter disdain.

Hua Wuhen’s breath caught—this infuriating woman had quite the temperament! But he liked that—surely he could conquer her in the end.

“Last up: Donggong Qianxue, princess of the Spring and Autumn Sacred Kingdom, step forward to face the Dao character.”

Dantai Wushuang’s gentle voice drifted down from above, as soothing as a spring breeze.

All eyes immediately focused on Donggong Qianxue.

She turned her face, glancing up at Chen Changsheng seated on the distant steps, and after a faint smile, strode confidently toward the character.

Her peerlessly beautiful features radiated confidence. She was, after all, a piece in Young Master Chen’s hand, and she believed the entire grand gathering was likewise under his control.

Standing before the character, Donggong Qianxue drew a deep breath, steadied herself, and looked straight at it.

In that instant, the golden brilliance radiating from the Dao character doubled in intensity, dazzling her so much she could hardly keep her eyes open. At the same time, the myriad resonances of the Great Dao surged forth like a tidal wave, flooding her ears.

“What a terrifying resonance…” Donggong Qianxue frowned slightly; soon, her head felt ready to split apart. She summoned her inner mystical power, surging it forth to shield herself from the onslaught.

Time ticked by, second after second.

She soon lasted five minutes.

“Oh? Not bad—the princess of the Spring and Autumn Sacred Kingdom has already passed this stage.” In the air, Dantai Wushuang’s eyes narrowed in approval, a smile of comfort gracing her lips.

Donggong Fu, the Sacred Empress, and the other Spring and Autumn Kingdom elites all let out sighs of relief, their worries finally laid to rest.

At the center of the platform, Hua Wuhen’s expression remained relaxed at first—this was just what he wanted. If Donggong Qianxue hadn’t passed, how could he have met her in the third stage?

But soon, his easy smile slowly froze.

Donggong Qianxue had already endured six minutes, yet her face showed not the slightest trace of pain.

Seven minutes—equaling his own record.

Eight minutes—surpassing him.

“Damn it…” Hua Wuhen’s composure began to crumble. Could this wretched woman truly be stronger than him?

Nine minutes.

“Heavens, this princess of the Spring and Autumn Sacred Kingdom is terrifying! I thought Hua Wuhen’s seven minutes was unbeatable, but now, compared to her, he’s nothing!”

“Exactly. It’s clear—the Spring and Autumn princess far outstrips the Baidan prince.”

“He’s nothing in her presence!”

Low, excited whispers surged up around the Frozen Battle Platform once more.