“Shi Yi has appeared, and the rumors have come true. His grand entrance into the mountain gate is truly astounding,” even some of the clan elders from large tribes narrowed their eyes, their gaze piercing with intensity.
The enormous ancient beast’s wings spread out like clouds touching the sky, stirring up terrifying gale winds that stung everyone’s faces as it quickly vanished into the depths of the Heavenly Pillar Pavilion’s mountain gate, leaving thousands of stunned youths behind.
Shi Yi, known as the god-like youth, had shown remarkable talent from a young age, radiating an aura of divinity. Since his emergence, he had shone like a blazing sun, illuminating endless landscapes and leaving many legends in his wake.
“It’s only natural that only the ancient sacred grounds of the Heavenly Pillar Pavilion could attract him. It’s bound to cause a tremendous stir,” people knew that this news would soon spread everywhere, shaking the ancient kingdoms.
Many young people clenched their fists, their blood boiling with excitement at the thought of having the chance to cultivate alongside such a divine figure in the ancient sacred land. They were all eagerly looking forward to the challenge.
Years from now, when they look back, this experience might become an unimaginable honor for them—having once challenged the supreme youth and being fellow disciples. It would be a prestigious memory to recount.
“As long as you are strong enough and meet the age requirements, you also have the chance to enter the Sacred Academy,” said the elder sitting in front of the mountain gate, glowing with light, his voice like thunder.
Many youths were stirred up, their blood surging with enthusiasm, their eyes shining with incredible light.
A group of elders sighed quietly, shaking their heads as they looked at their own tribe’s children. It was rare to enter the Sacred Academy even once in decades or centuries.
“Hmm, what do the fellow cultivators mean by this? What are you all intending to do at the Heavenly Pillar Pavilion’s mountain gate?” The elder in front of the gate spoke again, his eyes flashing with symbols, creating a thunderous noise that made people’s ears ring and their vision blur.
Too many people had arrived today—besides the youths seeking to enter the mountain gate, there were also envoys from various kings and major powers looking for a specific child.
“Forgive us, fellow cultivators. We are here only to observe,” someone said.
The truth was known to all, but no one directly addressed it. The elder sitting on the large stone at the mountain gate said nothing more, but it was clear he wouldn’t stand by if trouble arose.
The affairs of the Void Realm were well-known among the major clans, and the Heavenly Pillar Pavilion was fully aware of what was happening.
“Whoosh”
A flash of light appeared. A five-colored phoenix emerged, surrounded by mist and divine light. On its back sat a woman in golden battle armor. Her features were like a painting, her face radiant. The golden armor could not conceal her proud figure; her curves were graceful, and her flowing hair made her look like a beautiful goddess of war.
“The War Goddess of the Deer-Chasing Academy,” the crowd exclaimed in surprise.
Her eyes were like lightning, sharp and decisive, scanning through the tens of thousands of people, clearly searching for something.
“The Deer-Chasing Academy is really straightforward, coming to the Heavenly Pillar Pavilion to snatch people,” many were astonished, knowing exactly what she was there for.
“Little friend, you’ve overstepped your bounds,” the elder at the mountain gate spoke.
“Senior, you worry too much,” the War Goddess replied, her golden armor covering her full chest and slender waist. Her face remained calm, exuding a unique beauty.
At this moment, more and more people began to act. With the War Goddess leading the charge, other major forces also hesitated no longer, quickly searching and investigating.
Since they were still outside the mountain gate and had not yet entered, once the selection was over, the odd child would have no more opportunities to be found.
“The trials have begun,” the elder at the mountain gate said without further explanation. The best way was to let the youths face the trials immediately, so outsiders would have no chance to interfere.
A group of people appeared, those who had led the crowd here. Some stood on floating symbol bones, others sat on flying stones, dividing the thousands into eight groups.
“Let’s go to the primitive battlefield.”
They did not enter the mountain gate but led the crowd westward. This path was flanked by dense forests, becoming increasingly desolate. The auspicious aura and mist gradually disappeared, replaced by miasma and ancient woods.
To the west of the Heavenly Pillar Pavilion was once an ancient battlefield, vast and boundless, now turned into a great wasteland.
This endless mountain area had long been under the control of the Heavenly Pillar Pavilion. They knew exactly what dangerous beasts were inside, turning it into a trial ground.
“This battlefield is divided into eight regions, and we have set up symbols to ensure that the beasts won’t intrude.”
The Heavenly Pillar Pavilion staff explained the rules, stating that the participants didn’t need to fight the beasts themselves, as that would lead to unnecessary casualties. The children only needed to pass through the symbol areas.
“Facing the ancient symbol array is very difficult. I’ve failed three times,” a seventeen or eighteen-year-old youth said bitterly.
He was considered outstanding in his tribe and selected each time, but he failed every time he reached this place.
“If someone is strong enough to break through the symbol array, they can enter the second-level battlefield, which has surprises. However, there are many ferocious beasts there, and it’s very dangerous. Please choose carefully.”
The Heavenly Pillar Pavilion staff said, though they did not elaborate further, making it clear that the symbol array was for ordinary disciples, while the second-level battlefield was the true test for geniuses.
“Alright, enter the array.”
With this command, the eight groups marched toward their designated regions. There was no need to worry about space, as it was vast enough to accommodate everyone.
The war generals of various major forces were anxious, realizing that finding one specific child among so many people was becoming hopeless. They rushed to various entrances, persistently searching for the last traces.
Unfortunately, there was bound to be no result.
Little Point’s face now looked like a big apple, chubby and round, quite different from his appearance in the Void Realm.
“What’s that little chubby kid staring at? Stop blocking the path,” a young girl teased, pinching his cheek.
Little Point was annoyed. He was just looking at the beautiful female disciples of the Heavenly Pillar Pavilion for a moment. He hadn’t delayed much, so why did she have to pinch him?
“Chubby, you should lose some weight. Your chubby cheeks aren’t good for cultivation,” another female disciple teased, pinching his apple-like face as they approached the primitive battlefield.
“I’m not chubby,” he muttered, stepping through a symbol gate and disappearing from sight.
The Void Realm was buzzing with activity as news of the Heavenly Pillar Pavilion’s events spread quickly, and many celestial realms were informed.
“Shi Yi indeed came. The Heavenly Pillar Pavilion is making a huge impact. Could it mean that another saint will emerge in the future?”
“The Martial King’s mansion really went all out, sending an ancient beast to escort him. They care about him greatly and are willing to invest everything in his cultivation.”
“Well, with the Martial King’s thirteenth son missing and the prodigy Shi Ziling also gone for years, they naturally want to train the one with the rare eyes to the fullest. Once he matures, he will sweep through many major powers.”
The Void Realm was in an uproar. The news spread at an astonishing speed, causing a stir in the ancient kingdoms.
Shi Yi’s name was so prominent that almost everyone was talking about it.
Soon, people also started mentioning Little Point, who was still nowhere to be seen.
“Did that little rascal really go to the Heavenly Pillar Pavilion? Why hasn’t he been found yet?”
"This isn’t right, something’s off. Given that child’s peculiar personality, he’s probably just messing with us, deliberately making us all work for nothing,”
“It’s quite possible.”
Having waited for so long without any news of Little Point, everyone’s expressions turned grim, feeling that they might have been deceived by that mischievous child.
“It doesn’t add up. Wasn’t that old man forced to swear an oath? Would he dare deceive a princess of a nation?”
“That’s true, but why hasn’t he shown up? Neither the Heavenly Pillar Pavilion nor the Deer-Chasing Academy has any sign of him.”
Everyone hoped Little Point would appear at the Heavenly Pillar Pavilion. After all, he had broken a record set by Shi Yi, and a real encounter between the two would be even more anticipated.
At the Heavenly Pillar Pavilion, in the eighth district of the primitive battlefield, Little Point was stepping through a forest, scrutinizing the area ahead. With a sudden flash, a symbol illuminated and lunged towards him.
There were no wild beasts or fierce birds here, only endless symbols, which made it extremely challenging for many children, as if they were facing an insurmountable barrier.
Clearly, Little Point was not among the others struggling here. As he landed, the ground cracked open, and boulders flew, smashing the symbols to pieces.
He didn’t waste time pondering; his approach to breaking the array was simple and direct—charging forward and forcefully destroying everything in his path with brute strength.
For him, these symbols, though complex, had no significance. He had studied them extensively before and surpassed this stage, not wanting to waste time solving them step by step. Thus, he had become a little brute force enthusiast.
“This area is really vast. No wonder they gave three days,” he muttered, advancing with unstoppable momentum into the depths of the eighth district.
Upon reaching this location, he found that the symbols had become more challenging. Some arrays started to become interesting, so he began to pause and spend more time exploring.
“Breaking these arrays is so boring, it’s really not fun,” Little Point grumbled.
Unbeknownst to him, the people behind him were struggling greatly. Ranging from seven or eight years old to those in their twenties, they were all exhausted and drenched in sweat, almost on the verge of collapse.
“Is this a joke? Does the Heavenly Pillar Pavilion not want to recruit anyone this year? Why make the symbols so difficult? How many people will even get through?”
“Ah, it’s all the fault of those geniuses. First Shi Yi, then the Emperor’s daughter, and now that peculiar child is coming, attracting a bunch of geniuses who rushed here. Naturally, the Heavenly Pillar Pavilion has to set the bar higher.”
The crowd complained, their frustration evident.
In the deepest part of the eighth district, Little Point was strolling, contemplating for a while. Suddenly, his eyes brightened with excitement as he clenched his fists and laughed triumphantly.
“Since there are symbols, there must be buried treasure bones underground.”
His eyes gleamed with greed as he turned into a shadow and sped through the battlefield, searching for ancient treasure bones.
“I found it; there must be a piece here,” he stopped in front of a low stone hill about ten meters high, carefully examined it, and then with a sharp whistle, charged forward with all his strength and symbolic power, smashing it with brute force.
“Boom,” “Boom”
Eventually, dust rose as the low stone hill was shattered by Little Point, revealing a piece of sparkling treasure bone that fell out.
He quickly went over, gleefully picked it up, looked around like a thief, and swiftly tucked it into his pouch before running off.
“This vast primitive battlefield must have more than one treasure bone,” Little Point mumbled to himself, treating the place like his personal garden, preparing to “pull out radishes.”
“Boom”
The second target was discovered. This time, he directly shattered an earthen dam, causing the symbols to glow brightly and revealing a piece of treasure bone.
“Although not very rare, it’s still good,” Little Point said with a grin, his apple-like face breaking into a satisfied smile, revealing his sparkling little tiger teeth.
Thus, he continued forward, breaking arrays and digging up treasure bones. Soon he had collected more than a dozen pieces, all wrapped in beast skins and carried on his back.
“Hmm, it’s getting easier. Could it be that my strength has recovered?”
At that moment, the thousands of youths in the eighth district were all surprised, feeling that the difficulty had decreased. They were all extremely excited, bravely moving forward, and putting in their utmost effort.
“Somehow, I feel like I might succeed in this trial,”
At that moment, not just one person in the eighth district, but everyone became extremely confident, brimming with excitement, and began to push forward with all their might.
As time passed, many people outside grew impatient, especially the clan elders who had escorted their tribe’s children, uncertain how many would ultimately remain.
“Hmm, this year’s trials are very tough. I expect many tribes will be disheartened and disappointed, with few children managing to stay,” an elder from the Heavenly Pillar Pavilion said softly.
Next to him were a few others of evidently high status, who nodded in agreement. One said, “After all, with so many geniuses coming and taking up many spots, it’s only to be expected.”
“Which area is the most challenging? Where will the most people come out from?”
“It’s been a while now. If there are outstanding children, some should have already emerged. We should go to the exit and wait, guiding the successful challengers into the Heavenly Pillar Pavilion.”
An elder furrowed his brows with concern, “I’m worried that some areas might be completely wiped out. The final barrier is indeed quite difficult, meant for the true geniuses.”
Despite this, they set off towards the exit, preparing to welcome the successful challengers.
Seeing this, the elders of major clans and tribes immediately followed, feeling somewhat apprehensive, hoping that their own groups would have a few more children remaining.
Meanwhile, the Void Realm was buzzing with discussions. People eagerly awaited Little Point’s appearance, only to be met with silence, which was quite disappointing.
“Could that kid have deceived even us?” Uncle Hammer frowned at the beginning.
“It shouldn’t be,” Bird Uncle remained as calm as ever.
Old Master Jingbi said, “I have a feeling that mischievous child is likely to create an even bigger stir this time. Just wait and see.”
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