Eternal Sacred King 66 to 70

 Chapter 66: An Ape

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

When he saw the haughty man and white bloused woman falling into the abyss, Su Zimo was finally clear about one thing.

Those that fall into the abyss will definitely not die.

Since the two of them possessed a variant spirit root and the peak master of Ethereal Peak already knew about it, there was no way they would be allowed to die.

However, Su Zimo did not know what those who fell into the abyss would encounter.

Shifting horizontally, Su Zimo dodged from the crane’s line of sight and continued speeding up the peak.

Even though he only had one hand, his feet were as nimble as his fingers after he removed his shoes. Digging themselves into the wall of the peak, he continued climbing steadily.

The crane had extremely sharp senses. With a swift flap, it appeared above Su Zimo’s head and cried out, looking at him with a taunting expression as though mocking his little play of trying to dodge it.

The man and crane had finally met.

...

On a peak enshrouded with spirit qi elsewhere, two grace middle aged cultivators sat opposite to one another. They were both clad in white robes and one of them had a flying sword emblem engraved on his sleeve while the other had a hexagon emblem.

Both of them were sipping tea lazily.

Beside them stood a skinny child who was relating something excitedly.

“Hmms? Variant spirit root? Two of them?”

One of them placed his teacup down and turned around to ask, his expression slightly changed.

The skinny child nodded furiously.

The other cultivator asked, “What spirit roots were they?”

“One is wind and the other is ice.”

At that, the two cultivators exchanged glances and smiled, apparently pleased.

“Wen Xuan, your peak’s about to produce two more geniuses.”

There were six peaks to Ethereal Peak where the highest amongst them was the true Ethereal Peak that was visible to the outside world.

Surrounding it were five other peaks – Spirit, Elixir, Talisman, Array and Weapon.

The cultivator known as Wen Xuan – the one with a flying sword emblem embossed – was the peak master of Spirit Peak.

The other person was Xuan Yi, peak master of Array Peak.

Naturally, anyone who could be a peak master was definitely a Perfected Golden Core.

Even though all the peaks had their specialties, Spirit Peak was the strongest amongst them with the most disciples. Because they valued cultivation realms the most highly, everything they learned and imparted were killing techniques.

If there were variant and heaven spirit roots, they would most likely be selected by Spirit Peak.

Wen Xuan smiled and stood up. “I’ll go take a look and see how many tribulations of the Life and Death Stage those two can pass.”

“Don’t worry. Those with variant spirit roots are blessed by providence. They’ll naturally be able to pass the tribulation of life and death,” A teasing expression flickered by the eyes of Peak Master Xuan Yi as he joked, “Look how anxious you are. Where’s your poise as a peak master?”

“Come, join me to take a look.”

With a hearty laugh, Wen Xuan tugged at Xuan Yi’s wrist and wanted to leave together.

Shaking his head, Xuan Yi ducked away and laughed. “I’m not going. Won’t I be giving myself troubles by watching your Spirit Peak take all the good talents away?”

Right then, a chubby fat child ran over in a huff.

“P-Peak master! T-T-This is bad!”

“Mmm?”

Both peak masters exchanged glances, looking surprised.

“Why are you here too, junior brother?” The skinny child asked.

Sweating from head to toe, the fat child waved his lumpy hand and cried out, “Peak master, the spirit testing gate exploded!”

“Exploded?”

Xuan Yi and Wen Xuan looked at one another confused.

Wen Xuan asked, “Why would it explode? Someone destroyed it?”

“No.”

The fat child shook his head before nodding fervently. “Yes! Wait, no. No!”

Both peak masters were thoroughly confused.

“Just what in the world happened! Speak properly!” Wen Xuan hollered with a solemn expression.

The fat child could not help but recall the words of that scholar. Instinctively, he repeated, “It might be because the spirit testing gate had been enduring the rough weather for such a long time without proper maintenance, that’s why it broke apart...”

Bam!

Wen Xuan flicked the fat child on the head.

“Ow!”

Clutching his head, he pursed his lips sadly.

“What nonsense.”

Xuan Yi could not hide his smile as he chuckled. “Who taught you that? I’m sure you didn’t think up that on your own, right?”

“A scholar told me that,” The fat child replied, “But I think what he said makes sense too. And he was even kind enough to have me remind the sect to take care of our old structures so that...”

Bam!

Yet another flick.

Instantly, a big, swollen bump appeared on the forehead of the fat child.

He was almost bursting into tears as he asked with teary eyes, “Peak master, why are you hitting me?”

“You’re too silly, child. One day, you might even end up counting money for the man who sells you out,” Xuan Yi did not know to laugh or to cry.

Wen Xuan spoke sternly, “Tell me the entire series of events. Do not hide anything from me.”

“There was this scholar carrying a bow and saber. He came before the spirit testing gate and it displayed a Fire spirit root,” The fat child answered.

“Carry on.”

“But, the spirit testing gate did not allow him to enter. The scholar then continued barging through and the spirit testing gate exploded.”

Wen Xuan and Xuan Yi frowned and exchanged glances, still confused.

Wen Xuan asked right away, “Are you sure it was a Fire spirit root?”

“Yes!”

The fat child replied instantly, “Peak master, you’ve got to believe me! Even though I’m stupid, I can still tell that it’s a Fire spirit root!”

“That’s strange,” Xuan Yi could not figure out what happened.

After a moment of silence, Xuan Yi spoke, “Wen Xuan, I’ll accompany you to see just what is up with this scholar.”

Without the use of any spirit weapons, the both of them soared through the skies and with a flip of their robes, carried the two children with them towards the front of the peak.

Before long, all four of them arrived at where the spirit testing gate was.

“It’s indeed broken.”

Xuan Yi stared at the lump of rocks beneath him where the spirit testing gate once stood and murmured silently.

Wen Xuan asked, “Where is that scholar?”

“Eh? He’s gone,” The fat child looked around.

Suddenly, Xuan Yi replied, “No, they’re up the peak. The Eight Distresses Formation of the abyss has already been activated. Yes, those two with the variant spirit roots are there already.”

Wen Xuan asked hurriedly, “How many tribulations have the two of them gone through?”

“They’ve already passed two, life and death. You can rest easy now, right?” Xuan Yi chuckled.

After pausing slightly, Xuan Yi shook his head. “Wait, the bow and saber carrying scholar isn’t going through the Eight Distresses Formation. He might have left already out of fear.”

Wen Xuan harrumphed gently. “This unknown lad appeared and destroyed our Ethereal Sect’s spirit testing gate and left just like that? Brazen!”

“Caw, caw!”

Right then, the hurried calls of a crane rang out from beyond the clouds.

Wen Xuan and Xuan Yi looked up.

Far above, a figure was shifting nimbly around the walls of the peak without falling off. Even while dodging the attacks of the crane, the figure was still climbing to the peak rapidly!

Even with the eyesight of a Perfected Golden Core, they could not see clearly due to the distance between them and the tip of the peak.

“Xuan Yi, look! There’s an ape!’ Wen Xuan said as he pointed to a black shadow on the peak.

Chapter 67: Full Effort Face Off

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

When he heard that, Xuan Yi laughed. “Fufu, what a sharp ape. Even he knows that we’re one of the five main sects of the Great Zhou Dynasty and that’s why he wants to be accepted as a disciple of this fortuitous sect.”

“Yes, that ape’s quite agile. I wonder how long it can last under the attacks of our lil crane.”

“Listen! Lil crane seems to be angry, haha!”

“Poor ape.”

“Come on, let’s go check it out.”

Wen Xuan and Xuan Yi were both smiling and relaxed as they soared towards the peak carrying a child each.

As they approached...

Wen Xuan and Xuan Yi found their smiles disappearing as they tore through the layers of mist. Instead, it looked as though they were witnessing something unbelievable.

After a momentary silence...

“Cough, that black shadow... doesn’t seem to be an ape?” Xuan Yi pointed to a black figure climbing to the peak as he coughed and asked hesitantly.

“Yes... it seems to be a human,” Wen Xuan smiled dryly, looking awkward.

Both of them could not help but feel their faces flushing after committing such an elementary mistake despite being peak masters.

But in truth, it was no wonder why they were mistaken.

From a distance where the black figure was murky, it was leaping left and right like an agile ape! Even though both of them were Perfected Golden Cores with an immense amount of knowledge, they would not have thought that the figure was a human!

As they got closer, their expressions changed once more.

“That... doesn’t seem to be a human.”

“Yes... There are two of them.”

After yet another momentary silence...

Wen Xuan could not help but grumble unhappily, “What the hell is wrong with that person. If he wants to climb the peak, so be it. Why is he even carrying a fatty with him!”

“Wait, that man’s carrying a bow and saber too. Haven’t I just heard of someone with that getup?” Xuan Yi remarked suddenly.

Right then, the fat child beside Wen Xuan pointed at the figure excitedly and yelled, “Peak master, that’s him! That’s the scholar!”

...

On the steep mountain peak.

Each time the crane flapped its wings, Su Zimo clung tightly onto the wall with his fingers and feet dug deeply into the rocks.

Against Su Zimo’s fingers, those sturdy rocks seemed as soft as tofu.

For any mortal, they would have to find places they could step on if they wanted to climb the peak.

However, that was not the case for Su Zimo.

If not for the crane blocking his path, the peak he was climbing would be akin to flat ground for him.

As of now, all the mortals after Su Zimo had already fell due to the crane’s flaps – he was the only one still climbing.

To be exact, there were two mortals left – he was carrying the little fatty too.

The crane’s eyes shone with rage as it cried out. Soaring into the skies, it swooped down at Su Zimo with its sharp talons.

That was a vicious dive.

Su Zimo wanted to dodge but it was too late.

In the blink of an eye, he let go of his hand suddenly as he swayed dangerously in midair. He then reached out and dug himself into the wall once more!

Snap!

A large rock above Su Zimo’s head was smashed into dust by the crane’s sharp talons as everything sprayed down on his face. However, he was unaware of it.

When some of the rocks smashed on the little fatty’s body, that rotund body trembled obviously.

Suddenly, Su Zimo realized something as he dangled the little fatty in midair and hollered, “Stop pretending or I’ll toss you down!”

The little fatty’s eyes burst wide open as he replied hurriedly, “Please don’t scare me, bro! I know my mistakes now!”

“Do you still want to reach the peak?” Su Zimo asked quickly.

“Yes, of course!”

“Hold on to my back on your own. Don’t blame me if you fall!”

“Yes, yes!”

The little fatty shifted quickly and wrapped his arms and legs around Su Zimo’s neck and waist like an octopus.

That way, even though Su Zimo was still carrying an additional man, he had both hands to work with.

At the start, the crane’s attacks weren’t ferocious. It was clear that its aim was not to injure; it merely wanted to deter Su Zimo from climbing further.

After multiple failed attempts, the crane was frustrated. That was why if Su Zimo had not managed to dodge the previous attack, his brains might have been crushed by the crane’s talons!

He did not dare to be careless against an enraged early-stage Foundation Establishment spirit demon. That was why he got the little fatty to a piggyback position so that he could have two hands to contend against the demon.

In all fairness...

Su Zimo was only at the third section of The Mystic Classic of the Twelve Demon Kings of the Great Wilderness and was not a match for the spirit demon yet, even if it was only at early-stage Foundation Establishment.

However, Su Zimo’s goal was not to fight it out with the crane. Instead, he merely wanted to dodge it and reach the peak. With that, things were much simpler.

Swoosh!

The crane dove once more as Su Zimo’s eyes shone brightly. Pushing his legs, he continued striding horizontally on the smooth walls of the peak as he dodged the attacks of the crane while climbing up swiftly.

Crack! Crack! Crack!

Su Zimo’s fingers and feet dug deep into the rocks. His speed was not inferior to when he was on the ground!

“Caw, caw!”

When the crane caught sight of that, it was even more enraged as it soared through the skies and burst off like a rocket, appearing behind Su Zimo and attacking relentlessly with its talons and beak.

Its long beak was even sharper than a flying sword such that every single poke sent a sharp, ringing sound reverberating through Su Zimo’s ears.

As long as the beak pierced him, there would definitely be a bloody hole on his body.

The little fatty was so scared that he was shivering with his eyes closed tightly.

Su Zimo dodged repeatedly as his tendons cried out. With every single expansion and contraction, his blood would be filled as his large tendon convulsed intensely, pushing his body to its limits.

Using just his spirit perception, Su Zimo dodged the attack of the crane countless times as he continued climbing.

The cries of the crane were getting more hurried and in fact, there was even a hint of killing intent!

He was getting closer to the top of the peak.

At the same time, the crane’s attacks were getting fiercer too!

...

As the two Dao children looked at everything unfold from the top of the peak, they were sweating from head to toe for the scholar as though they were the ones being attacked right at that moment.

The man and the crane contended against one another on the steep peak. Even though the man seemed unable to fight back, it was still extremely dangerous and intense.

Any bit slower and the scholar could very well be dead in the talons of the crane!

Wen Xuan and Xuan Yi had equally grim looks on their faces as they watched fixedly, prepared to save him if need be.

“To think that the scholar would still have strength left to be able to continue climbing while defending against our lil crane’s attack,” Xuan Yi’s tone was somewhat amazed.

Wen Xuan commented solemnly, “If I’m not mistaken, the bow and saber on the scholar’s waist are made from spiritual items. Even though those are pseudo spirit weapons, they weigh more than an entire ton together!”

Wen Xuan’s remark had a clear meaning behind it – if Su Zimo had not been carrying the Sanguine Crystal Bow and Cold Moon Saber, he would have been even more agile and might have even reached the top of the peak by now!

Wen Xuan and Xuan Yi exchanged glances.

There was a common consensus as a thought flashed through their minds. “This scholar... is interesting.”

Chapter 68: Ascending the Peak

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

“How did this lad train his body? That level of nimbleness, harmony and stretchability is something that even a Spirit Beast can’t match.”

“His movements resemble an ape and python, yet there are many differences. He might have learnt them through observing wild beasts. Seems like this lad is rather talented.”

“I wonder how many tribulations of the Eight Distresses Formation he can pass.”

At that, both Wen Xuan and Xuan Yi froze with a startled expression.

Wen Xuan murmured softly, “The Eight Distresses Formation is set up within the abyss beneath. If this lad truly ascends the peak, wouldn’t it be equivalent to him passing the Eight Distresses Formation?”

On the surface, Ethereal Sect’s third Life and Death Stage was for the cultivators to ascend the peak. However, in reality, they had set an obstacle and it was intended for everyone to fall into the realm of the Eight Distresses Formation within the abyss.

That was the reason why the fat child had almost let slip at the beginning of things.

After all, no one would be able to ascend the peak.

Only those who manage to pass through life and death tribulations within the Eight Distresses Formation would be sent to the top of the peak where they would be able to join the sect.

If they failed the two tribulations, they would be teleported outside and would not be able to join the sect. At the same time, those cultivators would not know what had happened at all, merely feeling fortunate that they did not die.

The Eight Distresses Formation was a type of illusory formation that consisted of eight tribulations – life, age, illness, death, meeting with what they hate, parting with what they love, unattained love and all ills of the five skandhas of Buddhism.

There were two reasons why they had to beat around the bush by requesting the cultivators to climb the peak before knocking them down.

First, the steep peak would first deter the cowards and those who lack resolve.

Immortal cultivation was a heavenly defying act and was a path of extreme difficulty. If even those who had resolves of steel and bravery may not even reach the endpoint, there was no room for cowards at all.

Second, if everyone were mentally prepared that they would be faced with the Eight Distresses Formation, the illusory realm would not be able to bewitch them that easily Ethereal Sect would not be able to achieve their full aim.

In the cultivation world, be it illusory skills or formations, there would definitely be distinct loopholes to it. If the affected party were to be able to maintain their composure and alertness, they would be able to see through it and would not be bewitched by it.

However, by sending the masses up the peak before beating them down, no one would be prepared and as they were faced with death, they would definitely panic before they enter the Eight Distresses Formation of the abyss.

Right then, with everyone assuming that they were dead, they would then accept the illusory realm and go through the death tribulation.

Once they pass the death tribulation and endure through the life tribulation, they would be considered to have passed the third stage of Ethereal Sect’s tests and would be able to join the sect.

Of course, there were eight tribulations to the Eight Distresses Formation and the more tribulations one could pass, the better.

This was not just a simple test; it was a rite of passage for the mind.

After all, everyone would have to endure the pain of the eight distresses in their lifetime and cultivators were no exception to it.

Yet, a problem had appeared.

If Su Zimo managed to ascend the peak, Ethereal Sect’s third stage would have been set for nothing.

Wen Xuan lowered his voice further and said, “Let me attack and strike him down secretly. We can’t go against the rules of the sect by accepting someone that hasn’t gone through the third stage.”

Xuan Yi shook his head and chuckled. “No matter. Right now, I’m honestly curious as to whether he can ascend the peak with just his own strength.”

Pausing for a moment, Xuan Yi’s eyes lit up as he remarked gruffly, “If the lad truly manages to ascend, I’ll set an array formation for him myself to let him have a full taste of the Eight Distresses Formation!”

As the peak master of Array Peak, the Eight Distresses Formation was his masterpiece.

For a peak master to declare that he wanted to lay an array formation personally for an unknown scholar was something that had never occurred through the history of Ethereal Sect.

...

On the wall.

The man and the crane were still going at it.

Su Zimo was already sweating all over. His eyes remained bright as always, emanating an endless fight in them.

Initially, the little fatty kept his eyes shut and was extremely frightened. However, he was now fully excited, yelling from time to time from Su Zimo’s back to taunt the crane.

“Caw, caw!”

Despite trying everything, the crane could not stop Su Zimo in his tracks at all. Coupled with the little fatty’s mocking, it was even more furious and its attacks turned fiercer.

Su Zimo was pent up as well after being chased by the crane for such a long time.

Seeing that he was merely a step away from the top of the peak, Su Zimo took in a deep breath and circulated the Anaconda Eclipse’s mind sutra before bellowing, “Damned bird, take this!”

Clang!

A sharp slicing sound rang through the place.

Su Zimo had retrieved the Cold Moon Saber on his waist and slashed upwards!

Swash!

A cold light shot through the air.

Stunned, the crane no longer dared to attack Su Zimo as it flapped and ran away.

It had not expected Su Zimo to make a move.

More than that, it had not expected that Su Zimo would DARE to make a move on it!

Within Ethereal Sect, no one dared to bully it. Notwithstanding the five peak masters, even Ethereal Sect’s master would dote on it!

The job of pushing potential sect applicants into the Eight Distresses Formation was initially done by other cultivators of the sect.

However, the crane volunteered to do it thinking that it was interesting.

Indeed, it was rather fun at the start to see people being chased into the Eight Distresses Formation one by one.

Yet, the crane no longer found it fun after encountering this bow and saber carrying scholar.

A feather glided by slowly.

Even though the crane had managed to dodge the attack, the Cold Moon Saber still sliced away one of its feathers.

That sight caused the two peak masters watching above to freeze momentarily, almost striking out as they gripped their spirit weapons tightly.

“The gall of that lad to dare bully lil crane!”

“He’s definitely going to have a hard time in the future if he gets accepted into the sect.”

Both Wen Xuan and Xuan Yi looked at Su Zimo with a trace of pity.

Right then, Su Zimo did not know what was going on.

After that slash, he was overjoyed as he burst out laughing. “Damned bird, you’re still too weak! Go back and train for a couple more years!”

With a reverse throw, Su Zimo stabbed the Cold Moon Saber into the wall of the peak and in one swift leap, jumped onto the blade with the tip of his toes. He then hopped up while conveniently pulling the Cold Moon Saber out of the wall with his feet.

The entire process was fluid as water without any pauses at all.

In the blink of an eye, he had arrived at the top of the peak!

Looking down at the crane that was still circling around in midair, Su Zimo waved and smiled. “Goodbye!”

The crane was still in its infancy stage. In human years, it was nothing more than eight years old and that was when it was most playful. Even though it wasn’t injured by that slash, it still felt upset about it.

Looking at Su Zimo’s actions, the crane blinked a few times as though it was about to tear up before flying towards Ethereal Peak while crying non-stop.

“Caw, caw!”

“Caw, caw!”

The cries of the crane reverberated through Ethereal Peak, alarming many people.

“Eh? Didn’t lil crane go to the front peak to bully them? Why does it look as though it was the one that was bullied?” A brown haired youth seated within a palace on Elixir Peak asked curiously.

From a palace on Talisman Peak came a cold looking middle aged lady. Watching the crane fly through the air, she frowned slightly and muttered, “What’s wrong with lil crane? To think that someone of Ethereal Sect would dare bully it?”

A disheveled old man appeared on Weapon Peak as well. Slovenly dressed, he burst out in laughter. “How dare to see lil crane being on the losing end! Interesting, interesting!”

Chapter 69: Shocking Slash

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Su Zimo turned around and saw four people.

He had met the two children previously. Apart from them, there were two middle aged cultivators with exceptional auras, looking at him weirdly.

Su Zimo guessed that the two of them must be seniors of Ethereal Peak.

Placing little fatty down, Su Zimo noticed that there were eight gigantic flags around half as high as them being planted around each of them. The flags had mysterious patterns drawn on them as they flapped in the wind.

“What’s that?”

Su Zimo frowned. Without thinking more about it, he stabilized his breathing and arranged his attire before greeting the two middle aged cultivators. “Greetings, seniors. I’m Su Zimo of Yan Country. I’ve managed to ascend the peak by luck...”

“Activate!”

Before Su Zimo could even finish, he was interrupted by a loud holler.

The eight flags surrounding Su Zimo and little fatty illuminated brightly as the patterns shone with a bedazzling glow.

In the blink of an eye, Su Zimo felt an ominous sense of danger. The last thing he saw was one of the middle aged cultivators sweeping his robes from a distance away as an unblockable energy blasted at them!

The energy was tremendous and Su Zimo could not resist it at all.

He was swept off the peak and fell over, watching the top of the peak turn smaller by the second. His body was not his to control at all as fear started growing within him.

Bam!

Su Zimo fell into the abyss and his entire body was crushed.

Even though his physical body was clearly destroyed, Su Zimo was still entirely conscious. Endless waves of pain shot through him, biting at him tirelessly as his tendons tore and his flesh was shredded.

What was happening?

Su Zimo could not understand at all.

In fact, he did not have the time to think about it as he was tormented by the endless pain.

He had never understood the sort of pain that one would experience in the face of death.

An intense fear existed between the edge of life and death.

It was a fear that could cause one to breakdown.

For humans, it was almost instinct for them to fear death. If they could even shit their pants by having a sword pointed at their throat, how terrifying would it be to be faced with death itself?

At the top of the peak, Su Zimo and little fatty stood motionlessly with their eyes shut and bodies shivering – neither of them had fallen into the abyss.

The both of them were now within the illusion of the activated Eight Distresses Formation.

“This Eight Distresses Formation is even stronger than the one in the abyss since you’re the one who created it personally. Would the two of them be able to endure it?” Wen Xuan asked worriedly.

Xuan Yi replied, “Let’s wait and see. As long as they can get through one tribulation, they’ll be considered to have passed the test.”

Right then, three figures appeared on the top of the peak.

The three of them had passed the test of the Eight Distresses Formation from within the abyss. After crossing the life and death tribulations, they were teleported to the top of the peak.

All three of them looked pale as a sheet, sweating from head to toe as they sat where they were feebly, looking lost and dazed.

The two Dao children rushed up and fed all three of them an elixir each.

Once they consumed it, the three people looked more relaxed as their faces started to fill with life once more.

“The two fellas with the variant spirit roots are not bad. They’ve already passed through three tribulations,” Xuan Yi suddenly mentioned.

Wen Xuan sighed. “Of the eight distresses, life, death, illness and age are easier to get through. However, the later four tribulations are one tougher than the other. Even for myself who has already attained a core, I may not be able to get through all the tribulations.”

The moment he said that, one of the eight flags swayed gently before shooting into the skies with a blinding light.

Xuan Yi heaved out a sigh of relief and nodded. “Not bad. The lad has already crossed the tribulation of death.”

A moment later, the haughty man and white bloused woman were sent to the top of the peak.

Wen Xuan looked at the both of them and smiled. “Well done, you guys have passed through four tribulations. Take a rest at the side.”

Swoosh!

Yet another huge flag swayed before bursting into the skies.

“Hmms, that’s fast? He’s already endured through the distress of life?” Xuan Yi was surprised.

The distress of life was something that everyone had to go through but have forgotten.

Within the womb, a fetus would be coiled into a ball with its arms and feet unable to stretch and neither could it breathe. It was akin to being sealed in a tight cage and the pain of it was excruciating.

That was also the reason why babies would cry the moment they are born.

Before long, another streak of light broke through the clouds.

Right after, a fourth beam of light!

“This...”

Wen Xuan and Xuan Yi exchanged glances – both could read the shock in the other’s eyes.

From Elixir Peak, a brown haired youth soared into the skies and looked at the lights from afar, frowning to himself. “That light’s from a flag for the Eight Distresses Formation. There’s actually someone who could have Xuan Yi create the formation personally?”

With a slight pause, he muttered to himself, “No, I’ve got to go check it out.”

At the same time, a shadow streaked out towards the front peak from Talisman and Weapon Peak respectively.

Bam!

A fifth beam of light appeared!

Before long, a brown haired youth, cold faced middle aged lady and a disheveled old man appeared on the top of the peak as well.

All five peak masters were gathered!

Swoosh!

A huge flag wavered.

A sixth beam of light!

“He’s already passed through six of the eight distresses! What a mental fortitude! Where is this lad from?” The brown haired youth asked with a deep voice.

“He’s from Yan Country. I don’t know anything other than that,” Wen Xuan shook his head.

The cold faced lady swept her gaze across Su Zimo’s body and frowned, asking, “Fire spirit root?”

“That... seemed to be the case. However, for some reason, the spirit testing gate refused to let him through. We can test him with a spirit stone again later,” Wen Xuan replied.

Right after he replied...

Bam!

The seventh beam of light shot through.

Su Zimo had passed through the seventh tribulation!

Little fatty was already sprawled on the ground bawling in tears after enduring through the tribulations of life and death – he had yet to pull himself out of the pain received from the tribulations of the eight distresses.

During the time, the two Dao children explained to everyone present about the entirety of the Life and Death Stage.

From the initial 500 odd applicants, there were only six remaining on the peak who had passed the third stage.

Other than the haughty man, white bloused woman and little fatty, the remaining three were mortals without spirit qi.

Everyone looked at Su Zimo with a complicated gaze.

They had just gone through the tribulations of the eight distresses personally and could still remember the excruciating pain they had gone through.

None of them could imagine the sort of torment it would be to endure through seven different distresses.

Xuan Yi spoke with a grim tone, “The eighth distress is of the five skandhas. That is akin to all of the previous seven distresses combined and isn’t something any human could endure. Let me dispel the formation lest the lad is hurt.”

He was just about to move when an eighth beam of light shone!

It was extremely bedazzling on the peak and illuminated half the skies above them.

At the same time, Su Zimo suddenly opened both eyes and with a burning killing intent, he reverse gripped his Cold Moon Saber and slashed forward!

It was a breathtaking slash!

That single slash was even brighter than the eighth beam that had covered the entire peak!

It was directed right at Xuan Yi with an intent so chilling that the air on the peak seemed to have frozen and gone stale!

All five peak masters were stunned right away.

After all, the slash happened way too suddenly.

Xuan Yi’s expression was unchanged. Extending his finger, a light exuded from the tip of it as he tapped gently at the Cold Moon Saber.

Clang!

The Cold Moon Saber was sent flying.

Su Zimo’s body jolted as he stumbled back a couple of steps and nearly slipped off the top of the peak.

When he saw the abyss beneath the layer of clouds below him, Su Zimo slowly woke up and realized that everything he had experienced was merely an illusion.

The gazes of the five peak masters looking at Su Zimo changed slowly...

Chapter 70: Joining Ethereal Peak

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

The thing that truly shocked the five peak masters was not the fact that Su Zimo had endured through the eight distresses.

It was that slash of his.

As Perfected Golden Cores, all five of them could sense the sort of energy the slash carried along – its might had surpassed even the full strength of a Perfected Qi Refinement Warrior!

For a mere mortal to surpass the strength of a Perfected Qi Refinement Warrior with just a burst of his physical body, what sort of a phenomenon was that?

That was proof that this man’s body was as tough as spirit beasts! In fact, he might even be able to match early-stage Foundation Establishment spirit demons!

Not just that, Su Zimo’s slash carried a heavy killing intent!

This man must have killed quite a number of times to display a slash as such!

Yet, how could a mortal have killed so many times?

Furthermore, their shock came from the fact that Su Zimo had dared to strike at Xuan Yi with such resolute decisiveness!

One had to understand that Su Zimo was but a mere mortal.

However, Xuan Yi was a Perfected Golden Core, the peak master of Array Peak! To mere mortals, he was what they would define as immortals!

Yet, Su Zimo’s slash had the intention of murdering an immortal!

“Why did you strike at me?” Xuan Yi’s gaze was bright as he glared at Su Zimo and asked grimly.

By now, Su Zimo had realized that he had fallen into an illusion and everything he had experienced was merely his hallucinations.

Lowering his head, he replied, “I mistook you as the one who had struck at me to push me off the peak. Hence, the attack.”

The five peak masters had expected that answer.

However, that answer was also troubling at the same time.

This was a man that couldn’t be tamed. Be it whether the other party was an immortal or had anyone strong backing him, as long as this man was offended, he would kill the other party!

To them, Su Zimo was like a double edged sword. Resolute and sharp, not only could he kill, he could injure them as well.

It was hard to tell if it would be a fortune or disaster accepting someone like this into the sect.

However, Su Zimo had an extremely rare mental fortitude such that he was even able to endure through the tribulations of the eight distresses. It would be difficult for Ethereal Peak to give up on such a rare talent.

Furthermore, Su Zimo had already passed all three tests of the sect.

Exchanging glances, all five peak masters could not arrive at a decision.

Normally, Spirit Peak’s master, Wen Xuan, would definitely be the first to accept someone as such. Yet, he was keeping silent at the moment.

Contemplating silently, Wen Xuan retrieved a spirit testing stone from his storage bag and handed it to Su Zimo. “Test your spirit root again.”

Su Zimo gripped the spirit testing stone tightly.

It shone scarlet red and emanated heat.

All five peak masters nodded their heads in agreement.

Fire element, heaven spirit root. That’s right.

Before that thought passed them, the spirit testing stone turned into ash and scattered from Su Zimo’s fingertips.

Everyone was stunned.

What had just happened?

The fat child pointed at Su Zimo agitatedly. “Peak master, see! I didn’t lie!”

Even though all five peak masters were Perfected Golden Cores, they had never seen anyone who could turn a spirit testing stone into ash for a mere test.

It was weird.

Suddenly, an authoritative voice boomed out in all five of their minds.

“This lad has too much killing intent and is too brash. Since he has a Fire spirit root, we can let him join the Weapon Peak to learn more about the craft of refining weapons. We can make other plans for him after we shave away some of his aggressiveness.”

That voice was from Ethereal Peak’s sect master. Other than the five peak masters, no one else knew what was going on.

The peak master of Weapon Peak was the disheveled old man.

He snickered at Su Zimo. “Come, follow me back to the Weapon Peak. From now on, you’ll be a trial disciple of Ethereal Peak. You’ll be under me.”

“Understood.”

Su Zimo nodded.

The haughty man, white bloused woman and little fatty were inducted into Spirit Peak naturally while the three remaining mortals were assigned to Elixir, Array and Talisman Peak.

Waving his oily robes, the disheveled old man collected Su Zimo and left the peak.

Before long, Su Zimo was brought to the Weapon Peak as the disheveled old man remarked, “I’m your master from now on. We don’t have so many rules here in Weapon Peak. You can just call me old man.”

“Xue Yi. Yes, you! Come here!”

The disheveled old man beckoned to a disciple passing by nearby.

The man named Xue Yi was frail and skinny. Running over, he nodded his head to the disheveled old man and greeted courteously, “Master.”

“Su Zimo here has just joined the sect and he’s your junior brother. Go get him one of our sect badges and items for trial disciples before choosing a cave abode.”

After giving his instructions, the disheveled old man waved his robes and left.

“I’ll be troubling you then, senior brother,” Su Zimo greeted with cupped fists.

Xue Yi smiled and waved it off. “It’s fine, don’t stand on courtesy.”

He brought Su Zimo before a majestic cockloft and introduced, “This is our Elixir Peak’s Spirit Weapon Chamber. If any of the trial disciples from the five peaks want a spirit weapon, they would have to come exchange for it using their contribution points. To exchange for spirit stones, elixirs and cultivation manuals, one would have to use contribution points too.”

“How do you get contribution points?” Su Zimo asked.

“There is a mission stele within the five peaks that will refresh with new missions every now and then. The greater the difficulty of the missions, the more contribution points they give.”

Xue Yi brought Su Zimo to the Spirit Weapon Chamber and greeted the elderly guard, “Senior, this is a new disciple of Weapon Peak and he’s here for a sect badge.”

“Oh, name?”

The elderly guard opened his sleepy eyes and asked feebly.

“Su Zimo.”

From his storage bag, the elderly guard retrieved a long jade badge where one side was etched with mysterious patterns and the other side was smooth and blank.

With his sharp nails, the elderly guard shot out a stream of spirit qi and wrote down in cursive letters – Su Zimo.

Tossing the badge out, the elderly guard went back to sleep.

Su Zimo took the badge over and examined it to find out that there was nothing extraordinary about it.

Xue Yi smiled. “Junior brother, don’t look down on this sect badge. Holding it gives you freedom in and out of the sect and even the mystifying fog barrier outside can’t affect you.”

Su Zimo nodded his head and kept it carefully.

Suddenly, Xue Yi slapped his own head as though he recalled something. He then turned and smiled to the elderly guard. “Senior, are you forgetting about something?”

Without even opening his eyes, the elderly guard tossed out a storage bag casually.

Receiving it, Xue Yi passed it to Su Zimo. “Junior brother, there’s a manual for the Spirit Peering Art and Qi Condensation along with 10 inferior-grade spirit stones. Do keep it well.”

Xue Yi knew that Su Zimo had not mastered Qi Condensation yet and hence opened the storage bag before placing one of the two manuals in the latter’s hands.

He summoned a flying sword and had Su Zimo hop on it. Arriving at the mid of the peak, he pointed to a row of cave abodes. “Weapon Peak does not have much disciples so many of our cave abodes are empty. Just pick whichever one you fancy, junior brother.”

Remembering that he had to cultivate his Mystic Classic of the Twelve Demon Kings of the Great Wilderness, Su Zimo chose a secluded one at the corner as his home in Ethereal Peak.