Novel Full Chapter 334: Dragon Palace
After Li Yun completed his attempt, the trial continued for another two to three hours before finally coming to an end.
More than four million young participants had taken part in the Dragon Bell Trial, yet in the end, fewer than three million managed to pass. Over a million were eliminated on the spot.
At first glance, a seventy-five percent pass rate seemed rather high. However, this was only the first of the three Hidden Dragon trials. Two more assessments still remained, and by design, each one would be more difficult than the last.
If more than a million people had already been eliminated in the opening stage, it was hard to imagine how many would fall in the trials that followed. By the time all three tests were completed, it was uncertain whether even a million participants would remain, or if the number would drop even further.
Yet such difficulty was only to be expected.
As Long Yutian had stated earlier, the Hidden Dragon Tournament was a stage reserved for the true geniuses of the Southern Martial Domain. Not everyone possessed the qualifications to stand upon it.
Anyone who failed to pass the three trials could not be considered a true genius of this region. Without that recognition, they naturally had no right to participate in the tournament itself.
By the time the first trial concluded, dusk had already fallen.
The sky darkened gradually, and the fading light cast long shadows across the vast plaza. After allowing the participants a brief ten-minute rest, Long Yutian’s powerful voice echoed once more.
“The second trial will now begin.”
His tone grew heavier as he spoke.
“The Dragon Palace Trial.”
The moment his words fell, he raised his hand.
A sharp sound tore through the air.
Everyone instinctively looked toward the source and saw a stream of crystal-like light surging from deep within Hidden Dragon City. It moved like a rushing current, crossing the distance in an instant before arriving above the central plaza.
The radiant light slowly faded.
In its place, a magnificent structure appeared, suspended in the sky.
It was a crystal palace of immense size, grand and imposing, as though it were the residence of an ancient dragon god. Its design was unique, shaped entirely like a dragon. The entrance to the palace was located at the dragon’s open mouth, giving the impression that anyone who entered would be swallowed whole.
At the entrance hung a crystal plaque.
Two bold characters were engraved upon it, their strokes powerful and flowing like a soaring dragon.
Dragon Palace.
Long Yutian looked toward the gathered participants and spoke clearly.
“The rules of the second trial are as follows. Within this Dragon Palace lies a Hidden Dragon Pool. Inside that pool is a strand of dragon qi.”
His gaze swept across the crowd.
“Each of you must enter the palace, place your identity token into the pool, and allow it to soak for a short period of time. Once the token has been activated, you must return safely. Completing this process will be considered a successful pass.”
He paused briefly before concluding.
“The trial begins now.”
The moment Long Yutian’s words faded, the entire plaza erupted into motion.
Streams of qi burst into the air like brilliant fireworks as countless figures leapt upward at once. One after another, they surged toward the crystal Dragon Palace suspended above, their silhouettes streaking across the sky in dazzling arcs.
Li Yun did not hesitate.
His body moved in an instant, transforming into a flash of lightning as he shot forward with incredible speed and entered the Dragon Palace along with the others.
Inside, after passing through the dragon’s open mouth, Li Yun found himself in a vast crystal hall.
The space was immense and luminous, its walls gleaming with a translucent glow. At the very center of the hall lay a large pool. At the front of the pool stood a dragon head statue, while at the far end rested a dragon tail. The long body of the pool stretched between them, forming the shape of a complete dragon.
There was no doubt that this was the Hidden Dragon Pool.
Within it, a dense golden qi churned continuously. The energy was so concentrated that it had taken on a liquid form, swirling and surging like molten gold. From time to time, strands of this golden qi would rise from the surface, drift into the air, and condense into the phantom of a majestic heavenly dragon before dispersing once more.
This was the legendary dragon qi.
However, the Hidden Dragon Pool was not the only striking feature within the hall.
All around the crystal walls, countless dragon heads had been carved with astonishing detail. Each one looked vivid and lifelike, as though it might awaken at any moment. Standing within this space gave the unsettling sensation of being watched by thousands of dragons at once. For those with weaker resolve, the pressure alone was enough to make their hearts tremble and their legs grow unsteady.
A martial artist at the second level of the Essence Qi Realm stepped forward, his gaze fixed on the pool.
“So all we need to do is place our identity token into the Hidden Dragon Pool to pass the test?”
The moment he finished speaking, he made his move without hesitation. His body flashed forward as he rushed straight toward the pool.
A few people nearby let out cold sneers.
“Fool.”
This was the second trial of the Hidden Dragon Tournament. There was no way the test would be as simple as it appeared. Anyone who acted rashly without understanding the hidden dangers was bound to fail.
Their expectations were quickly confirmed.
A thunderous dragon’s roar shook the hall.
The dragon head carvings on the walls suddenly came alive, opening their mouths in unison. In the next instant, beams of crystal light shot out from them with incredible speed, slicing through the air like streaks of lightning.
Before the rushing martial artist could react, the attack struck him directly.
A muffled sound echoed.
His protective qi shattered instantly under the impact. Blood sprayed from his mouth as his body was hurled backward through the air.
Before he could even regain his footing, a sphere of light enveloped him. In the blink of an eye, he vanished from the hall.
It was clear what had happened.
He had failed the trial and had been expelled from the Dragon Palace.