Way of the Knights

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The group went towards another building within the Twin Star Academy. Due to the previous event that happened, the atmosphere was still rather strange. Inevitably, there are still some people who kept sighing and there are also others who kept looking back, thinking to themselves whether they made the correct decision or not. 

Unfortunately, no matter what they think, it doesn't change the fact that the offer already passed and missed their chance. All these people could do, is to move forward and face the upcoming challenges. 

The group then eventually arrived at the place where Smelting Trial will occur. Elder Abe stopped before the entered and talked to them. 

"This is where the Smelting Trial will occur. This is an artifact that was brought by the Envoys of Ancient Elysium Sect. They call it, the Devil Emperor's Pagoda."

The participants were surprised and couldn't help but to take a good look at the towering pagoda in front of them. The pagoda was covered in a shroud of energy which made it a bit difficult to see through, no matter how hard one looks, the number of floors remained obscured. 

Those who had better vision or ocular techniques saw at least nine floors but there seems to be a silhouette for the tenth floor so they can't be sure. Additionally, the Devil Emperor's Pagoda was giving them a feeling that it was extremely tall despite how few floors were visible to them. 

"According to the Envoys, this Devil Emperor's Pagoda is actually just a replica of the real one. Which is why it's giving you some false sense of feeling. The real one is located at the Ancient Elysium Sect, according to what I know, the real Devil Emperor's Pagoda is extremely tall. Some people said that it is so tall that it pierces the sky and could still be seen even in space."

"I don't know the specific things that the real Devil Emperor's Pagoda could do, but the replica is here and I am familiar with everything that it could do."

Elder Abe then cleared his throat and faced the participants. 

"Listen up all of you, I will only tell you the rules once. If you missed it or forgot somethings, you're on your own. Don't expect us to give you any preferential treatment." 

When his voice turned serious, the face of the participants turned serious as well. They then gathered their focus on Elder Abe, afraid to miss out on anything that he has to say. 

"This Devil Emperor's Pagoda replica has a total of nine floors. Your main objective is to climb up as high as you can. Time is altered inside the pagoda, one day outside is one year inside. The smelting trial will go on for a total of ten days, which will be ten years for all of you."

Elder Abe's words came as a surprise to some participants, some were too stunned that they didn't even know how to react to that. Ten years, to mortals this is a very long time but to cultivators, it's nothing too impressive. To some of the people who reached a very high level of cultivation, ten years is just a blink of an eye to them. 

Still, most of the participants this time around were young. Ten years might not be long for them but it isn't too short either. 

"All of you will enter at the same time but you won't be taking smelting trial together. You'll be transported to a place where only one participant is accepted. Which means that you'll be judged individually and there's no teaming up for this trial."

"Unlike the Aptitude Test, the Smelting Trial possess dangers. If you aren't careful enough, then there's a high possibility that you will lose your life. That being said, beyond danger lies opportunities. So long as you are capable enough, the amount of opportunities you can grab numerous."

"Once inside, you will be connected with the pagoda. In turn, you'll be able to figure out where will be the safe zones and the requirements to enter the higher floors. The higher you go, the more dangerous it gets, but that also applies for the amount of opportunities available to you."

"However!" Elder Abe raised a finger, "The rule of first come, first serve applies here as well. No participant could claim the same opportunities at the same time. Once the lucky chance was grabbed by someone, it will disappear from the pagoda, which means that you all have to be fast or else you will have many competitors. If two or more people are fighting over the same chance, then it will eventually end up on the hands of the most capable. If it's a technique, then the one who mastered it first will become its owner. If it's a spiritual treasure, then the first who can subdue it will have it first. So on and so forth, do you understand?"

Elder Abe's voice reverberated on their ears, the participants nodded to his question and remained silent. They waited until he continued speaking.

"Once the time limit ends, we will based the ranking on how many floors you people managed to surmount. The one who climbed the highest will be number one of course. As for those who are at the same floor, we will decided on who managed to last longer or achieved more. If there's a tie, then a duel will commence to figure out the result."

"As for how many will remain out of you…it would be better if none of you knows about it. That way, you can focus on bringing out the best of your abilities."

"Once again, I just want to remind you. If you manage to pass this Smelting Trial, then you will already be considered as disciples of the Ancient Elysium Sect, so work hard. Now, are there any questions?"

Elder Abe surveyed the crowd, seeing that no one was speaking or raising their hand to ask questions. He nodded and said:

"Alright! All of you can enter now. Work hard, Young Champions. Show us what makes you different from the rest." Elder Abe gave them an amicable smile as he urged them all forward to enter the pagoda. 

The participants inhaled sharply, some gripped their fist and released an aggressive fighting spirit, some were nervous but all of them knew that there's no running away from this. They marched on forward and entered the pagoda. 

Before entering, Jason said something to Raven. 

"Good luck. Don't die inside. It'll be a pity." Raven couldn't help but think that Jason's tone was a little strange but he ignored it and gave him a reply. 

"Thanks. As for good luck and not dying, I think that's more fitting for someone like you." 

These words made Jason raise a brow, just before he was about to ask what Raven means, he saw that they were about to enter the portal inside the pagoda, causing him to no longer bother with it. 

But just as they were about to be engulfed by the portal, Jason heard Raven say something to him once again. 

"After all, it will be a pity for someone who has a Perfected Deity Champion's Physique to perish inside a place like this."

That caused Jason's head to turn sharply towards Raven, whom he only managed to see grinning at him before getting engulfed by the portal. Jason's words were caught stranded on his throat, causing him to let out a sigh and shake his head while smiling wryly. 

After that, all the participants were engulfed by the portal and were transferred inside the space of the Devil Emperor's Pagoda. 

***

When Raven regained his vision, he found himself standing in a wide open space. He activated his ocular technique and started surveying his surroundings. 

The interior of the pagoda didn't look like what he was expecting. He found himself standing in the middle of a lush forest. There is a clear blue sky above him, he could also see a some fluffy clouds floating about. He's surrounded with vibrant vegetation and the air was clean. He could also see that there is a nearby spring of water.

On his vision, he could see that he was near a tall mountain. There was no trace of any civilization around him nor he could see any wild animals or demonic beasts. He could see some little insects but that's about it. 

This was starting to make him doubtful. 

At a glance, it doesn't appear that he's under any form of illusions. Everything around him felt real and life-like so he got rid of that notion. 

Raven was frowning, he then started walking around, still keeping his ocular technique active. He walked towards the spring and inspected it. And just like what he expected, there are no traces of living beings around him. 

"What's going on here?" Raven asked himself as he thought of reasons. But his thoughts were interrupted by a sudden signal invading his brain. 

[Devil Emperor's Pagoda - 1st Floor]

Advancement Requirements:

1.) Search of a lucky chance.

2..) Search for clues about the irregularity of the 1st floor.