Even disciples who had half-believed Gavin and Yvette soon switched sides the moment they learned Jared’s cultivation stopped at Human Immortal Realm, Level Seven. Arden even privately warned the disciples preparing the examination array.
“Tune the Threefold Beast-Soul Array to its fiercest setting. Let that human brat taste real pain and expose whatever trickery he’s hiding!”
Time slid past in a blink, and the appointed three days melted away. The core disciple promotion trials erupted across the sect’s grand arena, the Myriad Beast Altar, a stone coliseum reserved for moments of legend.
Every block of the altar had been carved from a single slab of bluish-gray skystone, and a circle of one hundred totem pillars, each etched with a savage beast, stood sentinel around the ring.
Crystalline beast cores set atop those pillars pulsed with lambent light, weaving a fortress-class barrier that would trap every stray burst of force inside.
Beneath the platform, a sea of audience swelled—disciples, stewards, traveling elders, all jostling for a glimpse. Even those who were not joining the trials squeezed in; hardly a soul stationed at headquarters failed to attend the spectacle.
Paxton lounged upon the highest throne, mane-like hair fanning his shoulders. Arden occupied one flank, Bartram the other, their expressions sharp with expectation.
Name after name was called. Duels flashed, techniques painted the sky, and the crowd roared itself hoarse at each brilliant clash. Yet many eyes drifted toward the main gates between bouts, hunting for, or perhaps hunting down, the one figure still absent.
The moment arrived: the Threefold Beast-Soul Array challenge, crown jewel of the trials, and Jared had yet to appear.
Arden studied the empty entrance, a colder smile carving across his beak-sharp features. He projected his voice across the arena. “Looks like our arrogant visitor has lost his courage. The might of our Beast-Soul Array has him too terrified to show his face.”
“Hahaha!” An explosion of jeering laughter rolled up from the stands.
“Knew it! All bark, no bite!”
“A Level Seven Human Immortal expecting to break our array?”
“Gavin Stone really misjudged him!”
Faces flushed with shame, Gavin and Yvette stood amid the throng.
Gavin’s fists trembled, Yvette bit her lip, yet neither could summon a retort.
Did he run into trouble after all?
Or did he judge the odds impossible and choose to retreat?
Paxton sat erect upon the viewing platform, his broad face carved from stone. Not a flicker betrayed what moved behind those gold-flecked eyes. Beside him, Bartram toyed with the end of his grizzled beard, small eyes half-shut, weighing every rune that shimmered around the arena.
The signal fire flared; the Beast-Soul Array began. Three core disciples of Heavenly Immortal Level Four strode into the center of the Myriad Beast Altar. One embodied raw strength, one lightning speed, one impenetrable defense.
At their call, phantom colossi burst upward: a bellowing Titan-Force Ape, a streaking Windlash Leopard, an Obsidian-Armored Rhino plated like night-black iron.
Their auras braided into a spinning triangle. Beastly roars shook the dome, and the protective barrier quivered as if struck by ocean swells.
Any challenger caught inside would battle three perfectly synchronized foes while being crushed by the clashing natures of strength, speed, and fortitude. It was insanely difficult.
Two previous contenders, both Level Four Heavenly Immortals, had lasted less than half an hour. They were hurled out bleeding and broken, ribs clicking, spirits dimmed.
The display left the crowd wide-eyed, confirming to many that Jared, who had fled, was nothing but a braggart.
“Looks like it’s time for this farce to end,” Arden murmured, voice sharp as a talon. He leaned forward, ready to declare the trial closed while the final challenger inside staggered like a candle in the wind. Then, a voice sliced through the uproar.
“Hold on!” The word was not loud, yet it threaded cleanly through clash, roar, and mutter, lodging in every ear.
