In the void, a flicker of anticipation crossed the City Lord's eyes.
This stage seemingly offered two choices.
In reality, only one could be chosen.
Either.
Sever the source lines with force. Then proceed to the third level with the primary Five Elements crystals.
Or.
During the three-day preparation period, exert maximum effort to gain as much insight as possible into the spirit. Only then could one endure the manifestation of the Five Elements Tribulation for the subsequent seven days.
These two paths had to be decided upon from the very beginning.
Otherwise.
Once hesitation set in, neither path would likely lead to its end.
So.
Which path would Li choose?
The City Lord felt an inexplicable sense of anticipation.
On the golden altar, each trial participant had already made their choice.
Only the most exceptional geniuses dared to choose the method of severing the source lines with force.
The rest, from the outset, abandoned this path. They tried their best to comprehend the various artistic conceptions within the five source lines, hoping only to endure until the end of the upcoming tribulation manifestation.
Youlan, without a doubt, chose the method of severing the source lines with force.
A pair of cold jade rings floated beside Youlan. For the first time, she brought out her natal magical artifact!
As the rings spun rapidly, blades of wind in front of Youlan directly cut down the Five Elements source lines.
Breaking the law with force! This was the path Youlan chose.
Feng Yu raised an eyebrow.
Mysterious talismans appeared in his hand, and a powerful force instantly erupted.
Cang Yin chuckled softly, her zither reappearing in her hands.
One after another, peerless geniuses, without exception, chose to sever the source lines with force.
Li Shuang did not rush to make a choice. She looked up at the sky.
At this moment.
The Sun Star shone brightly.
However, her power was strongest at night.
Severing the source lines at night would be significantly more efficient than during the day.
Moreover...
She was also a cheat!
Li Shuang patiently consulted the Heaven and Earth Furnace in her mind.
"The fastest way I can sever the Five Elements source lines."
The Heaven and Earth Furnace spun for a while.
"Consume 10,000 value points, and you can get the answer with 100% certainty."
10,000 value points were well within Li Shuang's acceptable range.
Soon, the exchange was complete.
The Heaven and Earth Furnace provided a feasible plan.
After reading it, a flicker of contemplation crossed Li Shuang's eyes.
If she followed this method, there would be a certain risk, but if it succeeded, the benefits would be immense.
Li Shuang's gaze quickly calmed. She would give it a try.
Under the expectant gazes of the crowd, Li Shuang directly chose a source line and activated the tribulation!
The next moment.
The golden altar transformed into a vast ocean. Beneath her feet, it instantly became icy cold seawater. Li Shuang floated above it, layers of chill emanating from her, turning into frost that enveloped her.
In front of the water screen, there was an uproar.
"Huh? Li's choice is to endure for ten days?"
"That's not necessarily wrong. With her spiritual strength, enduring ten days shouldn't be difficult. This choice indeed has a very high success rate."
"Oh no, oh no, why did I foolishly bet on Li being the fastest to clear it! Isn't this a guaranteed loss?"
"Haha, this stage won't be a problem. The fastest will definitely be Youlan! I can make a small profit."
The crowd discussed animatedly.
Yan Fan scratched his head. His ten points were probably going to be wasted, and he felt a pang of heartache.
Ten points weren't much for most people, but Yan Fan had only accumulated a thousand points through his efforts so far. Every point was precious!
It's okay! Just consider it an eye-opener!
Yan Fan could only comfort himself this way.
In the void.
A trace of surprise flashed in the City Lord's eyes. Li actually... chose a path with less reward but more security?
Although she hadn't spent much time with Li, the City Lord inexplicably had a hunch that this choice didn't match Li's personality! Did she have other plans?
The anticipation in the City Lord's eyes grew stronger. It had been a long time since she had encountered someone she couldn't see through.
Not to mention, Li was still so young.
Could it be that the future of humanity rested on this person?
No, no, no. This was just the beginning.
She still needed to watch slowly, and wait slowly.
On the golden altar, Li Shuang experienced the Five Elements Tribulation one by one.
During the first three days, the Five Elements Tribulation could be activated or withdrawn at any time, so there was no danger to speak of.
Many people multi-tasked, paying attention to the choices of those around them. Li Shuang's choice quickly spread.
"Sister Youlan, this Li actually chose to endure for ten days. It seems, in this stage, you will still win, Sister." Cang Yin said with a beaming smile.
Youlan's movements paused for a moment, then she once again chopped down at the Five Elements crystal. She focused her efforts on one of the source lines.
During this time, under the repeated cutting of the rotating wheel, the first source line had already thinned, and it was on the verge of being completely severed.
Cang Yin's expression couldn't help but change slightly. So fast, the first source line was about to be severed. Youlan was indeed Youlan!
She no longer paid attention to Li Shuang. With a light strum of her zither, notes like sharp sword qi, little by little, ground away at the seemingly thin but incredibly tough source line.
As everyone employed their various methods.
Night finally fell. Li Shuang looked up at the sky, a glimmer of light seemingly flickering in her eyes.
In front of the water screen.
Suddenly, exclamations of surprise rang out.
Just at that moment, Youlan's rotating wheel descended, and the first Five Elements source line broke!
Youlan led everyone, being the first to sever the first Five Elements source line!
The crowd cheered for her, but she, without hesitation, directly chopped towards the second source line.
Youlan's expression was solemn. She didn't know what Li was planning; she only had one thing to do! And that was to go all out!
She would never lose to Li again!
At this moment, the cold moonlight poured down from the sky, and the Lunar Seal once again appeared on Li Shuang's forehead.
Li Shuang murmured, "It's about time."
Then, Li Shuang's gaze sharpened. In an instant, a rain of swords fell from the sky, and then a vast ocean silently appeared beneath her feet. This wasn't all; raging flames instantly burned on the ocean! Immediately after, an island was generated out of thin air on the ocean, and endless vines attacked her.
"???? What's going on?"
The crowd had just finished cheering for Youlan when they suddenly saw the anomaly on Li Shuang's side, and they were all momentarily stunned.
Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth! They were all complete in an instant!
Li! She's crazy!
She actually activated the Five Elements Tribulation at the same time! Five tribulations manifested simultaneously, and with the Five Elements gathered, their power was immeasurably stronger than when they were separate!
Everyone was momentarily dumbfounded.
Originally, they thought Li was playing it safe.
Now it seemed. She wasn't playing it safe at all; she was a complete lunatic!
How could this woman, with such a calm exterior, do the craziest things in the world!
In the void, the City Lord smiled.
Activating the Five Elements Tribulation simultaneously? Interesting, truly interesting.
The power of the Five Elements increased dramatically. This seemed like a dead end, but within it, there was indeed a unique path to survival.
Did Li think of this long ago?