You Lan was fully focused, her expression unusually serious.
In this trial, the speed of the Profound Iron Heavy Hammers would only increase over time.
It was now nearing the end of the second day.
You Lan felt that she had reached her limits in all aspects, and a wry smile flickered across her face.
Last time, she had only managed to hold on until noon on the second day before falling off the golden altar.
This time, she had held on until the very end.
However, the feeling of powerlessness grew stronger, and a clear realization dawned on You Lan.
This time... she probably wouldn't be able to pass again.
Then... what about Li?
Did she have any hope?
Since the start of the Thousand Mechanisms Hammer Array, You Lan had been fully engrossed in dealing with the formation, not even having time to glance at Li Shuang.
It was only now, as her confidence crumbled, that You Lan couldn't help but look at Li Shuang.
It was as if, if Li Shuang also lost, her own defeat wouldn't be so embarrassing.
The moonlight still shone.
But the light of the solar star was already brewing in the shadows.
Around Li Shuang, the light of the Taiyin flickered, as if she didn't belong to this world.
You Lan couldn't help but think.
Li would have a bonus under the Taiyin star.
But the Taiyin star was about to disappear.
Was she... also about to collapse?
You Lan held onto her last shred of strength, waiting for the Taiyin star to recede and the solar star to rise.
She looked at Li Shuang expectantly.
Now what?
Did Li still have a way to cope?
Li Shuang didn't know You Lan was observing her. Suddenly, a layer of solid ice appeared around her spirit.
This was formed from ice elements, but it possessed more than just the properties of ice elements.
The intermediate five-element crystal had also been completely absorbed.
And all the insights from this experience had condensed into this layer of ice shield.
The impact force of the heavy hammers was largely dissipated by the shield.
Although Li Shuang's spirit would still vibrate, she could completely withstand this amount of force.
A flicker of daze crossed You Lan's face.
Li... she...
She held on?
In a moment of distraction, the next heavy hammer struck.
And You Lan was no longer able to dodge.
As the third day dawned, You Lan, ranked first on the Genius List, fell from the golden altar.
In this vast space, only a single golden altar remained, hanging solitarily.
Li... was still holding on.
After a great sense of weightlessness, You Lan fell into an empty, enclosed space.
The geniuses who had fallen earlier were all waiting there.
On the water screen in the space, the scene of Li challenging the trial was displayed.
Everyone looked at You Lan, remaining silent for a moment.
Even Cang Yin, who had always been at odds with You Lan, didn't immediately mock her.
You Lan had lost.
What about them?
Hadn't they also lost?
When this golden altar trial ended, the top spot on the Genius List would likely change hands.
You Lan's lips trembled as she stared intently at the water screen.
She wanted to know how far Li could go.
Since she had already surpassed her, then she might as well go even further!
The sixth level, the seventh level!
If Li could pass the trial, then her defeat wouldn't be so shameful!
"After all, she was personally taught by the City Lord," someone couldn't help but say.
"Exactly. Who is the City Lord? She has taught her for so long, it's normal for this Li to be extraordinary."
"Indeed, if we had her fortune, being guided by the City Lord from a young age, we could also reach this stage."
"That's right. She's lucky, there's nothing we can do about it."
Amidst the clamor, You Lan's cold voice rang out: "Are you such sore losers?"
The scene instantly quieted down.
Everyone lowered their heads, not daring to speak.
You Lan said calmly, "Even if you're unwilling, a loss is a loss! At worst, we'll figure out a way to win next time."
You Lan continued to watch the water screen.
All she wanted to know now was how far Li could go.
Would she become the second person in history to pass all seven levels?
She was very much looking forward to it.
"Indeed. The path of cultivation has just begun. The future's victories and defeats are still unknown," Cang Yin smiled.
In the cultivation world, there were plenty of examples of late bloomers.
Even the City Lord, it was said, had ordinary talent in her early years, only to suddenly rise rapidly when she was a thousand years old.
This cultivation world had too many opportunities, too many adventures.
Losing once didn't necessarily mean losing forever!
"Do you think she can pass all seven levels?" Yan Lie couldn't help but ask.
Everyone's expressions subtly changed.
They all acknowledged Li Shuang's genius.
But passing the seventh level?
That was a bit too outrageous.
They subconsciously wanted to deny it.
However, for a moment, they didn't dare to speak.
After all, Li had already slapped them in the face too many times.
What if she really... passed all seven levels?
"Let's wait and see, the result will be out soon," Feng Yu murmured.
"Mo Li, aren't you best at prophecy? Why don't you predict if Li has any hope of passing the seventh level?" Cang Yin glanced at Mo Li.
Mo Li didn't decline. He took out his compass, and instantly, thousands of threads appeared in the air.
Mo Li closed his eyes, as if divining something.
After a long time, he opened his eyes.
Everyone looked at him expectantly.
Mo Li's expression was calm: "My Heavenly Derivation technique is not yet perfected, and its accuracy is somewhat limited. However, according to the current situation, the compass indicates a one percent chance of passing."
One percent.
Everyone's pupils constricted slightly.
This probability was not low.
Compared to the difficulty of passing, this was already quite high.
Li... actually had a chance of passing?
Everyone silently looked at the water screen, waiting quietly.
They watched the golden altar hanging empty, and the young girl standing quietly.
Her figure looked slender, but as she stood there, it was as if an ancient, unmoving iceberg stood tall.
She alone was an entire world.
When the morning light of the fourth day appeared, all the heavy hammers instantly disappeared.
Everyone's expressions became somewhat dazed.
So...
So...
The next moment, the golden altar beneath Li Shuang's feet slowly rose!
"Congratulations to trial participant Li for passing the fifth level, the Thousand Mechanisms Hammer Array."
"Congratulations to trial participant Li for entering the sixth level!"
The voice rang out.
Only then did everyone come back to their senses.
Li... had actually passed the fifth level.
She had officially surpassed You Lan's record, becoming the person with the most levels passed on the Genius List.
"There will be a three-day rest period before the next trial."
After the announcement, the voice disappeared again.
Li Shuang sat down cross-legged without hesitation.
Three days was a short time.
But she might still be able to advance further.
After absorbing the primary and intermediate crystals, her understanding of the five elements had advanced significantly.
The ice shield she had just used was the simplest application.
The sword move "Seeing All Beings" was another application.
Perhaps she could come up with other ways to apply them.
Li Shuang sat cross-legged, focused solely on her own meditation.
This was clearly a very uninteresting scene.
However, in front of the water screen in the City of Ten Thousand Laws, more and more people gathered.
The Spirit Golden Altar trial happened once every seven years, and many people had grown tired of paying attention.
After all, everyone was busy and had their own cultivation paths to follow.
But this time, upon hearing that someone had actually reached the sixth level, people from all corners, regardless of where they were, curiously flocked to the City of Ten Thousand Laws.
It would be a shame to miss this excitement.