Chapter 342 - Guardian of the Seventh Stage

“After clearing six stages and refining so much pure energy, I am finally at the ninth level. I saved myself nearly a year’s worth of cultivation.”

Chen Fan felt happy with his progress.

“The copies at the sixth level were at the peak of the ninth level. Are Illusory Core realm copies next?”

A brilliant light shone in Chen Fan’s eyes.

Now that his cultivation and strength had increased, he wouldn’t feel scared even if he had to face Xue Tianhe. He could defeat Qiu Beihai even if he ignited his illusory core.

“Hopefully, the reward for the seventh stage will be something else. These energy masses can increase my cultivation rapidly but also make my foundation unstable. That’s not good for my future cultivation.”

Chen Fan’s eyes flickered momentarily; a white light shrouded him next.

......

People flew out of the battle palace from time to time, each looking discouraged and depressed.

“Damn it, this Nebulous Battle Palace’s test is too difficult. I could manage the first stage as the copy only had a slightly better combat technique. But how the heck am I supposed to clear the second stage? How am I supposed to fight two copies that are a small realm above me in cultivation?”

“Be content. Many couldn’t even clear the first stage before they got kicked out.”

“You cleared the first stage, so what reward did you get?”

“Hehe, it’s a mass of pure energy. It was so pure that I could absorb it without refining it. My cultivation had progressed significantly, but it’s a pity I didn’t clear the second stage.”

“I wonder how many stages Xin Wuming, Zi Ling, and the others have cleared? They are all in the Illusory Core realm, and their first opponents will be copies of themselves. Here, the difficulty will be harder the higher your initial cultivation level is.”

“That’s right. In the Illusory Core realm, even a five percent difference in the conversion rate can result in a significant gap in strength. In the Yuanfu realm, geniuses like Xin Wuming can challenge those with higher cultivation, but that’s not easy in the Illusory Core realm.”

“......”

The crowd discussed among themselves at the white marble plaza.

Xin Wuming had challenged the fifth stage and was fighting against eight copies of himself.

Although these white light silhouettes’ cultivation levels were the same as his, there were eight of them. Moreover, they fought with incredible teamwork, so he was beaten back repeatedly.

“Damn it, the Nebulous Battle Palace’s test is too difficult.”

Xin Wuming’s expression was horrid, traces of blood hanging at the corners of his mouth.

He was ranked third on the leaderboard and could fight many alone. He was so strong that other Illusory Core realm experts on the same level as him weren’t his match, yet he felt flustered as he faced the bombardment from the eight copies.

He had barely defeated the copies on the fourth floor; now, his opponents had doubled, and the difficulty had risen exponentially.

“Damn it, is this not my opportunity to advance into the Core Formation realm?”

Xin Wuming was sent flying backward from a sword slash, covered in fresh blood. He panted heavily, but his gaze was still as ferocious as a wolf.

......

In the fourth stage, Zi Ling also faced four copies of herself. Her violet qi surged and underwent a multitude of transformations.

However, the copies had all her tricks and methods. They had suppressed her to the extent that she had difficulty defending herself.

In the third stage, Jiu Wuxue, Qiu Beihai, Hong Qianjun, and the other geniuses on the Influential Figures Leaderboard fought fiercely. Deafening noises rang out endlessly, shaking the white light domes.

In the Nebulous Battle Palace, the higher one's cultivation level, the more challenging the stages became.

Conversely, those at the eighth or ninth level all seemed extraordinarily strong compared to their peers and cleared four or five stages, obtaining plenty of benefits.

......

Swish.

Chen Fan appeared in the seventh stage.

The environment remained the same, save for a white jade altar ahead with a mysterious wooden box atop it.

Chen Fan looked over and thought.

From the looks of it, the reward for clearing the seventh stage isn’t a mass of energy. It should be what’s inside the wooden box. It seems to be either an elixir or a secret martial arts manual.

White light shone and transformed into a singular silhouette.

“Hmm?” Chen Fan gasped lightly. His curiosity piqued as he realized it was no longer a copy of himself but an elder figure.

“Illusory Core realm...”

𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

The cultivation level of the seventh stage’s guardian was as he had expected. He was in the Illusory Core realm.

Suddenly, a voice rang out.

“Clearing six stages in a row, not bad, kid. Even in the ancient Nebulous Divine Palace, you'd be considered a top genius. Those oldies would fight to accept you as their disciple.”

Chen Fan stared wide-eyed and said, “You’re alive?”

“Alive?” The white light silhouette chuckled and said, “No, there’s only a wisp of my will in here.”

“I see.” Chen Fan nodded.

“Alright, kid, are you ready?”

“Come on!”

Chen Fan pointed his iron spear, his aura surging.

This white light silhouette’s aura wasn’t as strong as Qiu Beihai’s aura. However, he could tell the owner of this will must have been a great figure of the Nebulous Divine Palace during ancient times.

Someone like that would have cultivated to a terrifyingly high level. Their combat techniques were something he could not match up to.

The elder could most likely beat down an Illusory Core realm expert like Qiu Beihai, and his combat strength was definitely comparable to experts like Xin Wuming or Zi Ling.

Even though Chen Fan’s cultivation increased significantly, he did not dare to be careless. He needed to take this fight seriously.

The silhouette moved the instant Chen Fan finished speaking.

Swish, swish!

They were fast as lightning. Chen Fan only saw a blur; next, he heard wind near his ear.

Retreat!

Chen Fan instantly sensed an intense danger and subconsciously backed off.

As soon as he retreated, that white light silhouette appeared.

Bang!

The silhouette unleashed a palm strike, making the air explode. The ground trembled, and the attack set off a terrifying wave of qi that struck Chen Fan, making him groan.

“What immense attack power!”

Chen Fan’s pupils shrank slightly.

Even though his strength had skyrocketed, he could feel a strong sense of danger.

“Not bad, your reaction speed is pretty good.” The white light silhouette smiled and turned into a blur once more.

“Kill!” Chen Fan shouted, channeling his cultivation into his spear as he thrust it forward.

Instantly, flames burst forth, spreading out in a fan shape and distorting the space with intense heat.

However, a wind breaking sound came from Chen Fan’s side, followed by an overwhelming force rushing over.

Swoosh.

“Undefeated King’s Fist!”

Chen Fan did not panic. He punched fiercely with his left hand, carrying an aura that wouldn’t lose even if he fought against the heavens, and clashed with the silhouette’s palm.

Boom!

A loud sound of qi exploding rang out. Chen Fan was pushed back repeatedly, but the silhouette was knocked several steps back.

“Hmm? Kid, you’ve learned the Myriad Elephants Divine Art and even reached the ninth layer. That’s very rare, even in the divine palace. Very good, very good.”

“Let me tell you something. If you can defeat me and also clear the next stage, you’ll get the Nine Sun Divine Lingzhi. It’ll push your Myriad Elephants Divine Art to the tenth layer, entering the Divine Strength realm.”