Translator: AnubisTL
The wind ceased, the noise subsided, and even the dazzling Nurtured Spirits on the stage came to a brief halt.
One hundredth of a breath after everyone heard Gu Feng's words, the entire venue erupted in curses.
"What kind of person are you? How dare you tell my Senior Brother Zong to get off the stage? How outrageous! It's you who should get down!"
"A mere Innate Realm cultivator, unable to withstand the Nurtured Spirit pressure of my Senior Brother Duan, yet still dares to spout such arrogance?"
"Senior Sister Hua, use your 'Prosperous Colorful Lotus' to blast this ungrateful brat off the stage!"
"Why bother with Nurtured Spirits? He's so far from my Senior Brother Wu Sheng, isn't he afraid of his peerless sword radiance?"
"This is a contest among Heaven's Chosen of the Spirit Nurturing Realm. What right does a mere Innate Realm cultivator have to stand on this stage?"
"Get down! Get down!!!"
"..."
By the end, the entire venue chanted in unison. Even those candidates who had remained neutral couldn't stand it anymore and joined in the roaring.
"Get down!!"
"Get down!!"
Gu Feng shrugged, smiled faintly, and turned to look at the group of Heaven's Chosen behind him, who were still fully displaying their Nurtured Spirits. He spoke softly, "Alright, the performance is over. You can all step down now!"
The hundred Heaven's Chosen glanced at him, their lips curling into mocking smiles.
Duan Yansheng, a Heaven's Chosen from the Tyrant Body Sect, had a strange glint in his eyes. He controlled his 'North Darkness Mystic Tortoise,' pretending it had gone out of control, and it brushed past Gu Feng's scalp.
"Oops, my apologies! I hope I didn't scare you! Hahaha—" Duan Yansheng's words were apologetic, but his expression was utterly arrogant as he laughed heartily.
"Hahaha, Senior Brother Duan is too cruel. Gu Feng must be scared out of his wits."
"His legs must be trembling."
"Senior Brother Duan, don't scare him too much. If he gets so frightened that he complains to the examiner, you might get disqualified from the exam!!"
"It's not worth getting disqualified over a mere Innate Realm brat!!"
"..."
Gu Feng remained expressionless. Everyone thought he was too scared to react, and their laughter grew even more unrestrained.
"Oh no, my 'Demon Archer Ice Dragon' must have seen something unsightly. It's a bit out of control!"
Zong Shixuan exclaimed. His 'Demon Archer Ice Dragon' roared and circled around Gu Feng twice, nearly colliding with him several times.
Seeing Zong Shixuan feigning a look of lingering fear, the candidates burst into laughter, tears streaming down their faces. For the first time, they discovered that the usually aloof Senior Brother Zong could be so humorous.
"What a coincidence, my 'Flame Serpent Tiger' seems a bit upset. I can't control it!"
"After wielding sword radiance for so long, it's only natural for a few strands to scatter!"
"My 'Soul Detached Black Whale' seems to be influenced by Daoist Liu. It's also getting out of control!"
"Sorry, I'm also being influenced by others. Look, my 'Bee Insect Sacred Demon' is getting a bit wild too."
"..."
In an instant, the roars of beasts filled the air, and dazzling lights flashed everywhere. A hundred Nurtured Spirits flew around, surrounding Gu Feng so tightly that he couldn't even move.
"He's done for now. Gu Feng can't even get down if he wants to!"
"Hahaha, this is the consequence of spouting arrogance. If we see his pants wet later, don't be surprised, and please be understanding."
"He's probably never seen so many powerful Nurtured Spirits in his life."
"..."
"Vice-Prefect Ouyang, should we intervene? If something goes wrong, Gu Feng's life could be in danger!" one of the examiners furrowed his brow and asked.
"No need. These Heaven's Chosen have mastered their Nurtured Spirits with ease. There's no chance of a mishap!" Ouyang Qi smiled slightly, paused, and then continued, "Gu Feng may seem easygoing, but his pride is no less than any of the Heaven's Chosen on stage. It's good for him to face some setbacks and temper his mind."
"Boss sure knows how to have fun!" Sima Juncong was visibly excited, his eyes blazing as he stared at the high platform, eagerly anticipating the moment when the Thunder Tribulation would be triggered.
"Hahaha, that's just how Leader Gu is. He lets others have their fun first, then strikes with a decisive blow!"
"It's called 'suppressing after elevating.' Otherwise, where would the thrill come from?"
"..."
Chu Youhuan and the others sat on a mountain ten kilometers away from the high platform. Their movements were synchronized, each holding a roasted leg and a pot of Spirit Wine, watching the scene unfold with amusement.
"It's coming! Boss is about to make his move!"
As Wu Qi shouted, Gu Feng on the high platform looked solemn. His formidable Spiritual Power surged within him, producing a rumbling sound.
The commotion was so intense that most of the cultivators present could hear it.
"What is he doing?"
"Activating a secret technique to force his way out?"
"That's impossible. He's not strong enough for that!"
"..."
For a moment, no one could guess Gu Feng's intentions.
Gu Feng remained silent, continuously refining the Divine Fluid, adjusting his body and state to their peak.
"Haha, Gu Feng is finally about to counterattack!" one examiner stroked his beard and chuckled.
"Can you feel it? His cultivation is continuously rising," a perceptive examiner frowned and said.
"Yes, he's indeed getting stronger!"
"I have to say, the Myriad Tribulations Physique is truly formidable. Judging by his aura, it's already comparable to an ordinary Nurtured Spirit Second Layer. No wonder he could easily defeat a thousand Innate Realm peak cultivators!" another examiner praised.
Ouyang Qi, who had been lounging leisurely on the Grand Preceptor's Chair, suddenly jumped up from his seat.
His gaze, slightly panicked, fixed on Gu Feng, whose aura was continuously rising. His face turned pale!
"Gu Feng, what are you doing?"
As if sensing something, he roared toward Gu Feng on the high platform.
"Vice-Prefect Ouyang, I've already told them to get lost, but they keep putting on a show. What can I do?" Gu Feng responded loudly.
Hiss—
Upon hearing this, Ouyang Qi took a sharp breath. A chilling sensation shot up from the soles of his feet, coursing through his body and straight to his head, causing him to tremble involuntarily.
"Something... something's about to happen!!!"
His face was filled with terror, his mind as if struck by lightning, buzzing and making his speech falter.
"Quick... evacuate the candidates! Gu Feng is about to undergo his tribulation!!!"
Finally, he clenched his teeth and roared.
"What!!!"
"Gu Feng is about to undergo the Nurtured Spirit Tribulation???"
"Hiss————"
Hundreds of examiners were simultaneously shocked. They stared in disbelief at the high platform, then glanced at the millions of candidates below. A sense of impending disaster filled their hearts.
If this Thunder Tribulation were to descend, it would deal a devastating blow to the current examination and cause an irreparable tragedy for the entire Great Chu Dynasty.
"Vice... Vice-Prefect Ouyang, what... what should we do??"
"Do I need to teach you? Evacuate the candidates now!!!" Ouyang Qi's face twisted as he roared with the loudest voice he had ever mustered in his life.
Hundreds of examiners, like a swarm of headless flies, rushed into the sky. Perhaps in their panic, several of them even collided with each other.
"Hurry!! Get away!!!"
All the examiners, darting through the air, screamed at the millions of candidates below who were still watching the spectacle.
The candidates were utterly bewildered, having no idea what was happening!
They stood there dumbfounded, exchanging confused glances.
"Gu Feng is about to undergo the Nurtured Spirit Tribulation!!! Do you want to die by staying here???"
These few words exploded like a nuclear bomb across the heavens and earth, sending everyone into a frenzy.
They hailed from prestigious sects and were well-versed in the legends of the Myriad Tribulations Physique. They knew all too well what a tribulation entailed!
Any living being caught within the Thunder Tribulation would be deemed a rebel by the heavens and struck with an equivalent tribulation.
"Oh my god, we're doomed!!"
"Run, run, the Thunder Tribulation is coming!"
"Don't push, everyone, leave in an orderly manner!"
"Damn it, why are you stepping on me?"
"Who the hell is holding onto my foot? Let me fly!"
"..."
Chaos erupted on the scene. Many cultivators tried to take off early, but with so many candidates, even if they could ascend, their flight paths were blocked by the dense crowd of cultivators. There was no way to leave in such a short time.
The candidates trampled, squeezed, collided, and cursed each other—
"It's over. I knew Gu Feng wouldn't just sit and wait for death. He would fight back. He... damn it, how could he do this?" Ouyang Qi muttered, his face as pale as a sheet of paper.
Watching the chaos unfold, the hundred Heaven's Chosen on the stage also began to panic.
"My proud friends, don't leave. Stay with me until dawn!"
At this moment, Gu Feng finally launched a verbal counterattack at them.
Hua Wenyue and the others turned pale, looking at each other in confusion. Their pride kept them from moving.
Ouyang Qi was on the verge of madness, shouting at the stage, "Aren't you afraid of death? Get down from there!!"
The once-majestic Nurtured Spirit energy all returned to their consciousness.
Gu Feng's body flickered, his aura surging dramatically with each breath. The Spiritual Power within him boiled like water, emitting a rumbling sound.
Leaving would mean admitting defeat, but staying would mean sharing the Thunder Tribulation with him—a dilemma.
Their earlier bold declarations and arrogant actions now seemed like loud slaps to their own faces.
In truth, they already wanted to leave, but they were all waiting for the first Heaven's Chosen to take that step.
An eerie silence fell over the stage, like the calm before a storm.
Duan Yansheng glanced at the others. Seeing no one take the lead, he was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.
Wu Sheng and Zong Shixuan exchanged a look, as if reaching some agreement. After a slight nod, they both erupted, charging toward one of the Heaven's Chosen.
Of course, they didn't intend to harm anyone. They just wanted to force the first person to leave the stage.
When the first Heaven's Chosen left the platform, the ninety-nine Heaven's Chosen who had been preparing for a long time took off simultaneously.
They rode the Divine Rainbow, swiftly departing in all directions!
With a million people taking to the skies, how could order be maintained, especially when their flight paths were inconsistent?
This led to them finding nowhere to fly the moment they took off!
"What are you standing around for? Don't block my way!" Dugu Ao roared, his body enveloped in Spiritual Power as he charged forward recklessly!
Seeing this effective, those who considered themselves strong also followed suit.
For a moment, the sky was illuminated by Spiritual Radiance, lighting up the entire mountain range!
Screams, curses, roars, and collisions echoed incessantly!
The joy and boldness from before had now turned into sheer chaos.
"Truly Heaven's Chosen, even their escape postures are so dashing!" Gu Feng chuckled softly, then immersed himself in his cultivation.
The Heaven's Chosen had no time for Gu Feng's mockery, their eyes bloodshot as they ran for their lives like a pack of mad dogs.
All their pride and grandeur had turned into pure survival instinct!
Before long—
The sky darkened, with ominous clouds rolling and terrifying arcs of lightning flashing intermittently!
Centered around Gu Feng, within a three-kilometer radius, Spiritual Energy, air, and even dust were all expelled by the overwhelming aura, creating a vacuum zone!
It was as if a divine king had unleashed a thunderstorm, splitting the sky in two!
Just the first bolt of divine punishment reduced the area around the platform to dust within a few hundred meters!
The aura of death loomed over everyone, causing uncontrollable trembling. Whether Heaven's Chosen or ordinary examinees, all looked up in terror at the apocalyptic calamity.
Most examinees were disheveled, their clothes tattered and stained with mud and blood, their hair disheveled, and their faces blackened... utterly wretched.
But Gu Feng, like a king touring the world, had his black hair dancing in the wind, a faint smile on his face as he stepped steadily on the Spiritual Power-formed stairs, ascending step by step until he reached the heights of the sky.
He turned to look down at the crowd below, his gaze as if staring at ants, filled with disdain!
He was like the bright moon in the sky, the blazing sun at noon, standing there invincibly, his aura sweeping across all directions!
(End of the Chapter)
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