Boom.
Boom.
Boom.
In such extreme silence, Zhao Yang could clearly hear his own heartbeat.
He could see that the one-eyed ghost cultivator who had just spoken wildly to him had his eyes wide open, and his face turned red, as if he had been slapped in the face.
He could also see the "proctors" on the eighteenth floor above the platform all looking up in surprise, with looks of disbelief;
Of course, he could also see the shock on the faces of countless people around him...
However, as the cultivator who just said that Jianchou was very likely to pass the cauldron contest, Zhao Yang felt inexplicably guilty at this moment, and even had an urge to roar in his heart -
That’s too much!
Isn’t this cheating too much
The reason why he judged that Jianchou could pass the competition was only because Jianchou was a very conspicuous "gimmick" in this competition. If Bafang Yandian had a brain, how could he allow such a good gimmick to die in the second round
In order to better empty the pockets of the ghost cultivators in the Extreme Domain, the Eight Directions Hell Palace has reason to do everything it can.
This includes taking advantage of the second round of momentum.
But…
Zhao Yang really never expected this!
This Jianchou actually only took a moment to pass the second round, simply...
There's something wrong!
Do you really think that we, the monks from the Extreme Realm, have no brains
Cui Jue is already a rare talent among men, having almost reached the limit of the second round of written examination in the entire Jiyu Domain. Over the years, so many geniuses have never surpassed the record set by Cui Jue.
You are a newcomer with low cultivation level, and you got in through connections. How dare you surpass Cui Jue?!
Even if you have the answers to all the test questions in your hand, you can't be so exaggerated or excessive!
Everything has its limits!
Too much is as bad as too little!
Zhao Yang claimed to be knowledgeable about the dispute over the Jiyu Ding, and he was also well aware of the various "despicable and shameless" methods used by the Bafang Yan Palace.
Now, looking at the virtual image on the nebula scroll above his head, after his boundless surprise and anger, he actually had a strange feeling -
Cool.
Yes, it feels great.
The Eight Directions Hell Palace held a cauldron contest. For so many years, it had ruined his time for cultivation and wasted the black jade in his purse...
Now they have hired such an unreliable "gimmick" and made such a despicable and stupid move!
Isn't this going to fail
All the ghost cultivators with brains in the Extreme Realm know how terrifying the second round of written examination is. Even Cui Jue’s two moments back then were controversial, not to mention the one that was produced now!
This time we are doing it so exaggerated, everyone will oppose it!
Almost at the moment when Zhao Yang thought of this, the people around him who had been shocked before finally reacted.
The fastest one was the one-eyed monk who had been clamoring before.
"Don't even mention surpassing Cui Jue. As long as she can pass, I'll dare to call Li Han a grandson in front of him! Hahaha..."
The arrogant words he had said earlier kept echoing in his mind, making him feel as if a ghost was lurking in his body.
Li Han is not a good person.
This guy kills without blinking an eye. If a little bastard like him really dares to run up to someone and call him "grandson", it would be like asking for his death!
No, I absolutely dare not call Li Han "grandson"!
so…
The one-eyed ghost cultivator looked left and right, and seeing no one said anything, he simply gave it a try.
He encouraged himself, holding his breath in his chest, and howled at the top of his voice like a pig being slaughtered: "Cheating! Cheating! Definitely cheating—"
In the quiet square, it was like a thunderbolt.
The belated sensation finally swept the entire square.
"Cheating! Cheating!"
"How is that possible?!"
"Do you have any shame in the Eight Directions Hell Palace?!"
"Cheating, cheating!"
"Hahaha, there's something exciting to watch. The Eight Directions Hell Palace is indeed a place that does great things!"
"This year, Ding Zheng, your mother is going to explode!"
…
For a moment, all kinds of words, like the dust raised by horse hooves, instantly suppressed all other sounds.
The whole square was crowded with people, almost everyone was talking, and it was a complete mess.
There is an isolation formation on the high platform.
All the sounds from outside could not come in, so it seemed extremely quiet.
But Jianchou could clearly see their open mouths and angry expressions, and could vaguely make out what they were shouting.
Then, there was a hint of smile suddenly in the corners of his eyes and eyebrows.
Jianchou's lips slowly curled up, he squinted his eyes slightly, raised his head again, and saw with satisfaction his own image cast on the nebula scroll above his head.
After the virtual image was completely condensed, a line of golden small seal characters were slowly printed on the side of the virtual image—
In the palace of King Qin Guang, there is sorrow.
The top floor of the eighteen-story building.
Listening to the horrifying sound coming from below and seeing Jianchou's smile below, Cui Jue began to doubt his own eyes.
That nun...
Are you satisfied with everything you have done
It seemed as if she had no worries at all about what her actions would bring to the Eight Directions Hell Palace, nor did she worry at all about what kind of trouble the mess she left behind would bring to herself...
A moment...
It only took a moment. Was she crazy
Even though Cui Jue was an experienced person who had been immersed in the affairs of the Eight Directions Yama Palace for a long time, he felt confused and had a headache at this moment.
Without even thinking, he could guess what expressions the eight Yama Kings would show after learning about this.
Needless to say, there was big trouble.
"What is she doing..."
Raising his fingers, he pressed the corners of his eyes uncontrollably. Cui Jue clenched his teeth slightly and looked down.
But deep down in my heart, I suddenly felt a sense of vicissitudes of life, as if "the waves behind push the waves in front away".
Jiang Qian, who was standing not far from him, also smiled slightly when he saw Jianchou's relaxed and even happy expression: "I think... this is a very interesting person... Why, being surpassed by others makes you feel complicated?"
“… a little.”
Of course, I find it more troublesome.
But after hearing Jiang Chang's voice, which was so soft that it seemed to touch people's hearts, Cui Jue was too lazy to explain.
Among the eight Yama Kings, Urban King Jiang Chang is undoubtedly the most comfortable one. Even just standing and talking to her, it seems that one can gain the deepest peace in his heart.
Maybe, because of a kind thought
Cui Jue turned around to look at her, but what instantly flashed through his mind was what happened when he came to the City of the Dead and was noticed by King Qin Guang.
Jiang Qian did not look back, but still stood there, with misty clouds in his eyes, like an ancient and graceful statue.
"I'm curious, were the two moments you experienced back then also real?"
"… "
For a moment, Cui Jue did not speak.
He listened to the overwhelming opposition and doubts and said, "If Your Highness thinks it is fake, then it is fake."
So, Jiang Qian sighed and stopped asking questions. He just said, "At this moment, the other seventy-one cities must have fallen out as well..."
Because the nebula painting of the seventy-two cities is one.
If a person passes the written test, his or her virtual image and name will appear on all the nebula scrolls in the seventy-two cities and can be seen by everyone who looks up.
If this person is eliminated or killed in the third round of the fight, his image and name will disappear from the scroll, and in the end only the living monks who have not been eliminated will remain.
Therefore, the Nebula Scroll is also called the "Living Scroll"!
Pan Hexun is a genius who is highly expected by Fengdu City this year.
He has already reached the peak of Jade Nirvana and is only one step away from completing the cultivation of this realm in order to reach the Golden Body realm.
In this year's competition, he lived up to expectations and was appreciated by the Chakravartin and recommended to participate in the competition.
At this moment, he had been sitting on the high platform in the square, concentrating and meditating for more than two quarters of an hour.
The dark green tripod ring emitted a gossamer-like light, which was connected to his mind and passed on the questions of the Ding Zheng literary test to him bit by bit.
He was working his brain rapidly, answering the questions at an extremely fast speed.
One question, two questions, three questions...
Faster and faster!
Pan Hexun himself did not expect that his condition today would be so good. His performance has completely exceeded his usual level.
In fact, the tripod ring told him clearly that only two and a half quarters of an hour had passed since the written test began!
He was actually so close to the time set by Cui Jue!
My mind tensed up uncontrollably, like a vibrating string.
A great excitement and joy quickly enveloped him, and he fell into a wonderful fantasy.
Perhaps, he can not only kill everyone in the final third level and win the Dingyuan, but also get an excellent first place in the second round of written examination!
By that time, who would dare to question him
Even if the Ghost King clan had a new member, Zhong Lanling, whose origins were unknown, there was no way to stop him!
As for Zhang Tang and Li Han from the City of the Dead, they are even less worth mentioning.
Only he, the cultivator at the peak of Jade Nirvana, will be the final winner!
The last question!
Finished answering!
Pan Hexun opened his eyes almost immediately, but he did not look at the nebula scroll above his head. Instead, he first looked to his right.
When he went on stage earlier, he remembered it very clearly: Zhong Lanling of the Ghost King Clan was sitting next to him!
He looked at her almost with contempt.
Because he only spent two and a half ke of time to answer all the questions, which was so close to Cui Jue's "two ke"!
He believed that he was the fastest person in this year's competition, and had even surpassed the second fastest person in history to pass the written test.
However…
The moment their eyes met, Pan Hexun was stunned.
He was a man carrying a lyre on his back, barefoot, and wearing old linen clothes as white as snow. Even when he was sitting, one could tell that he was tall and had broad shoulders.
A few strands of black hair with gray in them hung down from the sides of his face, giving him a sense of unruly and uninhibitedness.
The hair at the back of her head was tied with a dark purple, almost black, brocade.
He looked like a down-and-out zither player, with eyes that showed he had been wandering for a long time, but at this moment he looked up, looking at the nebula scroll above his head...
Open your eyes!
This person actually answered the questions faster than me!
Pan Hexun could hardly believe his eyes, and then he felt a boundless anger and unwillingness. However, when he subconsciously looked in the direction of his gaze, he was even more shocked...
appeared.
On the magnificent painting, there is not only the virtual image of Zhong Lanling...
There is also a female cultivator.
In the virtual image, she was beautiful, with a natural indifference in her eyes and eyebrows.
But…
Pan Hexun clearly saw that on the side of this virtual image, there was a line of words engraved: Qin Guangwang Palace, see sorrow!
It's her!
Pan Hexun still remembered the request made by the Eight Directions Yama Palace when they first found him.
They need to protect a female cultivator in the third round of the cauldron competition, and hope that I can cooperate with them.
This kind of thing will do you no harm and will also help you get closer to the Eight Directions Hell Palace and gain some benefits.
Of course he wouldn't refuse and agreed almost immediately.
What's more, that female cultivator was extremely weak. She was only at the Soul Orb level, and her Soul Orb was the smallest in the history of the Extreme Realm. He could kill her at any time, so there was no need to worry at all.
However, Pan Hexun never expected to see the other person's name here!
See sorrow!
This is definitely the name, there is no mistake!
At that moment, Pan Hexun's eyes turned red and he almost stood up from his seat.
He glanced downwards and saw that the entire square was still in a state of chaos. Everyone seemed to be talking about something, and the crowd seemed to be very angry.
Through their lip shapes, Pan Hexun could vaguely discern the words they were saying—
Jianchou only took a moment, faster than Zhong Lanling!
"Master Pan, is there something wrong?"
The owner of the eighteenth floor of Fengdu City, who was also the person in charge of the Ding Zheng event, saw the latest reaction of the Ding Zheng Jin Ling, and naturally discovered Pan Hexun who had just passed the literary test.
He turned around with a smile, but found Pan Hexun's eyes were faintly red. He couldn't help but frowned slightly and asked a question.
Pan Hexun clenched his hands at his sides, glanced at the host, and then forced himself to grit his teeth and said, "It's okay."
I don't know how much effort it took before I forced myself to sit down.
He just felt that the soul power in his body was flowing backwards and surging, making it difficult for him to think...
A host of confusing thoughts flashed through his mind.
Originally, he was the one with the greatest hope of winning Ding Yuan, but the Ghost King clan inexplicably found Zhong Lanling from somewhere, a man whose cultivation was not very high but who was extremely feared. This immediately shook his confidence.
Even though Pan Hexun was strong enough, he had to admit: Zhong Lanling was not weak.
In this situation, he regarded the other party as his strongest enemy, so he looked at the other party immediately after the written test.
However, Zhong Lanling was actually faster than him.
If that were all, it would be fine.
But when he followed the other person's gaze to look at the scroll, he discovered that there was actually someone in front of Zhong Lanling, and he happened to know this person!
One, a female cultivator whose cultivation level is only at the pitiful soul bead level;
One, a female cultivator who became the biggest attraction of this year's competition;
One, a female cultivator who was blessed by the Eight Directions Hell Palace and entered through the backdoor;
One, there is a female cultivator who needs him to protect after entering the third round!
Everything adds up.
Pan Hexun sat in his seat, pinching the dark green tripod ring between his fingers. He was wearing a white robe embroidered with a sky-blue crane pattern, with the corners of the robe hanging on the ground.
His narrow, triangular eyes slowly narrowed.
A female cultivator at the Soul Orb Realm actually dares to show off like this...
take care of
He would naturally take good care of this female cultivator.
A cold smile slowly appeared on his lips.
On the right, a slovenly man with a zither on his back seemed oblivious to all this.
He was still staring at the virtual image above, his eyes fixed on the virtual image with the words "Jianchou" cast on it, but a little bit of unspeakable doubt gradually appeared in his eyes, and finally evolved into interest.
He was also very curious about this female cultivator, Zhong Lanling, who was faster than him.
In this world, there are only one or two top geniuses, but there are many above-average people.
Therefore, after Pan Hexun passed by, the golden light on the Ding Zheng Golden Order began to light up frequently.
First, the first Qin Guangwang Palace, saw sorrow;
Second, the ghost king of Fengdu City, Zhong Lanling;
Third, the Eighth Chakravartin Palace, Pan Hexun;
Fourth, the Day Tribe of the City of the Wrongly Dead, Chen Tingyan;
Fifth, Xing Zhan, the Wuchang Clan of the Wrongful Death City;
Sixth, the Ghost King of Wrongful Death City, Li Han;
Seventh, the ghost king of Fengdu City, Fan Lin;
Eighth, Niu Dongliang, the Niutou tribe of Fengdu City;
Ninth, the Night Walkers of the Wuliang City, Xin Baishou;
…
However, Zhang Tang has not shown up yet.
The City of the Dead, on the high platform in the square.
The cultivators who failed the literary test were dejected and were automatically ejected from the platform by the formation on the platform, completely losing the qualification to participate in the competition.
Some of the monks who passed the literary examination were still in fear, while others were full of energy. However, no matter what their expressions were, they could not help but frequently look at Chou—
This female cultivator surpassed Cui Jue in just a moment.
one…
A female cultivator who is doubted by everyone.
But it was different from what everyone had guessed.
There was neither shame nor panic on Jianchou's face, not even any unnecessary expression. There was only calm composure, as if he had done nothing, and as if he was very satisfied with everything he had done.
She just looked up and stared at the virtual images and names that kept appearing on the nebula scroll.
Soon, she had identified the mysterious Zhong Lanling, Pan Hexun and Niu Dongliang who were going to take care of her during the Ding Zheng, and even saw the names of Xing Wu and others.
But…
There is still no Zhang Tang.
She couldn't help but look diagonally in front of her.
The location of Zhang Tang.
The other party was still wearing the simple official uniform and black boots, and seemed to be unaware of everything around him. Only the faint light of the tripod ring could remind everyone that he had not finished answering the questions.
On the left side of Zhang Tang, Li Han from the Ghost King clan had been standing there for a long time.
Not to mention Chen Tingyan who was on Jianchou’s right.
The answer sheet for the test was handed to him by Zhang Tang on behalf of Bafang Yandian.
Jianchou didn't believe that a sinister and cunning official in power would not even read a single word like a gentleman; she certainly didn't believe that Zhang Tingwei, who almost killed most of the important officials in the court, would be so ignorant that he would take so long to finish answering the test questions this time.
"What a cunning guy..."
At this moment, the second round of the competition was almost over, and Chen Tingyan had already successfully answered the questions, so he no longer sat in his seat, but walked to Jianchou's side.
Seeing Jianchou glance at Zhang Tang, he immediately said sarcastically, "Do you believe it?"
There is no need to say whether you believe it or not, Jianchou knows it anyway.
Jianchou did look back at him, but did not give any answer. Instead, he smiled casually and said ambiguously, "Perhaps our Master Zhang is an unlearned guy at heart?"
"Tsk..."
Chen Tingyan immediately sneered, obviously realizing that Jianchou was playing dumb.
The square below was still boiling.
On the platform, it was still quiet.
They waited for a long time, and when it was almost over, the golden light representing Zhang Tang slowly bloomed among the large area of golden light that frequently lit up around it.
Zhang Tang's dead face was finally cast into the scroll by the nebula.
"The First Qin Guangwang Palace, Zhang Tang."
Eight seal characters fell.
Zhang Tang finally finished answering after three and a half minutes.
It is definitely not at the front, but it is not the last either. It is right in the middle. Generally speaking, it is very difficult to attract people's attention.
The light on the tripod ring dimmed.
He slowly opened his eyes, as if he felt the burning gazes from two pairs of eyes behind him. Zhang Tang turned around and glanced. His dull eyes met Jianchou's, and then he was met with Chen Tingyan's eyes full of mockery.
Then, he put his hands into his sleeves as if he had seen nothing and turned his head away as if nothing had happened.
At this moment, Jianchou suddenly felt an extremely indescribable depression in his heart.
In the same written test, if there is a test taker who surpasses Cui Jue, who would pay attention to Zhang Tang who is stuck in the middle and neither advances or advances
I thought this person was ruthless and would be the kind of person who would not leave any wiggle room for others.
Who would have thought that he was actually an old fox who was good at keeping a low profile and hiding his shortcomings!
She was indeed a gimmick of the Ding Zheng, and came from the Palace of King Qin Guang.
But Qin Guangwang Palace did not only promote her this year, but also Zhang Tang who was highly respected before.
With such a gimmick as hers, as long as Zhang Tang doesn't stand out, the attention he receives will naturally be relatively reduced...
Thinking of this, Jianchou couldn't help but sigh in her heart: Why did she have a very strange illusion, as if someone had tricked her
"when!"
There was another sound like a bronze bell.
A cloud of colorful light flew out from above the Ding Zheng Golden Order, and the moment it reached the platform, it instantly broke the formation. Then the horrifying sound waves outside instantly swept away everyone on the platform, including Zhou Qingyu, the owner of the eighteenth floor.
"Cheating! Cheating!"
"Shame on you, Bafang Yandian! You actually cheated!"
"But this year's Ding Competition was too scary, wasn't it? That Zhong Lanling only spent two quarters of an hour, wasn't he cheating?"
"Two moments may not be the right answer, but one moment is definitely cheating!"
"I bought Zhong Lanling's Ding Yuan. This female cultivator named Jianchou must be cheating!"
"Cheating!"
"Cheating!"
…
If there was a formation blocking the way before, people wouldn't have felt it so strongly.
Now, the second round of written examination has been declared over, and the surrounding voices rushed in like crazy. One can imagine the impact it had on everyone.
Chen Tingyan, who was beside Jianchou, immediately changed his expression.
Even Zhou Qingyu, who was presiding over the test, couldn't help but take a deep breath, shocked by the huge doubts. He knew about Jianchou and Bafang Yandian's affairs, after all, he was also a link in the chain of interests.
However, he did not expect that this "gimmick" would be so exaggerated.
How could Bafang Yandian do such a stupid thing
There was a slight cold light flashing in Zhou Qingyu's eyes. He turned around to look at Jianchou, and seeing the calmness on the other's face, he couldn't help but doubt himself.
She didn't seem panicked at all, and it didn't seem like she made the decision on her own.
"Quiet! Everyone, be quiet!"
I can’t figure it out, so I might as well go back and communicate directly with the Eight Directions Yama Palace.
Now, it is better to stabilize the situation.
Zhou Qingyu exhaled and spoke. The word "quiet" spread out to the surroundings like thunder, with him as the center.
The pressure from the powerful monk instantly enveloped the entire place!
Which monk in the square can withstand such a shock
Almost in the blink of an eye, the terrifying sound just now disappeared completely. Everyone in the field turned pale, and some even trembled and almost knelt down in fear.
Until this moment, they vaguely remembered: who exactly were they questioning, and what kind of existence was the Eight Directions Hell Palace in the Extreme Region...
There was silence for a moment.
Zhou Qingyu finally calmed down. He glanced around and said loudly, "The Jiyu Ding Competition has always been fair and strict. It is a common witness. The Eight Directions Yama Palace will never be partial. If you have any doubts, you may as well wait and see what happens."
No one dared to speak.
Zhou Qingyu waved his sleeves with satisfaction and announced, "This year's Dingzheng Essay Test is now over! A total of eighty-six people from the seventy-two cities have entered the third round, and eighteen of them are from the City of the Dead!"
"Now, all the monks, please move to the eighteenth floor to watch the third round of rules, take a rest and wait."
"The third round, the Eighteen Layers of Hell, will begin at midnight tonight!"
"Boom..."
“Pah pah pah…”
There was loud applause all around.
The people who had been silent before suddenly became jubilant again: because, regardless of whether Jianchou cheated or not, the third round of the cauldron competition would start as scheduled! This time, the unprecedented eighteen levels of hell would be opened as the battlefield!
In the midst of the excitement, Jianchou could no longer hear any other sounds.
She only saw the three gray-clothed old men who had checked the tripod ring earlier came up, led the way, separated the crowd, and took them all the way up to the eighteenth floor.
When she turned around and looked up at the tall building, she saw two figures on the height.
One is Cui Jue whom she knows, and the other one is...
It was a woman wearing a dark white robe with gold weaving.
She was looking at her from above, but her face and eyes seemed like floating white clouds, making it difficult to distinguish them.
In fact, Jianchou could hardly feel the other person's presence...
He is an absolutely powerful cultivator, at least several levels higher than Cui Jue.
She had an inexplicable feeling of palpitations.
People at the level of the Fairy in the Mist can easily see through their own secrets.
As the competition was about to enter the final round, she didn't want to be seen through and fail.
There was a hint of doubt in his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure.
Jianchou naturally lowered his eyes and followed Chen Tingyan beside him into the spacious door of the eighteenth floor.
Tonight at midnight, there will be a feast of killing.