When Ji Yuan and his party had arrived at the scene, they were quite startled to see that hundreds of cultivators had already gathered at the source of the earthquake spot.
Ji Yuan could see that there was an opening in the red walls ahead of them and that hundreds of cultivators were staring at an expanding shimmering red portal.
This shimmering red portal had not fully opened yet and that was why the cultivators were all waiting with great anticipation.
Ji Yuan saw that there were actually more than a dozen cultivators from the Desolate Celestial Fraternity that were presented.
He could not resist rubbing his chin when he saw them stroking their beards.
But it seemed that most of them were not able to recognize him except for two cultivators, one male and one female.
Many of the cultivators from the Desolate Celestial Fraternity had actually never seen Ji Yuan before and even before the gates of the Empyrean Warrior Labyrinth had opened as the cultivators were in such large numbers that they were divided into many major and minor pre-trial settlements.
That was the main reason why most of the cultivators from the Desolate Celestial Fraternity here are not paying any scant notice to him now.
Moreover Ji Yuan was now wearing the robe of the Golden Majesty Celestial Empire.
As a matter of fact, there were many cultivators from the Golden Majesty Celestial Empire that were suddenly giving Ji Yuan a respectful hand bow as though he was some big shot.
The male cultivator quickly gave a subtle hand bow while the female cultivator quickly averted her eyes away.
But when the male cultivator had also given a subtle hand bow in the direction of Ling Feiyue, he was frowning all of a sudden…
Just as Ji Yuan was thinking that he was finding this male cultivator to be familiar but yet he could not recall where he had seen him before, Ling Feiyue whispered quietly to him. "You call yourself the Dark Lord of the Spirit Blue Moon Sect and yet you can't recognize him. He is one of the senior elders of my sect. Your sect including."
Ling Feiyue kicked him lightly on his foot before she giggled softly, "But I like your envious look earlier."
Ji Yuan: …
He immediately protested weakly, "Who says that I am envious? I've already recognized him."
His attention quickly returned to the petite maiden that had averted her eyes; he found her a little familiar but he could not recall immediately who she was…
All of a sudden he began to frown when he remembered that she is from the Celestial Orthodox Sect, the same sect as Xue Qianxue and Zhao Songjin.
This maiden name is Silver Holy Maiden Qin Shuang.
The Holy Maidens in the Celestial Orthodox Sect are ranked Bronze, Silver, Gold and Royal Purple so this Qin Shuang here is actually a high ranking core protégé of the Celestial Orthodox Sect. Below the Holy Maidens are the Holy Servants and the Celestial Maids.
Ji Yuan began to frown immediately. It was because he had suddenly recognized the whip that was in her hand; when he was at the Celestial Orthodox Sect, he was whipped daily by her for three weeks and he was subjected to unbearable pains by her torments.
However the others did not know that Ji Yuan was once subjected by his old master to a three year whipping and a three year sword stabbing which was even more brutal.
He had told his old master back then, "I don't want to become your successor anymore. I've endured three years of whippings but you're driving a sword into my body. What if I were to die from the sword wounds?!"
But his old master grinned, "It is already too late for regrets. Ji Yuan, do you know why I'm doing this? Because your performance will be affected if you've injuries and your weakness will be apparent. I'm training you to be immune to pain and be emotionless in battle."
And his old master had really driven a sword into his body, sending him to reel with extreme pain.
"Master, did you just drive the sword into my internal organs." Ji Yuan foamed blood.
"Take these pills and you will feel a little better." His old master tossed the pills into Ji Yuan's mouth and displayed his profound energy to help him to close his wounds.
"Master, I am still not feeling better. I'm in extreme pain and I think that I'm dying…"
"Don't keep thinking of how painful the pain is. Think of it as experiencing a sexual pleasure."
"Master! You're turning me into a masochist…"
When Ji Yuan had remembered how brutal the successor ritual was, he began to shiver. Over that three years, he had been given more than thirty fatal stabbing and he found himself in bed for several weeks and months each time.
But he knew that his old master had finished all the profound pills in the Orthodox Sword Sect and had even bankrupted the Orthodox Sword Sect to purchase for more healing profound pills for his sake.
So he sucked his own thumb and endured it; his old master is a Sword Saint and he has high expectations for him to become a Sword Saint like him as well.
While Ji Yuan was recalling his past experiences, he saw the extremely attractive red dressed maiden Yun Chi again as she entered into the hallway.
When she saw Ji Yuan, she did not hesitate to walk to him to smile pleasantly at him again, "I've told you that we'll soon meet again."
Ji Yuan smiled weakly as he looked at her but he had decided to keep his mouth shut.
But Ling Feiyue, Little Princess, Shui Xisi and Yu Jingjing were all growling softly, "You again…"
Ji Yuan pretended to focus his attention on why all these cultivators were all camping together and many of them were even shouting in the great hall to echo their excited voices to alert the others.
Yun Chi had suddenly approached Ji Yuan again, "I wonder what is up here."
Ji Yuan smiled bitterly, "It is my first time witnessing such a sight."
"Same here. Maybe we can even form a party together?" Yun Chi smiled, "After all, I feel much safer in your company."
All the other maidens: …
Ling Feiyue said coldly, "You're too shameless. Can't you leave already?"
Little Princess, Shui Xisi and Yu Jingjing had all joined in as well, "Didn't you just say farewell earlier? Who wants to be in the same party as you?"
"I am in the same trial as all of you here. I can't go elsewhere. Maybe you can all go elsewhere instead?" Yun Chi smiled pleasantly.
Ling Feiyue, Shui Xisi, Yu Jingjing and Little Princess: …
Feng Minyue said, "You should really go. This party doesn't seem to welcome you."
"What do you think Ji Yuan?" Yun Chi turned to Ji Yuan to ask him.
Ji Yuan: …
She sounds as though we're so close…
He frowned, "I can't stop you from taking the trial here but unfortunately, you've to go elsewhere for a party. We're not partying any strangers."
Yun Chi smiled, "We have our introductions already. Are we still strangers?"
Ji Yuan growled, "Other than your name, I don't even know your background. Who knows if your name is real as well."
"Wind Cloud Celestial Sect, Profound Alps Celestial Fraternity." Yun Chi smiled.
Feng Minyue said, "This celestial fraternity does not exist!"
Yun Chi smiled pleasantly as she explained, "My celestial fraternity is not from the 47 known celestial fraternities so it is naturally that you've never heard of it before. Rather, my celestial fraternity is part of the 3000 lesser known celestial fraternities. Maybe you can't call my celestial fraternity a true celestial fraternity as it is rather small. In order to take part in the trials of the Empyrean Warrior Labyrinth, I've to travel to the Eastern Isle Celestial Fraternity. It is a rather arduous journey, especially for a vulnerable maiden like me."
Ji Yuan muttered weakly, "You don't look so vulnerable or else you won't be on the fifth level."
It was a no brainer look that this Yun Chi was actually looking extremely sure of herself and that she was definitely not a vulnerable maiden.
Yun Chi chuckled softly, "I'm just putting on a brave front in front of a hero like you."
Ji Yuan and all the maidens: …
All of a sudden there were many excited shouts, "Look! Look! The portal has revealed itself!"
The portal has revealed itself? Ji Yuan frowned.
What is that supposed to mean?
He switched his attention to the shimmering red portal and saw that there was an image of an island inside the portal.
Many of the first timers like Ji Yuan were all gasping curiously and they had a perplexed look; they didn't exactly think that they will be seeing an image of an island in the portal. Rather, they have all thought that they are supposed to enter the portal to discover what lay behind the other side.
A handsome cultivator immediately said, "We have failed to retrieve the Fallen Gods Relic against the other teams for the past three times. This time, follow my lead inside and I will lead everyone to our victory!"
A first time cultivator laughed and mocked, "Since you've already failed for the past three times, do you think that we are able to trust your leadership?"
Many of the first timers were all laughing jovially too.
"Yea!"
"Why should we trust your leadership?"
"How do we know that it isn't your ruse to make use of us?"
The handsome cultivator hummed coldly, "I, Gong Xiaotian is the strongest cultivator here. If I dare to make this claim, no one else will dare to make the same claim!"
The same first time cultivator that was mocking him earlier replied coldly, "Heh! This claim is too bold! Aren't you afraid of meeting a stronger cultivator?"
Gong Xiaotian hummed coldly as he suddenly displayed his profound animus which exploded furiously as it wavered with strong profound strength.
Many of the cultivators were gasping with awe; indeed this Gong Xiaotian is not lying. His profound animus is really strong and he has revealed himself as a great saint to everyone.
Gong Xiaotian lifted his hands as he said at the same time, "I shall let you witness my true profound strength."
The strength of his profound animus had suddenly doubled and an image of a spirit entity in the form of a giant old man had suddenly manifested from his profound animus and was echoing with a deep voice, "My spirit strength is the power to double the profound animus of my deserving master."
Many of the cultivators were gasping with even more awe and shock;
"This is a sentient spirit entity…"
"He has a rare spirit entity that can talk…"
"He is really strong…this profound animus of his is the strongest that I've seen…"
"Surely he must be the strongest cultivator here…"
"He is a genius cultivator…"
When Ji Yuan saw the old man spirit, he was grinning nonstop and his chest was puffy because he was trying very hard not to laugh because this Gong Xiaotian really got an ugly sentient spirit entity.
When he thought that if this old man spirit was his own instead of Xiang Li, he was shaking uncontrollably because he was laughing inside his soul sea to Xiang Li and Fairy Anyang, "Did you see that? I can't imagine having to talk to an old man every day like this. Hahaha…"
Fairy Anyang is now able to occupy his soul sea because they are now soul bounded together as lord and consort now even though she could not tap into Ji Yuan's soul sea since the real occupier is actually Xiang Li.
Xiang Li and Fairy Anyang were both laughing nonstop too.
All of a sudden Gong Xiaotian had displayed his celestial-step divine sword in Ji Yuan's direction because he saw that he had the most uncontrollable expressions. "That fellow cultivator over there. You've an issue with me?"
When the many cultivators saw that Gong Xiaotian had displayed a celestial-step divine sword, they were all gasping with disbelief and were envious.
As for Ji Yuan, he was startled when Gong Xiaotian had suddenly pointed in his direction and had just shot him a question.
Before Ji Yuan could answer him, Gong Xiaotian said coldly again. "Are you mocking me?"
Ji Yuan smiled weakly as he began to straighten his golden robe but before he could think of a proper response, many of the cultivators could be heard saying;
"Look at the way he is straightening his golden robe, he must be trying to show off his wealth…"
"He must be some arrogant rich young master. He is all flashy…"
"No wonder he dares to mock at him because he looks like a rich wastrel that can afford tons of cultivation treasures…"
"He is also handsome so he must be competing with him to see who is the more handsome…"
Ji Yuan: …
Ji Yuan: …
Ji Yuan: …
Ji Yuan took a look at his robe and he began to look weakly at the rest of the cultivators; I didn't even laugh it out loud and why is he picking on me?!
Gong Xiaotian added coldly, "What is your name? Since you've dared to mock at me, do you dare to report your name?"
Yun Chi answered with a pleasant smile before Ji Yuan could even answer, "He is Ji Yuan, the greatest hero in the Celestial Realm. Naturally he should be the leader of our group for the trial, don't you think so?"
Many of the cultivators were either gasping with shock or laughing with disbelief;
"The greatest hero in the Celestial Realm?!"
"What a big claim…"
"Is he for real?"
"He must be an arrogant young master…"
Ji Yuan: …
Ji Yuan: …
Ji Yuan: …
Does this Yun Chi have to add the 'Greatest Hero in the Celestial Realm' for me? How do I get out of this situation then…
"Why are you all laughing at Ji Yuan?" Yun Chi smiled. "He is the greatest hero ever in the Celestial Realm. All of you are like ants in his eyes."
Ji Yuan: …
Ji Yuan: …
Ji Yuan: …
Many of the faces of the cultivators had suddenly turned ugly and there were many hostile looks that were now staring coldly at Ji Yuan.
Ji Yuan was rendered speechless as he stared at Yun Chi, "You…"
She had just turned half of the cultivators in this hallway into his enemies…
"Great Hero Ji Yuan, don't worry." Yun Chi smiled pleasantly at him. "I'm on your side."
Ling Feiyue, Little Princess, Shui Xisi, Bai Qianfeng, Feng Minyue and Yu Jingjing were all rendered speechless by Yun Chi and they were now quite upset with her.
But Yun Chi did not seem to mind their hostile stares and animosities as she continued to smile pleasantly, "Great hero, you must protect me against them for taking your side. I'm a little afraid of their reprisals. Their eyes are like wolves that seemingly want to rip my clothing apart."
Ji Yuan: …
Ji Yuan: …
Ji Yuan: …
Ji Yuan was so shaking with rage that he had finally found his voice again to say, "If I tell you that I do not know this maiden here, will you believe me?"
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