Martial Conquest of the Nine Desolates
Chapter 508 - 494: Haotian Tower

Chapter 508: Chapter 494: Haotian Tower

Seventy-eight disciples were all stupefied, the silence so deep you could hear a pin drop.

Because the place where they found themselves now was no longer inside the maze, but rather in a small space, incredibly vast, desolate and uninhabited, emanating an aura of desolation.

The most astonishing thing was that in the center of this space a three-story pagoda appeared, emitting a black glow, piercing the clouds, and possessing an exceptionally majestic aura, with an unknown purpose.

And in front of the pagoda, there stood nine figures, each emitting the overwhelming suppression of the Emperor Martial Realm, terrifyingly formidable, merely standing there casually could bring intense pressure to Xiao Ye and the others.

"Elder Tian Jiu!"

Xiao Ye’s gaze sharpened, his eyes settling on one of the nine figures—that person was none other than Elder Tian Jiu who had previously been outside the maze.

"Xiao Ye, you did well, actually the first disciple to pass the first test, with a really impressive inner strength, indeed you haven’t let this old man down."

Elder Tian Jiu cracked a smile, his voice powered by his strength as he spoke to Xiao Ye, looking quite excited.

Xiao Ye also smiled slightly; in the first stage of the assessment, he was the first to resist the temptation of King Martial Combat Techniques, so in a way, he actually ranked first in that stage.

The other disciples who participated in the assessment gradually quieted down, taking a closer look at the three-story pagoda in front of them, their faces filled with puzzlement. Could their next assessment be inside this pagoda?

Just then, the thin and frail elder who had guided them here appeared mid-air in the small space, pointing at the three-story pagoda and saying: "This space was created by the ten Law Enforcement Elders of our Earth Hall, and your next assessment will take place inside this Haotian Tower."

"Whosoever reaches the Third Layer will become the new disciple of our Earth Hall, so I hope you all do your best!"

Upon hearing this, the seventy-eight disciples became silent, muttering complaints in their hearts.

This thin and frail elder had tricked so many people during the first assessment; naturally, they wouldn’t easily believe him again. Perhaps this three-story pagoda’s assessment contained another mystery?

Seeing this reaction, a cold sneer appeared on the elder’s face. He seemed to know what the disciples were thinking, and couldn’t help but say: "Relax, you’ve passed the assessment of inner strength, so next is the test of your perception, strength, and cultivation. I will explain each to you in turn."

At this point, all the disciples perked up their spirits and continued to listen attentively, as it related to the content of their assessment; they’d certainly not take it lightly.

"The first layer of Haotian Tower tests your perception!" the thin and frail elder continued.

"Testing perception?" Seventy-eight disciples voiced their confusion upon hearing this.

Perception was certainly important for a martial artist, but perception itself was an intangible thing, not a solid object. By what means could it be detected?

The elder continued: "The method of testing perception is quite simple. All seventy-eight of you should have discovered the King Martial Crystals in the maze and contemplated them for a while."

"The first layer of Haotian Tower has been inscribed with an array, within which you cannot use your cultivation or any other combat techniques. You can only utilize the King Martial Combat Skills contained in the King Martial Crystal to fend off enemies. The first to reach the Second Layer will naturally have the strongest perception."

The elder revealed a mischievous smile as he said this.

"What!" The seventy-eight disciples were completely dumbstruck, faces filled with disbelief.

They could only use the combat techniques they had comprehended from the King Martial Crystals in the first layer of Haotian Tower?

You should know that all seventy-eight of them had terminated their contemplation early. Not to mention memorizing the entire set of King Martial Combat Skills, even to execute a trace of it was very difficult.

Yet the first assessment content of Haotian Tower turned out to be this set of combat techniques. Wasn’t this a trap?

Instantly, many disciples began cursing silently in their hearts.

The elders of Earth Hall were just too stingy. Placing a large number of King Martial Crystals in the maze, and those turned out to be related to the subsequent assessment.

Had they known this, they would have contemplated longer; otherwise, with only a bit of King Martial Combat Skills they just comprehended, they really didn’t have much confidence to pass through the first layer of Haotian Tower.

Even Fan Li, an outstanding disciple of Xuanzi Hall, felt a chill in his heart. He, too, had not comprehended much.

"But then again, I haven’t comprehended much, and the other disciples even less so; therefore, I am definitely capable of passing through the first layer of Haotian Tower!" Fan Li thought, and his confidence boosted considerably.

While the seventy-eight disciples were feeling reluctant, excitement was surging in Xiao Ye’s heart.

His perception was originally not bad; otherwise, he wouldn’t have successfully comprehended the Void Martial Scroll of the Four Emperor Skills, known for its difficulty.

Moreover, with the thirtyfold Time Amplification of the Third Layer of Time Tower, he had completely memorized that set of King Martial Combat Skills and had even cultivated it to a certain level. Although still far from reaching the Small Success Realm, compared to other disciples, he was much stronger by far.

Thus, the content of the assessment for the first layer of Haotian Tower was as if custom-tailored for him, destined to let him shine and shock everyone.

"Ha ha, my performance in the first layer of Haotian Tower is sure to blow everyone’s mind!" Xiao Ye thought, filled with excitement.

He felt he was getting closer to the doors of Earth Hall.

"The first layer of Haotian Tower will automatically generate your opponents. You can only use the King Martial Combat Skills you have comprehended before to face them. Now, go in."

"As for the content of the assessments of the second and third layers of Haotian Tower, I will inform you later." With that said, the elder waved his hand, and immediately the black gates of Haotian Tower opened wide, and a cold breeze blew out from within.

Seeing the gate open, the seventy-eight disciples’ expressions varied, and they marched toward the entrance with determination.

"Junior Brother Xiao Ye, let us progress together. Let’s see who can pass through the first layer faster!" At this moment, Fan Li approached, actively greeting Xiao Ye, wearing a pleasant smile on his face, but with a rising War Intent surrounding him.

"Really want to compete with me?"

"Very well, then let’s go in together!"

Xiao Ye glanced at Fan Li, feeling that there was something insincere about him, but he didn’t refuse. After two prominent young powerhouses exchanged looks, they dashed into the tower together like lightning.

Outside Haotian Tower, Elder Tian Jiu’s expression grew grave as he muttered, "Xiao Ye, the first layer of Haotian Tower is no simple matter!"