MMORPG: War God, You are Invincible Again
Chapter 465 - 218 Breaking Through the Barrier

Chapter 465: Chapter 218 Breaking Through the Barrier

As the time for Lu Hong to emerge from his seclusion drew nearer, the anticipation for his success grew among more and more people. However, the current state of affairs within the Power God Path was abysmal. A large number of strong individuals from other divine paths had entered and wreaked havoc on the local forces of the Power God Path. Yi Kuang was just one of many; in every corner of the Power God Path, numerous strong individuals faced challenges and suffered heavy casualties.

It was then that Augustus stepped forward, defeating the heretical strong ones wherever he went. However, the power of one man was limited; he could only alleviate the situation and act as a deterrent to others.

As a result, three days later, Augustus was ambushed by the strong ones of the four great divine temples in the valley outside the sixth trial passage.

This battle was earth-shattering, and the entire valley was razed to the ground. Although Augustus defeated many strong opponents, he was gravely injured himself and was forced to go into hiding.

After this incident, the situation within the Power God Path reversed once again. Heretical strong ones occupied cities and drove out and slaughtered the trialists of the Power God Path. The series of events left the Hall Master of the Power God Path trembling with rage. However, he could not publicly support the Power God Path; the massive influx of outsiders was clearly supported by divine temple forces, and the extent of Duke Sotu’s involvement, though unknown to the Hall Master, was certainly significant.

He believed that any move by the Power God Hall would inevitably be suppressed by a joint effort of the other divine temples.

"Niu Zhongshan, do you think if he were to emerge, he could resolve the current predicament of the Power God Path?"

Elder Niu glanced at the still shining rankings on the list and shook his head with a bitter smile, "Hall Master, the level of this Tu Suku is still too low. The disparity between the Second Transition and the Third Transition is like a gulf. Even if he is strong, facing late-stage Third Transition experts, he will still be exhausted."

From Lu Hong’s profile, it was clear that he had defeated a top contender from the Star Sea, Bai Shi. But this was a one-on-one combat, just a duel.

Hadn’t they seen how Augustus was suppressed? Hundreds of heretical strong ones ambushed him together, completely shameless.

With such tactics, even Augustus had difficulty holding his own, let alone those at the Second-Transition Peak.

"It seems I was overthinking it," sighed the Hall Master of the Power God Hall. Indeed, Bai Shi was renowned in the Star Sea, but that didn’t mean his strength was completely exceptional. Many hidden strong ones did not care for an empty reputation, let alone those who had been cultivating in seclusion within the divine path.

Should Bai Shi enter the divine path, at most he would be mid to upper-tier in strength. Expecting Lu Hong to resolve the chaos within the Power God Path was nothing short of a fantasy.

The Hall Master of the Power God Hall shook his head, his concern resulting in confusion. He himself was like someone desperate for a cure in a time of illness, and soon he cast the thought aside.

"Hall Master... do we still need to wait for him to come out?" Niu Zhongshan asked with a wry smile, "Even if he agrees to join our temple, he is likely to die in ambush by other heretical strong ones and has no chance of passing the nine trials."

"Let’s wait and see. At least I am here at the third trial, heretic strong ones dare not cause trouble."

Indeed, because the Hall Master of the Power God Hall was stationed outside the third trial, the trialists of the Power God Path fled to this location for refuge from disaster, fearing the divine temple masters.

"That’s true," Niu Zhongshan nodded and then said no more.

After a while, Elder Hu descended from the sky and knelt on one knee in front of the Hall Master of the Power God Hall, "Hu Cong’an pays his respects to the Hall Master."

"Stand up and speak," said the Hall Master of the Power God Hall. "Did you find the person I asked you to look for?"

"Subordinate...," Elder Hu’s voice trembled, "I am incompetent!"

At this moment, Hu Cong’an’s heart was filled with unease. Almost two months had passed, and he had not even found a trace of that little girl, truly sealing his reputation as incompetent.

However, the Hall Master’s fury did not fall upon him as expected; instead, he sighed, "Forget it, she’s probably already been taken by someone."

"This... that shouldn’t be possible, right?" Hu Cong’an was somewhat disbelieving, "I have already ordered the guards at the exits. Everyone leaving the divine path must undergo strict scrutiny. That spawn definitely can’t escape the divine path."

"Have you forgotten the techniques of the Void Temple?" The Hall Master of the Power God Hall glanced at Hu Cong’an and continued, "Call back all the disciples. Focus on cultivation. I have a premonition that it won’t be long before the thirteen divine temples face a reshuffle, and we must strengthen ourselves."

"Your subordinate obeys the command!"

Time flew by swiftly. The heretical strong ones had almost completely taken over the eight to the fifth trials, and the trialists of the Power God Path were driven down below the fourth trial, with no chance to challenge the subsequent trials.

The idle trialists all gathered outside the third trial, waiting to witness Lu Hong break through. After all, they had nothing better to do, so they might as well see the prowess of this top expert.

Lu Hong, seated within the third trial, meditated in a war fortress amidst the battles with the sandstone rabbits. He had gained much insight, thus the cultivation of his Great War Master profession also accelerated. Moreover, the trial passage was powered by divine source crystals, providing abundant magic power that greatly aided Lu Hong.

With a low shout, he successfully broke through to the twelfth level of the Second Transition.

From that moment, Lu Hong became not just a dual-profession level twelve expert but also a half-step away from true strength.

Buoyed by his breakthrough, Lu Hong decided to sleep a little longer, as the war fortress skill would last for a while longer. After all, being only a Second-Transition Demon Beast, no matter how much its power increased, neither the quality of magic power nor its brute force would transform qualitatively—it was unable to breach the war fortress’s formidable defenses.

Using the power of his blood essence to block out the noise, Lu Hong ate some food from his Space Ring and then fell into a deep and comfortable sleep on the sandy ground.

As time passed relentlessly overhead, it finally reached the end point.

"Congratulations, trialist. You have successfully completed the trial!"

Amidst the relentless roars of the sandstone rabbits, Lu Hong was teleported out of the trial passage, still lost in his dreams.

The war fortress, being a domain-type Skill, remained inside the trial space and did not move with Lu Hong’s departure.

"He’s out! He’s come out!"

The countdown to zero caught the attention of countless eyes.

The Hall Master of the Power Temple also awoke from his meditation, stood up, and gazed at the spot where the teleportation would occur.

The next second, Lu Hong appeared before everyone.

Huu~ Huu~

The originally breath-held, solemn atmosphere was completely shattered by a regular series of snores.

Hall Master of the Power Temple: ........

Niu Zhongshan: ........

A group of Trialists: ........

"Is this guy cheating or what?"

"Holy shit, can you actually sleep during the trial?!"

"Where are the Demon Beasts? Isn’t he supposed to be running from Demon Beasts in the trial? How can he be sleeping?"

"There must be some trickery going on!"

Suddenly, the Trialists erupted into chaos. Most had entered the third trial and knew it was unthinkable to be teleported out while sleeping—absolutely impossible!

Whispering, Weiwei nudged Liu Mei’s arm, "Do you think he cheated?"

"Cheated?" Liu Mei smiled lightly: "Do you really think that’s possible? Don’t be misled by others. He must have his own way to evade the pursuit of the sand rabbits."

As Lu Hong had isolated himself from noise, he remained undisturbed by the uproar around him.

Naturally aware that cheating within the trial was impossible, the Hall Master of the Power Temple chuckled at the sight of the still unawakened Lu Hong.

Then he approached Lu Hong and lightly kicked his arm.

Although deep in sleep, instinct instantly roused Lu Hong to action, transforming into an afterimage as he lunged at the Hall Master of the Power Temple.

The Hall Master of the Power Temple saw through Lu Hong’s move and with a lift of his fingertip, pressed it against Lu Hong’s forehead.

Under the Hall Master’s pressure, Lu Hong felt like he was carrying a mountain, completely unable to move.

"Who are you?!" Lu Hong’s expression darkened. Wasn’t he in the trial? How could someone else enter?

"Awake now?" The Hall Master of the Power Temple withdrew his force and looked Lu Hong up and down, then said, "Congratulations, you’ve passed the trial."

"I passed?" Lu Hong looked around in confusion. Why are there so many people? Weren’t there supposed to be few people in the third trial?

"Yes, you’ve broken through," the Hall Master of the Power Temple continued: "I am Meng Hong, the Hall Master of the Power Temple. I appreciate your abilities. Would you be willing to join my Power Temple?"

This statement made the whole place gasp.

In Liu Mei’s eyes, a unique spark ignited; everyone knew that in the nearly hundred years since the establishment of the Thirteen Divine Paths, there had never been active recruitment of Trialists by a temple. What did this mean? It meant that this individual’s strength was extraordinary, unmatched!

"Me?" Lu Hong hesitated a bit: "You must be well aware of my identity."

"That doesn’t matter; the temple does not intervene in the Star Sea."

"Then why should I join you?"

"You will receive heritage concerning the application of power and better cultivation guidance," the Hall Master of the Power Temple stated: "Your potential will be maximized. I can assure you, within a century you will reach the pinnacle of the Star Sea."

"No need for that," Lu Hong shook his head. Within a century, he knew he would reach the pinnacle; what need did he have for a temple?

"You’re unwilling?" The Hall Master of the Power Temple sounded quite surprised, yet he was not ready to give up: "You don’t have to answer me now. If you can pass through all nine trials, I am willing to accept you as my Direct Disciple."

"Being your disciple would do what for me?"

"Uh........"

The Hall Master of the Power Temple was at a loss for words. Wasn’t this status enough?!

It took a long while before the Hall Master of the Power Temple spoke again: "If you can withstand the ancestral land’s test, the Power Temple is willing to fully support you in launching a counterattack against the Naga!"

"Really?!" Lu Hong’s eyes lit up at the conditions laid out by the Hall Master of the Power Temple. To be honest, with Caesar’s disappearance and the empire’s peak battle power no longer guaranteed, the chances of killing the Naga Queen had dropped significantly. If the Power Temple were to participate, it would be a tremendous help.

"Indeed. But you must pass the ancestral land’s test. The temple’s teachings are stringent, and only if a temple disciple passes the ancestral lands may the temple emerge into the Star Sea to partake in supremacy battles." The Hall Master of the Power Temple, unconcerned with the countless ears around him, disclosed all the temple’s secrets.

"Fine, I am willing to become a temple disciple," Lu Hong agreed without hesitation.

Seeing Lu Hong’s agreement, the Hall Master of the Power Temple gave a slight smile and breathed a sigh of relief. Although he said this, the trial of the ancestral lands was no ordinary one. To pass it, Lu Hong would need strength surpassing even him. In any case, he hadn’t lied; he would deal with it by playing it by ear.