As Chu Tian began his trial, the fractured canyon below erupted in a roar. Over a hundred experts unleashed their most potent attacks. The instant their blows met the giant hand, a deafening sound filled the air. To their astonishment, the colossal palm remained unscathed. However, it abruptly halted. Nine streams of light shot from behind them towards the opposite bank.
"Damn it, we've been used! Hurry and charge while we can!"
Those nine streams of light were the eight members of the Angel Squad, accompanied by a wind element user providing them flight capabilities. At that moment, if they hadn't realized they were being used as pawns, they would have been utter fools. Everyone immediately surged forward. But they were still too slow. The Angel Squad had already reached the other side. The wind element user was close behind. They had only just begun their movement. The giant hand paused for three seconds. They had wasted two of those. By the time they reached the center of the canyon, the enormous hand was able to move again. The closest martial artist, directly in its path, was struck. In an instant, he reverted into an infant. Unfortunately, his bad luck meant the direction of the palm strike wasn't to sweep him back to the original shore, but directly into the abyss. One could only imagine the fate of the creature returned to its original form. It was bound to perish in the depths below. Reduced to a bloody pulp!
Moments later, of the more than 100 individuals, only thirty-odd remained. They had successfully reached the opposite bank. Each looked back, their hearts filled with lingering fear. That thing was too terrifying. One sweep, a crowd gone. Regardless of cultivation level, be it an esper or a mutant, as long as they were lightly touched by it, their lives were instantly extinguished. Those lucky enough were swept back to their original side. The unlucky ones were directly smashed into the abyss. But even luck didn't help; reverting to a newborn infant, how could they survive in such an environment?
...
For the second time, Chu Tian was kicked out of the lake by the White Qilin. He lay on the ground for a longer period. However, just as he was about to get up, the Devouring Dragon suddenly appeared. "Someone's coming... I'll go stop them!" With a twist, the creature transformed into a streak of dark light and charged towards the path Chu Tian and the others had taken.
Moments later, Chu Tian stood up and felt a shift in the light. Behind him, a majestic mountain appeared. That was the catfish monster the Devouring Dragon had absorbed, and it had now reappeared. Upon its emergence, it immediately began to coil, transforming in the blink of an eye into the Nine-Colored Lake area where Chu Tian was, sealing it off once more. Those outside, including the Angel Squad rushing ahead, all wore expressions of shock. In their eyes, they saw a purple vortex spewing out this colossal monster, blocking their path. The Angel Squad, leading the charge and flying close to the ground, were unable to pass through any gaps. In an instant, the behemoth formed a complete circle, watching them with predatory eyes! The Angel Squad, overwhelmed by the sheer pressure, retreated repeatedly. For the first time since their arrival, they displayed genuine shock! This entity was too terrifying. Setting aside other matters, its sheer size alone begged the question: how long had it lived?
...
On Chu Tian's side, the assaults continued, again and again, each time he was kicked out of the lake. Xiao Hei had also triggered a trial in a black lake beside the main one. His situation was indeed beautiful, a kaleidoscope of colors, like a fireworks display. Chu Tian's ordeal, however, lacked any such fanfare. The White Qilin needed only one kick to deal with him. Chu Tian, like an unkillable cockroach, got up repeatedly, only to be sent flying again and again.
Meanwhile, outside the circle formed by the giant catfish, countless powerhouses, including the Angel Squad, were in a stalemate with the massive fish. They couldn't fly past it, and their attacks were ineffective. All assaults on the creature felt as though they were being absorbed. Every skill attack seemed to vanish as if swallowed, leaving them feeling frustrated, like punching cotton. However, this stalemate persisted.
Seven days passed in the blink of an eye. No one had found a solution, not even the supremely powerful Angel Squad. Yet, the catfish monster was beginning to show signs of wear and tear, its body covered in scars! Though powerful, the group outside was not weak either, and the continuous attrition had inflicted some damage upon it. It couldn't absorb and neutralize all their power. Absorption was merely a trace of talent inherited from the Devouring Dragon's bloodline!
On Chu Tian's side, and that of Xiao Hei, things were progressing fiercely. Seven days had passed. Chu Tian had not rested, except to eat and drink. Standing beside him, Xiao Hei marveled at Chu Tian's appearance. On the first day, Chu Tian had attempted to dodge the attacks using techniques. But by the first day, he had learned his lesson. The White Qilin had taught him what "might makes right" truly meant. On the second day, Chu Tian could finally manage to block one of its kicks, but only barely. This was achieved by activating his Giant Bear Form and using his "Force Resonance" ability. Yet, he could only block one blow before being utterly drained. The second kick followed the same fate.
On the third day, Chu Tian discovered that all the muscles and fascia in his body had undergone significant changes. His "Force Resonance," which had already reached a high level in the Sea of Death and was comparable to Old Yang's, had now broken through again. The starlight points within his body had doubled. This astonished Chu Tian. It seemed that the secret technique researched by Old Yang was not incapable of further improvement. Now, the starlight within his body was gradually turning milky white. Could it be that the White Qilin also transformed its power in this manner? However, no matter how Chu Tian speculated, he couldn't obtain detailed information. Yet, the changes within himself greatly boosted his confidence.
Finally, after resting on the third day, Chu Tian once again stepped onto the lake. As usual, the moment he stepped onto the water, the White Qilin charged at him. "Force Resonance!" This time, Chu Tian only activated the "Force Resonance" secret technique. All the muscles in his body trembled. The starlight points within his muscles began to shimmer, starting from his feet and quickly spreading throughout his entire body. Finally, the starlight on his fist erupted in brilliance. He met the charging kick of the White Qilin head-on.
Boom... A massive sound echoed. Where his fist and the Qilin's hoof met, a huge black hole spread. Crackle... Even the lake surface, already frozen, creaked. Thud, thud, thud... Chu Tian stumbled back three steps. The White Qilin remained unmoved. The black hole expanded to the size of a basketball before vanishing. Chu Tian knew this was because the collision of their powers had torn through space. However, the White Qilin did not immediately launch its next attack. Chu Tian's entire body was flushed red, and steam rose from him. His fist throbbed with unbearable pain, as if it were about to break. Just as he took two seconds to recover, the White Qilin moved. And so did Chu Tian. He activated his Giant Bear Form, compressing the "Heavy Strike" and "Smash" skills. Due to the White Qilin's extreme speed, there was no time for him to compress more skills.
Boom... Another deafening sound.