Li Xiaotian looked at the distant Phoenix with a calm expression. It was at the peak of the sixth stage, stronger than the demon beasts he had encountered in the first trial.
Suddenly, another phoenix cry echoed, shaking the sea of fire and cracking the sky. Not far away, on an even taller ancient tree, another phoenix glared at Li Xiaotian with hostility.
On the ancient branches, a nest pulsed with blue flames. Life's energy emanated from within, and a vigorous little phoenix peeked out, its eyes blinking, appearing lively and adorable.
The two powerful phoenixes guarded the nest, protecting their young. They were tense, having sensed Li Xiaotian's strength. After all, they had personally witnessed him slay a creature as powerful as themselves with a single blow.
"I bear no ill will, nor do I wish to disturb you," Li Xiaotian said, passing by without disrupting the peace of the area.
A few days later, Li Xiaotian stopped before a cliff face. It was a peculiar cliff, incredibly smooth and flat, like a mirror. It had been cleaved by a sword, Li Xiaotian mused inwardly.
"This sword strike is no weaker than Long Yu's sword intent!" Li Xiaotian's eyes widened. He finally understood the greatest opportunity of the Hundred Battles City trial.
It was the remnants of ancient powerhouses, the legacies of monstrous talents from the past, existing at his own realm.
The places where they had fought or attained enlightenment had been preserved. Naturally, these were for the monstrous talents; ordinary trial-goers likely found nothing left behind.
Therefore, anyone who left a trace was an exceptionally powerful being. If they were alive today, they would undoubtedly have reached a higher stage.
The sword intent was ancient, existing for tens of thousands of years at least. Yet, a chilling killing intent still emanated from it, never dissipating.
After some thought, Li Xiaotian sat down opposite the cliff face to absorb the sword intent left there.
"You truly are arrogant. Your life is at stake, yet you sit here, trying to comprehend this ancient sword intent. Ignorant, foolish!" A cold voice echoed a day later. It was the middle-aged woman and her companions.
The next moment, numerous figures appeared, dozens of them. Each exuded a terrifying aura that filled the heavens and earth, their vast killing intent locking onto Li Xiaotian.
Li Xiaotian opened his eyes, which swept over them like two bolts of lightning. He cast a casual glance at them, then closed his eyes again, continuing to absorb the sword intent. He had already grasped the essence of that sword intent and was on the verge of mastering it.
Therefore, he did not wish to waste time on these people.
"Hmph! Do you all see? How arrogant he is, as if he were an unrivaled master? Ridiculous!"
"Dare to be so haughty in front of us? Comprehending sword intent, utterly disregarding our presence?"
"Heh, facing death yet remaining so defiant, how ignorant."
"Everyone, have you decided how to kill him?"
The middle-aged woman and her group surrounded the area, ascending to different peaks. Killing intent permeated the air, their gazes sharp, ready to strike at any moment.
"Alas, you truly wish to die. Life is only once, why don't you cherish it?" Li Xiaotian stood up, his tone casual.
The middle-aged woman's eyes were filled with venom. "Arrogant! Still so audacious. Li Xiaotian, open your dog eyes and look at us properly. Who will die, you or us!"
"Do you really think you're invincible below the high stage after killing a demon prodigy? Li Xiaotian, Mo Lin's strength is indeed great, but among us, he's only of average power. What grounds do you have to be so proud before us?"
A woman in red sneered, her waist slender like a willow, her form pliant. She was also a powerhouse from a summoned world.
What she said was true. Mo Lin was merely the strongest among the demon race below the high stage in this era. However, anyone qualified to participate in this trial was already the strongest below the high stage of their respective eras.
After all, trials held once every ten thousand years accumulated countless prodigies and monstrous talents. They could have easily advanced to the high stage but suppressed their cultivation specifically for this trial, to compete with all prodigies and monstrous talents from the past ten thousand years, and to pursue the pinnacle of the high stage!
Therefore, Mo Lin was indeed a being of middling strength to these individuals.
"A human, one of the most humble and weakest races in the universe, Li Xiaotian, you truly do not know how to write the word 'death'."
A group of people advanced towards Li Xiaotian. Various streams of light flickered, and some powerful sacred artifacts began to awaken. They hailed from twelve supreme worlds, possessing deep heritage and naturally owning powerful sacred weapons, as well as even more potent demigod artifacts.
Giant seals that blotted out the sky, chains like divine dragons, giant swords that tore through the firmament – sacred weapons were revealed one after another, their killing intent overflowing.
It had to be said that the strength of this group of beings was terrifying. Each of them wielded a sacred weapon. Together, they could even put a true high-stage powerhouse at a disadvantage. Now, joining forces to surround and kill Li Xiaotian was more than enough respect for him.
"Li Xiaotian, we'll give you a chance to live. Kneel and beg for our forgiveness, then surrender your Great Dao yourself, and we can let you leave alive."
A powerhouse spoke calmly. He was a Buddhist, clad in golden robes, resembling a Luohan from myths, his Dharma form radiating immense light.
Everyone present chuckled at his words, nodding in agreement. Clearly, the words of this powerhouse from the Buddhist realm were very pleasing to their hearts.
If Li Xiaotian truly complied, they might even spare his life.
"Heh heh, you all, a bunch of ignorant fools!"
Li Xiaotian chuckled, his tone dismissive. These people were in too high spirits. They were already convinced of victory before even fighting, truly ignorant.