That mysterious power inside Mo Tianming burst out in just an instant.
And just as quickly, in the next moment, it vanished completely.
It left behind an almost unreal illusion.
But Stellar Emperor’s figure had indeed been blasted backward.
One had to understand, even though this image of Stellar Emperor was from before he bore Heaven's Will, back then he had already been invincible within the Heavenly Dao Academy.
How could he be defeated so easily?
“You…” Stellar Emperor gave Mo Tianming a slightly surprised glance, then fell into brief thought.
“I guess I won, right?” Mo Tianming asked.
“Not bad, not bad,” Stellar Emperor said with a light smile. “I’ll be waiting for you in the Outer Heavens.”
For him to say that was enough to show just how highly he valued Mo Tianming.
“Do you want to take a rest before fighting me?” Xu Zimo stepped forward and asked calmly.
“No need, I haven’t used up much,” Stellar Emperor waved his hand.
Starlight flared violently in his right hand as he looked at Xu Zimo, showing no trace of underestimation.
Reaching this tenth floor was proof enough of his strength.
Starlight surged around his fist. As he threw a punch, the heavens and earth changed color, stars swirled, and the void collapsed.
Xu Zimo grinned slightly.
If this had been the image of Stellar Emperor after becoming an emperor, he might have had some fun fighting. But as a God Meridian, he was confident he was unmatched.
With a “snap,” the incoming star-filled punch was caught directly in his hand.
Xu Zimo yanked his right arm backward, pulling Stellar Emperor’s figure forward.
Then, with a loud “bang,” Xu Zimo swung his leg down and kicked the other man flying.
Even though Stellar Emperor crossed his arms to block, the sheer force still sent him flying.
“How is it? Do you still want to fight?” Xu Zimo chuckled.
Boundless spiritforce surged from his body like a mighty river, suppressing the entire starry sky.
With just one move, the two had already measured each other’s strength.
“One more move. If you win, I’ll count it as you passing,” Stellar Emperor said gravely.
Mo Tianming stood nearby, watching carefully.
Behind Stellar Emperor, his true Heaven's Will appeared, countless stars dazzling brightly, condensing into human-shaped silhouettes.
“Those are constellations?” Mo Tianming said in surprise.
There were twenty-eight in total, each with a strange form, each gathering a different kind of stellar power.
“Blade of Constellations,” Stellar Emperor called out lightly.
The power of the constellations gathered into a curved blade that tore through layers of void, slashing directly toward Xu Zimo.
Xu Zimo raised his head as dense infernal energy gathered in his palm.
He reached out and grabbed at the blade.
With a loud boom, the surrounding void exploded in layers. Under Stellar Emperor’s stunned gaze, a pair of giant hands tore through the void, seizing the Blade of Constellations.
He split it in two, crushing the stars in his palm.
Stellar Emperor’s figure staggered backward, retreating several steps before stopping.
Mo Tianming, watching from the side, was wide-eyed and drew in a deep breath.
“Does that count as passing?” Xu Zimo asked.
“Indeed, the past is gone, of all the heroes, we look to the present!” Stellar Emperor laughed loudly. “If we had been in the same era, it would have been truly spectacular.”
…
Outside the Heavenly Dao Tower, as a flash of purple light flickered from the tenth floor.
Two chimes rang from the tower’s top.
In an instant, the crowd erupted.
Everyone in Heavenly Dao City knew exactly what those two chimes meant.
Two people had passed the tenth floor of the Heavenly Dao Tower.
When Xu Zimo and Mo Tianming emerged, all eyes turned toward them.
Three people stepped forward to greet them.
In the middle was an elderly man with snow-white hair, wearing a white robe.
On his left was a slightly burly man.
On his right was a woman with long hair flowing behind her, a sword at her waist.
“Allow me to introduce myself, I am Li Changhe, Vice-Dean of the Heavenly Dao Academy,” the old man said with a smile.
“Greetings, Vice-Dean,” Xu Zimo and Mo Tianming both nodded politely.
“You two have passed the tenth floor of the Heavenly Dao Tower. According to the rules, you may skip the second round of the examination and directly enter the Heavenly Dao Academy,” Li Changhe said with a smile.
Xu Zimo and Mo Tianming exchanged glances, then nodded slightly.
“Vice-Dean, are you saying our assessment is over?” Mo Tianming asked.
“Yes. Here’s what we’ll do, stay with me. Once everyone’s examinations are done today, I’ll make special arrangements for the two of you,” Li Changhe said with a nod.
Xu Zimo looked up at the sky. The evening glow had already dyed half the skies, and the sun was nearly set.
It seemed the day’s testing at the Heavenly Dao Academy was almost finished.
Following behind Li Changhe, the two ignored the whispers and stares from the crowd.
The academy staff brought chairs for them to sit beside Li Changhe.
The testing in the Heavenly Dao Tower continued.
Li Changhe looked at them with a smile. “Where are you two from?”
“Just a nameless wandering cultivator,” Mo Tianming replied with a grin.
“I’m from the True Martial Sacred Ground,” Xu Zimo said.
He didn’t bother to hide it, given the Heavenly Dao Academy’s influence, they could easily find out his identity anyway.
“True Martial Sacred Ground…” Li Changhe’s brows furrowed slightly, but he still nodded.
By dusk, the academy’s recruitment had finally ended.
As the crowd slowly dispersed, it turned out that only Xu Zimo and Mo Tianming had truly passed the tenth floor that day.
“Meng He,” Li Changhe called out.
A young woman in a green lotus dress swayed gracefully as she approached.
She had a pure, delicate face, long shiny black hair, bright eyes, and fair skin.
“Teacher,” the green-dressed Li Menghe greeted softly.
“Take these two to the Oasis Courtyard,” Li Changhe instructed, pointing to Xu Zimo and Mo Tianming.
“Yes,” Li Menghe nodded.
The white-haired Li Changhe turned back to Xu Zimo and Mo Tianming with a smile.
“Rest in the Oasis Courtyard tonight. Tomorrow, after I speak with the other teachers, we’ll assign you to the right instructors.”
Xu Zimo nodded without objection.
He was here for the Nine-Curve God Flame, other matters didn’t concern him much.
The Heavenly Dao Academy, which so many people fought to enter, didn’t hold great weight in his eyes.
“Come with me,” Li Menghe said, looking at them.
Then she turned and led the way into the Heavenly Dao Academy.