Nine Nether Continent

Location: Deep within the Demon Forest

A man in a blue Magic Robe approached Sikong Tingzhi and whispered:

"Do you feel like the demons around here are getting more and more numerous?"

"Should we continue to go deeper?"

At this time, around Sikong Tingzhi, there were about thirty to forty young talents from the Three Great Empires gathering.

However, these young talents were different from their original high-spirited appearances.

Almost all of their robes were stained with blood of unknown origin, looking particularly disheveled.

But at this moment, no one was paying attention to these details.

Because along the way, the number of people had dropped from over fifty to less than forty.

In less than a few hours, over ten people had already fallen prey to the demons.

None of those present would have thought they would be so close to death one day.

Some even had narrowly escaped death, still with lingering fear on their faces.

During this time, some thought about quitting this competition.

However, despite their cries and calls for help here,

what they often received wasn't the expected rescue, but terrifying demons and impending death.

After several incidents and the cost of many comrades' deaths,

they truly realized the gravity of the situation.

Just like the Archbishop said, indeed, they could die here!

Probably no one imagined

that this Divine Son selection was far more terrifying and cruel than everyone had thought.

Gazing at the dim primeval forest around, Sikong Tingzhi suddenly raised his hand to signal:

"Wait, don't speak."

At this point, Sikong Tingzhi was the strongest among them.

Therefore, when Sikong Tingzhi spoke, everyone stood still and held their breath.

For a time, only the mysterious insect calls and a slight breeze could be heard.

Everyone watched the surrounding movements nervously.

After a while, Sikong Tingzhi finally spoke again:

"Let's rest here for a while."

"But maintain vigilance, avoid getting ambushed."

Upon hearing the word 'rest', everyone was relieved, sitting down without care for their image.

Sikong Tingzhi spoke again to remind them:

"Keep your voices down, let's rest quickly."

Staring into the deathly still, dense forest around him, Sikong Tingzhi's mood matched the heaviness on his face.

A few men close to Sikong Tingzhi privately complained in whispers:

"Sikong Tingzhi, why would the tribunal arrange such a competition?"

"It seems like they're just out for our lives."

Actually, those participating in the selection didn't know.

Everything here was being transmitted through the Magic Mirror Image, displayed in main cities across the Three Great Empires.

Of course,

due to the random nature of the Magic Mirror Image, no one knew who would appear in the image next time.

Upon hearing his friend's words, Sikong Tingzhi also fell into Silence.

Even he didn't understand why the tribunal arranged such a harsh competition.

Based on their journey, Sikong Tingzhi was nearly certain.

At least half, if not more, of those participating in the Divine Son selection might remain here permanently.

Perhaps just as that Archbishop had said,

when the number drops to fifty, the competition could end early.

In other words,

Sikong Tingzhi suddenly thought of something, his pupils constricted urgently.

He suddenly realized the purpose behind this additional rule.

Could it be that from the beginning, the tribunal didn't expect anyone to survive the day?

And the fifty people were practically pre-determined from the start.

Considering this possibility, Sikong Tingzhi suddenly felt a chill down his spine.

Just then, a long-haired man tapped Sikong Tingzhi's shoulder:

"What are you thinking about, so absorbed?"

Sikong Tingzhi was jolted awake.

Looking at the people around him who chose to follow him, he repressed his inner unease and said forcefully:

"Let's go!"

The crowd was taken aback:

"Where to?"

In this dark, perilous forest, sometimes staying put was the safest option.

Running around recklessly might lead them straight into High Tier monster territory.

At this moment, Sikong Tingzhi didn't have time to explain too much.

Because when he considered this possibility, his sense of unease grew stronger.

He was nearly certain that the so-called Demon Core score was just a ruse.

The tribunal's aim was to select those fifty candidates here.

As for why the tribunal was doing this, Sikong Tingzhi neither knew nor wanted to know.

His current priority was to leave here or ensure he survived to be among the fifty, or just make it through a day here.

Whether he could be among the fifty also held too many uncertainties.

Therefore, Sikong Tingzhi's only thought was to make it through this day.

Surviving a day here seemed almost whimsical.

Not only because of the occasional appearances of High Tier demons,

but also due to the tremendous lack of food and water draining them.

Even if present were immensely strong Emperor Level beings,

they could usually go days without eating or drinking water.

However, in this place, the repercussions of lacking resources would only worsen.

If food wasn't replenished timely, death would be inevitable.

With this on his mind, Sikong Tingzhi's urge became overpowering:

"We're heading to the forest outskirts."

The people were dumbfounded by Sikong Tingzhi's words:

"What?"

"To the forest outskirts?"

People questioned:

"Didn't the Archbishop say we have to stay here for a day?"

Sikong Tingzhi countered directly:

"But he didn't say we couldn't return to the outskirts."

At this, everyone was astonished.

Yet someone pondered:

"But the outskirts have only low-level monsters, and our score won't suffice if divided?"

Sikong Tingzhi scoffed in response:

"Score?"

"Stay if you want a score."

"I just want to return alive."

After saying that, Sikong Tingzhi discerned a direction and immediately dashed into a bush.

Sikong Tingzhi's words were like a wake-up call, bringing clarity to everyone:

"Right!"

"If we die here, what's the point of a score?"

"I'm following young master Sikong."

"Indeed! I just want to return home to see my family."

"Same here."

"Let's go together."

"Let the so-called Divine Son go to hell."

In an instant, those still hesitant made their decision.

A group of people continued to rush after Sikong Tingzhi.