Pursued by the Top Grade Saintess after Engagement Annulled-Chapter 471 - 467: Holy Sword Divine Emperor’s First Trial, Sword Pool Baptism
The number of people continuously flowing in from behind was decreasing, and Xia Feng looked around and found that almost everyone who could come in had already done so.
The gate of the Holy Sword Pavilion behind them slammed shut, and a scarlet-gold giant sword suddenly shot out from the core of the Holy Sword Pavilion.
Everyone present turned pale.
The giant sword carried an endless pressure and terrifying sword intent, forcing many around to half-kneel on the ground. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎
Even Xia Feng and his companions felt a heaviness in their chests, as if their Divine Power was being slowed by the sword intent.
Those who had less mastery over the Great Dao of Celestial Sword than Xia Feng and his companions appeared even more ungraceful.
Out of the corner of his eye, Xia Feng even saw Li Qingyu across from him spit a mouthful of blood.
The surrounding people’s expressions were a mix of vigilance and unease as they looked up at the scarlet-gold giant sword hovering in mid-air, and even Xia Feng looked somewhat serious.
This golden giant sword felt even more dangerous than the Heaven-Burying Sword to him, and he had no idea...
Before Xia Feng could come up with an explanation, the scarlet-gold giant sword suddenly stopped above the Sword Pool and transformed into an elder in a scarlet robe.
Instinctively, everyone’s eyes fell on the elder in the scarlet robe.
He coughed lightly twice, and his slightly scarlet eyes scanned the crowd with a seemingly emotionless gaze.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I am the Holy Sword, and I assume you are all here for my master’s inheritance."
His voice was cold, like a sword of wintry ice, making everyone’s heart feel chilled just by hearing him.
Their expressions were uneasy, but they held back their fear, listening cautiously as the Holy Sword explained the rules of the Holy Sword Pavilion.
The Sword Pool before them was condensed from the Great Dao of Celestial Sword, with water that was the Power of Laws condensed from the Great Dao of Celestial Sword.
And the Sword Beasts inside have been bathed in the Power of Laws for years, making them several times more ferocious than those outside.
The first test by the Holy Sword Divine Emperor is to enter the Sword Pool for cleansing and endure for more than one hour.
The Holy Sword also mentioned that the longer you endure, the greater the benefits you’ll receive afterward.
Those who fail to last an hour will be directly transported out of the Secret Realm.
These words caused everyone around to exchange worried glances.
The Holy Sword disregarded their small concerns, spread his arms, causing his scarlet robe to shake, then the inheritors present were tossed into different pools.
Some landed in the outermost pools, while others landed in pools slightly closer to the front.
Xia Feng glanced and found himself in the foremost pool, while Li Qingxue was in the third pool, and Xia Tianming in the fourth.
He slightly furrowed his brows, unsure of the principle behind the Holy Sword’s placement of people.
At this moment, he was the only one in the first pool, and even the second pool was empty, while the third pool had only a few scattered individuals.
Li Qingyu, seemingly aware of something, shouted from the fourth pool, "Why is that guy in the first pool? It’s impossible!"
The Holy Sword’s expression turned subtle, and his scarlet eyes narrowed at Li Qingyu below, "Are you questioning my decision?"
Li Qingyu’s remaining words seemed caught in his throat, unable to be spoken.
Some lone individuals, puzzled, began to inquire, "Is there a significance to being in a particular pool?"
"Isn’t lasting a full hour all that’s needed?"
The Holy Sword’s lips slightly curled up, "Naturally, there is a difference."
"The closer to the front, the richer the Power of Laws contained in the pools, and the more benefits you gain from the cleansing."
These words stirred those in the back, growing restless, "Then why can he be in that pool, while we are stuck back here?"
"It’s unfair, I also want to go to the front."
"Exactly, this is unfair!"
The Holy Sword raised an eyebrow slightly, "It’s because his mastery over the Great Dao of Celestial Sword is enough to support him in that pool."
His scarlet eyes moved, his fingers gently curled, and those who had just clamored about going to the first pool were tossed directly into the pool where Xia Feng was.
At this moment, it seemed the Sword Pool had not fully activated, so while these people were startled, they didn’t show signs of pain.
Those individuals shouted, "Is this supposed to be the top pool? It’s nothing special."
The Holy Sword glanced at them without saying anything further, simply giving the crowd another sweeping look.
"If you want to change pools, feel free. Regardless of which pool, as long as you endure for an hour, you qualify."
After speaking, he waved his sleeve again, coldly announcing, "Timing begins."
As his words fell, he disappeared from above the Sword Pool, transforming back into a golden light returning to the core of the Holy Sword Pavilion.
Xia Feng couldn’t shake the feeling that, before leaving, the Holy Sword had given him a particularly scrutinizing look.
He initially thought it was due to his absorption of the Blood Dragon Sword Heart, drawing extra glances his way.
But Xia Tianming and Li Qingxue also bore the Blood Dragon Sword Heart, yet the Holy Sword seemed to ignore them completely, while Xia Feng received slightly more attention.
Later, as the timing began, all nine Sword Pools suddenly boiled like boiling water.
Bubbles continuously surged in the Sword Pools, and the Power of Laws penetrated into Xia Feng’s body like an omnipresent entity.
The sensation was somewhat painful, as though his entire being was struggling in boiling water.
Xia Feng fared slightly better, having comprehended much of the Power of Laws, and even when bubbles burst around him, they only deepened his understanding rather than causing much pain.
Meanwhile, those later tossed into the pool by the Holy Sword began to scream in agony.
"Ah, it hurts, I don’t want to be here anymore, I want to leave, I want to get out..."
They cried and screamed, attempting to climb back onto the shore, caring little for the benefits the Sword Pool bestow. They had no desire to endure for an hour, only wanting to escape this cursed pool.
However, after just a brief struggle, the Power of Laws in the Sword Pool, resembling a corrosive fluid, directly eroded their arms.
With their continued struggling, the corrosion sped up, eventually reducing them to a mass of decayed flesh.
Even this decayed flesh was gradually being devoured by the Sword Beasts within the Power of Laws.
Others considering changing pools suddenly felt a chill down their spines, unwilling to move from their current pool.
