The wait was long, and the outcome was painful. Many arrived at the tournament full of excitement, only to leave disappointed. Although the elder said they could become soldiers of Serene Nether City, most people didn't care for that option.
After all, many had come for Princess Serene. Now, unable to answer the selection, they could only accept this harsh reality, feeling frustrated and helpless.
After a while, the elder addressed the crowd: "The Literary Gate is now over. More than seven hundred have passed. Congratulations to those who made it—you may enter the next stage, the Martial Gate. The Martial Gate is simply a test of everyone's strength.
The Martial Gate might take a bit longer, but it's also the most exciting part. Everyone can see the Testing Screen on the arena. The challenge is to attack this screen, and the number it displays after your strike determines whether you pass.
For example, if your realm is Nether General, you need to score at least sixty points to pass. If you're at the Nether King Realm, you also need sixty points. The screen will judge based on your cultivation level—having a lower realm doesn't mean you'll automatically lose.
Serene Nether City wants talented people with great potential, not just those with high cultivation right now. I hope everyone understands this. When you step up, unleash your strongest attack against the screen.
Don't worry about breaking the screen with your attack. It was forged by top Netherworld alchemists—even late-stage Nether Emperors can't necessarily shatter it with one blow. So go all out and show your true power.
Your strength and whether you pass will be judged by the number that appears after you strike the screen. I hope you all give it your best!"
The seven hundred-plus remaining contestants all felt proud. Soon it would be their time to show off their strength—they were ready to unleash their strongest attacks, hoping to win Princess Serene's favor.
If she chose them, their lives would soar to new heights—Netherstones would be theirs in endless supply.
Evan Chu kept his eyes on Chase Chu. There had been so many answers on the Testing Screen earlier that he still didn't know what Chase had written—maybe he'd ask him after the Martial Gate ended.
Princess Serene was also watching Chase Chu. His handsome looks and easygoing manner had left a strong impression on her. If he passed the Martial Gate, she would choose him as her future husband. At this moment, though, she was a little worried.
If he couldn't pass the Martial Gate, she wouldn't be able to choose him—no one would accept it, and Serene Nether City's reputation would suffer. Even King Victor Zhao wouldn't allow it.
Chase Chu himself wasn't worried about the Martial Gate at all. He was confident he would pass. Though he was only at the Nether General Realm, his Hidden Divine Meridians gave him far greater attack power than normal, letting him unleash double the strength of others at his level. For him, victory was a sure thing.
The rest of the crowd was quietly discussing the Martial Gate. Each person looked confident, and most of their gazes were fixed on Princess Serene—so intense that she found it uncomfortable.
Chase Chu, whether intentionally or not, also looked toward Princess Serene, and she met his gaze. When their eyes met, something indescribable passed between them.
When Chase Chu saw Princess Serene smile at him, he felt as if her beauty could topple kingdoms—like his heart was hooked by her. In that moment, he made up his mind: he had to marry her.
The others saw Princess Serene smile at a young man in the crowd—even with her veil, everyone could see the curve of her lips. Instantly, countless eyes turned to Chase Chu, burning with naked jealousy and rage.
If looks could kill, Chase Chu would have been wiped out on the spot—not even a trace of his Nether Infant would remain. Waves of killing intent washed over him, making his skin crawl.
At that moment, the elder on the arena said, "Since there are more than seven hundred left, we'll split you into seven groups for the test. Soon, numbers will appear on your White Memory Stones—just follow the order shown to take your turn."
The first hundred contestants lined up in a row, followed by the next hundred, and so on. Those with numbers in the six hundreds and seven hundreds formed the last row. Everyone hurried to get in line, ready to unleash their strongest attack.
As soon as the elder finished speaking, a white light surged from his hand and struck the Testing Screen, which burst into dazzling brilliance. At the same time, the White Memory Stones in the hands of all seven hundred contestants glowed, displaying their numbers.
Chase Chu glanced at his number and felt a little annoyed—he was ranked somewhere in the six-hundred-nineties. That meant a long wait. Those with early numbers grinned, thinking they had the best shot at winning Princess Serene's heart.
After all, Princess Serene couldn't possibly watch all seven hundred tests. It was already getting late; at most, she'd see the first two hundred or so before stopping for the day and continuing tomorrow.
Everyone with a late number felt frustrated. Chase Chu didn't want to wait so long—he hoped to be tested quickly and get back to Evan Chu's side. With his father here, his chances at marriage were already at least fifty percent; with his own effort, it could be eighty or ninety. Who could possibly compete with him?
Soon, the contestants were split into seven groups. The plaza's center was now empty, with those eliminated already gone. Some wanted to stay and watch the results, but with no seats left in the stands, they gave up.
Some reluctantly followed the City Lord's Mansion officers to report for army duty—at least they'd have a steady supply of Netherstones and wouldn't have to scramble for resources anymore. The wealthy headed for inns and restaurants to eat and drink away their frustration. Everyone made their own plans.
"The Martial Gate test begins now—starting from number one! Good luck to all. Anyone scoring below sixty is eliminated," the elder repeated once again.
The first contestant turned out to be a young woman, surprising many in the stands. She was praised as both scholarly and martially talented. If she won the favor of Serene Nether City's ruler, her future would be limitless.
"That's King Warren Lin's niece—I know her. She's already reached mid-stage Nether King Realm and is famous in Bloodsea City for her intelligence. I can't believe she'd come here for the talent selection!" someone shouted, eager to show off their inside knowledge.
"King Warren Lin's niece? How is that possible? King Lin is on par with King Victor Zhao—why would he let his niece join the selection? Is there something shady going on?" another person speculated.
Up in the VIP stands, King Warren Lin seemed half asleep, barely reacting to his niece's appearance. In reality, his divine sense was locked tightly onto King Victor Zhao's face, watching every expression...