The test was over, and the tens of millions of participants had been whittled down to fewer than a hundred thousand.
But these hundred thousand were all true geniuses, because these three tests were the ultimate proof of talent.
The young cultivators were all in high spirits.
The outgoing ones congratulated one another, and even the reserved ones could not conceal the joy on their faces.
Even if they ultimately failed to enter the entrance trial, receiving this certification was already an immense honor — something they could boast about for the rest of their lives.
However, when Elder Zhenfu appeared and announced that the site of the practical combat assessment would be the Nine Heavens Secret Land, every last laugh died in an instant.
"Nine… Nine Heavens Secret Land?"
"Elder, are you… are you serious?"
A brave young woman hurriedly asked. Perhaps out of fear, her voice trembled as she spoke.
"Yes, the Nine Heavens Secret Land," Elder Zhenfu confirmed.
At first, everyone was merely stunned, but once Elder Zhenfu confirmed it, the expressions of most of the young cultivators changed drastically.
Judging from their reactions, even Chu Feng realized that the Nine Heavens Secret Land was absolutely not a good place.
"Elder, are we going somewhere near the Nine Heavens Secret Land?"
"Or has the Seven Realms Sacred Temple set up a formation inside it?" someone else asked.
"It seems all of you young friends are familiar with the Nine Heavens Secret Land."
"Since that is the case, then I shall speak plainly."
"The Nine Heavens Secret Land is one of the unexplored ruins in the vast martial cultivation world to this day, but it is also the place that best proves the strength of a Spirit World Master."
"This time, we will have you walk a path that our Seven Realms Sacred Temple has walked before. As long as you can emerge safely, you will pass the practical combat assessment."
"Even if you cannot enter the Seven Realms Sacred Temple, you will still receive generous rewards," Elder Zhenfu said.
"Elder, is it… is it a newly opened path?"
"Or… the same path that Lord Jie Ranqing and the others once walked?" someone else asked.
"It is the very path that Miss Jie Ranqing walked," Elder Zhenfu replied.
"Huh?" Upon hearing this, the faces of the young cultivators turned even grimmer.
"Elder, can I… can I withdraw from this practical combat assessment?" someone asked.
"Withdraw?" Hearing these words, Elder Zhenfu's face immediately turned dark, and even the air in this area of the world became bitterly cold.
"Do you take the Seven Realms Sacred Temple for what?"
"A place you come and go from as you please?"
As soon as those words left his mouth, several figures descended from the sky, forming an encirclement around the young geniuses who had passed the test.
They were all elders of the Seven Realms Sacred Temple.
Seeing this posture, the young cultivators grew even more panicked. They all realized that things were unfolding in a way entirely different from what they had imagined.
However, when Elder Zhenfu spoke his next words, their panic turned to despair.
"Everyone who has passed the talent assessment must participate in the practical combat assessment."
"Anyone who dares to forfeit midway will be executed without mercy."
"Move out now."
After he finished speaking, he waved his great sleeve, and a floating warship drifted into view.
"Everyone, board the ship."
Immediately after, the elders of the Seven Realms Sacred Temple began ushering the geniuses aboard.
Just during the boarding process, some of the young cultivators had already begun to cry — not just the women, but many of the men as well.
Some were so terrified their legs had gone weak, and they had to be supported aboard by the elders.
Once all the young cultivators had boarded, the floating warship set off at once.
At that moment, the wailing aboard the ship grew even louder.
Some were crying and screaming to disembark, even announcing their identities in desperation.
Perhaps their identities carried some weight in the outside world, but before the Seven Realms Sacred Temple, they were utterly insignificant.
As a result, those who revealed their identities were restrained by the elders using the power of barrier formations.
Those who caused the greatest commotion were even dragged away entirely.
Under these circumstances, no one dared to make a fuss anymore.