"Yes, I've already mastered the third layer of the Illusory Metal Divine Secret Art. I can test it right now."
Yi Tianyun stood up. In truth, he didn't feel too excited, this outcome was inevitable. For him, cultivating such a technique wasn't difficult; it just required some time.
He also hadn't expected that in addition to mastering it, he would form a golden planet, a welcome surprise.
"Good!"
The Venerable Spirit flew down and gestured. "Now, use the third layer of the Illusory Metal Divine Secret Art to attack me. Let's see how strong it is!"
Yi Tianyun nodded without hesitation. He activated the Illusory Metal Planet within, unleashing Illusory Metal Power that filled his entire body. Instantly, a faint metal sheen covered him from head to toe, as though he were a living metal statue!
"Illusory Metal Divine Secret Art, Starbreaker!"
Golden light flickered in Yi Tianyun's eyes. He slashed down at the Venerable Spirit with his bare hand, like a blade. The surrounding void nearly split in two. As the strike neared its target, the golden beam suddenly fanned out into countless rays, enveloping the Venerable Spirit in star-like radiance, leaving no escape route.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Amid that starlight, a massive explosion erupted. The impact was so fierce it would have torn open the void if this place weren't so stable. Such a terrifying move could elevate his power by twenty- or thirty-fold!
That was the might of a High-Grade Heavenly Dao technique, and this was merely the third layer. The deeper layers would yield even greater strength.
Yet Yi Tianyun felt only mild interest. After all, he possessed so many techniques from the Heavenly Venerable Hao Han that an upper Heavenly Dao Martial Arts didn't excite him much.
"Not bad. You have indeed mastered the third layer."
The Venerable Spirit drifted out of the blast zone, completely unharmed, as though nothing had happened.
"So now, I can become a direct disciple, right?" Yi Tianyun asked with a calm smile.
"Of course. You can come with me right now!"
The Venerable Spirit's expression grew visibly excited. He waved his hand, and a large void portal appeared in the air.
"This way, please!"
He signaled for Yi Tianyun to enter. Yi Tianyun didn't overthink it; he simply stepped in.
Upon entering, he felt as though he had passed through a watery barrier. In the next moment, he found himself in a place that felt…very familiar! Yes, there was a powerful presence drifting around, one he recognized.
It radiated killing intent, reminding him of the Killing God's Tower. Back then, that tower emanated a similar aura.
"The Killing God's Tower?"
Yi Tianyun's eyes narrowed, feeling uneasy. Could there be some connection to the founder of that tower, Killing God?
He held back any direct questions for now, gazing behind him. The portal was already gone, leaving only the Venerable Spirit.
"Senior Venerable Spirit, why does this area feel so different? It doesn't look like the same place at all," Yi Tianyun asked, feigning bewilderment.
"Yes, it's somewhat changed. You don't need to know the details. Just keep going forward," the Venerable Spirit said, smiling no longer. His face had turned stony, far more cold than before.
Yi Tianyun felt his heart sink. Clearly, something was off about this "disciple selection." It was reminiscent of the Killing God's Tower scenario, possibly involving body-snatching.
He swept out his spiritual sense. The area was locked down by a powerful seal, strong enough to trap even a Heavenly Venerable. Escaping would not be easy.
He had already suspected something strange about this whole "disciple selection." The conditions were too harsh, even leading to mutual slaughter. Who would willingly become a disciple under such conditions?
Now, he realized each stage of the trials had been pushing them to cultivate Illusory Metal Power, just like filling them with baleful energy in the Killing God's Tower. Once they matched the requirements, someone could possess their bodies.
If an attempt failed, they'd simply move on to the next candidate. As for the unfortunate target, it was tantamount to death.
Yi Tianyun carefully observed the environment, guessing his Teleportation God Stone wouldn't work here. He didn't know if his teleportation might still be possible. And if he fled, what about Domain Lord Liuli?
"First, see what happens. Could I be facing Killing God himself?"
He recalled that the Killing God's Tower was only one part of a larger system under the so-called Killing God. He had killed a bunch of that faction's generals. If this was truly the same group, and they learned that he was behind those deaths, he'd be in serious trouble.
Continuing onward, he soon reached a giant gate. He hadn't quite gotten there before it began to open. A wave of intense killing aura surged out, enough to overwhelm anyone with weaker will.
Yi Tianyun steeled himself, maintaining his composure without letting the aura affect his mind.
When the gate finished opening, he saw an enormous throne at the center, surrounded by over a dozen colossal statues. A portion of the suffocating killing intent seemed to emanate from them.
Atop the throne, a figure sat. Yi Tianyun's eyes narrowed in shock, his heart sinking into despair.
Heavenly Venerable, Killing God: A mid-level Heavenly Venerable. Gravely injured, his body won't recover and will continue to rot away. Over time, his cultivation will keep dropping until he finally perishes.
Possesses extreme power. The killing aura he radiates can disrupt a cultivator's mind. With just a glance, he can drive any Heavenly Monarch-level expert into madness.
Seeing this man, Yi Tianyun's gaze turned grim. So it really is Killing God! Suffering an unknown injury, his body had been rotting. If this continued, he would undoubtedly die.
Even a Heavenly Venerable could face death. Evidently, the Heavenly Venerable, Killing God had encountered something more powerful that left him unable to heal, so he waited here for a body to seize. And Yi Tianyun, no doubt, was on the list of candidates.