Volume One: The Game of the Controller Chapter Seventy-Four: Two Trials

Only a seventh-level Immortal Emperor could barely withstand the gravity of Celestial Battle Star, and even then, the pressure it exerted on those eighth- and ninth-level Immortal Emperors was immense. Yet, as the gravity doubled every three minutes, everyone’s heart leaped into their throats. In one hour—twenty intervals of three minutes—the final gravity would exceed 1,040,000 times that of Celestial Battle Star’s usual pull.

Barely ten minutes had passed, and already more than a dozen eighth-level Immortal Emperors had collapsed. At the moment of their fall, their entire beings vanished. Those who witnessed this felt their eyes nearly pop out of their sockets.

The envoy hadn’t mentioned before that failing to endure would mean certain death.

“Do not worry,” the envoy’s voice sounded. “Anyone unable to withstand Celestial Battle Star’s pressure has already returned to their original realm. For mere Immortal Emperors, I have no interest in taking your lives.”

“Mere Immortal Emperors?” These words stung every ear, for in their own universes, each of them was a formidable existence. Now, however, they were dismissed as “mere Immortal Emperors.”

Yet, none could refute the envoy’s words. With but a thought, without ever appearing in person, he had already eliminated so many who could not withstand the pressure. This was only the beginning; with fifty minutes still to go, who could say how many would be left standing beneath over a million times normal gravity?

Time crawled by. For these high-level Immortal Emperors accustomed to measuring time in millennia, this single hour felt torturously long.

Forty minutes passed, and of the original 3.5 million, over half a million had already vanished. It wasn’t just the eighth-level Immortal Emperors; even many ninth-level ones showed signs of exhaustion.

Another burst—a doubling of gravity. In that instant, thousands more collapsed to the ground and disappeared.

“At this rate, fewer than half a million will remain standing by the end,” the envoy said with a faint smile, obscured by mist and cloud.

“Fifty-seven minutes,” the envoy announced. “In three more minutes, with the final doubling, those still standing will be considered to have passed my first trial.”

Of the original 3.5 million, after fifty-seven minutes, over a million had been sent back to their home universes. Those who were native to the Heart of Heaven Realm were relocated elsewhere within it.

“The final doubling!” the envoy’s voice boomed. Even as mere encouragement, it was enough to stir the hearts of the Immortal Emperors present.

This final increase would raise the gravity from 520,000 times to over 1,040,000 times the normal weight. Even for these highest-level Immortal and Demon Emperors, enduring such a force was no easy feat.

With a thunderous roar, the last doubling struck. Just as the mysterious envoy had predicted, by the end of this first trial, the grand army of millions had vanished, leaving barely over four hundred thousand still standing.

Of these, fewer than fifty thousand could stand with ease—these were the true elite among all realms.

“Collect!” At the envoy’s gentle command, the immense gravity vanished in an instant, and Celestial Battle Star returned to normal.

Though the million-fold gravity had lasted for only a moment, the impression it left on all present was indelible.

Of the ten participants from the Realm of Immortals, Demons, and Beasts, Zong Jue, Man Qian, Hu Changfeng, Luo Changqing, and Feng Tang were unable to withstand the crushing pressure and were transported back to their home realm.

Wen Feng, who had barely endured thanks to the Golden Punishment Spirit Orb, marveled inwardly, “This gravity—over a million times normal—is even more terrifying than that of the eighteen Star Emperors of the Dark Star Realm.” If not for the Golden Punishment Spirit Orb, even the Dark Star Realm’s monarch could not have survived such a trial.

Bai Ying, the White Lord, was pale and gasping for breath. At the seventeenth Star Emperor level, he was only a rank below Wen Feng, but in this crushing gravity, even the slightest difference was laid bare.

Of those from the Realm of Immortals, Demons, and Beasts, only Wu Long bore the pressure with ease; even Ao Wuming struggled greatly.

Now, only one eighth-level Immortal Emperor remained standing: the Super Kuya, Lan Gang.

“Brother Lan Gang, you’re truly formidable—enduring this monstrous gravity with nothing but brute strength,” Wu Long said, his respect deepening.

“I made it through, barely, but if the gravity had doubled even twice more, I wouldn’t have managed,” Lan Gang replied frankly.

Wu Long, however, was less concerned; even with another two doublings, he could have survived, relying on his understanding of space to resist the pressure.

Wen Feng, Bai Ying, and Ao Wuming exchanged wry smiles. “Another two doublings? We could hardly hold on as it was.”

“You Super Kuya really are fearsome,” Ao Wuming sighed. An eighth-level Immortal Emperor relying solely on raw might could surpass even those like Wen Feng and Ao Wuming, both of whom possessed inherited spirit treasures—truly terrifying.

“Haha, you’re all impressive yourselves,” the envoy’s deep voice echoed once more. “Now, you are eligible to attempt the second trial.”

“The second trial?” Instantly, everyone braced themselves. No one thought the next test would be any easier.

“No need to worry. For you, the second trial is quite simple,” the envoy said lightly. “The next trial is... a drawing of lots!”

More than four hundred thousand high-level Immortal Emperors were left speechless. After all they’d endured to qualify for a second trial, it turned out to be a mere lottery.

With a whoosh, countless white stones flew out from the mists above.

“These are special stones. Each of you will take one. Whoever’s stone turns red will qualify for the arena duels,” the envoy explained clearly. “Of course, those whose stones remain white will also gain something.”

“If your stone does not turn red, you may use it—just once—to transform it, by force of imagination, into a top-grade artifact. Once chosen, the form cannot be changed.”

“A top-grade artifact? And we can choose its form?” These people were no strangers to high-level artifacts; among the remaining four hundred thousand, at least half possessed such treasures, and thousands like Ao Wuming and Wen Feng held inherited spirit treasures.

But a top-grade artifact shaped by one’s own imagination? Such a thing was unheard of.

For most Immortal Emperors, acquiring a mid-grade artifact was already a rare feat, let alone choosing its form. The ability to shape a high-grade artifact to one’s will would greatly enhance their combat power.

At the envoy’s words, many Immortal Emperors began to hope their stone would not turn red. After all, there was only one spirit treasure to be seized from a host of rivals, but a perfectly tailored artifact would be far more practical.

In a flash, the more than four hundred thousand Immortal and Demon Emperors each selected a stone floating in the air.

“Haha! Who would have thought…” The envoy laughed. “More than fifty thousand have qualified—seems I’ll have my work cut out for me.”

Even the envoy was surprised by the result. The lottery itself was a ruse; the true secret lay within the stones.

The chance to create a top-grade artifact was a great temptation, but the real purpose of the stones was to test the resolve of the Immortal Emperors. If their determination to seize the spirit treasure wavered even slightly, their stone would not turn red. Thus, over fifty thousand Immortal Emperors showed unwavering intent to contend for the spirit treasure, caring nothing for the artifact.

Unfortunately, Bai Ying, the White Lord, was eliminated in this round without even a chance for farewell, sent back to the Realm of Immortals, Demons, and Beasts.

“Now there are only four of us left,” Wen Feng said with a bitter smile. Around him, Wu Long, Ao Wuming, and Lan Gang all looked equally resigned.

From the grandeur of over three million participants, less than ninety minutes later, only just over fifty thousand remained.

“I wonder how Senior Qin is faring. Ever since he and Starpeak Immortal Emperor vanished ten years ago, they haven’t returned,” Lan Gang said, a trace of worry in his voice. He had great faith in Qin Shuang’s strength, but in the Heart of Heaven Realm, anything was possible.

“Don’t worry. With Starpeak Immortal Emperor at his side, he should be fine,” Wu Long replied with a smile. He could clearly sense Zhang Xingfeng’s tremendous power.

“Let’s hope so.”

“Next comes the arena battles. Win, and you’ll advance to the final contest for the spirit treasure.” As the voice faded, a figure gradually took shape in the air. “Your only opponent is me—Lin Lei!”

(To be continued)