Chapter 74

Yefeng almost died in the real mode, how could he not be angry? In front of everyone, he slapped Meng Zhongliang hard, just to embarrass him. The other party couldn't kill him, and if it spread to the inner courtyard, he wouldn't be able to explain.

Meng Zhongliang never thought that Yefeng would actually do this. Wasn't he afraid that after entering the academy, he would be killed in secret? He could only keep the hatred in his heart and wait for the opportunity to take revenge.

The second round ended in a farce. Yefeng saw that things were about right and didn't continue to delve deeper. However, this didn't mean that Yefeng had forgotten about it. At the first opportunity, he would kill this Meng Zhongliang.

The third round was very special. It didn't test strength or martial skills, but soul power. Even if one passed the first two rounds, failing the last round would still result in elimination.

The first round tested strength, which was quite vague. Some people were born with great strength, giving them a significant advantage. The second round tested combat power, where those with powerful movement techniques or martial skills had a clear edge.

However, the last round was the most critical. Soul power determined how high one could grow. The stronger the soul power, the better the insight, and the greater the future achievements.

The Soul Luo Hall was a very special building. Inside, there were no mechanisms, and it had five floors. To date, no disciple had entered the fifth floor, with the best performance being the fourth floor.

Tutor Li explained the rules clearly to Yefeng on the way. Inside the Soul Luo Hall, there was a powerful soul pressure. The higher the floor, the more severe the pressure. Being able to last ten breaths in the second round was considered passing.

Being able to step into the third floor and last ten breaths was considered a genius. As for the fourth floor, in tens of thousands of years, only a few dozen people had managed to reach it. These few dozen people had all become famous figures, with a few even becoming the head of the academy for several generations.

The hall was very large, and there was no need to enter one by one. Everyone could enter together, and the one who lasted the longest would rank higher.

Yefeng took first place in the first round. Although he used the most time in the second round, everyone knew that he was still the first. Now it was the third round.

Yi Buqiu's eyes were cold. Seeing Yefeng enter the Soul Luo Hall, he followed closely behind, determined to take the first place and surpass Yefeng this time.

Since the Soul Luo Hall tested soul power, no one knew how much soul power they had. Perhaps someone with eighth-stage soul power could still get first place, or someone with innate soul power might be weaker than those with acquired soul power.

Entering the Soul Luo Hall, the area was vast. After thousands of people entered, they didn't feel crowded. Suddenly, the situation changed. Some people clutched their heads and let out piercing screams. A vast pressure enveloped everyone, as if a huge stone was pressing on their souls. Yefeng was no exception.

Yefeng stood still, carefully sensing the situation. He found that there were fine silver needles piercing his soul sea, causing his divine soul great pain. This pain was not physical; it couldn't be touched or seen, but it was bone-deep.

"Ah! Ah! Ah!!" Finally, someone couldn't bear it and ran madly toward the door. Staying any longer would cause their divine soul to shatter, pierced to death by the silver needles.

In a moment, hundreds of people ran out, unable to withstand the soul pressure. Those who remained were mostly drenched in sweat, with only a few showing no change in expression. These people had relatively strong soul power. Gradually, everyone adapted to the soul pressure and began to move toward the second floor.

Yefeng wasn't in a hurry. He watched as a large number of people entered the second floor. Some immediately ran down, while others lasted for a dozen breaths. As long as they lasted ten breaths on the second floor, they passed.

In less than a cup of tea's time, the number of people was reduced by more than half. Many people ran out, some excited, some sad.

Seeing that only a few remained on the first floor, Yefeng slowly moved toward the second floor. The space on the second floor was relatively smaller, with about a hundred people inside.

Upon entering, Yefeng felt a heavy weight, as if an invisible mountain was pressing down on him. He began to breathe heavily. This force only oppressed his divine soul, making it hard to lift his head.

Some people were already moving slowly toward the third floor. Those who found it difficult to enter the third floor quickly went down, as they had already passed.

After adapting to the pressure on the second floor, Yefeng moved toward the entrance of the third floor. Crossing the steps, Yefeng stepped into the third floor, where the number of people was even fewer, only a few dozen, with many innate auras lingering.

Seeing Yefeng come up, Yi Buqiu's eyes flashed with a hint of killing intent. He actually stepped toward the fourth floor, knowing that those who could reach the fourth floor would receive focused cultivation from the academy.

Yefeng didn't care. To him, Yi Buqiu was just an ant. If there was an opportunity, he could crush him at any time. Without rushing, Yefeng waited for dozens of breaths on the third floor before planning to move to the fourth floor.

On the third floor, soul power could be clearly distinguished. For those with acquired soul power, the third floor was their limit. Many couldn't advance further, and some even bit their lips until they bled, while others were drenched in sweat, their legs trembling under the immense pressure.

After a few breaths, Yi Buqiu appeared at the entrance to the fourth floor, but the strong pressure made him hesitate, not stepping forward.

The other dozen or so innate realm disciples had a competitive spirit. They had been overshadowed by Yefeng several times. Although they didn't show malice, they all wanted to seize the top few places to have the opportunity to choose which hall to join.

Everyone was patient, watching Yi Buqiu. There was only one entrance, and if he didn't go up, no one else could enter. Yi Buqiu glanced at Yefeng, who looked away, and the latter nodded with a smile.

"I'm Liu Xueqi, a disciple of the Outer Court of Chushui Country." A voice came from Yefeng's right, clearly addressing him.

"Yefeng, a disciple of the Outer Court of Kaikuan Country." Yefeng bowed. Since the other party showed no ill will, making a friend was better than making an enemy.

From the first glance, Yefeng felt that Liu Xueqi was extraordinary. She could produce the power of eight flying dragons, second only to his two. This strength made her stand out among the crowd.

Yi Buqiu hesitated for dozens of breaths before finally taking the first step toward the stairs. The remaining dozen or so people included ten in the innate realm and three at the peak of the ninth stage of the acquired realm, plus Yefeng, making a total of fourteen people.

"Hum!"

Standing far away, Yefeng could feel the sudden turmoil on the third floor, with the pressure increasing. Yi Buqiu's body was actually thrown out, landing in the center of the third floor, unable to even reach the stairs, let alone the fourth floor.

Seeing Yi Buqiu being thrown out, the others showed shock. They weren't much stronger than Yi Buqiu, and some were even considering giving up on entering the fourth floor.

In all these years, only a few dozen people in the entire Tianling Academy had entered the fourth floor, showing how difficult it was to reach the fourth floor.

But leaving like this was definitely unsatisfactory. Another person moved toward the passage, intending to try. He was also in the innate realm, from another outer court, with very good strength, producing the power of seven flying dragons. He seemed to have held back, and if Yefeng hadn't produced the power of ten flying dragons, he wouldn't have held back.

Taking a deep breath, he stepped onto the first step of the stairs. His body wobbled, almost being thrown out. Sweat immediately broke out on his body, and his expression was distorted.

After adapting, he took the second step. A terrifying aura enveloped him, and even those standing far away could feel it. His body wobbled but wasn't thrown out.

Biting his lip, he had three more steps to go and planned to charge up in one go. As long as he entered the fourth floor, even for one breath, it would be enough.

"Thud!"

He took two more steps, but at that moment, a vast pressure appeared, throwing him out. He was thrown farther than Yi Buqiu.

This time, many people showed shock. The fourth floor's soul pressure was over ten times that of the third floor.

Another person moved to the edge of the stairs, testing with his foot, but shook his head and gave up, even walking down the stairs.

One after another, many people tried, with the best performance being stepping onto the fourth floor's stairs but unable to reach the last step, being thrown out by the vast pressure.

In a moment, only five people remained, with the three in the acquired realm choosing to leave. Among the five, only three hadn't tried, and Yi Buqiu hadn't left, still unwilling to give up.

"I'll try first!" Liu Xueqi said to Yefeng and moved toward the fourth floor.

One step!

Two steps!

Three steps!

Four steps!

When she reached the fourth step, Liu Xueqi's body wobbled but wasn't thrown out.

"Thud!"

The last step was as heavy as a thousand pounds. Liu Xueqi's figure disappeared from everyone's sight, entering the fourth floor.

On Yefeng's left was another man. Seeing Liu Xueqi enter the fourth floor, he followed closely behind and also made it to the fourth floor. Yefeng was the only one left.

Seeing the time was right, Yefeng no longer lingered, walking steadily toward the stairs.

"Hum!"

Yefeng's eardrums vibrated, and a rumbling sound came from the stairs. The thick pressure could bend his spine. Taking a deep breath, Yefeng stepped onto the first step.

Seeing Yefeng not being thrown out, Yi Buqiu's eyes bled, clearly feeling overshadowed by Yefeng again.

Ignoring Yi Buqiu's malicious gaze, Yefeng stepped onto the fifth step. A powerful force hit his soul, almost throwing him out.

Taking the last step, Yefeng's body appeared on the fourth floor, seeing two figures. However, the figures were already distorted, almost kneeling, unable to withstand the pressure of the fourth floor.

Seeing Yefeng come up, Liu Xueqi's face showed a hint of doubt, and the other young man also seemed to disbelieve. Yefeng was only at the ninth stage of the acquired realm, yet his soul power was so strong.

Liu Xueqi and the young man's bodies bent more, unable to withstand the pressure. Reluctantly, they moved toward the third floor. They didn't dare to imagine the fifth floor, but when they were about to leave, Yefeng's figure appeared at the entrance to the fifth floor.