Chapter 557: Chapter 0552: Slightly Superior

The first challenge on Sky Sea Mountain was extremely simple, a gift from the Holy Land to the Holy Guards, and anyone with the strength of a Copper Badge Holy Guard could easily pass through and obtain a small cup of First Grade Sky Sea Holy Liquid.

The difficulty of the second challenge had increased considerably, posing a potential failure for the majority of Copper Badge Holy Guards.

But for Chen Yu, it was still relatively easy, and he breezed through the second challenge in just ten moves, taking a cup of Second Grade Sky Sea Holy Liquid.

After passing through the second challenge, Chen Yu saw many Holy Guards gathered ahead.

Because the third challenge was a watershed.

The first two challenges were manageable for Copper Badge Holy Guards with decent strength.

But the third challenge required a much higher level of strength, even some Silver Emblem Holy Guards might fail.

Moreover, as the difficulty of the challenges increased, so did the time consumption, which necessitated waiting for other Holy Guards to pass before one could attempt it.

As for the top fighters among the Law Enforcement Holy Guards, they had already disappeared without a trace.

“Chen Yu.”

A light, floating voice came.

Chen Yu looked over, his expression slightly changing.

“Didn’t expect I’d still be alive, did you?” laughed a tall man.

This person was none other than Qian Guang, who had been the mastermind behind the persecution of Chen Yu in the Summoning Flame Realm.

“I had no choice at the time; it was all Shi Nan Yuan’s idea, haha.”

Qian Guang volunteered the reason to Chen Yu, almost as if he were boasting.

In fact, he had survived by giving nearly all of his gains from the Summoning Flame Realm, including over thirty pounds of Primordial Spirit Flame Crystals, to the Law Enforcement Holy Guards.

Moreover, with the Blood Moon Organization running rampant at the time and the Holy Land short on manpower, they had pinned all the blame on Shi Nan Yuan, and Qian Guang was released.

He atoned for his crimes by completing several missions, and afterward, he was completely cleared of suspicion.

“No, I find it strange that you’re still so arrogantly confident after narrowly escaping death, you might not be so lucky next time.”

Chen Yu spoke coldly.

“You…”

Qian Guang’s gaze turned icy, but he said no more.

He had learned to be patient, and unless he was sure he could eliminate Chen Yu, he would not offend him.

After all, Chen Yu had connections to the Law Enforcement Holy Guards and was not someone to be provoked lightly.

“Hmph, I am already a Golden Emblem Holy Guard, and I will surely gain more from this trip to Sky Sea Mountain than Chen Yu, our gap will only widen, and I will have my chance for revenge,” Qian Guang thought to himself.

Originally, he was close to the strength of a Golden Emblem Holy Guard, and after several years, he had successfully passed the third floor of Tongyun Tower.

Whoosh!

Qian Guang suddenly left and entered the ancient temple to start his challenge.

In no time, he swiftly passed the test and disappeared into the distance.

In the other two ancient temples, all were Silver Emblem Holy Guards, naturally not as fast as Qian Guang.

But five breaths after Qian Guang left, a blood-eyed man passed the test.

After he crossed the third challenge, he took a cup of Third Grade Sky Sea Holy Liquid and moved upward.

“He’s too impressive, Chang Guangling passed the third challenge in less than thirty moves.”

“Of course, Chang Guangling’s strength is absolutely top-notch among Silver Emblem Holy Guards, and he might possibly become a Golden Emblem Holy Guard in less than four years.”

“With this opportunity at Sky Sea Mountain, he might even become a Golden Emblem Holy Guard within half a year.”

Many Silver Emblem Holy Guards sent their regards to the blood-eyed man, Chang Guangling, as he went on his way.

At that moment, in another ancient temple, a Silver Emblem Holy Guard was thrown out, crashing to the ground hard and spitting out a mouthful of blood.

“It’s too difficult, I was so close.”

The defeated Silver Emblem Holy Guard said regretfully.

Whoosh!

Chen Yu rushed over, ready to take on the third challenge.

The further on, the greater the difficulty; even Silver Emblem Holy Guards could slip up in this third challenge.

Whoosh–

Several people rushed out at the same time, determined to take the challenge.

Yun Yingwu and Yunhai Zhen were among them, and seeing Chen Yu go for the challenge, they wanted to measure their skills against his.

Ye Luofeng, who had just passed the second challenge, also rushed out, accompanied by Ye Chengfeng.

But in Sky Sea Mountain, there was an overbearing force of heaven and earth, suppressing everything.

This force, akin to the pressure exerted by a formidable cultivator from the Sky Sea Realm, tested the abilities of those climbing in all aspects.

Stomp! Stomp!

Chen Yu strode energetically, each step firm and resolute as he confronted the difficulties, becoming the first to approach the three ancient temples.

Immediately after him were Yunhai Zhen and Yun Yingwu, with Ye Luofeng and Ye Chengfeng trailing a few steps behind.

The three plunged into the temple, and the test began.

“Who are these three? They’re so strong.”

“They must be newcomers who have recently joined the Holy Land; I never expected there to be so many talents in that batch of newcomers.”

The crowd discussed amongst themselves.

Ascending upwards was like swimming against the current; those who moved faster were inherently more profound and stronger.

And the majority of the Holy Guards felt unfamiliar with the three individuals who had just taken the lead into the temple.

Inside the ancient temple, the Array activated, forming an ordinary-looking man in front of Chen Yu.

But that was not all; suddenly, the space became exceptionally cold, as a chilling force invaded towards Chen Yu.

Chen Yu, having observed others taking their challenges, knew of this test.

Challengers had to defeat their opponent while withstanding external disturbances in order to be considered successful.

This was why the third challenge was such a watershed.

Hum!

Chen Yu activated his Secret Pattern Demon Body, transforming into a sculpture of pitch-black antiquity, with domineering demonic might spreading out around him.

With Chen Yu’s Secret Pattern Demon Body, the cold ice intrusion of the third stage had very little effect on him.

The ordinary man’s spear spun and danced in his hands, dazzling to the onlookers.

Swoosh! Swoosh!

Suddenly, two piercing spear lights shot toward Chen Yu, aiming straight for his face.

Boom! Bang!

Chen Yu drew out the Demon Flood Dragon Sword, and with a single sweep, shattered the spear lights.

Then, he rapidly swung his spiritual artifact, performing sword moves from the Devil Wind Sword Technique, gathering his sword force.

The Holy Guards waiting behind could see the challenge scene inside the ancient temple.

“Who do you think among these three new Silver Emblem Holy Guards will be the first to break through the third stage?”

An old man asked with a smile.

The challengers were all from the new batch; the elders were unfamiliar with them, making their discernment even more crucial.

“I bet on the one with the double swords.” Someone beside him immediately said.

The one with the double swords was, of course, Yun Yingwu. Yun Yingwu’s skill with combat techniques was refined and he possessed strong capabilities in handling various situations.

“Hahaha, that man inside the first ancient temple, with a spiritual artifact in his hand that’s at least of superior medium quality, he’s the one who will break through first.”

This person supported Chen Yu.

“You are all wrong. The person in the third temple has better luck; the temple is filled with cold ice disturbance, but he has a Fire Dao Bloodline and is almost unaffected.”

Everyone had different opinions because Chen Yu, Yunhai Zhen, Yun Yingwu, and others were all putting on strong performances.

“Hey, aren’t you also from that new batch? Tell us, which of them will be the first to break through?”

A woman asked Ye Chengfeng.

Ye Chengfeng was a man of outstanding appearance and demeanor within the Holy Land, and he was quite popular.

“I’m not sure.”

Ye Chengfeng confidently said, “If I were to challenge with them, I would be the first one through.”

His Sword Dao was unstoppable, a single sword strike shattering all before it, so he never doubted his sword and had immense confidence in himself.

Within the ancient temple, Chen Yu’s Demon Sword Force grew more and more terrifying.

“Demon Light Sword Spiral.”

Chen Yu performed the third level battle skill from the Devil Wind Sword Technique, instantly executing dozens of sword strikes.

Sword lights spiraled out, forming a vortex, slashing through everything.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

All the spear lights thrust out by the ordinary man were shredded by the Demon Light Sword Spiral, and at last, those sword lights bombarded him, exploding violently.

The form of the ordinary man shattered, quickly dissipating.

The doors behind swung open, signifying that Chen Yu had successfully passed the third stage.

“I should be the first.”

Chen Yu smiled.

He knew that the challenge was, in fact, a contest between him and Yunhai Zhen, Yun Yingwu, and others, and he had prevailed.

In reality, there was also a factor of luck in the speed of completing the challenge.

For example, the disturbances from external factors appeared randomly. Those less fortunate could encounter disturbances particularly restrictive to themselves.

Furthermore, Chen Yu’s powerful Yangming Sword Point technique inflicted great harm on living creatures, but against the array-condensed adversaries, it was rather average.

Just as Chen Yu was about to take a cup of Third Grade Sky Sea Holy Liquid, Yunhai Zhen and Yun Yingwu completed the third stage one after the other.

Upon seeing Chen Yu, both of them showed a hint of surprise and a tinge of disappointment.

At the same time, the distant onlookers were all taken aback.

“That was so quick.”

“All three of them must have passed the third stage in around thirty to forty moves.”

Previously, Chang Guangling, one of the top Silver Emblem Holy Guards, had taken less than thirty moves to get past the third stage, earning their admiration.

And then, almost immediately, the three challengers each took about thirty to forty moves to get past it.

“Are there so many individuals with exceptional talents among these newly arrived Holy Guards? In just a few years, several of them are already on par with Chang Guangling.”

Behind the ancient temple, Chen Yu and the two others subsequently took a cup of Third Grade Sky Sea Holy Liquid.

Neither Yunhai Zhen nor Yun Yingwu were willing to admit defeat; they had only been slightly slower than Chen Yu, and that didn’t necessarily mean they would lose to him in actual combat.

“Two cousins? Did you lose?”

Yun Fei’er was eyeing the trio from Chen Yu’s group not far away.

Upon seeing Yun Fei’er, Yunhai Zhen and Yun Yingwu felt rather embarrassed.

Before coming, they had confidently claimed that this trip to Sky Sea Mountain would be their chance to surpass Chen Yu.

“There are so many people here?”

Chen Yu glanced at those who were halted by the fourth stage.

“Of course, this fourth stage, even some of the very powerful Silver Emblem Holy Guards, might not be able to get through. They need to rely on luck to randomly encounter disturbances that don’t affect them much, increasing the likelihood of passing through.”

Yun Fei’er said with a smiling voice.

Yunhai Zhen and Yun Yingwu looked solemn.

They weren’t very confident about the fourth stage either, but once they obtained the Fourth Grade Sky Sea Holy Liquid, they could greatly shorten the distance to achieving the status of Golden Emblem Holy Guard.

“Oh? This kid has gotten here so quickly?”

Deng Kuan glanced at Chen Yu.

Shen Han had already passed the fourth stage, while Deng Kuan was still waiting.

Just then, Ye Luofeng and Ye Chengfeng also passed through the third stage and came over.

Seeing Yun Fei’er and Ye Luofeng both by Chen Yu’s side, Deng Kuan’s eyes darkened.

“Hahaha, brother, you passed the third stage so quickly. I underestimated you before. It seems the title of the number one Silver Emblem Holy Guard suit you the most.”

Deng Kuan approached, acting as though he was very familiar with Chen Yu, even though he didn’t even know Chen Yu’s name.

Number one Silver Emblem Holy Guard?

Nearby, many Silver Emblem Holy Guards’ expressions shifted, and glances flickered in their direction, including that of Chang Guangling, the blood-eyed man from before.