t
Whoosh whoosh whoosh…
Qin Nan and Chen Zilai’s figures landed on the dojo at the same time.
“Congratulations to you both for defeating your enemies. Qin Nan has scored three points while Chen Zilai has scored two. You can now proceed to the third stage.” The voice of the Monarch Envoy echoed above them.
“The third stage? What about them?” Qin Nan frowned.
The Monarch Envoy mentioned that the four of them were allies, thus they were required to advance together. However, if someone failed to finish the quest, it would affect the other three too. As such, they could only advance to the next stage together.
“Those who are able to defeat their enemies while doing the quest will be granted access to the next stage. However, your performance will determine the points given to you. As such, you two can now proceed to the next stage. As for your allies, they have failed the second attempts, thus they will be having their third attempts with the others soon.” The Monarch Envoy said in a calm tone.
Qin Nan was startled.
It made sense that Yu Qingtong had failed, but why would Jiang Bilan fail too? Judging from her attitude, she seemed to be quite confident in herself.
“Could it be that she was just stopping me from seeing something?”
Qin Nan was startled.
“Amitabha, Cultivator Qin Nan, thanks for your help. I owe you one.” Chen Zilai suddenly placed his palms together with a calm expression.
“It wasn’t anything significant, don’t worry about it.”
Qin Nan shook his head.
A few talismans flew out from the beam of light on the dojo, which turned into a vortex of talismans. The voice of the Monarch Envoy appeared again, “You can proceed to the next stage by stepping into it.”
“I hope Jiang Bilan will complete her quest soon.”
Qin Nan mumbled to himself as he brought his fists together toward Chen Zilai before stepping into the vortex.
Following this, Qin Nan was teleported to another place.
He found himself inside a hundred zhang long palace. The walls surrounding him were hung with mysterious ancient drawings, while a strong presence of monarch Qi descended from above.
Qin Nan immediately activated the left eye of the Divine God of Battle to scan his surroundings. As he thought, he was unable to peek through the walls. Apart from the bigger space and a stronger monarch Qi, it was similar to the setting of the first stage.
What was the Monarch Ranking planning to do this time?
“Cultivator Qin Nan, congratulations on reaching the third stage. You’re the fifth one to reach here. Since you have scored three points, you are given twenty days to absorb the monarch Qi to refine your Monarch Heart.” A voice could be heard coming from above.
Qin Nan’s eyes flickered.
He did not expect four other geniuses would have passed the second trial before him.
But what was the Monarch Heart?
The Monarch Envoy seemed to be aware of Qin Nan’s doubts as it explained, “When you’re trying to inherit the Monarch Horoscope, you will be attacked by it. If the Monarch Heart you’ve refined is complete, the resistance you receive from the Monarch Horoscope would be smaller.”
“As for the duration given to you, it’s determined according to your ranking when you enter the third stage. If your score is higher, placing you at a higher rank, you will be given more time to cultivate.”
Qin Nan immediately came to a realization after hearing this.
“I never thought the Monarch Horoscope Contest would have so many rules. I should quicken my pace then.”
Qin Nan made up his mind and sat down with his legs crossed, unleashing the Divine Battle Spirit to absorb the monarch Qi.
The streams of monarch Qi entered his body and spread out to his limbs and organs, merging with his body.
Time gradually passed…
On the twentieth day, the monarch Qi descending from above had depleted.
An explosion took place inside Qin Nan’s body. After absorbing for twenty days, he had refined an illusionary heart which was surrounded by a magical glow. However, it was still not complete yet.
Phew!
Qin Nan opened his eyes slowly and exhaled deeply, as his figure emitted a strong battle intent.
Twenty days had passed. It was time for him to exit the palace and participate in the final stage!
“Uhh, Cultivator Qin Nan, I forgot to mention. The person who first reached the third stage by completing his quest was given thirty days to cultivate. As such, you will have to wait until the time is up.” The Monarch Envoy said.
“So I’ll have to wait another ten days?”
Qin Nan withdrew his battle intent with a frown.
The palace no longer had any remaining monarch Qi, and the presence of Qi was not strong here. It would be completely wasting his time if he were to stay there for another ten days.
“I almost forgot!”
A thought crossed Qin Nan’s mind, causing his right arm to explode into the Heaven-Shattering Saber.
He had already been intrigued by the thing outside of the palace in the first stage. Why shouldn’t he make use of the time to see what was outside now?
“Cultivator Qin Nan, you can’t break the entrance.” The Monarch Envoy was left speechless after seeing Qin Nan’s action. The Monarch Envoy in the first stage had already told it about Qin Nan’s intention, and he had the same intentions now in the third stage.
“Why can’t I break it? If I’m not mistaken, I believe there’s no such rule in the Monarch Horoscope Contest.” Qin Nan calmly said.
“You’re right, but…”
The Monarch Envoy twisted its lips.
None of the geniuses who had participated in the Monarch Horoscope Contest in the past would dare to try to break the palace, thus there was no need to set up the rule specifically. However, it entirely forgot that Qin Nan had the Heaven-Shattering Saber, which was able to shatter anything.
“It’s fine. I’m just taking a peek. I won’t do anything.”
Qin Nan stomped the ground and unleashed his strength, causing the Heaven-Shattering Saber in his hand to emit a brilliant saber intent.
“Stop stop stop!” The Monarch Envoy blurted out, “Don’t do it! How about this? I’ll give you another ten days of monarch Qi? You should focus on cultivating instead!”
Qin Nan’s eyes flickered.
He did not expect the Monarch Envoy would offer such a great benefit just to stop him from breaking the palace.
It didn’t seem like a bad deal.
However, Qin Nan did not let go of the saber, but asked, “Tell me, how many geniuses have managed to reach the third stage?”
The Monarch Envoy twisted its lips again. However, since it had broken the rule, it did not matter if it were to break it again, “There are currently sixty-seven people.”
“Sixty-seven?”
Qin Nan’s eyes flickered.
Only ten days were left in the Monarch Horoscope Contest, thus it was highly possible that there would be at least hundreds of people in the final stage.
These people were no doubt the true geniuses of the Middle Continent after advancing past the first and second stages!
“Alright, I accept the deal!”
Qin Nan withdrew the Heaven-Shattering Saber and sat down on the ground again.
When he opened his eyes next, he would be facing the true storm!