Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Ye Mo immediately took action after he finished speaking. He started awakening the Shapeshifting Illusion, the Tier Two Heart Technique, as he started to train up to the second tier.

Tier Two was several times faster than the Shapeshifting Illusion in terms of speed. Instead of cutting through waterfalls, it could cut through the ocean. As one’s body charged toward the ocean, they would be able to use their body to create a gigantic amount of power. Turning that into a sharp blade, they would be able to cut through the ocean.

One had to understand that the ocean’s pressure was extremely huge. Even if a fighter did reach the required level, if their flesh wasn’t durable enough, charging into the ocean would not only result in the ocean not being split apart, but their body would turn into a pile of mashed flesh.

As for Tier Three, one would be able to kill without leaving any sort of a trace. Without even having to make a move themselves. It was an even more frightening ability.

If Ye Mo succeeded in his training, dealing with the demonic beasts would be a massacre. Circling the beasts in the air would result in them all being sliced in half.

There was one day left for Ye Mo to start cultivating the final two tiers of the Shapeshifting Illusion technique. But, having fused with the Red Dragon Wings, Ye Mo’s speed was already extremely fast. Adding on the fact that his Dragon Blood Strength had reached Level Six, he had met both prerequisites.

Thus, all Ye Mo needed to do now was practice his flying and stepping techniques.

Looking across the solemn, flat land and seeing that there was a huge amount of demonic beasts there, Leng Wei turned to the castellans beside him.

“There’s actually still a group of beasts in the intermediate stage of the Profound Heaven Realm. I estimate that there are more than a hundred of them. Let’s go over and kill them off. We’ll be able to increase our Demon Crystal count as well as train.”

But, just as they were about to take flight, they saw a red-black shadow flash by, too fast to be seen by the naked eye, to the group of beasts.

The shadow dashed past the group of demonic beasts before stopping at one side. From its silhouette, it was Ye Mo.

The red came from his blood-red Red Dragon Wings, while the black came from the normal black attire he was used to wearing.

Bam, bam, bam, bam!

Sounds of explosions followed, one after another. The dozen castellans saw the demonic beasts that Ye Mo was standing beside all torn in two. Collapsing to the ground, not a single drop of blood flowed out from their bodies.

“What? What’s going on?”

Leng Wei was shocked. If one were to tell him that it was Ye Mo who flew through the air and destroyed those monsters, he would never believe such a thing. Even fighters in the Profound Heaven Realm wouldn’t be able to have this kind of attack speed, slaughtering a hundred of those demonic beasts in a split second.

“His speed has already reached the top level,” one of the castellans said. “Even fighters in the Profound Heaven Realm may not be as fast as him. His body is extremely strong as well – he must have already reached the level of his body becoming a blade. Using his flesh and his newly fused Red Dragon Wings, he managed to kill all those beasts.”

“What?”

Everyone was shocked to the point of being speechless.

Boom, boom!

Just as they were recovering from their shock, a sound rose up in the air once again, a voice that echoed through the whole of the Black Jade Mountains.

“Firstly, congratulations to all the castellans who made it past the first stage. Now, the second stage of trials will commence. You may choose to back out now, if you wish.”

An emotionless voice circled the ears of everyone present. “Those who wish to participate in the second stage of the trials, head toward the center of the Black Jade Mountain Range. On your way there, the Thousand City Ranking will once again display your respective Demon Crystal point tally.”

Hearing that, all the castellans in the tenth district started to gather.

Yao Yue had used the Primordial Shenrui Blood to successfully cultivate the low-tier heaven weapon, the Chilling Waters, and experienced a boost in strength as well. Now, Yao Yue could kill any Profound Heaven Realm fighters in the intermediate stage.

“Let’s head over now. As long as we remain together, even Four Star Castellans won’t be able to kill us,” Ye Mo said as he led the way to the center of the Black Jade Mountain, with other castellans following suit.

Just as the dozen them were on their way, a gigantic list appeared in the air. The list contained the statistics for all the city masters.

Sky Dragon City Master, Man Tianha,o advanced stage of Profound Heaven Realm, Demon Crystal count: 30000.

Sky Dragon Deputy City Master, Man Tiancheng, advanced stage of Profound Heaven Realm, Demon Crystal count: 28000.

Southern Sea City Master, Hai Dalong, advanced stage of Profound Heaven Realm, Demon Crystal count: 28000.

Emperor Level City Master. Huang Wuji, advanced stage of Profound Heaven Realm, Demon Crystal count: 27300.

Song City Master, Song Gang, advanced stage of Profound Heaven Realm, Demon Crystal count 27000.

On his way, Ye Mo looked up at the rankings in the sky. He was rather taken aback – all of them were in the Profound Heaven Realm’s advanced stage.

Furthermore, the first-place competitor had 30000 Demon Crystals. How was that even possible? Even Song Gang, a Five Star City Master, was only in fifth.

Ye Mo also saw something unusual – there was a huge difference between the bottom five and the top five in terms of the number of Demon Crystals. The number ranged from 10000 to 20000.

“What’s going on?” Ye Mo asked. “Is Song Gang really that strong?”

Ye Mo naturally didn’t believe that fact as a Five Star Castellan would be able to take fifth place.

“Deputy Castellan Ye Mo, it seems that you don’t understand the situation we’re dealing with,” Leng Wei explained. “If you’re a Seven Star City Master, would you go and kill those demonic beasts. Naturally not. You’d wait for the palace where the second round is supposed to appear, and then make your move, stealing everyone’s Demon Crystals. As for those in the middle of the rankings, there will be some Three and Four Star City Masters who didn’t put their Demon Crystals into their Xu Mi Bags. They will only do so upon entering the palace, allowing the weapon spirit of the palace to identify them.”

The strongest wouldn’t even bother to kill the beasts. Those who were weaker didn’t dare to reveal their Demon Crystal count.

Thus, this ranking of Demon Crystal tally could only be used as a reference – most of the elite fighters had yet to make their move yet.

“Ye Mo, this Man Tianhao is a Seven Star Castellan. As for Man Tiancheng and Hai Dalong, as well as Huang Wuji, they’re all Six Star Castellan,” Yao Yue said calmly.

According to the recordings of the scroll, the Zone of Chaos had plenty of Seven Star Castellans. Man Tianhao was one of the few, and the weakest among them.

“It appears that this second stage of trials is set to be a tough battle.”

Ye Mo let out a sigh before their speed received a boost. They reached the central mountain range of the Black Jade Mountain Range in no time.

Dozens of people descended as well, landing atop a gigantic mountain peak.

“So many beasts – it seems like they’re all beasts in the advanced stage of the Profound Heaven Realm.” One of the castellans was taken by surprise.

“In the second stage, I’m afraid that it’ll be extremely difficult to collect points without strength equivalent to the powers of a Three Star Castellan.”

Looking down at the group of beasts, it would be somewhat difficult to even deal with a single beast in the advanced stage.

Three Star Castellans – castellans in the advanced stage of the Profound Heaven Realm, could rely on sneak attacks to kill the mystic beasts.

Four Star City Masters dared to battle those beasts face on.

And for Five Star City Masters and above, dealing with these beasts was more bullying than fighting.

“Let’s find a hidden location,” Ye Mo said.

“Alright!”

In an instant, the remaining dozen castellans from the tenth district found a cave that was easy to defend and difficult to attack and made the cave part of their own territory.

Furthermore, with some of the castellans extremely wise with experience, they displayed their various magical formations and traps, turning the place completely under their control.

It would be extremely difficult for fighters in the advanced stage of the Profound Heaven Realm to attack a cave like this.