To Ye Qingchen’s surprise, in the middle of the narrow side path, the Divine-Rank Technique’s energy barrier emitted a faint yellow light that was not too dazzling. Its glow was even dimmer than that of the numerous Heaven-Rank Cultivation Techniques beside it.
So the most powerful Cultivation Techniques are all here!
Ye Qingchen’s eyes lit up as he strode toward the narrow path.
Seeing Ye Qingchen’s actions, the supervisor at the front of the passage looked astonished and called out, "Ye Qingchen, you can’t go there!"
Ye Qingchen, who had just stepped onto the narrow path, stopped and looked back, confused. "Senior, why not?"
He noticed there were no signs prohibiting entry on this narrow path. Logically, it should have been accessible. Not only was Ye Qingchen confused, but the robust youth beside him was also baffled.
The supervisor elaborated, "Although the Cultivation Techniques there are powerful, most of them, with very few exceptions, are incomplete. First, you might not be able to open the energy barriers protecting them. Second, even if you are lucky enough to open one, practicing an incomplete technique is unsuitable and could easily lead to demonic cultivation!"
Ye Qingchen nodded in understanding and smiled at the supervisor. "Thank you for the reminder, Senior! I’m just curious and want to take a look."
With that, Ye Qingchen continued down the narrow path.
The supervisor shook his head, speechless. He had offered a kind warning, yet Ye Qingchen insisted on his own way. In the supervisor’s mind, Ye Qingchen was already categorized as someone who aimed too high. He believed it was unlikely Ye Qingchen would be able to choose a suitable Cultivation Technique on this trip.
However, just then—
A technique light barrier within the narrow path suddenly trembled. The originally faint yellow glow surged, enveloping the youth who had pressed his hands against it!
Feeling the fluctuation and seeing Ye Qingchen pressing his hands on the yellow energy barrier, the supervisor’s pupils suddenly shrank.
"How dare he! How dare he!"
He was intimately familiar with the locations of the Cultivation Techniques here and immediately recognized that Ye Qingchen was attempting to open the only incomplete Divine-Rank Technique in the entire repository!
The robust youth looked puzzled and turned to the supervisor. "Senior, what’s wrong?"
The supervisor took a deep breath. "He’s trying to open the only Divine-Rank technique light barrier here!"
"What! Divine-Level!"
The robust youth was startled, and then a look of endless mockery spread across his face. "I, Liu Wenzhuang, was the first-place winner in my region’s trials, and even I wouldn’t dare attempt to open a Heaven-Rank technique light barrier. Yet he, a mere ninety-ninth ranker who got in through the back door, covets a Divine-Rank Technique. He truly doesn’t know his own limits!"
He’ll probably faint soon from the powerful energy of the light barrier, just like that other outer disciple. He’ll just embarrass himself in public and walk away with nothing!
Unwilling to waste any more time on Ye Qingchen, Liu Wenzhuang walked over to an Earth-Rank, Earth-Attribute technique light barrier he had selected, pressed his hands against it, and began his attempt to open it.
The supervisor didn’t even bother looking at Ye Qingchen anymore. Instead, he waved to the staff members concealed in the darkness. "That outer disciple over there is likely to faint soon. Prepare to carry him out!"
"Yes!"
The staff members in the darkness acknowledged the order and began moving toward Ye Qingchen’s position.
...
At this moment, Ye Qingchen was unaware that he had been marked for removal. He was fully focused, pouring all his Spiritual Power into the light barrier in an attempt to shatter it.
Ye Qingchen had initially planned to carefully browse the Cultivation Techniques in the narrow path before making a choice. However, the Dual Pupil Martial Soul in his sea of consciousness seemed extremely interested in this incomplete Divine-Rank Technique. A black light shot out from the Double Pupils, instantly pitting him against the energy of the encompassing yellow barrier!
The more frantically Ye Qingchen channeled the Spiritual Power from his Dantian, the stronger the yellow radiance on the energy barrier became, relentlessly pushing back against him!
Hmph! I’m at least a fifth-rank Martial Artist. I refuse to believe I can’t handle one measly light barrier!
A stubborn streak took over. Ye Qingchen wildly drove the Spiritual Power in his body into his arms, continuously pressing against the energy barrier!
And as the Spiritual Power he infused grew stronger, the force of the energy barrier intensified in response!
The two forces were locked in a stalemate for a full three minutes!
The originally faint yellow glow had swelled to several times its size, enveloping Ye Qingchen’s entire body. Endless pressure assailed him from all sides, and his very bones emitted horrifying, creaking sounds!
In the darkness, the two staff members waiting for Ye Qingchen to faint were now completely dumbstruck. He was only supposed to last a few seconds, but a full three minutes had passed, and he was still going! There was no sign of him fainting at all.
"Elder Zhang!" one of the staff members finally couldn’t hold back any longer and ran to the supervisor’s side.
"Has that kid finally reached his limit and fainted? He lasted a bit longer than I expected..." Elder Zhang was busy with his own affairs and hadn’t been watching Ye Qingchen.
"Elder Zhang, that kid is still holding on! He hasn’t fainted!" the staff member raised his voice, trying to get his attention.
"Yes, yes, he hasn’t fainted," Elder Zhang said dismissively. "That’s a Divine-Level technique light barrier; not even the Sect Master or the Venerables could open it. How could he possibly... Wait. What did you say? Ye Qingchen *still* hasn’t fainted?"
What met his eyes was Ye Qingchen’s body, nearly deformed by the pressure. His veins bulged, and crimson trickles of blood seeped from his skin. Yet, he was still desperately holding on!
"How long has this boy been at it?"
"Three minutes—oh, no, it’s been four minutes now!"
"Four minutes!"
Elder Zhang’s eyelids twitched violently! Back then, even the Sect Master and the Venerables had only lasted for two minutes before they couldn’t take it anymore and gave up...
How did he do it?
Elder Zhang swallowed hard, his gaze now fixed completely on Ye Qingchen!
...
At this moment, Ye Qingchen was unaware that he had successfully captured Elder Zhang’s attention. He was still furiously contending with the Light Shield Energy!
The Light Shield Energy is too strong; it’s simply not something I can contend with! At this rate, I’ll exhaust all the Spiritual Power in my Dantian and still fail to open it. Worse yet, my body is taking the brunt of these frenzied impacts, and I’m about to collapse. If this continues, all my bones will probably break!
As this thought crossed his mind, Ye Qingchen was about to withdraw his hands and give up on this Divine-Rank Technique.
However, just then, streams of black light once again surged from within his Dual Pupil Martial Soul. They mingled with the surrounding yellow glow, and on the barrier’s previously smooth surface, black cracks visible only to him appeared, wriggling like dark tadpoles!
These are the weak points of the energy barrier!
Ye Qingchen’s eyes brightened. The next moment, with a flash of intent, the Martial Soul Force of his Seven-Star Willow Wood Martial Soul surged forth, forming tiny threads of Willow Wood Force that rapidly filled the black fissures!
As more and more Willow Wood Force filled the cracks, the oppressive force on his body began to weaken, bit by bit!
Then, under Elder Zhang’s utterly horrified gaze, an extremely fine crack appeared on the energy barrier.