In the second layer of the Haotian Tower, a desolate scene unfolded, as all twenty-eight participating disciples, including Xiao Ye, were impaled by a supreme long saber conjured from the black fog, collapsing into pools of blood.
The black fog churned again, seemingly enough to overwhelm the sky, surging upwards and submerging all the disciples, while the shrill demonic sounds, unceasingly poured into the ears of all disciples, affecting their minds.
These demonic sounds were extremely harsh, capable of making one’s soul shiver in pain, and even covering one’s ears with hands was futile.
"Since it’s a trial, how could the Elders from the Earth Hall possibly take away our lives?" Xiao Ye, lying in the pool of blood, felt a spark of inspiration within his heart.
Following that, Xiao Ye struggled to sit up cross-legged within the second layer of the Haotian Tower.
He calmed his mind and circulated the Clear Heart Technique that he obtained from the Yellow Dragon Island Space. Immediately, a gentle breeze lingered around him, persistent and unyielding, while a cool current flowed through his entire body, invigorating Xiao Ye’s spirit. Even the demonic sounds directly assaulting his ears were greatly weakened, no longer affecting him.
It had to be said, the Clear Heart Technique was extremely beneficial for martial artists like himself, who understood the Slaughter Principle.
While comprehending the Slaughter Principle in the Yellow Dragon Island Space, Xiao Ye relied on this secret technique several times to break free from the backlash and negative effects brought by a substantial increase in his law realm.
Xiao Ye heaved a sigh of relief in his heart, slightly opened his eyes to look down, and saw that all the supreme long sabers previously embedded in his body had disappeared. Where on his body could there be a single trace of a wound?
What he saw just now was nothing more than an illusion, albeit impressively realistic.
Xiao Ye then turned to look at the other twenty-seven disciples, who were all lying on the ground in agony, their expressions distorted with their bodies still trembling, emitting piercing screams—obviously still troubled by the illusion and unable to break free.
"It seems that this second test of willpower indeed gives me a great advantage."
Xiao Ye thought to himself, he was the fastest to break free from the illusions, not only because of his powerful willpower shaped by the path of slaughter, but also aided by the effects of the Clear Heart Technique.
Therefore, it was no wonder his performance in this trial was the most outstanding.
"Where could the entrance to the third layer be?" While circulating the Clear Heart Technique, Xiao Ye concentrated and surveyed his surroundings, seeking to find the entrance.
Boom! At this moment, heaven and earth shook, the void shattered.
Waves of explosions echoed like thunder, and before Xiao Ye could find the entrance, the gigantic black fog surged upwards, releasing a fierce devil light, rushing towards him with overwhelming force.
"Not good!" Xiao Ye’s complexion drastically changed, realizing that he had underestimated the difficulty of the second layer’s trial, which apparently was not over so soon.
But as Xiao Ye resisted the demonic sounds, he could only watch helplessly as the boundless black demonic energy surged towards him, threatening to engulf him.
This time, the attack effect of the black fog was even stronger than before, and even as Xiao Ye strived to operate the Clear Heart Technique, his spirit still couldn’t help but tremble, nearly on the verge of breaking, with illusionary figures rising in his mind, causing his eyes to momentarily cloud over.
Woosh! The circulating breezes surrounding Xiao Ye dissipated, and the operation of the Clear Heart Technique halted as well.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, the endless fog rolled in, completely submerging Xiao Ye’s form. Xiao Ye could only feel his body continuously sinking as if heading into an endless hell, where no trace of light could be seen anymore.
Simultaneously, outside the Haotian Tower, the ten Law Enforcement Elders sensed something, opened their eyes, and looked up towards the second layer of the tower, shocked by the scene.
"It is the highest-level Martial Arts Demonic Energy, who has drawn out such terrifying Demonic Qi? A martial artist in the King Martial Realm, once contaminated by this kind of Martial Arts Demonic Energy, will immediately lose their mind, and their physical body will be controlled by the Demonic Qi!"
Within the second layer of Haotian Tower, the Array inscribed is the Myriad Illusion Array Technique, which uses mist to invade the martial artists’ minds, thereby generating extremely lifelike illusions, making it very difficult for the martial artists who fall into the Array to escape.
Under normal circumstances, the level of illusions produced by the Myriad Illusion Array Technique on many disciples is consistent, launching indiscriminate attacks on all disciples, and its power gradually diminishes, so as long as one can withstand the initial impact and regain clarity, then proceed cautiously, passing the second layer becomes possible.
But there are exceptions.
Any disciple who performs exceptionally well against the first wave of attacks, easily resisting them, will attract the highest level of illusion—Martial Arts Demonic Energy.
This kind of Demonic Qi can create the highest level of illusions, and even high-level King Martial Realm experts might falter and be unable to break free from it.
And now, not long after the test has started, Martial Arts Demonic Energy has appeared; of course, they would be shocked.
"Since I became the Law Enforcement Elder of Earth Hall, this is the first time I have seen this Demonic Qi appear."
"I’m seeing it for the first time too, truly inconceivable!"
Many Elders were shocked, and having said this, they fell silent simultaneously.
Among the thirty-eight disciples being tested, who could have the ability to draw out the Martial Arts Demonic Energy?
At this moment, a name involuntarily came to their minds—Xiao Ye!
That Xiao Ye, although a new disciple of Yellow Hall, had repeatedly set records, shocking them, still, they found it hard to believe in their hearts.
Of course, this was merely their speculation.
"What do the esteemed Elders think we should do now? The disciple who drew out the Martial Arts Demonic Energy might very well fall into it!" The slender Wu Tong swept his gaze across the other Elders, speaking with a grave expression.
"Since this disciple has drawn out Martial Arts Demonic Energy, he might just be able to withstand it. Let’s observe the situation before deciding," Elder Tian Jiu’s eyes flashed with a sharp glint.
Elder Tian Jiu was aware that Xiao Ye had comprehended the Slaughter Principle, so he speculated that it was very likely Xiao Ye who had drawn out the Martial Arts Demonic Energy.
If Xiao Ye could truly rely on his own power to withstand the trial of Martial Arts Demonic Energy, this would be particularly beneficial for his entry into Earth Hall, hence he dared to make this suggestion.
"Yes, we, as Law Enforcement Elders, are generally not allowed to disrupt the normal proceedings of the tests; I also feel we should wait and see before deciding."
Instantly, several other Elders also nodded in agreement.
Wu Tong nodded, watching Haotian Tower intently together with the other nine Elders.
No matter who this disciple is that drew out the Martial Arts Demonic Energy, after the test of Earth Hall is over, the entire Taiyi Palace is bound to be disrupted.