The Axe-wielding noble pushed himself up with an embarrassed face. Since he was unable to proceed further, he was forced to make a tactical retreat back the same way he had arrived.

Nevertheless, despite the fact that he had failed the second objective, he had still surpassed everyone before him and gained the spiritual blessing! As such, he returned with a smile of confidence.

Hao Lei began to consider whether he should go along and invite this talented young noble, but considering that it would be rude to the guests that he was already accompanying, he decided against it.

However, almost immediately, the red-robed old man who had glared at Hao Lei before, walked over to the Axe-wielding noble and spoke out respectfully, "Young Master Samuel, your talent is truly outstanding!" and pointing at Hao Lei with a manipulative grin, he continued, "Since the Lyon family seems to consider that your talent is below their required 'standards', will the young master accept my invitation on behalf of the Turnbull Family?"

Hearing this, Samuel frowned unhappily and glanced at Hao Lei, who in turn could only force a smile and explain, "My apologies, young master Samuel. It was simply that I had to entertain these fellow Daoists of mine. Nevertheless, there is no need for the young master to join the Turnbull family, as I too, will present an invitation on behalf of the Lyon Family."

Samuel's frown deepened. Feeling unsatisfied despite his recent success, he eyed the trio who were the so-called 'fellow Daoists' but noticed no one special. As such, simply out of spite, he turned around and walked over to the red-robed man saying, "In that case, I'll be accepting the Turnbull Family's invitation. But, I hope that it will be fine with this Senior if I remain to witness the remainder of this event?"

The red-robed man immediately agreed to this simple request and turned to look at Hao Lei with a malicious smirk of self-satisfaction.

Hao Lei grimaced in anger, 'Damn that Shu Yi! How dare he sully the name of our Lyon Family? Still, that Samuel wasn't worth much either way, and his support will only net the Turnbull's a momentary gain.' He glanced at Zhen Shi, 'Now let's see whether this braggart can live up to at least half of his words...'

The trial continued and the remaining candidates finished up shortly, in a rather disappointing manner, with no one stepping beyond the 40th step.

Zhen Shi who had been watching was beginning to be concerned about the state of the world or... at least the central plains, 'Is this seriously the power of the average cultivator populace...? Or maybe these guys are just a horde of black sheep cultivators...?'

The failed candidates definitely would've cried themselves to sleep had they heard his thoughts.

Nevertheless, realizing that it was now his turn to walk the bridge, Zhen Shi put those important thoughts aside and walked forwards under the watching eyes of the crowd.

Samuel was watching calmly, confident of the fact that this random cultivator would not amount to anything much.

But Samuel's jaw dropped to the floor in surprise, when Zhen Shi simply walked up the steps as if he was going on a relaxing stroll in a park and completely neglected the spiritual pressure. Within a few seconds, he reached the 49th step, the step just before the half-way point!

But it wasn't as easy as it had looked... when Zhen Shi stepped on to the bridge, the soul pressure had crashed down heavily on to his body. And when the pressure exceeded his capability, he had simply activated and brushed it off.

But there was also a soul attack hidden within it! But when the soul pressure struck his (pseudo)soul, the vermillion bird feather had come out and instantly negated the pressure.

Zhen Shi had been thinking it was strange that the Vermillion Bird bloodline only had the power of the Undying Flame. And he now knew why. It also provided formidable soul defense!

Either way, the Golden Soul Bridge was completely useless against him now!

And so with a mischievous grin, he turned to look at Myne and Vivienne and waved his hand happily, causing them to struggle to stifle their laughter.

Even Hao Lei couldn't help but grin...

Under the displeased gazes of Shu Yi, Samuel, and the rest of the crowd, Zhen Shi turned back to the bridge and easily took the last step on to the half-way point!

Immediately, the terrifying figure of the black tiger formed from Divine Aether appeared. Under the half-hearted cheers of the spectators, just like before, the tiger began to roar, covering Zhen Shi in the silver energy.

Zhen Shi calmly closed his eyes expecting his soul to improve as promised...

System SFX:

But surprisingly nothing happened, because the primordial chaos base in his dantian pounced out like a hungry beast and began to greedily absorb all the silver soul energy, while rapidly expanding.

Zhen Shi was surprised, but since the primordial chaos was growing stronger, he didn't complain and sat down in a lotus position.

A while later...

The Spiritual Blessing ended, and the tiger prepared to take its leave.

But suddenly, the primordial chaos base began to forcefully pull out the silver-white soul energy from the black tiger.

ROAR!

Immediately, the pitch-black tiger began to struggle and roar in rage, it's eyes revealing ferocity and determination but was ultimately unable to escape.

A while later...

Having absorbed a considerable amount of energy, at a certain point, the primordial chaos had expanded to the very limit of the dantian planet. At that point, the primordial chaos proceeded to contract to a smaller size increasing in density.

And then, it simply proceeded to absorb more of the struggling tiger's energy.

Unable to escape, under the absorption of the primordial chaos, the tiger's appearance and roar began to change gradually...

After a while...

The terrifying dark black tiger's roar had now turned into nothing but a high-pitched screech, and the manifestation of the tiger now looked like a malnourished cat, that could only pitifully stare at Zhen Shi, pleading to allow it to let go.

But Zhen Shi was just as helpless since he had no control over the primordial chaos. As such, he could only smile awkwardly and speak out with great sorrow, "I am sorry, little kitty, but I cannot help you..."

All the cultivators who had been watching the strange scenario almost coughed up blood hearing those words, but they patiently paused as Zhen Shi continued to speak sagely, "As you know, cultivation is an arduous path... Even if we compete for superiority, it is our duty to help others when they make mistakes. And unlike a certain someone, I possess a sense of pride. Thus, I am duty-bound to teach you and help you. This is simply a punishment to get rid of your bad habit of spewing gross silver-white spit all over everyone!"

Hearing those final words, all the spectators were unable to hold back and finally vomited out the blood, 'Brother, can you let Lord Caishen's manifestation off with some degree of pride?'

Not only the cultivators, even the Black tiger seemed to have become furious, as it let out a final powerful roar!

Suddenly, a thin yellow figure wielding a long golden rod emanating a powerful divine aura appeared as if in answer to the Black Tiger's roar. The yellow figure proudly pointed the long rod at Zhen Shi and started to send forth torrents of golden energy towards him.

The Primordial Chaos Base couldn't be happier, as it began to greedily guzzle up all of that energy as well, while Zhen Shi watched on helplessly.

The crowd of cultivators including the two elders were speechless in amazement. Such an unprecedented event hadn't taken place even for Prince Tristram's Bridge trial!

Myne and Vivienne could only smile helplessly as well.

But, unsurprisingly, after a while...

Besides the screeching black cat, there was now a yellow figure screaming like a frightened little girl. He was desperately trying to hold onto his golden rod which was on the verge of being snatched away by the primordial chaos base.

And the primordial chaos base continued to guzzle the silver and golden energy.

The onlooking cultivators watched on in stupefaction as the indomitable manifestations of a god was dragged through the mud by this random fellow. They couldn't help but think, 'Did God Caishen wake up from the wrong side of the bed today?'

And after a while longer...

The yellow figure had completely lost his pride and was staring at Zhen Shi pitifully pleading to be freed. But, he would occasionally pause and glance in rage at his fellow screeching black cat for bringing him here and forcing him into this shameful situation.

But once again, Zhen Shi was helpless to do anything and could only speak out, "I believe I have finished teaching a lesson to the kitty..."

*Whew*

All the cultivators and even the two manifestations seemed to heave a sigh of relief.

But Zhen Shi continued to speak, "However, a certain someone is unable to keep his 'golden rod' where it should be..."

Hearing these words, everyone was confused for a moment. So Zhen Shi continued, "To make matter worse, he began to shamelessly spray his 'yellow liquid' on me! This is an extremely unseemly act to be performed in public! Does this fellow not know basic human decency? It seems I'll have to cure that bad habit as well!

Now finally understanding his meaning, the spectating cultivators coughed up the last of their blood, 'Fellow Daoist... what? Is that how you see the spiritual blessing that many would give an arm or a leg for? A mere clump of spit or just a trickle of piss? Poor God Caishen... These two must be mortal enemies...'

🌀🌀🌀

But, on the contrary, as Myne observed the sight of Zhen Shi absorbing more and more of the silver and golden energy, he noticed something that didn't match up. A logic that made no sense...

'If this brother of mine is actually upset due to being covered in the tiger's spit and the golden rod's 'yellow liquid', why the hell would he do this!? This... 'punishment' is simply resulting in him being covered in more of that!'

Immediately, Myne's imagination ran off course, 'In that case... could this be... a more perverted application of his tendency to enjoy being hit?'

Realizing this fact, Myne's brow furrowed in worry as he began to curse his own powerlessness, 'Damn it! I'm sorry, Brother, but my hands are tied and I can't save you...'

🌀🌀🌀

Ignorant of Myne's misunderstood thoughts, Zhen Shi continued to sit with his eyes closed as the Primordial Chaos base continued to guzzle up the energy.

After some attempts, he was finally able to get the Primordial Chaos base to share some of the energy for his own use! He immediately directed the energy towards the Soul Zhen Shi and began using the energy for cultivation.

A while later, just when the black tiger and the golden rod wielding yellow figure were on the verge of dissipating, Zhen Shi made a breakthrough!

Ding!

Congratulations to the user for cultivating and reaching the Soul Formation Stage 3!

Ding!

Congratulations to the user for cultivating and reaching the Soul Formation Stage 4!

By now, the primordial chaos base had gone through multiple cycles of expansion and contraction and had become extremely stable and dense.

Tremble!

But, suddenly, a blurry plump shadow appeared generating a terrifying aura. The entire market island seemed to quake in fear of his presence, and even Zhen Shi was frozen on the spot.

The hundreds of cultivators were stupefied, with the majority fainting on the spot. Whether this was in fear for the terrifying plump shadow or out of sheer blood loss due to coughing, we'll never know...

Samuel was wallowing in self-pity and so was able to stay awake...

Hao Lei and Shu Yi stared with their mouths open, struggling to stay standing themselves.

Even Myne and Vivienne, while unaffected, watched with widened eyes.

Because... this had to be the shadow of a GOD!

The plump shadow lightly grabbed the tiger and the golden rod, instantly freeing them from the attraction power of the Primordial Chaos base and allowed them to pitifully take their leave.

Then, the shadow turned to Zhen Shi, pulled the air in his direction, and immediately disappeared.

Whoosh!

Suddenly, a huge globe of dense divine aether appeared and was thrust towards him.

And before Zhen Shi could even figure out whether this was an attack or a divine blessing, the primordial chaos base guzzled all of it down in a single gobble.

But, as the dense divine aether dashed past the dantian planet, the manifestation of the bow which Zhen Shi had used to activate the {Archer} title began to shiver strangely.

Slowly, the vague shadow of an arrow appeared alongside it. And the strands of intent from the bow and the arrow began to resonate... and combine...

But almost immediately, they collapsed and separated into two again.

Noticing this strange phenomenon, Zhen Shi was greatly excited! What he had just witnessed was extremely similar to what had happened back when he was hunting down that Batsy! A resonance between arrow and bow intent! If he could replicate the results, there was a possibility to combine two types of intent!

But he was forced to ignore it for the moment, as he had to struggle to keep the title of within his body and prevent any leaked aura from revealing his true class.

Fortunately, after a few minutes, the manifestation of the bow and arrow calmed down, and the force on {Arcane Archer} disappeared along with it.

Zhen Shi heaved a sigh of relief as the trouble was over now. As such, he stood up and surveyed the surroundings.

But, what awaited him was a desolate lakeshore, filled with hundreds of fainted cultivators except for a select few who were just barely standing. Seeing this situation and how he'd have to eventually deal with it, Zhen Shi did the only thing he could do...

"System, this is all your fault!"

System: "..."