The rainbow light faded from the surroundings.
When their vision cleared, the group found themselves standing inside a massive, spacious hall. The walls and pillars gleamed as if forged entirely from pure gold. The light had transported them here without warning, leaving them facing a single, tightly shut giant door. Everyone looked around in bewilderment, still shocked by the sudden teleportation.
It took a moment for them to realize they were not alone.
Standing quietly to the side of the towering door was a man. He stood tall and straight, his posture imposing. The powerful aura radiating from his body naturally commanded respect, making everyone instantly aware of his presence.
Suddenly, a voice rang out in surprise.
"General Mo Chen, it's you!"
Wu Ming was slightly taken aback by the name. He looked over and realized that the man standing by the door was indeed the Supreme General he knew.
General Mo Chen had not yet noticed Wu Ming. His attention was drawn to the one who had called out Gu Yi Fan. The general gave a slight nod, showing his respect and acknowledgment for the geniuses who had made it through the final trial. In the near future, these youths would represent the Empire on a much larger stage.
Gu Yi Fan clasped his hands and couldn't help but ask, "General, forgive my intrusion, but isn't this place reserved for the ten who passed the final round? Why are Yan Lan, Mo Cheng, and Zhang Yun here? They did not rank in the top ten."
General Mo Chen paused, looking slightly amused by the question. He let out a light laugh.
"You must be surprised, but don't worry, I will explain. The reason these three were chosen to come here is that they possess hidden potential and latent talent that hasn't been fully revealed."
"What?" Gu Yi Fan was stunned by this unusual answer. Everyone had hidden potential, so why were these three, who hadn't shown anything particularly outstanding, singled out?
Seeing through his confusion, the General explained further. "It is true that everyone has latent potential. However, it is extremely rare to find those with terrifyingly high hidden ceilings. These three harbor profound potential that was simply concealed from the eyes of the examiners during your final trial."
He glanced at the three individuals before continuing. "Before you were teleported, the supreme evaluators sent me a spiritual message instructing me to bring them along. If they manage to unlock this latent power, their progress could easily surpass even some of you here. To be frank, the number of participants who passed the final trial was too few, and the overall potential displayed was somewhat lacking."
Mo Chen's expression grew serious. "Therefore, we decided to bring these three here to unlock their potential, allowing them to join your group for the upcoming All-Realm Zenith Roll."
"What?!"
"The All-Realm Zenith Roll?!"
Gasps echoed throughout the golden hall. Almost everyone present was shocked by the revelation.
Only Wu Ming remained calm. He had heard previously that the Zenith Roll would begin in a few years, so the news itself wasn't surprising. However, he didn't quite understand why the mere mention of it caused such a massive reaction among the others.
Unable to hold back his curiosity, Wu Ming spoke up. "General Mo Chen, is this All-Realm Zenith Roll really that special?"
Hearing the voice, General Mo Chen was startled. He quickly followed the sound and his eyes widened when he saw the familiar young man standing in the crowd.
"Oh? You actually participated in this competition as well?"
"I had a certain reason for joining," Wu Ming replied calmly. "Though, that reason has already been cut off."
General Mo Chen laughed heartily, clearly in a good mood. "I truly didn't expect to see you here!"
In reality, Wu Ming never needed to participate in this arena. With his qualifications, he was already scheduled to be taken directly to the Imperial Palace in a few months to be tested. That test alone would have qualified him to participate in the All-Realm Zenith Roll. This tournament was simply a screening process to find true talents from the masses.
Of course, no one else knew this. Even Wu Ming didn't know that this competition served the same purpose as the Imperial Palace test. At the very least, passing this meant he no longer needed to prove himself at the capital.
"Since this matter is settled," General Mo Chen said, "I will personally take you to the Imperial Palace after this is over. I hope you'll cooperate."
Wu Ming didn't say much, simply giving a slight nod.
The surrounding geniuses were completely dumbfounded. Why was a Supreme General of the Empire speaking so casually and familiarly with this ordinary-looking youth? Their curiosity and suspicion regarding Wu Ming's true identity and background deepened.
Only Gu Yi Fan, knowing the root cause, could guess the situation. He understood the connection and just how much future benefit Wu Ming could bring to the Empire.
In the crowd, another person was also deep in thought. Luo Ji's eyes flashed with surprise. She hadn't expected the person she made a deal with to possess a status high enough to converse naturally with a Supreme General. However, she quickly dismissed the thought; her primary goal remained her top priority.
General Mo Chen then raised his voice, addressing the entire hall.
"You might be wondering why you were teleported here. Naturally, this is the place where all successful candidates receive treasures and weapons suited for their upcoming battles. This is the Empire's Armory!"
Everyone was stunned. Weapons and treasures could be found on the streets or in forging shops, some even of high quality. But how could those possibly compare to the personal armory of the Empire?
Weapons sold in city shops were mostly low-tier, ranging from Tier 1 to Tier 4. Just finding a Tier 3 weapon was already considered rare.
But the Empire's Armory was entirely different.
"Inside," the General explained, "there are numerous powerful weapons ranging from Tier 4 up to Tier 7. There are even high-level weapons capable of directly attacking the soul. Even a Tier 3 Soul-attacking weapon is incredibly powerful, much rarer than standard high-tier weapons, and extremely valuable."
He paused, letting the information sink in. "Furthermore, some of these weapons have developed their own sentience, while others contain inheritances left behind by their previous masters. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for you to find a weapon that could accompany you for the rest of your life."
After finishing his explanation, General Mo Chen placed his palms against the massive doors and pushed.
Creak—
With a heavy, grinding sound, the giant doors slowly opened, and a terrifying, ancient aura of armaments immediately surged out from the darkness within.
Seeing the sheer number of magical and high-tier weapons inside, almost everyone's eyes lit up with greed. Only a few individuals remained indifferent to the weapons, though they knew they still needed to pick one.
"You only have one hour (one shichen)," General Mo Chen reminded them. "If you do not make a choice by then, the doors will close, and you will leave with nothing."
Hearing this, everyone hurriedly rushed inside, eager to find the highest-tier weapons to claim as their own.
Within the grand vault, only three or four people remained calm. Instead of blindly grabbing weapons just because they were high-tier, they patiently searched for the ones that truly suited them.
While everyone focused their attention on the countless high-tier weapons, Gu Yi Fan quietly spread his spiritual sense to find the armament most compatible with him. He soon discovered a unique sword. It was elegant in design, carved entirely from pure green jade. He walked over to it.
Looking at the weapon with satisfaction, he reached out and picked it up. He found the jade sword to be surprisingly heavy. For a cultivator of his level, lifting this weight wasn't difficult, but why was it so heavy? Shouldn't a fine sword be as light as a leaf, yet able to slice through a boulder with ease?
Regardless, he decided to choose it. He felt that this sword suited him perfectly. With enough time and comprehension, he believed he could grasp its profound depths and eventually wield this heavy jade sword as lightly as a falling leaf.
Nearby, Zhang Yun stared at the piles of treasures with a strange look in his eyes. He realized that none of these items were particularly useful to him. The Black Banner in his possession was already far too powerful; he didn't need any other treasures.
Still, since he had already made it into the Empire's Armory, it would be a pity to leave empty-handed. He casually picked out a Tier 5 weapon, which was the highest tier his current strength could handle. He planned to sell this Tier 5 weapon in the outside world for spirit stones, which he could then exchange for resources he actually needed.
Luo Ji paid no attention to the armory and had no intention of explaining herself to the others. However, she figured that taking a valuable weapon to trade with Wu Ming might prove useful. She had previously noticed that Wu Ming was exceptionally skilled in the Dao of Sword.
She selected a Tier 7 sword that possessed a hidden "soul-striking" attribute an incredibly precious trait. The nearby geniuses were stunned. They watched in shock as she casually picked up a Tier 7 weapon without facing the slightest resistance from the artifact.
While everyone was carefully and meticulously choosing their weapons...
In a corner of the hall, Wu Ming was inspecting various armaments, looking for one that matched his personality and would smooth his path of the sword.
Suddenly, a voice came from behind him.
"Hey, could you help me pick a suitable weapon?"
The voice was gentle, like a soft spring breeze. He turned around and saw Yan Lan.
"It's you, Yan Lan," Wu Ming said. "This is a rare opportunity for everyone. You should choose your own weapon. It needs to match the cultivation path you walk, your state of mind, and the martial arts you practice."
Despite his logical advice, she seemed displeased and stubbornly insisted that he help her pick. Left with no choice, he reluctantly agreed.
"Fine, I will choose for you. But to be safe, you must tell me the nature of the martial arts you practice. Only then can I find the right weapon."
Hearing this, Yan Lan looked hesitant to reveal her martial arts. After all, her technique was no low-level skill. Compared to other powerful families, her martial arts were considered extremely high-tier.
The martial art she practiced was called:
—Mystic Wind Sword Art
Level: Mystic Illusion Level, Integration Stage.
Characteristics: A sword art that fuses with the laws of wind, focusing on creating a "Wind Domain" around the user. Women generally have lighter and more agile physiques than men. This wind-attribute art covers the weakness of raw physical strength and pushes speed to the absolute limit. Its attacks are fleeting and fast as lightning. It can also condense a massive amount of wind blades for mid-range attacks.
The martial art she currently practiced was of a very high tier. If word got out, it would undoubtedly cause a massive uproar. Moreover, she hadn't even mastered it to the Genesis Stage yet.
There were many levels of martial arts in this world. Even the lowest tier was divided into sub-stages. Generally, martial arts were strictly divided into five main levels:
1. Mortal Dust Level: The most basic techniques accessible to entry-level cultivators and commoners. These are usually standard combat forms focused on body tempering and basic stances.
2. Spark of Insight Level: Complex techniques that require the true integration of spiritual energy (Qi). These are typically passed down in mid-to-large sects or families. To practice these, a cultivator must understand their meridians and seamlessly merge their spiritual energy into combat.
3. Mystic Illusion Level: Rare and highly powerful advanced techniques. They are often the secret arts of major sects, ancient families, or legacies left behind by past masters. Techniques at this level can unleash devastating power or supernatural effects.
4. Sovereign Edict Level: Supreme techniques reserved exclusively for the Empire's royal families or the highest hegemonic powers. Those who create these arts have usually achieved the Saint path. The power of these techniques can alter the terrain and merge with the laws of heaven and earth.
5. Primordial Truth Level: Legendary scriptures and martial arts created or left behind by entities who have transcended the limits of living beings. This is the absolute peak of martial arts, directly connecting to the fundamental laws of the universe.
Each main level is further divided into four sub-stages:
Low-Genesis to Mid-Class to Integration to Upper-Class to Profound Peak/Flawless
**Chapter 29: The Empire's Armory (Part 3)**
Even though they had fought life-and-death battles together, Yan Lan still did not want to reveal her true background or why she possessed such high-tier martial arts. She chose to lie.
"My sword art focuses primarily on agility and swiftness. It is a technique specifically tailored for a woman's physique," she said.
Hearing this, Wu Ming nodded in understanding. He cast his profound gaze over the sea of armaments. Soon, his eyes locked onto a particular sword.
He walked over and picked it up to inspect. The blade was incredibly thin and surprisingly light. Its scabbard and hilt were elegantly crafted with emerald jade and trimmed with luxurious gold. The forging materials were undoubtedly of a high tier. If paired with the right technique, it would maximize the user's potential, multiply their combat strength, and even continuously grow alongside them.
"This sword suits you perfectly," Wu Ming said, handing it to her. "Based on your description, it will complement your arts flawlessly."
After receiving the sword he had picked for her, Yan Lan smiled in delight. The corners of her lips curled up slightly as she shot him a captivating, seductive glance.
Wu Ming paid no attention to her display. He simply turned away and continued searching for his own weapon.
Half a shichen (one hour) passed. The other geniuses had already found and claimed weapons that suited their needs.
With only half a shichen remaining before the doors closed, Wu Ming realized that the vault was far more massive than he had imagined. It housed tens of thousands of armaments, many of which were rarely seen in the outside world. He noticed that these high-tier weapons had runic inscriptions carved into them to amplify their power when activated. Some had up to ten runes, while others had only three or four.
Finally, he sensed something that drew his attention.
Wu Ming reached out and grabbed a certain sword. It lacked the dazzling brilliance or exquisite beauty of the other weapons. Instead, it looked plain and ancient. Yet, it exuded a heavy, oppressive aura, like a battle-hardened veteran that had survived countless bloodbaths and drank the blood of millions.
The moment his hand grasped the hilt, the weapon reacted violently!
The sword vibrated fiercely, struggling to break free from his grip. It even unleashed sharp strands of sword qi to directly attack the one who dared to claim it. Sensing the danger, Wu Ming did not hesitate.
He tightened his grip and instantly unleashed his powerful, bottomless 'Will' to suppress the artifact.
Crushed beneath his superior Will, the rebellious sword gradually stopped shaking and fell still, as if it was terrified and had no choice but to submit to the absolute strength of its new master.
A sword with its own consciousness? Wu Ming thought.
He slowly and gently stroked the edge of the blade, treating it with the utmost care, as if caressing a priceless branch of gold and jade. If anyone saw this scene, they would undoubtedly think this man loved swords far more than he loved women.
Wu Ming found that the sword was forged with incredible craftsmanship and possessed peerless sharpness. Even if he could only draw out a fraction of its true potential, he could easily slice through solid steel and stone as if cutting through mud.
"A good sword naturally deserves a good name."
He pondered for a moment before declaring, "From now on, your name shall be: Heaven's Will Sword!"
Upon receiving a name from its new master, the blade quivered slightly in delight. Its spirit seemed to love the name.
Satisfied, Wu Ming sheathed the sword and walked out of the armory to regroup with the others.
After the group had gathered, General Mu Chen led them to a vast, open area within the imperial grounds. As they walked, the General produced a small jade bottle.
"This is a Tier 4 elixir," he said calmly.
Wu Ming, who had spent some time learning alchemy but remained unclear about the specific ranking system of this world, asked, "Just how high is Tier 4?"
General Mu Chen began to explain, but before he could finish, they arrived at their destination.
Everyone gasped in unison. Before them lay an impossibly vast landscape of rolling green hills and lush forests. It was breathtaking. Despite the sheer size of the Empire, it was logically impossible for such a massive, untouched wilderness to exist right in the heart of the capital.
Luo Ji gazed at the horizon, a flicker of genuine surprise in her eyes. "I didn't expect the Empire to possess such a grand pocket dimension. The environment is perfect for cultivation. The Qi density here is at least three times higher than in the outside world. No wonder the Empire has so many powerful experts guarding its cities."
General Mu Chen and the others were startled by her insight.
"I truly didn't expect this generation's geniuses to possess such frightening knowledge," the General said with a light smile. "You are correct. This is a massive independent dimension a world of its own, spanning nearly 100,000 kilometers."
The crowd was stunned. A private world stretching 100,000 kilometers? This was essentially a planet of its own, filled with Qi three times denser than normal.
Huo Yan asked eagerly, "Does this mean we have the right to train here?"
The General nodded. "You will stay here for two months. This is your chance to advance further and faster than any of your peers."
Excitement rippled through the group. Two months in such a rich environment was enough to make significant breakthroughs. For the three who hadn't officially passed the third trial, this was their golden ticket to awakening their hidden potential.
"However," General Mu Chen added, "if any of you do not wish to train here, you may forfeit this opportunity and receive a different reward instead."
No one moved. To walk away from such a rare chance for a different, likely lesser, reward seemed foolish. To them, this was a once-in-a-lifetime shortcut to power.
Suddenly, two voices spoke at the same time.
"I forfeit."
The two looked at each other, surprised by their mutual decision. The ones opting out were Wu Ming and Luo Ji.
Luo Ji was genuinely puzzled by Wu Ming's choice. To her, this place was mediocre compared to the Sacred Realm, but for a mortal like him, it should have been a sanctuary. Why would he refuse?
Wu Ming, on the other hand, wasn't surprised by her refusal at all. He knew she hailed from the Sacred Realm; this pocket world was likely no better than her backyard.
General Mu Chen looked worried. He feared that by staying behind, they would be overtaken by the others. But he respected their decision.
Once the rest of the group had entered the dimension, leaving only the General, Wu Ming, and Luo Ji, Mu Chen reached for two pouches at his waist. He handed a single pill to each of them.
The pills radiated a powerful aura, the scent of high-level ingredients filling the air.
"What tier is this?" Wu Ming asked.
"This is a Tier 4 pill," General Mu Chen replied. "In the outside world, this is considered a supreme treasure."
Seeing Wu Ming's lingering confusion about pill grades, the General began to detail the hierarchy:
Tier 1-2: Essential Blood-Origin Pill: Used for body tempering and healing physical wounds.
Tier 2-3: Astral Qi-Coalescence Pill: Accelerates the absorption of natural energy into the meridians.
Tier 3: Mortal-Purging Marrow Pill: Cleanses impurities from bones and veins to build a solid foundation.
Tier 4: Seven-Mountain Pillar : Grants temporary immense strength and enhances muscle durability.
Tier 5: Penta-Element Affinity Pill: Aligns the body with elemental energies.
Tier 6: Soaring Heaven-Evolution Pill: Helps a cultivator break through the bottleneck from mortal to a higher existence.
"The quality depends on the alchemist," the General added. "Many can only produce low or mid-grade versions. But these 'Seven-Mountain Pillar Pills' I gave you are of the highest quality."
Wu Ming nodded, looking at the pill in his hand. If he could absorb its energy completely, he might be able to push his current limits to the absolute peak.
"Genius Luo Ji," the General said, "would you like to accompany us to the Imperial Palace? We have business there."
Luo Ji shook her head. "I wish to return to the outside world. I have matters to attend to."
The General assigned guards to escort her to the exit, while he and Wu Ming set off toward the main imperial road.
"What kind of test will I face when I meet the Emperor?" Wu Ming asked as they walked.
"You'll have to see for yourself," Mu Chen replied. "The Emperor himself prepared it, not me."
He then lowered his voice. "Don't worry about your secret. I didn't tell him about your time-control ability. I only mentioned that your spatial control is far superior to Gu Fei Yi's. That alone was enough to make the Emperor extremely curious about you."
General Mu Chen sighed with a hint of regret. "Gu Fei Yi... spatial talent is rare, but without the heart to back it up, it's wasted. He had the talent, but no future. It's a shame."