“I wish to tread beyond immortality, to advance a step further.” Li Fan’s tone was calm, yet carried such firm resolve that it brooked no argument.
Qin Tang was rendered speechless.
He knew that there was nothing above the immortal realm, but he could only lower his head in silence.
Everything proceeded according to Li Fan’s plan.
In just a single year, Li Fan unified the entire immortal realm.
After that, he employed extremely bloody means to suppress all opposition. Gathering the resources of the whole immortal realm, he successfully constructed that grand array, intending to break the shackles of the immortal realm.
As the array activated, the entire immortal realm trembled.
Countless cracks appeared in the sky, and the entire world began to shatter.
Li Fan laughed heartily and charged into the fissures.
What greeted him was only endless darkness.
***
With that, the Trial of Perseverance concluded.
Qin Tang knew there was no need to continue the test.
An anomaly had appeared in this trial.
Even if he constructed endless worlds, he likely could not wear down this person’s unyielding determination.
If his master were here, he would probably be immensely pleased to see such a prodigious talent.
It was just a pity...
A trace of melancholy flashed in Qin Tang’s eyes.
With a long sigh, the crowd awoke from their illusory dreams one by one.
They were still in the same plaza where they had started.
Some were bewildered. Others immediately paled once they came to their senses.
Some, however, looked enlightened, appearing to have gained something from the experience.
Qin Tang looked at the varied expressions of the cultivators and announced with a smile, “The three trials have now concluded.
“Among you, some have performed beyond my expectations, while others were truly... lacking.
“The sect leader once told me that when our Cloudwater Palace accepts disciples, we value quality over quantity.”
He surveyed the crowd, his expression gentle. “As such, only half of you will remain.”
The faces of the cultivators who looked pleased a moment ago turned ugly upon hearing Qin Tang's words.
“What do you mean by that?”
They were acutely aware of their own performance across the three trials.
Hearing that Qin Tang intended to kill half of the cultivators present, they were both shocked and enraged.
Driven to desperation, they launched an assault against him.
Qin Tang wasn’t angered.
He merely smiled faintly. “I, Qin Tang, Chief of the Technique Transmission Pavilion of Cloudwater Palace, humbly ask for your guidance.”
As Qin Tang spoke, shimmering blue figures abruptly materialized beside half of the cultivators in the plaza.
They were like perfect duplicates of their targets—identical in appearance, aura, and even strength.
The moment they appeared, they launched relentless, lethal attacks.
“Our sect leader, my senior uncle, is a stern man. But my master once told me never to take things to the absolute extreme. If you can survive against your own reflections, I will not pursue this further.” Qin Tang spoke slowly as he watched the cultivators struggle in fierce combat.
The cultivators who had not been targeted, including Li Fan, quickly distanced themselves from the battle to avoid being caught in the crossfire.
Li Fan began observing the situation after retreating to a safe distance.
These blue reflections attacked with extreme ferocity, never tiring and seemingly immune to injury.
Ordinary cultivators were simply no match for them.
In moments, many found themselves overpowered.
Before long, quite a few cultivators had already fallen dead at the hands of their own reflections.
Those still struggling could barely hold on, and their situation was growing increasingly desperate.
Cornered and frantic, they began hurling curses at Qin Tang.
“Wake up! What disciples are you even taking in? Cloudwater Palace was destroyed ages ago!”
“What’s all that bullshit about your master and sect leader? When calamity came, didn’t you all just turn on each other?”
***
“Turn on each other?” Qin Tang shook his head repeatedly upon hearing this.
“Cloudwater Palace is united as one. We respect and care for one another. We would never hesitate to sacrifice ourselves for our fellow disciples.