When Dongbo Xueying thrust his spear, the other nine world avatars also attacked simultaneously.
The first strike was ordinary, yet it began accumulating power.
The small armored warrior actually felt a surge of excitement—Dongbo Xueying’s true self had finally made a move. Being forced to evade endlessly had been frustrating.
The second strike twisted the surrounding space, immediately putting the small armored warrior, *Chao Wu*, on high alert. Something was off!
The third strike—
**”Boom!” “Boom!” “Boom!” “Boom!” “Boom!” “Boom!”**
It was as if ten blindingly radiant *Sun Stars* had suddenly appeared before his eyes. Chao Wu’s vision was completely overwhelmed, forcing him to rely on his perception of the surrounding laws to track the ten spears. At the same time, an overwhelming sense of danger surged through him—this was the most ruthless and domineering attack Dongbo Xueying had unleashed so far.
**”Hmm?”** The group of blood-armored warriors observing the battle were visibly startled.
This secret technique, *Annihilation*, was derived from a fragment of the ancient formation at the heart of the island. After two strikes of power accumulation, the third strike erupted with terrifying force!
The *Redcloud Spear* slashed down like a furious storm.
The so-called secret technique *Annihilation* was a spear art—an application of profound laws rather than a fixed form. It could be used to thrust, slash, sweep, or pierce.
The other nine world avatars executed *Annihilation* in their own ways—some thrusting, others sweeping—all converging on Chao Wu in a coordinated assault.
**”Not good!”** Chao Wu’s expression twisted in alarm. The third strike was the moment of truth, and by the time he realized it, it was already too late. He desperately tried to evade and block with his blade techniques.
**”Pfft!” “Bang!” “Ssshh!”**
Spears rained down upon him. During the earlier skirmish, Dongbo Xueying had already analyzed the general patterns of Chao Wu’s blade techniques.
**”BOOM!!!”**
The final strike from the *Redcloud Spear* was surrounded by absolute darkness, unleashing a devastating force that violently slammed into Chao Wu, who had already been destabilized by the previous nine strikes. Unable to resist, he was sent flying like a shooting star, hurtling backward despite his desperate attempts to halt his momentum.
The sheer brutality of this strike, perfectly executed, was too overwhelming.
Chao Wu was blasted beyond the crimson boundary, crashing into the mountain wall and shattering layers of ice before finally stabilizing himself. His face darkened as he glared at Dongbo Xueying, who stood atop the blood-red disc. Though physically unharmed, he knew—he had lost.
Being expelled from the *Bloodfire Gate* meant defeat.
**”Impressive spear technique,”** the tall, slender woman praised with a faint smile. **”This strike surpasses the realm of a Three Heavens Godking. In terms of law application, it even carries the essence of a Four Heavens Godking.”**
**”A truly formidable strike,”** the alluring woman added. **”Little Chao Wu lost fairly.”**
**”A Three Heavens Godking with such strength is indeed worthy of opening the Bloodfire Gate,”** the tall woman continued. **”Outsider, you have passed the trial and are now a guest of our Lakeheart Island. This is your reward for clearing the test.”**
With a flick of her hand, she produced a crimson talisman inscribed with a single, unfamiliar character.
Though Dongbo Xueying had never seen such a symbol before, its meaning instantly resonated in his mind—*”Mo.”*
**”Mo?”** Dongbo Xueying frowned as the talisman floated toward him. **”What is the purpose of this talisman?”**
**”It has some minor uses,”** the tall woman replied indifferently. **”Since you only passed the trial, the reward is modest. The greater the dangers you overcome within the Bloodfire Gate, the greater the treasures you shall receive.”**
Nearby, the small warrior *Chao Wu* snorted. **”For you, becoming a guest of Lakeheart Island is the greatest reward. As a guest, you are no longer considered an invader and will not be attacked by us. You may freely roam the common areas—only the restricted zones are off-limits.”**
**”Free movement in common areas?”** Dongbo Xueying’s eyes lit up with joy.
The benefits of guest status were far more practical than he had imagined.
This was an invaluable reward—now, the ever-present dangers that had plagued him would no longer be a concern.
**”RUMBLE—”**
Suddenly, the blood-red disc beneath Dongbo Xueying’s feet began to split apart, slowly retracting to either side and revealing a terrifying passage.
A primal fear gripped Dongbo Xueying’s bones, forcing him to hover higher as he stared downward.
An invisible force tugged at him from below.
The passage revealed by the parting disc was a distorted void, crisscrossed with eighteen crimson veins, each seeming to echo with the wails of countless souls. Just the sight of it filled Dongbo Xueying with an instinctive terror, suffocating him, making his knees tremble with the urge to prostrate.
Not even facing his master, the *Divine Emperor*, had ever instilled such dread.
Yet this passage alone evoked such overwhelming fear.
**”Stop, stop!”** Dongbo Xueying hastily called out. **”I forfeit! I forfeit!”**
**”Forfeit?”** The tall woman blinked. **”You won’t challenge the Bloodfire Gate?”**
**”The Bloodfire Gate is fraught with peril,”** Dongbo Xueying reasoned. **”Surely it’s not mandatory? I can choose to abandon the trial, right?”**
**”Indeed.”** The tall woman nodded, then waved her hand. The blood-red disc slowly closed, sealing away the horrifying void passage.
**”You’re quite wise. At your current strength, entering would almost certainly mean death,”** she remarked. **”But when you grow stronger, you may return to attempt it.”**
**”Absolutely, absolutely.”** Dongbo Xueying agreed readily—though inwardly, he remained wary.
This was a trial designed by the master of Lakeheart Island to test outsiders. For the island’s reputation alone, the dangers within were undoubtedly extreme. Barely scraping through the *screening* had been difficult enough—why rush to his doom? He would return when he was truly prepared.
**”As a guest of Lakeheart Island, I won’t be attacked in common areas?”** Dongbo Xueying confirmed.
**”Correct,”** the tall woman affirmed. **”But do not trespass into restricted zones.”**
**”Which areas are restricted?”**
**”Do not worry. If you accidentally enter, you will first be expelled. Only resistance warrants execution.”**
**”Understood.”** Dongbo Xueying smiled slightly. **”Then, everyone, I shall take my leave.”**
Just as he turned to depart, he suddenly paused and glanced back at the small armored warrior. **”Brother Chao Wu?”**
Chao Wu frowned. **”What is it?”**
**”Are you a Three Heavens Godking?”**
**”You could say that,”** Chao Wu muttered dismissively.
Dongbo Xueying nodded thoughtfully.
During their battle, he had noticed that while Chao Wu’s blade techniques were formidable, his actual strength was indeed at the Three Heavens level—only his invincible defense, immense strength, and speed had allowed him to fight on par.
**”These armored warriors—whether the black-armored fiends or these crimson ones—all possess unbreakable defenses,”** Dongbo Xueying mused. **”This must be Lakeheart Island’s doing.”**
With that, he swiftly flew away.
The black-armored creatures blocking the mountain passage retreated, melting into the walls like shadows.
**”So you’ve become a guest?”** The black-armored centipede that had pursued him earlier grumbled before vanishing into the stone.
Seeing the black fiords disperse, Dongbo Xueying’s mood lifted further. It was true—they would no longer target him.
**”Whoosh!”**
He sped through the tunnels toward his wife, Jing Qiu.
**”Jing Qiu, tell me where you are. Don’t move—I’m coming!”** he transmitted urgently, his heart brimming with newfound confidence. For the first time, he truly believed he could safely escort her out—and perhaps even rescue his father-in-law.
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