LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 12 - The Qin Soldiers’ Repeated Failures!
Chapter 12: The Qin Soldiers’ Repeated Failures!
Inside the Heavenly Pit.
“Is this really the Scarlet Sun Immortal?” Ying Zheng’s sharp gaze fixated on the lifeless figure seated atop the altar.
Though the corpse was undoubtedly ancient, its preservation was immaculate, as if time had no claim on it.
For Ying Zheng, ruler of Qin, this revelation was extraordinary. He had never heard of the Scarlet Sun Immortal before, which meant this individual must have lived centuries ago.
“To think that even in death, his body remains unspoiled for hundreds of years.” Ying Zheng murmured in amazement.
Rather than being disheartened, the mystery only stoked his excitement. If the Scarlet Sun Immortal possessed such capabilities, then the Creation Immortal Codex he revered must be even more powerful.
This was a divine blessing for Ying Zheng—a path toward immortality and the preservation of his empire.
“Such an ominous aura!”
“Could this be the array mentioned by the Scarlet Sun Immortal?”
“Why does my heart feel uneasy?”
Unlike Ying Zheng, Wang Ben, Han Zhang, and Zhao Gao were more focused on the palpable energy emanating from the altar.
As Tianxiang Grandmasters, they were highly attuned to shifts in the surrounding environment. The moment the altar appeared, they sensed the dangerous aura enveloping it.
This aura confirmed what they had read on the stele—the altar was protected by a formation. Even without stepping closer, they were filled with trepidation.
“What is this thing?”
“It rose straight out of the ground. So eerie!”
Meanwhile, the ordinary Qin soldiers, unaware of the stele’s inscription, were left puzzled by the spectacle. They stared at the massive altar in apprehension.
“Send two men to test the array,” Ying Zheng ordered, his tone calm yet commanding.
The emperor understood that approaching the altar would not be simple. The stele had made it clear that passing the second trial was a prerequisite for getting closer.
Having witnessed the power of the Heavenly Essence Pill, Ying Zheng had no doubt about the Scarlet Sun Immortal’s prowess. If such a formidable individual had set up this array, it would undoubtedly pose a significant challenge.
“Yes, Your Majesty!” Wang Ben replied, immediately selecting two soldiers of the Xiantian Peak realm to undertake the task.
[Xiantian Peak Realm (先天巅峰, Xiāntiān Pīngfēng): The pinnacle of the Xiantian stage, denoting mastery of innate energy and the threshold before reaching higher cultivation realms.].
The two men stepped forward, their movements cautious as they neared the altar.
However, as soon as they entered within ten zhang (approximately 33 meters) of the altar, they froze in place.
[Ten Zhang (丈, Zhàng): A traditional Chinese unit of length, with one zhang equaling approximately 3.33 meters (10 zhang ≈ 33 meters).].
Three breaths later…
One of the soldiers was flung backward, crashing heavily onto the ground, his face filled with disbelief.
Before anyone could react, the second soldier met the same fate, landing amidst a pile of rubble.
“What happened?”
The eerie turn of events left everyone, from the ordinary soldiers to the Grandmasters, in stunned silence.
Wang Ben stepped forward, addressing the fallen men. “What did you see?”
At this question, every eye in the pit turned toward the two soldiers, awaiting their answers with bated breath.
“General,” the older soldier began, his voice trembling.
“I saw the Great Wall… the Xiongnu… our shattered borders…”
His gaze dropped to the ground, sorrow etched into his features. “I saw my own powerlessness.”
A hush fell over the crowd. As a Xiantian cultivator, the soldier bore no physical injuries, yet the vision he had experienced clearly weighed heavily on him.
“And you?” Wang Ben asked, turning to the younger soldier.
The man hesitated before answering.
“General, I… I saw my father’s death three years ago. I wasn’t there…”
His voice wavered as he recounted the scene. “I was away, fulfilling my duties. By the time I returned, my father had already been buried. It has haunted me ever since.”
“So this is what the second trial meant,” Ying Zheng said, recalling the stele’s inscription.
“The test of heart and character, independent of cultivation strength… That’s exactly what this is!”
Ying Zheng’s eyes narrowed as realisation dawned. The visions, the challenges—they were manifestations of each man’s inner demons.
“Inner demons,” Zhao Gao muttered, his expression darkening. “They’re intangible, yet more terrifying than any foe.”
Han Zhang nodded grimly, his apprehension about the altar growing.
“Since the array forces one to confront their inner demons,” Ying Zheng announced, his voice resolute,
“all Qin soldiers shall undergo the trial!”
The emperor’s eyes blazed with determination. “Even if you fail, you must confront your demons and strengthen your resolve. Those who succeed will be handsomely rewarded!”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
“Understood, Your Majesty!”
The soldiers bowed in unison, acknowledging their orders.
Excluding the two who had already failed, the remaining troops began their approach to the altar.
Thud!
Thud!
Within moments, many were sent flying back, their attempts thwarted by the array.
As time went on, the number of soldiers failing the trial only continued to rise.