Chapter 1702: Bone Measuring
When the God Realm inspector heard the voice, his face showed nervousness. He plastered a look of respect on his face, faced the voice, and said, "Young Master Jiu is right. The three tests can't be skipped." He then looked at Xiang Shaoyun and said, "I believe Young Master Xiang won't make things difficult for me, right?"
The newcomer was none other than Deputy Qin's successor, Qin Jiu. Behind him were more than 10 youngsters of great fame. Evidently, they were all his followers. Xiang Shaoyun looked at Qin Jiu, and Qin Jiu looked back at him. Two sharp gazes collided, and proverbial sparks erupted from where their gazes met.
Xiang Shaoyun could sense the heavy sense of oppression in Qin Jiu's eyes. Even his soul suffered some oppression, as though Qin Jiu was going to make him submit with a mere gaze. With a frown, Xiang Shaoyun's clone crushed that sense of oppression. He then glared at Qin Jiu, releasing a formidable soul oppression that gave even Qin Jiu a sense of pressure.
"You're quite a gutsy one," remarked Qin Jiu with a prideful attitude.
"I have always been gutsy," said Xiang Shaoyun.
"At times, guts will only make one die faster. On the other hand, cowards can live longer," said Qin Jiu with his eyes narrowed.
"Is that so? If there's anything I'm not afraid of, it's death," said Xiang Shaoyun with a smile.
Although this was his first time meeting the so-called Young Master Jiu, he already had a feeling that he was meeting his nemesis. He sensed that friendship would not be possible for them.
"Young Master Jiu, looks like this person truly doesn't know what's good for him. Let Qianquan teach him a lesson," offered a shirtless, intense-looking man behind Qin Jiu.
The man had spiky hair and a bandana wrapped around his forehead. His upper body was bare, showcasing his explosive muscles, and he was outfitted with hemp pants and golden gloves. His entire body was shrouded in God Realm gold energy, and he had a pair of intense eyes.
Xiang Shaoyun could feel an aura that was exactly the same as the auras of the eight silver-scaled elephant riders from him. They probably came from the same place. That person was none other than the Tai Clan's Tai Qianquan, a proud and talented young God known as the Fist God. From how he was behaving, he had probably submitted to Qin Jiu.
"This is the Divine Dominion City, the Guardians Guild, not some random place where people can do whatever they want," said Qin Jiu with a glare at Tai Qianquan. "However, the Divine Dominion City does have god-grade rings that can be used for spars. If he's willing, you can always challenge him to a spar."
Tai Qianquan immediately extended a challenge, "Kid, let's have a fight in the ring. I'll teach you how to behave."
Before Xiang Shaoyun could say anything, Huang Baiwu lost patience and said, "I'll fight you. I alone can defeat 10 bumpkins like you."
"Very well. You must be the one who had injured my men. I'll first beat you up before dealing with the kid behind you," said Tai Qianquan with his fists clenched tightly.
Huang Baiwu was about to agree when Xiang Shaoyun said, "Baiwu, you don't have to get angry at some mad dog. Let me finish my inspection first."
"Impudent!" Tai Qianquan was infuriated. With a roar, he stepped forth to attack.
Qin Jiu hurriedly said, "Qianquan, calm down. No private battles are allowed in the guild."
Tai Qianquan did not dare to disobey Qin Jiu, and he hurriedly stopped. However, he was so furious it was as though his eyes were spitting fire as he glared venomously at Xiang Shaoyun. "I hope you never leave the guild, because the first thing I will do after you leave is kill you."
Xiang Shaoyun merely smiled. He remained completely unbothered as he asked the God Realm elder, "Can I take my tests first?"
"Y-yes," replied the elder, finally recovering from his shock.
Both the individuals before him were successors of deputy guild masters. He couldn't afford to offend any of them. Otherwise, it would be the same as courting death. The elder brought Xiang Shaoyun into the hall. Inside the hall, a circular millstone could be seen. A complicated series of formation lines filled the surface of the millstone.
"Young Master Xiang, please step onto the millstone to go through the first test, bone measuring," said the elder.
Xiang Shaoyun did as told. Abruptly, strands of radiance descended upon him. Instantly, his god body lit up and turned translucent, revealing his muscles and bones. At the same time, numerous patterns rippled out of the millstone.
The God had a look of disbelief when he looked at the aura surrounding the millstone. "O-only 49 bone lines. H-how is this possible?"
Each line represented one year of age. Thus, the 49 lines around the millstone signified that Xiang Shaoyun was only 49 years old. It was unbelievable that someone could reach the Rebirth Realm at such an age. The elder even wondered if Xiang Shaoyun was actually an old monster who had possessed the body of someone young. After all, something like that wasn't unheard of.
"So are we done?" asked Xiang Shaoyun when he sensed the energy undulations stopping.
The elder recovered from his shock and nodded. "Y-yes. Young Master Xiang is truly a genius. You're not even 50 years old, yet you're already at your level. I'm afraid nobody in the entire dominion can compare with you."
Xiang Shaoyun smiled and said, "All sorts of people exist in the world. How would I dare to claim that I'm the best? Can we proceed with the second test?"
"You're too humble, Young Master Xiang," said the elder fawningly. He then brought Xiang Shaoyun to the second test.
Before long, they arrived at a place called the Heart Asking Hall. The place was enveloped in a righteous aura. Any evil would shrink at the sight of the hall. If a cultivator who had been possessed by an evil being stood here, that evil being would immediately be purified or expelled.
"Young Master Xiang, please enter. If you can complete the test in an hour, you will qualify for the next test," said the elder with an inviting gesture.
Xiang Shaoyun nodded and took large strides into the Heart Asking Hall. The door opened noiselessly by itself, and a vast aura leaked out of the hall. Xiang Shaoyun showed no fear and stepped right into the hall. The door shut behind him.
He immediately sensed himself arriving at a space of pure darkness. The darkness was designed to invoke nervousness. It was so dark Xiang Shaoyun couldn't even see his own fingers.
"Impudent citizen, do you know your fault?" a voice abruptly rang out.