Junior sister, keep forbear for a while, I almost become invincible as soon!

The experience in the Wasteland had come to an end, and everyone rejoiced because their young geniuses were still alive. As for those who had died, they were not important as long as their leaders remained.

「In the royal city of Stone Country, deep within the Yuan Martial Academy.」

The Grand State Master asked, "Has there been any progress?"

Chen Shixian shook her head. "After entering the Wasteland, I rarely saw him. I don't know if he took action or what level his strength has reached. However, I feel that with my current strength, it would be difficult to defeat Chen Pingping."

She felt helpless.

The last time they met, he had approached from a distance, his calm demeanor even more profound than before. His eyes were clear, and the aura within his body was as restrained as ever.

She had a feeling that he was unfathomable.

The Grand State Master asked again, "Have you tamed any powerful Demon Beasts?"

"Yes!" She nodded.

"You are currently at the eighth level of the Supreme Mystery Realm, just two minor realms away from stepping into King Tao. But... your great tribulation has yet to appear. Have you thought about how to deal with it?"

"Challenge Chen Pingping."

"What if you lose?" the Grand State Master looked at her.

The Heavenly Book stated: If the Divine Body triumphs, it remains the Divine Body. If the Divine Body is defeated, it ceases to be.

Chen Shixian was momentarily stunned by these words and fell silent.

She was a Divine Body, an Ancient Divine Body.

How could she possibly lose? She had never contemplated such a scenario. But... the truth was, the feeling Chen Pingping gave her was too terrifying, unfathomable, insurmountable.

Underneath his seemingly calm surface lay insurmountable mountains. Every time she faced him, she felt an inexplicable sense of suffocation.

She could not defeat Chen Pingping.

But the great tribulation of King Tao was approaching. Was she to remain in the Supreme Mystery Realm until she grew old and died?

"You should marry him," said the Grand State Master.

Chen Shixian was aghast.

How could she marry Chen Pingping?

She didn't like Chen Pingping at all.

Besides, the future of a Divine Body was glorious, destined to go far—so far that even geniuses would have to look up to it.

Undeniably, Chen Pingping was stronger than her at the moment, but what about the future?

Chen Shixian's expression stiffened. "There must be another way. Perhaps... my King Tao great tribulation isn't Chen Pingping."

The Grand State Master shook his head. "I understand Snow Sword; she wouldn't casually accept just any ordinary person."

"Why?" She was puzzled.

"Because she is not of this world," the Grand State Master took a deep breath.

Wen Yuqing came from another world; as to which world, no one knew. But those from her era knew she was proud and her standards were incredibly high; she had disdained even the Ancient Divine Body of her time. Wen Yuqing would not take on an ordinary person; there had to be something about Chen Pingping that attracted her.

"I will undergo trials, travel far, face life and death, and challenge the strong. I refuse to believe I can't break through to King Tao," Chen Shixian's eyes blazed with determination.

She would not marry Chen Pingping.

The Grand State Master said, "There's no time left." He paused, then continued, "The Wasteland opens once every three hundred years, which also means the great battle between Nan Zhanbu Province and the Central Continent is approaching. It will be a contest among your generation, and the current Saintess of the Tianxuan Holy Land will issue a challenge in the Holy City to the most outstanding young talent from the South."

It was to be a contest among the youth, a struggle for survival between Nan Zhanbu Province and the Central Continent. Just like six or seven years ago, when the Wuji Sect and the royal city of Stone Country each sent out a genius; the winner received the cleansing of a Spirit Vein and an additional spot to enter the Wasteland. The significance of this struggle between continents was similar, yet even more far-reaching and important.

"It concerns Fate Energy," the Grand State Master said solemnly.

Chen Shixian was bewildered.

A Heavenly Road?

A God?

Fate Energy?

She knew about that, but... wasn't Fate Energy something intangible?

Could it be controlled?

Why had she never heard of this before?

"Teacher, you can't be serious?" Chen Shixian could hardly believe it. Were there such preposterous notions in this world?

The Grand State Master said, "This is no joke. Although it sounds absurd, it does exist. Nan Zhanbu Province has lost the last few struggles. As a result, the South you see has sparse Spirit Qi and dwindling vitality, where even Spirit Veins struggle to survive. If we lose once more, the entire Nan Zhanbu Province will fall into a state of exhaustion, and it's likely that not even one at the King Tao realm could be born."

This was a serious issue.

Chen Shixian was still puzzled. "However, are there no rules? Is it a direct challenge?"

"No rules. Anyone can challenge freely, so it is a terrible free-for-all, fraught with danger. Yet, it is also a Great Opportunity that cannot be sought at will, a blessing for both the continent behind us and for individuals," the Grand State Master explained. "The young genius who rises above the younger generation and ascends swiftly will receive the reward from God."

If what her Teacher said was true, then... this competition among the young was somewhat terrifying.

Because with God involved, having no rules might be the most terrifying rule of all. Hence... the clash between continents would likely be exceedingly fierce.

Chen Shixian inquired, "But does that mean as long as a young genius from Nan Zhanbu Province can defeat the Saintess from Tianxuan Holy Land, surpass many other geniuses, and become the sole outstanding figure of this age, that would be enough, right?"

"In theory, that's correct," the Grand State Master nodded.

"Oh, then I'm not in a hurry," Chen Shixian instantly calmed down. "Although I am a Divine Body, I'm not currently the strongest young person in the South. Bai Yunfei from Youming Valley should be the one who's worried, not me."

The Grand State Master was taken aback. "Why would you think like that? You are a Divine Body, after all! Are you not going to face your powerful adversaries, bloom to your fullest, and uphold the name of the Divine Body? Instead, you'd hide behind others and just muddle through? What kind of attitude is that? Moreover, a cultivator who doesn't wish to challenge the current Saintess is not a good cultivator, let alone a Divine Body like you."

He spoke earnestly, "You can't escape. The Saintess won't be looking for Bai Yunfei because the value of an Ancient Divine Body is the greatest."

Chen Shixian was speechless.

"Of course, you could also avoid combat, waiting to strike when the Saintess is gravely injured. But... you are a Divine Body. Your appearance will attract everyone's attention, so the likelihood of you avoiding battle is slim, because not everyone will challenge you outright."

They'd even play dirty?

Chen Shixian's face stiffened. "Then I won't go."

The Grand State Master looked at her. "Does a Divine Body lack the will to fight? Don't you want to break free from your shackles? Don't you want to lead the South to glory? Don't you wish to become the unparalleled young genius of this age? Or... do you not wish to be invincible? Are you, perhaps, planning to learn from Chen Pingping?"

Young people should act like young people.

That was what the previous Grand State Master had said, the one who had forced him to challenge Wen Yuqing, nearly getting him beaten to death.

That memory was still fresh!

So, the Ancient Divine Body must shine. How could she be content with just getting by?

That's just not right.

The Grand State Master sighed. "Go! Represent Yuan Martial Academy in battle, dominate your peers, defeat all the young geniuses, and bring glory to Yuan Martial Academy. Then... you will be the hero of the entire Nan Zhanbu Province, and everyone will remember your name."

The tone was starting to feel off.

Chen Shixian felt something was amiss, but at the same time, she found his words reasonable and couldn't help but fall into deep contemplation. Where will the destiny of the Divine Body lead?