"The tempering in this central region is also about to end."
Looking at the current state of Li Liqing and the other fifteen, Li Xuan nodded slightly.
The fifteen individuals, including Li Liqing, could now completely withstand the tribulation lightning and many were on the verge of breaking through. There was no point in continuing.
With this thought, Li Xuan immediately dispelled the tribulation lightning.
Seeing this, the eyes of Li Liqing and the other fifteen narrowed. Now that the tribulation lightning had dispersed, they would naturally have to press onward. However, Li Liqing and the others knew that the deeper regions ahead would not be easily traversed.
Yet, Li Liqing and the fifteen also understood that Li Xuan's arrangements were largely intended to forge them. After these seven days, both their physical bodies, spiritual energy, and mental fortitude were far superior to what they were before.
If they could persevere in the deeper regions, the benefits would be even greater.
Li Liqing and the others were not ordinary individuals; their thoughts raced, and they instantly grasped the advantages and disadvantages. Then, with a movement, they all surged towards the depths.
Watching Li Liqing and the fifteen move, Jiang Wentong and the others also observed with curiosity. Many, however, were speculating on what methods Li Xuan would employ next to test them.
"For the next eight days, you will fight individually within this thunder bamboo forest. For each person you defeat, one person will be eliminated. The one who ultimately reaches me will become the new Hall Master of the Three Great Battle Halls. Begin now."
Just as Li Liqing and the others stepped to the edge of the deeper thunder bamboo forest, Li Xuan's voice slowly echoed.
Hearing this, the pupils of Li Liqing and the others contracted.
They clearly had not expected the next trial to involve fifteen of them fighting each other. And the consequence of defeat, naturally, would be disqualification from the selection.
"To add a point, the thunder pressure in the depths is no longer as simple as before. If you are struck by falling lightning, even with your current strength, it would take you a quarter of an hour to fully recover. The deeper you go, the stronger the thunder pressure becomes, and the higher the likelihood of being struck. I hope some of you will succeed in reaching me."
While Li Liqing and the fifteen were still contemplating their next moves, Li Xuan's voice rang out again. Everyone immediately became vigilant. According to Li Xuan's words, if they were struck by falling lightning and then discovered, wouldn't that mean immediate defeat?
For a moment, the gazes of Li Liqing and the fifteen turned more serious. Then, with a movement, they quickly retreated into the distance. After all, with fifteen people positioned so closely, it would be even more difficult to determine a victor in a free-for-all.
Watching all of this, Li Xuan's lips curved upwards slightly. With a thought, a surge of lightning power erupted from his thunder sword. With a wave of Li Xuan's hand, an astonishing thunder pressure descended upon the deeper regions of the thunder bamboo forest.
Li Liqing and the others, who had already dispersed, all changed their expressions. They immediately channeled their spiritual energy to resist.
The thunder pressure here was already at the peak strength of the God Extinguishing Realm. To advance under such pressure, they still had to keep a close watch on the others. Furthermore, there was the sudden appearance of falling lightning.
Thinking of these, Li Liqing and the others adjusted themselves to their optimal state, their attention highly focused.
As the fifteen slowly advanced, streaks of seemingly random falling lightning would appear in front of and behind them. Some even struck within a meter of the fifteen.
Under such thrilling conditions, Li Liqing and the fifteen felt immense hardship. However, as the Holy Sons of the Martial Hall, Li Liqing and the others naturally understood that becoming a Hall Master was no easy feat.
Focusing their attention, the spiritual light on their bodies flickered, clearly prepared to evade at the slightest sign of movement.
Time gradually passed. Within three days, Li Liqing and the others had advanced more than two hundred meters into the depths. The mental concentration required had left the fifteen feeling somewhat weary.
Although they had only advanced two hundred meters, to Li Liqing and the others, it was already an extremely difficult accomplishment.
As for flying, not a single one of the fifteen dared to do so. At the edge of the thunder bamboo forest, some of them had considered using speed to advance quickly. The result was that upon taking flight, they were struck by tribulation lightning, and the outcome was simply horrific.
Now, in the deeper regions, no one dared to take the risk of being struck by falling lightning.
"Their speed is not slow. Let's see what choices they will make when faced with dilemmas." Li Xuan's divine sense monitored the speed of everyone, and after a low murmur, he acted again.
Waves of intent surged outwards in all directions.
From outside the thunder bamboo forest, Jiang Wentong and the others suddenly saw six of the fifteen individuals struck by a sudden bolt of lightning, leaving them paralyzed and motionless.
Upon witnessing this, Jiang Wentong and the others also became solemn. This was because, not far from these six, figures were slowly approaching.
As the figures appeared, Jiang Wentong and the others watched. The six who appeared, upon noticing their fellow disciples were frozen in place, seemed to understand what had happened.
For a moment, the expressions of the six varied. Although some, recalling their camaraderie, chose to turn away. Ultimately, however, some chose to act.
As for those who were not struck by falling lightning, with a flash of light before them, they discovered the figures of their fellow disciples appearing not far away. The two looked at each other, a sense of wariness in their eyes.
Time gradually passed. Some Holy Sons who met chose to retreat separately, while others chose to fight. Scene after scene unfolded before Jiang Wentong and the others, filling them with sincere admiration for Li Xuan's masterful abilities.
"I didn't expect Li Liqing to surpass my expectations." At this moment, Li Xuan, deep within the thunder bamboo forest, saw Li Liqing choose not to attack his fellow disciples, and even turn away when encountering them individually. A hint of surprise flickered in his eyes.
In a blink of an eye, several more days had passed. Now, only nine Holy Sons remained within the thunder bamboo forest. Over these past two days, their progress speed had also increased considerably. They were now only four hundred meters away from Li Xuan's deep location.
"Nine people is a bit too many. Furthermore, their potential has been maximized. Considering the time, it's about time." Li Xuan retracted his divine sense, pondered for a moment, and then acted again.
As Li Liqing and the nine others were advancing, they suddenly felt the previous thunder pressure become considerably stronger. The speed of the falling lightning was also far greater than before. For a moment, the speed of the nine had to slow down again.
*Boom!*
With a deafening roar, one Holy Son inadvertently was struck by falling lightning and instantly vanished from the spot. Li Xuan glanced at him. This Holy Son was named Shen Zhiping, possessing the strength of the mid-stage God Profound Realm.
Having persisted in this thunder bamboo forest for twenty-seven days, he had already touched the bottleneck of the advanced stage. With a period of secluded cultivation, a breakthrough would naturally be achievable.
"To have reached this point, you have indeed exceeded my expectations. However, now, the remaining eight of you will engage in random combat. Only the victor will remain."
As Li Liqing and the eight stopped, Li Xuan's voice rang out again.
Then, under the gazes of Li Liqing and the eight, Li Xuan's figure from the deeper region slowly appeared before them. Previously, Li Xuan had used formations to conceal his presence, so Li Liqing and the others naturally couldn't know where Li Xuan was in the depths.
Li Xuan's appearance now undoubtedly provided the final objective for Li Liqing and the eight.
Looking at Li Liqing and the eight, Li Xuan smiled slightly. With a wave of his hand, the eight were instantly divided into four groups, floating in mid-air. The surrounding falling lightning ceased at this moment.
"Begin."
Seeing Li Liqing and the eight still standing motionless, Li Xuan let out a loud shout. Upon hearing this, Li Liqing and the others finally saw their spiritual light flash, and they swiftly attacked their opponents.
As Li Liqing and the eight began their battles, Li Xuan slowly closed his eyes.
The eight remaining in the thunder bamboo forest had similar strengths. Furthermore, as Holy Sons of the Martial Hall, they understood each other extremely well. After the battles commenced, the eight fell into fierce struggles. After all, it was not easy to defeat fellow disciples whom they knew intimately.
In the blink of an eye, two days had passed.
There was less than a day remaining until the month-long period concluded.
Jiang Wentong and the others knew that the future Three Great Battle Hall Masters of the Martial Hall were about to be decided.