Chapter 977: Potential Test
After the sacrificial ceremony concluded, the palace master of the Qianzi Heavenly Palace began reading out the rules of the Divine Son Competition.
In truth, the rules of the Divine Son Competition were the same every time, and the fifteen Divine Son candidates present had long since memorized them.
The Divine Son Competition primarily assessed two points:
Combat power and potential.
Combat power referred to the cultivator's physique and talent. The stronger the combat power displayed at the same cultivation level, the more qualified one naturally was to become the Divine Son.
Potential referred to the height a cultivator could reach in the future.
The Blood God Altar had a total of nine levels. The higher a Divine Son candidate climbed, the greater their potential.
A Divine Son candidate at the Great Perfection of the Heavenly Extreme Realm was the first to reach the base of the Blood God Altar. Stepping on bones one after another, he quickly ascended to the first level of the altar.
This person was named Huo Xin, the youngest among the fifteen Divine Son candidates and a prominent figure of the new generation in the Blood God Sect.
"By merely reaching the first level of the Blood God Altar, Huo Xin has already succeeded in the first step. Even if he cannot ascend to the second level, he has already proven his potential," Sun Dadi said.
At the same time, four more Divine Son candidates charged toward the Blood God Altar.
Among them, three reached the first level. Only one failed, unable to pass the first trial.
Given that all who became Divine Son candidates were carefully selected, it was surprising that someone still couldn't ascend the first level.
This showed that reaching the first level of the Blood God Altar was no easy feat.
Zhang Ruochen was somewhat puzzled and asked, "Just by reaching the first level of the Blood God Altar, one has a chance to become the Divine Son?"
Sun Dadi nodded. "Climbing the Blood God Altar only tests our potential. However, many factors influence a person's potential, and there are many variables. So, testing potential is merely a reference."
Zhang Ruochen said, "So combat power is the key?"
"Exactly," Sun Dadi replied.
Zhang Ruochen asked further, "Then how is the combat power of the Divine Son candidates tested?"
The cultivation levels of the Divine Son candidates varied greatly—some were only at the Heavenly Extreme Realm, while others had reached the Ninth-Step Half-Saint. It was impossible to test combat power through one-on-one duels.
Sun Dadi said, "The power of the Blood God Altar is quite miraculous. It can simulate the spiritual void bodies of past Divine Sons of the Blood God Sect. As long as a Divine Son candidate can defeat any Divine Son in the sect's history, they pass the second trial."
Zhang Ruochen nodded thoughtfully.
Sun Dadi crossed his arms over his chest and laughed. "Shall we give it a try now?"
"There's no rush. Let's wait a bit longer," Zhang Ruochen said.
Seeing Zhang Ruochen's calm and unhurried demeanor, Sun Dadi suppressed his eagerness and decided to continue observing.
At that moment, four Divine Son candidates were already standing on the first level of the Blood God Altar.
One of them was Bai Yu.
The four candidates didn't immediately proceed to the second trial. Instead, they all began climbing to the second level of the altar.
Reaching the second level would further prove their potential and make them shine even brighter.
However, aside from Huo Xin, the other three all failed.
Bai Yu retreated to the first level, quite frustrated. "A mere kid in his twenties actually has such great potential."
Huo Xin's performance was indeed astonishing. After reaching the second level, he continued climbing toward the third.
Below the Blood God Altar, Wei Longxing's eyes burned with intense light as he glanced toward Hai Lingyin. "If we don't start climbing the Blood God Altar soon, we'll let a junior steal the spotlight."
With that, Wei Longxing let out a long roar, unleashed his movement technique, and, like a majestic azure dragon, reached the first level of the altar in an instant.
Hai Lingyin also began climbing the Blood God Altar, keeping pace with Wei Longxing.
Their speed was astonishing, and they quickly reached the second level, catching up to and surpassing Huo Xin.
"Such speed."
Huo Xin was startled to see Hai Lingyin and Wei Longxing charging ahead, feeling immense pressure.
The impressive performance of Hai Lingyin and Wei Longxing naturally excited the Blood God Sect cultivators below.
"They say there are fifteen Divine Son candidates, but in reality, only Hai Lingyin and Wei Longxing are the true contenders."
"The Divine Son will definitely be chosen between Hai Lingyin and Wei Longxing. It just depends on who comes out on top."
"I heard that in the last Divine Son Competition, Wei Longxing also participated. He was just one step away from reaching the fifth level of the Blood God Altar. That one step cost him the title to Mei Lanzhu."
"Mei Lanzhu drank the Great Saint Heavenly Tea, which greatly boosted his potential, allowing him to reach the fifth level. Otherwise, the Divine Son position wouldn't have gone to him."
"Let's see if Wei Longxing can break through his limits this time and take that step. If he does, the Divine Son position is his."
As the crowd buzzed with heated discussion, Wei Longxing and Hai Lingyin had already reached the fourth level of the altar.
Their pace had noticeably slowed as they advanced step by step toward the fifth level.
Each step was extremely difficult.
Many felt that the critical moment had arrived. Whoever among Wei Longxing and Hai Lingyin could reach the fifth level would become the Divine Son.
Since both had formidable combat power, the second trial wouldn't be too hard for them. As long as they performed normally, they would surely pass.
Thus, the first trial testing potential became especially important.
Whoever gained the advantage would have a greater chance of becoming the Divine Son.
The two were getting closer to the fifth level, just a few steps away.
All the cultivators present held their breath, tense to the extreme.
Not only them, but even the saints atop the Blood God Altar wore serious expressions, closely watching the two climbing the altar.
In the end, Wei Longxing took the final step and successfully reached the fifth level of the Blood God Altar.
He succeeded!
As he took that last step, Wei Longxing let out a long sigh of relief, ecstatic inside. He had finally broken through the limits of his potential.
Reaching the fifth level of the Blood God Altar was already considered above average, even compared to the exceptionally talented Divine Sons in the sect's history.
Below the Blood God Altar, thunderous cheers and shouts erupted. Wei Longxing's achievement excited many.
The Blood God Sect's Holy Maiden, Shangguan Xianyan, also had sparkling eyes and a radiant expression. She thought to herself, "Wei Longxing seems even stronger than Mei Lanzhu. Breaking through the limits of his potential proves he has boundless potential for the future."
In contrast, Mei Lanzhu had only reached the fifth level by consuming the Great Saint Heavenly Tea, which subtly made him inferior to Wei Longxing.
However, before Wei Longxing could bask in his joy for long, Hai Lingyin also reached the fifth level, standing opposite him.
Hai Lingyin wiped the sweat from his brow and smiled. "It seems we'll have to settle the score in the second trial. Who will ultimately become the Divine Son?"
"That depends on who has stronger combat power at the same cultivation level."
Wei Longxing exuded strong confidence as he faced off against Hai Lingyin.
Below the altar, Sun Dadi stroked his chin. "Neither of them is simple. They have the potential to become Saint Kings, and there's even a slight chance they could challenge the Great Saint realm. In the past, producing just one such talent was a sign of prosperity."
"The great era has arrived, and every major force is producing geniuses in abundance," Zhang Ruochen said.
Ji Shui used her movement technique, transforming into a graceful blood shadow, and appeared behind Zhang Ruochen and Sun Dadi. She said coldly, "What are you two muttering about? Aren't you going to climb the Blood God Altar? Are you planning to give up on the Divine Son Competition?"
Of the fifteen Divine Son candidates, only Zhang Ruochen and Sun Dadi had yet to start climbing the Blood God Altar.
Sun Dadi turned around and saw Ji Shui's true face. His eyes lit up, and a long string of drool dripped from the corner of his mouth. "What a goddess..."
Zhang Ruochen wasn't surprised at all. He simply smiled at Ji Shui, then pulled Sun Dadi toward the Blood God Altar.
Seeing the strong performances of Wei Longxing and Hai Lingyin, Ji Shui didn't hold much hope for Zhang Ruochen.
Still, since he had comprehended the "Blood God Diagram," there might be a slight chance he could create a miracle.
The reason Ji Shui revealed her true face before the Divine Son Competition was also on the orders of Haiming Dharma King.
After all, Haiming Dharma King knew that "Gu Linfeng" was quite fond of beautiful women. Using Ji Shui to stimulate him might unlock greater potential.
Zhang Ruochen and Sun Dadi walked side by side, unhurriedly climbing toward the first level of the Blood God Altar.
As soon as Zhang Ruochen's first step landed on the altar, he felt a faint pressure.
That pressure was peculiar, as if it were suppressing both the cultivator's physical body and their spirit.
"That pressure doesn't seem very strong," Zhang Ruochen said calmly, easily neutralizing the force from the Blood God Altar.
Sun Dadi also appeared relaxed, reaching the first level alongside Zhang Ruochen.
At that moment, nine Divine Son candidates were already on the first level.
Bai Yu saw Zhang Ruochen and sneered. "I didn't expect you to actually make it to the first level."
Zhang Ruochen ignored him and headed toward the second level.
"Overreaching. He actually thinks he can reach the second level."
Bai Yu's eyes showed disdain. He didn't believe Gu Linfeng could reach the second level, thinking he would soon retreat.
After all, the vast majority of Divine Son candidates were stuck on the first level.
So far, only Hai Lingyin, Wei Longxing, and Huo Xin had reached the second level.
However, after waiting a long time, Bai Yu didn't see Gu Linfeng return. He began to grow nervous.
He looked up at the altar and saw that Zhang Ruochen and the red-furred monkey had both reached the second level.
"How is that possible?"
Bai Yu couldn't believe his eyes.
He had always considered himself superior to Zhang Ruochen. How could he bear such a blow?
At that moment, most people's attention was fixed on the fifth level, watching Hai Lingyin and Wei Longxing. No one noticed that two more candidates had reached the second level.
It wasn't until Zhang Ruochen and Sun Dadi reached the third level that someone finally spotted them and exclaimed, "Look! Someone has reached the third level and is heading for the fourth!" (To be continued.)