Shattered Principles
It was already a day later when Little Zhong Chi mistakenly entered the Immortal Tomb.
At this moment, the patriarch returned with the hunting team, all covered in bloodstains.
Many of them were on the verge of death.
On the desolate mountain, the patriarch led fifty skilled hunters from the clan, almost exhausting the clan’s strength.
It was evident that the patriarch risked his life to hunt down the ferocious beast.
However, even with the patriarch personally taking action, the terrifying beast still posed a difficult and brutal battle.
The returning hunters were almost all injured to varying degrees.
Those with broken arms and legs were considered relatively lucky, while many others were on the brink of death, their bodies nearly shattered.
Out of the fifty who went out, less than twenty returned, with five or six of them barely clinging to life.
Even if they miraculously survived, they would never be able to go hunting again.
The Patriarch himself was covered in blood, with deep wounds visible down to the bone.
If it weren’t for his spiritual power stopping the injuries from worsening, he might not have made it back alive.
Having paid such a heavy price, losing more than half of their strength, the Patriarch was also severely weakened.
The excessive use of power had caused his body to rapidly age, leaving him in a near-disabled state.
The only consolation was that they had succeeded this time, managing to bring back a beast weighing over a thousand pounds.
The Patriarch found solace in this, as Little Zhong Chi’s first sacrificial ceremony finally had a resolution.
The sacrifices and efforts of the clan were worthwhile because they firmly believed that as long as Little Zhong Chi grew up, the clan would have a better future.
However, a piece of devastating news reached the clan.
A clan member who was on the verge of death was angry to death on the spot.
Even the Patriarch coughed up blood, his face turning pale, almost fainting.
“What? Little Zhong Chi was swallowed by a vortex?”
This news was like a drop of water splashing into a hot oil pan, instantly causing an explosion.
“Our Divine King bloodline is gone like this?”
“Then what about our many fallen brothers? Did they die in vain?”
“You foolish child! How many times have I told you to take care of Little Chi? Even if it meant sacrificing yourself, you should have protected him. But what did you do? You ran away for your own life, disregarding Little Chi!”
A burly man, his left arm severed, didn’t care about treating his injuries at this moment. Instead, he raised his right hand and slapped his child.
Not only that man, but Zhong Shan also raised his palm, like a towering mountain, and directly sent his son, Zhong Hu, flying.
He scolded, “How could I have such a cowardly son like you? You have disappointed me.”
A group of children, with their fathers present, each received a severe beating.
It was evident how cherished Little Chi, with Divine King's bloodline, was to the entire clan.
“Father, you can’t blame us. At that time, we were surrounded by several fierce beasts, and we thought Little Chi was with us. Who knew...”
The child couldn’t finish his words before being sent flying again by his furious father.
After much difficulty, the group of children managed to explain what had happened.
Little Zhong Chi fought against the White Spotted Tiger, risking his life to protect them, and was eventually surrounded by several fierce beasts before being swallowed by a sudden vortex.
However, after recounting everything, each of them had swollen faces and bruised bodies, too terrified to speak up again.
At this moment, the clan members were even more sorrowful.
Little Zhong Chi’s disregard for his own life touched everyone deeply.
If Little Zhong Chi truly became powerful, the clan would undoubtedly receive his care and continue to thrive.
However, with Little Zhong Chi being swallowed by the vortex, all their hopes turned into nothingness.
“Patriarch, is Little Zhong Chi doomed?” Zhong Tie asked unwillingly.
“No, Little Zhong Chi possesses Divine King bloodline. He won’t die easily,” Zhong Hu, with a swollen face and bloodstains on his lips, said in disbelief.
However, the Patriarch and the other elders shook their heads in despair.
The appearance of the vortex in this ancient city was not the first time; it occurred sporadically every few decades, without a specific location.
Anyone, whether human, fierce beast or spiritual creature, who was caught in it would undoubtedly perish.
Miracles had never occurred.
...
Just when the clan believed Little Zhong Chi was undoubtedly dead, he was still undergoing the trial in the Immortal Tomb.
Little Zhong Chi’s life or death could not be determined at this moment.
Because the trial in the Immortal Tomb was either a success or death, with no third option.
“Buzz!”
The thick layer of frost condensed on Little Zhong Chi’s body cracked like an eggshell, revealing his rosy little face with a row of white teeth, chubby and adorable.
“Wow! I did it!”
Little Zhong Chi finally passed the first trial.
At the same time, his body reached an unimaginable strength.
Although the process of the trial was life-threatening, the benefits after passing it were extraordinary for Little Zhong Chi.
“This little kid passed the first trial!”
The grand general couldn’t help but exclaimed.
For Little Zhong Chi, this trial might have been a matter of life and death, but for a strong person like the grand general, the trial was too easy, to the point where he could hardly believe it.
Although the grand general found it hard to believe, he didn’t forget his duty.
Little Zhong Chi had passed the first trial, so he guided him to face the second trial.
The second trial was even more peculiar, leaving the grand general almost speechless and on the verge of spitting blood.
He exclaimed, “This can also be considered a trial? Kill me! This world is too crazy.”
It turned out that Little Zhong Chi’s second trial didn’t require him to fight desperately or risk his life.
It was a multiple-choice question!
Two treasures were presented to Little Zhong Chi, and he had to choose the best one to pass the trial.
Little Zhong Chi gazed at the two treasures before him, which were emitting a faint halo.
Even though he was well-versed in the scriptures, he couldn’t determine the nature of these two treasures, or which one was superior.
Assuming a captivating posture, Little Zhong Chi placed his little finger in his mouth, complementing his chubby face with a melancholic expression as he pondered over the dilemma of choosing between the two treasures.
Upon realizing the true identity of the treasures, the hidden great general revealed a wicked smile and muttered, “I knew it. There’s no such thing as a simple test. It seems this child’s life is doomed here.”
As it turned out, the two treasures held equal value, and regardless of Little Zhong Chi’s choice, neither was the best treasure.
Observing Little Zhong Chi’s perplexed expression, especially coupled with his enchanting finger-biting gesture, the great general couldn’t help but almost burst into laughter.
“Ah! I’ve got it!” Suddenly, Little Zhong Chi’s eyes lit up, revealing a greedy expression.
Swift as lightning, he directly grabbed both the treasures in his hands.
Simultaneously, a buzzing sound resonated as the prohibition of the test location instantly vanished.
“What?!”
The dignified great general lost his composure, his principles scattered.
He nearly spewed blood and perished.
Wasn’t it a choice between two options? How did he pass the test like this?
“Am I or is this world insane!?”
The great general was completely defeated by the unfathomable thoughts of his sovereign.
The principle of not being able to have the best of both worlds was completely overlooked by his sovereign.
After Little Zhong Chi obtained both treasures, their true forms were revealed without a doubt.
His little face was filled with astonishment, and a sense of fear overwhelmed his heart.
It turned out that these two treasures were identical, both being extraordinary swords radiating spiritual brilliance and awe-inspiring aura.
They were undoubtedly rare ancestral treasures.
“Spiritual treasures, they are spiritual treasures!”
Little Zhong Chi couldn’t contain his joy, his eyes gleaming as he exclaimed, “I want spiritual treasures, I want more spiritual treasures!”
Witnessing Little Zhong Chi’s demeanor, the hidden great general suddenly gained some insight.
This child had successfully overcome two trials for a reason, as he seemed to embody the characteristics of their former sovereign—treasuring wealth above all else!
“Does this child not realize his predicament? This is the Immortal Tomb, a forbidden place that even countless Divine Kings and powerful beings tremble before. It seems necessary for me to remind this carefree child.”
No matter how the great general looked at the young boy before him, he felt he was witnessing an exceptionally rare specimen—ignorant and fearless, a phrase that held.
“Coffin Man, quickly tell me where the location of the third trial is! I want the supreme treasure, I want to bring it back to Grandfather Patriarch.”
Before the great general could warn Little Zhong Chi about the danger here, the young boy was already impatient, his mind seemingly considering the treasure left behind by the sovereign as his possession.
“Ignorant child!”
The great general sighed and then guided Little Zhong Chi to the location of the final trial.
Stepping onto the ground of the last trial, Little Zhong Chi’s expression immediately changed.
Above his head, a golden thunder ball hovered, crackling with electricity.
This small golden thunder ball seemed to contain the power to destroy the heavens and earth.
“Ah! Such a beautiful thunderbolt, it appears to possess immense power!”
Little Zhong Chi stared at the thunder ball suspended above his head, his face showing a solemn expression.
“Golden Jade Thunder Ball!” The hidden great general’s expression also changed, revealing a hint of fear. He too was intimidated by this object.
The Golden Jade Thunder Ball surpassed ordinary lightning in power.
Even a single strand possessed tremendous might, capable of annihilating the heavens and earth.
It was absolutely beyond what an ordinary person could withstand.
“Using a sledgehammer to crack a nut?”
The great general felt a deep sense of regret.
This was the Golden Jade Thunder Ball, even if it was just a strand of it, once integrated into a spiritual treasure, its power would greatly increase, making it extremely precious.
To use such a formidable Golden Jade Thunder Ball to deal with Little Zhong Chi was an insult to its power.
Even a king in the Immortal Realm would have to retreat.
With such a massive Golden Jade Thunder Ball, possessing such immense power, it could undoubtedly challenge gods and be considered an extremely rare and supreme treasure.
Even the great general standing before it felt a pang of heartache.
Suddenly, the Golden Jade Thunder Ball above Little Zhong Chi’s head directly descended upon him.
“Sizzle!”
Electric serpents danced, lightning splintered, and countless golden thunderbolts completely enveloped Little Zhong Chi, exuding an awe-inspiring aura that sent shivers down one’s spine.
“This world is too insane! Where is one’s principles? Are there no principles left?”
The great general, witnessing this scene, completely lost his sanity.
He felt as if the deceased sovereign’s principles had shattered into pieces, reaching a level of outrage that even the gods would condemn.
“How could I forget? Besides its immense destructive power, the Golden Jade Thunder Ball possesses miraculous effects in forging the body, enhancing its resilience and strength!”
The great general was utterly defeated by his sovereign’s lack of principles.
To use such a precious Golden Jade Thunder Ball to forge the body of this young boy before him, was this still a trial?