"Using external objects for defense, that's too much of a cheat!"
"If that's the case, couldn't we just bring armor and shields?"
"Now that you mention it, I feel like I could do it too!"
"I heard the Bell of Heavenly Light from Tian Guang Temple is the number one defensive artifact in the ancient martial world. If we brought that, wouldn't it be easy to pass this test?"
"Exactly! I think the second-ranked defensive artifact, the Primordial Shield, could also withstand it."
"Ev… Everyone! Do you all really think it's that simple? I have a feeling that trying to pass the trial by taking shortcuts might..."
"Uh! Come to think of it, I also feel like the person who designed this trial wouldn't overlook such a loophole."
"Quick… Quick, look! The runes on the magic array seem to be changing, this..."
"..."
While everyone was discussing the loopholes in the magic array, the runes at the center of the array had already transformed.
"This..."
Seeing this, for some reason, You Li suddenly felt a chill in his heart, a premonition of something bad.
The next second!
The new runes began to evolve, the sixth attack... condensed.
"Wh-What! This… this aura!"
You Li stared at the evolving attack, his hair standing on end, his pupils contracting to needle points, and he instinctively took a step back.
*Whoosh!*
*Rumble!*
The crowd only saw a flash of white light in the air, followed by a terrifying explosive sound. The center of the blast was right in front of You Li.
"This..."
Looking at the corpse puppet, which had already turned to dust before him, You Li was stunned.
This corpse puppet, after all, was refined by an ultimate powerhouse who possessed the strength of a Martial God Sword in his lifetime. Its surface armor was also forged from various extremely tough refining materials.
According to You Li's original plan, even if this corpse puppet couldn't withstand all the attacks for him, it should have lasted until the ninth attack without major issues.
But now, the sixth attack had pulverized it into渣渣 (dregs/ashes).
How could he accept this?
A Martial God realm corpse puppet, even with the full power of his Dead Spirit Valley, would take several years to complete. Not to mention the enormous resources required.
All of this combined was no less than nurturing a new Martial God realm expert, and possibly even above that.
"Damn it!"
You Li clenched his fists tightly, his eyes clouded with darkness, and the death aura emanating from him became even more bizarre.
However, despite this, he did not withdraw from the magic array.
In less than a moment, the seventh attack was condensed.
The terrifying energy contained within it was clearly stronger than the sixth.
*Whoosh!*
This time, it was a beam of purple energy. As it streaked through the air, the entire space seemed to be cut, and spiderweb-like cracks were clearly visible.
This power... had already surpassed the ninth attack when Wu Tianluo challenged.
And now, it was only the seventh.
"Damn it!"
With no time to think, a cold glint flashed in You Li's eyes. He stomped his foot firmly on the ground and formed a strange hand seal.
"Barbarian Ghost! Appear!"
As the voice fell, a grotesque, man-like monster, shaped like an ox and a tiger, emerged from the ground before him. In its hand, it held a massive shield.
*Rumble!*
After the Barbarian Ghost appeared, it raised its shield high, blocking the purple energy beam for You Li.
A few seconds later, as the dust settled, You Li looked at the scattered "parts" before him, his heart bleeding!
These were all the foundations of his Dead Spirit Valley!
Two attacks!
He had lost two Martial God realm corpse puppets!
And they were completely irreparable!
Such a loss was too great.
But now, he had only endured seven attacks, with three remaining.
You Li's slightly bloodshot eyes stared at the center of the magic array, appearing somewhat crazed.
At this moment, all those watching from outside had abandoned their previous naive thoughts. They now understood how "dirty" the mind of the person who designed this trial was.
"I'm impressed! The designer of this trial is definitely a seasoned trickster!"
"Indeed! It's just outrageous! One Martial God kid after another, who can withstand this!"
"If it goes on like this, if Valley Master You Li wants to pass this trial, he'll need at least three more Martial God realm corpse puppets! The price... tsk, tsk, tsk!"
"Even if his Dead Spirit Valley has a deep foundation, these five Martial God realm corpse puppets might cost him his life!"
"But two have already been consumed, and if he withdraws now, obviously..."
"Alas! It's better to be down-to-earth. Let's forget about taking shortcuts!"
"Fellow Daoist speaks wisely! Hahaha!"
"..."
Amidst the discussions of the crowd, it was evident what their attitude towards the Dead Spirit Valley was.
It could be described in one word: gloating.
The damage to the Dead Spirit Valley's foundation was naturally a great event for them.
Even though the four major super powers in the ancient martial world appeared harmonious on the surface, the underlying struggles never ceased for a single moment.
Therefore, when the Martial God corpse puppets of the Dead Spirit Valley were consecutively destroyed, their feelings could be described in one word: satisfaction!
In the magic array, You Li was now in a difficult position.
As the discussants had said, two Martial God realm corpse puppets had already been consumed. If he withdrew now, how could he be willing?
But when he thought of the price of passing this trial, he fell silent.
However, the runes of the magic array did not give him time to think.
The eighth attack had already begun to condense.
A few seconds later!
It was fully condensed!
If he did not withdraw now, he would have to face this attack.
This time, it was a crimson energy ball. When it appeared in the air, it seemed to set the entire space ablaze. The temperature in the entire area of the magic array was rising rapidly.
The energy within it was even stronger.
*Whoosh!*
The next second, with a crimson flame trail streaking through the air, the energy ball attacked You Li.
"I'll risk it!"
At this point, he had no turning back.
"Chi Ghost! Appear!"
As the voice fell, another uncanny corpse puppet was summoned by You Li, blocking the energy ball for him.
Its fate!
Naturally, it was self-evident!
It eventually turned into a pile of broken "parts."
Not only that, as the power contained in each attack increased, the corpse puppets he summoned also advanced from the early Martial God realm to the mid-Martial God realm.
Only in this way could all the energy be perfectly blocked.
Otherwise, he might have been affected.
After the eighth attack landed, the ninth attack arrived as expected.
Just like with Wu Tianluo before, it gave the challenger no time to prepare.
Finally!
You Li sacrificed another mid-Martial God realm corpse puppet to block it.
Next, everyone's gaze focused on the center of the magic array.
This time, the magic array did not launch a surprise attack.
However, the more this was the case, the less confident You Li felt.
He had a feeling that they were going to unleash something big.