Chapter 1292: Trial
Yang Yan heard the elder’s words and said excitedly, "That’s great. Please, Elder, let me out quickly. The situation on Wandering Dragon Star is critical, and I need to quickly obtain the Divine Wood Staff to save Wandering Dragon Star."
The elder in the white robe said emotionlessly, "Do you think you have the ability to resolve the crisis on Wandering Dragon Star?"
Upon hearing this, Yang Yan was taken aback, and a sigh surged in his heart.
The strength of the Celestial Demon King was enough to make anyone feel a deep-seated fear.
In an instant, it seemed as if the boundless terror from earlier had surrounded him once again.
A trace of hesitation emerged in Yang Yan’s heart, wavering his resolve to lead the Wandering Dragon Alliance against the Celestial Demon King.
He struggled internally, subconsciously questioning himself, "Do I truly have the ability to fight the Celestial Demon King, can I truly lead the Wandering Dragon Alliance to victory?"
He subconsciously shook his head; he couldn’t be sure of these things at all.
The Celestial Demon King was truly too powerful.
Even with the Holy Artifact Naxu and the help of the four Divinity Transformation Realm Supreme Elders, he had no confidence whatsoever.
Still using his unchanging, icy mountain-like tone, the elder in the white robe said, "Now, you have two choices."
Yang Yan raised his head in confusion, looked at the elder in the white robe, and asked, "What choices?"
The elder pointed his left hand toward the left side of the hall, and Yang Yan followed the direction indicated by the elder’s finger.
There stood a large array inscribed with countless obscure and convoluted divine patterns.
From this array, Yang Yan sensed a strong space fluctuation, and he couldn’t help but blurt out, "That’s... a Space Transmission Array?!"
Using his emotionless tone, the elder in the white robe said, "Yes, this super Space Transmission Array can teleport you to anywhere you wish to go."
After a slight pause, the elder hesitated a bit and said, "If you wish to return to Earth, it can send you back in an instant. It can even break the barrier of the Hidden World, directly returning you to the true Earth."
Yang Yan was deeply shaken.
Break the barrier of the Hidden World and return to Earth?
But... what about Wandering Dragon Star!
The members of the Wandering Dragon Alliance are still waiting for him to return to fix Naxu and eliminate the Celestial Demon King!
The elder in the white robe ignored Yang Yan’s astonished expression and continued, "With your current cultivation, returning to Earth would make you the strongest there."
Yang Yan couldn’t help but frown, sensing the elder in the white robe seemed to be tempting him.
The most terrifying part was that he seemed to be utilizing a secret technique that was difficult to detect, affecting his thoughts...
As if noticing Yang Yan’s resistance, the elder continued to tempt him, "Returning to Earth, you’d be the ruler of the planet, wealth, status, fame, and beauty would be within your grasp."
For a moment, Yang Yan became slightly dazed.
However, having faced countless dangers, he became vigilant at this instant.
Unperturbed, he steadied his mind, seemingly asking with some anticipation, "Then, what is the second choice?"
The elder in the white robe slightly furrowed his brows, deeply glanced at him, then exhibited a sinister smile, pointing his right hand toward the right side of the hall, saying, "Look."
Yang Yan glanced toward the right indicated by the elder, his heart trembling slightly.
There lay a dark green staff with ancient patterns carved on the shaft, appearing as a common staff for the elderly to lean on.
But from the extremely pure wood attribute aura emanating from it, it was clear that this was no ordinary wooden staff.
Yang Yan immediately recalled something, and he couldn’t help but shout out, "Extreme Soldier!"
The elder gently nodded, still speaking coldly, "Exactly! So the second choice is to take this Divine Wood Staff and continue to risk losing everything, including your life, fighting for Wandering Dragon Star."
Yang Yan said nothing, frowning as if contemplating something.
The elder continued, "Taking this Divine Wood Staff means you must confront the Celestial Demon King, and the chances of success remain slim. The ultimate outcome might be becoming dust with this planet under the absolute power of the Celestial Demon King. As to how you choose, it’s entirely up to you."
As the elder finished speaking, the terrifying aura of the Celestial Demon King suddenly reappeared, impacting Yang Yan’s mind.
Yang Yan’s expression changed abruptly.
He quietly warned himself that everything was just an illusion, perhaps merely a test.
Unexpectedly, the elder seemed aware of his thoughts, explaining, "I merely shifted him outside the hall earlier, but now he might break through the array and enter here. So, make your choice quickly!"
Is he really coming?
Yang Yan initially thought everything that happened was orchestrated by this elder with unknown intentions.
Yet, with those words, Yang Yan hesitated again.
Honestly, facing such a powerful elder, if he truly wanted to do something, Yang Yan wouldn’t have much chance to resist.
Thus, it seemed completely unnecessary to go to such lengths.
Recalling the Celestial Demon King’s might, which he could not oppose — almost subconsciously — Yang Yan lifted his foot, preparing to head towards the Space Transmission Array.
But after taking only three steps, he hesitated again.
At this moment, his heart was in constant turmoil, uncertain of what decision to make.
Suddenly, he remembered Lin An and Sect Leader He’s expectant eyes; he recalled those slain by Evil Spirits and Evil Qi on Wandering Dragon Star.
The eyes of those people in the moment before their deaths, filled with resolve, deeply stimulated him.
Moreover, during these past years, the countless cultivators of the Wandering Dragon Alliance who fought bloodily for the survival of Wandering Dragon Star — many of whom didn’t even leave behind their remains, without turning into Evil Spirits due to fear of being corrupted by Evil Qi.
Thinking about his countless experiences on Wandering Dragon Star, tears welled up in Yang Yan’s eyes.
During all these years on Wandering Dragon Star, many people and events had long been deeply etched into his heart.
He had already come to regard Wandering Dragon Star as his home.
With this realization, Yang Yan steadied himself and changed direction.
At this moment, the indecisiveness in Yang Yan’s eyes vanished, replaced by a determined gaze as he walked towards the Divine Wood Staff, gripping it tightly.
In an instant, all ominous sights disappeared, and the joyous laughter of the Nether Spirit echoed in his ears.
The Nether Spirit exclaimed, "Congratulations, friend, you have successfully passed the test!"
Indeed! Yang Yan felt a rush of excitement inside.
Everything just now was too real; if not for his experiences through nine lives, he might have been influenced by the elder and made the expected choice, failing the test.
The Nether Spirit handed the Divine Wood Staff to him, saying, "You have passed the test, proving you have the capability to be a savior. Now take it to save Wandering Dragon Star!"
Yang Yan responded joyfully, "Thank you, Great Elder, I will fulfill my mission."
With that, Yang Yan left the Dark Forest, flying towards the Western Desert.