The Crushing Test Stele

It spoke?

Previously, Da Huang and Chen Chang'an had been communicating through telepathy, so no one around them had noticed. But now that Da Huang spoke human words, many were utterly shocked.

"This... a talking dog?"

"You know nothing! If it can talk, it’s a demon beast."

"My heavens, can dogs even become demon beasts?"

"Never heard of it, but today, I’ve seen it."

All eyes were fixed on Da Huang, and even the old man and the young woman from earlier lit up with excitement.

"Excellent, excellent!"

"To think it’s actually a demon beast—this makes it even better!"

"Hahahaha!"

If it were just an ordinary dog, they could take it back, play with it for a few days, and discard it when bored. But this was a demon beast, one that could speak—meaning it had to be at least fifth-tier or higher. That made it far more valuable.

"Ancestor, it can even talk! This is perfect!"

The woman named Yun Shuang was overjoyed, her fondness for Da Huang growing by the second.

"Young man, did you not hear me?"

"Do you truly believe that just because you’re at the Supreme Realm, you can ignore me?" the old man said coldly.

Sigh.

Chen Chang'an sighed helplessly. He never went out of his way to provoke others, so why did these blind fools keep coming to provoke him? Did they really think he was an easy target?

"You want my dog?"

"Ask it if it agrees first."

"Da Huang!"

"Bite him!"

Hearing Chen Chang'an’s words, Da Huang rolled its eyes in displeasure. Such a human-like expression only made Yun Shuang adore it even more, her desire to possess it growing frantic.

"Hahaha, so what if it’s a demon beast? It’s still just a dog!"

"Do you really think I—"

Boom!

Before the old man could finish, Da Huang lunged forward and slapped him with a paw.

The force of the blow sent the old man flying, leaving Yun Shuang dumbstruck.

This... this dog is terrifyingly strong!

Yun Shuang knew full well her ancestor’s strength. Though he hadn’t reached the Great Emperor Realm, he was still at the peak of the ninth level of the Immortal Realm.

Such power made him a formidable expert anywhere. Yet this seemingly adorable dog had just sent him flying with a single slap?

"You... forget it. This lord doesn’t hit women."

Da Huang glanced at the trembling Yun Shuang and decided against attacking.

Yun Shuang was so terrified she couldn’t move. Only now did she understand what it meant to be frozen in fear—she couldn’t even lift a leg.

"Go on. No point staying here. Your ancestor already ran away."

Da Huang’s slap hadn’t been lethal, but it was enough to make the old man realize he stood no chance. He wasn’t foolish enough to return and die.

As for Yun Shuang?

She was just a junior. The family had plenty of those. Life and death were matters of fate.

Hearing Chen Chang'an’s words, Yun Shuang swallowed nervously, trying to move her legs—but they still refused to obey.

"Seriously? Her mental resilience is this weak?"

"Da Huang, let’s just leave."

Chen Chang'an realized that unless he left, Yun Shuang wouldn’t dare move, paralyzed by both physical and psychological pressure.

Only after Chen Chang'an and Da Huang had gone did she collapse to the ground, gasping for breath.

"So... so terrifying."

At the Peak of Taihua

"Why? Why can’t I pass the test?"

"This isn’t fair! The rules clearly stated that aside from the top 500 on the Human Ranking, anyone aged thirty to one hundred could participate. I meet the requirements, so why won’t they let me?"

"Damn it! What kind of lousy test monument is this? I swear I’ll smash it to pieces!"

"Are you looking down on me? What’s the meaning of this test?"

Though the Earth Ranking competition hadn’t officially begun, many had already gathered at the site.

Countless had taken the test, but the results left them in disbelief.

Failure.

Failure.

Failure.

A relentless string of failures drove them to despair.

The Earth Ranking’s previously announced rules had never mentioned a test. Many had traveled thousands—even tens of thousands—of miles, enduring countless hardships, only to be barred by this test monument. How could they accept this?

"Damn it, I refuse to believe everyone’s failing!"

"Let me try!"

A burly man, unwilling to concede, stepped up to the test monument and placed his palm on it.

The moment his hand touched the stone, a faint glow appeared.

Seeing this, the others shook their heads in disappointment—another failure.

"Test failed. Does not meet participation requirements."

The words that appeared on the monument enraged the man.

Damn it, if I don’t qualify, at least tell me why!

You’re not explaining anything—are you just messing with me?

"I’ll destroy this damn monument!"

Boom!

Splat!

In his fury, the man threw a punch at the monument. But the moment his fist made contact, a terrifying force rebounded onto him.

Blood sprayed from his mouth as he was sent flying, lifeless before he hit the ground.

"D-dead?"

"Did you sense that? The rebound force was dozens—no, hundreds—of times stronger than his punch!"

"Yeah, I felt it too. Terrifying... Is this the power of the Heavenly Dao?"

"What an idiot. That monument was placed by the Heavenly Dao itself. How dare he act so recklessly?"

"Hahaha! I—I passed! I passed the test!"

A sudden burst of laughter drew everyone’s attention. They rushed over to see the words on the monument.

"Age: 67. Cultivation: Divine Transformation Realm, seventh level. Combat Power: Three Stars. Qualified."

What?

What does "Combat Power: Three Stars" mean?

"So this is what shows up if you pass? But what’s this ‘Combat Power’ thing?"

"Damn it, can someone explain what this combat power rating is? Does failing mean our combat power isn’t up to par?"

"But that doesn’t make sense! The guy who tested earlier was at the Void Comprehension Realm—his combat power should’ve been higher!"

"What the hell? A sixty-seven-year-old at the Divine Transformation Realm, seventh level, actually qualified? I’m younger and stronger—why did I fail?"

"Wait, look over there! Someone else just passed. Let’s check it out."

"Age: 58. Cultivation: Divine Transformation Realm, ninth level. Combat Power: Three Stars. Qualified."

Huh?

Same three-star combat power, slightly higher cultivation, but still qualified?

"This... can someone please explain the criteria for passing?"

"Damn it, I’m losing my mind here! Who can give me an answer?"