Absolute Choice
chapter-457

There were countless of entrances to various land of trials in the human world. Most of them were hidden in spatial turbulences that humans could not step in, but a few of them had been discovered for a myriad of reasons. They were opened up and used by humans.

However, just the number of entrances that seemed like the tip of the iceberg numbered above ten thousand. Among them, the number well known to everyone was countable with one hand. There were five extremely important land of trials that were labeled the 'Five Great Steps'.

In fact, the 'Five Great Steps' referred to the five major realms of the psionic cultivation system—Psionic Mortal Realm, Psionic Soul Realm, Psionic Might Realm, Psionic Domain Realm, and Psionic Imperial Realm. The five corresponding land of trials had perfectly matched the five realms and they held the greatest authority when it came to a land of trials.

Among them, the 'Step' that belonged to the Psionic Mortal Realm—the land of trials that held the greatest authority—was the Nine Revolutions Transcendental Tower.

This was the only 'Step' that existed in China. It was the most famous land of trials in China and it was a trial every Psionic Mortal Realm rookie in the world would wish to participate in.

The creator of the Nine Revolutions Transcendental Tower and the reason for its creation were secrets that had long been buried under the vestiges of time.

But there was historical evidence that the Nine Revolutions Transcendental Tower had existed for at least ten thousand years.

In these ten thousand years, it had seen countless trial-takers passing through its walls. The program had been refreshed countless times, but there were a few special existences that never changed. They stood at the pinnacle of each world like eternal lives. They brought unchanging fear to the trial-takers and they were called Level Lords.

The nine levels had nine Level Lords. In the ten thousand years, other than the fourth Level Lord being killed by the Hero King, as well as the Level Lord on the third level that was 'swapped' for a particular reason, the other seven Level Lords were still those seven Level Lords.

Although it had to do with the time the Level Lords were released, it also meant that the more powerful trial-takers would have a smaller chance of meeting Level Lords. That was because they typically led the pack. However, for the seven Level Lords to survive for ten thousand years without being destroyed was enough to prove that their strength was so much higher than trial-takers at the Psionic Mortal Realm.

"Yes, in the human worlds, a Level Lord might not be that powerful, but in comparison to trial-takers at the Psionic Mortal Realm, they are an invincible existence. It's impossible for trial-takers at the Psionic Mortal Realm to defeat a Level Lord. When they meet Level Lords, they have to run and pray that they had sufficient luck to escape the calamity."

That was Liu Yu's understanding from the beginning. It was also what most trial-takers knew.

But it was unknown when this understanding was gradually destroyed.

Was it at the instant when the third level's Level Lord, the Thousand Eye Demon Sovereign, was 'conquered' by Shi Xiaobai?

Or was it the instant when news of Shi Xiaobai killing four Level Lords resounded throughout the land of trials one after another?

Liu Yu could not be certain when his impression of Level Lords went from 'invincible' to 'possibly beatable' exactly began.

But he was certain that at that moment in time, his fear for a Level Lord had been completely destroyed.

Field Marshal Awesomo, who had appeared with bombastic rhetoric and revealed the astounding conspiracy before claiming to be the Level Lord, had declared that he would wipe out the trial-takers. It had disappointed Liu Yu but at the same time, he saw hope of victory.

That was because without monsters like Shi Xiaobai and Speechless helping, the few of them would be easily crushed or even one-shot by the Level Lord. But it was completely unexpected that the battle situation had developed into what was happening in front of him.

Sunless alone was able to force Field Marshal Awesomo into a passive state of defense.

When he, Mu Yuesheng, Feng Yuanlin, Mu Lengxi, and Pulp Farmer joined in the battle, the situation leaned towards their side. Field Marshal Awesomo, who had declared to wipe them out, had only managed to brandish his battle axe at the beginning, but he was now genuflecting on the ground and covering his head in defense. Although his defensive strength was still considerably powerful, he was covered in injuries after a few minutes of combined attacks. He was staggering and looked like he would collapse at any time with serious injuries.

Liu Yu gradually frowned.

"What happened? "How can a Level Lord be so weak?"

"I've seen various information. Although the description regarding the seventh level's Level Lord isn't detailed, it says that it is one of the toughest Level Lord in the first seven levels. So how can it be this weak? Furthermore, the description of his appearance is completely different from this bull-horned warrior. Could it be that he is actually a Level Lord imposter?"

"That's not right. Appearances can be faked, strength can be hidden, so it can't be certain that he is a Level Lord imposter."

"But why? Why did he expose his scheme to the point of claiming to have killed Shi Xiaobai to attract aggro, but without the corresponding strength to face us, isn't he just clearly courting death? Could it be that he's sadomasochistic? Or could it be that he innocently overestimated his strength?"

"No, that wouldn't make sense. There's too much foreboding."

"Let's begin laying out some assumptions. Assuming that he is the real Level Lord, and that he disguised himself and hid his strength, and him being beaten is an illusion, to the point of him stumbling is faked, then, what would his motive be?"

"What is he scheming?"

Liu Yu was a hundred-percent conspiracy theorist. He never dreaded to size up his enemy with the most devious of means.

When the story progressed too well, it was usually the laying of foundations for the next twist.

The extreme calmness was most likely the calm before the storm.

As Liu Yu threw his talismans in his assault against Field Marshal Awesomo, he racked his brains to consider the situation facing him.

In complete contrast to the meticulous Liu Yu, Feng Yuanlin, who never used his brain, did not find anything strange about the situation. As he brandished the hard shields in his hands that he constantly smashed them at Field Marshal Awesomo's back, he shouted in excitement, "Well done everyone. Put in a bit more effort. The stupid ox can't last much longer!"

Everyone could tell that Field Marshal Awesomo was like a candle in the wind. That was because he was kneeling with both knees on the ground at the very moment. Black and revolting black blood constantly spewed out of his mouth. His injury-laden body was constantly trembling as he withstood the attacks.

But other than Feng Yuanlin, the rest did not look too good. Although they did not think as deeply as Liu Yu, they could tell that something was amiss.

They were about to win, but the way they won seemed too strange.

Although Sunless had activated the power of her Sword Truth throughout the process, she had used the simplest and most brutal sword techniques, giving her an imposing feeling. Even Speechless, who was recovering from his wounds from afar, could not help but admit that even the present Sunless was someone he had to take seriously.

However, it seemed a bit forced that Sunless alone was able to repress a Level Lord herself.

Furthermore, due to Sunless's constant motion in a melee battle, the attacks from the others were apprehensive as they were afraid of harming her. They did not use their full strength, so despite being such a team, they were able to beat a Level Lord to submission to the point of him not even daring to fight back seemed a bit too fake.

Other than Feng Yuanlin, who never used his brains, and Sunless, who gave up all thought, the others felt that something was amiss.

But Sunless was attacking like a relentless storm prevented them from daring to stop. They could only follow her cue and constantly attack.

The azure-dressed girl who only had eyes for swords and a particular boy was the most composed person while everyone was feeling confused. She made the best action, but when everyone gradually calmed down, she became the most confused. With the passage of time, her worried emotions became even more intense.

The azure-dressed girl's every strike seemed to be silently roaring the same question.

Where is Shi Xiaobai?

Where!?

Where is he!?

"Where?"

When the silver sword finally pierced through the bronze skill that had been hardened as well as the tattered armor, a tiny portion of the sword's blade had stabbed into Field Marshal Awesomo's chest. It was just short a centimeter to pierce his heart. Sunless finally came to a stop as she gradually breathed out an ice-cold breath while saying a burning sentence.

"Where is Shi Xiaobai?"

Sunless asked. She gently vibrated the sword in her hand. Her intentions were clear. If Field Marshal Awesomo's answer did not satisfy her, she would not hesitate to tear up his heart with her sword.

Ten minutes ago, Field Marshal Awesomo, who appeared in a state of belittling everything, was now a complete failure. With his life on the brink at the movement of a blade of a centimeter, he was truly in a pathetic state.

However, even in such a pathetic state, Field Marshal Awesomo was still that arrogant Field Marshal Awesomo. That ugly face that turned hideous from the pain suffused a mocking smile.

"Where? Of course he is in hell for everlasting perdition! Feel anguish! Feel sad! The boy you love is already dead!"

Field Marshal Awesomo laughed maniacally as his eyes were filled with craziness. "Do you want to avenge him? What are you hesitating for? It's just a centimeter. By moving a centimeter forward, you can vent the anger and hatred in your heart. Is there something easier than freeing yourself than this? Come on, kill This Field Marshal!"

His maniacal appearance prevented one from telling if he was unafraid of death or a hysteric rebound from hitting his bottom line.

Be it the thirty-thousand-strong audience that were long dazed in their spots, or the trial-takers, they could not help but draw a gasp from Field Marshal Awesomo's madness.

However, Sunless was unmoved. Her cold gaze and ice-cold expression did not reveal any changes. She fell silent for a moment and as though she was muttering to herself, she said, "He's still alive. Your strength isn't enough to kill him, but you know where he is. By killing you, I will not obtain my answer, but by not killing you, you will also not tell me the answer."

Field Marshal Awesomo said with a mocking tone, "So?"

Sunless slowly lifted her head as though she had came to a decision, "Regardless if you are killed or not, you will not tell me where he is. Then, I can only wait. No matter where he is, no matter what danger has been afflicted on him, all I can do is wait and firmly believe that he will definitely not die."

"I believe him. It doesn't matter how long I wait. It's best if you are willing to tell me where he is, but it doesn't matter if you aren't. To me, that is all there is to your existence."

"So, die."

After a series of logical thinking that wasn't too long or complicated, the girl who couldn't be considered calm came to a conclusion. She used the coldest response to answer that question of 'so'.

So, die.

At that moment, Sunless no longer hesitated.

It was also at that moment when Liu Yu, who was constantly pondering, saw a faint smile across Field Marshal Awesomo's lips. His thoughts that were twisted like a dead knot suddenly released itself, with him instantly having his questions answered.

Like a roar, Liu Yu immediately shouted anxiously,

"Stop! Don't kill him!" IChooseDogLeading (我选择狗带) when read in Chinese sounds like I Choose Go Die. It was a meme that resulted from a former member of famous Korean boygroup, EXO, TAO (Huang Zitao). At a concert, there was a part in a rap that where he said "", but due to a mispronunciation, it sounded like he will not easily choose to be led by dogs. This phrase now means 'I'd rather die/I choose death'.