Cosmic Demon

Chapter 176: Elephant Demon and Blood Crystal, absorbing the heart of the furnace!

“That mountain seems alive.”

As Qin Shi approached, the huge copper mountain stuck upside down in the ground seemed to emit a vibration and pulsation like the beating of a heart.

He couldn't help but narrow his eyes, spreading his mental power further, concentrating his mind, and inexplicably heard a war roar that contained a barbaric meaning.

“The pressure that the core area gives people is indeed different.”

Qin Shi suddenly stopped and held his breath. A humanoid creature over twenty meters in size walked by with heavy steps.

Like a crimson giant with its skin peeled off, wherever it passed, large waves of heat rose up and the sand and gravel were melted.

The vitality was terrifyingly powerful, like a real ocean tide roaring and washing through the space, making people feel suffocated, as if a tiny fish was beaten by the raging waves and thrown back to the shore.

"Professional level! And it's a professional level that has gone through several stages of evolution!"

Qin Shi quietly hid in the corner, waiting for the crimson giant to go away.

Even if this alien creature stood still, it would be difficult for him to kill it with his hand using the Dimension Slash.

"No wonder the people who were sent to the core area didn't hunt much. The possibility of becoming prey is too high."

Qin Shi hurried on his way carefully. He discovered that those powerful alien creatures seemed unwilling to approach the Bronze Demon Mountain. They had a feeling of dread or fear.

“So that mountain is actually the safest place.”

He was extremely fast. Once the Hundred Aspects Refining Force was activated, his body seemed to blend into the air flow without any resistance. Before long, he arrived at the "foot of the mountain".

To be precise, the end that is inserted into the ground is the top of the mountain, but because it is upside down, it has a structure that is narrow at the bottom and wide at the top.

"Go up the stairs and you must climb over them to pass the test."

Qin Shi tried to step onto the first level, but did not feel the expected heavy pressure.

"It's not difficult..."

He continued to move up, and when he reached the tenth step, his tendons and bones began to be visibly squeezed.

When he stepped onto the 27th step, his body felt as if it were electrocuted, his hands and feet became slightly numb, the strange feeling became stronger and stronger, and his bones and internal organs were trembling as if they were being beaten.

After level 50, Qin Shi saw several figures in front of him. They were probably at around level 100, and every step they took was very difficult.

"This bronze demon mountain has really given birth to life? It is assimilating me!"

Qin Shi stepped onto the 60th step and finally found the source of the problem.

As he gradually climbed, his mortal body gradually adapted to the iron-making vibrations, and his flesh and blood resonated with them.

This is tempering, which allows the tendons, bones, skin, internal organs to continuously expel "impurities" and become harder and tighter.

But it is also "assimilation" that makes one's own body increasingly close to a certain "form".

"Suppose this mountain is really alive. This vibration and shock is more like breathing! And the higher we go, the more we, and other climbers, will adapt to the rhythm of this breathing!"

Qin Shi felt a chill in his heart. There was no doubt that the Bronze Demon Mountain from the Netherworld was the embodiment of the power of a certain great demon.

He once heard Lao Liang say that no matter whether it was the great demon in the netherworld or the pillar of the gods, they were all completely different from other creatures.

They are at the top of the path and often have absolute control over those below them.

"The closer the lower ones get to the higher ones, the more they are controlled and dominated. This is why the first generation of Martial God Yan Haishan, and later Ning Yuanhai, were unwilling to become the spokespersons of the Four Pillars."

Qin Shi's mind was clear, and he quickly understood the nature of this trial. He resisted the assimilation of this bronze magic mountain, maintained his own identity, and climbed over it.

“If you want to pass, you must first have a high level of inheritance. If it’s too ordinary, you’re bound to be unconsciously affected and follow the rhythm of the Mountain’s breathing.

Secondly, the blood and flesh must be active, just like a long-distance race, you need enough physical strength to persevere to the end. Fortunately, I have both of these!"

After Qin Shi understood, he began to adjust his climbing speed, trying his best to maintain one step every two minutes, and walking very steadily.

……

At the end of the Great Rift Valley is an oasis with lush grass and water. Lao Zhang leans on his wheelchair, basking in the sun with his eyes closed.

Next to him was a middle-aged man with a broad forehead, a square jaw, and strong features. He spoke slowly, his voice sounding heavy:
"I have to admit that Hengzhou has indeed produced a lot of talents in the past few years. This batch is considered to be the best batch of talents after the wilderness trial was stopped."

Old Zhang did not open his eyes and said lazily:

"Dongxia has never lacked talent. It only lacks true Jiaoyang who can grow up and realize their talents. Before that, any evaluation is meaningless."

The middle-aged man is the "chief examiner" sent by the Hengzhou Martial Arts Association. Compared with Representative Li, he has more power and can even stop or even terminate the competition.

"I think that senior has seen a lot of the world, and that's why he sighs like that. As the saying goes, insects chirp for a lifetime, and all living things are struggling to survive. There are too many talented people who can turn into dragons buried in the sea of stars. Before embarking on that path, everyone is outstanding and full of vigor and vitality."

Old Zhang still had his eyes closed, his voice hoarse:
"Xiao Xu, I haven't seen you for many years. You have improved a lot in your ability to talk nonsense. I liked you before, but now you look too official and too powerful. You are not pleasing to the eye."

The middle-aged man's name was "Xu Sheng". His brows sank as usual, then relaxed and he smiled bitterly:

"Senior, you are in a big melting pot, how can you be innocent? There are many rules in the system, with pressure from above and requests from below. If you don't balance them well, it will be difficult to go far. If you don't have the strong strength of the senior, and want to do whatever you want, you will be kicked out sooner or later."

Old Zhang was too lazy to listen to Xu Sheng's "complaints". He was unwilling to hang out with the Wushu Association and even deliberately distanced himself from it because of this.

In the early years of the Wushu Association, there were many masters and hundreds of schools of thought converged, and there was a strong atmosphere of discussion and verification.

But where there are people, there is the martial arts world. The Wushu Association is certified by Dongxia, and it has gathered the huge power of the martial arts world of the old era, and gradually became a giant system alongside the three divisions.

In addition, with the promotion and popularization of martial arts, it was listed as an examination subject and a necessary path to university. As a result, more and more resources were controlled, and factions and mountains naturally evolved. After thousands of years, it has now completely become a semi-bureaucratic system.

"Don't give me that crap. If it's really so difficult and painful, why do you endure it? To put it bluntly, you still cling to that little bit of power and profit. It has nothing to do with strength or weakness.

Be a good examiner and wait for those kids to come over slowly. I have to say that you masters always like to complain about your misery. Even if people who are really living a hard life are crying until their voices are hoarse, you may not be able to hear them. "

Old Zhang seemed to have rested enough and was finally willing to open his eyes. He looked at the Bronze Demon Mountain in the distance and couldn't help but clench his palms.

"Old Zhao is a bit impatient and has taken too big a step. That mountain is the embodiment of the 'elephant demon' descending into the material world. It fell into the Great Rift Valley and is also polluted, with a tendency to become active. Letting a contestant who is not even at the professional level challenge the demon of the netherworld is a bit of a hassle."

The "Old Zhao" he mentioned is the top leader of the Hengzhou Martial Arts Association branch.

Since the Nanhuang Gym leader has so much experience, apart from the first generation of top ten people, it is difficult for anyone to be qualified to be on equal footing with him.

Xu Sheng said in a deep voice:
"The Elephant Demon Copper Mountain is an anchor point for the Netherworld to fall into the material world. If we don't find a way to deal with it, it's hard to guarantee that there won't be a rift entrance one day. The leaders of the Martial Arts Association believe that if someone can 'subdue' the remaining spiritual imprint of the Elephant Demon, they can completely conquer this copper mountain.

That is truly the No. 1 in Hengzhou, the top 100! "

Old Zhang curled his lips and said:

"He must be thinking about the blood crystal that will be born in the Copper Mountain. During the Great Reclamation Period, the elephant demon descended, but was slapped to pieces, his flesh and blood shattered, leaving only a blood crystal that looked like a heart. This thing is rooted deep in the Copper Mountain, and unless extraordinary means are used, there is no way to get it."

Xu Sheng looked embarrassed, speechless and unable to continue the conversation.

I didn't expect that this old senior from Nanhuang Dojo knew even this secret.

"You are the chief examiner, and you must fulfill your responsibilities. Those contestants who can reach the Copper Mountain and climb the core area are all geniuses. If they can't hold on and are assimilated by the Elephant Demon, we can't just sit back and watch."

Lao Zhang reminded.

"Of course, otherwise the Martial Arts Association wouldn't have arranged for me to guard here."

Xu Sheng nodded. Although the wilderness trial had been restarted, it would not be like the past, where outstanding students were allowed to die young. "Senior, since you know that the Elephant Demon Blood Crystal is hidden inside the Copper Mountain, why don't you tell your own descendants? This is also an opportunity. If I can get the blood crystal to irrigate my mortal body, maybe I can break the deadline."

Lao Zhang shook his head:
"The real name of the Elephant Demon is 'Gromash', which means 'the funeral of the earth'. The remaining spiritual imprint of him turned into demonic nature, contained in the rhythm of the beating heart. If you want to get the blood crystal, you must use your own breath to press down the copper mountain. Even when I was young, I might not be able to do it.

Telling Xiao Qin in advance would only cause him more trouble and drive him to pursue it deliberately, which would harm him more easily. "

……

"Senior Pei, I finally caught up with you."

Qin Shi stepped onto the 150 steps and stood shoulder to shoulder with Pei Han, who had been deployed to the core area early on.

The latter was shocked to see him, who was smiling and looked relaxed and happy, as if he had seen a ghost.

"Qin...Shi?"

Pei Han was sweating profusely, and the vitality in his body was like a flood bursting through a dam, constantly releasing outwards.

"It must be an illusion! How could he run from the outer area to the core area so easily and catch up with me!"

Pei Han shook his head, expressing his disbelief. The demonic nature of this copper mountain was so strong that even his spirit was almost polluted.

"Senior Pei, your blood and flesh have consumed too much vitality and are almost exhausted. The breathing and vibration rhythm of your entire body are almost in resonance with this mountain."

Qin Shi had a keen sense and realized that one hundred and fifty steps was Pei Han's limit.

Thinking about how the other party had taken the initiative to invite him to join a team before the start of the game because of Lin Yunqing's request.

He couldn't help but sigh and decided to help:
“Senior Pei, if you are assimilated, your blood and flesh will be unbalanced, your vitality will be depleted, and your future path will be affected, which will not be worth the loss.

So, go down and calm down! "

Qin Shi activated the self-cultivation furnace, intense flames covered his body, and he clenched his five fingers into a fist and smashed it forward.

"It's really an illusion! It's trying to attack me, force me to fight, and make me consume more energy!"

Pei Han grinned, as if he saw through everything, and stood silently on the steps, not moving a muscle.

Bang!
The powerful fist hit Pei Han's eye socket, leaving a circle of black marks instantly.

"Hey! You're not even going to hide? You're really exhausted, Senior Pei!"

Qin Shi was surprised. He didn't expect Pei Han to be so tired.

It hurts!

Pei Han opened his eyes wide. Something was wrong. Why was the illusion so real?

"Have my senses also been blinded?"

Qin Shi sighed. Since everyone knew each other, he was no longer polite.

He immediately quickly climbed up two steps, then turned around and kicked up.

"Senior Pei, you don't need to thank me. Saving a life is better than building a seven-story pagoda."

dong dong dong-

Before Pei Han could react, he was rolling down like a gourd.

"This illusion...is not an illusion!"

Climbing was difficult, but falling was easy, and within a few minutes he lay powerlessly at the "foot of the mountain".

The strange rhythm that was constantly attacking the mortal body and consuming the vitality of the flesh and blood disappeared in an instant.

"He got second place, so he shouldn't have reached the core area yet. He caught up with me so quickly... What a monster!"

Pei Han lay on his back, panting, rubbing the bruises on his eyes, and smiled bitterly:
"It's so shameful to be defeated by a junior who hasn't even taken the college entrance exam yet! It's almost as shameful as those guys who were defeated by the old martial arts school of the psychic department!"

……

After a while, Qin Shi climbed to the 280th level with some effort. His mortal body, which had broken through the three limits, weakened to the greatest extent the terrifying pressure emanating from the copper mountain itself.

With his spirit residing in his inner world, his mind was in a state of concentration, close to condensing the holy fetus. The war cries and roars with a strong demonic nature could not interfere too much.

The only issue that needs to be considered is probably how to fight against the pulsation that is becoming increasingly clear from inside the Copper Mountain.

In the martial arts world of the old era, there was a secret method that was exaggerated by later novelists to be miraculous. It was called the "Heart-Splitting Lock."

Most of the time, it works by amplifying breathing, stimulating blood circulation, and making the heart beat like a drum, which can be heard in all directions.

Through this brutal act that demonstrates the unparalleled vitality, the weak are forcibly brought into the rhythm of their own body, causing their hearts to be broken and their seven orifices to bleed to death.

Anyone who attempts to climb to the top of this huge copper mountain will be attacked by something similar to the "Heart-Splitting Lock".

"What humans are most proud of is their tenacious adaptability to the environment. There is a saying in biology, 'survival of the fittest'. But at this stage, the stronger the adaptability, the more likely it is to suffer. We must stick to our own rhythm and not be led astray..."

Qin Shi silently operated the self-cultivation furnace. The inheritance of Nanhuang Taoist Temple has always been about "strengthening myself", opening up a small world in the body and forming a great unification.

However, He Lanchan’s “Meditation Method of Emptiness” is about “only me”.

The combination of the two makes it difficult to be affected by Tongshan.

However, the iron heart in his arms seemed to be placed in a hot jar and gradually began to melt.

This "Heart of the Furnace" obtained from the leader-level Rust Beast could not withstand the tremor of the Copper Mountain. Cracks appeared on the surface, and then it slowly melted like a candle encountering high temperature.

"It's become soft, like taro paste."

Qin Shi pinched it with his hands and easily left a mark.

I was wondering before how to digest this thing.

"What a chance."

Qin Shi raised the corners of his mouth, smiled with satisfaction, and swallowed it directly with his head tilted back.

The originally hard texture was like a boiled sweet potato.

It tastes sticky and not bad.

This iron heart was quickly absorbed into the stomach.

Suddenly, a stone tablet rising from the ground appeared on the panel.

[Primary achievement activated - People of Iron]

At the same time, the gray pixel-style embryo grew larger to a degree visible to the naked eye, and the outline of its shape vaguely emerged.

The whole head is round with pointed ears, and at first glance, it looks like a small ball of fluff.