Chapter 777: Ten Thousand Supremes |
In front of her was a small door that she promptly opened and walked inside. And she was met with a massive hall that had a statue at the center of it and a set of stairs behind it.
Ming Yue looked around, seeing not much else but those two things.
And so, she went straight to the statue, studying it carefully.
"I wonder who this statue is supposed to be of?"
Circling around it, she tried to figure out this mysterious individual.
It was a man, not very old but certainly not young. He didn't seem like a warrior but more scholarly, dressed in lavish clothes. His hair was put together in a bun by multiple hairpins.
But looking closer, they weren't hairpins.
"They're brushes and he's carrying a book in one arm. He must be a scholar but his face... It doesn't quite match what he's wearing", she noted.
They were crazed, almost obsessive. He was like a madman who tried to masquerade as an intellectual. Or perhaps, he was a mad genius.
She furrowed her brows, wondering why there would be a statue of this man.
Looking closer and closer, Ming Yue stopped right in front of it, staring into the man's face.
And for a brief moment, the statue seemed to move, staring right back at her!
"What?!"
She backed off, taking a few steps back while staring at the statue with caution. One hand was already on Blood Moon's hilt, ready to unsheathe.
Time passed in silence as the statue revealed no more movement but Ming Yue didn't seem quite so convinced.
"There's no power coming from it but this is definitely not an ordinary statue."
She figured as much.
Then a voice echoed out.
"How smart! How intriguing! Such a young child has been sent here! Tell me little one, are you truly prepared to climb the Divine Citadel?!"
It was a man's voice, speaking with a tone of delight, almost like they had found something new to play with. But there was no ill will or hostility in his words, it was all excitement.
"Who are you?!"
Ming Yue shouted out, staring at the statue while brandishing Blood Moon.
"Ohohoho, quite the energetic one! You wonder who I am? Well, I am Dian Zhuan, the Mad Architect! And you, little girl, are standing inside my greatest masterpiece, the Divine Citadel!" he happily explained.
"The Mad Architect?" she muttered.
"It was a good assumption to think that I'd be in that statue but no, I am everywhere!"
His voice grew louder, echoing throughout the hall, causing the air to tremble even. And then, the stature before her shook as the eyes glowed. Some ethereal light shot out, gathering into a single point.
"Now then, it's been quite a while since we've had a visitor here. I'm guessing you're here for the Ten Thousand Supremes?"
While Dian Zhuan spoke, the blob of light started to change, transforming into an unexpected sight.
"I hope you know that this is not going to be easy for you but I can guarantee that you will grow stronger!"
Ming Yue just stared in front of her as the light faded away, revealing a floating squirrel that pointed its finger up in the air.
She couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.
"A squirrel?"
However, Dian Zhuan somehow clicked his tongue and shook his head.
"Not quite, I am merely a fragment of my former self, left here to maintain the Divine Citadel and guide visitors in. This form of mine is just something I personally chose. I mean, squirrels are quite cute, no?" he asked.
"I'm not saying they aren't but... I wasn't expecting to see a squirrel."
Ming Yue quickly responded.
"Ahahahah, were you expecting the statue to just come to life? Or maybe a projection of my real appearance? Either choice is boring! Not to mention, a moving statue is just too much", he told her.
Dian Zhuan floated around her, examining her closely.
"Mm, peculiar, very peculiar, a visitor now? After such a long time? I wonder what made them do this now?" he muttered to himself.
"What do you mean? Are you talking about the High Council?"
"Indeed but you aren't qualified to know everything yet. I can tell that you're a curious one but if you want to learn more, you'll have to climb those steps."
The floating squirrel turned towards the staircase, pointing at it.
"This is the challenge of the Ten Thousand Supremes. There are ten thousand floors, each one hosted by an expert or rather, a fragment of their will like me. Win and you will be offered three choices; personal guidance, a technique, or power. Lose, and you will be unable to enter the Divine Citadel for the day."
"I see. What has been the highest someone has reached?" she asked him.
Dian Zhuan looked at her.
"What do you think? It's the ten thousandth floor but it's only been done once and that was by the one who resides on that floor", he answered.
Ming Yue couldn't help but look at the stairs when she heard this.
"Here I go then."
As she headed towards the stairs, Dian Zhuan stayed by the statue, watching her go while waving his hand.
"Enjoy your time at the Divine Citadel, I'll be seeing you soon!"
His little figure soon disappeared, vanishing into specks of light.
Ming Yue ascended to the next floor finding herself in a sparse forest. She felt a calm breeze run through her hair as the birds chirped in the distance. The sun was shining down on her with some clouds passing by.
"To think that those is all within the Divine Citadel, and this is only the first floor", she thought.
Looking around, she moved forward, walking down the dirt path before her. It was a pleasant day, some may even consider it to be perfect weather!
But even a day like this can be turbulent.
Her gaze turned sharp as she suddenly took a step back. Someone landed right in front of her, their weapon, an iron club, smashing into the ground where she would've been.
"Who are you?!"
Ming Yue immediately pointed Blood Moon at this sudden attacker. There was laughter coming from them as they stood up and lifted the club over their shoulder, staring at her with a big grin.
They were an old man, a person with a small frame who carried the club twice his size.
"What do we have here? A visitor?!"
He was quite a scrawny person, clean-shaven but on the wrinkly side. Dressed rather simply, the old man had a ragged shirt, trousers, and sandals.
"Welcome, welcome to my realm! I am Hong Shi, the Red Meteor! I'm sure that Dian Zhuan has already told you about the Ten Thousand Supremes as well as the conditions and rewards! Now then, let's start!"
He barely gave her time to react as the man leaped forward, bringing his club down upon her.
But Ming Yue was swift, avoiding the attack.
The ground caved in and steam arose from the area as the iron club was lifted up. She noticed a faint red glow.
"Fire, he uses the Fire Dao... must be why he's called the Red Meteor. And he's at the Heaven Realm."
The iron club just kept coming for her, each missed strike left behind a molten crater. The heat coming off of it could be felt by her from as distance.
"Come on now! You can't be running around! Or would you rather I do this instead? Comet Shower"
As he shouted at her, the Red Meteor lifted his hammer up high and smashed it into the causing the entire area to fracture. Heat radiated from the cracks as the ground erupted into the sky. Suddenly the world changed as flames shot across the air and the land was bathed in fire.
