Freed from the hindrance of the toxins, the seven’s speed instantly increased severalfold. They swiftly crossed the third level of Purgatory and arrived at the fourth.

This was the Sword Mountain and the Sword Array.

Here, blade gleams crisscrossed the land and Sword Qi pierced the clouds. Anyone who entered the Array would suffer the agony of a thousand cuts.

However, the Silver Blood Guard altered their Array, shifting its power from purification to an impenetrable defense. The Sword Mountain and Sword Array were now powerless against them.

And so, with their Array activated, the Silver Blood Guard’s pace surged. In a short time, they cleared three successive stages, pulling far ahead into a commanding lead.

Regarding the Silver Blood Guard’s decision to advance using an Array, none of the Cultivators watching the trial voiced any criticism.

Even Ji Qingyue and Ji Qinglian merely knitted their elegant brows, a touch of worry for Zhong Ming appearing on their faces, but they did not stand up and accuse the Silver Moon Royal Mansion of breaking the rules.

It wasn’t that they didn’t want to speak up for Zhong Ming; it was that the current trial was different from the Seven Profound Sect’s previous selection process.

Back then, the sect was only selecting promising new talent and testing the true potential of its Cultivators. That was why the duels emphasized fairness and strictly forbade the excessive use of external aids. This competition for positions in the New Army, however, concerned tangible power and benefits. Absolute fairness was never part of the equation.

That said, the current contest did have its limits. The New Army was a joint creation of many factions, formed to resist a great calamity; it wasn’t the private property of any single person or mansion. Therefore, no one would fight to the death and senselessly waste the strength of the human race.

But this time, that line was drawn very low. Magical Artifacts, Elixir Pills, Arrays, or even combining the strength of a group—as long as it wasn’t too outrageous, anything was permissible.

What the various powers of Immortal Martial City wanted to see—or rather, who they wanted to pledge allegiance to—was an expert who could display overwhelming strength and lead others against the impending calamity. Naturally, strength was the only thing that mattered.

Therefore, the seven Silver Blood Guards’ actions didn’t count as breaking the rules. On the contrary, having such powerful experts under one’s command was merely further proof of the Silver Moon Royal Mansion’s overwhelming strength.

If Prince Qinghe’s Mansion were to stand up and protest, they would only become a laughingstock. The only way they could truly help Zhong Ming was to dispatch their own subordinates!

But due to their inferior strength and weaker foundation, Ji Qinglian and Ji Qingyue had no one they could send.

And this, in turn, made Ji Hao smile.

’Zhong Ming, I admit you have some talent, but this victory will undoubtedly be mine.’

The Silver Blood Guard’s unstoppable advance convinced Ji Hao that victory was in his grasp, and his demeanor became graceful and composed.

He even found the leisure to speak to Ji Qingyue and Ji Qinglian. "Forgive me for having the Silver Blood Guard form their Array so early. I hope my dear cousins are not too amused."

"...It’s no matter. Having experts capable of forming an Array to repel foes is a testament to the Silver Moon Royal Mansion’s power," Ji Qingyue replied coolly, though she secretly clenched her fists.

...

’The coordination between those seven is nearly flawless... I’m afraid things look dire for Prince Qinghe’s Mansion this time.’

Ji Hao wasn’t the only one who believed victory was assured. Over at the Celestial Sea King’s Mansion, Shen Wanshang’s advisors also sighed and shook their heads as they watched the Silver Blood Guard’s unstoppable advance.

Shen Wanshang didn’t refute their assessment.

The seven Silver Blood Guards were already at the Gang Condensation stage, a great deal stronger than Zhong Ming. With them now formed into an Array, their advantage was so immense that Shen Wanshang couldn’t see how they could possibly lose.

’It seems my Celestial Sea King’s Mansion’s greatest rival is, in the end, the Silver Moon Royal Mansion after all,’ she thought.

...

’I will not lose to you!’

At Ji Hao’s command, the Silver Blood Guard surged forward at full speed.

When the Direct Lineage Cultivators of the Chu, Xia, and Qi Families saw Zhong Ming catching up, their expressions hardened, and they began to push forward with everything they had.

They had no choice but to rush ahead.

This trial wasn’t just a contest between Prince Qinghe’s Mansion and the Silver Moon Royal Mansion; their own interests were also at stake.

Furthermore, they all harbored the desire to defeat Zhong Ming and win the hearts of Ji Qingyue and Ji Qinglian, which made them all grit their teeth and press onward.

Among them, Qi Yue’s drive was the most ferocious.

After all, he had braved the Path of Purgatory countless times; he was no stranger to this level of difficulty.

Moreover, the Cultivation Technique he practiced was the Ten Thousand Calamities Body Forging Divine Technique. This technique involved Calamity Bone Refining, Difficult Soul Condensation, and Tribulation Fire Body Forging, making it perfectly suited for the Path of Purgatory. He had cultivated this technique to the stage of Great Success, and his physical body was incomparably powerful.

On top of that, he had also mastered an Earth-Level Top-Grade Fiend Qi—the Earth and Soil Evil Qi—which further enhanced his physical durability.

When he went all out like this, his speed was only a step behind the Silver Blood Guard.

If the Silver Blood Guard hadn’t formed their Seven-Star Array, he might have even taken the lead.

And so, spurred by this sense of crisis, the other Cultivators went all out, once again widening the gap between themselves and Zhong Ming.

This sight made Ji Qinglin, whose heart had been pounding with excitement just moments before, feel a chill run through him. Ji Qingyue and Ji Qinglian also couldn’t help but clench their fists, their lovely faces clouded with worry.

If his opponents were on the same level as Zhong Ming, both Ji Qingyue and Ji Qinglian were confident that he would ultimately emerge victorious.

But this was a struggle for power where fairness was not a factor. His rivals were not only stronger than Zhong Ming, but some were even using an Array. They couldn’t help but be concerned.

’Zhong Ming is the best! He’ll definitely win!’ Ji Qinglian prayed silently, her gaze fixed on the Path of Purgatory.

Ji Qingyue, however, was more concerned for Zhong Ming’s safety. ’It doesn’t matter if he can’t win,’ she thought. ’With the Dream Array Map, Royal Father’s position as Vice Military Commander is already secure. Even if he loses, our mansion will just miss out on a few benefits and a little power...’

...

The Silver Blood Guard, along with Qi Yue, Xia Hai, and the others, continued to press onward at high speed, sparking a flurry of discussion among the spectating Cultivators.