C121 In the Space Testing Grounds

At the Stellar Tower.

This was the source of the Stellar Knightage's fame and the true foundation of their strength.

Chu Yi was familiar with the name.

The elder had sent him information about the Stellar Tower.

The name of the Stellar Knightage was derived from this very tower.

There were numerous legends surrounding the Stellar Tower, but Chu Yi believed in one particular tale: that the Stellar Tower was not exclusive to the Stellar Knightage. In fact, what the Knightage possessed was not the tower itself, but merely a different form of projection.

The true Stellar Tower belonged to 'humanity'!

Otherwise, it would be inexplicable how the Stellar Knightage came to possess such a formidable holy artifact.

Of course, these were just Chu Yi's speculations.

Indeed, one of Chu Yi's objectives in joining the Stellar Knightage was to gain access to the Stellar Tower.

Legend had it that each trial within the Stellar Tower yielded unique rewards.

Naturally, this assumed one could persist on the path. If one lacked the strength, they would gain nothing and might even suffer psychological trauma. But for those with sufficient talent to ascend, the rewards could be beyond measure.

Chu Yi had his doubts about his own talents, but he excelled in every other aspect.

Moreover, having once been a truly supreme being, Chu Yi's spiritual essence was beyond imagination. With this in mind, Chu Yi was convinced that the path he could forge would exceed anyone's expectations.

Thus, the Stellar Tower was undoubtedly the perfect place for him.

The examiner looked at Chu Yi and inquired, "Do you need to take a break?"

"The Stellar Tower will be the most unforgettable experience of your life. I personally recommend you take a moment to rest."

The examiner wasn't questioning Chu Yi's capabilities; Chu Yi's performance in the prior tests was memorable.

And because it was memorable, the examiner felt compelled to offer Chu Yi some advice.

After all, the Stellar Tower wasn't an easy challenge for just anyone to conquer.

"Only through death is one transported out. Hence, despite the countless benefits known to be gained from conquering the Stellar Tower, few geniuses dare to enter..."

What does it feel like to face death?

No one could articulate it clearly, but it was undoubtedly a deeply painful memory.

Even those prodigies who had emerged from battlefields strewn with corpses and rivers of blood harbored a deep-seated fear of a test that demanded facing death to pass.

Not fearing death doesn't equate to a desire to die.

Yet, for Chu Yi, such fears were inconsequential.

Chu Yi shook his head lightly and said, "Let's just get started."

"I really don't have much time to spare..."

Watching Chu Yi's determination, both the boss and the examiner shook their heads discreetly.

Many geniuses, much like Chu Yi, believed themselves to be invincible, convinced that their willpower could withstand any challenge. Yet, after experiencing the actual test, they often ended up regretting their overconfidence.

But at this moment...

Since the candidate himself had requested it, the examiner saw no reason to decline.

"Follow me, then."

With that, they boarded the flying car.

Chu Yi followed suit and stepped into the vehicle.

The Stellar Knightage's flying cars were tailor-made, boasting exceptionally high specifications that rivaled even the most advanced flying cars on the market. Such a vehicle would command a price tag of no less than a hundred million.

This was merely the mode of transport for accompanying staff, and at this point, Chu Yi gained a newfound appreciation for the Stellar Knightage's financial might.

They were, indeed, somewhat formidable...

The flying car sped swiftly, and after half an hour of flight, they finally reached their destination.

Chu Yi estimated that they had nearly traveled from the heart of Redmarsh to its outskirts.

As expected, once they disembarked, they found themselves amidst a vast wilderness.

This was far beyond the outskirts – it was the wilds.

"This is the central hub of the Stellar Knightage in Redmarsh City."

"Apart from the Stellar Knightage's Earth headquarters, this is the most prominent division on the planet."

The exact location of the Stellar Knightage's headquarters was unknown, shrouded in rumors that it was somewhere amidst the cosmos.

These were, of course, speculations. But considering that the Stellar Knightage was backed by powerful 'people', such a notion didn't seem entirely far-fetched.

Nonetheless, only a preeminent force like the Stellar Knightage would dare to establish a branch in such a remote wilderness.

For any other organization...

They would likely be on the brink of collapse if a Demonic Beast were to launch an occasional assault.

"Come with me. The Stellar Knightage operates quite differently from other organizations," the guide explained.

"Internally, there's no hierarchy based on power. Here, fairness is paramount."

"If your argument is sound, you can freely speak your mind, even to the head of our branch."

Really?

Chu Yi glanced at his boss, who gave a subtle nod in confirmation.

Instantly, Chu Yi felt a surge of goodwill towards the Stellar Knightage.

He trailed the examiner, weaving through numerous imposing structures.

The branch of the Stellar Knightage seemed to exude a luxury surpassing even that of some city centers.

People bustled to and fro, showing no signs of the typical suburban landscape.

"These are the offspring of law enforcers and guardians. Our unique nature limits our interactions with outsiders."

Chu Yi understood the necessity; mingling too freely with outsiders could lead to mishaps.

Issues like biased law enforcers or examiners accepting bribes could arise.

Such measures were in place to circumvent any potential problems.

Yet, what truly captivated Chu Yi wasn't the grandeur of the place, but the palpable, powerful presence that permeated it.

Strength was abundant here.

That was Chu Yi's initial impression.

With his enhanced sensory range, Chu Yi felt he could now sense everything within a kilometer radius.

He refrained from fully extending his senses, opting for a more subtle approach.

Even with this cautious probing, Chu Yi was confident that the Stellar Knightage's headquarters housed an innumerable host of formidable individuals.

This might well explain why they had the confidence to establish the branch in such a remote location.

Soon, the examiner led Chu Yi to a towering edifice.

"Here lies the entrance to the Stellar Tower..."

Chu Yi observed the structure; it bore some resemblance to a tower.

Yet, it fell short of the Stellar Tower he had envisioned...

"Let's head inside," the examiner suggested, guiding Chu Yi into the building.

The once dark hall blazed with light as they entered.

The vast space was devoid of any other objects, except for the massive array pattern at the very heart of the hall.

"There," the examiner pointed, "is the gateway to the Stellar Tower."

Indeed...

A glimmer of realization flickered in Chu Yi's eyes.

Though he had glimpsed only a corner, for someone as accomplished in the art of formations as Chu Yi, that glance was sufficient.

The formation before him was unmistakably etched with patterns of spatial power.

Clearly, its main purpose was to transport the tester into the actual Stellar Tower.

"Stand on it, and you'll be automatically taken into the Stellar Tower," the examiner instructed.

"Before we begin, though, there are a few things I need to discuss with you..."

The examiner's gaze was intensely serious as he addressed Chu Yi.

"In this assessment, you don't need to go very far; passing the first level will suffice."

"Considering your prior achievements, that alone will make you eligible to join the Stellar Knightage."

"Also, don't overexert yourself. If you manage to pass the first level without overwhelming dominance, it's best to opt out before attempting the second level!"

The examiner spoke with grave sincerity.

"Remember, once you embark on the test, you're faced with only two outcomes—"

"Advance to the next challenge, or perish in the attempt!"

"It's best to avoid the sensation of death if you can. Take this to heart!"

The examiner's solemn tone underscored his deep aversion to death.

Chu Yi pondered for a moment, acknowledging the truth in the examiner's words.

Without his five-thousand-year ordeal in the Immortal Demon Temple, he might have felt fear as well...

"I understand," Chu Yi replied, nodding lightly.

The examiner then hurried to the edge of the formation, extracting several crystals from his person and casually inserting them into the intricate design.

Instantly, the formation began to twinkle with starlight.

"Space Crystals..."

While they might have been unrecognizable to others, Chu Yi identified them with ease.

"Alright, step inside," the examiner directed.

Chu Yi complied, positioning himself at the heart of the formation.

In the blink of an eye, the twinkling starlight burst into a dazzling radiance, and in the next moment, Chu Yi had vanished from sight.

Watching the scene, the boss turned to the examiner with a hesitant expression and inquired, "What's your opinion of him?"

The examiner paused briefly, then let out a deep sigh. "It's hard to say."

"What I do know is that he hasn't reached his full potential yet," he continued.

After a brief pause, the examiner added with uncertainty, "And I have a feeling he's holding back an even more powerful ace up his sleeve..."

A peculiar glint flickered in the boss's eyes.

"Could it be possible?"

The examiner fell silent, ultimately fixing his gaze on the spot where Chu Yi had vanished.

Was it even possible?

It was the seeming impossibility that made him question his own intuition.

To become an examiner wasn't just a matter of strength and luck.

These examiners possessed a unique sensory ability, indistinct yet ever-present...

The teleportation array wasn't particularly powerful. Chu Yi surmised that he hadn't been transported over a great distance.

Naturally, this was all based on Chu Yi's own perception.

Within such a teleportation array, the passage of time was imperceptible.

You might feel as though only a second has passed, yet in reality, a year could have elapsed outside. Conversely, you might believe you've been in transit for an entire year, when less than a minute has passed externally.

Teleportation could easily muddle one's sense of time.

As a rule, it's impossible to gauge the normal passage of time.

But Chu Yi was no ordinary individual. Although he couldn't precisely discern the laws of time or feel its progression, he could still get a general sense of it.

It was this ability that gave Chu Yi the confidence to assert that he hadn't teleported very far.

Soon, the disorienting sensation of temporal displacement faded, and his surroundings snapped into focus.

"Examinee, do not let your gaze wander."

As Chu Yi was taking in his new environment, a voice called out.

He looked around and noticed a middle-aged man approaching.

The man was unremarkable, utterly ordinary, yet the aura of power that shimmered around him...

"War God!"

Chu Yi was astounded.

Here, of all places, he had encountered a War God!

And Chu Yi was certain that this was no ordinary War God.

The intense aura of rule-bending power he sensed from the man was formidable, awe-inspiring.

Was this the Stellar Knightage?

No, that couldn't be it.

Chu Yi had figured it out.

This place was definitely not a stronghold of the Stellar Knightage!

It had to be under the control of someone else.

"You're here for the test, aren't you?"

The War God displayed none of the typical grandeur associated with his title, behaving indistinguishably from any other staff member.

Yet, Chu Yi knew better than to consider him just another employee.

"Yes..."

"Alright, follow me..."

In the midst of conversation, the War God staff member had already turned and was guiding Chu Yi away.

It was at this moment that Chu Yi was finally able to take in the full scope of his surroundings...