By passing the fortieth step of the Path of Deities, Li Yang was now guaranteed to be taken as a disciple by a Dominator.
With such immense Talent, in addition to the status of a Dominator's disciple, Li Yang's standing would likely be no less than his own.
'If only I had said a few words for Li Yang back then...'
Regret. At this moment, the Yangyuan Emperor truly felt regret.
...
The consciousnesses of one powerful entity after another descended as more and more experts arrived. Li Yang was completely unaware of any of this.
He had just entered the space of the forty-first step.
It was nearly impossible for Li Yang to pass this step, but that didn't mean he would give up on the trial.
Li Yang's goal was to become a Dominator's disciple. If he didn't even try to brave the forty-first step, who knew what others would think?
Therefore, if he was to fail, Li Yang would fail in battle. He wouldn't just give up.
'What's so special about this step? Why haven't so many geniuses been able to pass it?' Li Yang wondered.
Not a single Star Lord Realm genius in the entire Human Race had ever passed this step.
A demonic beast appeared within the space of the step. Li Yang began to fight it with everything he had, but he was still no match for it.
He was defeated after just a few exchanges.
'No wonder no one in the history of our Human Race has ever passed the forty-first step while in the Star Lord Realm.' After the exchange, Li Yang finally understood.
It wasn't just that the demonic beast on the forty-first step was stronger; it had comprehended the Life Law!
The Life Law excelled at preservation. The damage Li Yang inflicted by fully unleashing the second form of his Destruction Spear Skill was less than what the beast could regenerate.
On top of that, the beast's power surpassed Li Yang's. After a brief struggle, Li Yang was ultimately eliminated.
'I failed, but I've already achieved my goal.'
Li Yang took a deep breath.
'Luoyu, you want a fight? Fine, I'll give you one!' A cold glint flashed in his eyes.
Just ten-odd minutes ago, he had been completely out of Luoyu's league.
But now, everything had changed in an instant.
WHOOSH!
As these thoughts crossed his mind, his figure vanished.
...
"Li Yang failed."
"That's to be expected. If he had passed that step, he would have become the strongest Star Lord Realm genius in the history of our Human Race."
With Li Yang's trial now over, the many Deities and Emperors present breathed a collective sigh of relief, a trace of shock still lingering in their eyes.
The shockwaves Li Yang had sent out were simply too immense; even they—immeasurably powerful Deities and Emperors—had been left reeling.
Once the shock subsided, many of the Deities and Emperors began to discuss the matter with smiles on their faces.
Li Yang was one of their own, a member of the Human Race. His immense Talent meant he would reach greater heights, strengthening the Human Race as a whole. Of course, they were happy.
WHOOSH!
As they spoke, Li Yang's figure materialized before the crowd.
"I'm off. A Dominator is bound to descend soon to take Li Yang as a disciple."
"Sigh. Remember that bet between Li Yang and Mixed Void? I never thought Li Yang would catch up. Now, it looks like he's left Mixed Void completely in the dust."
"Haha! Blade Slaughter, you've raised such an outstanding disciple! I'll have to kiss up to you now. I'll find you for drinks later—your treat."
One after another, the experts exchanged remarks before their consciousnesses withdrew from the space of the Path of Deities.
As the powerful experts departed, a group of young geniuses appeared in the space—Lan Yu, Dilunxi, Long Zhan, Mute, Huo Lie, and many others.
They were still in the Longevity Realm and within their hundred-year training period, so of course, they were aware of the changes to the rankings here.
Right now, the eyes of the geniuses from Li Yang's cohort were filled with utter shock.
"Li Yang passed the fortieth step of the Path of Deities?"
"He… he has the power to kill Deities now?"
"Gods, how long has it been?"
"I've only just passed the fifth step myself."
"The gap is just..."
All the geniuses were stunned.
This was especially true for Lan Yu, Dilunxi, Mute, and the others. Back at the Eternal Saint Hall's genius selection for the Human Race, they had been on par with Li Yang—some had even ranked higher.
Lan Yu had even been able to kill Li Yang in a single blow!
But in such a short time, they couldn't even see his shadow anymore.
Spotting Li Yang, Mute, who was on relatively good terms with him, walked up and said in shock, "Li Yang, your rate of progress is just… insane! You've even left Mixed Void completely in the dust."
Li Yang smiled at the familiar faces and exchanged a few words.
Only a little over a decade had passed, but he felt as if he and these other geniuses were now living in two different worlds.
Without lingering, Li Yang quickly exited the space.
Sect Master Blade Slaughter was there by his side.
"Master." The moment he appeared, Li Yang looked at Sect Master Blade Slaughter expectantly.
Meeting his disciple's expectant gaze, Sect Master Blade Slaughter smiled. "Li Yang, just wait a moment. The news that you've passed the fortieth step of the Path of Deities will certainly reach the Dominators. If one of them wishes to take you as a disciple, you should receive a notification within ten minutes at most."
"Yes, Master. I am not in a hurry," Li Yang said with a nod.
Though he said as much, Li Yang's heart was filled with anticipation.
'Which Dominator will take me as their disciple?'
Luoyu was currently making moves against him, even stooping so low as to capture his family. Li Yang was pinning all his hopes on becoming a Dominator's disciple.
If he succeeded, Luoyu would never dare to move against him again.
As he waited, Li Yang felt time crawl by at an agonizingly slow pace.
One minute… two minutes… five minutes…
Nearly ten minutes had passed.
'No news?'
A sense of anxiety began to creep into Li Yang's heart.
Nothing. No Dominator had contacted him.
'What's going on?'
Sect Master Blade Slaughter was also confused. "Could the Dominators all be in seclusion?"
Even if the Dominators weren't paying attention to the Path of Deities, someone would surely report a disciple passing the fortieth step.
If any of the Dominators wanted to take Li Yang as a disciple, they would have descended as quickly as possible. They wouldn't have made him wait.
Yet, nearly ten minutes had passed, and still, no Dominator had appeared.
'Could it be that none of the Dominators are interested in taking a disciple?' Sect Master Blade Slaughter began to worry.
Of the ten geniuses who had previously passed the fortieth step of the Path of Deities, one had not been chosen by a Dominator.
For beings of that level, taking on a disciple was purely a matter of personal whim.
It was possible, though unlikely, that all the Dominators just happened to be uninterested in taking a disciple at the moment.
Sect Master Blade Slaughter felt a growing sense of unease. He knew the trouble his disciple was facing. If Li Yang didn't become a Dominator's disciple, Luoyu would continue to target Earth.
With that in mind, Sect Master Blade Slaughter consoled him, "Li Yang, don't be anxious. Perhaps the Dominators are all occupied with something. Let's wait a little longer."
"I know, Master," Li Yang nodded.