Talented Martial Hero
Chapter 864 The Eighteen Cities (Part One)

"Sir, I'm having a hard time understanding it. It is all about entering the Holy Realm, but why is it that one can acquire more strength by surviving the tribulations than comprehending the Holy Will?" Darren inquired as he was filled with curiosity.

Chandler paused for a moment and contemplated over Darren's question. Soon after, he spoke, "Grand warriors from the seven-star Grand Realm need to exert extremely powerful strength in order to overcome the resistance of the heavenly tribulation. Simply put, it is a behavior against the natural course of the universe. If, by any chance, one has acquired a cultivation base of his level, he would inevitably enter the Holy Realm, leading to the activation of the heavenly tribulation.

And if he successfully got through and passed all the obstacles, the heavenly tribulation would provide him great power in the end. Can you imagine it?

By surviving the heavenly tribulation, one could manage to reach the Holy Realm. Also, the strength one will possess will be beyond all anticipation as it will be energized by tremendous heavenly tribulation. Even an inferior holy warrior who has survived one tribulation, can easily be compared to an ordinary senior holy warrior who has comprehended the Holy Will."

Darren had been enveloped by wonder. With wide eyes, he stared at Chandler. According to what Chandler had said, the strength of an inferior holy warrior who had survived one tribulation was much greater than that of an ordinary senior holy warrior. If so, then how much strength could a senior holy warrior who survived one tribulation possibly acquire? Also, what about the senior holy warriors who survived more than one tribulation?

"But sir, if that's the case, wouldn't it be easy for a senior holy warrior who survived one tribulation to slay a senior holy warrior who has entered the Holy Realm by comprehending the Holy Will?" Darren asked while his awe was still at its peak.

"It's not like that,” Chandler answered, shaking his head. "There haven't been any one-tribulation senior holy warrior. Every stage upgrading process needs to go through double trials of tribulations. If an inferior holy warrior only survived one tribulation and wanted to be promoted to a junior holy warrior, he would need to go through two more tribulations in order to become a junior one. If he successfully survived them, then he would be called a three-tribulation junior holy warrior.

It is also cruel to reach the senior Holy Realm. Junior holy warriors need to go through three extra stages of tribulations in order to become a senior holy warrior. By that time, he had already gone through a total of six tribulations. He would be called as a six-tribulation senior holy warrior." Darren finally understood why it was more efficient to enter the Holy Realm by surviving tribulations, even though it was harder.

"Sir, you said that Barnes the Holy is a senior holy warrior who has survived seven tribulations. Is there still anyone stronger than him?" Darren curiously asked.

"It was believed, in the ancient times, that there were a few. In addition to the masters of Conflicting Cultivation, senior holy warriors who survived the tribulations are also considered strong and potent. Legends say that there was a senior holy warrior who survived eight tribulations. But it is just a story from the old times. No one could confirm if it is true. Anyway, judging from the strength of Barnes the Holy, the mightiness of the eight-tribulation senior holy warriors could be on par with a holy emperor. As for the strength of a nine-tribulation senior holy warrior, no one could tell.

I have never heard anyone survive more than eight tribulations, especially someone who has survived ten tribulations, which is the highest stage.”

Darren felt his blood starting to boil with excitement. He was fancying how much power a person could possibly acquire once he reached that stage.

He wasn't expecting that such a high level of cultivation existed.

"What if one becomes a holy emperor by virtue of surviving tribulations?" Darren asked, the possibility of this happening excited him.

"Slow down!" Chandler laughed Darren's question off. "You're being too hasty. Even the existence of a man of nine tribulations is doubtful. How can you imagine about a ten-tribulation senior holy warrior breaking through to the Emperor Realm? Trust me, no one could ever get through that many tribulations.” Chandler paused and didn't say anything more. Darren guessed that that was all that Chandler knew.

Then he nodded, "You're right. After all, a senior holy warrior of eight tribulations might be the mightiest one that we have ever heard so far. I mentioned those higher levels just because of my curiosity.

Anyway, thinking back, I now realize that Barnes the Holy had his reasons to rein the world of martial arts in his era. Being a senior holy warrior who has survived seven tribulations, he had the capability to compete against a holy emperor.

I wish I could obtain a talent like that. Sorry, sir. I hope I didn't bother you too much with my questions. Why are you telling me all these, sir?" Darren asked in a polite manner.

Chandler rose and stood beside Darren. "I have good news for you,” Chandler said. He mysteriously looked at Darren and said, "I'll arrange your training course until you are capable enough to become a holy emperor.”

"How?" Darren exclaimed as his eyes shone with joy and wonder.

"It's simple,” Chandler said as he put his hand on Darren's shoulder. "Make for the eighteen cities, a place where talents from all over the world assemble. I know that you have heard of it already. The eighteen cities were built in the ancient wasteland, where there are rich resources and tempting treasures such as the emperor's tomb. Apart from cultivating your skills, you could also dig for treasures. Sounds intriguing, don't you think?

But I must warn you. People who have gathered in the eighteen cities are extremely talented. They are from various clans. You don't have much of an advantage there, especially when it comes to strength.”

"Sir, do you mean that all the cultivators that are training in the eighteen cities are talented people who are from those clans in the blocked area? Is there any tribulation holy warrior in the eighteen cities?" Darren asked.