Chapter 378: Chapter 377: Nine Tang Sans

```After facing one clone in the first trial, and three clones in the next two trials, the tests of the Crystal Palace had still not come to an end. What did that imply?

Tang San was quite sensitive to numbers. The final trial was likely to be only one, for there were only three steps remaining. This was easy to calculate. But how many clones would there be? The second round was three times the first; if the third round were three times the second...

Tang San knew he was probably in trouble, and he also wondered in his heart whether this was really a test that ordinary members of the Monster Clan and Spirit Clan could pass.

Facing three clones, he could still seize any opportunity that presented itself, but what about when the number of clones rose to nine? If his bloodline powers were completely replicated, how would he cope?

Tang San felt helpless, but at the same time, he also felt there was nothing he could do.

It seemed that he had to expose some of his true strength if he wanted to pass this test. At the same time, he was weighing in his heart whether to turn back and leave or to continue upward.

He really hesitated.

The Crystal Great Demon Emperor was considered the head of the Ancestral Court, the strongest entity among both Monster and Spirit races, hailed as the First Emperor. Having existed for over two thousand years, and yet he himself was only human. If he could pass all the Emperor's tests, what would that mean? The Crystal Great Demon Emperor would inevitably see his strength. More than two types of bloodline powers, and a Ninth Stage peak Spiritual Power Realm with even more room for growth—would it allow someone like him to exist?

The urge within his heart to take on the challenge gradually subsided. Tang San calmly dismissed the idea of continuing upward. To defeat nine versions of himself, whether he could succeed was unknown, but how much he had to reveal was a big question.

As his strength gradually returned, he stood up again and looked toward the Crystal Palace, still somewhat ethereal in the distance. He resolutely turned around, ready to descend the mountain.

However, just at that moment, a sudden "hum" sounded as if a strong suction force came from behind, causing the step he took downward to halt abruptly. Immediately after, he was involuntarily pulled upwards.

A crystal-like light enveloped his entire body, rendering him completely immobile. All of time and space around him seemed to be locked in place in that instant.

The scanning sensation that had appeared before was felt once again.

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Tang San was shocked. He had never encountered such a situation in the other imperial palaces!

Should he forcefully break free using his divine consciousness? Obviously, this was impossible. Let alone that he had not yet recovered to God Rank, even if he had, he would not be a match for the Crystal Great Demon Emperor unless he fully recovered his strength! After all, the Emperor was a rank 12 at the peak, undoubtedly an opponent far beyond his current capabilities. Not to mention, this was the Emperor's home turf.

This was forcing one's hand! Tang San had a face full of helplessness. It seemed the battle was inevitable.

"The path lies at your feet, why not ascend?" a majestic voice rang out, genderless and coming from all directions simultaneously.

Tang San said with a wry smile, "Knowing it's impossible, retreat is the only option."

"Impossible? You have not even attempted a try, how can you know it's impossible? A coward will never become strong," the voice seemed to carry more pressure now, making it hard for Tang San to breathe.

Tang San's mouth twitched slightly, but he offered no explanation. He couldn't very well say, "Because I am human, I fear you will kill me if I reveal too much power." Let cowardice be cowardice, then.

"However, you are right," the majestic voice suddenly took a strange turn, "To know it's impossible and still do it, that would be foolish. Moreover, in the next trial, once you enter, it's win or die. There are no second chances. If you wish to gain the recognition of my Crystal Palace, this is the only way."

```

Tang San's heart jolted, "Then can I choose not to take the challenge?"

"Too late, you've already entered this stage, you can only hope for the best." The dignified voice suddenly became a bit more flat, and within that flatness was a touch of indifference, even a hint of mockery. It was as if he intended to deliberately eliminate Tang San.

Tang San watched as he passed over the three-level steps beneath his feet, finally standing at the very top of the staircase in the entire Crystal Palace.

Hum! The scenery around him shifted, and the battlefield appeared once again.

Tang San took a deep breath forcefully, instantly suppressing the various negative emotions surging in his heart that made him want to curse.

No matter how much negativity he felt, at times like this, he had no other choice but to face the challenges that were about to present themselves. If this was a life-or-death test, then there was no room for hesitation.

And just as he had anticipated, as soon as his figure materialized on the battlefield, nine figures already surged out from beneath his feet, rapidly spreading toward the distance.

Nine, indeed nine clones, nine Tang Sans!

While his mouth twitched, Tang San didn't pause; he had to seize the initial momentary time difference. Without any hesitation, his wrists vibrated, and a heavy crossbow suddenly appeared in his hands. Yes, a crossbow, an enhanced version of the Zhuge magic crossbow.

Brilliant light blossomed from the two Zhuge magic crossbows, as the white-golden brilliance ignited in an instant, bursting with the Lion Tiger Golden Gang infused into the amplifying magic array!

These two Zhuge magic crossbows were custom-made for Tang San; it took a greater amount of Spiritual Power and a massive injection of energy to wield them. Each bolt was crafted from Black Gold, specialized in piercing through all kinds of defense. Moreover, at this moment, on the Zhuge magic crossbows, a tremendously powerful Lion Tiger Golden Gang, a First level Bloodline, had been added.

The two Zhuge magic crossbows almost fired simultaneously, eighty-one bolts each carrying the white-golden light but strangely did not reveal any shadow before they covered the area where the nine figures had appeared.

At the same time, Tang San's figure rapidly darted forward, heading straight to one side of the nine emerging figures.

What sort of power did the Zhuge magic crossbow possess? With the boost from the Lion Tiger Golden Gang, even if the opponent were a Mammoth, it would be impossible for them to rely on their physical defense to block the crossbow's assault completely.

However, the nine figures that appeared this time were different from before. Just as they were about to be enveloped by the Zhuge magic crossbows' bolts, they suddenly erupted with intense white-golden light, and flames of the same color ascended from their bodies.

Tang San's face changed drastically, because he recognized what that was—it was clearly a sign of life force burning. These clones were directly burning their own bloodline, thereby obtaining an even more formidable bloodline power in an instant.

Isn't this cheating? There were already nine clones, and yet they could engage in a combat method such as burning their bloodline.

The bolts fired from the Zhuge magic crossbows exploded upon making contact with the white-golden flames. The bolts retained their impressive strength, and despite not inflicting fatal injuries on the clones, they blasted them backward. The light on their bodies exploded, and some of the clones that bore more bolts had holes pierced through them but sustained no fatal damage.

Meanwhile, Tang San had swiftly pounced toward the clone at the far left side. This was a fight for life and death; he couldn't risk betting whether the other side was deceiving him or not. As the First Emperor, the Crystal Great Demon Emperor couldn't care less about the fate of a human like himself. Perhaps the opponent regarded him as nothing more than a plaything. Regardless, he dared not lose this fight.

The clone on the left had taken fewer bolts from the Zhuge magic crossbows and was staggered backward by the shots. That's when Tang San arrived in front of it.

However, this clone sensed the danger and, compared to the previous three clones, showed a stronger will to fight. The Lion Tiger Golden Gang burning on its body suddenly exploded!