They continued speaking about Yasenia's cooking skills until they reached another location with a Trial. It was in the middle of a plaza. This one was smaller than the other, at 4 meters in height. The formations on it were less complex; this could be discerned with the naked eye.
As they did with the previous Monolith, Yasenia and the others walked toward it, not caring about the queue. This time, no one stopped them. Even though some people gave them a stink eye, there wasn't anyone who cared enough to stop them. Moreover, Yasenia was releasing a passive aura, letting people know that she wasn't a pushover.
When they came close, they saw people attacking the Monolith. It seemed to be for measuring strength. Each time someone hit it, a number made of energy would appear on top of the Monolith. If you went over a certain number, it would become an energy stream and go inside the cultivator, giving them Trial Points.
Yasenia read the rules aloud. "The Physical Trial. Only attacks that aren't enhanced by external sources are allowed. For the Waste Gate Cultivators, 40 Strength Points are needed to pass and gain 2 Trial Points. Mortal Gate cultivators need 80 Strength Points to gain 5 Trial Points. Earth Gate cultivators need 140 Strength Points to gain 10 Trial Points. Heaven Gate cultivators need 200 Strength Points to gain 20 Trial Points."
Yasenia raised her eyebrow, "Do you think we can abuse this monolith to win points?"
Kali frowned and said, "It shouldn't be this easy to abuse something created by a powerful senior, right? There must be a catch."
Angel offered, "Yasenia, how about we watch for a while first? We can challenge it whenever we want anyway."
Yasenia nodded, "Sure, we will do as you say."
And so, they decided to watch other people challenge it before trying it themselves.
The first person that approached it stood before the Monolith, full of confidence. He wasn't very tall or muscular, but like most cultivators, he had compact muscles after constantly training. He took it slow and gathered energy. His fist roared with blue energy as he punched forward.
*Bam!*
The fist landed on the Monolith, creating an air shockwave. Then the Monolith's formations lit up with a weak light. That light spilled from the formation lines and gathered atop the Monolith. Then, it changed forms and transformed into the number 126.
This number flickered and dissolved midair, becoming an energy stream and rushing toward the man's dantian. The man had entered through the Mortal Gate, so this counted as passing it with flying colors. He was satisfied with his performance."Nice! Five Trial Points!"
Then, he gathered energy one more time and punched out . This time, he didn't put in as much effort, knowing that he had more than enough strength to overcome it.
*Bam!*
The light that spilled from the formation rushed upward and transformed into the 105 number, but to the cultivator's surprise, it exploded in light and didn't go toward his dantian. The man was surprised and then enraged. "Huh? What happened? Isn't the value to pass 80? This shit is broken!"
Yasenia also frowned for a second and then understood. "Could it be that you won't gain points if you hit it with less strength than your previous blow?"
The others agreed with Yasenia's approach. They continued watching him without intervening. Someone that went through the Mortal Gate had three attempts for each Monolith, so he still had one blow left.
This time, the man didn't hold back and used his whole strength, coupled with his strengthening skills, to create a powerful hit. The blue aura was much more imposing than before. Then, his fist burst forward and landed with more power than the first one!
*BAM!*
The light around the Monolith lit up with a relatively brighter tone and formed the number 131, five points higher than the first punch. As Yasenia expected, that light dissolved and transformed into a stream, flowing straight into the man's dantian.
Angel's eyes glittered adoringly, "Wow~ Yasenia, you are so smart~."
Yasenia chuckled and hugged her from behind with a wagging tail. She loved being praised by her lovers. Yasenia commented, "It seems that the higher the number, the harder it is to elevate it. If the strength gauging was linear, the third punch should have formed the number 150 or higher."
Kali became upset, "I'm not a physically strong cultivator. I will not be able to gain too many points with this Monolith."
Yasenia comforted her, "The Stone Steele says that you can't use external strength, so skills are valid. You should be able to use summons to attack the Monolith. The [Golden Crown] should be able to make a good show. Moreover, don't underestimate yourself. After your transformation, you should have gained plenty of physical strength."
Kali nodded, gaining confidence again. Then, she chuckled and said, "One sentence, and you make me relax. You are really magical, Yasenia."
Yasenia laughed softly and used her tail to drag Kali close. Kali didn't shy away and hugged the dragoness's side with a smile under her veil, pleasantly feeling Yasenia's soft body between her arms.
In that manner, they continued observing people for ten more minutes. The highest number they had seen was from a half-step that went through the Earth Gate and achieved an impressive 321. Yasenia felt that he could have definitely overcome the Heaven Gate with that strength.
Nevertheless, what Yasenia didn't know was that people had become somewhat fearful of the Heaven Gate after witnessing consecutive deaths under the might of the third lightning bolt. Therefore, besides Yasenia's group, no other cultivator had crossed through Heaven Gate successfully at that moment, not because they lacked strength but because they were fearful of the lightning.
Yasenia thought that they didn't need to observe anymore. Our dragoness had learned that as long as she kept her [Dragoness Combat Gloves] inside her ring, she could attack the Monolith as she wanted. Moreover, there wasn't any punishment for using weapons. It would just not react if a weapon hit it. The dragoness was somewhat doubtful if she could use her tail, hence, after knowing that nothing could happen to her, her worries dissipated. "Let's go. I will go first if you don't mind."
They all nodded. They were eager to see how big of a number Yasenia would create when she hit it with full strength. (A/N: Any guesses?)
However, when they were about to go forward themselves, they saw a muscular and tall man approaching with a confident gait. His top robes were untied, revealing an extremely bulky physique with attractive bronze skin. His height was also high, similar to Yasenia's, and his aura fierce like a tiger's.
He shouted, "I'm Lei Yi, from the [White Tiger Sect]! I have crossed the Earth Gate, and now I shall make a record no one can beat in this Trial!"
Sarah frowned, "isn't he too arrogant? Wouldn't anyone that passed the Heaven Gate be able to beat him?"
Yasenia shook her head, "Not necessarily. For example, Angel and Kali have passed the Heaven Gate with the help of their summons. Hence, their strength is not physical, so if this Lei Yi has a lot of physical strength, he may be able to do as he says. Also, the previous man that punched 341 had also crossed the Earth Gate."
Angel snorted, "You will be able to blast his record away, Yasenia. He is too cocky!"
The man heard everything. He was dissatisfied with Sarah, but Yasenia's comments made him smile. Still, Angel's sentence was a big hit to his pride, so he turned toward them to see who was speaking like that.
His eyes scanned Sarah, Kali, and Angel with interest; each of them was attractive in their own way. Despite that, when his eyes landed on the seductive dragoness, he was stunned for a second and then felt a fire rushing toward his privates. A flash of greed and lust flashed in his eyes.
Yasenia sighed, 'Not again. Even though only one or two out of thousands is like this. They truly distinguish themselves by always rushing toward death head-first and being annoying.'
Lei Yi spoke to Angel instead of Yasenia. "You truly have a big mouth! Do you really think she can beat me with those scrawny arms? I think they would break the moment she punches the Monolith, hahaha."
Angel got tickled in the wrong way and refuted, "What scrawny arms!? She can punch you to the moon and back with the same strike!"
The man laughed and said, "Then do you dare bet with me?"
Angel folded her arms under her breasts, emphasizing them, and lifted her chin. "Say the bet first! Do not think I will accept something at random!" Yasenia thought that she looked extremely cute and almost couldn't hold herself back from glomping her in a hug.
The man said with a taunting tone. "It is not much; I will compete with that dragon girl over there. The one you said that could beat me. If I lose, I will give you 400 trial points! However, I want to have a night alone with that dragon girl if you lose!"
Angel was first stunned and then became enraged, "You what!? I'm going to kill you, bastard! Do you think you are worthy to even touch the edge of my Yasenia's skirt!? You are not even worthy of being her broom slave! Worse, 400 Points!? Not even 400 000 000 Points would be enough for me to accept that bet!"
The man's face turned black for a moment; he hadn't been insulted like that in a long time. Nevertheless, he regained his confident face almost instantly, 'If she is so worked up, she mustn't have too much confidence in her. I bet she said those things previously to cater up to the seductive goddess.'
Thinking that way, he continued taunting, "So much for 'she can beat me easily.' Hahaha, you don't even dare to accept a bet!"
Angel was about to retort that it wasn't that she didn't dare but that the bet was too insulting. Regardless, before she could speak, Yasenia stopped her, placing her hand on her head softly. Like a deflated balloon, all of Angel's anger dissipated with the wind, and she squinted comfortably as Yasenia's soft hand caressed her long blonde hair. Yasenia looked at the man with a smirk and said, "I will accept the bet for her, but let's change the betting stakes. What do you say?"
The man sneered, "I won't move my stake! If you want to bet, you will have to become mine for a night!"
Yasenia nodded calmly, "Don't worry, the thing I want to change is what I win if you lose."
The man was surprised. 'How can she remain so calm and accept the bet?'
However, he motioned Yasenia to speak, curious about what she would want from him. 'Maybe she is interested in me, and that's why she stopped her companion? Hahaha, not only does she have the body of a vixen, she is a slut herself.'
Lei Yi saw Yasenia speak with a seductive smile. What he couldn't see was the danger that Yasenia's smile carried underneath. "If I win, I don't want Trial Points. I just want to punch you once with all my strength. What do you say?"
The people who knew who Yasenia was felt extreme pity for the man. 'A female dragon with a bloodline level unheard of in the Sky Continent. Daughter of one of the strongest cultivators in the Continent. With enough talent to reach the Mental Nourishing realm at just 21 years old. If the man accepts, he is doomed!'
The man was surprised for a second, 'So she really is interested in me! How could she put forth such a small punishment otherwise? I'm going to have a fun night!'
Lei Yi laughed aloud and said, "Hahaha, sure, sure! Swear it to the heavens!"
Yasenia moved some locks of her black hair behind her ear in a charming movement and smiled. "Let's swear at the same time. I don't like people playing tricks with me."
That gesture was too charming, and the man couldn't wait to agree, oblivious of the impending doom! After seeing Yasenia's body and face, he felt his blood rush toward his lower part, depriving his brain of thinking capabilities. His brain was full of imagining himself pressing her down as she cried under him.
Then, both spoke aloud and swore at the same time, completing the bet. Yasenia's smile widened, 'I wonder what his ring has? More treasures for me~.' That was the main reason Yasenia accepted. She wanted his treasures.
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Author Note: Evelyn's sketches are already on Patreon and the poll will close tomorrow at 10:00 AM UTC+2! https://www.patreon.com/posts/evelyn-sketches-72641736