The foreign participants in the selection, upon seeing Ye Chen instantly flash to Sovereign Lei Bo's side, were quite startled.
Sovereign Lei Bo was also momentarily stunned upon hearing Ye Chen's question.
"The 'Photographing Spirit Mirror'?" Sovereign Lei Bo, worthy of being a Six-Star Sovereign, quickly regained his composure.
If other foreign participants suddenly asked him, Sovereign Lei Bo might not respond at all, or even reprimand them.
But Ye Chen is no ordinary person.
Even the current nine-star sovereign within the Extreme Spirit Clan, "Sovereign Heilun," is highly courteous to Ye Chen. Sovereign Lei Bo wouldn't fail to notice that Ye Chen's background is extraordinary.
Upon hearing Ye Chen's inquiry, Sovereign Lei Bo smiled and replied to Ye Chen, "The matter of the 'Photographing Spirit Mirror' is not particularly confidential, so telling you, 'Jiang Li,' is permissible."
"This treasure was invented by a prominent figure in our clan who comprehended a unique 'secret pattern' from the 'Sea of Taboo' and refined it using our clan's divine skills."
"Rumor has it that the place where the 'secret pattern' resides is in a special cave within the 'Sea of Taboo'. That cave is said to be terrifying beyond measure, and none of our clan's great figures have been able to fully explore it..."
Sovereign Lei Bo shared all he knew about the 'Photographing Spirit Mirror' with Ye Chen.
When Sovereign Lei Bo mentioned the words "secret pattern," Ye Chen suddenly remembered the special patterns on the 'Photographing Spirit Mirror' during the previous test.
"These patterns, are they really from the 'Sea of Taboo' secret patterns?"
"Previously, it was this light emitted by the secret patterns that triggered the strange 'rune' within me."
"The 'rune' condensed by the 'Ancient Forbidden Grounds,' the 'secret pattern' appearing in the 'Sea of Taboo,' and my sudden teleportation from the 'Ancient Forbidden Grounds' to the 'Sea of Taboo'... It seems this strange 'rune' has a special connection with the 'Sea of Taboo.'
"Perhaps to crack the mystery of the strange 'rune,' it's really necessary to return to that 'Sea of Taboo' to investigate further!"
As Ye Chen was contemplating, Sovereign Lei Bo suddenly spoke to him, "By the way, 'Jiang Li,' I heard you were inquiring about a powerful predecessor of our clan—a 'Sovereign Yinsha' who reached the nine-star sovereign realm several tens of thousands of years ago?"
"Actually, the prominent figure who left the 'Photographing Spirit Mirror' secret patterns was believed to be the 'Yinsha senior' of that time!"
Sovereign Lei Bo's words struck Ye Chen's mind with a shock.
General Yinsha invented the 'Photographing Spirit Mirror' by comprehending 'secret patterns' within a terrifying cave in the 'Sea of Taboo'?
Could it be that his current search for General Yinsha has some unknown connection with the 'Sea of Taboo'?
Ye Chen's mind flashed with realization; he felt he might be unknowingly linked to some special events.
Perhaps this special event will help him find General Yinsha.
Seeing Ye Chen deep in thought, Sovereign Lei Bo led the crowd, continuing to fly toward the site of the second round of selection.
After pondering for a while, Ye Chen also kept some thoughts in his mind.
He followed the team, flying toward the site of the second round of selection.
Upon arriving at the location for the second round of selection, Ye Chen was utterly surprised that this site turned out to be a continuous, endless giant mountain. At this moment, they all stood at the foot of the giant mountain, at the entrance of a cave.
Sovereign Lei Bo addressed the crowd, "Starting from the second round of selection, it is time to determine the different achievement ratings of the selection."
"As I mentioned earlier, the ratings are divided into four categories: 'Upper Level,' 'Medium Level,' 'Lower Level,' and 'Eliminated.'
"The location for this second round of selection is called 'Fate Tribulation Cave.'
"Let's go; everyone follows me into the cave, and I'll inform you about the method of selection in the 'Fate Tribulation Cave.'
The crowd proceeded in line, entering the cave within the giant mountain.
Upon entering, Ye Chen discovered that the cave was unimaginably vast, providing ample space for all tens of thousands of participants.
At the innermost part of the cave, three entrances, each several tens of meters in diameter, surrounded by divine light, were revealed.
Sovereign Lei Bo pointed at those three entrances and spoke to the crowd, "Those three entrances are the places for this second round of selection—the 'Fate Tribulation Cave'!"
"The so-called 'Fate Tribulation Cave' means this cave might be a fortuitous opportunity or a dire trial for you, depending on your strength and perceptive skills."
"The three entrances, from left to right, correspond to the difficulty levels: 'Upper Level,' 'Medium Level,' and 'Lower Level.' Naturally, you all have different combat power, and after entering the same difficulty level of 'Fate Tribulation Cave,' the selection method you face will be different."
"In this round of selection, you must choose the entrance you wish to enter. If you succeed in passing the 'Upper-Level Difficulty' of the 'Fate Tribulation Cave,' you will achieve an 'Upper Level' rating. If you pass the 'Medium-Level Difficulty,' you will achieve a 'Medium Level' rating, and likewise, succeeding through the 'Lower-Level Difficulty' results in a 'Lower Level' rating."
"However, failing within the 'Fate Tribulation Cave' results in elimination, granting an 'Eliminated' rating, thereby getting disqualified from this round of selection."
"I must remind you that although you can choose which 'Fate Tribulation Cave' to enter, do not wish for things beyond your reach. If you lack absolute confidence in your combat power, avoid rashly entering the 'Upper-Level Difficulty' of the 'Fate Tribulation Cave,' or you may find that instead of earning a 'Medium Level' rating, you may be eliminated at the 'Upper-Level Difficulty' and directly disqualified, which would be a significant misstep!"
Sovereign Lei Bo's explanation of the "Fate Tribulation Cave" selection method caused a buzz among the audience.
Everyone was surprised that this round of selection required them to decide the difficulty level themselves.
For those wanting to practice in the "Extreme Spirit Clan," of course, they all hoped to achieve the highest level rating.
To achieve such a rating, one must enter the "Upper-Level Difficulty" of the "Fate Tribulation Cave" to earn it.
But indeed, as Sovereign Lei Bo mentioned, if one is eliminated in the upper-level "Fate Tribulation Cave," there won't be another chance to try other difficulty levels of the "Fate Tribulation Cave."
At that time, unable to obtain an upper-level rating while being directly eliminated, would certainly be extremely disappointing.
"Which 'Fate Tribulation Cave' should we choose to brave?"
All at once, everyone's eyes started scanning the entrances of the three 'Fate Tribulation Caves.'
Sovereign Lei Bo wouldn't give everyone much time to think.
He addressed the group of participants, "Now, the second round of selection officially begins. The entire process lasts two hours. If you cannot emerge from your chosen 'Fate Tribulation Cave' in that time, you will fail."
"Encountering unavoidable deadly danger during the venture will also result in you being transmitted out by the cave's protective prohibition, which equally counts as a failure."
"Now, start your venture!"
Once Sovereign Lei Bo finished speaking, surprisingly, no one flew into the 'Fate Tribulation Cave.'
Even the Dominion Realm experts among the foreign races hesitated for a moment.
After all, these caves have different selection methods corresponding to different levels of combat power; even if they reached the Dominion Realm, they can't be sure to conquer the 'Upper-Level' difficulty.
Amidst this hesitation, a figure from the crowd flew toward the 'Upper-Level' difficulty of the 'Fate Tribulation Cave.'
In a flash, the figure entered the leftmost cave with 'Upper-Level' difficulty.
When the participants saw this figure clearly, they were stunned.
"It's the Upper God King, Jiang Li!"
"He chose the 'Upper-Level' difficulty cave without hesitation!"
"Even though he's extremely powerful, the selection method inside the cave is based on combat power. Among Dominion Realm powers, the 'Upper-Level' difficulty is undoubtedly the hardest. Does he have the confidence to pass through?"
Amidst the commotion, Sovereign Lei Bo also nodded as he watched Ye Chen's disappearing figure.
This second round of 'Fate Tribulation Cave' selection not only tests combat power but also courage.
If one doesn't possess the courage to choose the 'Upper-Level' cave initially, they certainly won't achieve 'Upper-Level' scores.
Of course, besides courage, one needs strength, to conquer their chosen challenge.
"This Upper God King, Jiang Li, reaching Dominion Realm power as an Upper God King speaks of an extraordinary background. His choice suggests he has the confidence to face any danger and pass through."
After contemplating for a while, Sovereign Lei Bo turned his gaze to the other foreign participants still hesitating.
Sovereign Lei Bo's cold voice reached these people's ears, "Only two hours for selection. The more you hesitate, the less time you'll have inside the 'Fate Tribulation Cave.'
"Don't blame me for not warning you. The distance inside the cave is quite long. If time isn't sufficient, you may not get through by the end."
Sovereign Lei Bo's words startled the yet undecided foreign participants.
Suddenly, countless participants clenched their teeth, making their final decisions.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
The crowd continuously shot into the 'Fate Tribulation Cave.'
However, in terms of chosen caves, over eighty percent of the tens of thousands of participants opted for the 'Medium-Level' difficulty cave.
It seems these people are aiming for safety.
The remaining ten percent, like Ye Chen, chose the 'Upper-Level' difficulty cave.
As for the 'Lower-Level' difficulty cave with 'Lower-Level' scores, perhaps everyone deemed it too poor to accept, as not a single person chose it.
After several dozens of breaths.
Tens of thousands of foreign participants entered into the second round of tests within the 'Fate Tribulation Cave.'
Selection observatory area.
A huge void light screen appeared in the void.
All Spirit Clan members gathered to watch, fixing their eyes on the gigantic screen in the sky.
Upon seeing Ye Chen, the first to enter the 'Fate Tribulation Cave' selection, a wave of cheers erupted from the observatory area.
"That's the Upper God King!"
"He chose the 'Upper-Level' difficulty!"
Most Spirit Clan spectators came to watch Ye Chen. Seeing him go for the highest difficulty brought out a wave of cheers.
They were here for the spectacle, naturally hoping for as much excitement as possible.
If this rising Upper God King chose 'Medium-Level' or 'Lower-Level' difficulty, even if he passed the cave, they would be immensely disappointed.
In the crowd, Yin Ling'er watched Ye Chen's figure vanish at the cave entrance, her beautiful eyes shining.
"Two hours of venture time."
"Ye Chen, how long will he take to pass through this 'Upper-Level' difficulty 'Fate Tribulation Cave'?"