The Almighty Ring

Just as Jiang Fei realized his mistake, the face of the Level 2 disciple had turned from red to purple, then purple to black.

This Level 2 martial artist was helpless. He already knew that he could not control the energy surge within his body. The explosion of his body was the only outcome. He understood that this might happen when he was selected for the test. However, when death was really happening, fear still occupied his heart.

Now, however, this Level 2 martial artist could not speak anymore. No matter how scared he was, he could not even scream. He could only feel the energy in his body break through his last defense. Sometimes, people were just helpless like that.

“I’m sorry!” Jiang Fei rushed to the front of this martial artist and whispered in his ear, then threw him far away. At that point in time, even Jiang Fei could not save him.

Boom!

Following a loud noise, this second Level 2 disciple’s body also exploded due to the sudden energy surge.

Gasp!

All the martial artists present at the scene sucked in a breath. These martial artists only drank the potions less than five minutes ago and two of them were already dead. Moreover, according to Jiang Fei, the pain would last for several hours. If so, would any of these testers even survive through it?

However, as time passed, the martial artists gained their confidence back. An hour had passed and nothing strange had happened to the remaining three martial artists. Although they were still rolling around and moaning in pain, it seemed like they were in a stable state and their lives were not in danger.

“Phew…” Jiang Fei breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed like the potion developed by 0542 for the martial artists could only be consumed by martial artists who were Level 3 or above. However, they still had to wait for the results to determine the side effects.

The martial artists could easily resist the suffering caused by such pain because of their solid basic skills. It was very difficult for traditional martial artists to increase their strength. Years and years of tough training made their will strong. Hence, in the face of such inhumane pain, they had an advantage over ordinary people like Jiang Fei and Si Tuying.

Another two hours passed by very quickly. During this time, one of the Level 3 martial artists had a slight energy outburst, but he quickly suppressed it. It came as a shock to the other martial artists around, but not it was not life-threatening. The pain of the three martial artists had begun to reduce. It could be said that they had gotten through the toughest stage. Now, it all depended on their luck. If they were not caught in the forty percent failure rate, then these people would be the lucky ones to obtain a rise in their powers. However, if the potion failed to work, nobody knew how things would turn out for them.

After another half an hour or so, Ding Tianqing, who was the strongest out of the three, became the first to get through it. He lied flat on the ground and had no strength at all.

“Old Ding, how are you feeling?” Bai Wanli rushed over there.

“I don’t think dying is a possibility anymore…” Ding Tianqing struggled to reveal a painful smile. As his body was too weak, he could not figure out the specific condition of his body.

“Younger brother Jiang, what’s happening to old Ding now?” Bai Wanli asked Jiang Fei.

“Well…” Before Jiang Fei could reply, someone started shouting.

“You monsters! Go to hell!”

“I’ll eat all of you!”

“Give me my life back!”

…

Everyone’s gaze shifted from Ding Tianqing to the guy shouting. He was covered in dirt and sweat, and he was screaming and crying as he lied on the ground.

“Captain, this guy’s having a mental breakdown!” 0542 said after scanning.

“What does that mean?” Jiang Fei was shocked.

“Even though this guy managed to get through the painful torture, the potion suddenly attacked his mind at the last minute, causing him to have a mental breakdown. Although he’s not dead and his strength has increased, he’s gone crazy!” 0542 explained.

“Crazy?” Jiang Fei was surprised. He did not expect such a side effect.

“What about Ding Tianqing and the other guy?” Jiang Fei asked.

“There are some side effects, but it’s a lot better compared to that madman.” 0542 shared the results after scanning.

As Ding Tianqing was the strongest out of the three, his side effect was the least serious. Although his mind had also been damaged, it was not much of a problem. He would have an extreme headache once every month on the night of the full moon. However, in normal times, he was a pinnacle Level 4 powerhouse!

The mind of the other Level 3 martial artist had also been attacked, which led to him advancing into a Level 4 martial artist. However, he would lose his strength and skills once every seven days.

“Let me check up on them first!” Jiang Fei went to Ding Tianqing and other two martial artists and pretended to examine their pulses.

“The three of them have become stronger. The two Level 3 martial artists have advanced to the intermediate stage of Level 4, and leader Ding has advanced to pinnacle Level 4!” The eyes of all the martial artists around immediately lit up as soon as they heard Jiang Fei’s words. Even though both of the Level 2 martial artists had died, the remaining three martial artists had all advanced in strength!

It seemed like the risks could be neglected as long as the potion was consumed by a martial artist that was Level 3 or above! This was definitely a great temptation for the martial artists!

“But the side effects are quite obvious!” Jiang Fei suddenly changed the topic.

“What side effects?” Ding Tianqing struggled to ask.

Jiang Fei sighed, then pointed at the madman and said, “This guy is very unlucky. Even though he succeeded in advancing, his mind has collapsed and he’s now crazy…”

“Can it be cured?” The head of the madman’s martial arts sect immediately asked. He was only a beginning stage Level 4 martial artist. The madman who was now an intermediate stage Level 4 martial artist was already the strongest in their entire sect. However, if their strongest martial artist was a madman, it would be way too frustrating.

“It’s hard to say. You can only try nursing him back gradually…” Jiang Fei shook his head.

The head sighed, then asked his other disciples to bring the madman down. In any case, this madman was now the strongest person in their sect. They had to do their best to cure him.

“This guy’s side effect is a lot less serious compared to the madman. He has also advanced to the intermediate stage of Level 4, but he will lose all his strength and skills once every seven days.” Jiang Fei pointed to the other martial artist.

“That’s okay! It’s fine! As long as he has advanced!” The martial artist’s sect leader was full of joy. Although he would lose his strength and skills once every seven days, they just had to protect him for a day and he could protect the sect for seven days. This was already pretty good!

For a big sect, an intermediate stage Level 4 martial artist might just be a second-rate elder and might even have no status in the sect. However, for these small sects, an intermediate stage Level 4 was the pillar of their sect!

Finally, when Jiang Fei came to his side, Ding Tianqing struggled and asked, “Mr. Jiang, what about me?”

“Leader Ding, first of all, you have already advanced to pinnacle stage Level 4. However, once every month, on the night of the full moon, you’ll have an unbearable headache,” Jiang Fei told Ding Tianqing.