The corruption element was a very particular element. It didn't have any striking particularities when it came to using it to attack or defend. Instead, it acted on its own as if alive. It would search for a being to corrupt, pursuing tirelessly a host with more energy. That's right, it was attracted by the energy of the living. And spiritual energy, which was the energy that birthed the world, was what it was most covetous of.

As the corpse had yet to decompose, the body of the woman still had some remnants of spiritual energy which was why the corruption decided to make it its host. As the brain had not been destroyed, it learnt of what she knew and evolved in an instant into a sentient species.

A sentient corrupted being.

It was no longer an element but something made from it and capable of controlling it. And it now had powerful abilities equivalent to those of the woman when it came to techniques.

But all that aside, it learnt of this tournament. And he found it interesting. This was, to him, nothing short of a feast prepared to announce and welcome its birth. He would go after the other champions and devour them. They would definitely be tasty. And from there, he would grow even further.

His sights weren't even on the champions to be honest. He was already drooling at the thoughts of the contestants and, even more so, when he recalled the five Saints. Oh, how he wanted to assimilate them into himself! So, he moved with such a goal in mind.

...

Back in the grand hall, there was quite a commotion. Most cultivators were cursing at the one responsible for bringing out the corruption element. It was an element that anyone who had reached the 10th stage could try to learn about however there were many rules that went with it.

For one thing, it was forbidden to create a 'wild' version of it and the commercialization of it was forbidden. This was something that every cultivator, from every road of life and beliefs, agreed upon. The corruption element was just that dangerous as it could absorb everything. It was unique in that sense. It was the only element who didn't need any external factors to become a threat and evolve.

As such, a lot of cultivators were fuming and cursing at the mastermind. Even Hae-Hyuk was frowning. Such a monster could prove to be far too difficult to deal with for Min-Su and Jin if it had time to evolve further. Fortunately, he picked a host already, forcing itself into a prison of sorts. It was no longer a 'wild' element.

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Sophia was also furious. Her voice was one of the loudest as she criticized the man behind it. It was a man who had long blue hair, deep blue eyes and wore a black robe with golden depictions of waves. He was Cao Lei. He chuckled under the abuse and didn't give the slightest fuck.

After long minutes, new Saint Patron Bôrakos was forced to intervene. As a new Patron, it was now his duty. He silenced the crowd and asked Cao Lei: "Cao Lei, you should be aware of what it means to set free a wild corruption element. What do you have to say for yourself?"

Cao Lei chuckled once before he got up, bowed at the saints then the assembly, and finally spoke: "Fellow daoists, friends and enemies, this Cao Lei is very much aware of the laws and the banishment of said element"

Saint Patron Bôrakos questioned him further: "Then?"

Cao Lei laughed as he said: "That law only applies to the real world. This is a spatial realm. What's more, during the trial, there isn't any rules banning its use"

Sophia screamed at him: "Shameless! It is an unspoken rule not to make use of such things!"

Cao Lei snickered at her, without deigning answering her. He turned back towards the Saint Patron, cupped his hands, and said: "Patron Bôrakos, this Cao Lei believes that you will pass on a fair judgement"

This was tough for the newly erected Saint Patron. He didn't expect such a weird situation to pop up during his very first trial supervision... If he allowed it, they would likely employ various underhanded means in the future trials. But it was true that there were no rules and regulations preventing their uses... He sighed. Then, he spoke:

"There are indeed no rules banning its use during the trial. I declare Cao Lei unguilty"

A bigger commotion took form but not even for a second before Patron Bôrakos screamed: "Silence!" and effectively silenced the crowd. He coughed and went on: "That being said, we all know the dangers that such elements represent. While there won't be any sanctions during this trial, I declare, with my power as Saint Patron and under the sight of the heavens, that a new rule shall be added to the trial"

"From the next trial on, all special laws of the outside world will apply to the trial. If anyone as any objections, feel free to speak up now or abide"

No one spoke. They weren't fools. They knew what it meant to object here. Only the Saint Patron had the rights to create new laws. If you wished to object, you would have to become the Saint Patron. And that meant, in this situation, you would need to face and defeat Saint Bôrakos. It was something impossible for all the contestants and the other Saints approved his words.

No one would contest the new law.

Cao Lei sat back down with a wide grin as he glared at Hae-Hyuk who glared back. His thoughts were very simple. He didn't believe he would be able to win the trial this year once he learnt of what Hae-Hyuk had done. So, he changed his plans. He would make sure that if he couldn't win, no one would.

This year, the prize would remain unclaimed!