Over the long years, countless apostles had used the Element Measuring Instrument. Although the probability of encountering the Purgatory difficulty was one in ten million, which was extremely slim, it couldn't withstand the huge base of users. Not to mention those apostles who actively chose the Purgatory difficulty. Therefore, in the history of the continent, quite a number of apostles had experienced the Purgatory difficulty.

  Most of those who came out either went crazy or became unconscious idiots.

  However, there were still some who passed the Purgatory difficulty unscathed. After coming out, these people advanced in rank very quickly, broke through bottlenecks much more easily than others, and, most importantly, they had the possibility of Impact seventh order (striving for the seventh rank).

  One should know that among the ranks of apostles, the fifth rank was a watershed. Generally, as long as apostles didn't die prematurely and accumulated over a long period of time, they could reach the fourth rank. However, only apostles with excellent aptitude and extremely good luck had the possibility of reaching the fifth rank. Most of them were deacons of various associations on the Apostle Continent and were the backbone of the Apostle Association. Most apostles remained at the fourth rank.

  Starting from the fifth rank, it was not that simple to advance further. Not only did one need extremely outstanding aptitude, but also outrageously good luck to continue to break through. And this was only applicable to the sixth rank.

  Kles Nor knew very well that without something like a windfall, he might stop at the fifth rank for the rest of his life.

  The seventh rank was different. To break through to this rank had nothing to do with aptitude or luck. Damn it, it actually required some kind of opportunity. Thinking of this, Kles Nor couldn't help but curse.

  Opportunity, that damn opportunity. It couldn't be touched or seen. Who knew what it was? In other words, to break through to the seventh rank, it depended on fate. It depended on whether you had such an opportunity in your life. Everything else was useless.

  As for the eighth, ninth, and tenth ranks, uh, those were just legends. No one would consider those unrealistic things.

  The seventh rank of apostles was different from other professions. Basically, anyone in front of them could be swept away. If they stamped their feet, the whole Apostle Continent would tremble. Even if it was said that they could destroy a metropolis like the City of Freedom with one move, no one would be surprised.

  This kid actually had the opportunity to reach that level.

  Thinking of this, Kles Nor was extremely wary and jealous.

  Although he could easily bully him now, perhaps in thousands of years, it would be the other way around and he would be bullied by this kid...

  However, with Vinia protecting Chen Yue, he couldn't act rashly.

  Kles Nor hesitated.

  While he was thinking about this, Vinia didn't have the patience to wait any longer. This incident with the Element Measuring Instrument had served as a wake-up call for her. After all, this was someone else's territory. Since they had already fallen out, if she continued to stay here, although she could ensure her own safety, it was hard to say what would happen to Chen Yue.

  She also knew the legend about the Purgatory difficulty. At this moment, Chen Yue's importance in her heart had reached an unprecedented level, and naturally, she couldn't allow him to be harmed in the slightest.

  Without saying much more, she was about to leave with Chen Yue.

  At this moment, Kles Nor also made a decision in his heart. Seeing that the two were about to leave, he immediately said,

  "Vinia, I have a proposal."

  Unexpectedly, Vinia didn't stop at all and just said coldly, "Proposal? Kles Nor, don't force me to tell you to get lost. I'm not interested in any of your proposals right now."

  A flash of anger appeared on his face, and Kles Nor forced himself to hold back his anger, but his voice became gloomy, "Vinia, don't you even have this little patience? You should know that this is my territory."

  He sullenly waved his hand and said, "Close the door."

  "Swish, swish, swish, swish." At his command, the alloy doors in the core area fell one after another, blocking the way out.

  "Kles Nor, you're challenging my bottom line of patience." With the way blocked, Vinia had to stop. She stared at Kles Nor with a frosty face and said, "Do you think these broken doors can stop me?"

  "You can leave if you want, but he..." Kles Nor pointed at Chen Yue and said coldly, "He will lose his life here because of your arrogance."

  Staring at him for a long time, Vinia spat out three words through gritted teeth: "You're courting death."

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  The atmosphere suddenly became extremely tense, which was probably unexpected to anyone.

  In Chen Yue's eyes, centered around Vinia and himself, a vortex began to spin rapidly, emitting a terrifying aura that seemed capable of devouring everything. Kles Nor, on the other hand, seemed to be connected to the ground beneath his feet, as steady as a mountain, unable to be shaken no matter how powerful the external force was.

  The situation was on the verge of breaking out.

  Chen Yue frowned deeply. Such a situation was undoubtedly the last thing he wanted to see. If a fight really broke out, he would be the one who suffered.

  "Mentor, let's listen to what the deacon has to say first. If we're not satisfied, we can discuss it later." Chen Yue suggested.

  "Humph." Vinia actually understood this too. The reason why she had shown such toughness was to convey to Kles Nor her attitude that she was willing to fight if necessary. Now that Chen Yue had given her a way out, she naturally wouldn't continue to be tough.

  Kles Nor looked at Chen Yue approvingly. He also had his own difficulties. The hidden injuries he suffered from the battle with Vinia the day before hadn't healed yet. If a real fight broke out, even if he could get rid of Chen Yue, this future threat, he himself might also be severely injured.

  Both of them had concerns.

  "Speak."

  Kles Nor said in a deep voice, "If I remember correctly, both of us have the qualification to recommend a disciple, right?"

  "Yes. What do you want to do?" Vinia immediately became vigilant.

  "Hehe, I just want to make a bet." Kles Nor smiled with an ambiguous meaning.

  Hearing this, Chen Yue raised his eyebrows. Disciple? After understanding the organizational structure of the Apostle Association, Chen Yue already knew the meaning of these two words.

  A disciple was a position higher than an ordinary apostle but lower than a deacon. In the case of the Heavenly Leaf Empire, in the Apostle Association, their status was second only to the three deacons.

  More importantly, a disciple had the qualification to preside over the Apostle Association at the next level. This position could really be described as highly sought-after.

  The person in charge of the Apostle Association in a fourth-level country (such as the Heavenly Leaf Empire) was a deacon, while the person in charge of the Apostle Association in a third-level country was a disciple. One could see how important this position was. It was like a local ruler. Although a third-level country was not as good as a fourth-level one, in terms of territory, it was no smaller than countries like the UK and France on Earth. And with the status of the Apostle Association, if one really became a disciple, their status would be equivalent to that of the monarch of the UK on Earth. Although they didn't manage affairs, they were highly respected.

  A disciple could be appointed by the headquarters of the Apostle Association, but more often, they were directly selected by the deacons at the upper level.

  "What's the bet?"

  "Let's bet on whose disciple is more outstanding. The specific method is very simple. Let them enter the Trial Land at the same time. With a one-year period, whoever gains the most will win. The winner will be recommended by us to become a disciple. What do you think?" Kles Nor tempted.

  Vinia hesitated. If she accepted, the person Kles Nor would send would naturally be West. As for herself, the person she could send was undoubtedly Chen Yue. Although she had confidence in Chen Yue and believed that in two or three years, he would definitely not be inferior to West, but Kles Nor's proposal at this time clearly indicated that he wanted to carry out this bet right now.

  After pondering for a moment, Vinia slowly shook her head and said, "I refuse."

  Kles Nor's face changed, and he was about to persuade her again.

  "Mentor Vinia, I want to give it a try." Chen Yue said softly. He knew that Vinia might have refused for the purpose of protecting him. However, Chen Yue admitted that he was tempted.

  He didn't want to be under someone else's control. Especially since he already regarded Kles Nor as an enemy. If he stayed in the Apostle Association of the Heavenly Leaf Empire, he would be greatly restricted. However, a disciple was different.

  Each Apostle Association was independent and was an independent system within the country. Even if Chen Yue became a disciple recommended by Kles Nor, he wouldn't be controlled by him in the future. This was what Chen Yue hoped for the most.

  "Chen Yue." Vinia scolded angrily, "Don't be so foolish. Kles Nor obviously has bad intentions. Why are you stupidly jumping into his trap?"

  "Besides, West is already at the second rank. Although your melee combat ability is not weak, the gap of one rank is not that easy to bridge."

  "I want to give it a try." Chen Yue calmly looked directly into Vinia's eyes and said, "You should also understand that this may be the only chance to obtain the qualification of a disciple."

  "You..." Vinia was at a loss for words and surprisingly didn't refute because Chen Yue's words hit the nail on the head.

  If Kles Nor wasn't so confident, how could he take out the qualification of a disciple to bet? One should know that to appoint a disciple, it required the joint vote of the three deacons. It was precisely because they each had their supported candidates that this quota had been left vacant.

  This was a crisis, but wasn't it also a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity?

  "Alright, I agree." Vinia finally nodded in approval. A faint smile appeared on the corner of her mouth and said, "However, there's no reason for us to be completely led by the nose by him."

  "Kles Nor." Vinia called out.

  "What?" Kles Nor asked expectantly.

  "We agree." Vinia said calmly, "However, the time should be determined by me. Half a year later, this bet will officially take effect. How about that?"

  "Half a year?" Kles Nor weighed it in his mind. He thought that no matter how talented Chen Yue was, it was impossible for him to make great progress in half a year. So he readily agreed, "It's a deal."

  "It's a deal."

  "Let's go." Since the agreement had been reached, Kles Nor no longer had any reason to stop them and immediately let them go. Vinia and Chen Yue turned around and left without any hesitation.

  "Chen Yue, believe me. In these six months, I will definitely help you advance to the second rank."

  ......