Lingzhuzi paused, then shifted his tone, issuing a stern warning. "Those who pass the entire trial with the greatest speed will receive rewards. These rewards are substantial—not only magic treasures of medium grade and above, but also damaged ancient treasures with bizarre and wondrous effects. However, the Trial Realm is by no means safe. It has swallowed countless lives. Every time the Inner Hall emerges into the world, exceptionally gifted youths meet their ends within, bringing deep regret to all..."
Whispers broke out across the square as the crowd listened to Lingzhuzi's explanation.
The damaged ancient treasures Lingzhuzi mentioned were likely similar to items like the Red Yuan Gauze. Because such ancient treasures were damaged, little of their original might remained, making it impossible to determine what rank they had held when whole. Moreover, without the corresponding spiritual materials or knowledge of the forging methods, repairing them was extraordinarily difficult.
Even so, the power of these damaged ancient treasures was far from ordinary, and their peculiar functions might produce wondrous results under the right circumstances.
From Lingzhuzi's explanation, Qin Sang gained a clearer understanding of the Trial Realm.
The Trial Realm was not a single, continuous path; it was divided into several successive trials.
At the end of each completed trial lay a teleportation formation.
One could choose to give up there, or continue forward into the next trial.
If a cultivator failed to pass three trials and gave up, they would be teleported back to the entrance of the Inner Hall. Only by successfully passing three trials would one be permitted to enter the Inner Hall itself.
Just as Lingzhuzi had said, the Trial Realm was indeed left behind by human predecessors out of care and concern for future generations, preventing them from blindly throwing their lives away.
From another angle, this also proved how dangerous the Inner Hall truly was.
Furthermore, participating cultivators could only find a teleportation formation upon completing a trial; giving up midway through a trial was strictly impossible.
This was the true danger Lingzhuzi had spoken of.
The Trial Realm was not fixed in its perils. After all these years, cultivators had never fully mapped out all the trials within, making it nearly impossible to prepare targeted counters.
Even if one did not perish on the spot, suffering severe injuries or becoming trapped inside meant one's chances of survival were grim.
Qin Sang pondered in silence.
He believed that if someone of his own strength could not complete the trials, then among the Core Formation cultivators present, practically none could.
Qin Sang was certainly interested in damaged ancient treasures.
Yet upon second thought, setting aside the risks, fully committing to passing the trial would likely consume a great deal of time. If he delayed his major objective because of this, the loss would outweigh any gain.
Besides, he was not lacking magic treasures.
He already possessed two top-grade magic treasures.
No matter how generous the rewards of the Trial Realm might be, it was hardly possible for them to include top-grade magic treasures, was it?
Qin Sang frowned slightly, leaning toward giving up.
He glanced ahead at Ning Wuhui, intending to find a chance to consult him and ask for his opinion.
At the same time, Qin Sang continued secretly scanning the crowd for Senior Qingzhu.
By now, fewer and fewer newcomers were arriving.
To his surprise, he had not caught sight of Qingzhu at all.
*Could Senior Qingzhu have concealed his identity?* Qin Sang wondered.
Up ahead, having finished explaining the rules of the Trial Realm, Lingzhuzi spoke no further and stepped aside from the entrance.
After a brief stir,
the Core Formation cultivators scrambled up the stone steps, rushing through the right-hand door.
Qin Sang noticed Ning Wuhui slowing his pace. His heart stirred, and he darted forward.
As he reached the doorway, a voice transmission like a faint murmur sounded by Qin Sang's ear. His eyes shifted sharply before returning to a calm expression, and he stepped into the light barrier.
By now, he had secretly made up his mind: he had to complete the entire trial and fight for the reward!
The transmission had come from Ning Wuhui.
Among the rewards of the Trial Realm was an item of paramount importance called the Soul-Washing Liquid.
It was not a magic treasure, but a spiritual liquid. When consumed by a cultivator, it provided immense benefits to their spiritual sense, and even offered a measure of assistance in forming a Nascent Soul!
Because this liquid was exceedingly precious and appeared in minuscule quantities each time, the competition for it was extraordinarily fierce.
However, the struggle for Soul-Washing Liquid was mostly restricted to great powers and the chosen heirs of major sects.
The Nascent Soul cultivators and various factions who knew of its existence—whether intentionally or through unspoken tacit agreement—kept their lips sealed. Very few in the outside world had ever heard of it.
As a rogue cultivator, Qin Sang had inquired on Tianxing Island for so long without catching even a whisper of the news.
Ning Wuhui had not known beforehand either.
He had only learned of the Soul-Washing Liquid and its astonishing effects from his sect elders just before entering the Hall of Seven Kills.
"If Brother Qin is interested, you might try competing for the Soul-Washing Liquid. Though our time is tight, we can still spare this much. However, the further into the trials you go, the more dangerous they become. Please be extremely careful, and remember never to force yourself,"
Ning Wuhui had cautioned.
Qin Sang had not hesitated in the slightest before giving a firm answer. That Ning Wuhui would share such news with him filled him with deep gratitude.
The Soul-Washing Liquid was not an ordinary ancient treasure.
Every opportunity that could aid him in forming a Nascent Soul had to be seized tightly.
If he could return to the Xiaohan Realm, combining the Soul-Washing Liquid with the Nine-Illusion Heavenly Orchid would surely produce even greater effects!
After that brief exchange, the two walked through the barrier one after the other.
Watching all the Core Formation cultivators enter, Lingzhuzi chuckled and said, "The juniors have all gone in. It is time for us to depart as well. Fellow Daoists, after you."
With that, Lingzhuzi took a stride into the left-hand doorway.
The Demon Lord took a step forward, then paused and looked toward the three alliance masters of the Business Alliance. "I wonder if the three of you will remain joined at the hip throughout the Inner Hall as well?"
The expressions of the Three Great Merchant Alliances' masters stiffened.
A playful smile touched the Demon Lord's lips as he stepped into the Hall of Seven Kills.
***
Inside the Inner Hall.
Within an unknown space.
Auspicious clouds clustered in vast blankets, and shimmering rainbow glows unfurled in waves, painting an immortal realm of sheer splendor.
Yet the space was steeped in deathly silence.
Suddenly, four figures materialized out of thin air.
Two men and two women.
Two elderly figures accompanied a young boy and a young girl.
They passed through the auspicious clouds, flying straight into the deepest reaches of the space.
There lay a massive white cloud floating motionless in midair. Deep within its mists, a restriction seemed to seal something away.
The old woman stepped forward, raised the walking staff in her hand, and began chanting under her breath.
With a sudden draconic roar, the walking staff came alive, transforming into a lifelike golden dragon. After wheeling in the air for a moment, it plunged downward, diving straight into the depths of the white cloud.
*Whoosh!*
The golden dragon vanished from sight.
The boy and girl wore curious expressions.
The two elders remained impassive, calmly watching the white cloud.
Before long, brilliant golden light erupted from the cloud mass, and a golden passage opened before the four of them, leading directly into the heart of the cloud.
Immediately after, the old woman gestured with her hand.
The golden dragon flew out from the cloud, shrinking rapidly as the runes across its body faded. It transformed back into an ordinary walking staff and settled into the old woman's grip.
"Let us go."
The old woman tapped her staff and stepped into the passage side by side with the old man.
Upon entering the passage, golden light filled their vision.
Squinting slightly, the boy and girl followed closely behind the two elders, curiously taking in everything around them.
"Did you two memorize the incantation formula I used just now?" the old woman asked suddenly in a raspy voice.
Startled, the youth and maiden replied respectfully, "Reporting to Grandmaster, we have committed it to heart."
Chapter 1016