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Treasure light radiated in all directions. The entire interior of the pavilion was completely hollow. At this moment, glowing orbs floated throughout the space, each holding a magic treasure within. There were common flying swords, as well as unorthodox magic treasures of diverse styles. Among them, a portion of the treasures were visibly damaged—remnants of ancient treasures. Standing at the entrance, Qin Sang inspected the treasures inside the glowing orbs. With his discerning eye as an artifact refiner, he could roughly evaluate some of the treasures, but the damaged ancient treasures eluded his appraisal. Some might possess marvelous functions like the Red Yuan Gauze, yet with little power remaining, they would likely self-destruct after only a few uses. He extended his hand and effortlessly beckoned a glowing orb over. After examining it for a moment, Qin Sang shook his head. Unable to use his divine consciousness, he found it difficult to accurately judge a magic treasure's grade. "Eh? Bring that iron chain over and let me have a look..." Bai's voice suddenly spoke. Qin Sang's gaze swept over and found, somewhat to his surprise, that the treasure Bai pointed out was not a damaged ancient treasure, but an intact magic treasure. The intact magic treasures in the Hundred Treasures Pavilion had all been forged by the predecessors who left behind the Trial Realm. They belonged to a completely different era than Bai, so why would he take an interest in such a thing? Piqued with curiosity, Qin Sang beckoned over the glowing orb enclosing the iron chain. The chain was as thick as an infant's arm, formed of interlocking links that were identical to one another. Unremarkable in appearance, it was pitch-black and devoid of luster. Yet since it was preserved in the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, there had to be a reason; it could not be judged merely by its looks. "Fellow Daoist, do you recognize this item?" Qin Sang asked. After a brief silence, Bai said in a puzzled tone, "It looks somewhat familiar. I seem to have seen a similar-looking magic treasure in the past, but I can't recall what it was... Perhaps it's just a coincidence." Then Bai gave a low chuckle. "Have your eye on that treasure? How about I go out and try to see if I can take it for you?" "Forget it. How could the Hundred Treasures Pavilion have such an obvious loophole?" Qin Sang shook his head. "You were able to come in with me likely because of the Heavenly Corpse Talisman, meaning it considered you my refined corpse. If you take a treasure, it will still be counted against me in the end. If I miss out on the Soul-Washing Liquid because of that, it would truly be losing the greater prize for petty gains. There's nothing more to see here. Let's head back..." No matter how fine a magic treasure might be, it could not compare to his ebony sword and Eighteen Demon Banners. It was not worth the risk. Qin Sang turned and departed the stone peak, finding a secluded spot to sit in quiet meditation, adjust his breathing, and patiently await Ming Wei. *** Far from the stone peak. Inside a concealed mountain cavern. Su Nü and the others stood at the cavern entrance, gazing toward the Hundred Treasures Pavilion in the distance. "We've already seen several streaks of light enter the stone peak. Before this, there were surely others even faster than us. Most of them are bound to be true disciples of the various sects who know of the Soul-Washing Liquid's existence. With so many people vying for it, one can imagine how fierce the struggle will be." The alluring woman wore a grave expression as she turned to the long-bearded elder. "Eldest Senior Brother, how much longer must we wait? If we don't prepare early, I worry we won't be able to compete with them. Especially those fellows from the righteous and demonic factions—they act overbearingly and might well join hands to shut us out first." "No rush. There is still some time before the Soul-Washing Liquid emerges. We will wait one more incense stick of time. If Junior Brother Zuo fails to arrive by then, we won't wait for him any longer," the long-bearded elder said. The group fell silent, quietly watching the direction of the stone peak. Soon, an incense stick of time passed. That Junior Brother Zuo still had not arrived. "Let's go!" the elder said in a low voice and flew out of the cave first, the others following closely behind. Contrary to expectations, they did not head for the Hundred Treasures Pavilion. Instead, they flew in the opposite direction for a long while until the stone peak was no longer visible. Only then did they find a deep valley and come to a halt. "Before our departure, Master commanded us to join forces and activate this token once we entered the final trial..." The long-bearded elder no longer hid the truth, taking a token from his mustard seed pouch. It was identical to the token held by the Dongji Alliance Leader outside. "Junior Brother Zuo's strength is on par with mine, so he also holds one. However, we know nothing of the token's purpose or Master's plans. We will only know once we try..." The others exchanged glances, staring at the token without being able to make sense of it, leaving them no choice but to follow orders. "Lay the formation and cast the art!" the long-bearded elder commanded, and the group divided the tasks, setting to work. *** In another secret realm of the Trial Realm. The heat here was extraordinary, with billowing smoke sealing off the sky, yet it remained intensely bright and glaring—a world of magma. Magma surged wildly, throwing up towering crimson waves. From time to time, fire spirits leaped out to swim through the molten rock, far exceeding the fire spirits Su Nü had encountered in both size and strength. Even more terrifying were the crisscrossing spatial rifts overhead, some even drifting slowly—an unmistakably perilous domain. In such a dangerous place, an isolated islet miraculously stood untouched by the magma. Seated upon the islet was a grey-robed elder of benevolent countenance, seemingly engrossed in quiet meditation. The elder's aura was completely veiled. Even as fire spirits swam nearby in the magma, none detected his presence. Had anyone else witnessed this scene, they would have recognized him at a glance: while on the square outside the Inner Hall, this elder had stood behind the Dongji Alliance Leader, and when the Inner Hall opened, he had chosen to enter the Trial Realm designated for Nascent Soul cultivators. The elder sat motionless on the isolated islet, turning a blind eye to the surrounding hazards, seemingly in no hurry at all to extricate himself from the Trial Realm. After an unknown length of time, the elder suddenly opened his eyes. A brilliant gleam flashed through his pupils. Turning his palm over, he produced an object—yet another such token. By this time, Su Nü and the others were nearing the end of their preparations. A peculiar, enormous formation had taken shape, extraordinarily intricate, covering nearly the entire valley floor. The long-bearded elder drew a deep breath and said in a heavy voice, "Begin!" With that, the elder tossed the token into the air above the formation. The others stood behind the elder, gazing up at the token. Su Nü watched the elder's back, a flicker of urgency passing through her eyes. Yet flanked by the burly man and the others, every one of them stronger than her, she did not dare act rashly. "Settle!" the long-bearded elder shouted, pointing a finger toward the token. The token froze in midair, directly at the center of the grand formation. The formation's power surged to life, countless runes shimmering as radiant light swirled. Rumble... The ground trembled. Had this place not been sufficiently secluded, it certainly would have been discovered. The formation's runes poured frantically into the token. The token vibrated violently and began to glow, shining brighter and more piercingly until it illuminated the entire deep valley. Unease gnawed at everyone's hearts as they stared fixedly at the changing token. At the same time. On the isolated magma islet. The token in the grey-robed elder's hand faintly lit up, flickering like a feeble candle flame. A look of delight surfaced on the elder's face, and he swiftly began chanting an incantation. Beneath the immortal restriction of the Inner Hall. The token resting in the palm of the Dongji Alliance Leader trembled slightly, startling him awake. Raising the token to inspect it for a moment, the corners of the Dongji Alliance Leader's mouth curled slightly. "To hide the primary sacrificial altar, which can only be unsealed by a Nascent Soul, within the Core Formation trial—did they truly believe it would be foolproof?"