Chapter 113 - The Trial

“And moreover, it is said that there’s a martial arts heritage inside.

Whoever obtains it will not only greatly increase their strength, but even entering the Three Spirit Realms afterward won’t be an issue,” Elder Hua said in a deep voice.

“Turns out there’s such a claim; no wonder so many Inner Sect Disciples are competing to get in,” Lin Xuan thought to himself.

The Three Spirit Realms consist of the Spirit Merging Realm, Spirit Communication Realm, and Spirit Transformation Realm.

Elder Hua is a martial artist of the Spirit Merging Realm; don’t let her appearance fool you into thinking she’s only in her thirties—her actual age might well be over a hundred.

After all, once one enters the Three Spirit Realms, a martial artist’s lifespan will greatly increase, and that is what truly attracts people.

Warriors of the Three Spirit Realms usually live to be over three hundred years old.

Rumor has it that some old creatures in the Spirit Transformation Realm live for four to five hundred years without any problem.

“As for the matter of heritage, you don’t need to be too insistent; such things are a matter of fate.

What I want to remind you of is something else.

The herbs, weapons, or cultivation techniques you obtain inside, if you find no use for them, can all be turned over to the sect.

Of course, the sect will also provide you with an equal amount of Spirit Stones or other resources in exchange.”

“As for cultivation techniques, even if you turn them over, you can still cultivate them yourselves.”

Next, Elder Hua mentioned some resources and cultivation techniques the sect particularly valued and the corresponding exchange items, most of which were Spirit Stones.

For instance, a Dark-grade high-level Martial Art could be exchanged for five hundred mid-grade Spirit Stones, while a low-level Spiritual Martial Art for three thousand mid-grade Spirit Stones—that’s a whopping three hundred thousand low-grade spiritual stones!

Hearing these prices, Lin Xuan couldn’t help but sigh; it seems that Spiritual Rank Martial Arts are also valuable to the sect.

As for other matters, Elder Hua didn’t say much, as each entry is not quite the same and many things depend on one’s own strength to obtain.

After parting from Elder Hua, Lin Xuan returned to his residence.

Sorting through the information he had gathered, Lin Xuan discovered that the focus was the Blood-colored Palace, which houses numerous resources and the fabled martial arts heritage.

Moreover, the most important point, breaking through in the Blood-colored Trial Land, would have a better advancing effect than in the outside world, which gave Lin Xuan a new idea.

Originally he had wanted to break through to the Ninth Rank of Congealing Veins in the next two days, but now he temporarily suppressed his cultivation, preparing to break through after entering the Blood-colored Trial Land.

And his ultimate goal was to enter the Spirit Sea Realm within the trial land, which would significantly impact his future strength.

Inside a hall of the Xuantian Sect,

Elder Xue sat with a dark expression, anger burning in his eyes, and beside him, a young man was pouring tea.

“Two good-for-nothings, actually injured by a boy at the Eighth Rank of Congealing Veins!

Completely missing out on the trial opportunity,” his tone was chillingly cold, filling the entire hall with a sense of frost.

The young man pouring tea smiled faintly, “Actually, you can’t blame the two junior brothers; after all, martial artists who comprehend Sword Intent are not to be underestimated in their attack power based on cultivation alone.”

“However, Master can rest assured, even if he is an unparalleled genius, he is nothing before he grows up!” The young man’s voice carried a trace of disdain and an eerie killing intent.

“Let him stay forever in the Blood-colored Trial Land!”

Elder Xue looked approvingly at the disciple before him, then said solemnly, “Killing him is a trivial matter; the most important thing is the heritage in the Blood-colored Palace.”

“To my knowledge, there’s more than one heritage inside, and this time the seal is the loosest it has been in nearly a hundred years, lasting for one month.

You must seize the opportunity!”

“This disciple understands!” The young man’s eyes gleamed with eager fire.

In Yunzhou, within the Ling Family,

As one of the Four Great Families, the Ling Family had ten spots.

These ten were the family’s genius disciples, representing the future hope of the Ling Family.

As the grandson of a Ling Family Elder, Ling Ze naturally also secured a spot.

Moreover, he had reported Lin Xuan’s affairs to the family, asking them to eliminate Lin Xuan.

“Having comprehended Sword Intent and being an enemy of the Ling Family, naturally, he must be removed!” The Ling Family uttered coldly, “Once you’re in the Blood-colored Trial Land, get rid of him.”

“Remember, it must be done discreetly, to not give the Xuantian Sect any leverage!”

“Yes!” a group of Ling Family Disciples responded respectfully.

The day before departure, Lin Xuan was summoned once again.

This time, it was the Purple Robed Man who had sat amongst the clouds that day, called Duanmu Qing, the Great Elder of the sect.

He looked at Lin Xuan and let out a deep sigh.

“I had originally wanted you to enter the Blood-colored Trial Land next time.

With your current cultivation level, it is rather forced.” But since you insist, I will not stop you.

Elder Duanmu waved his sleeve, and two items appeared in his hand.

One was a rusty armor, with some parts even broken, looking ordinary, even shabby.

The other item was a yellowed piece of talisman paper.

“These two items were brought out from the Blood-colored Trial Land.

This armor can defend against all attacks below the Spirit Sea Realm, and even when facing Spirit Sea Realm Martial Artists, it can hold up for a while.”

“With it, as long as you don’t venture into the Forbidden Land, your safety inside is secured,” said Elder Duanmu in a grave voice.

“You’ve understood Sword Intent.

If nothing unexpected happens, your future achievements will certainly surpass ours, so there’s no need to take unnecessary risks.”

“And this is an Advanced Talisman Paper.

Its strike can kill a Spirit Sea Realm Martial Artist, but it can only be used once.

Don’t use it unless it’s absolutely necessary.”

Lin Xuan took the two treasures and replied with respect, “Thank you, Great Elder.

I will certainly return safely!”

Time hurried by, and the day of departure arrived in the blink of an eye.

In the early morning, the sky was dim and overcast.

Drizzle fell from the sky like fine cow hair, casting a hazy veil over the surroundings.

Lin Xuan and the other Disciples participating in the trial arrived early at the great hall, waiting.

Among these Disciples, the ones with the highest cultivation were Murong Qianling and Zheng Jun, whose strengths had reached the Spirit Sea Second Realm.

The other three Direct Disciples were at the Spirit Sea Realm First Level.

The Chief Disciple of the Core Disciples, Wan Jianxing, was also at the Spirit Sea First Level, while the rest of the Disciples were at the Ninth Rank of Congealing Veins.

Among them, Lin Xuan had the weakest cultivation, being at the Eighth Rank of Condensing Pulse, but none of the Core Disciples dared to underestimate him.

After all, he had defeated both Zhao Zhicheng and Dong Ying and ranked among the top five in strength among Core Disciples.

What surprised many was that Shangguan Liuyun’s cultivation had also reached the Ninth Rank of Condensing Pulse, his presence as solid as a mountain.

“Looks like everyone has had their adventures!” Lin Xuan thought, looking at Shangguan Liuyun.

Feeling Lin Xuan’s gaze, Shangguan Liuyun nodded slightly.

The two were not very familiar, but they had fought a battle and understood some of each other’s characters.

“Lin Xuan, this time I will definitely not lose to you!” War Intent surged in Shangguan Liuyun’s eyes.

“I won’t either!” Lin Xuan’s words were filled with confidence.

“Hmph!” A faint cold snort came through, filled with contempt and a hint of murderous intent.

Shangguan Liuyun remained silent, while Lin Xuan looked toward the source of the sound.

Ahead, a youth with a wicked smile stood with his hands behind his back, his eyes flashing with sharp light.

At a glance, his gaze toward Lin Xuan was as if he were looking down on an ant.

“Zheng Jun!” Lin Xuan’s heart sank.

He apprehended the most among these people was Zheng Jun, not only because the other was a Spirit Sea Second Realm Martial Artist, but also because he was a disciple of Elder Xue.

Elder Xue bore deep hatred for Lin Xuan, and it was likely that Zheng Jun would make a move against him.