Gathering

Zhang Tie was slightly taken aback, a trace of doubt flashing in his eyes. He secretly mused, Could this be some kind of protection mechanism for those who passed the test? With that thought, he no longer hesitated and strode resolutely toward the barrier atop the stone platform.

When he reached the edge of the barrier, a powerful invisible resistance surged forth. Yet immediately afterward, his forehead grew slightly warm, and the "Desolation" mark flashed into view. He then stepped into the barrier without the slightest obstruction.

Just as expected. In that case, he did not need to worry too much about his own safety. All that remained was to wait and see how many people would come here.

Zhang Tie's thoughts were simple. As long as no one came looking to provoke trouble, he naturally would not stir up problems for no reason. But if anyone took him for a soft target and tried to bully him, then he could only strike swiftly and decisively to ensure his own safety.

After waiting for a long six days, the first visitor finally arrived. The newcomer wore a bright red robe and was actually a disciple of the Crimson Sun Sect. Seeing Zhang Tie calmly sitting cross-legged to cultivate nearby, he arrogantly demanded, "Hey, you from the Hundred Skills Sect, what exactly is going on here?"

"Wait until more people arrive before I explain. Otherwise, if I have to explain it every time someone comes, wouldn't that exhaust me to death?" Zhang Tie slowly raised his head, calmly glanced at the fellow, and replied unhurriedly.

"You're courting death!" The red-robed youth flew into a rage. In an instant, he summoned a blazing red longsword and thrust it like lightning straight at Zhang Tie's head.

Zhang Tie's body flickered, and he dodged the fierce strike like a ghost. In the blink of an eye, he appeared beside the red-robed youth and swung his fist mercilessly at the youth's head. With a muffled bang, his fist struck a red-glowing barrier without missing by even an inch.

Seeing this, Zhang Tie immediately retreated several yards. Looking closely, he saw the red-robed youth wearing the terrified expression of someone who had narrowly escaped death. His entire body went limp, and he collapsed to the ground, gasping heavily.

"Bastard, you actually tried to kill me!" the youth roared furiously, his eyes wide.

"Hmph, let's see how long that life-saving treasure of yours can hold out." Zhang Tie sneered coldly. Yet deep down, waves had risen in his heart. These great sects truly have deep foundations. It won't be easy to kill disciples of these major sects.

The youth seemed to have finally recovered from the terrifying moment. He turned and fled into the distance in a panic.

To avoid unnecessary trouble, Zhang Tie decisively chose to leave for the time being. Once most people had arrived, it would not be too late for him to return.

Another half month passed. Zhang Tie took out his token and looked closely. More than one hundred and sixty points of light had already appeared densely around the stone stele. He put away the token and hurried toward the stele.

From afar, Zhang Tie saw that only a little over fifty people stood near the stone stele, divided into two clearly distinct camps.

Zhang Tie was startled. How long had they been in the secret realm? So many people had already died. It truly was brutal.

On the right side of the stone stele stood a group led by six Crimson Sun Sect disciples. It also included disciples from seven sects, including the Fire Cloud Sect, Beast Taming Sect, Hundred Skills Sect, and Demon Purging Sect, totaling around twenty-two people. On the left side were eight sects led by the Thousand Puppet Sect and the Corpse Refining Sect, with as many as twenty-nine people, making for quite an imposing sight.

The leaders of both sides seemed to be quietly discussing something important.

"Senior Brother Hong, it was this person who tried to kill me earlier! My life-saving jade pendant was even used up because of him!" Before Zhang Tie had approached, he heard someone shouting at the top of his lungs.

The gazes of everyone on both sides instantly focused on Zhang Tie.

At that moment, the red-robed youth from before hurried forward and continued, "And when I arrived, this guy was already here. He must have secretly hidden the treasure!"

Before Zhang Tie could defend himself, a similarly red-robed youth who had been addressed as senior brother strode forward. His black hair fluttered in the wind, his sturdy soft armor hugged his burly frame, and his eyes gleamed sharply as he said to Zhang Tie, "Fellow Daoist of the Hundred Skills Sect, don't you intend to explain yourself?"

"Explain what? He attacked without a word and tried to take my life. Was I not allowed to fight back? If I had already obtained the treasure, why would I return here? Do you think I'm as stupid as he is?" Zhang Tie replied fearlessly.

"You're courting death! Senior Brother Hong, kill him!" the youth shrieked hysterically again.

"Shut up!" Senior Brother Hong glared at him and barked, "Fellow Daoist, please do not take offense. My junior brother lacks discipline and acts rashly. Since you were the first person to arrive here, may I ask what mystery this place holds?"

Zhang Tie did not answer Senior Brother Hong directly. Instead, he turned and walked toward the barrier around the stone platform, saying leisurely, "If I tell you, what benefit will I receive?"

For a moment, the place fell completely silent, so quiet that even the sound of a needle hitting the ground would have been clear. After several breaths of silence, Senior Brother Hong slowly stepped toward Zhang Tie and asked again, "What do you want?"

"I've never been greedy. Give me ten tokens from each side, and I'll tell you everything about this place." Zhang Tie said.

"That is not impossible, but I still have one question," Senior Brother Hong said.

"What question?" Zhang Tie asked. But as soon as the words left his mouth, Senior Brother Hong shot toward him like lightning and roared, "Who gave you the courage!"

A deafening bang rang out as Senior Brother Hong's fist smashed solidly into the barrier around the Teleportation Array on the stone platform. Immediately afterward, cries erupted from both groups. "How is that possible?!" "He can actually enter?!" "He really does know this place's secret..."

"Of course, I gave myself the courage." Zhang Tie smiled and continued, "So, will you consider my proposal now?"

"We need to discuss it," Senior Brother Hong said, his expression shifting constantly. He then turned and quickly walked toward a Corpse Refining Sect disciple on the opposite side. The two gathered together and spoke quietly about something unknown.

Then both sides began collecting tokens. Before long, Senior Brother Hong returned to the barrier and waved his hand, tossing twenty tokens toward Zhang Tie. Zhang Tie calmly walked out of the barrier, raised a hand, and collected all the tokens into his Storage Pouch. His face was full of satisfaction as he cupped his hands toward the crowd in thanks.

"Can you tell us the secret now?" Senior Brother Hong asked impatiently.

"Of course." Zhang Tie paused before continuing, "This God Testing Stele before you is actually used to test one's talent and physique for body cultivation. You only need to strike the stele with all your strength. If you possess decent aptitude for body cultivation, the stele will shine. Different aptitudes produce different colors of light. As long as you can make the stele light up, you will have passed the test and may enter this barrier."

As soon as Zhang Tie finished speaking, another wave of commotion and whispers rose from both groups.

"What happens after entering the barrier?" Senior Brother Hong pressed.

"Naturally, you wait patiently for the time to end. At that point, everyone will be teleported into the trial space. By passing different trial challenges, you can obtain the corresponding inheritances," Zhang Tie answered calmly.

After the two groups discussed matters, they began lining up in an orderly manner for testing.

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