Trial

"The trial begins. Gather in the square." When the voice of the Five Mountains Sect envoy reached everyone's ears, Zeng Fan, who had been practicing his punches, slowly opened his eyes. The Spiritual Energy fluctuations throughout his body suddenly surged!

Silently circulating his Spiritual Energy, Zeng Fan's skin gradually emitted a sturdy ripple. However, after lasting for a while, the ripple slowly withdrew back into his body. "Body Tempering Skin Great Accomplishment!" Zeng Fan let out a breath. At this final juncture, his Body Tempering Skin had finally broken through. The Spiritual Energy-enhanced skin had transformed from localized reinforcement to his entire body—this was Body Tempering Skin Great Accomplishment. When this fully reinforced skin could remain continuously active, it would be Body Tempering Skin Perfection, and he could then attempt to break through into the Body Tempering Muscle realm.

It had begun. Zeng Fan clenched his fists, rose, and headed toward the gathering place. The others also gradually assembled. Above the square, two figures floated in midair.

"Flying through the air... Foundation Establishment experts?" Zeng Fan looked at the two people suspended overhead, unable to keep his heart from trembling. Flying through the air—how many people's dream had that been in their youth in his previous life? Upon reaching Foundation Establishment, one's Spirit Vein resonated with heaven and earth, Spiritual Energy became inexhaustible, and one could fly through the sky for short periods.

One of the men in the air was middle-aged, dressed in a gray robe with a calm expression and slightly graying hair. He was currently sweeping his gaze over the crowd. He was presumably the Five Mountains Sect envoy. The other appeared to be about the same age, yet he wore a bright yellow dragon robe and a crown, smiling at everyone.

"Dressed like that, he should be the emperor of this Profound Spirit Dynasty," Zeng Fan thought to himself. This selection is causing quite a stir. Even the emperor has come out. In the past, the envoys always presided over it themselves. It's probably because someone from the imperial family has an Earth Vein this time, so he came specifically to look after her.

Zeng Fan swept his gaze over the crowd and looked toward the young girl within it. She stood out too conspicuously, and hardly anyone dared approach her. Amid the packed crowd was a distinctly empty patch around her. She wore a fitted combat outfit, its slightly tight fabric outlining the girl's lovely curves. Her skin was white as snow, as warm and delicate as mutton-fat jade, as though it could give off a faint glow. Two curved willow-leaf brows rested above her smooth forehead, dark and lustrous, while the slight upward curve of her lips made her seem brimming with confidence.

"That's Murong Xue, the one with the Earth-grade Spiritual Vein. She's pretty, isn't she? Don't tell me you've fallen for her already." As Zeng Fan watched Murong Xue, a somewhat lecherous voice came from beside him. It was Yuan Jin, who had just arrived.

"What are you talking about? Just because she's pretty, I have to like her? You should hurry up and think of a way to deal with her later," Zeng Fan said speechlessly.

"When the boat reaches the bridge, it will naturally straighten itself out. If we really can't beat her, we'll just give her first place. We'll honestly line up behind her. An Earth Vein isn't something to joke about—her Spiritual Energy recovers far faster than ours. We can only see whether we can suppress her with an explosive burst," Yuan Jin said, stroking his chin with a frown.

"Let's see how the selection works first. Maybe we won't have to fight later," Zeng Fan said, rubbing his brow.

At that moment, the envoy in the air began to speak. "I am Shi Yun, envoy for this selection. All of you are seeds with the aptitude for cultivation. Next, the entrance selection for my Five Mountains Sect will begin. I hope you all perform well. Those who succeed will become disciples of our sect. The selection will take place outside the city; I will inform you of the specific details once we arrive. Brother Murong, do you have anything to say?"

Shi Yun turned to ask the emperor of the Profound Spirit Dynasty beside him. "Then I'll say a few words," the middle-aged man said with a smile, speaking slowly. "I am Murong Yunhai of the Profound Spirit Dynasty. I am delighted that so many seeds of immortal cultivation have emerged in our Profound Spirit Dynasty this time. I hope you all focus on the selection and step onto the path of immortal cultivation soon."

After Murong Yunhai finished speaking, he gave Shi Yun a slight nod. Then the two waved their hands, and a dharma treasure shaped like a large ship appeared on the ground. As Spiritual Energy poured into it, it abruptly expanded to dozens of zhang in length. "Board the ship. We'll take you outside the city for the selection."

Zeng Fan, Yuan Jin, and the others exchanged glances before boarding the Treasure Ship one after another. Amid a burst of rumbling, the Treasure Ship rose from the ground and flew toward the outskirts.

In a valley dozens of li from the Imperial City, a Treasure Ship came speeding through the air. It suddenly stopped at the entrance to the valley.

The crowd jumped down from the ship slowly, filled with curiosity and nervousness. "Looks like this valley is where the trial will take place. I wonder what the exact method is," Yuan Jin said to Zeng Fan.

"They should announce it soon. Just wait and listen," Zeng Fan said, quietly loosening up his body as he waited for the trial's details to be announced.

Once Shi Yun saw that everyone had disembarked, he slowly said, "The valley ahead is the content of this trial. Within it is a Spiritual Medicine Fruit Tree guarded by Swift Monkey Beasts. There are ten Spiritual Fruits on the tree. Rankings will be determined by the number of Spiritual Fruits obtained. The beasts possess little intelligence, and entering may put your lives in danger. Those who are afraid may withdraw now. Once you enter, life and death are your own responsibility. Begin!"

Zeng Fan exchanged looks with Yuan Jin, Wang An, and the others. Having come this far, how could there be any talk of retreat? "Let's go in first. Be careful!" The moment Yuan Jin finished speaking, he charged into the valley. Wang An nodded at Zeng Fan and rushed in as well. Zeng Fan took a deep breath, Spiritual Energy gradually spreading throughout his body, then followed the two ahead of him into the valley.

"It begins. The final test!"