Gathering

Time passed in the blink of of an eye, and the departure date arrived. As disciples below the Foundation Establishment stage in the Five Mountains Sect slowly converged at the assembly point, Zeng Fan was in the Alchemy Hall's storeroom.

Zeng Fan sat cross-legged in the storeroom. The surrounding Ironwood was emitting streams of black energy, which Zeng Fan continuously absorbed. The black-grey light on his skin grew brighter and brighter.

At a certain moment, Zeng Fan suddenly opened his eyes. Black-grey light flickered within them as well. The suction force from his body instantly intensified. The black energy that had been slowly drifting in the air vanished into Zeng Fan's body in that instant. After absorbing enough energy, the iron-grey light on Zeng Fan's body slowly dimmed. As the light weakened, Zeng Fan's aura grew stronger.

Finally, the black-grey light only circulated on the surface of Zeng Fan's skin, exuding a cold, metallic luster as it flowed. The light in Zeng Fan's eyes gradually dissipated. He lowered his head, curiosity in his eyes, and flicked his arm lightly.

Clang— The sound of metal striking echoed in the storeroom.

"Is this the Major Accomplishment Ironwood Body? This defense is truly astonishing," Zeng Fan said, looking at the metallic sheen covering his body. He was very satisfied, feeling it was worth all his effort. He estimated that with his current Ironwood Body's defense, it would be difficult for someone of the same cultivation level to break through.

"It's time to head to the assembly point," Zeng Fan said, walking to the door. Yao Ling'er was waiting for him there, just as she always did.

Hearing footsteps approaching, after so many days together, Yao Ling'er could immediately tell who it was by the sound. She turned her head and gave him a questioning look. Zeng Fan smiled and nodded.

"Phew—finally mastered it! I shouldn't need to absorb any more, right?" Yao Ling'er patted her chest. She had felt quite a bit of pressure during the time she spent keeping watch for Zeng Fan. There were even a few times she almost got discovered by other disciples, but thankfully, everything ended without incident.

Hearing that Zeng Fan's Ironwood Body was complete, a weight was lifted from her heart, yet she also felt a faint sense of loss, which left Yao Ling'er feeling a bit lost.

However, Zeng Fan was about to depart for the trial, so Yao Ling'er didn't have time to dwell on her feelings. She quickly reached into her embrace, took out a jade bottle, and handed it to Zeng Fan.

Zeng Fan gently took it and curiously opened the stopper. He saw two red pills inside, which should be the Body Tempering Pills. Beside them were a few black pills.

"The red ones are Body Tempering Pills, right? What are the others?" Zeng Fan put away the jade bottle and asked Yao Ling'er.

"The rest are healing pills. If you get injured during the trial, you can take them directly," Yao Ling'er said, looking up at Zeng Fan with a slight blush on her face.

"Alright! I'm leaving then. I'll thank you properly when I return from the trial."

"Be careful on your way!"

Afterward, both fell silent. However, the assembly time was drawing near, so Zeng Fan had to leave. Watching Zeng Fan's receding figure, Yao Ling'er murmured to herself.

"You must come back safely."

On his way, Zeng Fan felt a strange sensation. He took out the jade bottle, and a faint floral scent from the girl still lingered on it. Zeng Fan felt as if he understood something. At that moment, another figure flashed through his mind: a woman in a white dress, baring her two small tiger teeth as she smiled at him.

"Murong Xue!"

Zeng Fan felt a headache coming on. He decided to focus on completing the trial first. With a slight push of his feet, Zeng Fan's figure quickly sped towards the assembly point.

Upon reaching the assembly location, the noisy chatter of the crowd immediately flooded Zeng Fan's ears. He took a rough headcount; there were probably thousands of disciples gathered there. Zeng Fan rubbed his head, wondering where he would find Yuan Jin and the others. Fortunately, a voice saved him.

"Brother Zeng Fan! Over here, over here!" Zeng Fan turned his head and saw Wang An, whom he hadn't seen in a long time. Previously, due to the different residential areas for Profound Vein and Yellow Vein disciples, Zeng Fan hadn't seen this guy for a while. Beside Wang An, Murong Xue, Wang Beichen, and Yuan Jin were chatting. Noticing Wang An's wave, the three of them turned their gazes towards Zeng Fan.

Murong Xue was dressed in a black combat suit. After not seeing her for a while, her curves had become even more pronounced. The tender bud was blossoming into a beautiful flower. Seeing Zeng Fan, Murong Xue became slightly excited and waved at him.

Wang Beichen's reaction was quite calm. He nodded at Zeng Fan and didn't do anything else.

Yuan Jin grinned at Zeng Fan and beckoned him over.

Zeng Fan felt a surge of excitement as well. He hadn't seen anyone other than Yuan Jin for a while. As he approached, Wang An spoke first.

"Long time no see, Brother Zeng. I'm finally able to act with you guys this time. I'll just cling to your coattails!" Wang An chuckled at Zeng Fan.

"Alright, your cultivation speed isn't slow, you've already broken through to Body Tempering Muscle," Zeng Fan said, sensing Wang An's aura. He was slightly surprised. Wang An hadn't started cultivating when he first entered the sect, and now he was at Minor Accomplishment Body Tempering Muscle. This cultivation speed was already quite impressive.

"I haven't dared to slack off since entering the sect. I've been cultivating diligently every day!" Wang An rubbed his head, feeling a bit embarrassed by Zeng Fan's praise.

"Keep it up, kid," Zeng Fan said, patting his shoulder. Then, his gaze shifted to Murong Xue, and he was slightly surprised. He could no longer sense Murong Xue's cultivation level, but he felt a subtle pressure from her, clearly indicating that not only he had been progressing, but Murong Xue, with her Earth Vein aptitude, had also made gains.

"It's been a while. What's your cultivation level now?"

Zeng Fan looked at Murong Xue. The girl's fair face lost its smile, and she complained to Zeng Fan with some displeasure.

"Who asks about cultivation level right when they meet? Can't you ask about anything else? Anyway, my cultivation is higher than yours, and it's no problem to beat you twice, hmph!"

Zeng Fan awkwardly rubbed his nose. He had just come from Yao Ling'er, and now chatting with Murong Xue felt like he was being sneaky, making him unsure how to start the conversation. He could only find a topic to begin with.

However, after a cold snort, Murong Xue didn't pursue the matter further. She glanced at him, and a hint of surprise appeared in her almond-shaped eyes.

"You're about to break through to Body Tempering Blood, aren't you? Only a little slower than that guy Wang Beichen."

Wang Beichen, standing behind Murong Xue, immediately became displeased. He pouted and said, "Big Sis, what do you mean? Shouldn't I be faster than this guy? I have Earth Vein aptitude, after all!"

"Your Earth Vein aptitude only reached Minor Accomplishment Body Tempering Blood a few days ago, and you have the nerve to say that? You're inconsistent, not focusing on cultivation every day. You should give your aptitude to Zeng Fan!" Murong Xue's eyebrows shot up upon hearing Wang Beichen's words, and she directly vented her dissatisfaction with Zeng Fan onto Wang Beichen.

Wang Beichen pouted and didn't dare to say anything more. Zeng Fan chuckled. This second-generation immortal was lawless, yet he acted like a mouse encountering a cat when it came to Murong Xue.

Yuan Jin raised his eyebrows at Zeng Fan. He vaguely knew where Zeng Fan had been and couldn't help but sigh at the kid's luck. One Murong Xue wasn't enough, and he dared to flirt around. He'd be found out sooner or later. Then... hehe, Yuan Jin's face broke into a lewd smile, which, combined with his tall physique, made him look even more peculiar. Zeng Fan glanced at him, clearly unaware of the fate that awaited him in Yuan Jin's eyes.

Dong, dong, dong— Three bell tolls echoed. Several figures flew through the air. The disciples below immediately quieted down. Those who could fly were at least Foundation Establishment cultivators, so the disciples below naturally dared not act presumptuously.

Leading them was a middle-aged man in a white robe. A few streaks of white were hidden among his black hair. His face appeared to be that of a middle-aged man, but his eyes held a sense of vicissitude, as if he had experienced countless storms. He swept his gaze over the crowd below, and his voice, tinged with authority, echoed in the disciples' ears.

"I am Elder Bai Ye of the Disciple Hall. I will announce the rules for this trial. The trial location is the border of the Great Tong Dynasty. Each disciple must kill two Demonic Beasts of the same cultivation level. If you cannot complete this, you must return to the sect to explain the reasons. Failure will be considered a failed disciple trial, and you will not be allowed to continue cultivating within the sect. Two Foundation Establishment cultivators will lead the team this time. Prepare to depart!"

As he finished speaking, Bai Ye nodded to the two Foundation Establishment cultivators and left first, clearly having other matters to attend to. The two Foundation Establishment cultivators respectfully bowed towards the direction Elder Bai Ye had left, then looked at the crowd.

The two Foundation Establishment cultivators were one fat and one thin. The plump one had fair, rosy skin and wore a golden robe with patterns of copper coins and gold ingots. His fingers were adorned with gold rings. He looked like a nouveau riche landlord from the secular world. He smiled and spoke first.

"Esteemed junior brothers and sisters, I am your senior brother Qian Dayou. We are heading to the Great Tong Dynasty this time. If anyone finds any opportunities they can't use, feel free to sell them to this senior brother. Fair prices, no deception."

He then looked at the other cultivator and nudged him with his chin, signaling him to say a few words.

The other cultivator was thin and unremarkable in appearance, wearing the common black robe of the sect. Seeing Qian Dayou's gesture, he slowly spoke, his voice somewhat hoarse.

"I am Lin Li, and I am also one of your leaders this time."

Qian Dayou nodded with a smile, and then there was a long silence…

Qian Dayou was stunned and asked Lin Li with confusion, "That's it?"

"Yeah."

Qian Dayou's expression was odd, but Lin Li's personality was always a bit reclusive, so he could only shake his head and stop talking.

"Everyone, junior brothers and sisters, let's set off then!"

Nodding to Lin Li, the two of them jointly summoned a massive Spirit Boat, capable of holding thousands of people. While a Foundation Establishment cultivator's Spiritual Energy might struggle to pilot such a large Spirit Boat, it was much easier for the two of them.

"I feel like these two senior brothers are a bit unreliable," Yuan Jin muttered to himself.

Zeng Fan also felt something strange. Lin Li was just a bit reclusive, but Qian Dayou's attire was nothing like what a Foundation Establishment cultivator should wear; he looked like a nouveau riche. However, there were all sorts of people in the world, so Zeng Fan stopped thinking about it and called for the others to board the Spirit Boat.

Seeing that everyone had gathered, the two Foundation Establishment cultivators chanted a spell, and the Spirit Boat slowly turned, flying towards the outside of the mountain.