The Realm Master looked at Fang Chen, then gently raised the staff in his hand.
Rumble!
The mountains before Fang Chen began to shake. Cracks appeared and widened until he saw enormous Stone Tablets slowly rising from them.
Bzzzz...
Powerful waves of energy surged from the Stone Tablets. Fang Chen looked them over and saw that some were carved with blades, some with swords, some with staffs, some with animals, and some with plants...
Fang Chen had no idea why the Realm Master had brought out so many Stone Tablets.
He turned to the Realm Master and asked, "Senior, what are these Stone Tablets for?"
The Realm Master smiled faintly. "The Trial in the Third-Layer Space is simple. The Stone Tablets you see bear Secret Methods left by Quasi-Emperors and even Great Emperors. Most contain inheritances left by Quasi-Emperors, though; those left by Great Emperors are extremely rare. Choose one Secret Method and master its basics within ten years, and you pass!"
"Choose one Secret Method, master its basics, and I pass?"
Fang Chen was surprised by the Realm Master's words. This Checkpoint seemed far too easy.
"Yes! Mastering the basics of one inherited Secret Method within ten years is only the minimum standard. The Checkpoint in the Third-Layer Space is rather special. I'll grade an inheritor based on his performance, and the higher the grade, the greater the reward!"
The Realm Master spoke to Fang Chen with a smile.
"There are grades too?"
Fang Chen paused and looked up at the Stone Tablets floating in the air. There were many of them—at least a thousand.
The Realm Master looked at Fang Chen. "You may begin now!"
Fang Chen nodded and flew toward the Stone Tablets. He wove among them until he chose one carved with a sword.
Many of