Sky Lake Barrier

Fang Chen rode the Black Iron Sword close behind Elder Yun and Li Yunshan. Elder Yun did not fly particularly fast, but his flight was steady. Though Fang Chen had only just learned the Sword Control Technique, he kept up with ease.

Before long, Fang Chen and the others saw a great many people. They were all Outer Sect Disciples from Azure Cloud Peak heading to the trial, men and women alike. Some flew on swords, while others used different magical treasures. Some stood on brooms; others sat atop enormous pots. But as disciples of the Glazed Sword Sect, most used Flying Swords.

Everyone followed a designated route. Formations and restrictions guarded the skies above many parts of the sect, and the space in some places was unstable. Barging in could cost them their lives.

"So magnificent!"

Fang Chen was captivated by the sight.

Elder Yun led Fang Chen and Li Yanshan into the stream of flying disciples, and they headed southwest.

Golden Bull Ridge.

Zhang Xu stood outside Zhang Tielin's door, waiting anxiously.

"The Trial Path is about to open. Why hasn't Brother Tielin come out of seclusion?"

Zhang Xu was growing frantic. The Trial Path was a golden opportunity to make a fortune. It held plenty of Spirit Medicine and Demonic Beasts, and whether it was the medicine or the beasts' blood, scales, and Inner Cores, everything fetched a fine price. With enough luck, one might even place in the top three and become an Inner Disciple.

Miss that chance, and the other Outer Sect Disciples would leave them far behind. Most of them had Dual-Attribute Mixed Spiritual Roots, and their aptitudes were much the same. Whoever had more resources would advance faster.

That was why everyone racked their brains for ways to obtain more resources and seized every opportunity that came their way.

If Zhang Tielin missed this trial, the others would surely pull far ahead of him. As Zhang Tielin's follower, Zhang Xu would rise or fall with him.

Before Zhang Tielin entered seclusion, the sect had not yet announced that the Trial Path would open. If he had fallen into deep cultivation, he might still know nothing about it.

Zhang Xu was torn. Should he force his way in and wake Zhang Tielin? But before entering seclusion, Zhang Tielin had said he was on the threshold of the Fifth Layer of Qi Refining. Zhang Xu feared that disturbing him might ruin his breakthrough.

While Zhang Xu wavered,

Boom!

A powerful aura erupted from Zhang Tielin's residence.

"What a powerful aura! Brother Tielin broke through!"

Zhang Xu was overjoyed. He immediately shouted toward the residence, "Brother Tielin! Brother Tielin! Open up! Something big has happened!"

A short while later, Zhang Tielin emerged from the house and opened the courtyard gate.

Zhang Tielin looked radiant. Compared with a few days ago, he was as different as heaven and the abyss. He frowned slightly at Zhang Xu and asked, "What happened?"

Zhang Xu answered at once, "Brother Tielin, the Trial Path has opened! Did you know?"

"The Trial Path has opened?"

Zhang Tielin froze. After meeting Zhang Xu three days ago, he had stayed in seclusion until now. He had no idea the Trial Path was opening.

Zhang Xu nodded vigorously. "Yes. Check your Identity Token!"

Zhang Tielin took out his Identity Token and swept it with his Spiritual Sense. Unfamiliar information surfaced in his mind. His gaze sharpened, and surprise crossed his face. "The Trial Path always opened on the first day of winter before. There are still three months until then, yet it's opening now?"

Zhang Xu said, "Brother Tielin, congratulations on reaching the Fifth Layer of Qi Refining! You're bound to reap a great harvest from this trial. Let's hurry to Glazed Peak!"

"Mm."

Zhang Tielin nodded. Now that he had reached the Fifth Layer of Qi Refining, his strength had soared. If he faced Li Yanshan again, he was confident he could defeat him in a single move. His breakthrough left him eager for the Trial Path.

Rather than summon his Flying Sword and set off, he asked Zhang Xu, "Any news of Qining?"

Zhang Xu shook his head. "No. I'm afraid he's probably dead. Fang Chen may have killed him!"

"Fang Chen?"

A cold, murderous gleam flashed in Zhang Tielin's eyes. In the past, he would never have believed Fang Chen capable of killing Zhang Qining. But three days ago, Fang Chen had slain a Bloodthirsty Evil Crow in Spirit Flame Valley without breaking a sweat. He was entirely capable of killing Zhang Qining.

Zhang Xu urged him, "Brother Tielin, let's get going. We can deal with Fang Chen after the trial!"

"Mm."

Zhang Tielin nodded, summoned his Flying Sword, and soared into the sky atop it.

Zhang Xu immediately summoned his own Flying Sword and followed.

Meanwhile, Fang Chen and the others flew slowly through the sky with the Outer Sect Disciples of Azure Cloud Peak.

Ahead, Fang Chen spotted a black ribbon of people converging with Azure Cloud Peak's flight path.

His gaze sharpened. "Those are disciples from Green Support Peak!"

Everyone flew through the air in orderly fashion.

After the time it took an incense stick to burn, an enormous barrier appeared before them. Everyone approaching it descended to the ground, then continued toward it on foot.

Li Yanshan said to Fang Chen, "That's the Sky Lake Barrier. Once we get close, we can't use Sword Flight. We have to enter on foot. Let's go down too!"

"Mm."

Fang Chen nodded and landed with Li Yanshan and Elder Yun, then moved slowly forward with the crowd.

As soon as Fang Chen passed through the Sky Lake Barrier, rich Spiritual Qi washed over him. A broad beach stretched ahead, and beyond it lay a vast lake. Its surface was as still as a mirror, reflecting the azure sky. Those who had entered the barrier gathered in groups of three or five along the shore, chatting and laughing.

"There are so many people!"

Fang Chen was stunned by the sight. He had never seen so many people in one place.

Li Yanshan smiled at him. "That enormous lake is Heavenly Lake. It's the entrance to the Trial Path!"

"Mm."

Fang Chen nodded and followed Elder Yun and Li Yanshan through the crowd toward a less crowded spot.

"Look, everyone! Isn't that the cripple from Dog Head Ridge?"

"Hahaha! He even brought a dog!"

"Hahaha! A cripple, a blind man, and an old dog!"

A group nearby suddenly burst out laughing at Elder Yun.

Fang Chen glanced at their chests. Each had a small green sword embroidered there.

They're from Green Support Peak!

Fang Chen's eyes narrowed. He was about to step forward and rebuke them, but Elder Yun stopped him with his cane. Calmly, he said, "Ignore that trash. Can't you see even Xiao Liu can't be bothered with them?"

"Woof, woof..."

Xiao Liu barked at the Green Support Peak disciples, then gave them a look of disdain.

"Damn it, even a dog dares look down on us? I'll kill him!" A thin young man with a horse-like face grew furious at Xiao Liu's expression. He started toward Little Six, but the people beside him held him back. They did not dare cause trouble here. At best, they would lose their eligibility for the trial; at worst, they would be punished.

Elder Yun swaggered past the Green Support Peak disciples with Li Yanshan and Fang Chen.

Fuming, the horse-faced young man shouted after him, "Yun Yi, you cripple! You'd better hope I don't run into you on the Trial Path, or I'll chop off your other leg too!"

Elder Yun ignored him. He led Li Yanshan and Fang Chen to a quieter spot, where they stopped to wait.

Li Yanshan smiled at Fang Chen. "There's no need to get angry with them. If you meet them in the Trial Space, kill them if you can. Don't waste words. If you can't kill them, run. After all, there's no one from the Enforcement Hall inside!"

"Mm."

Fang Chen nodded, then looked around. More and more people were gathering on the beach beside the lake, arriving from every direction.

An hour later, a rumble came from the sky. Fang Chen looked up and saw a Great Bell more than thirty zhang across hurtling through the air. It hovered above Heavenly Lake. Its surface was engraved with countless characters and covered in cracks, and it radiated a vast, oppressive force that filled the entire Sky Lake Barrier.