Lu Jiuxuan's words made Chen Lin's heart sink.
The reason he had felt so secure was that he knew this way out existed. He had never expected it to turn into a dead end.
In that case...
Even if he completed the exploration mission, he would not be able to enter the next stage. He might even be trapped here forever.
"Did you go and look for yourself, Senior?"
Unwilling to give up, Chen Lin continued questioning him.
"Of course."
Lu Jiuxuan shook the melted snow off his cuffs.
He pointed at Gleiter.
"This fellow and I met there. We also ran into Feng Huishen from Five Elders City. Unfortunately, he had depleted too much of his actual lifespan and still tried to forcefully use transcendent power. He died of an exhausted lifespan before he even found the valley's exit."
Chen Lin was speechless for a long time.
He knew of Feng Huishen. Though not the strongest in Five Elders City, he was still a Rank Six Dominator, a pinnacle figure among the ten core factions. His capabilities went without saying, yet he had fallen in such a manner.
Anyone who died here would not even have a chance at reincarnation.
It was easy to foresee.
Many powerful beings would fall during this Ascension Trial. After all, purging these "unstable elements" was one of the trial's main purposes.
"Senior, could you draw the map of that valley in greater detail for me?"
Chen Lin made his request.
Though these two were powerful High-tier Dominators and their words were highly credible, he would never resign himself to it without going there himself.
"No problem."
Lu Jiuxuan picked up the pen, traced a line on the map, and marked it. It was the shortest route from this inn to the valley.
Chen