Floating Cloud Trial

In the blink of an eye.

More than two months had passed since Chen Xuan arrived at Hundred Herb Valley.

On this day, a young disciple steered a flying magical artifact down to the entrance of the small courtyard.

"Is Junior Brother Chen in?"

The youth stood outside the courtyard and called out.

Inside the house, Chen Xuan heard the voice and rose to go out.

As he stepped out, his cultivation techniques and Daoist arts were still practicing on their own.

He had long since asked the system, and it had assured him that no one would ever perceive that his techniques and arts had gained sentience.

Likewise, no matter who stood before him, they would never discover that his techniques and arts were self-cultivating while they were in operation.

How could Chen Xuan not trust his "foster father"?

Thus, he walked out directly, feeling completely at ease.

After stepping out, Chen Xuan saw who it was and smiled, cupping his hands in greeting: "Greetings, Senior Brother Song."

Chen Xuan recognized this man.

His name was Song Tao, a disciple of the Pill Hall who had joined last year.

He belonged to the previous batch of disciples.

Before the new batch of disciples became familiar with the sect, the miscellaneous tasks of the various peaks and halls were naturally left to the previous batch to handle.

Hundred Herb Valley was under the jurisdiction of the Pill Hall.

More than two months ago, it was this Senior Brother Song who had been responsible for bringing him to Hundred Herb Valley.

Now, it was this same Senior Brother Song who had come to notify him of the time for the Floating Cloud Trial and to inform him of some specific details.

Chen Xuan invited him into the main room of the small courtyard to sit and poured him a cup of tea.

"Junior Brother, remember to arrive at the Sect Main Hall before the hour of the snake three days from now. Do not be late."

Song Tao took a sip of tea and said.

Chen Xuan nodded, then asked: "Senior Brother, Senior Brother Li from Hundred Herb Valley left in such a hurry that he never spoke to me in detail about the Floating Cloud Secret Realm. I wonder if you could elaborate?

Are there any dangers or other things I should be aware of inside the realm?"

Although he now had the system, he dared not underestimate this trial.

At the very least, he needed to understand the situation inside the realm. If he could also pry some information about the other new disciples from this Senior Brother Song, that would be even better.

Among the disciples who entered with him this year, there were three geniuses possessing Spirit Bodies.

In this world, a cultivator's talent depended entirely on their physique.

Physiques, from weak to strong, were divided into Mortal Body, Spirit Body, King Body, God Body, and Saint Body.

Chen Xuan was merely a Mortal Body.

Hearing Chen Xuan's words and seeing that there was nothing else to do, Song Tao began to speak to him enthusiastically.

"Junior Brother, do not worry. There is no real danger within the Floating Cloud Secret Realm.

Although you must compete with other disciples for tokens, and there are quite a few first-rank early-stage demonic beasts in the realm, there is a grand formation inside that is linked to every new disciple.

If you receive a fatal attack, the formation will immediately block the strike for you and then teleport you out.

Besides that, you will receive a Teleportation Talisman before entering, which you can tear up yourself to teleport out.

However, if you are eliminated before the time is up, half of the tokens you have obtained will be deducted upon exiting.

If you are eliminated by a demonic beast, that half is simply lost; if you are eliminated by another disciple, that half goes to them.

Therefore, after entering the secret realm, remember to avoid other disciples. Once you find some tokens, find a place to hide and stay there until the trial ends.

Right, if there is anything else to watch out for... there actually is: do not eat anything you do not recognize.

It is best not to eat anything inside the secret realm at all.

The Floating Cloud Trial has existed for a long time, and while a few disciples have died within the realm, they all died from being poisoned after eating things they shouldn't have.

So, as long as you don't eat indiscriminately, the worst-case scenario is simply coming away with no gains."

Dying from eating poison...

There were such unlucky fools?

Well, it counted as useful information; he would make a note of it.

"Senior Brother, what are the rewards for the Floating Cloud Trial like?"

Chen Xuan asked again.

Senior Brother Li had perhaps felt that it was impossible for him to obtain the rewards bestowed by the sect, so he had left without mentioning them, saying only that tokens could be exchanged for contribution points.

"The rewards are extremely generous, but unfortunately, only the top hundred receive them."

"Every year, three thousand new disciples join, so breaking into the top hundred is no easy feat."

Song Tao sighed with emotion.

He then proceeded to list the rewards for the top hundred.

The top three would each receive a top-grade magical artifact, a supreme-tier Daoist technique, ten bottles of top-grade first-tier Qi Gathering Pills, and ten thousand contribution points.

Those ranked fourth to tenth would receive a high-grade magical artifact, a high-tier Daoist technique, five bottles of top-grade first-tier Qi Gathering Pills, and five thousand contribution points.

Those ranked eleventh to one hundredth would receive a mid-grade magical artifact, a mid-tier Daoist technique, one bottle of top-grade first-tier Qi Gathering Pills, and one thousand contribution points.

Chen Xuan's eyes lit up as he listened.

He wanted every single one of the four rewards offered to the top three.

Many cultivators in the Spirit Sea Realm did not even possess a top-grade magical artifact.

Supreme-tier Daoist techniques were also incredibly precious.

As for the Qi Gathering Pills, which were slightly less impressive, they were still vital cultivation resources.

Although he could cultivate his techniques and Daoist arts on his own, that did not mean he had no need for resources.

If he had pills to assist his cultivation, his progress would be even faster.

Needless to say, contribution points could be exchanged for pills, magical artifacts, and even more techniques and Daoist arts.

"Senior Brother, do you know anything about the three geniuses who joined this year with Spirit Bodies?

How strong are they?"

Chen Xuan finally asked a crucial question.

Since he intended to make a move, he naturally aimed for the top three.

Furthermore, while Song Tao might not be clear on the status of other disciples with a Mortal Body, Spirit Bodies were different; every year, new disciples with Spirit Bodies attracted significant attention.

Upon hearing this, Song Tao couldn't help but sigh: "Having a Spirit Body is truly enviable.

Not only is their talent immense, but they also receive vast amounts of resources. In just three months, they have already reached the fourth layer of Qi Gathering.

I have been here for a year, and as a disciple of the Pill Hall, my resources are not exactly scarce, yet I have only just reached the fourth layer of Qi Gathering myself.

Among the disciples who joined at the same time as me, there were those with Spirit Bodies who have already stepped into the Spirit Sea Realm.

Sigh... the gap between people..."

Song Tao's tone could not hide his envy.

Anyone in his position would feel the same.

Among his peers, he had only just reached the mid-stage of Qi Gathering, while others had already entered the next realm.

"Junior Brother, it's getting late. I'll be heading off now. Remember, don't be late in three days."

Having said what needed to be said, Song Tao prepared to leave.

"Safe travels, Senior Brother."

Chen Xuan saw Song Tao off.

After watching him depart, Chen Xuan summoned his panel.

[Host: Chen Xuan]
[Realm: Qi Gathering Third Layer]
[Spirit Awakening Point: 2]
[Technique: Flowing Cloud Technique (Spirit Awakened)]
[Daoist Arts:]
[Flowing Cloud Myriad Forms · Proficient (Spirit Awakened)]
[Flowing Cloud Moon-Stepping · Proficient (Spirit Awakened)]

"Even those with Spirit Bodies are only at the fourth layer of Qi Gathering. Among disciples with a Mortal Body, even if there are any at the third layer, they should be few and far between.

Besides... my Flowing Cloud Myriad Forms and Flowing Cloud Moon-Stepping have both reached proficiency. It is not impossible to fight for a spot in the top three."

A flicker of anticipation rose in Chen Xuan's heart.