"By the way."
Chen Changming paused, suddenly recalling something. He asked instinctively, "Miss Xueqi, how did you learn of Marquis Xuangang's cave abode?"
Dong Xueqi's expression turned somewhat complicated. Her gaze lowered slightly, as though she had sunk into memories.
She sighed softly. "During one of my excursions for experience, I was hunted down by enemies and accidentally stumbled into an Earth Cave. By a stroke of fate, I discovered this ancient cave abode. There was a line of ancient writing carved outside it, roughly stating that only Body Cultivators could unlock the opportunity within. I refused to believe it at the time and tested it myself, but I could not even pass the first trial. The restriction flung me back out. Later, I found two Body Cultivator companions to accompany me, but they were not strong enough. Both of them were buried in the cave abode's third trial..."
"What is this third trial?"
Chen Changming pursued the question with great interest, a trace of gravity flashing through his eyes.
A trial that had killed two Body Cultivators was surely no trifling matter. He needed to understand it clearly beforehand so that he could prepare himself.
Dong Xueqi's expression grew solemn, and a hint of wariness flickered in her eyes. She said slowly, "The third trial is a puppet. No one knows what material that puppet was forged from. Even after countless years, it remains completely intact, and it is exceedingly powerful. If you cannot defeat it, you cannot gain Marquis Xuangang's recognition, much less enter the final inheritance grounds."
"Miss Xueqi, two people have already died there. If I go, I might well be walking straight into a dead end."
Chen Changming gave a muffled snort, deliberately lowering his voice and putting on an appearance of lingering fear.
He