Trial Grounds

The portal to the Trial Grounds stood within the Black Market Hall.

The two guards at the gate saw Jiang Feng approach and each bowed to him.

"Greetings, Young Master."

Jiang Feng smiled at them. "No need for such courtesy, senior brothers."

"I would like to enter the Trial Grounds. Would that be possible?"

The two guards exchanged a glance. One of them spoke up. "Young Master, you wish to enter the Trial Grounds so soon?"

"If I recall correctly, Young Master, you had previously been cultivating in the outer sect all along, correct?"

Jiang Feng nodded. "That's right. I had been cultivating in the outer sect until now."

"What, am I not allowed to enter the Trial Grounds?"

The guard immediately shook his head. "Of course not. The Trial Grounds are open to inner sect disciples and core disciples. Naturally, Young Master may enter."

"Moreover, Young Master will not be subject to any restrictions upon entering the Trial Grounds."

"It is merely that this subordinate recommends that Young Master refrain from entering the Trial Grounds for now."

Jiang Feng was rather curious. "Why?"

The guard replied with a smile, "Forgive this subordinate's boldness, but if Young Master enters the Trial Grounds now, you will only be asking for hardship."

"Since Young Master had previously cultivated in the outer sect, you have not come into contact with the many mid- and high-level cultivation arts of the Blackstone Mountain Range. Presumably, you have only mastered some relatively low-level cultivation arts."

"If Young Master enters just like this, you will certainly be asking for hardship."

"Within the Trial Grounds, whether it is a mirror-image challenge or an exotic beast challenge, the demands on one's strength are extremely high."

"Therefore, this subordinate suggests that Young Master first visit the Scripture Repository and select