Liu Yunche did not approach directly. He first concealed himself behind an ancient tree, suppressed every trace of his aura, and carefully surveyed the area around the bluestone.
Ancient texts recorded that in ancient secret realms, spiritual materials were often guarded by demonic beasts or restrictions. Alluring spiritual light was frequently a trap.
Besides the scent of rotting leaves and vegetation, a faint earthy odor hung in the air.
His gaze swept over the ground. Beneath the thick fallen leaves lay several fresh claw marks, with shredded leaves scattered around them. Clearly, some living creature had made its lair here.
Liu Yunche bent down and picked up a fist-sized stone. With a slight exertion of his fingertips, he flicked it out.
Thud!
The stone struck the bluestone with a dull sound.
Buzzz-
The spiritual light in the crevice suddenly flickered violently, and the ground trembled slightly.
A low beastly growl rolled out of the crevice, and a stone-patterned beast half a zhang tall abruptly smashed through the rubble.
Its hide was rough as rock, its eyes crimson, and its fangs gleamed coldly as it pounced straight toward where the stone had landed.
Sure enough, a demonic beast was using the spiritual light to lure people into its trap.
Liu Yunche silently retreated several steps and waited.
Power lay dormant within his body. He was in no hurry to strike.
Just then, a brief scream suddenly came from deep within the forest to the east. It lasted only a moment before cutting off abruptly, leaving not a whisper behind.
Liu Yunche looked toward the source of the sound, his brow creasing slightly. It had been an ordinary martial artist taking part in the trial.
Aboard the spirit vessel, the elders glanced indifferently over that stretch of forest, their expressions calm.
In