Initiation Trial

Bai Ze stopped meticulously recording the Primordial Forbidden Formations, and the two of them traveled much faster as a result.

Before long, they arrived at a relatively flat clearing near the mountaintop.

Here, white clouds billowed, rosy clouds gathered, green grass spread like a carpet, and ancient towering trees shot straight into the heavens. The Primordial Qi was so dense it had condensed into mist—a veritable earthly paradise!

Yet Bai Ze stood rooted to the spot, not daring to move, because beneath the splendid facade of swirling clouds and glowing dawn light, he could clearly see countless terrifying formation patterns flickering in and out of sight.

These formation patterns were densely packed and intricately interwoven, merging with the clouds and radiant haze, blending into the roots, stems, leaves, and veins.

They were even more complex and profound than the Primordial Forbidden Formations he had seen along the way.

Especially the faint, elusive terrifying Dao aura they emitted—it made every hair on his body stand on end.

This was definitely not something naturally formed!

If not for his Insight Divine Ability, he likely would not have detected it either.

Bai Ze's throat bobbed as he swallowed, then he looked at Duobao beside him.

"Brother, why is the formation here so terrifying? Is it a naturally formed Primordial Forbidden Formation?"

Duobao gave a wicked grin. "Little brother, if Master heard you say that, he would definitely laugh out loud in delight."

Suspicion filled Bai Ze's eyes. "What do you mean, Brother?"

Duobao straightened his back and clasped his hands behind him. "These formations were not formed by nature. My Master personally laid them down, imitating Primordial Forbidden Formations."

"So, if Master heard a genius like you, who can comprehend Primordial Formations, praising him, he would definitely strut off to Second Senior Uncle and boast."

"Uh..." Bai Ze gave an awkward laugh. He did not particularly care that Duobao was using him to flatter Upper Clear Heavenly Venerable.

What truly concerned him was the somewhat lively, unrestrained personality of the Heavenly Venerable that Duobao had described!

But after thinking it over carefully, it seemed perfectly normal.

The Three Pure Ones he knew of were all the Three Pure Ones after becoming Saints.

As for what they had been like before attaining sainthood, later generations had no detailed records. He could only surmise that before becoming Saints, the Three Pure Ones had likely been more like "people."

Bai Ze looked around. Since such a grand formation had been set up here, this should be where Three Pure Ones' Courtyard stood. Yet there was nothing in sight. Could Three Pure Ones' Courtyard be located elsewhere?

"Brother, may I ask whether the Heavenly Venerable's residence is elsewhere?"

Duobao smiled and shook his head. "You have already entered the grand formation. Do not wander about. Wait here for a moment while I go in and report to Master."

Bai Ze was slightly stunned by this. Lowering his head, he saw that the ground beneath his feet had somehow long since become covered in dense formation patterns.

The sight made his scalp tingle. Just as he was about to look up and question Duobao—

Duobao took a step forward!

The next moment, dazzling lines suddenly lit up amid the surrounding clouds, mist, grass, trees, and even the void itself.

Then the formation patterns in the void before Duobao flashed brightly. Gorgeous formation lines continuously intertwined, turning into a vortex-like gateway.

"Little Brother Bai Ze, if you have nothing to do, you may study this formation carefully. Remember, do not run around blindly. Otherwise, you will be reduced to flying ash."

Duobao bared his teeth in a grin and waved at Bai Ze. Then he fell backward, and his figure instantly vanished without a trace.

Bai Ze stared wide-eyed at Duobao's antics. "This... why does it feel like I've been set up?"

He then shook his head. "Don't overthink it. Duobao said he was going to report in, so he probably was not lying."

"Since that is the case, I'll wait here peacefully."

"Hopefully, it isn't just an illusion."

Bai Ze sat down cross-legged and began breathing in and refining the dense Primordial Spiritual Qi here.

It had to be said that although this was also Kunlun Mountain, the Primordial Spiritual Qi atop the mountain was far denser than that within his own abode.

He wondered how it compared to the ancestral spiritual vein where Devil Ancestor Luohu resided—Mount Sumeru in the west...

As Bai Ze entered meditation, boundless Primordial Spiritual Qi surged into his mouth and nose like mighty rivers.

Meanwhile, as Bai Ze cultivated, six eyes in the void stared unblinkingly at him outside the formation.

Their gazes were brimming with curiosity.

"Senior Brother Duobao, how long did it take you to comprehend this formation back then?" a small golden flood dragon asked, raising his head.

"It took nearly ten thousand years to comprehend it completely. As for figuring out the path in and out, roughly three thousand years."

Duobao pondered for a moment before answering slowly.

The golden flood dragon's eyes widened. Duobao's attainment in formations was the highest among the three of them, yet even he had taken so long.

"Senior Brother Guang Chengzi, how long did it take you?" The flood dragon tilted his head toward Guang Chengzi.

A man enveloped in purple mist paused, then softly said, "About the same amount of time for me."

The golden flood dragon instantly broke out in a cold sweat. Venerable Yuanshi had picked him up casually, unlike the two direct disciples beside him, who had successfully become disciples through their own abilities.

Yet after spending these years together, he knew perfectly well just how terrifying the talents and origins of these two were!

Even so, it had taken them ten thousand years to fully comprehend this grand formation!

One could well imagine how intricate and difficult this formation was!

"Senior Brother Guang Chengzi, Senior Brother Duobao, how long do you think this Bai Ze will need to fully comprehend it?"

The golden flood dragon steadied himself and looked at Bai Ze within the formation, asking curiously.

Guang Chengzi gazed at Bai Ze in the formation with calm eyes, then shook his head.

"Since Eldest Senior Uncle has taken a liking to him, no matter how poor his comprehension may be, it should not be much worse than ours."

"I wouldn't be so sure." Duobao looked at the cultivating Bai Ze with a smile in his eyes.

Guang Chengzi slightly raised his head. "Oh? It seems Junior Brother Duobao has great confidence in this Bai Ze?"

"Of course. In my opinion, my little brother's comprehension is at least more than a cut above yours and mine!" Duobao praised him without the slightest restraint.

Guang Chengzi immediately became interested. Looking at Duobao Daoist, he smiled. "Shall we have a round?"

"Bring it on!" Duobao replied, then looked toward the golden flood dragon. "Huanglong, do you want to have a round too?"

Huanglong repeatedly shook his head. "Senior Brother Duobao, please do not set your sights on my meager possessions. It took me more than a hundred years to save enough."

Duobao wrapped an arm around Huanglong's shoulders and chuckled. "Just play a little. Otherwise, wouldn't it be too boring to merely watch?"

Seeing Duobao trying to fleece Huanglong again, Guang Chengzi could only shake his head helplessly.

"Junior Brother, stop bullying Junior Brother Huanglong. He has not formally entered Master's sect yet and has few treasures. I will cover his share for him."

Duobao reluctantly withdrew his hand and laughed awkwardly. "I was only joking with him. Come, I'll decide this round's wager!"

Guang Chengzi smiled calmly and waved a hand. "Junior Brother, please."

Just as Duobao and the other two wagered on how long Bai Ze would take to successfully comprehend the formation, two indistinct figures in the courtyard were playing a game of Go.

"Junior Brother Lingbao, how long has it been since your disciple took such an interest in someone?"

The young man smiled. "That rebellious disciple of mine never rises early unless there is profit to be had. He has probably received some benefit from someone again."

"But Second Senior Brother, why did you allow him to climb the mountain?"

The middle-aged man held a white stone and pondered slightly.

"I had not intended to pay attention, but before Eldest Senior Brother went to the Chaos Sea, he said this child would be a variable and told me to keep an eye on him."

The young Daoist watched the changing board in silence for a moment. "If he is a variable, why not kill him?"

The middle-aged Daoist picked up a white stone. Light and shadow flickered uncertainly in his eyes, as though he were seeing Bai Ze meditating and cultivating through the board.

Only after a long while did he place the stone. "Let us wait and see."