Outside Dragon Valley, the sun shone brightly, and a gentle breeze carried the fragrance of flowers and grass.
Tang Wulin and Gu Yue appeared out of thin air. They exchanged a smile, both feeling as though a lifetime had passed.
"We're finally out." Tang Wulin stretched, breathing in the fresh air outside, his spirits wonderfully light.
Just then, the Light Dragon King's languid voice rang out in Tang Wulin's Sea of Consciousness.
"Hey, hey, little fellow. Let me tell you something."
The Light Dragon King appeared in his Sea of Consciousness, sitting cross-legged on a golden cloud. With a serious expression, he said, "From now on, only the Dragon God's Tears can grant access to Dragon Valley. Otherwise, you'll never be able to enter this place again in your lifetime."
Tang Wulin froze. "Why?"
"Because I've sealed Dragon Valley's essence inside the Dragon God's Tears," the Light Dragon King explained. "Unless you destroy the entire world and force your way through the spatial barriers—but that would destroy Dragon Valley too. So treasure that divine artifact."
Tang Wulin nodded, inwardly relieved that he had obtained the treasure.
"Understood. I'll keep it safe."
The Light Dragon King nodded in satisfaction, then vanished from his Sea of Consciousness.
Just as the two were about to leave, two rays of light appeared simultaneously in their Seas of Consciousness—the feedback from their divine trials.
A warm aura of life surged through Tang Wulin's mind.
"Life Nine Trials, second trial complete!"
A gentle voice rang out in his mind.
"Reward: goddess of life affinity increased by 10%, one God-Given Soul Ring, and the Life Gate. From now on, you may freely enter the Life Gate to cultivate."
Tang Wulin felt warmth flow through his entire body. His body, somewhat exhausted from spending so long burying bones,