Deep within the Boundless Vast Sea, in a secluded stretch spanning dozens of li, a cave abode lay hidden.
Layers upon layers of formations concealed it tightly. It was one of the secret abodes Qing Chen had painstakingly carved out.
To activate the trial within the Nine-Luminaries Glazed Vidyaraja Pagoda, he had splurged another hundred thousand spirit stones. This was the third time.
Now, within the Eighth Layer Space, two utterly terrifying auras raged wildly, stirring the space until it hummed and trembled.
Qing Chen gripped the Pojun Battle Halberd in both hands, his palms already split with bloody gashes.
The blood marks on its shaft flickered with an eerie red light as he poured his "golden core true essence" into it with all his might.
Across from him, amid the churning sea of clouds, Jingyun Arhat's figure gradually solidified.
Beneath his pale-gold skin, something like liquid silver seemed to circulate slowly, bearing a terrifying pressure that could shatter mountains and seas.
This was a physical body at the half-step undying realm! As his qi and blood circulated, they connected with the power of heaven and earth, sending out a faint ring of golden ripples, like a deity descending.
"Cunning young benefactor, it has been some time."
Jingyun Arhat pressed his palms together and bowed slightly in greeting, his voice low. "This level's trial calls for a true test of skill."
Before his words had faded, his figure flashed, leaving an afterimage where he had stood, moving too swiftly for the naked eye to follow.
Qing Chen's pupils abruptly contracted, and his true essence, newly advanced to the late golden core stage, surged into his meridians.
In an instant, a pitch-black devil aspect over a zhang tall abruptly appeared behind him.
Its face was hideous, seemingly bearing the faces of