Miao Jingkong's escape along Peach Garden Road continues, but given his current condition, it's unlikely he'll be able to hold out until he escapes Peach Garden Road.
Already severely injured by the stone beast and not yet recovered, he was now being Zhu Rong and attacked with fire by Zhu Rong, which aggravated his injuries and even reduced his flight speed to more than half of what it was before.
Strangely enough, Zhu Rong could have killed Miao Jingkong outright, but he just kept throwing fireballs at him from time to time, tormenting him without actually killing him.
After enduring this ordeal, Miao Jingkong finally flew out of Peach Garden Road without any major incident.
Just as he rushed out of Peach Garden Road, his body went limp, and he fell helplessly from the air, crashing heavily to the ground with a thud that was almost unbearable to watch.
Zhu Rong, who was behind, stopped the pursuit and turned back.
Miao Jingkong felt Zhu Rong's aura fading into the distance, and only then did he breathe a sigh of relief. He struggled to take out a pill, put it in his mouth, and began to recover.
After Miao Jingkong's probing, Lin Heng had a general idea of how to pass the challenge on Peach Garden Road.
First of all, there must be some kind of restriction within Peach Garden Road that limits cultivators' Teleportation; otherwise, Miao Jingkong wouldn't have had to fly there slowly.
Furthermore, Miao Jingkong's flight speed was not what one would expect from the Nine-Turn Samsara Realm.
Clearly, the restrictions within Peach Garden Road also limited the flight speed.
Then came Lin Heng's speculation about the gatekeeper. Even though the gatekeeper was not allowed to use weapons or armor, his own attack and defense were already terrifying. It would be difficult to harm him, at least not with High-Grade Chaos Spirit Treasure.
Lin Heng's Heavenly Venerable Origin Treasure Mystic Yin Sword might be able to injure Zhu Rong, but Lin Heng was unwilling to reveal his trump card in this meaningless battle. Later, when competing with Miao Jingkong for the treasure, they might have to go through a major battle. If he used his trump card now, it would not have the effect of surprise.
Moreover, judging from Zhu Rong's previous attack on Miao Jingkong, this guy was probably restricted in some way and couldn't kill the challengers, otherwise Miao Jingkong would have already died on Peach Garden Road.
"Alright, who's next?"
Zhu Rong, who had returned to Peach Garden Road, shouted, seemingly unable to wait for the next game of cat and mouse.
Lin Heng and the other two all looked at Lin Xiao. After cursing under his breath, Lin Xiao respectfully bowed to Zhu Rong and said, "I'm next. Please wait a moment, senior, give me the time it takes to drink a cup of tea."
Zhu Rong glanced at the other party and, seeing that Lin Xiao's injuries were not light, shook his head and laughed, "Kid, not bad, you managed to withstand the attack of the Water-Repelling Metal and Stone Beast. I'll give you the time it takes to brew a cup of tea."
"Thank you so much, senior!"
Lin Xiao thanked him and, without daring to delay, quickly took out a pill, put it in his mouth, and began to sit cross-legged to recover from his injuries.
Bored, Zhu Rong glanced at Lin Heng and his companions, his gaze quickly settling on Lin Heng. " Third-Turn Samsara Realm. It's fortunate you're not from one of the Eight Great Imperial Clans, otherwise you probably wouldn't even have been able to get through the main gate."
Lin Heng naturally understood that the other party meant that they couldn't get past the stone beast, since the stone beast only attacked cultivators from the Eight Great Imperial Clans.
Furthermore, there are significant differences in aura between different races, and in addition, the Eight Great Imperial Clans each possess their own unique primal aura, so there is no fear that the stone beasts will mistake one for another.
Lin Heng then cupped his hands in a polite gesture and asked with a smile, "I would like to ask you a question, senior. Why does the master of Peach Garden Heavenly Abode harbor such hatred for the people of the Eight Great Imperial Clans?"
At this point, Zhu Rong's smile vanished, and after a moment's hesitation, he said, "Boy, I can't tell you the specifics, but for the people of the Eight Great Imperial Clans to come here and leave alive will be ten times harder than for you."
Zhu Rong didn't say anything, but Lin Heng and the others could already guess.
The sudden disappearance of the two Heavenly Venerable is likely related to the Eight Great Imperial Clans.
Afterwards, Zhu Rong chatted with Lin Heng and the other two. It was clear that although this big man was very strong, he didn't have any airs of a big shot. He just had a slightly fiery temper and was a chatterbox.
While Lin Xiao was recovering, Zhu Rong and Lin Heng chatted about everything from the Ten Regions to the Nine Heavens, and from the Eight Great Imperial Clans to Ascenders. They talked about anything as long as they could speak.
Judging from his appearance, he's probably been cooped up in this Peach Garden Heavenly Abode for a long time.
Just when Lin Heng and the other two were about to give up on this chatterbox, Lin Xiao finally opened his eyes from his meditation and slowly stood up.
"Thank you so much, senior!"
Lin Xiao first bowed respectfully to Zhu Rong before stepping onto Peach Garden Road.
As soon as he entered Peach Garden Road, Lin Xiao didn't hesitate at all and immediately set off to fly forward.
At his peak, Lin Xiao was indeed faster than Miao Jingkong, but he still couldn't shake off Zhu Rong.
The scene from before repeated itself: Lin Xiao ran in front, and Zhu Rong attacked from behind, fireballs raining down on Lin Xiao one after another, just like a snowball fight in winter. Zhu Rong was having a great time.
You could tell from Lin Xiao's tightly clenched lips that he was incredibly frustrated.
Standing at the pinnacle of the Ninefold Heaven, he was always aloof and superior wherever he went.
But now...
How could I not feel resentful that I've become someone else's toy?
Despite his displeasure, Lin Xiao dared not slack off in the slightest.
While enduring the fireball attack from Zhu Rong, Lin Xiao also utilized the advantages of his Wood Clan, continuously healing his injuries with streams of Wood-based energy.
Although he still looked terrible after being beaten, Lin Xiao was much better off than Miao Jingkong overall. At least he saved a third of the time and escaped Peach Garden Road ahead of Miao Jingkong.
'call!'
As Lin Xiao flew off Peach Garden Road and landed smoothly, he immediately exhaled a breath of stale air.
The way he landed so smoothly and gracefully made Miao Jingkong, who was still lying on the ground, extremely envious.
If I had known this would happen, I would have waited until I recovered before attempting the challenge. I wouldn't have faced such perilous situations and ended up in such a sorry state.
After Lin Xiao successfully passed the challenge, Zhu Rong returned again.
The challenges that followed for Liuyun Lan and Chen Yulin were undoubtedly much easier.
Zhu Rong was still suppressing his cultivation level to the same level, but the fireball he condensed and the energy within it were clearly easier than when he dealt with Miao Jingkong and Lin Xiao.
This was practically blatant cheating, leaving Miao Jingkong and Lin Xiao completely dumbfounded.
Clearly, Zhu Rong's statement that their survival in Peach Garden Heavenly Abode was ten times more difficult than Lin Heng's group was not unfounded.
Lin Heng was the last to pass the challenge, and he also had the easiest time.
Possessing multiple powerful physiques, his strength far surpasses that of others of the same level. Zhu Rong, suppressed at the Third-Turn Samsara, was unable to catch up with Lin Heng in terms of speed.
As soon as Lin Heng stepped onto Peach Garden Road, he dashed forward and disappeared in a flash. Zhu Rong gave chase seriously for the first time, but when Lin Heng rushed out of Peach Garden Road, Zhu Rong couldn't catch up. He didn't even get hurt and completed the level perfectly.