While Lin Heng and his two companions waited, the others gradually emerged from the maze over the next three days.
When the eleventh person appeared and completed the treasure hunt at the Lotus Pond, Tian Wu spoke.
"Alright, continue straight ahead from the left side of the lotus pond until you reach the foot of that towering mountain. There, someone will guide you to continue your trials."
Tian Wu's words caused the Ascenders Ones to frown.
Ling Wushuang stepped forward, cupped her hands in greeting, and asked, "Senior, shouldn't we wait for our other companions?"
"Others?"
Tian Wu snorted coldly, "There are no living people left in the maze. You may proceed to the next level on your own."
As soon as he finished speaking, the space around Tian Wu trembled and distorted slightly, and he disappeared completely.
Upon hearing his words, the Ascenders were in an uproar.
"Did everyone else perish inside the maze?"
"When we came out, they were already so old that they had difficulty walking."
"The others are only at the Primordial Realm; they might not be able to survive."
After a few helpless words, Ye Feng and the others all looked at Ling Wushuang, waiting for him to make a decision.
At this moment, Ling Wushuang also felt quite helpless.
Who could have imagined that a mere maze would perish within it, along with all the other powerful beings of the Primordial Chaos besides Lin Heng?
If we had known this would happen, we would have been better off having them stay outside with those who failed the test; at least they could have saved their lives.
But there's no such thing as knowing beforehand, and even less so about "what ifs." When the facts are before our eyes, we can only accept them.
"Alright, let's go!"
While Ling Wushuang was gritting her teeth and stunned, Lei Yuxiao deliberately shouted and led the people of the Eight Great Imperial Clans to set off first.
Apart from Lin Heng, all the others who emerged from the maze this time were at the Heavenly Firmament Realm, meaning that the entire Primordial Realm had been wiped out.
The Primordial Realm from the Eight Great Imperial Clans had already perished in the previous Hundred Illusions Mountain Range, so naturally they had nothing to do this time.
Such a high-profile departure was merely to annoy the Ascenders.
Ling Wushuang watched Lei Yuxiao lead four members of the Eight Great Imperial Clans away, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
"Let's go too!"
Without further hesitation, Ling Wushuang led the way out, with Lin Heng and the others following closely behind, heading towards the towering mountain.
After passing through the lotus pond and a field, and walking for about two thousand meters, the group finally arrived at the foot of the high mountain.
Looking up, the mountaintop was nowhere to be seen.
The mountain peaks soar into the clouds, creating a truly magnificent sight.
The mountainside is extremely steep, and rocks fall down from time to time.
Even standing at the foot of the mountain, you can sometimes hear the wind whistling past from the mountainside.
"Not bad, ten people actually made it here."
"You are the largest group of challengers to have ever come here."
A man's voice echoed from inside the mountain.
Lin Heng and the others quickly retreated.
Soon, a figure emerged from the mountainside.
The newcomer had a human face and a tiger's body, covered in golden scales, with a snake piercing his left ear. His entire body shimmered with a faint golden light, and he looked incredibly majestic.
"I am Ru Shou, the guardian of the Heavenly Mountain Rushou."
"Your test is simple: just climb to the top of this Heavenly Mountain with your bare hands, and you'll receive a reward."
Rushou didn't seem to like talking much; after briefly explaining the rules, he remained silent.
Lei Yuxiao, Ling Wushuang, and the others exchanged glances. Judging from their previous trials, they had gradually come to understand a certain principle.
Do not blindly believe the one-sided statements of these gatekeepers.
The stone tablet in the Hundred Illusions Mountain Range was supposed to be open to the public, but it directly led to the demise of all the Primordial Realm cultivators from the Eight Great Imperial Clans.
The maze level seemed simple, but in the end, apart from Lin Heng, none of the other Ascenders beings at the Primordial Realm left alive; they all died of old age within it.
This hurdle is being touted as easy, like just climbing a mountain, but can we really believe it?
"Senior, are there any restrictions on mountain climbing?"
Having learned his lesson, Lei Yuxiao took the initiative to cup his hands and ask.
"His cultivation was sealed, turning him into an ordinary person, only able to fight bare-handed."
Rushou sparingly uttered three sentences.
Now everyone realized just how difficult the challenge was.
Sealing cultivation level?
If Ling Wushuang and the others had the cultivation level, climbing this mountain would be an easy task.
Without cultivation, climbing with a mortal body is practically an impossible task.
As for the second sentence about becoming an ordinary person, it seems to follow a similar logic to the first sentence about sealing one's cultivation level.
But upon closer reading, one can grasp the true meaning of Rushou's words.
It's clearly telling you that if you fall while climbing a mountain, you're dead.
Looking at the third sentence, it says one can only do it barehanded.
This restriction is even greater.
Without tools, how could one climb such a steep mountain?
Faced with the three restrictions proposed by Rushou, the people of Nine Heavens hesitated for a moment.
After all, many had already died, and no one wanted to risk their life here as well.
The people exchanged glances, and it was clear that more than half of them already harbored thoughts of retreat.
Lei Yuxiao realized something was wrong.
The purpose of entering the ancient ruins was only one thing: to find treasure. The most important objective was to find an opportunity to kill Lin Heng.
If all the other helpers have retreated, how can he possibly complete the mission of killing Lin Heng all by himself?
Thinking of this, Lei Yuxiao bowed to Rushou again and asked, "Senior, what kind of reward will we receive if we pass the test of Heavenly Mountain?"
Sure enough, as soon as Lei Yuxiao asked the question, everyone else immediately looked at Rushou.
"Inheritance and Baptism."
These four simple words held a greater attraction for them than First-Class Primordial Chaos Spirit Treasure.
Although the process of passing on one's heritage is also divided into different levels.
But ever since arriving at the ruins, he has witnessed the captive monsters of the Heavenly Firmament Realm and the strength displayed by Tian Wu.
The ruins have been classified as the highest-grade ruins by the general public.
How could the heritage and spiritual cleansing within such a top-tier historical site be anything less than exceptional?
This is equivalent to a great opportunity.
Even though they all understood that this kind of inheritance and baptism might leave them with nothing.
But there is another possibility.
Accepting the legacy leads to breakthroughs.
Cultivators are essentially fighting for that tiny bit of opportunity amidst countless battles.
With such a great opportunity presented to us, who wouldn't be tempted?
As Rushou finished speaking, those who had initially intended to back down immediately hardened their resolve.
Rushou glanced at the eleven people present, unwilling to say another word, and simply stepped aside.
The meaning is clear: if you want to climb the mountain, feel free to do so.
However, neither side chose to climb immediately. Instead, they each retreated a short distance and began to discuss the matter.
Faced with a towering mountain, no one is confident that they can climb to the top on their own.
Only by helping each other can we reach the summit together.
Furthermore, the Eight Great Imperial Clans have an even more important matter to discuss.
If they were to sabotage the climb up this towering mountain, could they possibly take the opportunity to kill Lin Heng?