Lin Heng arrived at the first floor of Heavenly Estate.
They discussed the challenge of the third level of Heavenly Estate again with Dijiang.
This time, Dijiang did not refuse outright, but instead reminded Lin Heng to think things through carefully before making a decision.
Lin Heng had already considered this before coming, so he naturally wouldn't hesitate at all now.
Seeing his resolute attitude, Dijiang did not try to persuade him any further.
Afterwards, Dijiang took Lin Heng alone to the third level of the Heavenly Estate.
At the bottom of that abyss, where the view stretches to the horizon.
The third level of Heavenly Estate is hidden here.
After Dijiang waved his hand to open the spatial restriction.
He grabbed Lin Heng's arm, and the two disappeared into the abyss.
When they reappeared, the two had arrived at a magnificent palace.
In the main hall of the palace, there are thirteen paths in total.
Dijiang told Lin Heng.
These thirteen paths lead to the private palaces of their twelve guardians and Mu Chen.
The path directly ahead leads to Mu Chen's destination.
However, Lin Heng cannot proceed until he passes the test of the third level of Heavenly Estate.
Then Dijiang pointed to a small path on the left.
"This is the first challenge you need to overcome."
"From here lies the path to Gou Mang's dwelling."
"He controls the Origin of Wood."
Dijiang's last sentence seemed casual, but Lin Heng's eyes lit up upon hearing it.
Thank you!
After Lin Heng clasped his hands in thanks to Dijiang, he walked toward the path.
Don't assume that Dijiang's words were just casual remarks.
This reminded Lin Heng that Gou Mang controlled the Origin of Wood.
This also means that Lin Heng can start thinking about the upcoming battles in advance.
The nemesis of the Origin of Wood is undoubtedly the Origin of Fire.
However, simply relying on the inherent restraint in combat is far from enough.
After stepping onto the path leading to the Gou Mang Palace, Lin Heng continued to ponder.
As you walk, a pleasant, natural fragrance wafts towards you.
Looking up, I realized that I had unknowingly walked out of the palace path and arrived at a paradise on earth.
Looking out, a vast forest stretches as far as the eye can see.
Blue sky and white clouds, lush green trees.
Birds sing and flowers bloom, petals fall in profusion.
Even just approaching the edge of the forest, before stepping inside, one can already feel a sense of relaxation for both body and mind.
In particular, the abundant life energy in this great forest caused Lin Heng's Origin of Wood to operate automatically.
It seems that Gou Mang must have put a lot of effort into managing this place.
Cultivating here would be twice as effective for cultivators who possess the Origin of Wood.
Just as Lin Heng was surveying the vast forest ahead, a gentle voice came from the void.
"You must be Lin Heng, the one Brother Dijiang mentioned?"
Hearing the other party's kind tone, Lin Heng also bowed respectfully.
"Junior Lin Heng pays respects to Senior Gou Mang."
Lin Heng wasn't being arrogant, after all, only by passing the test could he gain the other party's approval.
If he fails the test, then the difference between him and Gou Mang is not a loss, and being addressed as a junior is not a disadvantage.
As soon as Lin Heng finished speaking, Gou Mang did not appear. His voice still echoed from the void, leaving people unable to discern its direction.
"Want to challenge me? Let's see if you're qualified."
"You have one day. If you can find me in this forest, then you will be qualified to challenge me."
"If even my true form cannot be found."
"Go back to where you came from!"
Gou Mang had a longer tone, and his voice echoed continuously in the sky above the forest.
When the echo completely dissipated in the sky, Gou Mang also became completely silent.
Lin Heng looked at the vast forest ahead once more.
The power of the soul spread at an alarming rate.
It must be said that this forest is quite vast.
It could even be described as frighteningly large.
Even with Lin Heng's soul power, it took a full 70% of it to spread before it could completely cover the forest.
As for how wide Lin Heng's soul power spread out?
Even at the First Heaven, Lin Heng could cover it with less than 50% of his soul power.
This makes it easy to see just how terrifyingly large Gou Mang's forest palace was.
But when Lin Heng's soul power completely covered this forest space...
He couldn't detect any sign of life in it at all.
Could it be that Gou Mang isn't even within this space?
impossible!
Lin Heng immediately refuted his own idea.
It is highly unlikely that the other party would make such a ridiculous claim.
Clearly, there are some secrets about Gou Mang that I cannot uncover.
I recall the path I took to reach the Gou Mang Palace.
Dijiang once deliberately mentioned that Gou Mang controlled the Origin of Wood.
Could it be that Gou Mang utilized the Origin of Wood to completely merge himself with this forest?
Even Lin Miaoyin, the Saint Emperor of the Wood Clan, might not be able to achieve this.
However Gou Mang's strength far surpasses that of the Saint Emperor.
The use and understanding of the Origin of Wood is beyond the comprehension of someone at the level of Saint Emperor.
It is indeed highly possible to achieve a fusion between oneself and all things in the wood element.
If that's the case, finding Gou Mang in this vast green sea won't be an easy task.
Confused, Lin Heng also sat cross-legged at the edge of the forest and began to think quietly.
The day passed quickly as Lin Heng pondered.
In the blink of an eye, ten hours had passed.
Lin Heng tried many methods during this period, but none of them were very effective.
Only two hours remained.
This put Lin Heng in a difficult position.
We've already come all this way.
Are we really going to go back without even seeing Gou Mang?
Moreover, Dijiang once said...
The challenges faced by the final four guardians gradually increased.
Since Dijiang was the first hurdle, he sent himself to find Gou Mang.
That means the test here at Gou Mang is the easiest.
If we can't even see Gou Mang now, how can we talk about testing him? Let alone the remaining three trials.
Time passed second by second.
Before long, another half hour had passed.
The deadline given by Gou Mang is now drawing ever closer.
A sense of anxiety arose in Lin Heng's heart.
Did I come here brimming with confidence?
In the end, they didn't even qualify for a single battle, and left in such a humiliating defeat?
Lin Heng gritted his teeth, his eyes narrowed, and a cold glint flashed deep within them.
Anger caused Lin Heng's Origin of Fire to surge.
A spark flashed past Lin Heng's eyes.
Um?
As Lin Heng watched the spark streak across his face, the anger in his heart instantly subsided.
yes!
Why didn't I think of that before?
Gou Mang could certainly blend himself into this forest.
Simply finding him is indeed very difficult.
But what if I were to use the Origin of Fire to burn down this forest?
Can Gou Mang continue to hide?
Thinking of this, Lin Heng's lips curled up into a smile.
"Senior Gou Mang, finding you was indeed not easy..."
Lin Heng deliberately drew out his words.