The Trial, Young Friend, Please Wait

"Hmph! A mere early-stage Violet Palace Mansion cultivator, relying on a slightly better flying boat, thinks he can shake off my pursuit, Jinchenzi? How naive!" A hint of disdain flashed in Jinchenzi's eyes. "Senior brother underestimates this kid. He has at least five hundred jin of Essence Liquid in his pocket, plus that flying boat. Killing a Violet Palace brat and plundering such a huge fortune is a really good deal."

It was the third day since Ji An arrived here.

"Everyone!" A powerful voice, as deep as thunder, suddenly resounded through the mountains, penetrating every wooden and stone house, and startling Ji An, who was cultivating, awake.

"It's time to head to the Prison Mountain Great Marsh."

The sound waves rolled on, making people's eardrums vibrate.

Ji An's expression changed slightly. "Such terrifying strength, such imposing power—"

He walked out of the wooden house with ninety-nine other cultivators, all of whom had come to participate in the Yinglong Guard trial.

Ji An looked up and saw three figures standing in front of him. The leader was an old man with silver hair and a black robe. He was surrounded by a chilling and murderous aura. When his gaze swept over, it was as if a Black Dragon was looking down at ants.

"Is this the strength of Void Returning Realm expert?!" Ji An shocked.

Where the old man's gaze fell, it seemed as if the sharp edges of weapons were flashing, causing everyone present to feel a chill. He then coldly began—

"You one hundred cultivators have gathered. Set off immediately for the Prison Mountain Great Marsh."

Ji An and the others listened intently.

"You are not yet Yinglong Guards," the silver-haired, black-robed elder said coldly. "Therefore, you can only stay in this desolate place temporarily. Once you truly join the ranks of Yinglong Guards, you can naturally enter the heart of the Red Dragon Mountain Range."

As he spoke, he pointed to the distant peaks of the Red Dragon Mountain Range.

"That is the true base of the Yinglong Guard." The old man's tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable air of authority. "You only need to know that there are currently more than twenty immortals cultivating in seclusion within my Red Dragon Mountain Range!"

Upon hearing this, all the cultivators except Ji An felt their hearts clench painfully.

It should be noted that even the "Black-White College," the most prestigious of the eight major powers, only has a handful of immortals.

The number of cultivators who Void Returning Realm from a single branch of the Yinglong Guard is comparable to the total number of cultivators from the eight major powers!

The silver-haired elder continued, "Our Yinglong Guard branch is comparable in strength to the Anchan Beishan Clan, and its foundation is even superior. Heavenly Immortals will also personally come to preach to us. By joining our Yinglong Guard, one can learn supernatural powers and secret techniques, and even have the opportunity to go to the Great Xia Capital headquarters for training—but all of this is contingent on being a member of the Yinglong Guard."

He stood still, his voice piercing straight to the heart. "Now, each of you shall state your background and strength. There is a minimum requirement to join the Yinglong Guard. If you cannot even meet that requirement, then there is no need to go to the Prison Mountain Great Marsh; you may return directly."

Wow!

A Bronze Ancient Mirror suddenly floated high in the air, its surface shimmering with an obscure halo.

"You must truthfully report your origins and strength. Anyone who dares to falsify information will be killed without mercy. You." The silver-haired old man pointed to a woman dressed in an elaborate floral palace gown, with a cool and aloof demeanor. The light from the bronze mirror immediately locked onto her.

The woman in palace attire bowed slightly, her voice ethereal like the clinking of jade. "Hundred Flowers Immortal Realm, Qi Refining, Mid-stage of Myriad Phenomena, Hua Xiangrong."

The old man nodded slightly. "Next."

"Dragonhunter Clan, Godfiend Body Refinement, Late Stage of Myriad Phenomena, Lie Long Zhenshan!"

"Late stage of Godfiend Body Refinement Myriad Phenomena?" A hint of approval flashed in the old man's eyes. "Not bad. Next."

"Jinchenzi, Qi Refining, late stage of the Ten Thousand Fire Sword Sect Myriad Phenomena, Wanhuo Sword Sect." Jinchenzi dared not conceal his strength any longer and reported in a deep voice.

The cultivators took turns reporting their information. Joining the Yinglong Guard required strict verification. With the Yinglong Guard's intelligence capabilities, they could easily obtain detailed information simply by knowing the cultivator's background and name. No one dared to utter a single falsehood—lying in front of Void Returning Immortal was tantamount to courting death.

"You." The old man quickly pointed to Ji An, who was standing at the end of the line.

"The Ji Clan Yan Mountain, through Godfiend Body Refinement, Seventh Layer the 'Crimsonbright Nine Heavens Diagram'."

A hint of surprise flashed in the silver-haired old man's eyes, and he subconsciously looked at Ji An.

Even the Void Returning Immortal showed surprise, let alone the other cultivators; everyone was completely astonished.

The minimum requirement to join Yinglong Guard is to be Wanxiang Adept.

Only those who cultivate the Legend first Godfiend Body Refinement method, the "Crimsonbright Nine Heavens Diagram," can be exempted from the requirement of reaching the Violet Palace level, making them a special case.

Even if they are exceptions, most of the people who come to try are geniuses who have cultivated to the ninth level and whose combat power is comparable to the early stage of the Myriad Phenomena. How come there is a Seventh Layer here today?

"The Seventh Layer the Crimsonbright Nine Heavens Diagram is at most equivalent to the late stage of the Violet Palace. How dare they participate in the trial?"

"What kind of power is the Ji Clan of Yan Mountain that they dare to send such a genius into danger?"

The cultivators secretly pondered, knowing full well the extraordinary nature of the "Crimsonbright Nine Heavens Diagram." It was recognized as the number one body-refining method in the God and Demon Era. One needed to cultivate it to the ninth level to have combat power comparable to the early stage of the Myriad Phenomena. Those who could cultivate it successfully were all geniuses, one in ten thousand, and would be given special cultivation even among the eight major powers.

"Hmm--" The silver-haired, black-robed elder activated the Bronze Ancient Mirror, its light enveloping Ji An. After a moment, he slowly nodded, "Indeed, it's the Seventh Layer."

"Next." He turned to another person.

Just then, a voice suddenly rang in Ji An's mind. It was the voice transmission of the silver-haired, black-robed old man. "Your name is Ji An? The Crimsonbright Nine Heavens Diagram has been the Legend number one method since the God and Demon Era of gods and demons, containing many profound mysteries. Once you join the Yinglong Guard, you will know how to unleash the true combat power of this divine and demonic body. However, your current cultivation level is still low. If you are willing, I can arrange for you to join the Yinglong Guard's reserve force first. After you cultivate to the tenth or even eleventh level, you can participate in the trial. At that time, you will be safe and sound."

The old man glanced at Ji An out of the corner of his eye, as if waiting for a response.

Ji An, and nodded slightly to the old man, his eyes showing no hesitation but unwavering determination.

Soon, all the cultivators had finished reporting their information.

The silver-haired, black-robed elder waved his hand, sending out a hundred Communication Talisman, and said in a deep voice, "Only by refining these Communication Talisman can you enter the heart of the Red Dragon Mountain Range and travel to the Prison Mountain Great Marsh via the Teleportation Array."

Ji An and the others immediately refined the Communication Talisman, and the old man then manipulated the clouds and mist, lifting them into the air and flying towards the heart of the Red Dragon Mountain Range.

Along the way, Ji An frequently saw Yinglong Guards flying on various magical artifacts; each of them possessed a calm and powerful aura.

The clouds suddenly swooped down, and Ji An immediately saw a huge and complex tower-shaped array standing on the mountain peak below.

As the clouds settled, everyone gazed at the great formation before them—approximately 800 zhang tall and 100 zhang in diameter, its entire body enveloped in a hazy gray light. The base was shaped like a nine-palace complex, and the frame was forged from rare Black Iron, covered with dense Ancient Runes. Only the top of the tower faintly emitted a sliver of white light.

Beside the great formation, ten elderly men dressed in simple linen clothes stood guard. Upon seeing the silver-haired, black-robed elder, they all bowed respectfully.

"Preparations are complete," the old man commanded in a deep voice. "These one hundred cultivators must be teleported to the Prison Mountain Great Marsh immediately!"

"Yes." The ten elderly men in hemp robes immediately entered the formation and began adjusting the formation patterns.

The silver-haired, black-robed elder looked at Ji An and the others, his voice deep and resonant. "This is a top-tier teleportation array, capable of taking you directly to the capital of the Great Xia Capital. Any prefecture on this land can be reached instantly."

He then changed the subject. "The Prison Mountain Great Marsh, two million miles away, is one of the three most dangerous places in Anchan Commandery. You must survive there for three months and bring back the head of a Myriad Phenomena Demon to officially become Yinglong Guards. Death, headlessness, or returning before the three months are up will all be considered failure."

Hundreds of cultivators responded in unison, their eyes filled with determination – having dared to come, they already possessed sufficient confidence.

"Alright." The old man nodded. "Now that you understand the rules, set off. I hope to see you return in three months with the heads of great demons. Remember, do not underestimate those great demons. You will kill them, and they will devour you in return. The hatred between humans and demons has accumulated over countless years, and they will show you no mercy."

Everyone felt a chill run down their spines, realizing the truth.

"All of you, enter the battle!"

"Remember, do not step outside the base of the formation."

Ten elderly men dressed in hemp robes began guiding the crowd into the formation.

Ji An and the others entered the Teleportation Array one by one. The next moment, the array suddenly lit up, and a hazy gray light surged, enveloping the entire array. From the outside, no one could see the figures inside the array anymore.

Brush!

The white light at the spire suddenly surged a million times, dazzling and radiant, comparable to the blazing sun overhead.

As the white light gradually dimmed and the gray light returned to normal, the hundred cultivators within the formation had vanished without a trace; they had successfully arrived at the Prison Mountain Great Marsh.

Ji An felt a violent fluctuation in the space around him, quite similar to the feeling when the Water Manor moved him from the Winged Serpent Lake.

At that time, he had not yet grasped the True Meaning the "Heaven and Earth Great Dao," but now he has deeply understood its essence and can clearly perceive the mystery of spatial travel.

He looked around and found that they were in a small teleportation array that was a hundred feet tall, much smaller than the large array in the Red Dragon Mountain Range.

Beyond the formation lay a vast, desolate wilderness, interwoven with mountains, swamps, and dense forests, stretching as far as the eye could see, the air thick with a pungent aura of demons and the stench of vegetation.

"Come out, everyone."

"Hurry up!"

Two aged voices came from outside the teleportation array, where two elderly men in hemp robes were urging the group on.

The cultivators emerged from the array base and gathered before the old man.

"Listen carefully," an elderly man with gray hair and a slightly plump figure said loudly, "This is the Prison Mountain Great Marsh. For you, the only safe place in the entire wilderness is this teleportation array site. It is guarded by the Yinglong Guards year-round, and surrounded by numerous powerful arrays. No one dares to violate it."

"There are a few more things I need to remind you of," the portly old man continued.

The thin old man beside him then added, stating the four ironclad rules of the Prison Mountain Great Marsh training:

Firstly, although this place is safe, returning before three months have passed will be considered a mission failure;

Secondly, when venturing into the desolate swamp, do not linger in one place for too long; at most, stay for one or two days. The number of monsters in the swamp far exceeds that of humans, and they are extremely familiar with the terrain. If you stay for too long, you are very likely to be surrounded and killed by powerful monsters.

Thirdly, the environment of the desolate swamp is more dangerous than that of a great demon. Some areas contain shattered spaces, and if you accidentally enter, with your Myriad Phenomena strength, you will almost certainly die.

Fourth, the desolate swamp is shrouded in mist and clouds, making it difficult to discern directions. One must rely on the sun, moon Stars for guidance; if one walks by feeling alone, one will only be lost forever in the desolate swamp.

After the thin old man finished speaking, the fat old man chimed in, "Alright, the four ironclad rules have been told to you. Now set off. I hope to see you here again in three months. If you encounter any danger you cannot handle, return as soon as possible. Although it may be considered a failure, it will save your lives."

Go ahead, go ahead.

Swish! Swish! Swish!

Streaks of Flowing Light rose from the mountain peaks and dispersed into the depths of the desolate marshland. Some traveled alone, while others went in groups of three or five, each seeking their own destination.

Ji An naturally chose to travel alone. He glanced around, randomly selected a direction, summoned his Void-Escaping Boat, and transformed into a streak of silver-gray Flowing Light, flying off into the distance.

In a short while, the hundred cultivators had scattered and disappeared into the vast wilderness.

The Void-Escaping Boat flew at a constant speed in the high sky. Ji An knew that in the Prison Mountain Great Marsh, the high sky was actually relatively safe.

Through the clouds, he could see that the mountains below were filled with all kinds of monsters, some of which had taken human form and were lined up in neat rows like an army, exuding a fierce aura.

In this Prison Mountain Great Marsh, demons of the Violet Palace are everywhere, and great demons of Myriad Phenomena are not uncommon, but great demons of the Primordial Spirit are extremely rare.

The monsters either ruled over mountains or roamed alone. Those who ruled over mountains were often stronger, which was Ji An's main target—after all, solitary great Myriad Phenomena were extremely rare.

Ji An steered the Void-Escaping Boat at a leisurely pace through the clouds, pondering how to efficiently hunt down the Myriad Phenomena Demon in this unfamiliar and treacherous land.

Just then, a voice suddenly came from behind, carrying a hint of urgency. "Ji An, wait!"