88: Dan Realm Trial, Fantasy Ladder

Three days passed in a flash.

In the center of Pill City, in front of a majestic giant tower, it was already bustling with people and the atmosphere was lively. Countless gazes converged on the huge square in front of the tower, where hundreds of young figures with strong auras stood solemnly, each with sharp eyes, full of confidence and expectation. They were the young Alchemists participating in the "Pill World Trial" this time, coming from various forces across the Central Plains, all under thirty years old, with alchemy skills at least at the Fifth-Grade level, and among them were many geniuses who had reached the Sixth-Grade or even touched the threshold of the Seventh-Grade.

Xiao Chen, dressed in a simple green robe, stood among the crowd, not particularly conspicuous. He restrained his aura, suppressing his cultivation to the early Five-Star Dou Zong, and his Soul Imprint fluctuations were also controlled at the level of a Sixth-Grade Alchemist. But in the depths of his profound eyes, a spiritual light that saw through everything flickered. He had long since memorized the contents of the jade slip given to him by Xuan Kongzi, and was well aware of the rules and dangers of the Pill World Trial.

"Look! It's Ye Chong, the genius from the Ye Family, one of the five great families of the Pill Tower! It's said he can already refine quasi-Seventh-Grade pills!"

"And that one, it seems to be Ice Talisman from Ice River Valley, his soul power is extremely strong!"

"Miss Han Xue from Starfall Pavilion is here too!"

"This trial is truly brilliant with so many stars!"

Waves of discussion came from the crowd, pointing out some highly anticipated geniuses. Xiao Chen's gaze swept across, and he indeed saw several young people with exceptionally powerful auras, among them was Han Xue, with whom he had met once. Today, she had changed into a neat, fitted outfit, looking even more heroic and spirited, and she gave Xiao Chen a slight nod.

Just then, on the high platform in front of the square, space subtly fluctuated, and three figures quietly appeared. The one in the center was Xuan Kongzi, who had a gentle smile on his face and his gaze swept over everyone below, lingering for a moment on Xiao Chen. To his left was an old man with a stern face and faint lightning flickering around him (Heavenly Thunder Master), and to his right was a beautiful woman with a graceful demeanor and enduring charm (Mysterious Robe). The three giants of the Pill Tower had gathered here, showing the importance they placed on this trial.

"Silence." Xuan Kongzi spoke lightly, but his voice clearly reached everyone's ears, "The Pill World Trial aims to select talents and hone skills. The trial is divided into three stages: Subtle Herb Identification, Heart Fire Soul Refinement, and Illusionary Heaven Ladder. Only those who pass all three stages will be qualified to enter the final 'Illusionary Heaven Realm' secret realm for enlightenment. During the trial, life and death are left to fate; it's still not too late to withdraw now."

The square was silent, no one retreated.

"Good! Open the Pill Realm!" Xuan Kongzi waved his sleeve, and a vast soul power poured into the huge array in the center of the square.

Buzz—!

The array glowed brightly, and a massive spatial gate slowly opened. Behind the gate was a world filled with rich medicinal fragrance and strange energy.

"The trial begins! Enter the Realm!"

With a command, hundreds of figures, like locusts, rushed into the spatial gate, jostling to be first. Xiao Chen, blending into the crowd, neither fast nor slow, also stepped in.

First Stage: Subtle Herb Identification

Inside the Pill Realm, it was not the immortal realm one might imagine, but a vast and boundless strange space. The sky was a faint blue, and on the ground, countless strange plants grew. The air was filled with a complex scent of thousands of mixed medicinal herbs, so rich it was almost tangible.

As soon as everyone stepped in, they felt an invisible pressure envelop their entire bodies. Dou Qi circulation became sluggish, and soul perception was greatly restricted. In front, a winding path appeared, and along both sides of the path, every few meters, a cluster of light, varying in color and mixed in aura, floated.

"The first stage: Subtle Herb Identification." Xuan Kongzi's voice echoed in everyone's mind, "You must proceed along this path. Within the light clusters along the path, there are mixed medicinal properties of three or more herbs. You must accurately identify all the herbal components within ten breaths and point out their conflicting or synergistic properties. Those who answer correctly may continue; those who answer incorrectly or exceed the time limit will be eliminated."

As soon as the words fell, some impatient individuals rushed towards the first light cluster, their soul power probing within. A moment later, their faces changed drastically, and they stammered, unable to identify even a single herb. They were immediately transmitted out of the realm by a beam of light.

"So difficult! These medicinal properties are too mixed!"

"Soul perception is suppressed; it's too hard to distinguish!"

Exclamations rose from all sides, and everyone then realized the difficulty of this stage.

Xiao Chen's expression was calm as he walked to a light cluster. His Spirit Realm Great Perfection soul power quietly spread out. Although suppressed, its essence far surpassed ordinary people, and the precision of his perception was still terrifying. The chaotic medicinal properties within the light cluster appeared clearly in his perception, as if unraveling silk from a cocoon.

"Crimson Flame Fruit, Ice Spirit Grass, Earth Core Body Tempering Liquid... The properties of these three conflict. If forcibly fused, it would trigger an energy explosion. They need to be neutralized with a mild wood-attribute herb like Green Spirit Branch..." Xiao Chen instantly understood in his mind. He flicked his finger, and a stream of soul information entered the light cluster.

The light cluster brightened slightly, and the restriction on the path ahead opened for him.

Xiao Chen passed easily and continued forward. His speed was not fast, but every step was as steady as a mountain. No matter how complex or strange the medicinal properties within the light cluster, he could always accurately identify them and point out the key within two or three breaths. His relaxed and carefree demeanor quickly attracted the attention of others.

"Who is that person? Such fast speed!"

"Is that the one called Xiao Chen? The new Venerable from Thousand Medicine Workshop? His soul perception is so keen!"

Han Xue, Ye Chong, Ice Talisman, and other top geniuses also noticed Xiao Chen, and a hint of surprise flashed in their eyes. They believed they could also pass, but certainly not with such ease.

Xiao Chen ignored the gazes of others and focused on the challenge. This Subtle Herb Identification was not only a test for him but also a form of learning, deepening his understanding of medicinal herbs. Unconsciously, he had pulled far ahead, being the first to pass the long path of the first stage, his figure disappearing into the light gate at the end.

Second Stage: Heart Fire Soul Refinement

Passing through the light gate, the scene abruptly changed. Before his eyes was a huge magma lake, and above the lake, countless flickering Heart Fire seeds floated, varying in color, extremely high in temperature, and emitting terrifying heat that scorched the soul. In the center of the lake was a solitary stone platform.

"The second stage: Heart Fire Soul Refinement." Xuan Kongzi's voice rang out again, "Cross the Heart Fire Lake and reach the central stone platform. Along the way, you must endure the suffering of the Heart Fire scorching your soul. Those who cannot endure will be eliminated."

As soon as the words fell, several people impatiently rushed towards the lake, attempting to cross quickly using their movement techniques. However, as soon as they touched the Heart Fire, they let out piercing screams, their souls seemingly thrown into a furnace, instantly scorched, and they retreated to the shore in disarray, their faces pale, clearly having suffered significant soul damage.

"This Heart Fire specifically harms the soul! Dou Qi defense is largely ineffective!"

"We must resist with soul power!"

Everyone's expressions were solemn. They all sat down cross-legged, circulated their soul cultivation techniques, and condensed their soul defenses before cautiously moving towards the center of the lake. With each step forward, the scorching sensation of the Heart Fire intensified, and their souls felt as if they were being cut into a thousand pieces, causing immense pain. Many people, after traveling less than a tenth of the way, experienced severe soul pain and were forced to give up.

Xiao Chen stood by the lake, feeling the familiar Heart Fire fluctuations, and the corners of his mouth curled imperceptibly. He had experienced the Heart Fire tempering of the Heaven Burning Qi Refining Tower, and although the Heart Fire of this Pill Realm was intense, it posed little threat to his Spirit Realm Great Perfection soul, which had also been tempered by the origin of the fallen heart flame.

He did not rush forward, but carefully observed the Heart Fire seeds. In his perception, these Heart Fires were not chaotic; their distribution and intensity seemed to contain a certain pattern, subtly corresponding to the soul's endurance limit.

"So that's it. This stage not only tests the strength of the soul but also the precise control and rhythm of soul power." Xiao Chen realized. He no longer hesitated and stepped into the lake.

Unlike others who defended with all their might, he concentrated his soul power in the core of his Sea of Consciousness, forming only a thin but tough membrane on the periphery, like the most precise filter, allowing only an appropriate amount of Heart Fire energy to penetrate to temper soul impurities, without harming the foundation. At the same time, he used his Illusory Spirit Steps, his figure ethereal, precisely avoiding the overly violent Heart Fire cores and moving along a path of relatively gentle energy towards the central stone platform.

His speed was not fast, but his steps were extremely steady, and his expression was as usual, as if he were taking a leisurely stroll. This formed a stark contrast with the other people around him who were grimacing and struggling to move forward.

"Monster!"

"Is his soul made of iron?"

Those on the shore who had not yet started or were resting watched dumbfounded.

Even Han Xue, Ye Chong, and the others were struggling to move forward slowly with all their might, their faces pale. Seeing Xiao Chen so relaxed, their shock was beyond words.

Ultimately, Xiao Chen was still the first to step onto the central stone platform. A flash of light on the stone platform transported him to the next stage.

Third Stage: Illusionary Heaven Ladder

In the final stage, what appeared before their eyes was a towering white jade ladder that reached into the clouds, with no end in sight. Clouds and mist swirled above the ladder, and each step radiated spatial distortion. Furthermore, a powerful soul pressure descended from above, enveloping the area.

"The third stage: Illusionary Heaven Ladder." Xuan Kongzi's voice carried a hint of solemnity, "Ascend the Heavenly Ladder, step into the Illusionary Realm. The Heavenly Ladder has nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine steps. For every thousand steps ascended, you will encounter a layer of soul illusionary realm test, directly targeting your inner weaknesses and obsessions. Only those who reach the summit can enter the 'Illusionary Heaven Realm'. Those who fall will be eliminated."

This time, no one dared to rush forward. Everyone could feel that the soul pressure and illusionary power contained on this ladder were far more terrifying than the previous two stages!

Xiao Chen took a deep breath, his eyes solemn. He could feel that this Heavenly Ladder was the real challenge for him. The illusion directly targeted the heart, testing one's will and Dao heart, and had little to do with the level of soul realm.

He stepped onto the first rung of the ladder.

Boom!

A heavy soul pressure descended, and at the same time, the scene before his eyes began to blur and distort... The first layer of illusion was his ordinary life as a common person in his previous life, warm but unremarkable, tempting him to abandon the arduous path of cultivation and return to a simple life. Xiao Chen's Dao heart was firm, and he saw through the illusion at a glance, his steps unwavering.

The second layer of illusion was the tragic scene of the Xiao Family in Wutan City being annihilated, with his relatives wailing and blood flowing like rivers, igniting endless hatred and savagery within him. Although Xiao Chen felt pain in his heart, he knew it was an illusion. He guarded his spiritual platform, using revenge as motivation rather than being consumed by hatred.

The third layer of illusion was him obtaining the system, having a smooth journey, becoming the supreme being of the continent, revered by thousands, tempting him to indulge in illusory power and glory. Xiao Chen sneered, knowing deeply that power must be cultivated by oneself, and external objects were ultimately aids. He shattered the illusion with a single step... He climbed layer by layer, not fast, but every step was incredibly firm. The illusions changed endlessly, sometimes warm, sometimes terrifying, sometimes tempting, yet they could never shake his core desire to pursue the peak of power, uncover the mystery of his transmigration, and protect those he cared about.

Other geniuses also began to ascend the ladder, but soon, some screamed and tumbled down the steps, losing control of their minds and being eliminated. Even Han Xue, Ye Chong, and others struggled with each step, their faces pale, clearly battling within the illusions.

When Xiao Chen stepped onto the seven-thousandth step and encountered the seventh layer of illusion, the scene suddenly changed!

He seemed to be in a vast starry sky. In front of him, a blurry but incomparably majestic figure stood with its back to him. The aura of that figure was of the same bloodline as his, yet it was as vast as the universe!

"Junior of the Xiao Clan... why have you come?" A ancient and majestic voice directly echoed in the depths of his soul.

Xiao Chen's mind was greatly shaken; this illusion actually touched the deepest secret of his bloodline!

"For power, for truth, for my clan!" Xiao Chen replied in a deep voice.

"Power... may bring destruction... Truth... may be cruel... The clan... is already a thing of the past... Is it worth it?" The figure slowly turned, its face blurry, but it had a pair of eyes that could see through eons, gazing at him.

Xiao Chen was silent for a moment, then looked up, his gaze as firm as a rock: "It's worth it! Without power, one doesn't even have the qualifications to seek truth and protect! Even if the road ahead is full of thorns, I will press forward without hesitation!"

"Good..." The figure nodded slightly and gradually dissipated.

The illusion shattered! Xiao Chen felt as if his soul had undergone a baptism, becoming even more clear and firm! He looked up at the endless top of the Heavenly Ladder, with an unyielding flame burning in his eyes.

One step, two steps... He endured the increasingly strong soul pressure, broke through layers of increasingly perilous illusions, and climbed upward with unwavering determination.

When he finally stepped onto the last rung of the Heavenly Ladder, standing at the cloud-shrouded peak, the entire Pill Realm seemed to fall silent. He was the first, and the only one, to reach the summit!

At the summit, there was only an ancient stone gate, on which the three characters "Illusionary Heaven Realm" were carved.

Xiao Chen pushed open the stone gate and stepped inside. Behind the gate was a chaotic, void space where the flow of time differed from the outside world, and countless fragments of laws and ancient Soul Imprints, sparkling with various colors, floated within!

This was the greatest opportunity of the Pill World Trial!

And at the moment Xiao Chen stepped into the Illusionary Heaven Realm, outside the Pill Realm, on the high platform, Xuan Kongzi's eyes burst forth with unprecedented brilliance, and a satisfied smile appeared on his lips.

"This child is indeed extraordinary!"