229: The inner hall opens

On the Ice Fire Path, Han Li's figure was like a small boat, struggling to navigate the boundary between ice and fire.

Below him was scorching quicksand capable of melting Magic Treasures, and above him was a bone-chilling wind that could freeze Divine Souls.

He activated the White Rhinoceros Pendant, bestowed by Old Ancestor Extreme Yin, to its maximum, a layer of warm white light enveloped him, barely resisting the all-pervading cold.

At the same time, he patted his Storage Pouch, and hundreds of thousands of Gold Devouring Beetles buzzed out, forming a golden cloud, battling the ant colonies hidden in the desert.

Even so, Han Li's magic power and Divine Sense were still depleting like flowing water.

His face was pale, his teeth clenched, but his eyes were calm.

After an unknown period, just as his internal magic power was about to run out, a solid square finally appeared before him.

He dared not linger for a moment, forcing out his last breath, and urged the insect cloud to rush over.

The moment his feet touched solid ground, he stumbled, almost falling to his knees, and quickly recalled his severely damaged insect swarm.

On the square, Old Ancestor Extreme Yin had been waiting for a long time, and seeing him emerge, his face, shrouded in black Qi, actually showed a rare hint of relief.

"Not bad, a bit faster than this Old Ancestor expected."

He stepped forward and handed over a bottle of Medicinal Pills, "Quickly restore your magic power; the third trial, the Exquisite Illusion, tests one's Dao Heart, and is even more dangerous than this Ice Fire Path. Remember, if you really can't resist, immediately crush that Boruo Bead; it can keep your Divine Soul clear."

Han Li took the Medicinal Pills, his heart filled with mixed emotions, but he could only respectfully express his thanks, then immediately sat down cross-legged, fully concentrating on recovery.

...

On the square after the third trial, the atmosphere was eerily quiet.

Wan Tianming stroked his long beard, a gentle smile on his face, but his heart was churning with turbulent waves.

He had originally thought that with his profound cultivation at the Middle Stage of the Nascent Soul Realm and his firm Dao Heart, he would surely be the first to pass all three trials.

This was not only a manifestation of strength but also a proof of his Dao Heart Realm!

But when he stepped out of the light gate with high spirits, he saw a cold, palace-dressed figure already standing quietly in a corner of the square, her Aura stable, as if she had been waiting for a long time.

Star Palace, Ling Yuling!

How could this be!

Wan Tianming's first thought was disbelief.

This woman had only advanced to the Nascent Soul Realm a few decades ago, her Foundation was shallow; how could her Dao Heart be more stable than an old fellow like him who had cultivated for nearly a thousand years?

It must be that the Star Palace Twin Saints had bestowed some exotic treasure to protect her Divine Soul, allowing her to cleverly pass!

Yes, it must be like that.

Thinking of this, the imbalance in his heart instantly dissipated, replaced by the demeanor of a Righteous Path leader.

He slowly stepped forward, a perfectly appropriate smile on his face.

"Haha, I didn't expect Fairy Ling to be even faster than this Old Ancestor; truly, the younger generation is formidable."

He politely cupped his hands, "It seems that when we enter the inner hall later, we will still need to rely on Fairy for some assistance."

Ling Yuling merely gave him a calm glance, nodded slightly in return, and said no more, her demeanor remaining cold and aloof.

Beside her, Lin Feng and Purple Spirit's figures were concealed by an invisible Restriction, watching this scene with interest.

"Green Brother, this person is so hypocritical," Purple Spirit whispered via Divine Sense, her tone full of disdain.

"Most people of the Righteous Path are like this," Lin Feng responded indifferently.

Wan Tianming saw Ling Yuling's cold attitude but didn't take it to heart, merely attributing it to youthful arrogance, and found a place to sit down cross-legged on his own.

Not long after, a flash of sword light appeared, and Madam Wen's icy figure also emerged onto the square.

When she saw Wan Tianming and Ling Yuling, her brows furrowed almost imperceptibly, clearly also a bit surprised, but she quickly returned to her unperturbed expression, found the farthest corner, and closed her eyes to rest.

"Boom!"

With a loud bang, Barbarian Hu's burly figure landed heavily, causing the entire square to tremble.

His bell-like eyes swept around, and seeing that three people had already arrived, he immediately pouted unhappily.

"Bad luck! To let a woman and a child get ahead of me!"

He grumbled, ignoring everyone, and found a spot for himself, thrusting his huge wolf-tooth club into the ground, emitting a harsh scraping sound.

For a time, the four Nascent Soul Cultivators on the square were clearly separated, none speaking to each other, and the atmosphere grew even more tense.

The entrance to the inner hall had not yet opened, clearly waiting for all the challengers.

Everyone knew in their hearts that the real struggle had not yet begun.

After another stick of incense's time, the remaining Nascent Soul Cultivators from both the Righteous and Demonic Paths also successively passed through the illusion and arrived at the square.

They saw the four people already waiting there, their expressions varied, but they all wisely remained silent, returning to their respective groups and meditating quietly.

Just then, the light gate flashed again.

Profound Bone, transformed by Lin Feng, emerged from it "just in time," bringing a curious Purple Spirit with him.

"Hmm?"

Old Ancestor Extreme Yin's gaze, hidden beneath the black Qi, sharply shot towards Lin Feng, carrying an undisguised scrutiny and suspicion.

It was this person again.

An unknown Star Palace Core Formation Elder, could he also pass the Exquisite Illusion so quickly?

He always felt there was an indescribable strangeness about this person.

Lin Feng seemed oblivious to his gaze, merely respectfully leading Purple Spirit to stand behind Ling Yuling, then sat down cross-legged, his eyes fixed on his nose, his nose fixed on his heart, his Aura completely restrained.

Old Ancestor Extreme Yin stared at him for a long time, but could not discern any clues, and could only temporarily suppress the doubts in his heart.

Time slowly passed, and more and more people gathered on the square.

However, most of those who passed were Cultivators at the Late Stage or even Perfection of Core Formation, and each of them looked listless, clearly having expended a great deal in the illusion.

Of the hundreds of Cultivators who initially entered the Void Heaven Palace, less than thirty remained here now.

Old Ancestor Extreme Yin's heart gradually sank.

That young man named Han, he wouldn't really have perished in there, would he?

Just as his patience was about to run out, and he even began to consider how to adjust his plan if the Blood Jade Spider was gone, the light gate in front finally lit up again.

A figure stumbled out, his face ashen, his eyes unfocused; it was Han Li, who had just broken free from the illusion.

As soon as he emerged, he saw Old Ancestor Extreme Yin not far away, as if he had found his backbone, and quickly went forward.

"Revered Master!"

"Good! Very good!"

Old Ancestor Extreme Yin's heart settled when he saw him emerge, and he actually took a step forward, personally supporting him, his voice filled with barely suppressed joy.

"It's good that you're fine! Come and sit down quickly!"

He pulled Han Li to his side, that display of intimacy and concern making Barbarian Hu and Qing Yi Hermit, who were nearby, curl their lips in disdain.

With Han Li's arrival, the light gate of the third trial flickered a few times, then completely dimmed.

Within the three trials of the outer hall, there was no longer any sign of life.

"Rumble—"

The entire square suddenly vibrated violently.

In the very center of the square, the ground slowly cracked open, and a massive stone gate, exuding an ancient Aura, slowly rose from beneath the earth.

The inner hall entrance had opened!

At this very moment, several Core Formation Loose Cultivators' eyes burst forth with a determined light.

They knew that if they waited any longer, they would have no chance!

"Charge!"

One of them roared, conjuring several defensive Magic Treasures, pouring all his life's magic power into them, and transformed into a streak of light, rushing desperately towards the stone gate.

The other few also reacted instantly, using various methods, following closely behind.

They were gambling that the Righteous and Demonic factions, wary of each other, would not have time to act!

However, they underestimated the domineering nature of Nascent Soul Old Ancestors.

"Hmph, do ants dare to vie for food?"

A disdainful cold snort sounded; Barbarian Hu didn't even get up.

He merely casually raised his large, fan-like hand and waved it through the air.

A giant palm formed of purple Spiritual Qi appeared out of thin air, like swatting a fly, arriving first despite starting later.

"Bang!"

With a muffled thud, the first Loose Cultivator, along with the several defensive Magic Treasures on him, was instantly crushed into a bloody mist, not even letting out a scream.

The momentum of the giant palm did not diminish, enveloping the few Cultivators behind him as well.

Flesh and blood pulverized, mixed with fragments of Magic Treasures, rained down, staining the ancient stone gate with a dazzling crimson.

The entire square instantly fell silent.

All the surviving Core Formation Cultivators' faces turned pale, their bodies trembling uncontrollably.

"Barbarian Hu, what are you doing!"

Wan Tianming suddenly stood up, his face erupting with anger, and sternly shouted.

As the leader of the Righteous Path, seeing such a scene of slaughtering fellow Cultivators, he had to stand up, both emotionally and rationally.

Barbarian Hu slowly stood up, baring his teeth in a grin, revealing a mouthful of stark white teeth.

"Doing what? Wan Tianming, stop playing dumb with this Old Ancestor!"

He roared in a booming voice, "Do you dare to say that you would willingly let these wastes enter and compete with us for the void sky cauldron?"

"You!" Wan Tianming's face flushed red, choked by his words.

"What 'you' what 'you'?"

Barbarian Hu took a step forward, and a crude and domineering Aura erupted, almost suffocating the Core Formation Cultivators present.

He scanned the Core Formation Cultivators, who were as silent as cicadas in winter.

"This Old Ancestor is laying it out today!"

"The inner hall is not a place for wastes like you!"

Before his words finished, he actually struck again, the purple giant palm re-condensing, grabbing directly at the remaining few Loose Cultivators!

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