The canyon was vast, standing at its base and looking around, everything was dim and shrouded in mist, as if they had arrived at the bottom of an enormous abyss.
The ancient monsters from the Celestial Academy and the Second Elder of the Heavenly Deity Academy were discussing how to open the alchemy furnace and retrieve the possible rare and precious medicines within.
“If not for that quasi-World Tree descending and taking root atop a Yin-Yang Eye, providing us with a reference point, we might never have found this place in our lifetimes,” they said with relief.
This continent was boundless, akin to the vast cosmos. In comparison, fallen stars would seem as insignificant as dust. Searching for anything here without a clue would take countless lifetimes.
The elders from both academies gathered, meticulously studying the situation. Clearly, the ancient monsters from the Celestial Academy were more formidable, their seniority surpassing even the elders of the Heavenly Deity Academy!
One could say they were among the longest-living beings in the world!
Within the Heavenly Deity Academy, only the Grand Elder and the Second Elder were their contemporaries, unafraid of their presence.
After thorough discussion and careful deduction, they gradually deciphered the layout of this place, their faces lighting up with joy. They were certain that, with the great changes in the world, this place was no longer as perilous as before.
“There is a mysterious veil waiting for us to uncover!”
To these individuals, the canyon they saw was merely the surface, far from the true essence and secrets of the so-called sealed land.
“The true ancient land is hidden, and we must break through to reach it!”
Though they had uncovered some secrets, they remained cautious, fearing any misstep that might trigger a catastrophic event.
At the deepest part of the canyon, it seemed like a dead end—a sheer cliff blocking the way. Yet, the elders did not stop, continuing forward.
“Only by passing through this stone wall can we glimpse the truth!”
The Fifth Elder of the Heavenly Deity Academy stepped forward, only to collide head-on with the cliff. A thunderous boom shook the earth, and lightning symbols flashed across his body.
With a loud crash, the Fifth Elder was blasted backward by a bolt of lightning, his chest heaving, face pale, and blood trickling from his lips.
He was injured—just from touching the cliff!
“Haha…” One of the ancient monsters from the Celestial Academy chuckled, calm but his words cutting deep. “Youth is always so reckless. This is merely a trial, yet instead of thinking, you chose to brute-force your way through.”
The Fifth Elder’s face alternated between green and white. How old was he? His age alone could terrify people, yet he was still called “young” in such a mocking, dismissive tone.
As he spoke, the ancient monster from the Celestial Academy stepped forward, standing before the cliff. After careful deduction, he strode toward it.
**Boom!**
A dull impact echoed as the entire canyon and cliff trembled violently. The ancient monster coughed up blood, sent flying backward, severely injured.
Everyone was stunned, a deep chill running down their spines. Even an ancient monster had been wounded—this was terrifying.
“Elder, you were even more direct than I was. Are your injuries serious?” the Fifth Elder asked with feigned concern.
The ancient monster’s face darkened with rage. With a flick of his sleeve, he spat another mouthful of blood before steadying himself, unwilling to speak further.
Two more elders cautiously attempted the same, only to be repelled just as violently.
They discovered that the stronger the individual, the more severe the backlash.
“You—try it!” The ancient monster pointed at a disciple, ordering him forward.
“Me? Elder, even you failed. Wouldn’t I be walking to my death?” the disciple stammered.
“Enough nonsense. Move quickly. This might be a great opportunity for you!” The ancient monster was domineering, leaving no room for refusal.
The young disciple, trembling with fear, had no choice. Steeling himself, he approached the cliff—and with a deep breath, stepped forward.
He didn’t collide with the wall. Instead, he passed right through, vanishing from sight.
“He succeeded! He entered the ancient land where the true opportunities lie!”
The disciple disappeared in a flash, never to return.
“You—come here!” The ancient monster selected another disciple, observing carefully, wanting to test this further.
Again, the disciple vanished, entering the cliff without obstruction.
“How is this possible? Even juniors can pass, while we are barred? What kind of logic is this?” The elders were indignant—this was a humiliation.
“It’s simple. Think of it like a net cast into a lake. Big fish are trapped, while small fish slip through the holes, moving freely as if on a path.”
Soon, they deduced the truth. This was no ordinary cliff—it was a formation, linked to the Inverse Five Elements Array. If fully activated, it could shake heaven and earth, making ghosts and gods weep!
The elders from both academies were dumbfounded. This place barred their entry, allowing only the “small fish” to pass. They were left frustrated and bitterly disappointed.
**Whoosh!**
At that moment, the two who had entered earlier suddenly reappeared, their faces alight with excitement. “Elders! There are countless rare treasures inside!”
Their return confirmed their earlier deductions.
The crowd erupted in uproar—their news was earth-shattering.
Yet, people also noticed their wounds and bloodstains, signs of the dangers they had faced.
“What happened? What kind of world is inside?” an ancient monster demanded.
“There are many spiritual treasures, but also dangers. We tried to gather divine herbs but were struck by runes!” one replied.
Otherwise, they wouldn’t have returned so soon. Though rare herbs existed inside, without the ability to collect them, entering early was meaningless.
“Who else is willing to explore and uncover the secrets within?” an ancient monster asked, sending young elites to compete for fortune and opportunity.
Meanwhile, the Second Elder of the Heavenly Deity Academy and others discussed before asking their students if any wished to venture in.
Among the first group were Shi Hao, Yao Yue, Lü Tuo, and others—all top talents eager to seize the first-mover advantage.
Similarly, the Celestial Academy also sent their finest, the rising stars of the younger generation.
Figures moved, students from both academies separating and approaching the cliff from different angles, maintaining a cautious distance.
“Be careful!”
An elder’s warning barely left his lips before both groups vanished into the stone wall.
Shi Hao felt no impact—it was as if he passed through a layer of mist, lifting a mysterious veil to emerge in an ancient land.
The light was dim, the ground a dark red, as if stained by an ancient bloodbath, its hue unchanged over countless years.
Soon, a sweet fragrance reached him. Ahead, spiritual light shimmered, auspicious energy surging from multiple locations.
This dim ancient land indeed held many rare herbs.
Closest to Shi Hao was a pool, where a silver lotus bloomed, nearly mature, its fragrance wafting for miles, captivating all who saw it.
Not just him—everyone noticed it, their eyes widening as they rushed forward.
**Boom!**
Immortal energy erupted as several figures clashed, mist exploding from the collision.
All were elites—Shi Hao, Lü Tuo, Wang Xi, and their counterparts from the Celestial Academy—now locked in a standoff.
“Soul-Guiding Lotus!”
They retreated, securing advantageous positions, ready for another clash. This herb was beyond priceless—its value immeasurable.
A rare divine medicine, it grew in divine liquid, nearly impossible to find. Even calling it “priceless” fell short.
If one’s soul shattered, consuming this lotus could allow it to undergo nirvana and rebirth.
For cultivators, this was beyond precious!
**Boom!**
The second clash erupted. Even within the same academy, Lü Tuo, Wang Xi, and Shi Hao attacked each other, while the Celestial Academy’s disciples also fought among themselves.
Those with only two strands of immortal energy couldn’t compete, forced back by the shockwaves, their faces pale.
The land here was barren, vegetation sparse, many areas lifeless.
“Phoenix Grass over there!”
A shout startled the battling young supremes. Another rare divine herb had appeared!
**Whoosh!**
Instantly, some leaped away, abandoning the Soul-Guiding Lotus for the Phoenix Grass.
“So you’re that Shi Hao—the arrogant fool who injured our Celestial Academy disciples?” A cold voice rang out.
A stunningly beautiful woman stood before him, clad in blue robes, her figure elegant, three strands of immortal energy swirling around her.
Shi Hao was certain he hadn’t seen her before—she must have remained hidden during prior conflicts.
“Move!” Shi Hao punched forward. Whoever stood in his way would face his wrath—the Soul-Guiding Lotus was his.
“Hmph. You practice the ancient methods yet dare disrespect our Celestial Academy? Do you not wish to join us?” she threatened, clearly aiming to unsettle him.
“If you lack strength, even the Celestial Academy’s name won’t save you. I’ve already taken a male servant with three immortal strands. Would you like to be the female one?” Shi Hao taunted.
It was a provocation, meant to agitate her.
**Boom!**
Another collision—not just between Shi Hao and the woman, but others joined in. Lü Tuo, Wang Xi, and more from the Celestial Academy still fought nearby.
A chaotic battle erupted among the young supremes, all wielding three strands of immortal energy!
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