Chapter 853 - 450: Inheritance Trial (Part 1)
"Master, this! Is this asking us to participate in the Inheritance Trial?" Xiaowa looked at Li Mu with a mix of excitement and surprise.
"That’s right, the inheritance of an Extreme Realm Daoist Monarch. I didn’t expect Chi Hong Daoist Monarch would choose his successor in this way." Li Mu nodded and looked up at the vast stone statue in front of them, overwhelmed with excitement. If he could pass the trial this time, gaining this Daoist Monarch’s lifelong knowledge, his future cultivation path would become incredibly smooth.
"Master, this is the Daojun legacy, we..." Chi Lian Fire Phoenix showed signs of hesitation, feeling uneasy about the method of this inheritance trial.
Xue’Er’s face was slightly pale, grasping Li Mu’s hand with worry written all over her face.
"Rest assured! This inheritance is indeed somewhat dangerous but not fatal. If it doesn’t work out, don’t push it. Erasing the golden talisman on the arm allows you to withdraw from this trial," Li Mu smiled faintly as he explained the golden talisman attached to his right arm.
With the Innate Divine Power - Recognition of Ten Thousand Spirits, Li Mu understood the role of the golden talisman; it’s the key to accepting this inheritance, offering a bit of protection akin to the Sword Tower Talisman of the Profound Celestial Sword Sect.
This trial inheritance doesn’t lead to death. If you know your strength is insufficient, erasing the talisman allows you to safely exit the Secret Realm Space, but it also means missing the inheritance. Persisting to the end may risk one’s life.
Moreover, the inheritance from Chi Hong Daoist Monarch isn’t easy to obtain. Smoothly passing through the two levels of the trial is far from simple.
There are 100 of these stone statues in this secret realm, meaning there will be four hundred trialists participating in the first trial. With the trial’s commencement, this inheritance space will undergo various desperate situations and traps, continuously shrinking the limited space. Only the teams surviving through adversity, successfully contending, will qualify to continue to the next round of trials.
Li Mu gazed at the stone statue, waiting for the number to fill, anticipating the start of this inheritance trial.
Meanwhile, the emergence of Spirit Void Blessed Island in the Eastern Illusion Sea Region sparked an overwhelming commotion, rapidly sweeping through the entire sea region, attracting countless High-Tier Cultivators’ attention, who flocked like tides from all directions, setting the East Illusion Sea Region ablaze, causing countless cultivators to boil.
Those reclusive masters usually residing in the deep mountains or cultivating on isolated islands have appeared one after another, rushing towards Spirit Void Blessed Island. Their appearances undoubtedly bring more attention to this grand event.
At this time, surrounding Spirit Void Island, Low-Tier Cultivators ranging from Nascent Soul to Foundation Establishment were present, but the powerful spiritual pressure and restrictions emitted by Spirit Void Blessed Island prevented cultivators below Nascent Soul from landing on the island; all they could do was surround it and watch, witnessing this once-in-a-millennium spectacular event.
"Look quickly, those four Flood Dragon mounts! Is the person atop them the island master of Hidden Spirit Island—Venerable Cyan Dragon?" A sharp-eyed Nascent Soul Cultivator exclaimed quietly.
The words just fell, causing a burst of amazement among the surrounding cultivators; Venerable Cyan Dragon is a formidable giant in the Eastern Illusion Sea Region, his strength is unfathomable and a subject of admiration among many cultivators.
With Venerable Cyan Dragon’s appearance, cultivators across the sea region were in an uproar. They speculated on what kind of opportunity Venerable Cyan Dragon might find with Spirit Void Blessed Island’s emergence and what rare Spirit Treasures he might acquire.
Just as they saw off Venerable Cyan Dragon entering the island, next, a blue thunderbolt flashed instantly, eagerly landing on the Spirit Island right behind Venerable Cyan Dragon.
"That person who just flew past, isn’t he the Sect Master of Thousand Thunder Sect—Master Lei Ming?"
As they watched the blue thunder light leave, it immediately sparked another wave of discussion among the present cultivators.
"People from Thousand Leaf Island have come too!" Another cultivator pointed at a massive warship in the distance; banners were flying, and the deck was crowded with cultivators, belonging to the group from Thousand Leaf Island. Their arrival undoubtedly added more excitement to this grand event.
As shouts of astonishment arose, the cultivators surrounding Spirit Void Blessed Island, whether Nascent Soul or Golden Core Cultivators, showed expressions of surprise and excitement. They either whispered to each other, engaged in quiet discussions, or concentrated intently on the scene, creating a bustling atmosphere.
Just then, the tranquility of the sky was shattered by a sudden streak of black light. That black light, akin to a comet fallen from the starry sky, pierced through the air with fierce momentum, instantly descending before everyone’s eyes. As the black light dissipated, a burly man appeared, his hair scattered, dancing wildly in the wind as if venting endless demonic intent. He wore demon armor covered with spikes, each armor piece reflecting a gloomy glow, and the overwhelming demon qi emanating from the armor was like a gigantic wave of darkness, surging vigorously, tainting the surrounding air with demonic intent.
His gaze was as cold as a blade-edge, sweeping across the cultivators present, showing no emotion, treating them as mere ants. Those low-tier cultivators who had been whispering earlier became ash pale under the powerful demonic pressure, and their discussion halted as if frozen. Their hearts filled with terror as breathing under the presence of this demon god became difficult.
However, the man seemed indifferent to the crowd, his attention absorbed by Spirit Void Blessed Island. He furrowed his brows slightly, seemingly searching for something, yet not finding who he was after. Thus, he flicked his form, instantly transforming into a dense surge of demon qi, like a black storm, violently sweeping toward Spirit Void Blessed Island before plunging into the mysterious island.
"Mom! Who is that person, his eyes are terrifying, I feel he could crush me with a mere thought!" A low-tier cultivator shouted in terror, his voice trembling uncontrollably.
"Is that the island master of Demon Slaughter Island?" Some cultivators speculated.
Once this was said, immediately others shook their heads in denial: "No, it’s not him. Ancestor Demon Xue Sha doesn’t have such grand demeanor, besides, he had already entered the island before. This person seems to be hurrying from even farther away."
"That demon qi is too terrifying, his cultivation is likely above Refining Void!" A knowledgeable Nascent Soul Cultivator said in horror, his voice carrying a hint of fear and unbelievable shock.
"Above Refining Void? Impossible!" This exclamation reverberated among the cultivators as ripples, arousing disbelief on everyone’s face, since the Void Refining Realm is already unattainable for them, yet now they witness a stronger presence.
"An Integration Realm Demon Cultivator! Where did he come from!"
The voice of someone trembling came, attempting to ascertain the mysterious expert’s origins. Integration Realm Demon Cultivators are almost non-existent in the Eastern Illusion Sea Region, rarely mentioned. Now due to Spirit Void Blessed Island’s appearance, who knows how much turmoil it will ignite.
"Let’s leave quickly! This place is not safe for a long stay!" A Nascent Soul Cultivator urgently addressed his companions, signaling with fear in his voice; with such a strong figure intervening, who knows what might transpire next.
Upon hearing this, numerous Low-Tier Cultivators decided not to get involved in the fray, as the appearance of the Integration Demon Cultivator made Spirit Void Blessed Island’s opportunities beyond their reach, while those cultivators holding a false sense of luck at this moment awakened, starting to retreat.
The fleeing cultivators dispersed like tides, their faces showing panic, fleeing in all directions, afraid of being targeted by the Integration Demon Cultivator if delayed. Across the sea, in the skies, various magical artifacts and spirit beasts departed swiftly.
Amidst the chaos, some low-tier cultivators chose to stay; Spirit Void Blessed Island’s appearance is a once-in-a-millennium event, although perilous, it embraces endless opportunities. They are willing to risk their lives for a slim chance of fortune.
Thus, on this chaotic region of the sea, some flee, some remain, forming a vivid contrast.