SWDnovel Chapter 177 Dongshi Mountain
Chapter 177 Dongshi Mountain
Beyond the three black peaks, a faint, pervasive barrier of light surrounded them, completely enveloping them. This barrier was crystal clear and difficult to detect without careful observation.
The cultivators who arrived here several days earlier included many who wanted to sneak in beforehand, but now it seems that such a thing is impossible.
Those three dark mountain peaks and the valley in the middle must be the legendary trial area of Dongshi Mountain.
Du Fan glanced around but didn't see Ruoxi and Xiaohu, and couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.
However, he had anticipated this, and after a light sigh, he returned to normal, found a less conspicuous spot, and sat down cross-legged.
Over the next day, cultivators continued to arrive, until, a day later, there were more than five hundred cultivators in the valley.
After another half day, more than ten streaks of light of various colors streaked across the sky, moving swiftly like lightning. In just a few breaths, the streaks of light disappeared, transforming into more than ten figures standing on a rocky outcrop.
Upon witnessing this scene, the cultivators present were naturally agitated. However, when they realized what was happening, they all quieted down with solemn expressions, bowed respectfully to the dozen or so people, and stood respectfully with their hands clasped.
Judging from the speed at which these dozen or so people flew and the spiritual pressure they faintly exuded, they were undoubtedly all Golden Core cultivators. And the fact that these Golden Core cultivators appeared here at the same time meant that they were naturally the elders of the various sects that organized the trial at Dongshi Mountain.
Among these dozen or so Golden Core cultivators were an old man with an air of otherworldly grace, a burly man with bare chest and bare feet, a monk in a cassock, and a stunningly beautiful woman.
However, the most eye-catching among them was the middle-aged man standing in the middle of the crowd.
This person was dressed in black, with a handsome face, narrow eyes, fair skin, and a faint smile that always lingered at the corners of his mouth, giving him a very eerie and effeminate air.
The eerie light in the eyes of the man in black robes instilled a sense of fear in Du Fan at first glance, and at the same time, he guessed the identity of this middle-aged man.
"I am Qianxun, an elder of the Netherworld Sect. We are here to preside over this trial at Dongshi Mountain. The three peaks behind me and the valley area within them are the trial grounds. Now, I will explain the rules of the trial. Fellow Daoists, listen carefully."
The man in black robes stepped forward and, without any pleasantries, went straight to the point.
At this point, Elder Qianxun's gaze inadvertently fell on Du Fan, who was standing in the corner. A glint of light flashed in his eyes, and he paused in his speech.
As soon as Du Fan saw the Netherworld Sect elder looking at him, he immediately felt a sinister aura sweep over him, and at the same time, a powerful divine sense that was not concealed swept over his entire body.
Du Fan felt a chill run down his spine, and his breath caught in his throat.
However, what relieved Du Fan somewhat was that both this person's gaze and divine sense seemed to come suddenly and go quickly, disappearing as soon as they touched him.
"What caught his attention? Was it the Soul Devouring Technique? Or the Qiankun Ring in my storage bag?"
Du Fan's expression hardened, and he couldn't help but mutter to himself.
Elder Qianxun subtly withdrew her gaze, unnoticed by others, and continued speaking:
"Fellow Daoists, as long as you possess the Nether Stones and qualification jade slips issued by our sect, you can participate in this trial. Of course, all of you here are Qi Refining stage cultivators, so I will not go into the other condition."
Within the Eastern Beginning Mountain, our sects have hidden a large number of Nether Stones in advance. These stones are scattered throughout the mountain, and your goal is to collect as many of them as possible.
I would like to remind you that there are many magical beasts below level three in Dongshi Mountain, and the location of the Netherstone is mostly distributed in the habitats of these magical beasts.
The more powerful the monster, the more Nether Stones will appear in its cave.
Ultimately, the number of Nether Stones in each of you will be the standard for your performance in this trial. However, we will not care where you obtained your Nether Stones.
In other words, after the trial is over, we will only recognize the Nether Stone. I think you all understand what I mean.
Furthermore, this kind of Nether Stone is a specialty of our Netherworld Sect. In other words, only our Netherworld Sect can refine it. It contains the sect's unique mark, which outsiders cannot replicate or imitate. Therefore, you do not need to worry about the fairness of the trial.
The trial will last for ten days. Once you enter the trial grounds, we will activate all the layers of restrictive formations outside the three peaks. During this period, no one will be able to enter or leave.
At noon ten days from now, I will open the passage for you, and then you can return the way you came.
Remember, when the time is up, we will give you two hours. If you do not come out after two hours, it will be considered as a forfeit.
Furthermore, you shouldn't plan to stay inside for long. After the trial, Golden Core elders will naturally go in to investigate. If they discover any misconduct, we won't be lenient.
Qianxun paused for a moment, glanced at the cultivators, smiled slightly, and slowly said:
"Regarding the rewards for this trial at Dongshi Mountain, I promise that as long as you come out alive, I will select five cultivators from among these rogue cultivators to join my Youming Sect and become inner disciples of our sect."
If the results are outstanding, the number of participants may be increased as appropriate.
Even if you don't get into my Netherworld Sect, the other eight sects will select some outstanding cultivators from among you to become their disciples. In addition, there will be generous rewards. You must do your best in this trial.
Alright, now we will check the trial credentials. Those who pass can proceed directly into the Eastern Beginning Mountain.
"What? Did I hear that right? Elder Qianxun said he'll select five cultivators to join the Netherworld Sect? And they can directly become inner disciples!"
This is something that has never happened since the start of the East Beginning Mountain Trials. In the past, taking in two outer disciples was the absolute maximum...
"Moreover, other medium-sized sects have never heard of recruiting disciples from rogue cultivators who participate in trials before."
"I wonder if, besides these, the other rewards will also surprise us just as much as in previous trials..."
As soon as Elder Qianxun finished speaking, the more than 500 cultivators present began to whisper among themselves. Everyone's face showed shock and surprise, and the atmosphere was quite noisy.
Upon seeing this, Qianxun frowned and immediately coughed lightly. The sound was not loud, but it could be clearly heard by every Qi Refining cultivator present, causing them to tremble and their minds to buzz.
The cultivators turned pale instantly, and in their alarm, they all fell silent.
Before long, all the cultivators straightened their expressions, lined up, and walked slowly and orderly toward the Golden Core Elder.
The cultivators whose qualification jade slips and Nether Stones had been verified were guided by a Golden Core elder to enter the Eastern Beginning Mountain through a special passage. The jade slips and Nether Stones on their bodies were collected by Elder Qianxun.
In less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, most of the cultivators had successfully entered the trial grounds. All those whose qualifications were checked met the requirements. In such a situation, naturally no one dared to have any idea of cheating.
After another cup of tea's time, only a dozen or so cultivators remained who had not yet entered the mountain, and Du Fan was among them.
"No problem, go in." After taking the item from Du Fan's hand, the barefoot giant glared with his large, bell-like eyes and boomed out.
It was unclear whether this Golden Core expert spoke like this in his daily life or on purpose, but when the voice came out, Du Fan felt a buzzing in his ears and a slight dizziness in his head.
Du Fan's face paled, and he subconsciously activated the Soul Devouring Technique, which helped him recover somewhat. He smiled bitterly to himself, clasped his hands in a salute, and then walked into the nearby Black Mountain.
Watching Du Fan's departing figure, the barefoot man narrowed his eyes and his lips moved slightly, but no words came out.
"Brother Qianxun, this child's spiritual sense is indeed extraordinary. Even compared with a cultivator in the early stage of Foundation Establishment, it is probably not much different. Your previous guess is probably true. This child is very likely to have cultivated the Spirit Devouring Technique."
A barely perceptible glint flashed in Elder Qianxun's eyes as the barefoot giant's voice suddenly appeared in his mind. He nodded slightly and echoed in the same voice:
"Since Brother Tong has said so, then this matter must be correct. You and I have studied this technique for many years, but we have only managed to cultivate it to the fourth level. As for the fifth level, we are unable to fully comprehend it no matter what we do."
However, this child's spiritual sense is stronger than the limit that should be reached in the Qi Refining Realm. His cultivation level of the Soul Devouring Technique has definitely reached the fifth level or even the seventh or eighth level, which is very likely.
If that's the case, then our continued cultivation of this technique will largely depend on this young man.
"Seven or eight layers? That's unlikely. You and I know how profound the Devouring Spirit Technique is. Even if this kid has an amazing talent for cultivating this technique, I'm afraid he can't do it."
Tong, however, believed that the boy's strong spiritual sense must be due to his frequent use of this technique, accumulating it by devouring the spiritual senses of too many cultivators.
After checking the other cultivator's trial certificate, the barefoot giant calmly continued to transmit his voice.
"Regardless, the Soul Devouring Technique is an ancient secret art with profound power, and very few of them have been passed down. Since we are fortunate enough to have obtained it, and now we have encountered such an interesting little fellow, we cannot give up no matter what."
After Elder Qianxun finished checking the credentials of the last trial cultivator, he transmitted the following message.