Chapter 790

“I didn’t expect that even after breaking through to the Nascent Soul Nine Tribulations realm, this mana passage would still be so hard to clear.”The middle-aged man in a purple dragon robe didn’t look relaxed at all.

He had thought that with his Nascent Soul Nine Tribulations cultivation, entering this mana trial passage would be like a hot knife through butter—easy, unstoppable.

But reality was nothing like what he had imagined.

This mana passage was far harder than he’d expected.

Because it tested not only how vast one’s mana was, but also its quality and, more importantly, how precisely it could be controlled.

And the control of his own mana happened to be the area where the middle-aged man in the purple dragon robe was relatively lacking.

After all, he had only just broken through not long ago. He hadn’t had enough time to temper and polish himself, to bring his mana under perfect command.

That was why his speed through the earlier stages hadn’t been nearly as fast as he’d expected.

“I wonder what stage the people in the other trial passages have reached.”

His expression dark and heavy, the middle-aged man in the purple dragon robe vanished, entering the fourth stage.

“At last, I’ve entered the fourth stage.”

Right as the middle-aged man in the purple dragon robe broke through his stage, a graceful figure also appeared within the fourth stage of the divine soul trial passage.

It was none other than Tao Xianzi of the Enchantress Pavilion.

Only now, Tao Xianzi’s face was a little pale.

Clearly, she hadn’t passed the third stage easily.

The moment she entered the fourth stage and saw no one around, Tao Xianzi took out a pill. After swallowing it, she began circulating her cultivation to recover.

With the medicinal power assisting her, it didn’t take long before her primordial spirit was fully restored, and she looked radiant again.

“I thought that with the sect’s secret arts, and with my innate divine soul talent that surpasses ordinary people, I could pass the divine soul passage fairly easily. Looks like I was thinking too simply.”

After her mind steadied, Tao Xianzi’s expression turned complicated.

Thinking back on what happened in the third stage, she realized she had underestimated this divine soul passage.

No wonder the ancestor had been so solemn in the records he left behind, warning their juniors: unless they had tempered their divine souls to an extremely high realm, they were not to charge into this passage.

“I wonder where everyone else is. According to the last words the ancestor left behind, starting from the fifth stage, it’s possible to encounter others. I must be extremely cautious.”

Tao Xianzi’s mood grew heavy.

She felt her pace was too slow, yet she had no idea how far her opponents had progressed.

If someone entered the fifth stage before her and set an ambush—like those self-proclaimed righteous-path fools—they definitely wouldn’t treat her kindly.

Especially that bitch Qing Xi. Tao Xianzi suspected Qing Xi wanted nothing more than to kill her immediately.

So Tao Xianzi knew she had to clear this stage quickly and enter the fifth stage as soon as possible.

If she could be the first to enter the fifth stage, that would be her greatest advantage.

“It seems… I can only use some of my reserves.”

With a pained look, Tao Xianzi took out a jade bottle. After hesitating, she finally steeled herself, removed a pill from within, and swallowed it.

Very soon, as the medicinal power erupted, her primordial spirit force began climbing in surging waves.

Then she lifted her gaze toward the fourth stage’s trial.

“So this is the fifth stage. Interesting.”

Within the Flesh-Body Trial, Mo Tushan’s domineering figure appeared in the fifth stage.

He glanced around the space he was in and discovered seven additional teleportation formations. Interest immediately lit up in his eyes.

“According to what the ancestor recorded, once you reach the fifth stage, you can fight the trial-takers from the other passages. Should I go find them and have some fun?”

After thinking for a moment, Mo Tushan made his decision. “Let’s do it. Otherwise, just pushing through stages like this is pretty dull.”

With that, he took a step forward, walked onto one of the teleportation formations, and vanished.

“Finally… I cleared it.”

After spending a full three days on the fourth stage, Tao Xianzi finally broke through.

When the pillar of light appeared and wrapped around her, joy rose on her face.

At the same time, she felt just how difficult the Immortal Palace trials truly were.

Even after using a Blood God Pill, she still needed three days to break this fourth stage.

Wouldn’t the later stages be even harder?

And with the reserves she had left… could she really make it to the end?

“I wonder if someone reached the fifth stage before me.”

A guarded look appeared on Tao Xianzi’s face.

As the pillar of light faded away, her figure disappeared from the fourth stage.

When her vision cleared again, she hadn’t even had time to sense her surroundings before a sharp warning flared in her heart.

Without thinking, Tao Xianzi immediately activated her protective artifact. The red silk draped over her shoulders shot up at once, wrapping around her in layers.

But to her surprise, the ambush she expected never came. Instead, a rough, deep voice sounded out.

“As expected. I guessed right—Fairy, you took the divine soul trial passage.”

“It’s you!”

Seeing that burly, domineering figure, Tao Xianzi relaxed a little.

She revealed a charming smile and said sweetly, “So it’s Senior Brother Tushan. Why did you have to scare me like that?”

But she still didn’t withdraw her artifact, and her heart remained cold and vigilant.

This Mo Tushan really did deserve his reputation as one of the most outstanding disciples of this generation from the Black-and-White Temple.

Even after she had used her reserves, he had still cleared the stage earlier than she had.

“It’s my fault. I’ll offer you an apology here, Fairy.”

Mo Tushan bared his teeth in a grin. “But I waited here because I want to ask—does our agreement from that day still stand?”

“Of course it stands. Being protected by someone as strong as you, such a thick thigh to cling to, is more than I could ask for.”

Tao Xianzi smiled alluringly, then asked softly, “But could you tell me, Senior Brother Tushan, how long you’ve been in this fifth stage?”

“Only a few days earlier than you,” Mo Tushan said.

Tao Xianzi’s heart jolted.

She had assumed he’d only beaten her by half a day, or at most a day.

She hadn’t expected he was ahead by several days.

And she remembered clearly—Mo Tushan had chosen the Flesh-Body Trial.

To enter the fifth stage so quickly… it was hard to imagine just what level his physical body had been tempered to.

This direct-line true disciple of the Black-and-White Temple was even more terrifying than she had thought.

“Senior Brother Tushan’s cultivation is profound. I admire you immensely.”

Tao Xianzi put on a look of worship.

“It’s nothing. The first few stages of these trial passages aren’t really difficult,” Mo Tushan said calmly. “Fairy, since you still remember our agreement, are you interested in doing something big with me?”

“What big thing?” Tao Xianzi asked without revealing anything.

“I want to go find Yu Jian and trade blows. Are you interested in coming with me?”

“Senior Brother Tushan wants to spar with Yu Jian?”

Tao Xianzi was startled at first, then a troubled expression appeared on her face. “You two are unfathomably deep, far beyond your peers. How could someone like me possibly be of any help?”

“You’re too modest,” Mo Tushan laughed. “The Enchantress Pavilion’s Technique is mysterious and profound, unrivaled under heaven—who doesn’t know that?”

“And don’t you dislike that Qing Xi?

“Heaven-Shattering Sword Sect and Kongming Sect are close. Yu Jian and Qing Xi will probably both take the Sword Dao passage.

“Perfect—if the two of us join hands and ambush them, and if we can kill them… wouldn’t that be a wonderful thing?”

“So Senior Brother Tushan wants me to help keep watch.”

Tao Xianzi finally understood.

Mo Tushan wanted to make a move on Yu Jian, but because Yu Jian had an ally and both were two Eight-Tribulation Nascent Soul experts, he wanted to join forces with her.

“Exactly. What do you say?” Mo Tushan said. “I remember your Enchantress Pavilion has a grudge with Kongming Sect too. If you can take this chance to remove one of their genius true disciples, that would be a major merit for you as well.”

Tao Xianzi was immediately tempted.

Mo Tushan was right. If she could truly kill Qing Xi, then after returning to the sect, she would certainly receive a huge reward.

More importantly, the strength Mo Tushan had displayed made her feel this could be done.

But she still didn’t agree right away. Instead, she put on a troubled expression.

“Senior Brother Tushan’s proposal is indeed tempting, but what matters most to me is still clearing stages first. That’s a mission assigned by my master. You know, I’ve had a very hard time even in the earlier stages.”

“You don’t need to rush. The fifth stage trial has a one-year limit. There’s plenty of time. After we kill Yu Jian and Qing Xi, we can take it slow and finish the trial later.”

“One year…”

Tao Xianzi knew this, of course. For a moment, she fell into silence.

Seeing her thinking, Mo Tushan didn’t push.

This woman usually acted delicate and weak in every way, but in truth, he knew very well she was anything but easy to handle.

No one who could cultivate to Eight-Tribulation Nascent Soul was simple.

He also knew some of the grudges between Enchantress Pavilion and Kongming Sect.

He believed she would be tempted in the end.

Sure enough, after waiting a little, Tao Xianzi seemed to make up her mind. She lifted her head and gave a faint smile.

“Then this little sister will go and witness Senior Brother Tushan’s heroic bearing.”

…

“These people really are going to start killing each other.”

Inside the Immortal Palace, Ming Feng looked at the images displayed on the light screen and sneered in disdain.

“No matter how many tens of thousands of years pass, these human cultivators can’t escape their nature of loving internal strife.

“Can’t they think about why Master deliberately left teleportation formations in the fifth stage that lead to the other passages?”

“Maybe they thought of it, but still chose this path,” Old Canglong said. “Besides, it’s not just human cultivators who love internal strife. We spirit beasts and exotic beasts devour each other for cultivation resources too—hasn’t that always been common?”

“That’s right. The weak are food for the strong, survival of the fittest. Weren’t we all like that back then?” the black savage bull said.

Clearly, the three great exotic beasts didn’t fully share the same beliefs.

“Master doesn’t like this,” Ming Feng said coldly. “And look at Ah Qing earlier—he was focused on cracking the formation and didn’t even spare those teleportation formations a second glance. That’s what true firmness of Dao Heart looks like.”

“That’s true. Ah Qing isn’t comparable to these people,” the other two agreed.

Earlier, when Lu Qing entered the fifth stage, aside from taking a brief look at the teleportation formations at the start, he devoted himself to breaking the formation afterward.

He never entered the teleportation formations to go check the other passages.

“Look—they’re about to start fighting. I wonder how many will survive this time,” the black savage bull said suddenly.

At the same time, a flicker of emotion appeared in its eyes.

Life inside the Immortal Palace was boring. Having a bit of drama to watch counted as entertainment.

Boom!

In the fifth stage of the Sword Dao passage, Yu Jian slashed out with his sword, forcing Mo Tushan back for the moment.

But Yu Jian’s aura was unsteady, clearly indicating he had suffered a serious injury.

On the other side, a mass of pink mist covered half the space.

Within it, sword light flashed everywhere, power surging—obviously, powerful experts were also battling inside.

Seeing Yu Jian’s unstable aura, Mo Tushan showed a ferocious grin.

“Worthy of being the senior true disciple of Heaven-Shattering Sword Sect. After taking my Demon Heaven Blood Palm, you can still endure it. But tell me—without time to heal, how long do you think you can hold me off?”

“Demonic scum will always be demonic scum. Apart from sneak attacks, you’re good for nothing,” Yu Jian said.

Yu Jian’s face was pale, yet his gaze remained calm.

“Haha! You hypocritical righteous-path dogs, is that the only line you’ve got? Don’t worry—after you die, I’ll refine your head into my trophy and carry it with me everywhere!”

Mo Tushan’s eyes turned savage. Demonic light churned around his body as he shifted toward Yu Jian and slapped out with his palm.

With demonic qi roiling, the pressure made Yu Jian’s robes flutter.

Facing that violent strike, Yu Jian moved neither hastily nor slowly, slashing out with a sword strike of his own.

A sharp, condensed sword light cleaved forward and struck against Mo Tushan’s demonic palm.

With a burst of explosive force, it was another clash that ended evenly.

“I’d like to see how long you can last!”

Mo Tushan’s gaze turned cold. Stepping forward, he pressed in like endless, sky-high waves, sending palm after palm crashing forward.

Against such terrifying offense, Yu Jian chose a defensive stance. Sword light after sword light protected his body.

Like a stubborn rock in the sea, no matter how violently the waves struck, he held firm without the slightest wavering.

Half an hour passed like this. Mo Tushan’s assault was fierce, yet he still couldn’t do anything to Yu Jian, who remained in a defensive posture.

“The dignified senior true disciple of Heaven-Shattering Sword Sect—are you only capable of hiding like a turtle?!” Mo Tushan suddenly roared.

Yu Jian ignored him completely, as if he truly had become a rock.

He simply slashed again and again, dissolving the incoming attacks, unconcerned with anything else.

Mo Tushan burned with rage.

With a thought, the faint shadow of a demonic tower began to appear behind him.

In an instant, a powerful demonic might swept across the entire space.

“Oh? Going all-out now?” Yu Jian said.

Sensing that dreadful aura, his expression still didn’t change.

As he drove his intent, a sword phantom likewise appeared behind him.

A terrifying sword intent immediately blanketed the whole space.

“This is bad. Those two are about to go all-out!”

Inside the pink mist, Tao Xianzi—who had been using an artifact to trap Qing Xi—felt those two terrifying forces and was instantly alarmed.

She didn’t care about anything else. She immediately recalled her artifact, then without looking back, darted toward one of the teleportation formations.

What a joke. The fifth-stage space wasn’t large. If those two really fought to the death, she’d be caught in the fallout too.

The moment Tao Xianzi retreated, the situation changed again.

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