At the second layer of the tower, everyone looked at the burned-out Unity Talisman in the hand of Golden Dawn Fairy, first in shock, then with various expressions crossing their faces.
"No way, did that kid die so quickly? Could it be that the so-called trial is actually just a trap? This Shura Master really is sinister!" Su Zimo exclaimed in surprise.
"It is rumored that Shura Master has killed countless people in his lifetime, and his famous Magic Treasure is even refined with the flesh and blood of over a thousand cultivators. Deliberately leaving a lethal trap in his own Cave Mansion is not beyond the realm of possibility," Dugu Feng said noncommittally.
"The records left by my sect state although Shura Master's methods are cruel, he walks a forthright path and disdains lying. Besides, if he wanted to kill someone, why would he use such an obviously shoddy tactic that could be seen through at a glance?" Wan Qi Hong shook his head and said.
"So, the trial is fraught with danger, and the kid lost his life due to a misstep?" Lei Ming Ancestor said indifferently.
"It shouldn't be the case; after all, the Unity Talisman burned up too quickly. That lad Yuan Ming might look simple and honest, but to have come this far, he must have some tricks up his sleeve; it's unlikely that he couldn't withstand even a moment's assault," Dugu Feng shook his head and said.
"Perhaps the place where the trial is held has powerful forbidden restrictions that cut off the connection with the Unity Talisman?" Golden Dawn Fairy speculated with slightly furrowed brows, somewhat uncertain.
While the Nascent Soul cultivators were discussing, the Core Formation Stage cultivators naturally could not interject, but Xi Ying, who had been silent and with her head bowed, suddenly looked up and said upon hearing Golden Dawn Fairy's words:
"Elders, how about letting me try my luck as well?"
"Heh, you're in such a hurry? Could it be that there is some involvement between you and that kid?" Su Zimo glanced at Xi Ying, smiling with ill intent.
Dugu Feng, however, stared at Xi Ying thoughtfully without expressing any opinion.
"Senior Su's words are not quite right. I just think that dragging this out is not a solution; after all, the elders also wish to pass through this layer of the trial as soon as possible. Furthermore, Shura Master just mentioned that the trial was set by his Illusion Array Divine Ability. Since I could break the mist within Yin Capital City, naturally, this Illusion Array is not entirely beyond my grasp," Xi Ying replied calmly and logically.
Hearing her tone devoid of any impatience, and seemingly unconcerned about Yuan Ming's safety, and seeing that even Dugu Feng had nothing to say, the rest were too lazy to speculate further on Xi Ying's relationship with Yuan Ming.
Seeing that no one else opposed, Xi Ying bowed slightly to Dugu Feng, then strode forward and stepped onto the Array before the statue.
"When I was young, I once had a Daoist companion, yet her family was powerful and looked down upon my origin, intending to betroth her to another. Unwilling to accept this, I arrived on their wedding day to seize her away, only to discover she had been drugged by her family days earlier and lost her virtue. Upon seeing me, she killed herself. This remains one of the great regrets of my life. If you can overturn this outcome within three chances, you shall obtain the Cultivation Technique I left behind."
As the voice faded, Xi Ying vanished just like Yuan Ming.
After waiting for a moment, Dugu Feng suddenly spoke out, "She's not dead."
Upon hearing this, the other Nascent Soul cultivators looked towards Dugu Feng, only to see him look up with a smile, unwaveringly grabbing another Core Formation Cultivator under his command and swiftly stepping forward, both of them entering the Array together.
"I..."
Following another set of words, both Dugu Feng and the Core Formation Cultivator disappeared.
Seeing this, the other Nascent Soul cultivators set aside their wariness, stepping forward one by one, each of them not forgetting to take along their remaining Core Formation Cultivator.
When it was Lei Ming Ancestor's turn, he was about to step forward and had taken a couple of steps when he noticed that Yan Sijing had not followed. He immediately turned around, calling out in dissatisfaction.
Yan Sijing then came to her senses and hurriedly followed Lei Ming Ancestor's steps.
And when she stood on the Array, she listened to Shura Master recounting the regrets of his life while silently praying to Nether Moon God in her heart.
Praying that he would protect her... and Yuan Ming.
...
Changle Peak Deacon Hall.
As the most significant celebration of Chaotian Sect, the Founding Ceremony was not merely a grand ritual.
The ceremony would last a full seven days, during which, in addition to the customary Disciple Competition, there would be events like the Elders' Discussion of the Dao, Immortal Sect Treasure Hunt, and more. Each of the twenty-one peaks within the sect also needed to prepare a unique event, meant to showcase the achievements and the cultivation ethos that had emerged over the century.
Therefore, whenever the grand ceremony approaches, the Deacon Hall is always festooned with colorful decorations and becomes extraordinarily bustling. Deacons who wish to recruit assistants and disciples from various peaks seeking quality tasks always crowd the hall to the brim, and the clamor rises and falls in waves.
This scene bears a striking resemblance to the annual Lantern Festival in the mortal world, with a sense of "trees of lights and never-ending fireworks, an unparalleled joyous night at the grand fair."
When Yuan Ming arrived there holding his master's token, what he saw was exactly this kind of heated and lively scene; he even couldn't squeeze in for a long while.
He had intended to find Shen Peng to help retrieve the records, but after scanning the room, he didn't spot that plump figure. Presuming that Shen Peng was, as he said, busy with tasks, Yuan Ming had no choice but to stop a disciple from the Deacon Hall who was hurrying by and explain his purpose.
Upon hearing Yuan Ming's request, the disciple appeared as if he had a headache and quickly told Yuan Ming that such matters required the Hall Master of the Deacon Hall to decide, and after pointing out where the Hall Master was, he hurried off.
Feeling somewhat helpless, Yuan Ming could only follow the indicated direction and work his way through the crowd. After much meandering, he found Hall Master Li Can in a small room behind the Deacon Hall, buried in paperwork.
"I am aware of Peak Master Shen's wishes, but as you can see, Junior Brother Zhen, our hall is swamped with work right now, everyone's hands are in use, and I really can't spare anyone to accompany you for the investigation," Li Can said with a wry smile after listening to Yuan Ming's purpose.
"Senior Brother Li, you just need to bring out the relevant records, I am sufficient for the investigation alone," Yuan Ming was not ready to give up.
Upon hearing this, Li Can visibly relaxed, fearing that this junior brother might adamantly insist on his help. He immediately stood up, took a black jade key from a shelf beside him, and handed it to Yuan Ming, saying:
"This is the key to the storeroom where the records are kept. Upon leaving my office, go east to the very end, and the room on the left-hand side is it. The shelves near the door have the records of tasks undertaken in the past year. Junior Brother Zhen, you may consult them freely, but remember not to take or alter anything. The prohibitions on those jade talismans are connected to the Punishment Hall, and if there is any problem, they will know about it immediately."
Yuan Ming was momentarily stunned upon hearing this. He thought about Shen Lingyun's instructions to bring the records back, but then it occurred to him that while the records couldn't be taken out, they could still be transcribed, so he did not take the matter to heart.
He thanked Li Can, took the black jade key, and hung it on his waist.
Just as Yuan Ming was about to turn around to take his leave, Li Can seemed to remember something and added, "Oh, right, Junior Brother Zhen, the preparatory documents for your Lingxing Peak have not been submitted for this grand ceremony. When you go back, please remember to remind them."
"Senior Brother Li, Lingxing Peak was only recently established, and I am the only direct disciple on the peak. Are we also responsible for preparing entertainment for the grand ceremony?" Yuan Ming turned back around and asked with some confusion.
"That is true, but if I remember correctly, doesn't your peak also have several mundane disciples and Qi Refining Disciples? Preparing for these matters is indeed their duty. Besides, especially because there are few on your peak, you should take this opportunity to make yourselves known. Think about it, if your peak makes a good impression and gains fame during the centennial celebration, won't you attract more disciples in the future? And when competing for sect resources, you would have a much stronger say!"
Seeing that Yuan Ming was still unmoved, Li Can continued to earnestly persuade him:
"Actually, this is also a tradition of our sect. Whenever a new peak master takes position, if it coincides with the founding grand ceremony, they usually personally organize some events to showcase their cultivation philosophy to other peak masters and disciples, helping in the recruitment of disciples. Though I've heard that Senior Shen prefers tranquility over activity and doesn't pay much attention to these matters concerning the lower disciples, as his direct disciple, you should take more interest in these things to avoid impacting the development of your peak. This is a matter of lasting significance."
"Thank you for your advice, Senior Brother Li. I will take note of it," Yuan Ming then nodded noncommittally, acknowledging the advice. However, his mind was not really on Li Can's words, but rather, he sensed something odd.
If he hadn't specifically gone and expressed his concerns to Shen Lingyun, his nominal master indeed seemed to be indifferent to the grand ceremony.
But there's all sorts in life, and plenty who don't like the hustle and bustle. After all, Yuan Ming wasn't the Shura Master, and didn't know much about Shen Lingyun's temperament. Perhaps, as Li Can said, he simply preferred quiet to activity and wasn't fond of joining the fray.
Yuan Ming set aside his doubts. Seeing Li Can had buried himself back into his paperwork, he took the initiative to bid farewell and leave the room. Once outside, he quickly made his way towards the storeroom following the directions given.
When he reached the storeroom door and was about to use the black jade key he had taken from his waist, he found the door unlocked.
He was somewhat surprised, but still pushed the door open and entered to find there was also a desk inside with a middle-aged cultivator in green clothes holding documents and a jade scroll, apparently focused on recording something.
When the man noticed Yuan Ming entering, he looked up in surprise and furrowed his brows, saying, "Senior Brother, this place is important to our hall; please do not enter without permission."
Yuan Ming showed the key and token and repeated his purpose, all the while inwardly questioning why Li Can hadn't mentioned that someone would be there.
To his surprise, upon seeing the token in Yuan Ming's hand, the man muttered softly, "Eh, a token from Peak Master Shen? Again, has something been discovered?"
Yuan Ming's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly asked, "May I ask what you mean by 'again,' Senior Brother?"
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