After paying the toll to the Celestial Light White Dolphin, they were finally able to step onto the dolphin and head straight into the depths of the swirling sea of clouds.

This was indeed quite a rare experience.

Standing on the dolphin felt very stable, as if walking on air, surrounded by drifting clouds, enveloping them on all sides.

The thrill of this journey was truly satisfying.

Like riding the clouds and fog.

But unfortunately.

Due to the dolphins' extreme speed, they reached their destination in less than half a cup of tea's time, dropping everyone off and swiftly flicking their tails as they left.

Li Ye was still somewhat unsatisfied.

He thought that if spending a thousand Spirit Stones could let him experience the thrill of "riding a dolphin in flight," it seemed worth it, especially since he had also picked up a Spirit Clam of unknown value.

"Hmm? Junior Brother looks like he hasn't had enough fun." A senior brother spoke up, "Don't worry, when we get to the Third Layer Celestial Palace, there will be plenty for you to enjoy."

Saying this, a mysterious smile appeared on his face.

A few other senior brothers echoed, "The Third Layer is indeed interesting."

"When I first arrived at the Third Layer Celestial Palace, it took me quite a bit of effort to barely get accustomed to it."

"But it is truly a rare experience."

Listening to their mysterious hints, Li Ye's curiosity was piqued, so he simply said, "Then I'll go take the test immediately and see what surprise it really is."

——In the forefront was an unbroken stretch of jade pillars faintly visible amidst the clouds, marking the testing ground of the Second Layer Celestial Palace.

As Li Ye stepped forward.

Some words appeared on the tall jade pillar closest to him, reaching into the clouds: Bestow the grace of the Xiguang upon the mundane.

Then suddenly the mist gathered.

Underneath Li Ye's feet appeared an exceedingly clear screen of jade stone.

It turned out to be a city of mortals!

The largest area visible within the city was fields already sown with crops, with mortal farmers fetching water and watering the fields, their tanned faces full of anticipation for the harvest.

"Ah?"

The senior brothers and sisters all exclaimed in surprise.

"Why is this the test?" A Spirit Plant Master was particularly shocked.

Another Spirit Plant Master squinted: "This is tricky; this should be the most troublesome task among all those in the Second Layer Celestial Palace."

"Moreover, why did it appear?"

The trials of the Ninth Layer Celestial Palace change depending on the cultivators' Dharma Methods, generally just testing a Spirit Plant Master's control over the Xiguang Bell.

But occasionally, troublesome tests appear.

Like this one now, requiring precise extension of the Xiguang Bell's Spiritual Power into the soil within the jade screen, to soothe all the seeds inside.

It's known to be very troublesome.

If one fails, not only would the test be failed, but they'd also have to take responsibility for affecting mortal lives.

A test like this hadn't appeared in a long time, as interfering in mortal lives has an air of treating mortals as playthings.

Many True Men have declared it an "unseemly practice."

Why has it suddenly appeared?

"If it doesn't work, just give up. I'll send a message to the True Men of the Steward Hall." Su Ya spoke: "This kind of test might indicate some issues with the Ninth Layer Celestial Palace Blessed Land."

"Indeed."

"Junior Brother Su is right, we could ask the True Men of the Steward Hall to handle this."

"This test is simply excessive."

"Don't go, Junior Brother Li."

Various senior brothers and sisters advised in unison.

But Li Ye knew this wasn't an issue.

Because only he could see the lady who had granted him benefits at the First Layer Celestial Palace standing over there.

Obviously, this was a test tailored for him.

"I want to try."

Li Ye stepped forward, smiling lightly: "Since the test has appeared, I'll trust that I can do it."

Hearing Li Ye say this, the senior brothers and sisters stopped advising.

Perhaps there were unknown reasons at play; since Li Ye made his choice, as a cultivator, he must bear the consequences of his choice.

Nonetheless, they wanted to help Li Ye pass.

They still devised some methods:

"I have a Magical Artifact here that can strengthen Divine Sense. How about having Array Hall's senior sister create a small Array for Junior Brother Li?"

"I also have Pills that amplify Divine Sense."

"I just examined the condition of the jade screen soil; it appears to be Micro Spirit Rice, this Spirit Plant, its condition is..."

Of course, Li Ye wouldn't reject the kindness from the senior brothers and sisters, he would repay them in the future. Besides, he was feeling a bit anxious, was this matter really that simple?

So as he sat in the Array, with a Tripod suspended above him, and a Spirit Pill in his mouth, he finally summoned the Xiguang Bell.

"Ding-ling-ling~"

A gentle halo instantly surged into the transparent jade wall.

In that instant, Li Ye's divine sense seemed to be drawn to an infinitely distant place.

He sensed a scarcity of spiritual qi, sensed a city full of death and decay, and seeds struggling to grow but unable to sprout due to lack of nutrients.

With no time to consider what was happening with this jade wall, he shook the Xiguang Bell, and from the heavenly dome descended sunlight spiritual power so dense it was almost tangible.

The spiritual power sprinkled down into the fields.

"Revered God..."

The farmer, who was cultivating, looked on in amazement, his dark face showing a trembling expression he couldn't comprehend, yet he choked, unable to speak.

The soothing force from within the Xiguang Bell, along with the accumulated spiritual qi, swiftly spread into the soil, seeming to dispel something.

After all, the rice seeds that couldn't sprout began to grow thoroughly.

In merely an instant, the once barren land grew rice plants as tall as a person, with heavy ears of rice exuding ample vitality.

A particle of light rose from the soil, straight through the light barrier, unnoticed by anyone.

It fell into Li Ye's pocket.

Then, the jade light barrier abruptly disappeared, as if it vanished into thin air.

A token appeared in front of Li Ye, which he grasped tightly.

"What on earth is this...?"

Li Ye's expression was peculiar: "Have any of you senior brothers or sisters seen this situation before? Why do I feel something's not right?"

Everyone else also looked at each other, puzzled.

This matter indeed exuded a strange feeling.

"Let's wait for the True Man to arrive."

"It's beyond what we can handle now."

So they simply decided not to proceed further and waited there for the True Man from the Steward Hall to arrive.

It wasn't long before a figure dressed in a Steward Hall Taoist robe appeared beside them, his expression very serious, and he said directly:

"You must not speak of this to outsiders."

"This is an order from the Sect Leader True Man himself."

"...The city that disciple Li Ye just underwent a trial in was already confirmed to be destroyed, a leaf of Jianmu."

Everyone's expressions turned solemn.

As inner sect disciples of the Four Seasons Sect, they all knew about the Grotto Heaven Blessed Land created by Ancestor Wei using Jianmu specifically for mortal habitation.

But this Jianmu wasn't truly the Divine Wood from mythology.

It also faces the time of wilting.

Once Jianmu wilts, the world it supports will also be destroyed along with it.

Generally, before Jianmu shows signs of wilting, the sect would immediately send Great Power Cultivators to relocate all mortals living inside to another area.

This means when a Jianmu leaf is destroyed, it should be empty, but they clearly saw just now that there was a bustling town on that leaf!

If not for all the present cultivators being capable of turning vengeful spirits and evil ghosts into dough, they could have truly thought they had seen a ghost!

...

Meanwhile, inside the Steward Hall.

The Vice Hall Master and an elderly man with white hair sat together.

Before them was an indescribably large light screen, filled with array patterns as complex as tree roots, and light spots as brilliant as stars.

Each light spot represented a Grotto Heaven Blessed Land.

The stability of these Grotto Heaven Blessed Lands primarily relied on Jianmu and the painstakingly arranged arrays by generations of cultivators.

And at the bottom of these dense root patterns and starlight, some small leaves were sealed with a faint silver sheen, within which faintly visible cities could be seen.

Among them was the city where Li Ye had just undergone his trial.

"...That's the situation."

The Vice Hall Master respectfully said to the old man, "Brother, was it because that little fellow Li Ye has Jianmu's blessing that he unexpectedly triggered that leaf?"

The Sect Leader True Man shook his head: "Several people have had the fortune to receive Jianmu's blessing before, but never has anyone resonated with the leaves we've sealed."

"I've already contacted the sect uncle from the Upper Realm, and she says that perhaps the Spirit God of the Ninth Layer Celestial Palace believes Li Ye can resolve the issues with that sealed leaf, which is why it was revealed."

"That was one of the small worlds Ancestor Wei initially created. It's said that due to some Demon Sect reasons, indelible pollution was left inside.

You know those small worlds' foundation enables them to produce mythical spiritual objects in some way, which is why our Four Seasons Sect obtained some unimaginably powerful treasures.

Sect Uncle said that inside that leaf, there should also be some mythological treasures, who would have thought they'd be triggered by a disciple who just joined the sect not long ago."

He paused here, then commanded: "Reinforce the arrays around that leaf and call upon the Spirit God of the Ninth Layer Celestial Palace.

That disciple has just reached Foundation Establishment, yet the Spirit God must have been too idle in the Ninth Layer Celestial Palace to have any sense!"

He truly was angry. Su Xing had been constantly messaging him not to put more pressure on Li Ye, to let nature take its course.

The Nascent Soul True Men and a few Divinity Transformation senior brothers and sisters were still here, yet the Spirit God dared to bypass them to see that young disciple.

What exactly was he trying to do?

This trial came so unexpectedly, and as sect leader, he had to find out the reason behind it.

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