Reincarnated into World of Nine Heavens and Ten Earths

The sun was setting, casting long shadows over the vast open field where Long Chen and his companions sat. The trial had been underway for almost an entire month, and the atmosphere was charged with a mixture of anticipation and calm as they waited for the registrants to complete the grueling first trial. The air was still, save for the occasional breeze that rustled the leaves of the ancient trees surrounding the field, their towering forms standing as silent witnesses to the unfolding events.

Long Chen, seated cross-legged on the soft grass, was deep in meditation. His companions—his fiancées Chu Yao, Meng Qi, and Lu Fang'er, along with his trusted friends—were nearby, similarly engrossed in their own cultivation. They were a picture of serenity, their expressions peaceful as they absorbed the spiritual energy of the land, honing their skills and refining their bodies for the battles that lay ahead.

Over the course of the month, Long Chen had focused intensely on his cultivation. He had consumed countless Blood Condensation Pills and Alioth Star Pills, each one a potent source of energy and spiritual power. The pills were more than just nourishment for his body; they were the fuel that drove his cultivation to new heights, pushing him closer to the pinnacle of the Blood Condensation Realm. As he refined and digested each pill, he could feel his strength growing, his body transforming as it absorbed the immense power contained within each pill.

By the time the month had drawn to a close, Long Chen had reached the 9th-Heaven stage of the Blood Condensation Realm, a significant milestone that marked his, Long Chen's, Strength to grow explosively making him one of the most formidable cultivators in the sect. His progress was nothing short of extraordinary, a testament to his relentless drive and unwavering determination. But his achievements did not end there. His consumption of the Alioth Star Pills had triggered a transformation within him, propelling him to the Seventh Star Transformation, a stage that granted him huge boost in power allowing his prowess to rise in equivalent to a True Xuantian Realm cultivator of the Middle Stages.

This surge in power was expected given the staggering number of pills he had consumed—nearly 20,000 of each, a quantity that would have been unthinkable for most cultivators. The sheer volume of resources he had devoured was enough to cause the jaw of any ordinary cultivator to drop. It had cost him a small fortune, nearly half a mountain's worth of Spirit Stones, to acquire such an enormous quantity. But for Long Chen, the cost was insignificant compared to the gains. The Phoenix Cry Empire, built atop a land rich in Spirit Stones that extended far beyond its borders, was a veritable treasure trove of resources. To Long Chen, the vast expenditure was merely a drop in the bucket—a necessary investment in his future and the future of those he cared for.

However, the true cost of Long Chen's cultivation went far beyond the monetary value of the pills he consumed. The process of awakening the Dragon-Phoenix Martial Body and manifesting its rune on his body, of rebuilding his Spirit Blood, Spirit Root, and Spirit Bone, was a task that required resources far beyond what most could comprehend. To achieve this, Long Chen had consumed a staggering three-tenths of the entire empire's resources, a quantity that would have crippled lesser kingdoms. But this was no ordinary endeavor. The Dragon-Phoenix Martial Body was a legendary existence, its power unmatched by any other, and to awaken it required resources on an unimaginable scale.

Yet, despite the enormity of what he had consumed, Long Chen knew that his journey was far from over. The Spirit Root, Spirit Blood, and Spirit Bone he had rebuilt were not yet complete. They were equivalent to the Heavenly Rank, an extraordinary achievement by any standard, but Long Chen was not satisfied with mere equivalency. His originals were the greatest not only in the Mortal Realm but within the entire Immortal Realm. The thought of regaining what had been stolen from him drove him forward, spurring him to push his limits and strive for the impossible. The path to recovering them would be long and arduous, but Long Chen was nothing if not patient. He knew that with time, he would reclaim what was rightfully his.

In the Mortal World of Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, the categorization of Spirit Roots, Spirit Blood, and Spirit Bone followed a strict hierarchy:

1) Huang Tier

2) Xuan Tier

3) Tian Tier

4) Earth Grade/Tier

5) Heaven Grade/Tier

Long Chen's original Spirit Root, Spirit Blood, and Spirit Bone had transcended even the highest of these tiers, their power unparalleled in both the Mortal and Immortal Realms. The incomplete but evolvable forms he had now were a far cry from their former glory, but they held the potential to grow, to evolve into something even greater. And that potential was all Long Chen needed. He would nurture them, feed them with the finest resources, and one day, they would surpass even their previous heights.

As Long Chen sat in meditation, his mind delved deep into the intricacies of his cultivation. He could feel the power coursing through his veins, the energy of the Dragon-Phoenix Martial Body coiling within him like a sleeping dragon, waiting to be unleashed. The rune that had manifested on his body was a symbol of that power, mysterious and not awakened because of Lack of necessary Ancient Qi or Astral Energy and his deep understanding.

Just as he was lost in these thoughts, a sound suddenly broke through his meditation. The clear, resonant toll of a bell echoed across the open field, its tone carrying with it a sense of finality. Long Chen's eyes snapped open, his senses instantly alert. The bell's sound was a signal—the first trial had ended.

Rising to his feet, Long Chen looked out across the field, his gaze sweeping over the horizon. In the distance, he could see the registrants making their way back towards the field. Even from afar, he could tell that they had been through a fierce and grueling ordeal. Their clothes were torn, their bodies covered in dust and blood, evidence of the trials they had endured. Yet despite their injuries, there was a light in their eyes that had not been there before—a chivalrous light that shone with pride and determination.

As they drew closer, Long Chen could see that their faces, though marked with fatigue and pain, were alight with a sense of accomplishment. They moved with the pride of dragons, their heads held high despite their wounds. It was a pride born not of arrogance, but of a deep-seated righteousness, a belief in their own capability and worth. They had faced the trials and emerged victorious, and it showed in every step they took.

Long Chen felt a surge of respect for these registrants. They had proven themselves, not just through their physical endurance, but through their spirit. They had endured the trials not out of fear or desperation, but out of a desire to walk the righteous path, to become true cultivators of the Xuantian Monastery. This was the spirit that Long Chen had hoped to inspire in them, and seeing it now, he felt a sense of pride in their accomplishments.

Curiosity piqued, Long Chen began to inquire about the details of the trial. As the registrants recounted their experiences, Long Chen's astonishment grew. He had expected many to fall, to falter under the weight of the trials. But to his surprise, nearly seven thousand registrants had passed. In the original timeline, as recounted in the stories of the past, only three thousand had succeeded in joining the Xuantian Monastery. The difference was staggering.

As he listened to their stories, Long Chen realized the cause of this change. It was his speech, his words that had resonated with them, that had ignited a fire within their hearts. The oath they had taken, the vow to follow the righteous path, had not just been words; it had been a binding promise, a force that had driven them to push beyond their limits. This, coupled with the spiritual energy that Long Chen had infused into his words, had transformed the trial from a mere test of strength into a test of character and will. And it was this test that the registrants had passed with flying colors.

Those who had succeeded in the trial were now officially qualified to join the Xuantian Monastery. They had earned their place through their own efforts, and Long Chen could see the pride in their eyes as they realized what they had accomplished. But for every success, there were those who had not made the cut. The registrants who had failed to place within the top 25% would be sent back, their dreams of joining the monastery dashed.

However, Long Chen was not about to abandon them. Before they could leave, he called them over, his voice carrying across the field. He handed each of them a badge and a 9-Ringed Pill, his expression calm but encouraging. "You may not have passed this trial," he said, his voice firm but kind, "but that does not mean your journey ends here. This badge is a token of the Phoenix Cry Empire, and with it, you can join the Imperial Academy. It may not be the Xuantian Monastery, but do not underestimate the Empire's force. The Emperor is a peak Meridian Opening cultivator, and the Kingdom has a Pill King-level powerhouse."

Long Chen had not been entirely truthful about the Empire's strength, but he knew that the truth would have been too overwhelming for them to understand. The secrets of the kingdom were not for ordinary ears, and so he had given them a version of the truth that would inspire them to move forward. Many of the registrants expressed a desire to stay and continue their cultivation under his guidance, but Long Chen gently encouraged them to take the path he had offered. He assured them that they would not be forgotten, and that he would do everything in his power to aid their growth.

Just then, the atmosphere shifted as ten figures stepped forward, drawing everyone's attention. The registrants, now prospective disciples, turned to face the newcomers. These were not ordinary figures; they were the Ten Elders of the Xuantian Monastery, and their presence commanded respect and awe.

The Elders, clad in gray robes, had faces that were stern and unyielding, their expressions carved from stone. Their eyes, however, told a different story. They were bright and sharp, filled with a light that seemed to pierce through everything they looked at. Their very presence exuded a pressure that made it difficult for others to meet their gaze. Though they had not released their auras, the sheer weight of their power was palpable, like dormant volcanoes that could erupt at any moment and lay waste to everything in their path.

"It's rumored that every single one of the Elders in the monastery are Bone Forging experts," Tang Wan'er whispered to Meng Qi, her voice barely audible over the hushed silence that had fallen over the field. Meng Qi nodded with a faint smile, her eyes fixed on the Elders as they moved forward.

Tang Wan'er, still trying to process the significance of their presence, was startled when a sudden movement drew her attention to the sky. A figure descended from the heavens, landing gracefully on the top of the stone steps that led to the monastery. The person was none other than the famed Law Enforcement Elder, Tu Fang, a figure of legend within the Xuantian Monastery. His reputation as a strict and unyielding enforcer of the sect's laws was well-known, and his mere presence was enough to command absolute silence. He was a man of few words, but when he spoke, his words were such that they carried the weight of the heavens. 

As soon as Elder Tu Fang set foot in the courtyard, the senior elders who were seated on elevated platforms immediately stood up, their movements synchronized as if choreographed by some invisible force. These were men and women of great power and status, yet in the presence of Tu Fang, they showed deference that spoke volumes about his standing within the monastery. They bowed deeply, their heads lowered in a gesture of profound respect.

But it wasn't just the senior elders who paid homage. All of the disciples, numbering in the thousands, followed suit without hesitation. The sea of people bent in unison, their bodies forming a wave of reverence that surged forward and then receded as they returned to their upright positions. Elder Tu Fang, ever the embodiment of humility despite his station, responded with a respectful bow of his own, acknowledging the esteem in which he was held. It was a rare sight, one that reminded everyone of the weight of the occasion.

The entire crowd, now upright once more, was plunged into a silence so absolute that it was almost oppressive. The very atmosphere seemed to bear down on them, a palpable pressure that made their chests tighten and their throats constrict. Each heartbeat echoed like a drum in the ears of the disciples, who knew that Tu Fang's arrival heralded the beginning of the final trial—an event that would determine their future within the monastery.

Tu Fang's gaze swept across the gathered disciples, his eyes sharp as a hawk's, missing nothing. His presence was a testament to his power; even without uttering a single word, he commanded the attention and obedience of everyone present. The silence stretched on, becoming almost unbearable, until finally, he spoke.

"Those who haven't collected the full tablet must retreat three hundred meters," Tu Fang's voice rang out, clear and resonant, like the tolling of a great bell. His words were laced with a dignity and majesty that left no room for argument. It was a command that carried the weight of the heavens themselves, brooking no defiance.

His voice echoed off the stone walls surrounding the courtyard, reverberating through the souls of those present. It was as if the very stones had absorbed the gravity of his words, amplifying them until they were imprinted in the minds of the disciples. The effect was immediate. A significant portion of the crowd, their faces pale with a mixture of fear and disappointment, began to withdraw. They moved with a sense of resignation, each step carrying them further from the heart of the trial. Soon, only a little over seven thousand disciples remained, their gazes fixed on Tu Fang, determination etched into their features.

"I will be in charge of this last trial," Tu Fang continued, his voice steady and authoritative. "You can all see that there are over nine thousand caves behind me. That place is the location of your final trial."

As he spoke, Tu Fang extended a hand, pointing toward the massive stone wall that loomed behind him. The wall was ancient, its surface covered in layers of dust and time-worn carvings that hinted at secrets long forgotten. Following Tu Fang's gesture, the eyes of the disciples were drawn to the caves embedded within the wall. There were thousands of them, arranged in tiers, each one seemingly identical to the next. But appearances were deceiving, as the disciples would soon learn.

As Tu Fang indicated the caves, the senior elders seated on the platforms slowly opened their eyes. These were the elders who had seen countless trials come and go, who had witnessed the rise and fall of innumerable disciples. Their eyes, now open and gleaming with an ancient light, seemed to pierce through the very fabric of reality, as if they could see into the hearts and souls of the disciples standing before them.

Without a word, the elders extended their hands, and as they did, the air itself seemed to tremble. Slowly, as if summoned by some ancient rite, stone pillars began to rise from the ground in front of each elder. These pillars were not mere stones; they were ancient monoliths, each one etched with lines and symbols that defied comprehension. The pillars were thick and sturdy, rising to a height of three meters, their surfaces covered in a dense web of carvings that exuded an aura of deep mystery.

The sight of these stone pillars sent a ripple of awe through the crowd. They were unlike anything the disciples had seen before, ancient and powerful, as if they had been pulled from the very bedrock of the earth itself. The lines and symbols on the pillars seemed to pulse with a life of their own, their glow intensifying as the elders placed their hands upon them.

With a slow, deliberate movement, the elders began to channel their energy into the pillars. The effect was immediate. The lines on the pillars, which had been dull and lifeless just moments before, began to glow with a vibrant light. The glow spread quickly, racing along the carvings, until the entire surface of each pillar was ablaze with power. It was as if the pillars were waking from a long slumber, their ancient energies reawakening in response to the elders' command.

A deep, resonant hum filled the air, growing louder with each passing moment. It was a sound that seemed to vibrate through the very bones of the disciples, setting their teeth on edge and making their hearts race. The ground beneath their feet trembled, as if the very earth itself was responding to the surge of power emanating from the pillars.

BUZZZ!!!

The sound reached a crescendo, and with a thunderous roar, the entire stone wall behind Tu Fang began to tremble. It was as if some ancient giant had been roused from its slumber, its awakening causing the earth to quake. The air was thick with tension, a sense of impending doom that hung over the disciples like a dark cloud. The pressure that had been building since Tu Fang's arrival now reached its peak, threatening to crush them under its weight.

This was not just physical pressure; it was a spiritual pressure, one that reached deep into the souls of those present. It was a force that bypassed the body and struck directly at the spirit, a crushing weight that made it difficult to even think. Many of the disciples found themselves taking involuntary steps back, driven by a primal instinct to escape the overwhelming force. Their hearts pounded in their chests, and their breath came in short, shallow gasps as they struggled to resist the urge to flee.

But not all were affected in the same way. Amidst the retreating crowd, few figures stood firm, unmoved by the terrifying pressure that bore down on them. These were not ordinary disciples; they were Tang Wan-er, Ye Zhiqiu, Lei Qianshang, Qi Xin, Yue Zifeng, Long Chen, Meng Qi, Lu Fang'er, Wilde, Shi Feng, Yu Yong, and other companions of Long Chen. Their expressions were calm, their bodies relaxed as they withstood the spiritual pressure with ease. They stood like ancient cypresses, their roots deep and unyielding, their presence a stark contrast to the fear and uncertainty that gripped the rest of the crowd.

Tu Fang's gaze fell upon these six, and a rare smile touched his lips. These were the ones who would lead the Xuantian Monastery into a new era, the shining stars whose brilliance would illuminate the path for others to follow. If the other regions could produce talents of this caliber, then the rise of the Xuantian Monastery to the pinnacle of power would be unstoppable.

As the ground continued to shake, the stone wall began to crack and groan, as if struggling to contain the immense power within it. Then, with a series of sharp cracks, the stone doors sealing the caves slowly began to rise. The sight was both awe-inspiring and terrifying, as if the very earth was opening its eyes for the first time in millennia. A sinister wind blew out from the dark depths of the caves, carrying with it the scent of ancient, malevolent forces. It was a wind that chilled the bones and sent shivers down the spines of those who felt it, a wind that spoke of dangers yet unseen.

The caves themselves were pitch-black, their interiors hidden from view. Even with the light from the stone pillars illuminating the courtyard, the darkness within the caves seemed impenetrable, a void that consumed all light. It was as if the caves were not just physical spaces, but gateways to some otherworldly realm, a place where the ordinary laws of nature did not apply.

Above each cave, faintly glowing talismans could be seen, their presence barely noticeable in the gloom. These talismans were ancient relics, their purpose known only to the elders, and they added to the already eerie atmosphere. The disciples stared at the caves with a mixture of fear and determination, knowing that their fate lay within those darkened depths.

"These caves are your final test," Tu Fang's voice broke through the silence once more, drawing the attention of the disciples back to him. "There are three different trials: outer disciple, inner disciple, and core disciple."

He pointed to the thousands of caves behind him, his expression grave. "You can all see that these caves are not all the same size. The lower layer contains 5,876 caves. Those are the outer disciple trials; if you pass, you will become an outer disciple of our monastery."

"The middle layer has 3,096 caves for the inner disciple trial," Tu Fang continued, his tone never wavering. "And the upper layer has 187 caves for the core disciple trials. If you want to become a core disciple, you must pass through one of them."

The upper layer, with its limited number of caves, was reserved for the most elite among the disciples, those who had the potential to rise to the highest echelons of the Xuantian Monastery. The disciples' gazes were now fixed on those caves, their hearts pounding with anticipation. This was the moment they had been waiting for, the final test that would determine their future. To become a core disciple was to achieve a position of power and prestige within the monastery, to be counted among the best of the best.

For many of the disciples, this trial represented not just a test of their abilities, but a chance to secure their future. Within the trial region, some had failed to obtain any significant gains, leaving them with little to show for their efforts. For these individuals, passing the trial and joining the Xuantian Monastery as a disciple was their last hope, their only chance to obtain the resources and training they needed to grow stronger.

"But before this trial, I need to tell you a story," Tu Fang's voice took on a more solemn tone, his eyes narrowing as he looked over the assembled disciples. "Listen carefully because this will involve your future life and death."

The words "life and death" echoed through the courtyard, a cold truth that many of them had tried to avoid facing. In their families, they had been treated like precious treasures, coddled and protected from the harsh realities of the world. But here, in the Xuantian Monastery, they were no longer the favored children. They were just one among many, and their survival was anything but guaranteed.

Seeing that his words had the desired effect, Tu Fang nodded in satisfaction and continued. "You are all disciples from powerful families and have been doted on greatly. Your talents are extraordinary, and your families have placed great hopes on you."

His words were delivered with a calm, emotionless tone, as if he were simply stating facts. But there was an edge to his voice, a sharpness that cut through the pride of the disciples like a blade. "But after this long trial, have you all realized that you are just a group of trash?"

The statement was blunt, without the slightest hint of mockery or ridicule. It was a cold, hard truth delivered with the precision of a master surgeon making an incision. The words struck the disciples like a physical blow, leaving many of them reeling. They had been raised to believe in their own superiority, their own innate greatness, but here, in the Xuantian Monastery, they were nothing more than novices, struggling to survive.

"Will you be cowardly in the face of death? Will you be indecisive? Will you want to give up? If you think you would, then don't refuse to accept that you are trash," Tu Fang's voice was relentless, each question driving the point home with brutal efficiency.

He paused, allowing his words to sink in before continuing. "Those Magical Beasts within the trial region were all placed there by the monastery. Most of them were second-rank Magical Beasts. In normal circumstances, if you even used eighty percent of your strength, you would be able to easily kill them. But the actual results have greatly disappointed me. In front of a second-rank Magical Beast, if you don't have any experts as guards, you'll all be terrified. Under the threat of death, you are unable to use even half of your strength. If you aren't trash, then what are you?"

The harsh truth of Tu Fang's words caused many of the disciples to lower their heads in shame. They had all experienced the fear that came with facing the Magical Beasts in the trial region, and they knew that Tu Fang was right. The threat of death had paralyzed them, rendering them unable to fight to their full potential. Some had barely managed to escape with their lives, and the trauma of those experiences still lingered in their minds.

"Don't try to give me any excuses," Tu Fang's voice was as cold as ice, cutting through any thoughts of protest. "Your families never tempered you enough and have pampered you too much. Experts are only able to become experts because they are willing to do anything to become stronger. As for weaklings, they don't even have a chance to find an excuse. That is because they will all die."

As Tu Fang spoke, Tang Wan-er couldn't help but glance at Long Chen. She had heard similar words from him before, words that had challenged her to rethink her approach to cultivation. Now, hearing the same sentiments echoed by Tu Fang, she realized just how true they were. Long Chen, standing beside her, remained expressionless, his gaze fixed on the sky above. There was a quiet strength in him, a resolve that had been forged through his own trials and tribulations.

"I'm telling you this as an alarm bell," Tu Fang's voice softened slightly, taking on a more urgent tone. "Cultivation is a path of no retreat. If you are afraid of death, then just leave."

His words hung in the air, a stark reminder of the path they had chosen. There was no turning back, no easy way out. The disciples had to face the reality that their journey was fraught with danger, and only those who were willing to risk everything would succeed.

"That is because what you will be facing today are not just some childish playthings," Tu Fang continued, his voice growing darker. "Your future enemies will be ten thousand times more terrifying than them."

His final words sent a chill through the disciples, their imaginations running wild with visions of the horrors that awaited them. "We've decided to give them a name: Devil Demons!"

The vast courtyard of the Xuantian Monastery was filled with a palpable tension that seemed to thrum through the very air. Thousands of disciples, each one a young cultivator of extraordinary potential, stood gathered before the ancient stone wall. The sun, now hanging low in the sky, bathed the entire scene in a golden, almost ethereal light, casting long shadows that danced and flickered as if alive with anticipation.

Yet, despite the gravity of the situation, the majority of the disciples stood with blank, almost vacant expressions. Their eyes were wide, but their minds struggled to grasp the significance of what they had just heard. The term "Devil Demons" had been spoken, but it was a phrase unfamiliar to many. Their hearts fluttered with uncertainty as they exchanged nervous glances, each one silently hoping that the other knew more than they did.

But within the crowd, there were pockets of disciples who wore expressions of grim understanding. These were the ones who had formed factions, who had been informed of the true nature of the trial they were about to face. Among them, Long Chen stood tall and resolute, his gaze unwavering as he absorbed Elder Tu Fang's words.

"The Devil Demons I speak of are not what you imagine," Elder Tu Fang declared, his voice cutting through the silence like a blade. His tone was measured, yet there was an undercurrent of something far more menacing. "They are not the goblins and ghosts from your childhood myths and stories. These are not the twisted creatures of folklore, conjured to frighten children into obedience. No, what you will face are Devil Demon Cultivators."

A collective gasp rippled through the crowd, the sound like a sudden gust of wind sweeping through a field of tall grass. The disciples' eyes widened in shock, their minds struggling to process this revelation. The mere mention of Devil Demon Cultivators sent shivers down their spines, for these were not mere beasts or monsters. These were human beings who had chosen to walk a dark and twisted path, forsaking all morality in their pursuit of power.

"And this trial," Tu Fang continued, his voice now laced with a chilling finality, "will be to defeat those cultivators. Chop off their heads, and you will pass."

The words hung in the air, heavy with the promise of bloodshed and violence. The disciples, still reeling from the initial shock, now found themselves grappling with a new, terrifying reality. This was not a trial of skill or endurance; this was a test of life and death. To pass, they would have to kill.

Startled cries erupted from the crowd, as the disciples turned their gazes towards the ancient stone wall that loomed behind Elder Tu Fang. It was an imposing structure, its surface weathered and cracked with age, yet it exuded an aura of unyielding strength. The wall, with its thousands of caves, seemed to pulse with a dark energy, as if it held within it the very essence of the evil they were about to face.

Elder Tu Fang continued speaking, his voice unwavering as he explained the nature of their foes. These were not ordinary cultivators, but those who had embraced the corrupt path. Their methods were heinous, their practices abhorrent, falling far beyond the pale of what any beast could do to gain strength. They had sacrificed their humanity for power, and now, the disciples of the Xuantian Monastery were being asked to confront them in mortal combat.

The tension in the courtyard was palpable, the air thick with fear and uncertainty. Yet, amidst the sea of anxious faces, one man stepped forward. His name was Li Changfeng, and he carried himself with an air of arrogance that bordered on recklessness. His eyes blazed with a fierce determination, and his voice rang out loudly, cutting through the fearful murmurs of the crowd.

"What kind of joke is this? Let them come!" Li Changfeng shouted, his tone dripping with disdain. "We're all geniuses here; do you think we'll be scared away by just words? Hmph, if the rest of you don't dare, then let me, Li Changfeng, take the lead!", One man ran out of the crowd arrogantly yelling loudly but his words were cutoff when Elder Tu Fang turned his steely gaze with a curious look.

"Long Chen," Elder Tu Fang said, his voice as cold and unyielding as the stone wall behind him, "you and your companions will have to complete the core disciple trial in order to actually obtain your Core Disciple identity. Or you can just stay as Inner Disciples for now."

His words sent a ripple of shock through the crowd. All eyes turned to Long Chen and his group, their gazes filled with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion. One of the elders, seated on their elevated platforms, watched with expressions of barely concealed interest. There was a flicker of hope in his eyes, a hope that Long Chen would reject the challenge. If he did, he, Elder Sun, would have the right to banish him, to question the authority of Elder Tu Fang, who had acted so brazenly in choosing 'Ten Core Disciples' and even allowing him the right to occupy the position of Law Enforcement Elder or get higher promotion.

But Long Chen remained calm, his expression unreadable as he considered Elder Tu Fang's words. After a moment of silence, he spoke in a low, but cold tone that sent a shiver down the spines of those who heard it.

"Can we go first?" Long Chen asked, his voice steady and unyielding.

Elder Tu Fang shook his head, a slight frown creasing his brow. "At first, others will go. You and your group will be last. But don't worry, you can choose the cave you will take part in right now, and then we will decide."

There was a moment of stunned silence as the disciples and elders alike processed this exchange. The elders, in particular, seemed taken aback by Long Chen's calm demeanor and his willingness to step forward. But their surprise quickly turned to something darker as they followed Long Chen's gaze to the cave he was considering.

A collective gasp echoed through the courtyard as they realized which cave he had chosen. It was a cave that none of them had expected, for disciples it had to be the highest and most hardest but what tensed the Elders was that the one person that held within it a Corrupt Path Cultivator oat the Xuantian Realm—a being of unimaginable power and malevolence. Elder Sun made a sinister smile with his eyes gleaming with a twisted satisfaction. He was eager to see Long Chen fail, to see him crushed under the weight of his own foolishness.

Meanwhile, Li Changfeng, still full of bravado, stepped forward towards the caves. His movements were confident, almost swaggering, as he approached the ancient stone wall. But before he could enter, Elder Tu Fang spoke once more, his voice tinged with a rare note of urgency.

"Think about it properly," Elder Tu Fang warned, his eyes fixed on Li Changfeng. "This isn't an ordinary trial, but a life and death battle. The slightest carelessness will cause you to lose your life."

For a moment, Li Changfeng hesitated. The elder's words struck a chord, and a flicker of doubt crossed his mind. But it was quickly extinguished by his pride, and he forced himself to nod in acknowledgment.

"Don't worry, Elder. This disciple understands," Li Changfeng replied, though his tone was less certain now. There was still a trace of arrogance in his voice, but it was tempered by a newfound respect for the gravity of the situation.

Tu Fang sighed, a weary sound that seemed to carry the weight of countless disappointments. "Why does every year always start with this kind of opening?" he muttered to himself, his voice barely audible. "Is that the will of the heavens?"

He shook his head slightly before addressing the crowd once more. "If you want to take the lead, then come. Choose a cave according to your power level. But remember, if you feel like you cannot win, you can immediately flee from the cave and save your life."

His final words hung in the air like a warning bell, a stark reminder of the dangers that lay ahead. The disciples murmured among themselves, their voices low and anxious as they debated which cave to choose. Each one knew that their decision could mean the difference between life and death, and the weight of that realization pressed down on them like a physical burden.

Li Changfeng, despite his earlier bravado, surprised everyone by choosing a cave on the lowest level—a cave designated for an outer disciple. There was a murmur of disbelief from the crowd, but it quickly died away. The disciples had taken oaths to become righteous people, and they knew better than to mock someone for choosing a cave according to their true power level. There was no shame in recognizing one's limits, especially in a trial where the cost of overestimating oneself could be fatal.

As Li Changfeng prepared to enter the cave, Long Chen's spiritual energy fluctuated slightly. In that brief moment, he passed a bit of information and spiritual strength to Li Changfeng, a subtle act that went unnoticed by most. But the effects were profound.

Unlike how he had died in the original series, the current Li Changfeng actually survived the trial. It was a brutal and bloody ordeal, one that left him battered and broken, his body a testament to the ferocity of the battle he had endured. His clothes were torn, his skin lacerated, and his blood flowed freely from numerous wounds. Yet, despite the pain and the overwhelming odds, he had succeeded. He emerged from the cave, clutching the severed head of the Demonic Cultivator in his trembling hands.

The sight of Li Changfeng's mangled form caused many of the disciples to turn away in horror, their stomachs churning at the gruesome spectacle. The ground around him was stained with blood, and the smell of iron hung heavy in the air. It was a victory, yes, but it was a victory that came at a great cost. Li Changfeng had survived, but only just.

Elder Tu Fang's voice rang out once more, sharp and stern. "Are you an idiot? Didn't I just tell you: this isn't an ordinary trial, but a life and death battle that will cause you to lose your life at the slightest carelessness? If you know it relates to your life and death, why are you so careless? Before entering the cave, why didn't you release your aura and take out your weapon? Why weren't you completely focused and on guard? You didn't even know what your enemy was, but you still walked in so brazenly? Was that to show off? To make you look brave?"

The elder's harsh words cut through the air, a brutal rebuke that left Li Changfeng reeling. But there was no malice in Tu Fang's voice, only a deep concern for the lives of the disciples under his care. He knew that the path of cultivation was fraught with danger, and he wanted to impress upon them the seriousness of the trials they faced.

"Though not bad, definitely not good," Tu Fang continued, his tone softening slightly. "Your interpretation was decent, but your actions were reckless. However, congratulations on passing the trial. Rest now, and you will be healed in a bit."

Just as Elder Tu Fang finished speaking, Li Changfeng reached into his spirit ring and produced a jade box. The sight of it caused a ripple of surprise to pass through the elders, for they recognized it immediately. It was a Tier-3 Bone-Flesh Regeneration Pill, and not just any pill, but one of the highest grade. The pill was rare, expensive, and known for its excruciating effects as it worked to heal the body. The higher the quality, the more intense the pain it inflicted.

Li Changfeng, without hesitation, placed a large piece of cloth in his mouth to muffle his screams. He swallowed the pill, and within moments, his body was wracked with agony. His muscles tensed, his veins bulged, and his face contorted in pain. But he endured it, refusing to let himself faint. His body began to heal, the wounds closing and the blood staunching, until he was whole once more.

The courtyard fell silent as the disciples watched in awe and horror. This was the reality of the path they had chosen, a path where strength came at a terrible price, where the line between life and death was razor-thin. As Li Changfeng stood before them, battered but unbroken, they were reminded that the true trial was not just in the battle, but in the endurance that followed. It was a lesson they would not soon forget, one that would stay with them long after the trial was over.

To Be Continued...