Chapter 96 The End of the First Trial
Chapter 96 The End of the First Trial
Chapter 96: Chapter 96 The End of the First Trial
The final day of the first trial had reached its most brutal stage.
Four enormous beasts continued pursuing the remaining cultivators along the ancient golden road.
The original Primordial Devouring Beast remained at the front of the terrifying formation, its massive body radiating the aura of Peak Tribulation Transcendence Realm.
Behind it, the second beast, which had reached Half-Step Mahayana Realm, charged forward with earth-shaking steps.
The third beast, a terrifying existence at Mahayana Realm Level 1, moved with overwhelming power, while the enormous flying beast at Mahayana Realm Level 3 circled above the road, its enormous wings casting shadows over the struggling cultivators.
The pressure weighing upon everyone had become almost unbearable.
Even those who had survived the first 2 days were approaching their limits.
Some cultivators could barely lift their legs. Others had blood trickling from the corners of their mouths as they forced themselves forward, unwilling to surrender after surviving for so long.
However, the beasts showed no signs of slowing down.
A cultivator stumbled.
Before he could regain his balance, a massive shadow swept across the road.
The flying beast descended.
Its enormous claw brushed against the cultivator’s back.
Golden light immediately enveloped him.
In the next instant, he vanished from the ancient road and was transported outside the ruin, his cultivation reduced by 1 minor level.
Another cultivator saw this and nearly lost his footing from fear.
"They’re too fast! How are we supposed to survive this?"
No one answered him.
Everyone was too busy trying to stay alive.
A little farther ahead, another group of cultivators suddenly found their path blocked by the immense pressure radiating from the Mahayana beast.
One of them slowed down.
That single moment of hesitation was enough.
A claw swept past him, and golden light swallowed his figure.
The remaining cultivators desperately increased their speed.
But not everyone could endure until the end.
As the chase continued, more participants were eliminated. Some could no longer withstand the overwhelming pressure, while others were unfortunate enough to be touched by one of the four beasts.
Every elimination brought the remaining survivors closer to the limits of their endurance.
Yet the trial continued.
---
Among the surviving cultivators, Shen Feng and Luo Xue were experiencing the greatest pressure.
The golden marks on their foreheads had become brighter than ever.
The symbols pulsed repeatedly, drawing the terrifying beasts toward them while the pressure surrounding their bodies continued to intensify.
Shen Feng’s expression was grim.
He had never imagined that a trial within an ancient ruin would become this dangerous.
As the successor of the Myriad Heaven Sect, he had received considerable resources and guidance throughout his cultivation journey. His strength was extraordinary among his peers, but the creatures pursuing him were on an entirely different level.
He glanced over his shoulder.
The flying beast was approaching from above.
"Damn it!"
Shen Feng abruptly changed direction, narrowly avoiding the shadow cast by its descending claws.
The enormous creature swept past him, its wings generating a violent gale that nearly threw him off balance.
He gritted his teeth and continued running.
On the other side of the road, Luo Xue was facing a similar predicament.
Her breathing had become heavier, and sweat trickled down her face.
The golden mark on her forehead burned like a brand, making her increasingly aware of the danger surrounding her.
A deep roar erupted behind her.
Luo Xue immediately threw herself forward.
A massive claw tore through the space where she had been running a moment earlier.
She landed heavily, rolled across the golden road, and sprang back to her feet.
Her heart pounded.
She did not dare stop.
Not after surviving the first 2 days.
Not after watching so many cultivators disappear.
She clenched her teeth and continued forward.
’I refuse to be eliminated here!’
---
Meanwhile, the 10 Lin Clan youngsters continued running together.
Although the pressure had increased tremendously, their movements remained coordinated.
Lin Qing led the group, constantly observing the road ahead and adjusting their formation whenever necessary.
Behind her, Lin Chen carefully monitored the movements of the four beasts.
"Everyone, pay attention to the flying beast!" he shouted. "Its shadow is moving toward us!"
Lin Yu glanced upward.
"Again? That thing really doesn’t know when to give up!"
"Would you prefer it to stop and invite us for tea?" Lin Mo retorted.
"At least that would be more reasonable than chasing us for 3 days!"
"Stop talking and run!" Lin Qing ordered.
Lin Mo immediately closed his mouth.
Lin Zhen chuckled despite the circumstances, while Lin Xuan and Lin Jue concentrated on maintaining their positions.
The remaining members of the group stayed close, following Lin Qing’s instructions.
They were tired, and they understood the danger of the situation. None of them treated the trial as a joke.
However, their extensive training had given them a considerable advantage.
Their bodies were stronger, their spiritual energy more stable, and their ability to respond under pressure far superior to that of ordinary cultivators.
Most importantly, they trusted one another.
Whenever the pressure intensified, they adjusted their pace together. Whenever one of them noticed a change in the beasts’ movements, the others reacted immediately.
They did not need to waste time arguing or panicking.
They simply continued running.
Lin Qing glanced at her companions.
"Stay together. We don’t know how much longer this will last."
"We understand!" the others answered.
Another deafening roar shook the ancient road.
The four beasts accelerated.
The cultivators behind them screamed in terror as the distance rapidly narrowed.
Golden light flashed repeatedly.
More participants were eliminated.
Even some talented disciples from the major forces could no longer maintain their pace.
The final stretch had become a desperate struggle between endurance, awareness, and luck.
---
Outside the Primordial Sealing Ruin, the atmosphere had grown increasingly tense.
The elders and leaders of the various forces watched the sealed entrance, waiting for news of their younger generations.
Occasionally, golden light flashed near the entrance as another eliminated cultivator appeared.
Each arrival brought another report of the terrifying pursuit taking place inside.
"The four beasts are still chasing them?"
"One of them has reached Mahayana Realm Level 3! How can anyone withstand such a creature?"
The Holy Family Patriarchs and Holy Sect Masters exchanged uneasy glances.
Mahayana Realm was the peak of the mortal world.
A beast at that level represented an overwhelming threat to almost every force present.
Even the most talented younger generation could not simply overcome such a difference in strength.
The Forbidden Family Patriarchs and Forbidden Sect Masters remained comparatively composed, but their expressions were solemn.
Regardless of their standing, none could dismiss the danger their successors were facing.
Another flash of golden light appeared.
A young cultivator emerged from the ruin, collapsing onto his knees before the elders rushed forward.
His cultivation had dropped by 1 minor level.
He was alive, but his face was pale and his body trembled from exhaustion.
"What happened inside?" an elder demanded.
"The beasts..." the young man gasped. "They’re still chasing everyone. The pressure is almost impossible to withstand."
He swallowed hard.
"I don’t know how many people are left."
The elder helped him to his feet and moved him away from the entrance.
Around them, the leaders remained silent.
No one knew exactly how the trial would end.
They could only wait.
---
Inside the ruin, the ancient golden road suddenly trembled.
The golden markings covering its surface began to shine with unprecedented brilliance.
A mysterious force swept across the entire passage.
The pressure increased one final time.
Many surviving cultivators felt their knees buckle.
Some cried out in despair as their strength finally failed them.
Others desperately pushed forward, refusing to let their efforts over the past 3 days go to waste.
The four beasts roared together.
Their terrifying voices shook the golden haze, sending waves of fear through the remaining participants.
Lin Qing’s eyes narrowed.
"Everyone, keep moving! This should be the final stretch!"
No one questioned her.
Lin Chen tightened his grip on his sword.
Lin Mo gritted his teeth.
Lin Yu focused on the road ahead, while Lin Yuexin, Lin Jue, Lin Lian, Lin Haochen, Lin Zhen, and Lin Xuan maintained their formation.
They had come too far to give up now.
Shen Feng continued running, his golden mark blazing.
Luo Xue was not far behind, her face pale but her determination unbroken.
The remaining cultivators pushed themselves forward with everything they had.
Then, a deep, ancient voice reverberated throughout the ruin.
"The first trial is nearing its conclusion."
The announcement sent a wave of disbelief through the survivors.
"It’s almost over?"
"Finally!"
"Keep running! Don’t stop now!"
The road ahead began glowing more intensely.
The golden haze gradually parted, revealing an enormous ancient formation stretching across the passage.
The four beasts roared once more.
For a brief moment, their shadows seemed to cover the entire road.
Then the ancient voice spoke again.
"The first trial has ended."
BOOM!
A tremendous golden light erupted from the road.
The four beasts abruptly stopped.
Their enormous bodies froze in place, and the terrifying pressure that had weighed upon the cultivators vanished as though it had never existed.
The golden haze dispersed.
The ancient road became silent.
For several seconds, the surviving cultivators could only stare in disbelief.
They had survived.
The first trial was finally over.
Some collapsed onto the ground, gasping for breath. Others sat down where they stood, too exhausted to speak.
Shen Feng staggered to a stop and placed his hands on his knees.
Luo Xue stood a short distance away, breathing heavily as she watched the motionless beasts.
Neither dared to relax completely.
They had learned how quickly circumstances could change inside the ruin.
Then, golden clouds began gathering above the ancient road.
A soft radiance descended from the sky.
The ancient voice resounded once more.
"Those who have survived the first trial shall receive their rewards."
The cultivators immediately looked upward.
A moment later, the clouds opened.
Golden droplets began falling across the entire trial ground.
It was not ordinary rain.
Every droplet contained a mysterious spiritual energy that felt ancient and profound.
The rain landed on the survivors’ bodies, soaking their clothes and skin.
At first, nothing seemed to happen.
Then a cultivator suddenly gasped.
"What’s happening to my body?"
A warm sensation spread through his limbs.
Dark impurities began seeping from his skin, carried away by the golden rain.
Around him, similar changes occurred throughout the trial ground.
The impurities accumulated within the cultivators’ bodies were gradually washed away.
Their spiritual energy became purer, and their exhausted bodies began recovering.
Even the lingering discomfort caused by the trial’s overwhelming pressure diminished.
Some cultivators closed their eyes, overwhelmed by the sensation.
"This... this is an extraordinary opportunity!"
"The impurities in my body are disappearing!"
"My spiritual energy feels much purer than before!"
The golden rain continued falling.
Those who had survived the trial were receiving a cleansing that many cultivators might never experience during their entire lives.
For some, the difference would be subtle.
For others, especially those whose bodies still contained considerable impurities, the benefits would be remarkable.
Their foundations became slightly purer, creating better conditions for future cultivation.
Yet the reward was not limited to physical cleansing.
As the rain touched their bodies, a mysterious insight entered their minds.
It was brief, like a fleeting dream.
Some cultivators gained a deeper understanding of their cultivation techniques.
Others discovered flaws in their movements or noticed details they had previously overlooked.
Sword cultivators felt their understanding of sword techniques deepen.
Those who cultivated unusual techniques gained new perspectives on their spiritual energy.
No one received the same insight.
The reward seemed to recognize each cultivator’s individual foundation and grant them a moment of enlightenment suited to their path.
The survivors were filled with excitement.
After enduring 3 days of terror, they had finally received a reward worthy of their suffering.
---
Shen Feng suddenly felt a strange sensation on his forehead.
He raised his head.
The golden mark that had tormented him throughout the final stages of the trial began flickering.
"What?"
The symbol trembled.
Tiny cracks appeared across its surface.
Shen Feng immediately became alert, uncertain whether another danger was approaching.
Then the mark shattered into countless golden particles.
They floated briefly above his forehead before disappearing into the rain.
Shen Feng froze.
The oppressive sensation that had followed him for so long was gone.
He could no longer feel the mysterious force drawing the beasts toward him.
He carefully examined his body, then looked toward the sky.
"The mark... it’s gone."
A short distance away, Luo Xue experienced the same transformation.
Her golden mark flickered, cracked, and dissolved into countless specks of light.
For a moment, she simply stood there.
Then she touched her forehead.
Nothing remained.
The strange pressure that had accompanied the mark had finally disappeared.
Luo Xue released a long breath she had not realized she was holding.
She had survived the hunt.
And now, she was finally free.
Shen Feng glanced in her direction.
Their eyes met briefly.
Neither spoke, but both understood what the other was feeling.
They had escaped the danger that had threatened them throughout the trial.
The golden rain had not only purified their bodies.
It had also removed the marks that had made them designated prey.
They were safe from that particular threat at last.
---
The rain gradually weakened.
One by one, the golden clouds dispersed, allowing a soft light to illuminate the ancient road.
The surviving cultivators slowly recovered from their exhaustion.
The 10 Lin Clan youngsters gathered together.
Lin Qing examined her companions to ensure everyone was fine.
"Everyone accounted for?"
"All 10!" Lin Chen replied.
Lin Qing nodded in satisfaction.
Lin Mo stretched his arms and grinned.
"Now that was a troublesome 3 days. I hope the next trial doesn’t involve running."
Lin Yu gave him a sideways glance.
"You say that as though you wouldn’t complain if the next trial involved sitting still."
"Of course I would complain. Sitting still for too long is also exhausting."
Lin Zhen burst out laughing.
Even Lin Qing could not help shaking her head.
Despite their banter, all 10 understood how fortunate they were to have survived the first trial together.
They had faced terrifying beasts, overwhelming pressure, and countless unpredictable dangers.
Now, they had gained an extraordinary reward.
Their bodies felt cleaner, their spiritual energy purer, and their understanding of their own cultivation techniques had deepened.
It had been a difficult experience, but it had not been without benefits.
Then, the ancient voice sounded once more.
"Survivors of the first trial, listen carefully."
Everyone immediately fell silent.
"You have passed the first trial and earned the right to proceed."
A golden light appeared above each survivor.
Within the light, a small ancient token gradually took shape.
The tokens descended gently into their owners’ hands.
Each was made from an unknown material, its surface engraved with mysterious runes and a symbol representing the Primordial Sealing Ruin.
The tokens emitted a faint golden glow.
"What are these tokens for?" someone whispered.
No answer came.
The ancient voice continued.
"Keep your tokens. Their significance shall become clear in due time."
The moment the announcement ended, the tokens flashed once before their light subsided.
The cultivators exchanged curious glances.
Clearly, the tokens were more than simple proof of survival.
But what purpose did they serve?
No one knew.
Before anyone could examine them further, the entire ancient road began trembling.
The golden markings across its surface rearranged themselves, forming a vast pattern that extended toward the distant end of the passage.
A deep rumble echoed through the ruin.
Far ahead, an enormous ancient gate emerged from the golden haze.
Its surface was covered in countless runes, and a mysterious aura seeped from the cracks around its edges.
The survivors stared at the gate.
They had barely recovered from the first trial, yet the ruin was already revealing another mystery.
The ancient voice spoke one final time.
"The first trial is complete."
"Those who have earned the right to proceed may prepare themselves."
"The second trial awaits."
BOOM!
The ancient gate began to open.
A brilliant light spilled through the widening gap, illuminating the faces of the surviving cultivators.
No one knew what awaited them beyond that gate.
But one thing was certain.
The first trial had only been the beginning.