Chapter Sixty-Six: The Three Trials of Heaven, Earth, and Man – The Trial of Earth

In the northeastern region of the Hundred Beasts Mountain Range stood a mountain composed entirely of skulls, its base bordered by a river filled with crimson blood and decaying limbs. From time to time, vultures swooped down from the sky, feasting on the rotting flesh strewn across the ground. The entire mountain was shrouded in a blood-red mist, vague and ominous, casting an eerie and terrifying pall over the landscape.

Atop this mountain, there was a palace built from skulls.

“How did the matter progress?” Within the skull palace, a figure entirely wrapped in black, his features wholly obscured, sat upon a throne made of skulls and spoke in a hoarse voice.

“The Grand Elder’s foresight is truly extraordinary. The Demon Child is indeed hidden within the Divine Concealment Pavilion. Though I did not see the Demon Child when I visited, for a moment, I sensed the surge of demon blood emanating from him. There can be no mistake,” replied an elderly man with fiery red hair, kneeling respectfully before the masked figure in black. He was none other than the elder who had earlier caused a commotion in the Divine Concealment Pavilion.

“Yet I do not understand,” the red-haired elder continued, “why did the Grand Elder disclose news of the Demon Child’s emergence to them? Would this not alert them and spoil our plans?”

“Red Demon, that is precisely where your comprehension falls short. The Demon Child is currently in the Divine Concealment Pavilion, and with his talent, he is bound to stand out. I fear that if he remains there too long, his demonic nature may be eroded. Moreover, the Pavilion’s defenses are formidable; retrieving him would not be easy. By revealing his existence, the Pavilion will conduct an internal investigation, helping us to uncover his identity and forcing him out. Two birds with one stone. Now you understand why I act thus—heh heh heh...” The black-clad figure let out an evil laugh.

So, the red-haired elder was known as Red Demon. He asked hesitantly, “But would this not place the Demon Child in danger? If anything happened to him, how could he lead us?”

Suddenly, a hush fell over the chamber. “Do you dare question my judgment?” The black-clad figure’s laughter ceased, replaced by a cold, severe voice. The air seemed to freeze, chilling all present to the bone.

“I would not dare, I would not dare!” Red Demon prostrated himself, sweat pouring from his brow. He knew that the Grand Elder’s word was law, and those who dared to challenge him had all met dreadful ends—the skulls scattered across the mountain testified to that. He cursed himself inwardly for his reckless question, realizing he was courting death.

“I am only concerned for the Demon Child’s safety. Grand Elder, spare me!” Red Demon cried, his head striking the ground so hard it nearly broke.

The Grand Elder remained silent, the oppressive stillness suffocating. Red Demon knew his life hung by a thread, and could only beg for mercy.

Only when Red Demon’s repeated bows had gouged a hole in the floor did the Grand Elder finally speak. “This time, since your concern is for the Demon Child, I will spare your life. Take this as a lesson—if you dare question me again, you know what awaits you.”

“Yes, yes, I understand. I won’t dare again,” Red Demon replied, continuing to bow, blood and sweat mingling on his brow. He felt as if he had just skirted death itself.

“Rest assured, the Demon Child is favored by fate. If danger arises, my Heavenly Demon Great Evolution technique will foresee it, and I have my own arrangements to ensure his safety. Do what you must.” With these words, the Grand Elder in black rose, waving Red Demon away.

After Red Demon departed, the Grand Elder approached a pedestal upon which rested a crystal skull. Placing his hand atop it and closing his eyes, he summoned a dazzling black light that enveloped the entire skull palace. No one knew what he was doing.

...

Elsewhere, in a small room within the outer courtyard of the Divine Concealment Pavilion, Du Gu Ling sat upright on his bed, forming the orchid hand gesture and casting the Holy Fire Seal. The High Immortal Relic floated before him. With eyes tightly shut, he chanted softly, “The way of cultivating qi lies in guidance and visualization; within the vast void, heaven and earth separate purity and impurity to give birth to man. To cultivate qi is to refine the spirit and purge the murk. Qi is the master of life, form is the vessel of use...”

As Du Gu Ling’s lips moved, the High Immortal Relic began to dissolve, transforming from an adamantine bead into a fluid, soft substance. He continued his silent incantation, “Refining pills and taking medicine, the internal and external must be harmonized.” The liquefied relic, brimming with immense energy, slowly merged into his brow and vanished.

After a long time, Du Gu Ling opened his eyes with a low shout, and an indescribable aura burst forth from him.

Du Gu Ling had finally crossed from a false cultivator into the ranks of true cultivators, stepping into the initial stage of the Immortal Realm.

He repeatedly clenched and unclenched his fists, smiling to himself. “So this is the power of a cultivator?” Du Gu Ling felt that if he underwent another trial, he could easily persist to the end. Staring in disbelief at his own hands, he marveled at the terrifying strength he now possessed.

Ordinarily, a cultivator at the initial Immortal Realm would not possess such depth of power. But Du Gu Ling’s inherent strength was immense; in the transition from quantity to quality, he experienced a fundamental transformation, ascending from the use of physical strength to the command of natural forces. Combined with his exceptional talent, this gave him his current sensation of power.

Du Gu Ling resumed his meditative posture, silently reciting the incantations from the Chaos Tome to consolidate his realm. Time was short—the second exam, the Earth Trial of the Divine Concealment Pavilion’s grand enrollment ceremony, was about to begin. Du Gu Ling had to seize every moment to strengthen himself, ready to face the coming tests and the calamity prophesied by the Supreme Chaos Immortal.

...

Time slipped by unnoticed. For three days, no one disturbed Du Gu Ling. It was as if everyone had completely forgotten the champion of the Human Trial, even Ouyang Chi and Bo Jun Cheng left him in peace. Du Gu Ling took advantage of this period to fully stabilize his realm and ensure his foundation would not waver in the future. The path of cultivation is perilous and demanding; a single misstep can plunge one into an abyss, so every step must be firm, lest one succumb to madness.

Three days later, Du Gu Ling emerged from his room. Today was the day of the Earth Trial at the Divine Concealment Pavilion. He glanced at the rising sun—a brilliant dawn was breaking across the sky.