"Who would've thought the Great Zhou Dynasty would offer such a reward—tsk tsk! The chance to explore ancient sect ruins!" Seventh Princess shook her head; it was impossible to claim no temptation.
Successive invasions by Demon Clans and rampages of Demon Sects had wiped out many sects, but their inheritances remained. Every ancient sect ruin was a vast treasure trove—obtaining such an inheritance could catapult one to greatness.
"The Great Zhou Dynasty is playing a clever game," Lin Yu nodded.
"Third Uncle, what do you mean?" Chu Chu blinked, looking at him curiously.
"Ancient sect ruins might still have mountain-protecting spirit beasts and formation barriers. The first to enter face near-certain death—Zhou clearly wants others to clear the way, so their later entry is safer. I'll bet there are more than nine jade talismans; Zhou must hold many." Lin Yu chuckled, revealing the scheme.
"Though clearing the ruins first is most dangerous, the rewards are greatest. Chu Chu, ask around—see if anyone here would give up this chance." Seventh Princess smiled. The immense rewards ensured no one would quit; all would strive for the top nine.
This was the Zhou royal family's open plot—明知 (knowing) they were being used, they still embraced it.
As the Zhou Emperor finished, the present geniuses immediately moved,施展 (using) lightness techniques to charge into Moyun Ridge, fearing to fall behind.
"Third Uncle, Third Brother, we're off!" Chu Chu and Seventh Princess waved, joining the crowd and vanishing into the forest.
"Kid, get one of those jade talismans. Let's check out those ancient ruins," Cauldron Lord's voice suddenly sounded in Lin Yu's mind.
"Good. I'll find a way after the trial," Lin Yu nodded. Cauldron Lord must have set its sights on the ruins' treasures.
"Hehe! Ancient ruins hold countless treasures. Entering them will reap great rewards. Don't forget the Demon Ancestor has his eye on you. I can hide you for now, not forever. Advancing to Void Formation Realm sooner means better self-defense." Cauldron Lord reminded Lin Yu of the extraterritorial Demon Clans.
Killing intent flared in Lin Yu's eyes. Cultivation improvement was urgent—not only for self-preservation against the Demon Ancestor but also because the First Prince, passing through the border, had strength surpassing Lin Yu's, as Cauldron Lord said. To behead the First Prince and祭奠 (sacrifice) the countless Ding Yong and Shen Chong who died in the Southern Wasteland, Lin Yu needed greater power.
With that, he returned to Su Miaozhen's camp, told her guards not to disturb him, and began cultivating in the tent. Though lacking demons to devour, his Saint Emperor Art refined spiritual energy far faster than so-called geniuses—only his current strength made the art seem slow.
In Moyun Ridge,修士 (cultivators) had scattered into the forest, forming teams to hunt monsters. Jiang Xuan watched Chu Chu and Seventh Princess disappear, his eyes lecherous and greedy. He licked his lips, then looked at Yu Weiwei beside him, pointing where they'd gone. "Weiwei, let's go that way."
Yu Weiwei's expression was cold, her gaze toward Jiang Xuan faintly disdainful. She shook her head. "Go alone. I'll hunt separately." Pausing, she frowned. "Also, Senior Brother Jiang, we aren't close enough for you to call me Weiwei. Address me as Junior Sister Yu next time."
"Wait! All sect disciples trial together for mutual support. We're both Profound Heaven disciples—how can we split?" Jiang Xuan called after her. If Yu Weiwei left, his精心准备 (carefully planned) scheme would fail before it began.
"You know we're Profound Heaven disciples, stronger than others. If we need to抱团, it shames the sect. Farewell, Senior Brother—take care." Yu Weiwei施展 (used) lightness technique, vanishing into the forest, leaving Jiang Xuan behind.
"Dammit, Yu Weiwei! How dare you look down on me? Wait till I make you my cultivation cauldron!" Jiang Xuan raged as he watched her go.
His talent was ordinary in the sect, nothing compared to true prodigies. Fortunately, his grandfather was the Grand Elder, who'd plotted a path to Myriad Manifestations: becoming Dao companions with Yu Weiwei, who had Ice Heart Jade Bone, then absorbing her spiritual energy with secret arts. He'd pursued Yu Weiwei relentlessly in the sect, but she ignored him. This trial in Great Zhou was his best chance.
Taking a deep breath, Jiang Xuan scanned around and whispered, "Elder Zhang? Elder Zhang..."
"I'm here." Zhang Ling's voice came from the forest, and he descended from the sky. "I told others not to disturb my cultivation. No one will notice I'm in Moyun Ridge during the trial. Go deal with those two Sky Dominance brats. I'll follow Yu Weiwei and create opportunities for you." Zhang Ling smiled. "Those brats are fine cauldrons, especially Lin Chuchu. Her Profound Yin Physique is second only to Ice Heart Jade Bone. Absorbing her yin energy will boost your cultivation drastically."
"Good! I'll tell Grandfather of your help when we return." Jiang Xuan leered at the thought of Chu Chu and Seventh Princess, then waved to Zhang Ling and chased after them.
"Hehe, having a good grandfather is indeed great," Zhang Ling shook his head after Jiang Xuan left. "Yu Weiwei, don't blame me—you caught the Grand Elder's eye." With that, he vanished into the forest.
...
Chu Chu and Seventh Princess穿梭 (shuttled) through the forest, releasing spiritual sense to detect monsters. As night fell, Moyun Ridge awakened as a monster paradise, with distant roars echoing.
"Aunt, there's a monster ahead!" Chu Chu拉住 (pulled) Seventh Princess's wrist. They stopped, moving slowly toward a valley ahead.