But...
This was a secret realm personally set up by Wan Dao Saint.
Though its appearance was undeniably plain...
Since it was labeled a Treasure Pavilion, there had to be something valuable inside. There were ten simple stone huts ahead. Could it be that each one of them housed some kind of treasure?
Someone stepped forward, trying to enter.
But—
An invisible barrier sealed each hut from the outside. No one could step in.
From the red string on Yun Jin's wrist, An Tong suddenly emerged.
A child appeared out of nowhere, startling the crowd.
An Tong grinned cheekily. As long as he had this red string, he could appear at the Young Master's side whenever he pleased. As for these others, he had no intention of explaining anything.
"Master has placed ten treasures in these ten rooms to thank you all for your assistance," An Tong said with a mischievous smile. "But since there are only ten treasures, and clearly more than ten of you, there must naturally be some rules for how to distribute them."
The expressions of those present shifted subtly.
The disciples of the Four Holy Lands instinctively widened the gaps between one another. These were treasures left behind by Wan Dao Saint—without a doubt, they would be extraordinary. Of course, everyone wanted them.
At this moment, they were no longer allies. Every one of them was a competitor.
"What kind of rules?" Jin Yu asked directly. "Why not just settle it with a fight?"
In terms of sheer combat strength, the sword cultivators of Kunlun Sword Sect held a definite edge.
Naturally, the others objected.
"Then what do you suggest?" Jin Yu glanced at the group.
These people were all too clever by half—what a headache. If this were Kunlun Sword Sect, nothing would need to be said. Just fight it out. And if one fight didn't solve the problem, then fight a few more times until it did.
"You don't need to argue." An Tong chuckled. "Before Master left, he already gave instructions.
These ten stone huts each contain a different treasure, and each has its own criteria for entry. The huts correspond to ten fields: alchemy, talisman crafting, formation arts, weapon forging, cultivation techniques, beastmaster skills, soul refinement, artifact control, spirit cuisine—these nine arts—and one final hut that is based solely on strength."
An Tong explained, "For example, the one among you with the strongest alchemy skills can enter the hut containing treasures related to alchemists. The same goes for the others. As for the final hut, only the one with the highest combat power will be able to enter."
The explanation left most people reasonably satisfied.
Of these ten huts, the final one would most likely go to Jin Yu. As for the other nine, each of the Four Holy Lands had their specialties, and they were confident in different areas.
"So, how will this be judged? Are we to compete here on the spot?" Jin Yu was already itching for action.
If it came down to a brawl, he was more than happy to oblige.
"It's quite simple. If you want to enter the alchemy hut, you bring forth the highest-grade pill you've ever refined and present it at the doorway. The barrier around the hut will evaluate it on its own and determine whose pill was the most complex and difficult. The one judged strongest will be allowed entry into the alchemy hut. The others follow the same principle. To try for a hut, just inject your spiritual energy into its barrier. Once all candidates have shown their skill, the barrier will make its choice."
An Tong glanced at Jin Yu. "As for the final hut that measures pure strength—after you infuse your spiritual energy, a virtual arena will form. You'll battle using your divine souls within it. The last one standing will be declared the victor."
"Now that's more like it." Jin Yu immediately grinned. "I'm taking that last treasure, so don't even think about it, any of you!"
The others cast glances at Jin Yu, but for the moment, no one had a good response.
"So, can I participate too?" Yun Jin raised an eyebrow. "I'd like to see just how much stronger the senior brothers and sisters from the Holy Lands really are."
An Tong grinned. "Of course you can. If the Young Master has the ability, she can claim all the treasures for herself. I don't think anyone would object."
Liu Liuqin smiled faintly. "Indeed. Junior Sister Yun, feel free to have fun. No need to worry."
Yun Jin looked a little uneasy. "It's just… I am Master's disciple. Wouldn't it be improper if I ended up taking everything for myself?"
As soon as she said that, the disciples from the Four Holy Lands all broke into laughter.
Duan Yiwei didn't bother holding back his sneer. "You can challenge however you like. If you manage to walk away with even one treasure, then I'll—"
Yun Jin turned to look at him, her eyes bright with curiosity.
He'll what?
Duan Yiwei gave a cold snort. "In any case, that's impossible. The Holy Lands and the world outside them are entirely different realms. You'll learn that soon enough."
To him, Yun Jin and her group from outside the Holy Lands weren't even worth considering. If not for Yun Jin's special status, he wouldn't have even spoken a single word to her.
"Alright then. I'll look forward to your performance, Senior Brother Duan," Yun Jin said with a sweet smile.
Duan Yiwei snorted again and turned away, already deciding which hut he would aim for.
Yun Jin told Yue Zhao and the others to act as they pleased, then quietly communicated with An Tong through her divine sense.
"An Tong, what exactly is in these stone huts?"
An Tong blinked innocently. "Treasures, of course."
Yun Jin was speechless. "They're actually real treasures? Our Wushuang Sect is in shambles, and that money-burning Wan Dao Saint is just handing them out to outsiders?"
Her heart clenched at the thought.
This—
This was truly painful.
An Tong blinked again and replied matter-of-factly, "Master said his successor would be a prodigy, unrivaled among her peers. With the Young Master present, what's there to fear about the treasures ending up in someone else's hands? His intent was for you to use this opportunity to establish your prestige among the younger generation of the Four Holy Lands. Young Master, the treasures in the other rooms are all nice, but that last one holds something truly special. It was left just for you."
Yun Jin: "..."
The last room. The one that could only be opened by the strongest.
"Wan Dao Saint, you conniving old fox...
Did you calculate that your disciple would only be at the Nascent Soul stage?"
A Nascent Soul facing off against a Divine Transformation cultivator—if this were anyone else outside the Holy Lands, she might stand a chance.
But her final opponent would likely be the strongest among Kunlun Sword Sect's Divine Transformation sword cultivators. Sword cultivators already excelled at offense, and Kunlun's were the deadliest of them all.
To defeat Jin Yu...
Yun Jin didn't have the slightest bit of confidence.
An Tong sucked in a breath. "Young Master, don't tell me you're not confident?"
Yun Jin looked at him expressionlessly. "Can't you tell I'm only at the Nascent Soul stage?"
"Young Master has some sort of artifact on her that blocks my senses. I see that you're in the Nascent Soul stage, but I always thought you were concealing your cultivation," An Tong answered honestly. "After all, how could a Nascent Soul cultivator pass Master's trial?"
The Tian Po Sword cut in. "Young Master wasn't at the Nascent Soul stage when she passed the trial."
An Tong's eyes lit up. "I knew it—"
"She was in the Golden Core stage," Tian Po Sword finished as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
An Tong: "...???"