Sunset Forest, Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
It had been a full two months since the last time he re-washed and engraved his soul rings. At this moment, Chen Junting was sitting cross-legged at the junction of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, his body still enveloped by the four great sword auras and sword intents, seemingly merged as one with the power of ice and fire.
However, just as he was enduring the physical agony brought by the extremes, Chen Junting, who was in the midst of cultivating, was startled awake by a voice in his mind, and he abruptly opened his eyes.
Immediately after, "Whoosh—"
His entire person was like a Seven Kill Sword drawn from its sheath!
The fierce sword intent directly cut off the continued invasion of the ice and fire spring water, and also blocked the continuous attacks of the Immortal-Slaying sword aura. Moreover, under his control, the sword array gradually ceased its operation.
"That didn't sound like an auditory hallucination just now."
With a trace of surprise flashing through his eyes, Chen Junting raised his hand and touched his forehead with a rather peculiar expression. At this moment, the Rakshasa God mark at his forehead was faintly visible.
As the spider-shaped mark flickered with a dim light...
Chen Junting couldn't help but ponder inwardly:
'After so many years, I had already given up hope on the Rakshasa God's divine trial, and now it suddenly comes?'
'Are you kidding me!?'
'My cultivation is already about to reach the mortal ceiling.'
However, though he thought this way, the actual situation couldn't be reasoned like this. Especially since it mentioned, "This trial is jointly administered by two Great God Kings, myself and the Goddess of Life, with seven Lord Gods passionately contributing."
Cough, cough—
Although those weren't the exact words, the meaning was about the same.
Overall, this trial had two Great God Kings laying the foundation, and the seven Lord Gods were also a major part of the show. Converting that, it was a trial jointly formulated by a full nine deities.
This difficulty... this intensity... just hearing it, it was the kind that was off the charts!
However, while the difficulty was off the charts, the rewards were also terrifyingly generous.
Perhaps the God of Destruction was rather straightforward; anyway, he had already listed out the rewards. Things like the method to condense a god position with the power of faith, the method to forge divine gear, the method to smith divine weapons...
As long as it was related to becoming a god, it was all in there. Although the methods might not be universally applicable, they could definitely serve as references for comparison. And this kind of cross-reference would be the kind that worked very smoothly.
In that case... it was very tempting!
So after a moment of silence, Chen Junting stirred his mind. Soul power circulated throughout his body, and then he rose straight up from the spring water.
His body slowly emerged from the spring water of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, his movements light and steady, like a swimming dragon emerging from the sea.
As he stood up, his right hand swept down in a fluid motion.
The sword aura and sword intent that had filled the Immortal-Slaying Sword Array slowly dissipated like melting snow and ice, and the Immortal-Slaying Sword Array that enveloped the entire Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well also retracted its brilliance and stopped operating.
The next second, the four swords dispersed, and the array map flew up.
As the Heavenly Eye at Chen Junting's forehead split open, concealing the glow of the Rakshasa mark, the Immortal-Slaying Array Map conveniently shrank from the size of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well to a grain of rice, then transformed into a stream of light that drilled into the Heavenly Eye, easily stored away by Chen Junting.
At this point, the water from the ice and fire springs slowly flowed down his body. Now that the spring water wouldn't seep into his meridians and internal organs through his wounds, the interwoven sensation of searing heat and bitter cold brought by the two spring waters could no longer harm him.
At the same time, emerald light of life flowed out from the Heavenly Eye, cascading down from top to bottom, shining brilliantly on his body. It rapidly repaired the injuries left from his cultivation, making even the quickly scabbed wounds disappear in an instant.
To the side, the four great soul spirits—Snow Empress, Tyrant, Evil Emperor, and Mad King—had been keeping an eye on Chen Junting's movements from the four directions of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. When they saw that Chen Junting had ended this cultivation session in less than half a month since his last emergence from the well, and had even put away the Immortal-Slaying Array Map, they were immediately filled with doubt.
He put away the Immortal-Slaying Array Map; does this mean he's not cultivating anymore?
The Snow Empress spoke first, her voice cold and pleasant. "Are you not continuing?"
"Not continuing here."
While putting on his clothes, Chen Junting smiled faintly, a touch of confidence that even he found hard to detect shining in his eyes. "Next, we're changing locations to cultivate."
As he spoke, he intentionally or unintentionally tapped his forehead. After the Heavenly Eye had closed, what was exposed was the shimmering spider-shaped Rakshasa God mark.
It seemed like he didn't say much, but they could all understand.
Just like the four great soul spirits—when they saw this scene, they suddenly realized everything. Recalling the Rakshasa God and the God of Destruction behind this mark, they understood Chen Junting's meaning, and their excitement was beyond words.
They knew deeply what this mark meant.
It meant a deity's trial.
Moreover, the deity who bestowed this trial wasn't the original owner of this mark—Rakshasa—but a God King!
From a certain perspective, they had hit the jackpot!
The Snow Empress's eyes sparkled with excitement as she said, "I didn't expect such an opportunity to come so soon. This is a rare opportunity."
She knew that although the path Chen Junting was taking wasn't inheriting a god position, and therefore this trial wasn't like the Sea God's Nine Trials that Wang Dong'er was experiencing, it was still quite good. It could help Chen Junting become stronger and walk more smoothly on his future path of self-creating a god position.
Tyrant and the others echoed her from the side.
Clearly, they incomparably agreed with the Snow Empress's statement. In their hearts, they might even hold the exact same thoughts as she did.
At this time, seeing that her "mother"—the Snow Empress—and Chen Junting seemed to have finished "discussing," Xiao Bai, who was not far away, trotted over with his "plump" steps, curiously approaching them.
Clearly, he was also wondering why the sword array had been dispelled.
But no matter what, since the sword array was dispelled, did this mean that Chen Junting wouldn't continue cultivating, and that cultivation was over?
Could he go home?!
That would be great!
Having stayed here for two years, although he had gone out for five days in between, it was still too boring. Having experienced the prosperity of the human world, Xiao Bai, with his childlike nature, could no longer endure the loneliness.
However, when he saw his "mother," the Snow Empress, and those cheap uncles all being so excited, although his own sense of excitement was growing stronger, he couldn't help but feel a trace of doubt in his heart.
Something's not right, something is extremely not right.
He tilted his head and step by step walked to their side.
"Why are you all so excited?"
Hearing this, the Snow Empress turned around and smilingly rubbed Xiao Bai's head. "Xiao Bai, your Big Dad is going to participate in a deity's trial."
"A deity's trial!?"
A flash of surprise and excitement appeared in Xiao Bai's eyes. "Just like Xiao Dong'er? Pass it and you can become a god!"
The Snow Empress and the other three great soul spirits quickly exchanged glances in secret. To prevent information from leaking, they didn't reveal the news that Chen Junting intended to self-create a godhood. Instead, they gave their answer as if he were taking the path of inheriting a god position. However... their tone was somewhat ambiguous.
"More or less."
Perhaps due to his excitement, Xiao Bai didn't notice.
Upon hearing this, he immediately jumped up with joy, his eyes shining with excitement. He scurried in front of Chen Junting and congratulated him repeatedly. And that little expression of his... so fawning...
After his bout of acting cute, the Snow Empress shook her head repeatedly, covering her face with her palm, wanting to pretend she didn't know this guy Xiao Bai.
In contrast, Chen Junting, seeing Xiao Bai acting like this, couldn't help but find it amusing. With a smile on his face, he reached out and gently patted Xiao Bai's head, the force neither too light nor too heavy.
"Don't worry, if I really succeed in becoming a god, I'll definitely take you to the Divine Realm, letting you live the rest of your life as a majestic divine beast."
The promise in his words made Xiao Bai incredibly happy.
At the same time, he couldn't help but recall the Titan Snow Devil King, thinking to himself: Let that big dummy have the title of Extreme North King. This young master is going to be a divine beast. Following Big Dad is the best, getting carried to a win!
Just as Chen Junting and his group were chatting and laughing, this scene was entirely taken in by the Aromatic Silk Beauty on the side.
The roots of the Aromatic Silk Beauty were planted in the soil, but the large flower on its stalk constantly swayed, feeling a wave of envy in its heart.
Clearly, it had heard everything about becoming a god with its "ears."
At this moment, the Aromatic Silk Beauty pondered to itself: if this guy really succeeded, it would have experienced two deities. But so what? It seemed it still couldn't bask in any of the glory.
If it were usual, it could still maintain a normal mindset.
But when it heard Chen Junting's promise to Xiao Bai, that jealousy seemed to materialize and overflow!
How could this be?
If he can bring someone to the Divine Realm, then why in the past...
Thinking of this, its petals trembled slightly.
Did Youyou want to go to the Divine Realm?
Of course it did; there wasn't a single fairy herb that didn't.
Although the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, before this group of humans appeared, hadn't been disturbed by anyone for ten thousand years.
But what about the future?
They had undoubtedly become fish on a chopping block, at the mercy of others.
Even though it had betrayed its fairy herb brethren to gain a temporary peace, what about the future? It might still end up becoming one of them.
Even if not, then what about when the heavenly tribulation of its 300,000-year cultivation descended?
Youyou knew it wouldn't be able to endure it.
When that time came, this consciousness would inevitably be annihilated.
Even if it took root and sprouted again in the future, this current consciousness would only be considered a past life. It would no longer be it.
Because of this, the Aromatic Silk Beauty also yearned in its heart to be brought to the Divine Realm, just like Xiao Bai. But the question was, was that possible?
It was conflicted, anxious...
Little did it know, this scene was entirely seen by Chen Junting.
Without having transformed into human form, although Chen Junting couldn't understand what this Aromatic Silk Beauty was expressing, his acute spiritual power could detect its current emotions.
Envy, conflict, jealousy...
All of these were incredibly complex.
Especially with so many negative emotions, it gave Chen Junting an idea: this Aromatic Silk Beauty probably couldn't be kept.
Subsequently, Chen Junting's gaze retracted slightly.
I'll have to find an opportunity to let Xin absorb its soul ring.
Next, after they rested briefly, Chen Junting set off and left the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. Before heading to the trial location, he needed to return to the sect to inform his master and the Sect Master of the situation, lest they couldn't find him later.
And so, a long sword streaked across the sky!
Like a meteor chasing the moon, it headed straight for the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Returning to the sect, Chen Junting didn't do much else. After simply cleaning up, washing, and finishing his meal, he went to the residences of Sect Master Ning Bowen and his own master, explaining that he was about to travel overseas to participate in the so-called Divine Trial.
Regarding this, Ning Bowen didn't say much.
After a few words of encouragement, the rest was just telling him to be careful on the journey.
However, when Chen Junting came to his own master, things were a bit different. When Ye Xuanji learned that Chen Junting was going to participate in a Divine Trial, his first reaction was, "What exactly is the difference between your Divine Trial and Wang Dong'er's Sea God Divine Trial?"
Hearing this, Chen Junting didn't hide anything.
After all, it was his own master, and he had long known his true goal of collecting the power of faith to self-create a godhood.
So, after pouring a cup of tea for Ye Xuanji and then one for himself, he slowly savored a sip of the fragrant tea before unhurriedly saying, "The nature and difficulty are different. My trial is more like the Divine Trial that Yuhao and the others went to participate in, but the difficulty of neither Yuhao's kind of Divine Trial nor Dong'er's inheritance of the Sea God's god position can compare to mine. Oh right, also, if I were to publicly announce it, I'd have to say I'm going to participate in the Rakshasa Nine Trials, for the purpose of inheriting the Rakshasa God's god position."
Hearing the first half, Ye Xuanji frowned slightly.
High difficulty, high intensity, yet still unable to inherit a god position—but this wasn't incomprehensible. However, upon hearing the second half, Ye Xuanji clearly detected a trace of something amiss.
Because when the reality was the former, but the public claim was the latter, then in the eyes of an insider like him, evaluating from an objective standpoint, it would roughly carry the implication of exaggeration.
But Ye Xuanji knew his disciple's character very well; he wouldn't do such a thing.
In that case, there was another reason.
"Why?"
"What?"
Chen Junting subconsciously raised an eyebrow, his tone seemingly puzzled.
"You brat..."
Hearing this tone, Ye Xuanji couldn't help but laugh and curse. "You know what I'm talking about."
However, Chen Junting just let out a long breath and said, "I cannot say."
After all, this matter was truly hard to explain.
Could he possibly say, "If I don't claim it's to inherit the Rakshasa God's god position, but rather just a Divine Trial to train and temper myself, Tang San might reverse his current thinking and then see through some clues"?
Was this something that could be said?
Sensing that his disciple truly wanted to keep it a secret, Ye Xuanji didn't plan to press further. After all, his disciple had been quite independent since childhood, not to mention he was now a peerless powerhouse.
So, he picked up his teacup, drank it all in one gulp as if using tea in place of wine.
Then he said a single sentence, "Your Divine Trial is not like the others; be careful."
Chen Junting nodded slightly, "I know."
The words were few, but what needed to be said was all said.
A moment later, Chen Junting, having drained his tea, slowly stood up and cupped his hands toward Ye Xuanji. "Master, I'm leaving."
"Disciple, I wish you prosperous martial fortune on your journey!"
A quarter of an hour later, a familiar sword light once again streaked across the sky.
But this time, it headed straight for the ocean!
------------------------------------------------------
40+ Chapters Ahead: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow
There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)