As time passed, two hours flew by in the blink of an eye.
It was worth noting that since Chu Feng had first entered the palace all the way to reaching this grand hall, it had taken him only a single hour in total.
Yet now, simply within this palace, seeking a cultivation method had already consumed a full two hours — and his gains weren't particularly significant.
This showed that compared to the previous trials, the trial within this grand hall was far more difficult.
"Hm?"
Suddenly, Chu Feng shifted his gaze downward.
It turned out that a person had appeared in the palace below — Ling Hang.
When Ling Hang had first entered, he was in a normal state, but shortly after, the grand hall trembled slightly. Waves of energy surged forth and ultimately gathered within Ling Hang's body.
Ling Hang had obtained a special power.
And under the enhancement of that special power, Ling Hang felt as though he had been transformed.
That special power could not only bolster Ling Hang's strength, but also make it easier for him to cultivate.
This was likely what Ling Hang had mentioned before — the third way to prove one's talent.
Obtaining power through the trial, power that would be more conducive to cultivation, while simultaneously serving as an indirect proof of one's ability.
After acquiring this power, Ling Hang sat cross-legged. Once he formed a hand seal, the walls of the grand hall quickly began radiating light, and streams of energy surged ceaselessly into Ling Hang's body.
Ling Hang had already begun cultivating.
"I understand now."
"Not only are the keys to enter this palace limited, but the cultivation power available within is also limited."
"After so many years of cultivation, the power here should be running low. It seems this cultivation sacred ground is nearing its end."
Based on the glow of the walls, Chu Feng arrived at this conclusion.
Because he had noticed that as the energy continued to pour out, the light was gradually dimming — the change was subtle, but Chu Feng had caught it nonetheless.
"If that's the case, why don't you just go down and cultivate?" the Queen said, a hint of urgency in her voice. "Otherwise, won't this Ling Hang end up absorbing all the remaining power?"
"Even if I go down, the most I could do is absorb the power a bit faster than Ling Hang — and that difference in speed wouldn't really help me much," Chu Feng replied. "Besides, the cultivation time in this palace is actually limited. Once it's up, you're sent out. So this grand hall right here is my opportunity."
After saying this, Chu Feng continued searching for the cultivation method.
He was increasingly certain that as long as he could grasp it, the cultivation power available within this grand hall would far exceed what was offered in the halls below.
But in the blink of another two hours, Chu Feng had grasped some insights but hadn't yet begun cultivating.
Because he knew that only a complete comprehension would be of any use — otherwise it would just be a waste of time.
"Why hasn't he come in yet? Surely Li Ta'er isn't that dense?"
But at that moment, Ling Hang, who was in the hall below, stood up, a look of impatience crossing his face.
"How does he know Li Ta'er will definitely come in?" the Queen asked.
"He must be thoroughly familiar with this palace — he's probably been here countless times. So even though the trials are randomly assigned, he's likely experienced every single one of them."
"That's why I suspect he didn't just tell Li Ta'er how to enter this palace."
"He probably also told her how to pass the trial," Chu Feng said.
"That Ling Hang really does care about Li Ta'er. She hasn't wasted her time flattering him," the Queen remarked.
"Fair point." Chu Feng continued his observation as he spoke.
Half an hour later, an excited smile finally appeared on Chu Feng's face.
"Eggy, I've got it."
With that, Chu Feng sat cross-legged and formed a unique hand seal.
Whoosh—
In the next instant, a torrent of cultivation power began pouring forth, converging upon Chu Feng.
This cultivation power was the same type as what Ling Hang was receiving in his hall below, but its concentration was several thousand times greater.
Under normal circumstances, such intense cultivation power would be unbearable for ordinary people. Even a brief period of cultivation would require a long rest afterward, or their bodies wouldn't be able to take it.
Yet Chu Feng showed no intention of resting. He was like a bottomless pit, devouring the relentless stream of cultivation power without discrimination.
Under these conditions, Chu Feng's gains were enormous. Before long, his formation mastery broke through.
"Eggy, I've broken through," Chu Feng said excitedly.
"So fast?" The Queen was also surprised — this was almost too quick.
"It really is more powerful than I expected."
"Eggy, look at the walls of Ling Hang's hall." Chu Feng looked downward.
"Wow, the light on those walls has dimmed so much? It looks like it's about to go out," the Queen said.
"This confirms that the cultivation power I'm obtaining is the same type as Ling Hang's — but mine is far more concentrated. So even though I've only been cultivating for a short while, I've already consumed a massive amount of the power here."
"In my estimation, there isn't much power left."
"I can't waste it. I'm going to use every last bit."
Even as Chu Feng spoke, he hadn't stopped cultivating.
But after saying this, the hand seal he formed changed, and the speed at which he absorbed the power visibly increased.
Though Chu Feng knew that the rate at which Ling Hang was currently absorbing power couldn't even begin to compare with his own — even if Ling Hang managed to draw off some, it would be an insignificant fraction — Chu Feng still wasn't willing to give him even that.
Some time later, Ling Hang in the hall below suddenly shot to his feet.
"What the—?"
Because he had discovered with shock that the light on the walls had vanished, and the cultivation power within the grand hall had disappeared along with it.