Under normal circumstances, a group of this caliber could cover the five hundred li in just two hours on foot. A Shenyou Realm expert flying wouldn't even need half that time.
But pushing five hundred li through the Nether Mountain had taken them a full two days, and they still hadn't reached their destination. The dangers and attacks along the way far exceeded everyone's expectations.
"Palace Mistress Yan, does your Ten Thousand Flower Palace send people here every ten years? Is it always this perilous?" During a rest stop, Ling Taixu posed the question. The last time he'd come was fifty years ago—there had been demon beasts blocking the path back then too, but nothing near this frequent.
The old woman mulled it over. "No, this time is different. Something must have changed in the Nether Mountain. Some of the weaker beasts have been driven out to the outer rim."
At her words, both Ling Taixu and Gui Li's expressions shifted slightly.
"We shouldn't linger here. Let's press on," the old woman urged, sensing the unease.
The group set off again, and half a day later they arrived at their destination without further incident.
Ahead lay a vast lake. The water was crystal clear, its surface glittering in the light, yet an eerie aura hung over the placid waters, giving Yang Kai an inexplicable feeling of dread and restlessness.
From a distance, clusters of people could be seen gathering along the lake's edge—experts from various factions across the Han Dynasty who had brought their disciples here for training. The groups varied in size; the largest numbered seven or eight, while the smallest had only three or four.
These groups were spaced roughly thirty zhang apart, arrayed along the perimeter of the lake.
When they spotted Ling Taixu's party approaching, each group displayed a faint look of displeasure and wariness.
The old woman from Ten Thousand Flower Palace gave Ling Taixu a slight nod, then led the beautiful woman and the four young girls toward the lakeside.
The arrival of this procession of lovely women immediately drew the gazes of countless young men. The girls were clearly accustomed to such attention and showed little reaction, docilely following behind the old woman until they found an unoccupied spot and stopped.
Gui Li flashed Ling Taixu a sinister smile, then cast a meaningful glance at Yang Kai.
That Jin Hao, on the other hand, let out a cold snort and made a throat-slitting gesture toward Yang Kai. Then, following Gui Li's lead, they headed off in the opposite direction from the Ten Thousand Flower Palace group.
"Let's find a spot too!" Ling Taixu said, leading Yang Kai toward the lake.
Most of the positions along the lakeside had already been claimed by the factions that had arrived first. Ling Taixu and Yang Kai walked for a long while without finding an open place to settle.
But as they passed each group, Ling Taixu quietly transmitted his voice to Yang Kai, telling him which faction they belonged to, whether they were orthodox or unorthodox, how strong the participating disciples were, and which sects they should be on guard against.
Yang Kai committed it all to memory while keeping his expression neutral.
After circling most of the way around the lake, they finally found a stretch of ground that no one had claimed. Ling Taixu visibly relaxed.
Once settled, the two sat cross-legged. Ling Taixu went into finer detail about the various factions—large and small—camped along the lakeside. Yang Kai listened carefully and committed everything to memory while quietly observing.
The more he learned, the more Yang Kai understood just how dangerous this trial would be.
All the factions present belonged to the Han Dynasty. Most were first- or second-tier sects, though some third-tier sects were represented as well. Each had sent at least two or three disciples. Someone like Yang Kai, heading in completely alone, was absolutely unique.
Ling Taixu had originally wanted to bring along a few more people to keep Yang Kai company, but Lingxiao Pavilion simply didn't have suitable candidates.
Su Yan could have come, but she practiced the Ice Heart Art, and excessive killing would do her no good. Xia Ningshang was another option, but she happened to be Meng Wuya's disciple—and Meng Wuya treated her like a treasure. How could he bear to let her risk her life? As for the likes of Xie Hongchen, Ling Taixu didn't even consider it. Bringing him along would only give him the chance to trip Yang Kai up.
Every young person at the lakeside was stronger than Yang Kai—at the very least at the seventh or eighth layer of the Separation-Union Realm. Zhenyuan Realm experts were everywhere.
The Eight Great Families of Zhongdu didn't seem to have sent anyone, which was at least a bit of good news.
"Only Zhenyuan Realm cultivators and those below that level are allowed inside for the trial, so you won't run into any Shenyou Realm experts in there. With your strength, you should be able to handle a Zhenyuan Realm opponent at the second or third layer. But if you encounter someone stronger than that, your grandpa has just one piece of advice—run! A man needs to know when to hold on and when to let go. Don't be blindly stubborn. Holding on takes strength; letting go takes wisdom!"
"I understand," Yang Kai said with a slight nod.
"Remember, inside there's only one objective: survive. If you want to grow stronger, it doesn't have to be through fighting people. Hunting demon beasts is also a way to build your strength. I'd guess there are quite a few people with that same idea. If you find someone you can genuinely trust, there's no harm in forming an alliance. That's another way to stay alive."
"Mm. Grandpa, which sect is that group from over there? Their style looks rather unusual." Yang Kai suddenly indicated a distant group with his eyes.
Ling Taixu focused his gaze and furrowed his brow. There was a cluster of people over there whose clothing and appearance were subtly different from everyone else's.