The Second Trial

“You are too weak, too weak!” The frenzied voice of the Golden Yaksha echoed across heaven and earth. At the same time, he transformed into a streak of golden light, pursuing Ji Ning and pouncing at him again and again.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Ji Ning was sent flying backwards, sometimes crashing into the seawater, sometimes tumbling awkwardly along the surface. He was completely on the defensive.

“You’re so weak. But your divine body is quite impressive. My Seafield Fork has tremendous power, yet you can easily withstand it.” The Golden Yaksha laughed wildly as he attacked.

He spoke the truth. Without the Eight-Nine Arcane Art, an ordinary Empyrean God’s body would have long since collapsed under such bombardment.

But if he didn’t have the Arcane Art, Ji Ning wouldn’t dare to fight this way either!

“His power is immense, and his speed is extreme. But his agility is mediocre, and his combat technique is crude.” Ji Ning rapidly assessed the enemy’s strengths and weaknesses during the exchange. “I must not clash head-on with him. I should respond with sword-art finesse.”

Whoosh.

Ji Ning, who had been blasted into the sea, suddenly burst out of the water. The Golden Yaksha flew out of the sea as well, continuing his pursuit.

“Release.” Ji Ning held two divine swords in his hands, and a sharp light flashed in his eyes. It was time to counterattack.

Suddenly, seven hundred and twenty-nine divine swords materialized out of thin air around him, undulating in the air. In front of Ji Ning, a single jade sword condensed, its power so great it was quietly alarming. This was the ninth stage of the Greater Thousand Sword Formation; Ji Ning was only able to control it thanks to his fourth-stage Heartforce and Heartforce soul technique.

Combining the power of over seven hundred Perfect Pure Yang supreme-grade treasures, the condensed sword-light possessed power that was in no way inferior to his Starseizing Hand!

“Go.”

Ji Ning pointed into the distance.

“Haha, so you have some immortal tricks after all.” The Golden Yaksha laughed wildly as he pressed forward. He didn’t care whether Ji Ning fought close or at range; his absolute advantage in power meant he only needed to crush everything in his path.

Swish.

The jade sword shot towards the Golden Yaksha, trying to bypass his guard. But the Yaksha’s strength was too great. He swung his ancient steel fork and forcibly blocked it. “Boom!” The jade sword shattered, and the Golden Yaksha paused briefly in midair.

“The ninth stage of the Greater Thousand Sword Formation only made him pause for a moment. I have to use Heartforce.” Ji Ning condensed a second jade sword in front of him, while his formless, ethereal Heartforce poured into it, causing the power of this second blade to soar qualitatively.

His fourth-stage Heartforce was far more powerful than the ninth stage of his Greater Thousand Sword Formation.

With this fourth-stage Heartforce, Ji Ning could briefly reach the pinnacle of Empyrean Gods and True Immortals. Experts like Red Snow could maintain such a state for a long time, but Ji Ning could only do so briefly.

“It’s useless. Power like that is useless—” The Yaksha paused for a moment, then laughed wildly and charged forward again.

The jade sword drew a faint afterimage.

It looked the same as before. But when it reached the Golden Yaksha, its speed suddenly exploded, and the Heartforce within it erupted fully! The jade sword’s speed increased so dramatically that it left only a phantom in front of the Yaksha. Though he tried desperately to block it, his combat technique was simply too crude.

Pchi!

The Shadowless Stance of the Brightmoon Sword-Art!

The jade sword, eerie and unpredictable, sliced across the Golden Yaksha’s body. Though his body was nearly that of a True God, he had no protective divine ability. Under the assault of such a sharp jade sword, his body was cut in two.

Ji Ning remained cautious. He knew very well that this Golden Yaksha could easily merge, separate, and even turn into water. He probably wasn’t so easy to kill. Besides, Ji Ning’s senses told him the enemy’s aura was still powerful.

“Whoosh~~~”

The Yaksha’s bisected body in midair suddenly transformed into a surging torrent of water. The massive torrent hovered in the air, then with a loud bang, it exploded into countless streams of water that flew in all directions and landed on the sea, transforming into over five hundred Emerald Yakshas.

“You actually managed to wound my true form. Consider this trial passed,” the five hundred Emerald Yakshas said in unison, standing on the sea and staring at Ji Ning. “But I am merely the weakest guardian under my master. The old fellows behind me are all more powerful than I am. If you want to leave this place alive and obtain the treasures my master left behind… I don’t think you’re good enough, hahaha…”

With this piercing laughter, the five hundred Emerald Yakshas flew in all directions, quickly disappearing from sight.

Ji Ning stood silently in midair.

“Withdraw.”

He stored all seven hundred and twenty-nine Perfect Pure Yang flying swords back into his body.

“I’m only the weakest guardian, and there are more ahead?” Ji Ning frowned and murmured to himself. He was beginning to understand.

“Even the only one who escaped, Buddha Jueming, entered in the Primordial Era and only left in the Three Realms era. He spent endless time here.” Ji Ning thought to himself. “Clearly, the Moon Underwater Abyss isn’t so easy to traverse. The very first opponent I encountered forced me to use Heartforce. It will only get harder from here.”

Swoosh.

He immediately mounted his Ruyi Spirit-Serpent Shuttle and continued forward along the floating wooden bridge.

…

After flying for about half a day, Ji Ning saw a breathtakingly beautiful island in the distance. The floating wooden bridge led directly to it.

“What a beautiful island.” Ji Ning quickly flew to the island. He saw that the world’s natural energies around it were faintly controlled, causing snow to fall endlessly around it all year round. An island in the snow was naturally beautiful. At the island’s center stood a magnificent palace, a full thousand zhang tall.

Three strange beasts were carved into the roof of the palace.

“A palace?”

“Why build a palace here?” Ji Ning wondered. He walked across the island, observing his surroundings, and soon arrived before the palace.

Standing outside, he peered inside. A candle-like light appeared in his eyes. He felt that this palace’s appearance here must mean something.

“Hm?” The Candle Dragon’s Eye caught a faint, fleeting shadow deep within the palace.

…

“Here he comes.”

“It hasn’t even been a thousand years. Why has another one come?”

“Then kill. Kill, kill.”

The figure lurking in the darkness deep in the palace had madness in its eyes.

…

Ji Ning stood outside the palace, frowning. “I’m certain. There’s a living being living inside.”

Whoosh.

After a moment’s hesitation, Ji Ning stepped into the palace. Since he couldn’t use Heartforce or heart-sense in this Moon Underwater Abyss, he had to investigate in person. Since the floating wooden bridge led here, and this palace was so conspicuous, there had to be a reason.

This was the front hall. The front hall had two side passages. Ji Ning chose one and continued walking. There were enormous courtyards and countless halls.

“Whoosh.”

A gust of wind stirred.

Ji Ning’s face changed as he walked through a corridor. He immediately swung his divine sword to block. He had kept his sword in hand ever since entering the palace.

“Clang.” A thunderous clash rang out, and a shadow flashed past.

“Stop.” Ji Ning’s expression changed. “Stop! I am not your enemy.”

“Sss.”

Another gust of wind. A shadow attacked again.

“Empyrean God Xiuke. I am from the Three Realms as well!” Ji Ning hurriedly shouted, infusing his divine power into his voice. At the same time, he retreated, using his sword to parry.

“Mm?”

The shadow stopped in the distance, revealing a pale-faced young man. He held a bladed wheel in each hand, his eyes filled with madness as he stared at Ji Ning. They were faintly red, making no attempt to hide his killing intent.

“From the Three Realms?” The pale young man sneered coldly. “Snowfiend, you and I have crossed paths countless times. How many times have you tried to deceive me by pretending to be an Empyrean God of the Three Realms? Do you think you can fool me again?”

“Empyrean God Xiuke.” Ji Ning quickly said, “I truly am from the Three Realms. I am not the Snowfiend in disguise. Your master is the Carefree Daoist of the Daoist school. Am I right?”

Ji Ning naturally recognized him at a glance.

There were only so many Empyrean Gods and True Immortals in the Three Realms. Of the thousands who had entered the Moon Underwater Abyss, Ji Ning had made a point of memorizing them. This place was filled with natural energy, even containing the power of stars. Both Fiendgod power and Ki could be restored. Though it wasn’t as rich as the Three Realms, it was enough to sustain life.

This Xiuke’s appearance hadn’t changed, but his aura had completely transformed.

Empyrean God Xiuke had once been a free-spirited, elegant, and carefree deity, always smiling.

But the one before Ji Ning was pale, with red-rimmed eyes and a surging killing intent. He had clearly reached the point where his Dao-heart could no longer control his murderous nature.

“Master?” The young man stared at Ji Ning, frowning. “Who are you? I’ve never seen you before.”

“I began my cultivation only after Empyrean God Xiuke entered the Moon Underwater Abyss.” Ji Ning quickly replied. “I am a disciple of Daofather Bodhi.”

By now, the fact that Ji Ning was a disciple of Bodhi was known by too many in the Three Realms, and Bodhi no longer forbade Ji Ning from revealing it.

“Bodhi?” The young man sneered. “You probably got that information from the many Empyrean Gods of the Three Realms trapped here. Do you think that can fool me?” Still, he didn’t attack.

“My master resides in the Tristar Crescent Major World, on Mount Innerheart, in the Tristar Crescent Abode,” Ji Ning quickly added.

The young man frowned.

Although many Empyrean Gods had entered this place, few would casually discuss ‘Mount Innerheart’s Tristar Crescent Abode.’

“Your master is Carefree Daoist. When Empyrean God Xiuke was still in the Three Realms, his disciples numbered seventy-three. Now, there are seventy-six.” Ji Ning continued. “The senior disciple of Carefree Daoist, named True Immortal Fuluan, died in the Primordial Era. The second disciple…”

Ji Ning spoke.

The young man’s expression changed. His body even began to tremble faintly, and tears welled up in his eyes.

“Ha, haha…” The young man wept and laughed. “Hahaha… hahaha…”

Ji Ning fell silent. He watched Xiuke weep and laugh wildly, feeling that Xiuke had endured much. This laughter was merely a release.

“May I ask your junior apprentice-brother’s name?” The young man finally stopped, looking at Ji Ning with warmth in his eyes. Generally speaking, cultivators of the same Daoist tradition, even if they were disciples of different great powers, could still address each other as fellow disciples. This was a close and familiar term of address. Though Daofather Bodhi cultivated both Buddhist and Daoist arts, he couldn’t be strictly considered Daoist. Yet, seeing an Empyrean God from the Three Realms filled Xiuke with immense intimacy, prompting him to use the term.

“I am Northmont, and I pay my respects to Brother Xiuke,” Ji Ning replied.

“Junior apprentice-brother Northmont.” The young man smiled, the tears in his eyes having vanished.