Han Li glanced at the green-armored figure. His cultivation was profound, surpassing even the three senior elders present at the joint council. That explained their respectful demeanor. Moreover, Han Li’s own green armor was quite unusual—its design appeared simple and plain, with a dull, ordinary gray surface, bearing no symbols, runes, or ornamental patterns. Yet, upon sensing it with his spiritual awareness, Han Li felt an extraordinary sense of familiarity. After gazing at it again and again, he suddenly widened his eyes as if recalling some astonishing revelation. If his intuition was correct, this so-called "green armor" had been formed from an exceptionally dense concentration of malevolent qi. That explained the familiar aura emanating from it. With such abundant malevolent qi circulating within him, not only was his body unharmed, but the qi had even been forced outward and transformed into a tangible form. This ability was truly beyond comprehension. Overcome with astonishment, Han Li shifted his gaze and noticed the tens of thousands of flying spirit race members hovering in the air behind the green-armored figure. Each of them was clad in colorful armor of various designs. Upon closer inspection, Han Li's eyes flashed with a blue glow, and his pupils narrowed in astonishment. The armor on their bodies appeared remarkably similar to that of the green-armored figures—it too had been formed from condensed spiritual malice. However, due to differences in their cultivation levels and the quantity of malice they possessed, some armors solidified into tangible forms, while others remained hazy and indistinct, appearing faint and translucent. Observing these soldiers, each radiating an exceptional aura of malice, Han Li was deeply startled, his thoughts racing rapidly. At that moment, the green-armored figure scanned the group standing behind the three senior elders and suddenly broke into a smile. "Our clan conducts such a trial only once every three centuries. How could I possibly overlook this? However, recently, the creatures beneath the earth have grown restless. Should the trial be delayed another one or two years, I would absolutely refuse it." "Haha! Therefore, upon receiving the news from Brother Tie, we promptly adjusted the trial date to an earlier one." The black tide beneath the earth should not have begun yet," the elder smiled and inquired. "Not yet. Based on the monitoring of the treasures' responses, although the current darkness is more hazardous than usual, it's still at least another year before a full-scale eruption. However, the underground dark creatures might leave their respective lairs, so I can't guarantee that only dark creatures at the Ling Jiang level will appear in the first three trial layers. The likelihood of encountering higher-tier creatures from the deep earth will certainly be much greater. But we won't see any creature at the King level. The risks involved, you joint senior elders can assess for yourselves. Should the damage be too severe, don't blame me for not having warned you earlier," the green-armored figure said calmly. "As long as no King-level creatures appear, everything will be fine—we can proceed with the trials," the man with white hair stated without hesitation. "I have no objections." If they miss this opportunity now, the trials will at least be unable to proceed for a century, and many branches won't be able to wait that long." The old woman furrowed her brows and then spoke slowly. The tattooed elder paused for a long time before finally taking a deep breath and nodding gently. Seeing that all three agreed, Qing-jia smiled softly and raised her hand toward the sky. A large, fist-sized sphere of bright green light shot forth, then unexpectedly appeared high in the sky, several hundred feet above. A tremendous roar echoed as the sphere burst, and a brilliant green glow rapidly expanded outward. A large, radiant green sun of several zhang in diameter appeared in the sky, shining brilliantly. The armored flying spirits behind, who had varying levels of cultivation, instantly divided into two lines and formed a clear path in the air. Though their levels of cultivation differed, their synchronized, silent movements created an invisible pressure that rose powerfully into the sky. Upon seeing this scene, the elders and others accompanying them remained composed, though their faces slightly tightened before quickly settling again. In contrast, Saint-Heirs like Han Li, who were participating in the trial for the first time, were visibly agitated, with most expressing surprise. The three foremost elders extended a hand behind them and moved forward together. Instantly, the entire procession advanced, passing slowly through the aerial wall of figures. Yet, the garrison here was far fewer in number than that of Tianyuan City, though their elite status surpassed that of Tianyuan's. Moreover, the personnel stationed here frequently engaged in combat against the demonic creatures emerging from the Earth's depths, giving them far richer battlefield experience than ordinary Feilin族 members. The scale of the buildings also suggested that not all Tianyuan guards came from their homes to serve here. While Han Li pondered these matters in silence, the group passed through the human barrier and arrived before a large expanse of empty pavilions. The elders assigned the disciples to temporarily reside there, to recover their spirits and qi, and then, at dawn the following day, they would resume the trials. The Tianpeng Clan members all settled into the same pavilion. Jin Yue and Shi Elder remained on the first floor, while Han Li and his two companions each occupied a separate floor, ensuring they could meditate and rest undisturbed. Upon seeing this arrangement, Han Li furrowed his brows. He had expected to be delighted by being able to stay overnight—instead, he found himself somewhat disappointed. But now, having been instructed by Jin Yue and Shi Long to remain and stay on the first floor, his initial plans were beginning to become troublesome. Han Li sat cross-legged on the bed, not yet entering meditation, his eyes flickering as if pondering something new. After an indeterminate length of time, it seemed as though he suddenly had a breakthrough, and a faint, puzzled smile broke across his face. Then, without hesitation, he rose and headed straight toward the first floor. As his figure appeared at the entrance of the first-floor staircase, Jin Yue and Shi Long, who had been seated on their respective chairs with eyes closed, simultaneously opened their eyes and gazed at him with sharp intensity. Han Li felt a sudden sense of alertness. "Master Han, you should have rested properly. What could possibly be so urgent that you're up now?" It was Shi Long who spoke, rather than the young woman. "I have a matter to attend to, and I need to go outside." Han Li said seriously. "What is it? Do you wish to leave now?" Jin Yue seemed slightly dissatisfied. With the trials approaching, this young lady naturally hoped that Han Li would remain calmly seated in the attic, undisturbed and focused. "Actually, there's not much to it! I merely noticed that the guard's technique of channeling and concentrating vital energy—what they call 'shā qi' forming a shield—is quite unique, and I wanted to find someone to ask about its subtle intricacies." Han Li smiled gently, openly revealing his true intentions. "Shā qi forming a shield! You mean the 'Four Shās into a Shield' technique? This method truly requires a person to possess abundant shā qi to be effective—otherwise, if the shā qi is insufficient, the technique yields little power. Why are you interested in this particular method?" Jin Yue paused, naming the secret technique, her expression slightly puzzled. The elder stone monk by her side also looked somewhat astonished. Upon hearing this, Han Li smiled faintly, then pressed a hand seal, and suddenly a golden glow flashed over his body. From deep within him, a profound and powerful aura surged forth, followed by a strong surge of shā qi erupting from his very core. Remarkably, he had now forced out the shā qi that he had previously refined and transformed At once struck by this aura of malevolence, both the young maiden and the Stone Elder were taken aback. "You possess such a strong aura of malevolence—it's no wonder you're so eager to learn that Four-Devil Armor Technique. Ha! Nevertheless, you needn't go outside to seek information about it. This technique is not particularly secret; I myself am well-versed in it. I can fully impart the entire method to you. With your abundant internal aura of malevolence, this technique might even prove useful during tomorrow's trial." The Stone Elder chuckled heartily, delivering news that had already been somewhat anticipated by Han Li. That very day, he had observed that so many ordinary guards from the Earth Deep had mastered this technique, and as the two elders of the clan, Jin Yue and her companion, were likely also familiar with it. Indeed, his prediction proved accurate. "It is truly generous of the Elder to offer such a teaching," Han Li replied with deep gratitude. "But I wonder if the technique is easy to comprehend, and whether one night will be sufficient for you to master it?" Han Li carefully suppressed his inner excitement and spoke with due respect. "Hehe, as long as Mr. Han can help Lei Lan pass the trials, that will be the greatest gratitude I can offer. Don't worry—this technique isn't complicated at all. With your current cultivation level, you'll be able to grasp the first few layers within just one night. As for the final layers, however, they require a tremendous amount of vital energy, which you've previously been unable to channel." Shi Elder waved his hand, speaking with ease. Han nodded enthusiastically. Jin Yue, upon hearing this, showed no hesitation either, instead calmly closing her eyes once more. Then, Shi Elder produced a bamboo tube about the thickness of a finger from his sleeve, held it silently for a moment, and finally tossed it forward, saying, "I've inscribed this method into the tube. Take it and study it carefully." "Thank you so much, Master!" Han bowed deeply, took the bamboo tube, and respectfully retreated up the stairs to his room, where he immediately proceeded to his dwelling. Once he settled onto the bed, Han Li pressed the bamboo tube against his forehead with one hand and closed his eyes, allowing his consciousness to seep into the tube. Instantly, a series of green ancient characters swiftly flashed into his mind. Han Li's expression remained motionless throughout. After an indeterminate length of time, Han Li suddenly removed the bamboo tube from his forehead, swiftly storing it in his storage bracelet, then his expression softened. The technique truly matched what Stone Elder had described—it appeared quite simple, and within just one night, he was confident it would allow him to solidify a layer of "shā jī" armor. With this thought in mind, Han Li placed both hands on his knees and began to contemplate the entire technique. Throughout this process, he kept his eyes closed, yet a faint black aura began to emerge from his body—first swirling erratically, then settling into stillness. Soon, the aura began to rotate vigorously around him, transforming into a gentle black wind that made Han Li's form appear hazy and gradually blurred. ------------ Volume Nine: The Hundred Clans of the Spirit Realm, Day Two Thus, should anything unforeseen happen, one could at least ensure one's own safety." The young lady carefully observed Han Li's complexion and then suddenly said. "The family's most precious treasure." Han Li was taken aback, greatly surprised. "Indeed, this Thunder-Jiagao Scissors—you carried it with you, didn't you?" As she spoke, she shook her sleeve, and suddenly a cluster of emerald light shot out, swiftly transforming into a pair of jade-green scissors. Han Li instinctively raised his hand, catching the treasure in his grasp, and then focused his attention to examine it closely. The scissors were about half a foot long, with a simple, ancient design. The surface was deep green, adorned with delicate silver patterns that shimmered with an intricate, mysterious aura—clearly no ordinary item. "Both of you elders, truly willing to lend me this item?" Han Li gently stroked the scissors, feeling a crisp, refreshing coldness radiating from them, and felt a surge of delight as he asked. "In truth, our family still possesses several other treasures that would be even more suitable for your use in the Yuen Deep Realm. However, regretfully, these require considerable time to refine and perfect. We simply This Heavenly Thunder Scissors, however, does not require such elaborate preparations—merely a slight infusion of one’s own spiritual energy is sufficient to summon it and strike the enemy with remarkable power. Yet precisely because of this, it is also easily seized by a powerful opponent, so Master Han must be especially careful in handling it." Jin Yue delivered this reminder with serious gravity. "Thank you, senior, for bestowing this precious treasure. I will certainly handle it with great care." Understanding that these two had offered such valuable items specifically to ensure the safety of their own sacred heir, Han did not hesitate, and gladly accepted the gift with a warm smile on his face. Jin Yue nodded in agreement and gave further instructions to Bai Bi and Lei Lan beside her, yet produced nothing further. Seeing this, Han remained unconcerned. The gifts for these two were likely already arranged well before they left the Sacred City—perhaps even during their departure. The golden small gourd used by Lei Lan and Chi Rong during their sparring match last time was probably one of them. After the guests departed, the five of them stepped out of the pavilion and ascended into the air, where they soon gathered a number of others who had been waiting there all along. At this moment, none of them were riding the great birds or flying creatures, and all of them floated suspended in midair with their backs against the wings. Moreover, the holy princes of the Fēnglíng clan had gathered together, separated from their own elders. Unlike yesterday, these holy figures now bore a grave expression, with no one whispering or exchanging words. Han Li glanced at the scene, showing no intention to speak to anyone, and quietly led the two behind him to a corner of the crowd, remaining silent. However, not long after, Han Li suddenly felt someone observing him. With a subtle shift in his mind, he turned to look back. At a distance of over a hundred paces, a slender, small, child-like woman stood appraising him. Though her skin was dark, she had strange black tattoos adorning her neck. Upon seeing Han Li turn toward her, she smiled gently, revealing a set of unusually white teeth. Han Li, however, felt a sudden sense of alarm! As his divine awareness swept over her, the dark-skinned girl suddenly revealed herself to be a high-ranking spiritual general, with an unusual aura that gave him a subtle sense of threat—seeming to have cultivated some special divine technique. Yet, Han Li showed no expression of surprise, merely moving his lips slightly. Standing beside him, Bai Bi, who had been quietly closed his eyes, suddenly heard Han Li's inner voice. Startled, he opened his eyes, glanced at the thin girl with Han Li's gaze, but his face instantly paled, and he quickly lowered his head again. "Brother Han, Ao Qing Shao of the Seventh Crossing Clan is renowned even above Zhu Yinzi, the foremost among our peers in spiritual prowess. Yet this girl is cold and ruthless, with an unusually odd temperament—she often takes lives at will. I would advise you not to provoke her." Han Li heard Bai Bi's voice, tinged with reverence. Han Li furrowed his brows, pondering why this girl seemed to be so attentive to him, while at the same time, a more somber gaze fell upon him. This time, it was truly ill-intentioned. Han Li's expression darkened, and his gaze trailed after a glance. To his surprise, Zhu Yinzi was standing alongside the other Shengzi of the Chi Rong clan, casting them sharp, unwelcoming glares. Han Li coldly exchanged a glance and then calmly turned away, his expression unchanged. The Chi Rong clan was determined to secure the Tian Peng clan, and surely had been working behind the scenes during the trials—Han Li found this development surprisingly unremarkable. Since Han Li and his companions had arrived relatively late, they did not linger in the air any longer. Half an hour later, as the three senior joint elders and the man in green armor appeared before and behind the group, the entire procession began to move forward, heading straight toward the massive wall-like structure nearby. Unaccountably, though the walls were empty and seemingly unobstructed, the entire group did not simply fly over the great wall but instead halted directly beneath one of its massive faces. The man in green armor stepped to the forefront of the procession, murmured to himself, and then suddenly pointed with a single hand at the wall. A tremendous roar echoed, and the massive wall before the crowd trembled. Amidst the shifting hues of five colors, a delicate silver incantation gradually emerged. Seeing this, the green-armored figure immediately opened his mouth and exhaled a pale purple wooden plaque. The plaque radiated brilliant light, and a slender purple beam shot forth, vanishing instantly. After several flickers, it fully submerged into the center of the incantation. At that moment, the silver array hummed, then, under a surge of unusual luminescence, suddenly dissolved. Yet beneath the colossal wall, a vast silver gate appeared—tall, reaching dozens of zhang, glowing with a cool, icy radiance, heavy and imposing, as though forged entirely of pure silver. Without a word, the green-armored figure retrieved the plaque and, with a sweeping gesture from his sleeve, sent it toward the gate. Instantly, a cascade of purple light surged forth, striking the gate. With a thunderous crash, the silver gate slowly began to open within the shimmering light. A gray, eerie wind surged in instantly at the gate, and wherever it passed, the holy princes suddenly felt an inexplicable shiver, their hairs standing on end as if a sharp blade had been drawn close to their skin. How strange! Han Li naturally sensed the peculiar nature of this wind, and with a flash of blue light, the gate swung open. The entire party immediately stepped out without hesitation, revealing clearly what lay behind the massive wall. Han Li could hardly contain his astonishment. Not far behind the gate, there stretched a vast expanse of black land. Not only was no grass or plant growing, but even the soil and stones themselves were dark as ink, stretching endlessly to the horizon. Above, a thick gray-white mist formed a sea of vapor, dense and unbroken, with no visible edges—so thick and imposing that one could not see beyond it. Between the mist sea and the ground, only a gap of thirty or forty zhang in height remained, appearing remarkably narrow. Yet, a continuous, strange wind howling echoed within this space, as though it were steadily consuming everything around it. Everyone present felt a wave of unease. "This is indeed the Gate of the Earth's Depths. It truly looks perilous," Han Li murmured to himself. "Alright, we've arrived here. Aside from the Saint-Heir, no one else shall advance further. The Gate of the Earth's Depths lies beyond ten thousand miles, veiled in mist." Suddenly, the elderly woman, holding her cane in one hand, spoke. Though her voice was soft, it carried with remarkable clarity, instantly silencing the previously restless crowd. "Now that we've arrived, let us begin announcing the details of this trial. I'm sure all of you have been eagerly awaiting this moment," the man with white hair chuckled beside her. The elderly woman glanced at him, remained composed, and continued: "After consultations among our joint senior councilors, we have decided that this trial differs from the previous ones, where the objective was to defeat designated dark beasts. This time, the task is for each of you to retrieve a rare spiritual item known as the Spirit of the Underworld Flame from the depths of the Earth's Depths—this is the criterion for success." This kind of spiritual fruit differs from other spiritual items in that it only grows in places where darkness and impurity are most concentrated. It matures roughly every five hundred years, and each tree bears only one fruit. The Yin-Yan fruits you have brought back must be fully matured ones. The darkness of the first layer of the Earth's Deep Realm is insufficient to produce such fruits. Of course, if anyone is skeptical and wishes to take a chance, they may go to the first layer and search—such actions are entirely up to them. The second layer might yield a small number of Yin-Yan fruits, though we cannot guarantee their presence. In the third layer, this spiritual item is certain to appear, and in abundance. As for how you proceed, it is entirely up to you. The trial period will last three months. After three months, regardless of how many succeed, we will reopen this gate to welcome you back. Listen carefully," the old woman said, her voice calm yet authoritative. The matter she spoke of was directly tied to the success or failure of the trials, so the participants, like Han Li, listened intently, not missing a single word. "Well, since I've now explained all the trials to you, it's time to set out. In three months' time, I hope to see most of you again. The rest of you may return now—the Seal Demon Gate will soon reopen," the elder with the tattoo said solemnly. Then, with a mere flick of his sleeve, he promptly strode toward the city gate behind him, showing not a single glance back.