"Since you've said that, perhaps I've been overthinking it all." Han Li gave a soft smile and immediately continued up the stairs without hesitation. Xianxian smiled gently and gracefully followed behind. At the exit of the fourth-floor staircase, there indeed still stood a faintly crimson light barrier. Han Li smiled calmly, shifted his body slightly, and passed straight through the barrier. The moment the light brightened, he found himself in a vast blue realm. Both the ceiling and the walls around were crystal-clear, glowing with a soft blue hue. Below, a massive white magical array covered nearly the entire ground, stretching over more than twenty zhang. At the center of the array, a figure stood quietly, observing Han Li and the other person. Han Li's gaze flickered, and in a moment, he clearly saw the man's face. To his surprise, it was a well-dressed scholar, composed and serious, holding a yellow-bound book in one hand and a pale golden array disc in the other. His cultivation level was clearly at the peak of the Lingxu stage. "Ah, so you've arrived!" A slightly strange expression appeared on the scholar's face as he said, "May I ask, have you known me before?" Han Li smiled and replied, "Even if we had not met previously, your actions here have surely made me recognize you. By effortlessly overpowering a ninth-stage being, you truly display remarkable prowess." The scholar nodded in admiration. "That's quite a compliment," Han Li said with a composed air. "But I'd like to know—how shall I be tested?" "Tested?" the scholar laughed heartily. "With your such extraordinary abilities, what need is there for testing? You'll naturally pass without any difficulty!" Upon hearing this, Han Li and Xian Xian both paused, taken aback. "Indeed," Han Li said, "you truly believe I'm someone who lacks adaptability? If even a ninth-stage being can bypass testing, then surely you needn't either. Here, take this lightning-shield!" As soon as the scholar finished speaking, his book suddenly flashed with a silver glow, and an object shot straight out from it, flying directly toward Han Li. Han Li single-handedly reached out and caught the object that had flown toward him, holding it with a slight coolness. He lowered his head and saw it was a small umbrella of pale silver, only a few inches in size yet exquisitely crafted, its surface inscribed with dense rows of characters. One after another, colorful techniques surged forth, vanishing into the blood mist. The silver parasol rapidly expanded, swelling to three feet in height within an instant. At the same time, deep resonant sounds echoed through the mist, which then coalesced into various-sized blood-colored seals. These seals spun around the silver parasol, circling it swiftly before vanishing into it in a flash. For a moment, the entire parasol shimmered with a blood-like glow, but immediately dispersed, returning to its original state. With a simple hand gesture, Han Li summoned the parasol, which shrank and then flew into his sleeve, disappearing instantly. The entire process of establishing a bond between him and the parasol was completed in mere moments. Min, the steward, expressed a slight sense of surprise, clearly impressed by the speed at which Han Li had bonded with the parasol. However, by the next moment, he regained his composure and turned his gaze to Xian Xian, frowning slightly and remarking, "This young lady is from the Crystal Clan, yet her cultivation level is rather low. Entering the Magician's Mountain range carries a significant risk of failure." I think the fairy has decided to abandon her plan to enter. Otherwise, the chances of her falling are quite high. Thank you, senior, but this time I absolutely intend to enter the Demon Golden Mountain Range. Should you have any tests, please proceed. Fian gently bows to Min the steward and firmly states. Since the fairy has made such a determination, Min shall not offer any further advice. There are two tests. The first is to endure for half an hour within the illusion created by the array I will activate. The second is to engage in a full battle against my two puppet beasts and defeat them. Passing either one of these tests will count as a successful completion. Min the steward speaks slowly. I choose the first one! Fian seems to have anticipated this, and speaks with unwavering confidence. Then, the guest shall advance three paces. Min the steward nods. Upon hearing this, the crystal-people woman promptly takes three steps as instructed. Han Li, standing by, notices a subtle shift in his gaze. He observes that she has just stepped upon a large character inscribed on the ground array. He mentally pondered a few times, still hadn't quite formed a thought when Min suddenly said to him, "Master, you may go first. During my test, I didn't wish anyone to be present. As for the details of the test, I kindly ask you not to disclose them to anyone yet." "Of course. I'll be on my way." Han Li nodded calmly and proceeded steadily down the stairs. At the very moment Fang stepped into the stairwell, a ripple of spell energy surged from behind, accompanied by a faint, clear chime. Han Li glanced back casually. He saw the magical array on the floor now fully activated, white mist rising layer by layer, completely engulfing the crystal-kin woman and Min, so that neither could be seen at all. Han Li's expression shifted slightly, yet he made no pause, simply stepping through the shimmering light and descending the stairs. Upon reaching the third floor, Fang found that many people were now looking at him. Han Li smiled and likewise did not linger on the third floor, heading down instead. A short while later, he appeared at the main gate of the pavilion. Pausing briefly, he turned and glanced upward toward the pavilion. This pavilion had five floors—what exactly lay on the fifth floor? For no clear reason, Han Li suddenly found himself thinking of this odd notion. But immediately shaking his head with a composed smile, he continued walking slowly along the street. He estimated that once Yue Zong had completed his tests, there would still be some time before then, so he might as well take a stroll around the town first. Fortunately, the town was not large, and he could get a general sense of it within a short while. Moreover, he was curious about the Saint Clan member who had issued a reward for the mythical being Zhixin. Though he hadn’t planned to meet him personally, a simple glimpse from a distance should not be difficult. With these thoughts in mind, Han Li walked steadily along the street. The shops lining the street were not many, and most of them sold materials from wild beasts. These shops were modest and looked somewhat worn, clearly having been around for some time. Fortunately, there were indeed a few lower-tier cultivators moving about the streets, occasionally entering and exiting the shops, and their business managed to hold up reasonably well. As Han Li walked down half the street, passing by a larger manor, his eyes narrowed suddenly, and a serious expression settled upon his face. When his spiritual awareness had first swept over the area, he had been blocked by an unusual seal—so refined and powerful that even though he forced his way through, it would take him a considerable time to penetrate it. It seemed, then, that this was the residence of the saintly lineage member. With that thought, Han Li took a closer look at the place. Unfortunately, the main gate remained closed and the seal was so tight that nothing could be seen inside—there was no indication of whether the saintly cultivator was present. Han Li did not linger here long, merely passing through the gate with a composed air, and continued on his way. Half an hour later, Han Li had thoroughly explored the town and returned to the pavilion. However, upon arriving, he found Xian Xian and Yue Zong standing there, with no one else nearby. "Has Yue brother passed the examination without any testing at all?" Han Li guessed what had happened, and smiled warmly as he approached. "Your assessment was quite accurate. When I went up, Mr. Min told me my reputation was sufficient and that I didn't need to undergo any tests. Otherwise, even though I followed you up the stairs, I wouldn't have been able to emerge so quickly. I haven't yet had the chance to properly express my gratitude for your assistance!" Yue Zong bowed slightly, clearly showing greater respect toward Han Li. "It's nothing at all. This trip has been a small favor to you, Daojun. As for Xian Daojun, you should have received the Lightning-Shielding Umbrella by now, right?" Han Li waved his hand and asked Xian Xian. "Of course. Although the illusion array was quite powerful, I have just recently cultivated several secret techniques to calm the mind and stabilize the spirit. With a bit of perseverance, I managed to endure it without any issue." "Gently and lightly described, she said. "Then let us set out right away. Our time isn't particularly abundant," Han Li remarked. "I completely agree!" Xin Xin smiled. Yue Zong nodded seriously as well. Thus, the three of them made no further hesitation, and with their light trails blazing, departed from the town, continuing on their way. After only a few miles, they vanished once more into the green mist. After traveling twenty or so miles ahead, the fog gradually thinned. Yet the thunder that continued to roll in from the front remained deafening. When the three light trails burst forth from the mist, Han Li took a sharp breath upon seeing the scene ahead. There, hundreds of paces away, the sky was aglow with flickering green lightning, and thunder roared from all directions, as if endless. The world they were approaching was one filled solely with thunder and lightning. "Go," Zong said softly. As he opened his mouth again, a small silver parasol shot out and, with a flick, transformed into a sphere of silver light, completely enclosing him. Thus, he soared upward. Han Li and Xian Xian performed the same spell, releasing their own lightning-shielding parasols and following closely behind.