NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 57: The Trial
Everywhere one could glance, the mountain peaks surrounded the area, creating an imposing yet serene atmosphere. The spiritual energy in this place seemed to seep into the bodies of the group, instantly relaxing their tense muscles, as if the stress had been washed away by a cool, refreshing spring. The air was crisp and pure, and the overwhelming presence of the place had a captivating effect, especially on the younger ones. Even Wen Ran, who had witnessed mysterious wonders beyond imagination, couldn't help but admit that this place was truly one of a kind.
If I cultivate here for a few years, I'll be able to mask myself well from the outside, Wen Ran thought. In his opinion, he hadn't left much in the way of tracks or evidence linking him to the fall of the Fang Clan.
The people leading the group remained silent, and not a single person dared to ask too many questions. The atmosphere grew heavy, and it seemed that someone needed to break the silence.
And that someone had to be the most daring individual in the group—Feng Chenxi.
"Elder sister," he caught up to the woman leading the group, his tone eager. "Tell me about this place. I need to know everything. No..." He shook his head with great vigor, almost fervently. "I must know everything! Also, also... did you know that you are so beautiful?"
His words sliced through the awkward atmosphere like a hot knife through butter. Wen Ran couldn't help but shake his head. He knew exactly what was coming, and it amused him greatly. Well... I might as well enjoy the show. Let's see what happens now, he thought, a silent laugh bubbling up inside him. To him, this whole situation was just too comical.
"Junior, watch your words, and stop asking questions, or I will personally throw you out and feed you to the mountain lions," the man, who looked to be in his twenties with a well-worn sword strapped to his back, said coldly. His words made Feng Chenxi pout, and Feng Yulan quickly rushed to her brother's side, covering his mouth with her hand before he could start complaining. She knew her brother's character all too well.
She glanced at Wen Ran, giving him an apologetic look. To her, this was a perfect opportunity—a chance to grow stronger and find people who could help her village. She owed Wen Ran so much for giving her this chance. Just thinking about him being disappointed made her feel a strange tightness in her heart. She wanted to somehow please him, but she couldn't quite understand why she felt the way she did.
The young woman in the front turned her head and gave the group a warm look, her smile extremely captivating, like a flower blooming in the spring. She brought warmth, making the youngsters smile in return. However, to Wen Ran, something felt off. He could swear he felt a weird fluctuation in spiritual energy, as if something was trying to invade his mind and make him submit.
What kind of cultivation technique is that? he thought bitterly. If not for my mental strength exceeding the others, I too might have fallen for her fake charm…
This woman is dangerous.
For a second, Wen Ran regretted coming to this place. The entire area felt like an immortal paradise, but he knew, deep down, that there was something hidden behind the curtain. He would soon find out what it was.
The group followed the three cultivators up the stairs made from the rocks of the mountain. They began to climb to a place where there seemed to be no end. No matter how long they climbed, the path just didn't seem to end. Slowly, the youngest of the group started to grow tired. Soon, one by one, their legs gave out—one, then two—they began to drift behind, struggling to keep up with the rest of the group.
"Wait, we have children who can't keep up," Feng Yulan called out, stopping in her tracks. She rushed over to the two children who seemed to be on the verge of collapse. But the three people in the lead didn't even glance back at them, pretending not to hear. Wen Ran, however, continued to follow right behind, his expression unchanged.
Feng Yulan and her brother quickly picked up the children and placed them on their backs, but the extra weight began to take its toll. As the children grew heavier and the siblings themselves started to lose strength, it became more and more difficult to keep up. They didn't dare to leave their friends behind, but at the same time, the group of three cultivators and Wen Ran began to fade from sight, their figures growing smaller in the distance.
They had to make a decision.
Feng Yulan clenched her fists hard, and with a decisive motion, she carefully put the children down.
"Jiejie, what are you doing?" Feng Chenxi's eyes widened in shock. He never imagined he would see the day when his sister would give up on the group.
"Please stay here and wait for us, we'll come back soon," she said gently, patting the children's heads before turning to her brother. "Let's go, we have to catch up. If we lose them, we might never be able to help our people."
Her eyes burned with determination as she grabbed her brother's hand, and without wasting another moment, she rushed up the stairs, hoping to catch up with Wen Ran and the rest of the group.
Meanwhile, Wen Ran was following the three cultivators of the Heaven Shattering Sect. For him, the challenge wasn't too difficult. After advancing to the Spirit Flow Stage, his body had undergone a heaven-shaking transformation, and so far, he didn't feel overly tired. But even he knew that he wouldn't be able to endure forever.
This must be a spiritual array set to test our talent and endurance, he thought to himself. So far, we've climbed enough to scale three mountains. Just how long will this last?