Lin Yun looked around, noticing Gong Yi was no longer beside him.
He likely spent too long comprehending, and Gong Yi, having claimed his reward, moved ahead to avoid disturbing him.
“You actually broke through to the Myriad Realms with this opportunity. Your comprehension is impressive. Without strong insight, even witnessing the emergence of all things wouldn’t lead to such a breakthrough,” the tree spirit’s voice sounded.
“Thanks to your guidance, Senior, for pointing me to this opportunity,” Lin Yun replied with a smile.
“You reached this stage through your own ability. The reward is yours by right, no need to thank me,” the tree spirit said.
It continued, “Now, move forward.”
Lin Yun nodded.
“By the way, Xiao Bai, how long was I here?” Lin Yun asked.
Absorbed in observing the emergence of all things, he had lost track of time.
“Master, you were here for about two days. Bao Gang came through as well, but he left after taking his reward,” Xiao Bai said.
“Bao Gang was here? So he passed the three arenas,” Lin Yun murmured.
With raw strength alone, Bao Gang stood no chance.
But with his abilities and the Shadow Technique from the Shadow Hall, he could have succeeded, especially since his realm surpassed Mo Qing’s.
Lin Yun didn’t dwell on it and continued down the passage.
What would the next trial be?
After these trials and rewards, Lin Yun grew more curious about the relic’s master. What kind of powerhouse was this?
Following the passage, Lin Yun exited the ancient tree, arriving at its rear.
A small lake blocked the path ahead.
Floating lotus leaves dotted its surface.
“Hm? That’s… Senior Gong Yi and Xin Yu from the Heavenly God Palace!”
Lin Yun spotted their figures on the lake, sitting on lotus leaves, which surprised him. What were they doing?
Was this the next trial? If so, what was it?
There should have been four people ahead: Xin Yu from the Heavenly God Palace, the leading immortal from Taixu Tavern, Gong Yi, and Bao Gang.
Yet, only two figures were visible on the lake.
Where were the Taixu Tavern’s leader and Bao Gang? Had they already passed this stage and moved on? That seemed unlikely.
“This stage is a consciousness lockdown trial, testing your willpower. Failure could trap your consciousness forever or even cause it to collapse, leading to death. This trial carries significant risk. You may choose to attempt it or withdraw via the left path,” the tree spirit’s voice rang out.
“Consciousness lockdown trial? What’s that?” Lin Yun was puzzled.
“It means your consciousness will be sealed in a space, and you must break free using your own will,” the tree spirit explained.
“I see,” Lin Yun nodded, grasping the concept.
“If you accept the trial, fly to the lake and sit on a lotus leaf to begin. If you withdraw, simply leave,” the tree spirit said.
Lin Yun looked at the two figures on the lake.
“It seems the Taixu Tavern’s immortal and Bao Gang gave up, while Xin Yu and Gong Yi chose to take the trial,” Lin Yun murmured.
He wasn’t surprised by their withdrawal. They might lack confidence in their willpower or fear death, especially since the previous rewards might have satisfied them enough to avoid the risk.
Knowing one’s limits was reasonable.
Lin Yun admired Xin Yu and Gong Yi’s courage for taking on this trial.
“I’ll go for it!”
Without much thought, Lin Yun leapt into the air, flying toward the lake.
He knew this was risky, perhaps even dangerous.
But risk and reward were always proportional.
If Lin Yun shied away from risks, he wouldn’t have come this far!
“He’s actually attempting this stage? That’s unexpected,” the tree spirit remarked, though Lin Yun couldn’t hear it.
The tree spirit could see Lin Yun’s young age. Typically, the young lacked the willpower of those who had lived for tens of thousands of years. Youth often clung to life, while ancient immortals, weary of existence, sometimes feared death less.
“I hope you don’t die here…” the tree spirit murmured.
It had a favourable impression of Lin Yun.
Landing on a lotus leaf, Lin Yun sat cross-legged.
A powerful force surged from the leaf.
Instantly, Lin Yun felt his consciousness stripped away, forcibly sent to a hazy space.
In this space, his consciousness took human form.
The surroundings were a blinding white, empty and eerily silent, the light almost painful to behold.
“How do I break out of here?” Lin Yun scanned the area.
The tree spirit had said his consciousness was sealed in this space, and he needed to break the lockdown.
Escaping this confinement would likely be incredibly difficult.
“Let’s explore and assess the situation.”
Lin Yun, in his consciousness form, walked forward.
The white haze obscured distant views.
Choosing a direction, he soon reached a dead end.
A glowing white barrier blocked the way.
“No path here. I’ll try another direction,” Lin Yun said, turning to explore others.
He tested all four directions—east, south, west, north—each ending in a glowing white barrier. He found no objects, people, or creatures.
Even the ground beneath him was a glowing white barrier.
“Xiao Bai, Artifact Spirit, can you hear me?” Lin Yun called out.
Silence.
No response.
His consciousness was completely sealed, cut off from the outside world.
“I’ll check the air.”
Lin Yun tried to fly but was shocked to find he couldn’t.
