You, a living person, are telling me I've served in the underworld for ten years?

He snorted coldly, turned away, and, with his few loyal followers, sullenly walked into the depths of the ruins to find a place to rest, clearly preferring to stay out of sight.

Seeing that everyone's emotions had calmed down, Liu Piaopiao raised her voice and addressed the crowd.

"Now that this area is confirmed to be a safe zone, everyone can rest assured and recuperate here!"
Once the trial is over, we'll be automatically teleported out, and we won't have to worry about being hunted by these monsters anymore!

Upon hearing this, the cultivators who were seriously injured finally showed expressions of relief. They nodded in agreement and helped each other to rest and heal in the relatively intact stone houses in the central area.

Chen Yang did not participate in the subsequent arrangements; he needed some quiet space to think and recover.

He walked alone to the east side of the town ruins.

This place is relatively remote, and there is a half-built, dilapidated attic ruin here.

He chose a relatively stable corner, cleaned off the dust, sat down cross-legged, and began to regulate his breathing, while sorting out the various encounters and information he had received since entering the trial grounds.

Not long after, a series of light footsteps approached.

Liu Piaopiao also arrived at this half-pavilion. When she saw Chen Yang, she smiled sweetly.

"Brother Chen, you're here. I came over... to thank you privately."

Chen Yang opened his eyes and smiled.

"There's really no need to thank me anymore. Speaking of which, I've learned quite a bit about blessed lands and trial rules from you, and I haven't thanked you yet."

Liu Piaopiao found a flat rock next to him, sat down, and waved her hand.

"Then we're even!"

"Well, we're even now."

Chen Yang nodded.

Liu Piaopiao tilted her head, carefully examining Chen Yang, and suddenly said.

"Brother Chen, I think I've seen you on TV when I was out in the world?"

Chen Yang was slightly surprised, but then spoke frankly.

"Really? I do often appear in the news or at public events of the Special Administration Bureau, so it's normal that you've seen me before."

As the leader of the Qingwei Sect and having collaborated with the Special Administration Bureau on numerous occasions, he is considered a celebrity in the cultivation world today.

"So it really was you!"

Liu Piaopiao's eyes lit up.

"I knew it looked familiar!"
So, were you teleported here specifically to find some treasure or investigate 'celestial traces'? Or... do you also want to participate in our trials?"

Chen Yang gave a wry smile.

"To be honest, before I came here, I only heard that there were many signs of 'immortality' in the Qinling Mountains, which might hide opportunities or the activities of the 'Heavenly Alliance' and 'Dark Star', so my companions and I came to investigate. I never expected to accidentally enter the trial grounds of your blessed land and get caught up in such a cruel elimination mechanism."

"So that's how it is..."

Liu Piaopiao suddenly realized what was happening and immediately offered words of comfort.

"But Brother Chen, you don't need to worry too much. Although it's dangerous here, there really are real 'miracle sites'! If you come with us, finding the 'miracle sites' will be much easier!"

"Oh why?"

Chen Yang's heart stirred.

Liu Piaopiao explained with a touch of pride.

"Because before we disciples participate in the trial, our sect will distribute a special 'tracking compass' to us."

This compass can sense marked "celestial traces" or resource points with special spiritual energy fluctuations within a radius of twenty kilometers!

While it can't be guaranteed to be 100% accurate, it's much better than blindly searching!

This is a pleasant surprise!
Chen Yang was originally worried about how to find opportunities in this vast and dangerous trial ground, but he didn't expect that these trial participants came with their own "navigation".

"That is indeed much more convenient."

Chen Yang initially agreed, but then his brows furrowed slightly.

"However, I am more worried about my lost friends now."

I don't know their current situation or whether they are safe.

Liu Piaopiao noticed Chen Yang's worry and comforted him.

"Brother Chen, you are truly a man of great loyalty and righteousness."

However… finding the lost individuals in this trial grounds of the Grand Duke is indeed very difficult. This canyon area we're in is probably only one percent, or even less, of the entire trial space.”

"Isn't there a quick way to find companions?"

Chen Yang asked.

"It seems that the people of Lingxi Valley can gather together very quickly?"

Liu Piaopiao nodded.

"This mainly depends on two things."

Firstly, the cultivation techniques practiced by fellow disciples resonate in a special way, allowing us to sense each other within a certain distance.

Secondly, it relies on the 'tracking compass' I just mentioned.

It not only helps you find treasures, but also has a "sibling location" function.

As long as fellow disciples are all within the compass's sensing range, their approximate locations can be determined, preventing them from being too scattered.

"Brother Chen, you and your friend have neither the same cultivation technique nor this special compass, so it will indeed be very difficult for you to reunite after being separated."

After listening, Chen Yang finally understood the key point.

So that's how they were able to assemble so quickly—it was thanks to an "internal cheat"!

I came in completely naked, no wonder I was randomly teleported to all corners of the world.

Seeing that Chen Yang seemed to be deep in thought, Liu Piaopiao chatted with him about some interesting anecdotes and precautions about the trial grounds.

As they chatted, she didn't seem to have any intention of leaving. She simply sat down cross-legged in another corner of the half-pavilion and began to regulate her breathing. She clearly planned to "keep" with Chen Yang here tonight.

In the distance, on the other side of the ruins, one of Liu Haoran's informants reported this scene to him.

"Senior Brother Liu, Junior Sister Piaopiao and that guy surnamed Chen are resting together in that dilapidated attic on the east side!"
It seems... Junior Sister Piao Piao isn't planning on coming tonight!

The disciple embellished the story.

Upon hearing this, Liu Haoran's face instantly turned ashen, and a fierce glint flashed in his eyes.

"Fine! Very well! Liu Piaopiao, how dare you show me such disrespect! And that Chen Yang... you just wait!"

His henchmen were also filled with righteous indignation.

"Senior Brother Liu, we can't swallow this!"
That kid is too arrogant!

"Exactly! We must find a chance to teach him a lesson!"

"rest assured."

Liu Haoran gritted his teeth, his voice chilling.

"The Trial Grounds are full of surprises... Once we leave this safe zone, there will be plenty of opportunities for him to 'accidentally' disappear!"

Chen Yang was completely unaware of this. He was immersed in regulating his breathing and pondering, and the night passed quietly in this slow and eerie flow of time.

When Chen Yang slowly awoke from his deep meditation and opened his eyes, the sunlight had already illuminated the ruins once more.

He stretched his muscles and felt much better.

Almost simultaneously, Liu Piaopiao next to her also opened her eyes. The two smiled at each other and said good morning.

"Brother Chen, what are your plans for the future?"

"I asked Liu Piaopiao."

"My primary task, of course, is to find my lost friends."

Chen Yang said without hesitation.

"Although the hope is slim, we cannot give up."

After thinking for a moment, Liu Piaopiao took the initiative to make the suggestion.

“Then I’ll go with you! I’m more familiar with this place than you are, and I have a compass. When we’re looking for ‘celestial traces’ or special locations, we might be able to find your friends’ trails. It’s better than you searching aimlessly by yourself.”

Chen Yang was somewhat surprised and shook his head.

"How can that be? You're here to participate in the trial. Following me will delay your progress and might even cause you to miss the opportunity to return to your blessed land."

Liu Piaopiao smiled nonchalantly.

"It's okay! The trial was too much pressure for me. I'll be content as long as I can get out of here alive."

Besides, I feel safer with you, Brother Chen! I might even be able to help you. Don't be so polite with me!

Seeing her resolute attitude, Chen Yang stopped being coy and said solemnly.

"In that case, I won't stand on ceremony. Thank you, Piaopiao! If I find my friend, I will do my best to help you so that you can have the opportunity to complete the trial and fulfill your wish to return to your blessed land!"

"Really? That's wonderful! Thank you, Brother Chen!"

Liu Piaopiao laughed happily, her eyes curving into crescent moons.

After quickly tidying up, the two prepared to leave the safe zone of the ruins.

However, they had only gone a short distance from the halfway point of the attic when Liu Haoran and several others blocked their way.

"Junior Sister Piao Piao, where are you going?"

Liu Haoran's expression was not good. He stared at Liu Piaopiao and then glanced at Chen Yang.

"Aren't you going to stick with us? We agreed before we came in that we would look after each other and complete the trial together! Now you're leaving alone with an outsider, what about us fellow disciples? What if you encounter danger?"

Liu Piaopiao frowned, her tone calm yet firm.

"Senior Brother Liu, I'm going to go with Brother Chen to find his friend."

As for the trials, you are all strong enough to proceed without me. As I said before, surviving is all that matters; I'm not that obsessed with rankings or returning qualifications. I will take responsibility for my own safety; Senior Brother Liu, please don't worry about it.”

"you!"

Liu Haoran was choked and speechless, his face flushed red and his chest heaving violently.

Looking at Liu Piaopiao's unwavering, even somewhat aloof, attitude, and then at Chen Yang beside him who remained calm and seemingly indifferent, a surge of anger rose within him, but he managed to suppress it and squeeze out a few words through gritted teeth.

"Alright...alright! Junior Sister Piaopiao, since you insist on doing so, then I, your senior brother, will not stop you."

I just hope... you won't regret your decision today! Let's go!

After saying that, he glared fiercely at Chen Yang, his eyes filled with undisguised resentment and threat, before turning and striding away with his unwilling follower.

Chen Yang observed all of this with a calm expression, but inwardly he remained somewhat wary of Liu Haoran.

However, finding Uncle Li and Qiu Niu is the top priority right now.

"Let's go too, Piaopiao."

Chen Yang ignored Liu Haoran and the others and spoke to Liu Piaopiao.

"Ok!"

Liu Piaopiao nodded, took out a palm-sized, bronze compass covered with intricate runes from her bosom, and infused it with a wisp of magic. The center of the compass immediately lit up with a faint light, and the pointer began to tremble gently.

“Brother Chen, which direction should we go first? My compass shows that about fifteen miles to the northwest, there is a point with a rather special energy reaction. It might be a ‘celestial site’ or a resource-rich area. How about we try our luck there? Maybe we can meet other trial participants and ask them for information.”

"Okay, I'll do as you say."

Chen Yang nodded in agreement.

Several other disciples from Lingxi Valley surrounded Liu Haoran, their faces bearing admonitions and a hint of barely perceptible superiority.

One of the square-faced young men said to Liu Piaopiao.

“Junior Sister Piao Piao, Senior Brother Liu is right. It’s not safe for you to follow him alone. The Trial Grounds are full of dangers. Having another person will provide more protection.”

We're all from the same sect, we know each other well, and we can support each other in case of danger. If you follow this Fellow Daoist Chen and encounter a powerful enemy or an unexpected situation, he alone might not be able to protect you completely.

The words seemed to express concern, but in reality, they implied that Chen Yang was not capable enough.

Another female disciple echoed this.

"Yes, Piaopiao, we are the ones who are together. Outsiders are still outsiders. Who knows what he's really thinking? Don't act impulsively."

Upon hearing this, Liu Piaopiao not only remained unmoved, but instead raised her eyebrows, her tone carrying a hint of dissatisfaction and arrogance.

"Follow you? Follow you and be timid and hesitant, thinking only of self-preservation or retreat when danger arises?"
Brother Chen is courageous and decisive, and he dares to think and act. If it weren't for him last night, would we have had that safe zone to spend the night?

Besides making sarcastic remarks and questioning this and that, what have you all done? I feel much safer with Brother Chen than with you guys!

Her words were blunt, leaving her fellow disciples, who had been trying to persuade her, speechless, their faces turning red and then pale.

Chen Yang didn't want to cause a complete falling out between Liu Piaopiao and her fellow disciples because of him, so he took the initiative to speak.

"Miss Liu, I appreciate your kindness."

"But what these fellow cultivators said makes sense; the trial grounds are indeed dangerous. If you go with them, you'll have better teamwork and be safer. As for finding my friend, I'll handle it myself; I wouldn't dare trouble you."

"Brother Chen!"

Liu Piaopiao stubbornly shook her head, looking at Chen Yang with a determined gaze.

“I said I’d go with you, and I definitely will! I’m not a child anymore. I know what I’m doing, and I can take responsibility for my choices!”

As for security... I have faith in your abilities!

She turned to Liu Haoran and the others, her tone resolute.

"We have found a safe zone here. As long as we don't go out, we are basically safe at night."

As for the dangers I might encounter during the day… that's part of the trial! Whom I choose to go with is my freedom! If you truly care about me, please respect my choice!

Liu Haoran's face was so dark it was almost dripping with water. He suppressed his anger and squeezed out his voice through clenched teeth.

"Junior Sister Piao Piao, think this through! Going with this outsider isn't just about the dangers on the road! Don't forget, those sects that are at odds with our Lingxi Valley, like Liu Cheng from 'Qingya Cave' and Xue Kainian from 'Black Water Pool,' are very likely in this area! If you run into them, and you only have this one unreliable guy by your side, who will protect you? It will be too late to regret it then!"

He emphasized the words "unreliable guy," his eyes sweeping over Chen Yang like knives.

Liu Piaopiao, however, didn't care at all, and instead straightened her back. (End of this chapter)