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

A startling light suddenly flashed in Chen Yang's eyes, and he couldn't help but exclaim in a low voice, a look of delighted realization appearing on his face.

His commotion immediately caught the attention of Liu Piaopiao, who had just come out of a thatched hut.

Holding several seemingly ordinary but uniquely made old bamboo scrolls, she quickly walked to Chen Yang's side and asked curiously.

"Brother Chen, what's wrong? You've been staring at these stone carvings for ages, did you... discover something?"

Hearing Liu Piaopiao's question, Chen Yang snapped out of his reverie, a hint of excitement still lingering in his eyes.

He pointed to the mysterious engravings on the ground and said to Liu Piaopiao.

“Piao Piao, look at these array patterns.”

Although they are incomplete, I can sense that their core principles and rune configurations are the same as those of the protective formations and 'power field' formations we encountered in the Black Tower and the family ruins!
One could even say that these markings might represent an earlier, more fundamental version of a 'practice' or 'deduction'!

Upon hearing this, Liu Piaopiao also squatted down and looked closely.

Although she was not as proficient in formations as Chen Yang, she had traveled with him and personally experienced the pressure and integration of that "power field" formation. Now, reminded by Chen Yang, she vaguely sensed a certain familiar rhythm contained in these markings.

"You mean... the predecessors who left these marks might also have been researching that ancient and powerful array system?"

Liu Piaopiao seemed to be deep in thought.

"Probably."

Chen Yang nodded.

"Moreover, judging from the complexity and interrelationship of these engravings, this senior's mastery of formations is extremely high. The deductions he made here seem to be more profound than the 'finished' formations we encountered before."

If we can decipher its mysteries, it will greatly help us understand and apply that formation, and even improve upon it!

At this point, the thirst for knowledge in Chen Yang's eyes shone even brighter. He said no more and focused all his attention back on observing and understanding the engravings, as if everything in the outside world was irrelevant to him.

Seeing this, Liu Piaopiao knew that Chen Yang had entered that focused research state again, so she stopped disturbing him.

She glanced at the few old bamboo scrolls she had just found in the thatched hut. They were made of a special material, cold to the touch, and covered with densely packed tiny characters, seemingly some kind of record or reflection, but she hadn't had time to examine them closely yet.

She carefully put the bamboo slips away, then turned to meet up with Qiuniu, Xing San, and Su Meng, and continued searching other parts of this back mountain area.

About an hour later, Qiuniu and his men had thoroughly searched the thatched huts, bamboo houses, and all the nearby corners where items might be hidden, but their haul was barely anything to show for it.

Several pieces of ore of decent quality but with most of their spiritual energy lost, a few relatively intact, unidentified dried spiritual herbs, some ordinary jade slip fragments that had long lost their spiritual luster, and the bamboo scrolls that Liu Piaopiao found.

The biggest find was probably a small jar of aged spirit wine, perfectly sealed and still retaining a faint aroma and a hint of spiritual energy, discovered in a hidden stone niche.

"Sigh, this place looks like a hermit's retreat, how come it's even poorer than the previous one?"

Qiuniu weighed the fist-sized, dark ore in his hand with some disappointment.

"Perhaps it's been too long, and the valuable things have long since weathered away or been taken away."

Xing San, on the other hand, takes it all in stride.

"It's not bad to have gained this much; it's better than nothing."

Su Meng was very interested in the bamboo scrolls and was huddled together with Liu Piaopiao, trying to decipher the characters on them. However, the characters were ancient and obscure, and they could only barely recognize a few words that seemed to be related to formations and vital energy.

At this moment, they saw Chen Yang finally break free from that focused state, a look of relieved satisfaction on his face, as he slowly stood up and dusted himself off.

"Chen Yang, have you finished your research? Did you make any major discoveries?"

Qiuniu's eyes lit up, and it immediately came closer.

Xing San, Su Meng, and Liu Piaopiao also gathered around, looking at Chen Yang with curiosity.

Chen Yang nodded, a smile appearing on his face.

I guess so.

Although the array markings here are only remnants, they have given me a lot of inspiration.

Previously, although I could set up and use those formations that integrated 'momentum field', 'Dao pattern', and 'water pattern', I always felt that there were still some key aspects that I had not fully grasped. I knew how to do it, but not why.

But just now, comparing these older, more fundamental deductive clues, many key points suddenly became clear.

He paused, looked at the expectant eyes of the crowd, and continued.

"Simply put, I have basically figured out the deeper operating logic and energy conversion method of this array system."

"If we encounter monster threats again and need to set up defensive formations, I'm confident that the new formations will be more robust and smarter than the previous 'fortress' in that small courtyard, and might even possess a certain... ability to proactively adapt and counterattack!"

"real?!"

Su Meng clapped her hands in delight.

"That's great! We'll be much safer resting at night now!"

Qiuniu also said excitedly.

"Chen Shuai, you're truly our lucky star! You learn new skills wherever you go!"

Xing San chuckled and scratched his head.

"Although I don't understand it very well, it sounds amazing!"

If Chen Shuai says it's okay, then it definitely will be okay!

Liu Piaopiao's eyes also revealed joy and admiration. She knew that Chen Yang had extremely high talent and comprehension in the art of formations, but the fact that he could make such progress from these broken engravings in such a short time still exceeded her expectations.

"Now that we've explored this place enough and Chen Yang has found what he was looking for, shouldn't we leave?"

Liu Piaopiao suggested.

"Although it's still early, we need to hurry on our way to find Minister Jianghe and Uncle Li."

Chen Yang glanced at the sky and nodded in agreement.

"Okay, let's pack up and head back down the way we came."

Without further delay, the five sorted and collected the odds and ends they found, and then quickly headed down the mountain along the path they had come from.

On their way down the mountain, they encountered several more groups of cultivators who were exploring the mountain.

Perhaps because the news of Chen Yang's swift and decisive killing of the Xuan Yun Cave Heaven disciples at the foot of the mountain had already spread, most of these later cultivators cast awe or curiosity in their eyes when they saw Chen Yang and his group, keeping their distance and not daring to approach or provoke them. The two sides basically maintained a state of non-interference.

Having successfully descended to the foot of the mountain, the traces of the previous conflict had faded considerably. The five determined their direction and continued eastward.

Walking along the road, Qiuniu looked at the unfamiliar mountain scenery around him and suddenly sighed, his tone somewhat dejected.

"We've been here for several days now, and we're lucky to have managed to get together. But Minister Jiang and Uncle Li... we haven't heard from them at all. This godforsaken place is so dangerous, could they... have really run into some kind of trouble?"

The atmosphere immediately became somewhat heavy upon hearing this.

Chen Yang patted Qiuniu on the shoulder, his tone calm and firm.

"Don't overthink it. Minister Jianghe's strength is unfathomable, and he is also cautious and astute."

Uncle Li is experienced, mature and prudent.

Neither of them were destined for a short life.

Although this trial ground is dangerous, with their abilities, they should be able to protect themselves. Perhaps they were teleported to a more distant area, or perhaps they encountered other circumstances and are temporarily unable to reunite with us. Let's keep searching; we're sure to find some clues.”

Su Meng rolled her eyes at Qiu Niu and said reproachfully.

"Brother Qiuniu, you're such a jinx! Minister Jiang is a lucky man, he'll definitely be fine! Maybe he's even getting some great opportunity right now!"

After Chen Yang and Su Meng said that, Qiu Niu realized that he had been overthinking things and gave an embarrassed smile.

"Hehe, I was worrying for nothing. Minister Jiang and Uncle Li are definitely alright! Let's keep searching!"

Liu Piaopiao took out the compass again to guide the way, and the five of them composed themselves and continued on their journey.

After traveling for about two more hours, they discovered a strange phenomenon—the number of cultivators they encountered along the way was noticeably increasing!
Moreover, many people were in a hurry, their faces showing excitement, anticipation, or nervousness, all converging in the same direction.

"What's going on up ahead? Why are there so many people?"

Xing San craned his neck to look ahead, asking curiously.

"Could it be that they've discovered some incredible miracle or treasure again?"

Qiuniu stroked his chin and analyzed.

"With so many people, even if there really is some treasure, it's probably not our turn."

Moreover, look at these people. Although they are walking in a hurry, they are keeping their distance from each other and their eyes are wary, which shows that they are also wary of each other.

I bet they've discovered something incredible, but no one's managed to get their hands on it yet, or maybe there's something strange about the place that requires a large group to explore, so everyone's rushing there.

Chen Yang nodded.

That makes sense.

Whatever it is, since we've come across it, it's never a bad idea to go check it out. Be careful, stay close to me.

The five people quickened their pace and walked forward with the flow of people.

The further they walked, the denser the crowd became, and the noise of conversation and discussion grew louder. Finally, they passed through a dense ancient forest, and the view suddenly opened up before them, leaving them stunned by the sight!

Ahead, the earth seemed to have been cleaved open by an invisible giant axe, revealing a bottomless ravine tens of meters wide! The edges of the ravine were steep as if cut by a knife, and below was pitch black, with faint sounds of chaotic air currents and sharp wind howling, making it awe-inspiring.

On the opposite bank, however, lay a completely different scene—shrouded in mist and ethereal energy, with the outlines of towering peaks and palaces faintly visible, resembling a legendary fairyland, a stark contrast to the desolate and dilapidated landscape of this side.

On this side of the ravine, at least several hundred cultivators had gathered. Everyone craned their necks to look at the opposite bank, pointing and discussing amongst themselves, their faces a mixture of longing, excitement, anxiety, and fear.

Chen Yang pulled aside a middle-aged cultivator who seemed relatively calm and asked politely.

"Fellow Daoist, what is the situation here? Why are so many people gathered here? And what is on the other side?"

The middle-aged cultivator glanced at Chen Yang and his companions, and seeing their extraordinary bearing, he replied politely.

"Fellow Daoists, you've just arrived, haven't you? This 'natural chasm' is a dividing ridge in the Trial Grounds! Legend has it that only by successfully crossing this chasm and reaching the other side can one truly enter the core area of ​​the Trial!"

That's where you'll find the most exceptional opportunities for immortality, the most complete inheritances, and perhaps even... the entrance to the inner trials of a true 'blessed land'!

"A formidable chasm?"

Chen Yang raised an eyebrow slightly.

"Since the opportunities on the other side are better, why don't we go there? Although this chasm is wide, it doesn't seem difficult for us cultivators to cross it by flying or using our movement techniques, does it?"

The middle-aged cultivator gave a bitter smile, pointed to the bottomless ravine, and said with lingering fear.

"Fellow Daoist, you are unaware of this."

The sky above this chasm is extremely eerie! First of all, extremely terrifying 'void gales' will erupt from the depths of the chasm at irregular intervals. They are incredibly sharp and can easily tear apart protective spiritual light and cut iron like mud!
But that's not the worst part.

The strangest thing is that once you step into the airspace above the chasm, you will feel an indescribable, enormous 'pressure' that seems to originate from heaven and earth itself!
That pressure is all-pervasive, affecting the physical body, magical power, and even the soul!
Many fellow cultivators, relying on their profound cultivation, were able to withstand the fierce winds, but under this invisible pressure, their magical power became sluggish, their souls became confused, and their bodies became out of control. In the end, they fell into the abyss, leaving no trace of their bodies!

In recent days, many people have tried, but very few have succeeded; most have failed...

He didn't finish his sentence, but his meaning was already clear.

Upon hearing this, Chen Yang's heart stirred. Void gale... invisible pressure... This "pressure" sounds so similar to the "force field" formation he had encountered before, and the "field" that the abyss itself might contain?

Liu Piaopiao had obviously thought of this as well. She moved closer to Chen Yang and lowered her voice.

"Brother Chen, do you think the method we previously learned—integrating with the 'energy field' and using 'Dao patterns' and 'water patterns' to relieve pressure—would also be effective for the pressure here?"

Chen Yang gazed intently at the chasm churning with chaotic energy, and slowly shook his head.

"They may feel similar, but they may not be the same."

The pressure here may be more primal and immense, stemming directly from the terrain of this natural barrier itself or some unknown rule.

Do not attempt anything without absolute certainty; a single misstep could lead to utter ruin.

Just then, a commotion and terrified shouts suddenly came from behind the crowd!
"Monsters! Monsters are chasing us!"

"So many! And...and there are red ones too!"

White!

"Oh my god! It's a red monster and a white monster!"

Wasn't the white monster supposed to be killed? How come there's still one?!

"It's all over! There's an abyss ahead and a demonic tide behind!"
"I'm doomed!"

"The white monster can break the barrier! Hiding in the safe zone won't help!"

Panic spread rapidly through the crowd like a plague! People looked back in alarm, and in the distance, they saw shadowy figures of many demons appearing in the mountains and forests. Among them, several blood-red and pale figures stood out, exuding a chilling and ferocious aura!
They are rapidly approaching this side of the ravine!

Although there are scattered, makeshift safe zones formed by the terrain on this side of the ravine, they clearly cannot provide sufficient protection against the white monsters capable of destroying the formation and the massive demonic tide. (End of Chapter)