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

"Commander Chen! What do we do? There's a dead end both ways!"

Looking at the approaching demonic tide behind him and the bottomless chasm ahead, Qiuniu broke out in a cold sweat and asked urgently.

Xing San and Su Meng also turned pale and looked at Chen Yang.

Liu Piaopiao pursed her lips tightly, her eyes filled with nervousness.

Chen Yang's gaze swept over the chaotic crowd and the approaching monsters, finally settling on the misty opposite bank in front of him.

His gaze gradually shifted from solemn to sharp and resolute.

Don't panic!
There's always a way out!

Chen Yang said in a deep voice.

"Since this ravine is being used as a trial, it can't possibly be a dead end!"
There must be a way to get through this!

As he spoke, he strode to the edge of the ravine, only a step away from the terrifying dark void!
All eyes were involuntarily drawn to him.

Under the watchful eyes of hundreds of people, and amidst the ever-approaching roars of the demons behind him, Chen Yang closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and slowly circulated the Qingwei Yuanjiang Great Technique within his body. At the same time, he subtly mobilized and merged the "Dao Pattern" and "Water Pattern" ripples that he had comprehended in recent days, forming an extremely subtle, invisible aura around his body that seemed to subtly harmonize with the rhythm of the surrounding environment.

Then, to everyone's disbelief, he stepped forward—and took that step!
His feet were firmly planted in the air above the ravine! He did not fall!

Then came the second step, the third step... His figure moved as if strolling leisurely, or as if riding the wind, and he actually walked steadily forward in the invisible and terrifying pressure field above the ravine!
Although his speed was slow and his steps were somewhat heavy, as if he were wading through mud, he was indeed moving forward! The occasional sharp gusts of wind that surged from below the ravine were deflected and neutralized by the invisible, flowing aura around his body, unable to harm him in the slightest!

"He...he's gone?!"

"How is that possible?!"
How did he do that?!

"Has he found a way to cope with pressure?!"

On this side of the ravine, a deafening roar of surprise and incredulous discussion erupted instantly!
Everyone stared wide-eyed at Chen Yang's back as he steadily moved forward in the void!

It took Chen Yang about half a cup of tea to travel a distance of only a few dozen feet before he finally landed steadily on the land on the opposite bank!

He turned around, looked across the wide ravine at the stunned crowd, a relieved and cheerful smile on his face, and said loudly.

"Success! This method works!"

"Chen Shuai!!"

Qiu Niu, Xing San, and Su Meng were so excited they almost jumped up!
Liu Piaopiao also breathed a long sigh of relief, her beautiful eyes sparkling with admiration.

Without delay, Chen Yang immediately and carefully returned along the same route, using the same method he had just used.

Although the pressure seemed to have changed on the return trip, he was more at ease with the experience of the first time and quickly returned to this side of the ravine.

"Qiuniu, Su Meng, come with me. Remember, don't resist the pressure with brute force. Try to feel it. Use the feeling of 'integration' and 'guidance' that I taught you before to adjust the trace of 'Dao' you have comprehended and your own magical power fluctuations to a state of subtle harmony with the pressure field!"

Chen Yang quickly gave instructions to the two men, then grabbed one of their arms with each hand.

Although Qiuniu and Su Meng were uneasy, they had absolute trust in Chen Yang, and with gritted teeth, they nodded.

"it is good!"

Chen Yang led the two men out once more!
This time, with Chen Yang's aura guiding and sharing the burden, Qiu Niu and Su Meng, although they also felt as if they were carrying a thousand-pound weight, making it difficult to move forward and the wind stinging their faces, were able to keep up with the pace with Chen Yang's help. The three of them were like small boats supporting each other in a stormy sea, moving towards the other side with difficulty but determination.

It took even longer than before, but the three of them finally reached the other side!
"Piaopiao, it's your turn."

Chen Yang returned and spoke to Liu Piaopiao.

"You understand it best, you should be able to get through it on your own."

Just like when we resisted the pressure of the formation before, try to merge the 'Daoist runes' you've comprehended and your own energy fluctuations with the pressure field here. Believe in yourself, you can do it!

Looking at Chen Yang's encouraging gaze, and then at the approaching wave of monsters that was beginning to impact the edge of the safe zone, Liu Piaopiao took a deep breath, her eyes hardening.

"Okay! I'll give it a try!"

She closed her eyes, carefully recalled and recalled that mysterious feeling, and then resolutely took a step forward!
She paused slightly, clearly feeling immense pressure, but quickly regained her composure!
A faint, almost invisible ripple of spiritual light spread across her body, as if she were subtly communicating and adapting to the invisible pressure field around her.

One step, two steps... Although she was slower than Chen Yang and her steps were more labored, she was indeed moving forward on her own!
"Xing San, follow Piao Piao, grab onto her clothes, and use her aura to your advantage!"

Chen Yang shouted at Xing San.

Xing San understood and quickly stepped forward, carefully tugging at Liu Piaopiao's sleeve. Sure enough, the pressure seemed to lessen somewhat.

The two, one after the other, began their arduous journey.

When Liu Piaopiao and Xing San finally set foot on the land on the other side of the ravine, the other side of the ravine erupted in cheers!

"They really are gone!"

Please! Take us there!

"Fellow Daoist! Please help me!"
The monsters are coming!

"We can give you spirit stones! We can give you treasures!"

"Just take us there!"

Countless cultivators, as if grasping at a last straw, frantically shouted and begged Chen Yang and his companions, and some even tried to rush over and grab them.

Chen Yang looked at the panicked and desperate faces on the opposite bank, then at the ferocious demon vanguard behind him, whose hideous figures were already faintly visible. He shook his head, and his voice carried clearly.

"I'm sorry! This method is extremely mentally taxing and requires a certain understanding of 'momentum'. It cannot be used to guide others!"

If you want to survive, find your own way! Try to feel the patterns of stress; perhaps... if you act together as a group, you can share the burden and reduce the stress!

This is your last chance!

After saying that, he ignored the pleas and curses from the other side and turned to Qiuniu and the others who had just caught their breath.

"Let's go!"
This place will soon be unsafe!

No sooner had he finished speaking than a deafening roar and even more shrill screams came from the opposite bank—the monster horde, especially the few white and red mutated monsters, had completely torn through the simple protective barrier at the edge and rushed into the crowd like a black torrent!
In despair, even the cultivators on the opposite bank turned red-eyed! Someone shouted out first.

"Let's give it our all!"
Let's go! Like they say, there's strength in numbers, and maybe the pressure will be less!

"Charge! Staying here means certain death!"

"Follow the person in front!"

Desperate situations ignite the last bit of courage and the instinct for survival!
Without further hesitation, a large number of cultivators rushed towards the other side of the ravine like madmen!

Instead of trying to fly, they jumped directly into the air above the ravine like dumplings being dropped into boiling water, attempting to force their way through with brute force and sheer numbers!
Something strange happened!

When dozens or even hundreds of people rushed into the pressure field of the ravine almost simultaneously, the invisible pressure seemed to be dispersed and weakened! Although some people still screamed and fell into the abyss due to insufficient strength, loss of composure, or bad luck encountering strong winds, a small number of people actually managed to stumble and tumble to the other side by relying on this "human wave tactic" and the faint resonance of their unintentional auras!
More and more people saw hope and flocked to the ravine even more frantically!
On the opposite bank where Chen Yang and his group were, survivors began to land one after another, all looking disheveled and still shaken.

"go!"

Chen Yang didn't linger. He led his companions and quickly left the edge of the ravine, heading towards the depths of this seemingly fairyland-like but actually unknown area on the other side.

After running for a while, Chen Yang suddenly stopped, a strange look on his face.

"What's wrong, Chen Shuai?"

Qiuniu asked.

Chen Yang looked around at the peaceful and serene mountains and forests, filled with spiritual energy, and listened for a moment before asking in confusion.

"Have you noticed? Since we crossed that ravine, we... seem to have neither seen nor heard any trace of any monsters?"

Upon hearing this, everyone was taken aback, and then carefully sensed it.

"Yup!"

Su Meng exclaimed in surprise.

"real!
Not a single monster!

"I can't even hear the monsters' cries!"

Liu Piaopiao nodded as well.

"The air is filled with pure spiritual energy and the fragrance of grass and trees, without any trace of the filth of demonic energy."

Qiuniu scratched his head and guessed.

"Could it be because this is already the core trial area, and there's no need to use monsters to select trial participants anymore? Or perhaps, the ravine itself is a powerful natural barrier that monsters simply dare not and cannot cross?"

Xing San looked back at the ravine that was gradually being obscured by clouds and mist, and clicked his tongue in amazement.

"Even the white and red monsters didn't dare to chase after us... that ravine is probably more dangerous than we imagined."

Chen Yang pondered for a moment, then slowly spoke.

"Whatever the reason, at least for now, we are temporarily free from the threat of monsters."

this is a good news.

However, we shouldn't let our guard down because of this.

This area is known as the core trial zone, offering greater opportunities, but the dangers are likely just as numerous, albeit in different forms. Let's remain vigilant and continue forward, finding a relatively safe place to rest first.

Chen Yang's words brought everyone back to their senses from the brief moment of relaxation. Yes, this place seemed peaceful and tranquil, but since it was the core area of ​​the trial grounds, how could it truly be without danger? Perhaps, the danger had simply taken a different form, or was lurking in a deeper place.

"Everyone stay alert and keep moving forward, but slow down and observe your surroundings carefully."

Chen Yang gave the instructions again, and then continued to walk at the front of the group to clear the way.

As Liu Piaopiao walked, she habitually took out her old-fashioned compass, trying to confirm her location and any possible energy fluctuations ahead.

However, when she infused the compass with her magic, her brows furrowed. After several adjustments, the magnetic needle in the center of the compass only trembled slightly without any regularity, and the spiritual markings on the surface that would normally light up were dim and had no effective direction or sensation.

"Brother Chen, my compass... is malfunctioning here."

Liu Piaopiao raised her head, her tone tinged with surprise and unease.

"I can't sense any clear directional guidance at all, nor can I detect any special energy field around me... It's like... I'm being shielded or interfered with by something."

"Is the compass malfunctioning?"

Su Meng was also surprised when she heard this.

“Miss Piao Piao, your compass has always been very accurate, how come it suddenly stopped working? Could it be because of this…”

"It's very likely because of the unique environment here."

Chen Yang took over the conversation, his gaze sweeping over the surrounding misty spiritual energy and the faint outline of distant mountains.

"This place is known as the core trial area. It may be equipped with higher-level formations or have some unique rules that interfere with ordinary detection methods. Your compass may be amazing, but it still has its limits."

Liu Piaopiao nodded and put away the compass.

"Brother Chen is right."

Therefore, from now on, we can only rely on our own eyes and senses to navigate the path ahead.

Xing San didn't think there was much of a problem. He casually looked around and muttered something.

"I think this place is quite nice. It's beautiful with clear waters and lush mountains, full of spiritual energy, and there aren't even any annoying monsters around. What danger could there be? It's much better than that place behind us, where ghosts howl and monsters roam everywhere, right?"

That's not how you say it.

Chen Yang shook his head, his gaze falling on the distant, half-hidden peaks and the faintly visible ancient buildings.

"The more peaceful a place seems, the more likely it is to harbor hidden dangers."

The opportunities here are greater, but the challenges will inevitably be more difficult. We must not be misled by appearances.

He thought for a moment and pointed to a relatively high cliff with a wide view not far ahead.

"Let's rest on that cliff first, and take the opportunity to observe the surrounding terrain and the situation behind us. The higher we stand, the farther we can see, and we can also make some preparations in advance."

No one objected, and they followed Chen Yang along the winding mountain road to the cliff.

The top of the cliff is flat, offering excellent views.

They turned around and saw that the wide chasm was like a huge scar, stretching across the land and separating the area on the other side, which was still shrouded in faint demonic energy and chaos.

At this moment, the scene on the other side of the chasm was quite chaotic. There were still a few monks trying to cross in despair. Some succeeded, tumbling and crawling to this side, collapsing to the ground, panting heavily.

Many more perished, torn apart by the fierce winds or plunged into the bottomless abyss.

On the opposite bank, the dark, surging tide of monsters had completely engulfed the previous safe zone. Countless scarlet eyes peered across the chasm, letting out unwilling roars. In particular, the white and red mutated monsters exuded an exceptionally ferocious aura, but they seemed extremely wary of this chasm, only daring to linger at the edge and not daring to cross the line.

The cultivators who had successfully escaped over here were mostly still in shock. After catching their breath, they gathered in twos and threes, cautiously surveying this new world before dispersing in different directions to begin their exploration.

Looking at the hellish scene on the opposite bank and the growing crowd on this side, Qiuniu suddenly slapped his forehead. (End of Chapter)