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

"Commander Chen! Do you think Minister Jiang and Uncle Li... might be among these people? It was just too chaotic earlier, and we didn't notice them? Should we go back and look for them?"

Chen Yang's eyes lit up.

"You've reminded me! That's certainly a possibility."

If they were still alive, they would likely try to bridge the gap.

but……"

He glanced at the long route below the cliff, where a few cultivators were still running along, and at the more complex mountain forest in the distance.

"Waiting here idly is not a solution, and we can't see anyone clearly either."

"So, let's move forward a bit and get to a higher point near that fork in the road to observe. The view from there will be better and cover a wider area."

Su Meng immediately replied.

"Then let's go together!"

Chen Yang hesitated for a moment, then shook his head.

"No, with more people and a bigger target, it's easier to miss something."

And what if they come from another direction? So, Qiuniu, Xingsan, and I will split up. We'll choose three good spots along this main road to keep watch. Piaopiao, Su Meng, you and Uncle Li stay on this cliff; it's the highest point and can serve as our contact point and final rendezvous point.

If any of us find Jianghe or Uncle Li, we will send a signal and then bring them back here.

If we haven't found it by evening, we'll gather back here.

This arrangement takes into account both search efficiency and security and transit.

Liu Piaopiao nodded in agreement.

"This arrangement is good. Su Meng and I are slightly weaker, so it's best for us to stay here to provide support and avoid causing trouble."

"Okay, it's settled then!"

Chen Yang said decisively.

"Qiuniu, you guard the first point, that protruding boulder platform ahead. Xing San, you come with me to the second point, the rocky slope next to the pine forest. I'll continue forward to the ridge at the very front where you can see the three forks in the road. Remember, observe carefully, be careful, and signal first when you spot a target. Don't act on your own."

"understand!"

Qiuniu and Xing San responded in unison.

The three immediately split up. Qiuniu went down the mountain first and headed to the first observation point.

Chen Yang, with Xing San in tow, continued to advance quickly along the path beside the main road.

Soon, they arrived at their second designated spot—a rocky slope on higher ground next to a pine forest.

The view here is expansive, offering a long view of the main road and the entrances to two side paths.

"Xing San, you stay here. I'll keep going."

Chen Yang gave the instructions and then, without stopping, disappeared into the forest ahead like a mountain ape in a few leaps.

Xing San followed instructions and found a secluded spot on the stone slope where he could observe carefully, holding his breath and concentrating on observing every passing cultivator on the road below.

Chen Yang, traveling alone, moved even faster and soon reached the foremost mountain ridge.

The terrain here is higher, and you can clearly see the intersection of the three roads below, as well as the edge of the chasm in the distance.

He hid behind a boulder, his eyes flashing like lightning as he scanned the terrified cultivators fleeing from the direction of the chasm.

The scene before them was both tragic and ironic. Many of those who managed to escape were wounded and looked terrified.

But what's even more chilling is that in the final moments of crossing the chasm, when life and death hang in the balance, the selfishness and ugliness of human nature are laid bare.

Chen Yang witnessed firsthand how some people, in order to get ahead, violently pushed their companions towards the monsters or chaotic air currents behind them.

In mid-air, some people, in order to fight for a better foothold or avoid the strong winds, will not hesitate to attack those around them.

Some teams fell apart at the last minute, each fleeing for their own lives, abandoning their injured or exhausted teammates...

Wailing, cursing, screams, and desperate curses before death, mixed with the howling wind and the roars of monsters on the opposite bank, create a vivid picture of life fleeing the apocalypse.

Chen Yang's expression remained calm, his eyes as still as a deep well. On the path of cultivation, it is common for human nature to succumb to the test of life and death.

He didn't care about any of that; he was focused on searching for a familiar face among the faces that were filled with fear, contortion, or relief, and among the disheveled figures—Uncle Li, or Jiang He.

As time passed, the number of cultivators who successfully crossed the chasm began to decrease significantly, and the demons on the other side of the chasm seemed to gradually lose interest, their roars weakening.

It seems that those who have the ability and luck to make it have almost all made it.

Just as Chen Yang was about to abandon this observation point and return to the inner part of the mountain ridge to check, his gaze suddenly sharpened!
On a relatively secluded path below, close to the cliff, a familiar figure was staggering towards them!
The man was thin but still agile, wearing a somewhat tattered gray outfit; it was none other than Uncle Li!
However, Uncle Li's situation is now very bad!

Ahead of him, two fierce-looking cultivators who had fled earlier seemed to have their eyes on something on Uncle Li. They joined forces to block his path and launched an attack on him! Although Uncle Li was experienced and quite strong, he had exhausted himself during his escape. Now, facing the combined attack of two cultivators of the same level who were in slightly better condition, he was immediately overwhelmed and in grave danger. He was forced to retreat repeatedly, getting even closer to the edge of the chasm!

Worse still, perhaps the fighting and fluctuations in energy on this side attracted attention, because on the other side of the chasm, two white mutated monsters that had been lurking around immediately locked their crimson eyes on this side!

They let out excited growls and tentatively moved closer to the edge of the chasm, eager to take advantage of the chaos to attack the lone "prey"!
A pincer attack! Uncle Li's face turned pale, and a hint of despair flashed in his eyes.

He barely dodged a vicious blade strike from the cultivator opposite him, but his back was grazed by another person's palm wind. He groaned, blood spilled from the corner of his mouth, and his body became even more unsteady.

"Now!"

A cold glint flashed in Chen Yang's eyes, and his figure leaped down from the mountain ridge like a cheetah that had been poised for a long time!

While he was in the air, his magical power was already surging like a river!

He didn't use the Xuan Sword, but instead rapidly formed hand seals while letting out a low shout.

"God-level flow interruption!"

This is an extremely profound field control and binding spell of the Qingwei School. When cultivated to a high level, it can temporarily cut off the flow of energy in a certain area, forming a powerful binding force field!
Chen Yang is now unleashing his full power. Although he has not yet reached the highest level, the power he has is not to be underestimated!
The air within a radius of several feet centered on Uncle Li seemed to freeze instantly!
The two cultivators who were besieging Uncle Li suddenly felt a tightness all over their bodies, and their movements became extremely sluggish, as if they were stuck in sticky glue. The circulation of their internal magic power was also greatly interfered with!
Their faces showed horror as they struggled desperately.

The two white monsters that were about to pounce were also affected by this sudden, invisible force field, and their forward momentum abruptly stopped.

In that split second of pause, Chen Yang appeared beside Uncle Li like a ghost!

He grabbed Uncle Li's arm and gave a low shout.

"go!"

At the same time, with his other hand forming a hand seal, the auxiliary spell "Wind Control" recorded in the Qingwei Yuanjiang Great Technique was quietly activated! It was not for long-distance flight, but to instantly unleash a powerful propulsion and gliding force, combined with his own exquisite and unparalleled movement technique!

"call--!"

The two figures shot backward at an astonishing speed, like fallen leaves swept up by a gale, instantly escaping the core area of ​​the "God-level Flow Interruption" force field, and also moving away from the edge of the chasm and the two white monsters that were temporarily trapped!
All of this happened so fast!

From the moment Chen Yang jumped down to the moment he cast his spell and then rescued Uncle Li, it only took two or three breaths!
By the time the two attacking cultivators had barely broken free of the force field and the two white demons had shaken off the interference and roared angrily, Chen Yang had already landed steadily with Uncle Li in a safe area dozens of feet away. Without stopping, they sped off in the direction they had come from.

"Chen... Marshal Chen?!"

Uncle Li didn't recover from the shock of escaping death until Chen Yang had run a distance with him. When he saw who had saved him, he was so excited that his voice trembled.

"It really is you! That's wonderful! That's wonderful! I thought I was really going to be defeated here this time!"

As Chen Yang hurried along, he turned to Uncle Li and gave him a reassuring smile. "Uncle Li, it's alright now."

"I'm here."

He took Uncle Li and quickly returned to the second observation point where Xing San was located.

From afar, he saw Xing San grinning, with another familiar figure standing beside him—it was Jiang He! Although Jiang He also looked somewhat travel-worn, with several torn pieces of clothing, he was in good spirits and had sharp eyes, clearly not seriously injured.

"Minister Jiang!"

Chen Yang was overjoyed and sped up.

"Chen Yang!"

Jiang He also saw Chen Yang and Uncle Li, and greeted them with a smile.

"The Xing brothers spotted me just now, and we were about to send a signal when you came back! Uncle Li is alright too, that's great!"

"Commander Chen!"

Xing San shouted happily.

The four of them successfully reunited and all breathed a sigh of relief.

Chen Yang asked.

"Where's Qiuniu? Is there a signal?"

Xing San shook his head.

"We didn't see a signal from the Qiuniu Brothers, so they might not have found anyone else yet, or... Minister Jiang might be the last one?"

"Never mind that for now, let's go back to the rendezvous point on the cliff as planned."

Chen Yang made a decisive decision.

Without further delay, the four immediately returned along the same route. When they passed Qiuniu's observation point, they indeed saw Qiuniu looking around anxiously. Upon seeing the four of them, especially Jiang He and Uncle Li, Qiuniu jumped up excitedly and quickly joined them.

"Minister Jiang! Uncle Li! You're both safe! That's wonderful!"

Qiuniu was extremely excited.

"Thanks to Chen Yang and his team for their help."

Jiang He patted Qiu Niu on the shoulder.

The group of five quickly returned to the cliff they had started on.

Liu Piaopiao and Su Meng had been eagerly waiting for them. When they saw that the group had not only returned safely but had also successfully brought back Jiang He and Uncle Li, they cheered.

"Minister Jiang! Uncle Li!"

"You've finally arrived! We were so worried about you!"

On the cliff, the seven finally reunited!

Despite their different experiences, everyone's face showed relief at surviving a disaster and joy at being reunited.

Everyone found a place to sit down and rest for a while.

Chen Yang took out water bags and dry food and distributed them to everyone.

"Minister Jiang, Uncle Li, how did you get here? You weren't seriously injured, were you?"

Chen Yang asked with concern.

Jiang He took a sip of water, wiped his mouth, and sighed.

"It's a long story. After we were teleported and separated, I also gathered a few brothers from the Special Administration Bureau and some loose cultivators who temporarily formed a team."

We looked out for each other along the way and managed to overcome quite a few dangers. Unfortunately, last night… oh, it should be the night before last, that white monster led a group to attack a large safe zone. We fought desperately, but suffered heavy losses; most of the brothers I brought with me… were wiped out.”

A flicker of pain crossed his eyes, but he quickly concealed it.

"Later, we fled all the way to that chasm. It was only because of the large number of people and the special protective equipment provided by our Special Administration Bureau that we were able to withstand the pressure and strong winds and make it across."

Almost all of that equipment was destroyed in the end.

Uncle Li chimed in, his tone tinged with coldness.

"My situation is much more complicated."

At first, I encountered some people, but their hearts were unpredictable, and most of them were thinking of taking advantage of others or stabbing them in the back.

After I saw through their schemes and managed to defeat them several times, I tried to travel alone as much as possible. When I reached the chasm, I witnessed firsthand what it meant to be devoid of humanity.

"If it weren't for your timely intervention, Chen Shuai, on that last stretch of the road, I'm afraid my old bones would have truly perished there, becoming food for the monsters."

Chen Yang patted Uncle Li on the shoulder.

"It's good that you could come. Now that everyone is here, we're the luckiest thing."

Jiang He nodded, his gaze falling on the area in front of the cliff, shrouded in mist and brimming with spiritual energy, and asked.

"Is this the so-called core trial area? What's next? Do you have any clues?"

Liu Piaopiao then spoke up.

"According to some scattered records passed down in our family, as well as the rumors we've heard since entering, crossing the 'vast chasm' is only the first major hurdle. Entering this core area is where the real competition for great opportunities and top-tier inheritances begins."

This place should also contain some of the most important relics and secret realms of the ancient immortal sects, and even... entrances to the inner trials of the true 'blessed land'.

Only by passing the inner trials can one gain final approval and the right to leave.

Upon hearing this, Jiang He looked sharply at Liu Piaopiao.

"Miss Liu, you seem to know this place very well? Could it be that you..."

Knowing that Jiang He had become suspicious, Chen Yang explained frankly.

"Minister Jiang, Piaopiao does indeed come from a blessed land."

However, she, like us, was also a disciple participating in the trial.

According to her, only by passing the final trial here and gaining approval can she 'go back'. Otherwise, she can only wait for the next opportunity, or... stay here forever.

Liu Piaopiao met Jiang He's scrutinizing gaze and nodded calmly.

"Brother Chen is right. This blessed land is not a secluded paradise; it also needs to absorb fresh blood and test the younger generation."

This trial ground is also a crucial threshold for us. Those who pass will leap over the dragon gate.

Losers either succumb to their fate or wait for the uncertain next time.

Therefore, our goal is the same—to pass the trial and leave alive. (End of Chapter)