The entry for cultivating immortality states that after dying a hundred times, I attained immortalit

The door to the council chamber was heavier than Jiang Bai had expected, making a dull thud when it was pushed open.

The candlelight flickered in the hall, casting four figures on the floor.

The clan leader, Jiang Yunshan, sat in the main seat.

Today, the family patriarch, who was at the Golden Core stage, was not wearing the plain robe he wore during his seclusion. Instead, he was dressed in a purple family head's robe, and his aura was completely concealed. At first glance, he looked like an ordinary middle-aged scholar, except for the sharpness hidden in his eyes.

When that gaze swept over him, Jiang Bai felt his whole body stiffen.

"sit."

Jiang Yunshan said calmly, pointing to the empty seat below him.

Three elders sat on either side: the clan elder of the Gongfa Hall, Elder Jiang of the Zhishi Hall, and an unfamiliar white-browed old man, who should be the ancestral temple guardian elder who has been guarding the ancestral land for many years.

After bowing, Jiang Bai sat down, his back ramrod straight.

"The Tianhen Mountain Trial will be held in three days. It takes five years to complete. Each of the three major families will send ten disciples below the mid-stage of Qi Refining. You are on the Jiang family's list."

Jiang Bai didn't respond, waiting for what would happen next.

"The trial will last for seven days, and the core task is to collect 'Heart-Eating Grass'." Jiang Yunshan tapped the armrest lightly with his fingertips. "This grass is one of the three major auxiliary ingredients for refining Foundation Establishment Pills, and its market price is very high. The three major families have agreed to redistribute the quota for the harvesting of poisonous herbs in Tianhen Mountain for the next three years based on the amount collected."

An elder added, "The Jiang family ranked third last year, but their share was reduced by 20%."

Jiang Bai finally spoke: "Clan leader, although my cultivation can quickly reach the third level of Qi Refining, it is still not there yet. There should be quite a few disciples in the clan who have reached the perfect third level of Qi Refining. Why not choose them?"

"It is precisely because you are only at the third level of Qi Refining that you must go."

Jiang Yunshan looked at him and slowly said, "You are a disciple of the clan elder. If you even refuse a trial to secure resources for the clan, what will others say?"

This reason was so plausible that Jiang Bai couldn't refute it.

"Of course, you won't leave empty-handed."

Elder Jiang from the Deacon Hall pushed over a gray cloth bag. "These are basic supplies. Inside are a Wind-Riding Talisman for escaping in emergencies; a Vajra Talisman that can block a full-force attack from a fourth-level Qi Refining cultivator; and a Communication Talisman so you can call for help from the elders if you're in danger. But by the time the elders arrive, your body will probably be cold by then, hehe."

Jiang Bai took the cloth bag; it felt heavy in his hand.

"Ten spirit stones and a map of the outer area of ​​Tianhen Mountain."

Elder Jiang paused for a moment, then said, "Remember, the trial rule is 'no intentional death,' but Tianhen Mountain is teeming with monsters and poisonous insects, so it's perfectly normal for 'accidents' to happen."

The implication in those words is clear enough.

Just as Jiang Bai was about to take his leave, Jiang Yunshan's voice suddenly echoed in his mind: "Be careful of the Li and Chen families, and even more careful of your own people."

He looked up and saw the clan chief still sitting upright, talking with the clan elders, as if what he had just said was just an illusion.

"Jiang Bai takes his leave."

Jiang Bai bowed and left the council hall. As the door closed behind him, he touched the cloth bag in his arms.

It seems this trial is even more exciting than the Arena of Life and Death.

Three days later, at dawn, ten young disciples stood in the Jiang family's martial arts training ground.

Jiang Shan, as the team leader, stood at the front. His cultivation at the third level of Qi Refining gave him the authority to issue orders.

He scanned the crowd, his gaze lingering on Jiang Bai for a moment longer.

"This trial concerns the allocation of the clan's resources over the next three years. Put aside personal grudges for now and prioritize the gathering of the Heart-Eating Grass. If anyone neglects public duty for personal reasons, don't blame me for dealing with them according to clan rules."

As he spoke, he deliberately looked at Jiang Li in the group—the grandson of the Great Elder, a Qi Refining Level 3 cultivator, tall and thin, with a sinister look in his eyes. At the moment, Jiang Li was fiddling with the leather pouch at his waist, as if he hadn't heard him.

Jiang Bai stood in the middle of the line, next to a female cultivator.

Her name is Jiang Yurou, she is at the third level of Qi Refining, and she is most skilled in healing techniques.

When she saw Jiang Baiwang arrive, she nodded slightly as a greeting.

"Set off."

At Jiang Shan's command, the ten-man team left the Jiang residence and headed west of the city.

On the eve of his departure, Xiao Cui, looking worried, stuffed all sorts of bottles and jars into Jiang Bai's luggage.

"Young master, this is the antidote powder I secretly bought, this is the insect repellent powder, and this is..."

"That's enough, that's enough."

Jiang Bai was both amused and exasperated. "I went to gather herbs, not to flee from disaster."

Xiao Cui's eyes reddened: "But I heard that three people died in Tianhen Mountain last year."

"They were just unlucky."

Jiang Bai patted the newly made poison powder pouch at his waist. "Besides, I can try out this new and good stuff."

Walking on the official road leading to Tianhen Mountain, Jiang Bai touched the poison powder pouch again.

Hopefully we won't need it.

---

The entrance to Tianhen Mountain is an open area surrounded by mountains on three sides, with only one road leading to a deep valley.

When the Jiang family's group arrived, the Li and Chen families were already waiting there.

The thirty young people stood in three groups, with obvious gaps between them, and the atmosphere was somewhat cold.

Li Yueyao stood at the front of the Li family's procession, the gray-striped hunting dog beside her had grown even larger, its shoulder height reaching a person's waist, its fangs bared, and a deep growl emanating from its throat.

She glanced at Jiang Bai, her eyes flickered slightly, but she didn't say anything.

The person leading the Chen family team was actually Chen Yuwei.

This surprised Jiang Bai somewhat.

Chen Feng was still recovering from serious injuries, and the only one among the younger generation of the Chen family capable of shouldering the responsibility was this woman who usually kept a low profile.

She was dressed in a neat and tidy outfit, with a short bow slung across her back and a dozen or so arrows tucked into her quiver at her waist.

Upon seeing Jiang Bai, Chen Yuwei nodded slightly as a greeting.

The elders of the three families gathered to the side and exchanged a few words. Then, the white-haired old woman from the Li family walked to the center of the open space and tapped the bronze staff in her hand.

"The rules remain the same."

"The competition will be held within seven days, and the winner will be determined by the number of Heart-Eating Grasses collected. No one may be deliberately killed, but the monsters and poisonous insects within Tianhen Mountain do not follow the rules; life and death are left to fate."

After saying that, she glanced at everyone and added:

"It's not too late to quit now."

No one moved.

The old woman nodded: "Then let's go into the mountains. Set up camp before sunset and meet here again at noon seven days later."

The thirty people then split into three groups and ventured into different mountain paths.

Jiang Shan unfolded a map and pointed southwest: "I found a small patch of Heart-Eating Grass there last year. Although the quantity was small, it was safe."

The group silently followed.

As soon as they entered the mountain path, Jiang Bai's [Killing Intent Perception] became active.

Three acts of malice.

The first dish came from Jiang Li, which was expected.

The second group came from the Li family's team—before parting ways, a tall, thin man glanced back at Jiang Bai with an expression as if he were looking at a dead man.

The third way...

A young man in black from the Chen family's group.

The man had his head down, so his face was obscured, but Jiang Baineng could clearly feel the chilling malice emanating from him.

"interesting."

Jiang Bai muttered to himself, "Am I becoming a hot commodity?"

---

The trees on Tianhen Mountain are so tall that they block out the sun, and the air is filled with a damp smell.

Jiang Shan led the team with great caution, stopping every so often to observe the surroundings.

Watch your step.

He warned in a deep voice, "There might be 'wire centipedes' hiding in the pile of decaying leaves. If you get bitten, your whole leg will rot for three days."

As soon as she finished speaking, Jiang Yurou suddenly let out a soft gasp.

The fallen leaves at her feet suddenly rustled, and a dark red centipede emerged, about half a foot long, its hundred legs moving so fast it was almost a phantom.

Jiang Bai reacted extremely quickly, pulling out his dagger and stabbing down.

With a soft "pfft".

The centipede was firmly pinned to the ground, struggled a few times, and then fell silent.

"Thank you... thank you." Jiang Yurou's face was pale and her voice trembled slightly.

Jiang Bai pulled out his dagger and casually wiped it on the decaying leaves: "You're welcome. Cash is fine. This centipede's venom sac can be sold for two spirit stones."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yurou was stunned.

Jiang Shan glanced back at Jiang Bai, his lips twitching almost imperceptibly.

The procession continued onward.

About two hours later, a faint buzzing sound came from ahead.

Jiang Shan immediately raised his hand to signal the team to stop.

Looking through the dense foliage, a dark cloud could be seen swirling above the bushes not far away.

That was a swarm of stinging bees, numbering at least a hundred.

"Take a detour," Jiang Shan decisively ordered.

"Taking the detour will add half an hour to our time," Jiang Li suddenly spoke, his tone tinged with disdain. "What's there to be afraid of in a mere first-tier low-level demonic insect?"

Before he finished speaking, he bent down and picked up a stone.

Jiang Bai's [Killing Intent Perception] suddenly started throbbing violently.

"Wait—" Jiang Shan tried to stop him, but it was too late.

Jiang Li suddenly swung his arm and smashed the stone hard against the beehive!

boom!

The hive exploded instantly, and the black cloud immediately began to churn, the buzzing sound suddenly becoming deafening.

After circling half a circle in the air, the swarm of bees suddenly rushed straight towards Jiang Bai's location!

"Jiang Li, you—" Jiang Shan roared angrily.

Jiang Li pretended to be panicked and took a step back, which just happened to block Jiang Bai's dodge route from the side.

The swarm of bees was right in front of us in the blink of an eye.

Jiang Bai could even see the faint blue light on the stinger of the poisonous bee.

He sighed softly, pinched out a small pinch of gray powder from the poison powder pouch at his waist, and slightly channeled his spiritual energy through his fingertips.

"go."

The powder drifted in the wind and mixed into the airflow as the bees flew.

The next second, the dozen or so stinging wasps at the front seemed to be drunk, their wings began to tremble, and they staggered and fell to the ground.

Thump, thump...

The remaining swarm of bees seemed to sense something was wrong. After circling in the air a few times, they turned around and flew away.

Jiang Shan stared at the dozen or so unconscious stinging wasps on the ground, then looked at Jiang Bai with a complicated expression: "Good tactic."

Jiang Li's face was so gloomy it could drip water.

Jiang Bai squatted down and skillfully used his dagger to scoop out the venom sacs of the stinging bees, putting them one by one into his leather bag, muttering to himself, "One venom sac is worth half a spirit stone, this is a good deal."

As he stood up, he passed by Jiang Li and said in a voice only the two of them could hear:

"Next time, find some valuable monsters; bees are too cheap."

Hearing this, Jiang Li clenched his fists, snorted coldly, and walked over.

---

In the evening, the team set up camp in a sheltered mountain hollow.

Jiang Shan assigned the night watch order: two people per group, two hours per group. Jiang Bai and Jiang Yurou were assigned to the second half of the night.

After the campfire was lit and everyone had a simple meal of dry rations, they each found a place to sit and meditate to regulate their breathing.

Jiang Bai leaned against the old tree, closed his eyes to rest, but kept a close eye on the movements around him.

Around midnight, he noticed that Jiang Li quietly got up and tiptoed away from the camp.

Half an hour later, Jiang Li returned, carrying a very faint, sweet pollen scent.

The contents of "The Complete Basic Guide to Poison Techniques" flashed through Jiang Bai's mind.

That's "beast-attracting powder" commonly used by beast tamers. Sprinkled on the target or along the way, it can attract specific monsters to approach.

"Despicable tactics," he thought to himself with a cold laugh.

In the latter half of the night, it was Jiang Bai and Jiang Yurou's turn to keep watch.

The campfire crackled as Jiang Yurou sat by it, hugging her knees, and whispered, "Senior Brother Jiang Bai, that powder from earlier... did you make it yourself?"

"Hmm, just a sleeping potion, a little thing."

"That's amazing."

Jiang Yurou's tone was full of envy, "I only know some healing methods, and I have too few offensive techniques."

Jiang Bai glanced at her: "A method that can save your life is a good method."

Because Jiang Bai spoke too directly, Jiang Yurou didn't know how to respond for a moment, and then the two of them fell silent.

The howl of an unknown monster echoed from afar, lingering in the valley.

Jiang Yurou shivered.

"If you're scared, don't listen." Jiang Bai took out two cotton balls from his pocket and handed them over. "Put them in your ears."

"Huh? You're still carrying this?"

"Based on experience."

Jiang Bai shrugged. "The cries of some monsters can disturb one's mind; listening to them too much can easily lead to nightmares."

Jiang Yurou took the cotton ball and stuffed it in, and the surroundings became much quieter.

She secretly glanced at Jiang Bai's profile. In the flickering firelight, this senior brother, who was rumored to have risen from the ranks of mortals, had little expression on his face, but his eyes always vigilantly swept across the depths of darkness.

"Senior brother," she suddenly spoke, "do you think we can win this trial?"

Jiang Bai picked up a twig and poked at the fire: "Winning or losing isn't important."

"What's important?"

"The most important thing is to get back alive."

He said this in a flat tone, as if he were saying, "The weather is nice today."

Jiang Yurou was stunned for a moment, and wanted to ask again, but Jiang Bai suddenly raised his hand to signal her to be quiet.

Because the [Killing Intent Sensing] was activated again, coming from three different directions outside the camp. It wasn't the ferocity of demonic beasts, but the malice of humans.

One path is closer together, while the other two are a bit further apart.

Jiang Bai slowly stood up, the poisoned dagger already sliding into his palm.

"Senior brother?" Jiang Yurou stood up nervously.

"It's alright," Jiang Bai said in a low voice. "You stay and watch the fire, make sure it doesn't go out."

He walked to the edge of the camp, his gaze trying to pierce through the thick darkness.

The shadows of the trees were so thick that nothing could be seen, yet the malice felt like fine needles, gently pricking the skin.

The howls of wolves echoed again from afar, this time closer, and were joined by responses from other demonic beasts.

Jiang Bai gripped the dagger tightly, the blade reflecting the flickering firelight.

It seems that in this trial, the prey is not just the Heart-Eating Grass, and he is not the only hunter.