Chapter 123: Green Mountain, Black Water, Human World’s Purgatory

"If you can reach the top of the Green Mountain, it is said that you will receive an additional gift from the mountain."

"However, this is difficult, and no one has ever achieved it. You should just be aware of it."

Everyone nodded and silently noted this. For them, regardless of the results, climbing the Green Mountain was advantageous.

After all, as long as they could ascend the steps, they would receive the spiritual energy return. This energy return was said to be more effective than medicinal pills and had no side effects.

Climbing more steps and receiving more spiritual energy could save years of hard cultivation time.

Moreover, each person could only enter the Green Mountain once, so they should seize the opportunity to gain as much spiritual energy as possible.

"Hall Master, you mentioned there are three segments. What are the other two?"

The Hall Master looked into the distance, pondered for a moment, and then said:

"The second segment is called Crossing the Black Water. It is 800 miles long and involves ascending against the current, testing your skills in various aspects of cultivation."

"You can choose the specific skills to test. Your proficiency will transform into a small boat that helps you sail across."

"The higher your proficiency, the stronger the speed and stability of the boat, allowing you to travel further."

"It is said that beyond 800 miles is the source of the Black Water, but no one has ever seen it."

"If you have the opportunity, you might as well go and see."

At this point, someone asked:

"Hall Master, will there be any rewards for crossing the Black Water, similar to the cultivation rewards from climbing the Green Mountain?"

The Hall Master smiled and explained:

"There are indeed rewards for the Black Water, but they are related to the cultivation skills you choose."

"For example, if you choose talismans, you will receive a rare talismanic True Method for every hundred miles traveled."

"Other skills are similar, including alchemy formulas, artifact refining insights, and so on."

She glanced briefly at Lu An, as if speaking specifically to him.

Then she changed the subject and continued:

"However, not everyone can participate in the Black Water segment. Only those who place in the top hundred in the Green Mountain segment qualify."

Everyone's expression grew serious. Achieving a top hundred position in the Green Mountain was no easy feat.

In Da Qi's thirteen provinces, each province has nine counties, such as Yongning County. Including the fallen Lu Jinqiu, there are as many as eight participants.

In larger county cities, there are even more, with over twenty participants.

Even if calculated at ten people per county, the total number of participants exceeds a terrifying thousand.

And these participants are representative figures in the Foundation Establishment stage of their respective counties, so their strength is naturally formidable.

The difficulty of placing in the top hundred was evident.

While others felt the weight of this challenge, Lu An remained calm, as if the top hundred was already a certainty for him.

This was not surprising. The Green Mountain test was based on cultivation strength. Although Lu An was only at the early Foundation Establishment stage, his soul, method, and body, nourished by the Supreme True Intent, were already far superior to others at the same stage.

Most participants were at the mid to late Foundation Establishment stage, with few at the early stage like him.

But he was still confident, at least he was certain of a place in the top hundred.

Especially since his current cultivation, supported by various medicinal pills and talismans, was not far from the mid Foundation Establishment stage.

If he could climb a few more steps on the Green Mountain, he might even break through to the mid stage.

By then, even late Foundation Establishment opponents would be within his reach.

As for the second segment, Crossing the Black Water, he was even less worried.

In terms of talismanic skills, he was confident he ranked among the top three among young cultivators.

Not only in Yongning County, but also in the entire Da Qi, there were few young cultivators who could match him.

Seeing that everyone was silent, the Hall Master comforted them:

"If you can climb the Green Mountain, you have already made the most of your opportunity. As for the other two segments, just participate if you can, and if not, don't force it."

Everyone nodded in response.

"Hall Master, are there any restrictions for the final segment?"

"Yes, the final segment is called the Human World's Purgatory, and it tests the participants' mental fortitude."

"It is a vast illusion where anything unexpected can happen."

"Even if you realize you are in an illusion, it will be of no help."

"Only those with strong mental fortitude can pass through."

As she spoke, she showed a hint of apprehension, as if she had experienced it herself.

"Those who rank in the top ten in Crossing the Black Water can participate in this segment."

"But I must say, the Human World's Purgatory is extremely dangerous. Those with weak willpower might be trapped forever, giving rise to inner demons, and they might never progress in their lives."

"So if you have the chance to enter, you must be true to yourself. If you are not confident in passing, it's okay to give up."

The crowd was taken aback; they hadn't expected the final challenge to be so dangerous.

From another perspective, it might be better not to participate.

"Hall Master, the third challenge is so dangerous, so the rewards must be very generous, right?"

The Hall Master glanced at him and, after some thought, shook her head.

"To my knowledge, no one has ever received a reward in the third challenge."

The crowd was shocked. No rewards and such danger?

What was the point of participating?

The Hall Master seemed to sense their thoughts and explained:

"Although this challenge seems to have no rewards, I must tell you that all those who have passed it are now among Da Qi's top elites."

"And among the living today, the first person to pass this challenge is our Da Qi's National Master."

Upon hearing this, everyone was naturally astonished.

The National Master was always a mysterious figure in Da Qi.

Unlike Prime Minister Situ who handles internal affairs and Grand Marshal Zhuang who commands the military, the National Master seemed to have no specific responsibilities.

But people did not dare to underestimate him, as his mid Nascent Soul cultivation was very real.

Hearing that the National Master had passed the third challenge, everyone was naturally surprised.

Lu An was also intrigued. The National Master, who was also his master's uncle, had apparently participated in the Water Sky Conference when he was young.

He wondered if the National Master's final achievements were related to passing the third challenge.

Lu An did not concern himself too much. Since he was here to participate, he would strive for it and aim to secure a spot for the Dao Monument comprehension first.

Soon, the group arrived at the palace gates, which were already packed with people.

Not only were there participants, but many major families and loose cultivators from the city were also present.

On either side of the palace gates were several massive water screens displaying scenes from the Water Sky Secret Realm.

During the conference, the entire process of the competition would be shown to everyone.

Such a grand event naturally attracted countless spectators, leading to the current scene at the city gates.

The Hall Master led the group to the guards and presented an invitation card from her bosom.

"We represent Yongning County to participate in the Water Sky Conference. This is our proof."

The guard carefully checked the invitation twice and then signaled them to pass.

At that moment, a cold voice came from afar.

"Wait!"

The group turned in surprise, including Lu An.

However, upon seeing the attire of these people, Lu An's eyes narrowed.

Wanren City, Zhuang Family!