Chapter 61

On the other side, Xiao Fan returned home from the library just as his father opened the door to step out.

He held a bag, seemingly preparing to go to work.

Compared to before, the middle-aged man's complexion had grown haggard; the exhaustion in his eyes and the faint dark circles were unthinkable for a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

But to spare his son worry, he still forced a smile.

"You're back, Xiao Fan."

"Dad, are you off to work?" Xiao Fan's tone was calm.

It sounded like a casual question between neighbors, carrying a faint sense of distance.

The middle-aged man froze for a moment, his smile growing strained.

"Mm." He gave a slight nod, then, unable to let go of his concern, added, "I made some food earlier—remember to reheat it."

Then he pulled out a stack of spirit coins from the bag tucked under his arm.

"Take this—buy whatever you want to eat, or go out and relax a bit."

"No need," Xiao Fan did not reach out, "save it for your brother."

Saying this, he walked past the stunned middle-aged man, opened the door, and stepped inside.

Having just acquired the Cang Clan's Battle Art, he was eager to enter the Trial Space and test it properly.

Bang! The door shut.

The middle-aged man opened his mouth, then silently slipped the spirit coins back into his bag and walked away with heavy steps; from afar, his figure seemed slightly hunched.

But now, Xiao Fan seemed unaware that his behavior had been odd.

After entering, he ran straight to his bedroom and lay flat on his bed.

【Name: Xiao Fan】

【Realm: Qi Condensation Ninth Layer】

【Current Rank: One Thousand Five Hundred Forty-Two】

【Can Enter Trial Space】

One thousand five hundred forty-two.

Only five hundred can advance in the second round—if I remain at my previous level in the next trial, I won't make it.

Unless I draw a Charm Cultivator.

But now, Xiao Fan let out a confident smile…

'Enter!'

He silently murmured in his mind.

Just as he felt his consciousness begin to blur and sink.

"Innate Ten Thousand…"

He barely caught three words—the rest vanished completely.

When he opened his eyes again, the gray haze of the Trial Space filled his vision, indistinguishable in up, down, left, or right.

"Was there just a voice?" Xiao Fan frowned in confusion.

He listened carefully for a while, but heard nothing.

Hallucination? Yeah, probably.

Xiao Fan did not dwell on it.

"Set: Qi Condensation Ninth Layer Body Cultivator!"

In the previous trial, he was crushed by a Body Cultivator—he had to reclaim his pride now.

Thud! Thud! The Body Cultivator's appearance still carried immense pressure; the towering figure emerged from the gray mist and soon stood before Xiao Fan.

【Enemy: Qi Condensation Ninth Layer Body Cultivator, Introduction to the Ba Classic, Minor Mastery of Shaking Mountain Fist】

Xiao Fan stared at him, recalling the fist technique demonstrated by the figure wreathed in divine radiance.

Thud! The Body Cultivator's shadow stepped forward, raised its arm, and swung its fist!

The punch roared with wind, fierce and overwhelming—capable of splitting mountains and shattering rocks, leaving enemies powerless to resist!

Last time, this punch had stunned him, crushing his skull instantly.

Now, Xiao Fan felt only profound calm.

He raised his left hand to block the incoming fist, effortlessly redirecting its violent force.

He tilted his body slightly, drove his right elbow upward, and struck the opponent's side abdomen.

"Ahh!!"

The Body Cultivator's shadow screamed and tried to retreat—but Xiao Fan gave him no chance, gripping his wrist, twisting and pulling to prevent escape.

Simultaneously, he delivered a powerful whip-like kick to the chest.

Bang! The Body Cultivator's shadow shuddered, collapsed onto the ground, his chest caved in unnaturally, spurting out a torrent of blood.

All of it happened in the blink of an eye.

When Xiao Fan saw the Body Cultivator dissolve into gray mist, his expressionless face finally showed a flicker of surprise.

He hadn't even activated the spiritual force amplification of the Tai Xuan Battle Art—merely relying on instinct, he had effortlessly defeated a Body Cultivator who once crushed him with a single punch.

So powerful! Xiao Fan excitedly clenched his fist! Meanwhile, in the outside world.

Above the clouds, Huo gazed downward, his gaze seemingly piercing through all things.

From just now until this moment, Xiao Fan's entire sequence had fallen within his sight.

This was not surprising.

The initial manifestation of Cang Clan bloodline influence is precisely this—yet the affected person remains unaware, until thoughts and behavior gradually shift.

What kind of person was Xiao Fan originally?

Someone who took the Barrier-Breaking Spirit Elixir to save his elder brother, destroying his own future, and after dropping out of school, immediately found a job to ease his family's burden.

Someone who could have easily taken the opportunity but returned it because he didn't want to take advantage.

Someone so kind he was almost foolish.

Yet this very person, under the influence of the Cang bloodline, changed into this state within just a few days.

"I hope you wake up in time," Hu said, sighing as he watched Xiao Fan rejoicing in the trial space.

Then he raised his hand and reached for that faint, almost imperceptible connection.

In an instant, as if the cosmos had inverted, a strange ripple layered upon itself.

A terrifying entity with a third eye on its brow and star rivers swirling around it stepped forth from antiquity, manifesting its form.

Yet before Hu's grasp, that terrifying entity shattered instantly, without even holding for a moment.

But that faint connection was also pulled away, vanishing without a trace.

Heaven creates all things to nourish humanity? "Hmph!"

With a cold snort, Hu turned and vanished.

…………

Almost everyone who passed the first trial was preparing for the second.

After being killed dozens of times by the Wu Li Sword Cultivators, Lin Qiu Xian finally woke up and began fighting other opponents.

He hadn't fought at the Qi Condensation Stage in many years—he needed to reacquaint himself quickly.

Jiang Yujiu also entered the trial space to hone himself, aiming for stable advancement in the second round.

Of course, the livestream remained on—and still drew many viewers.

The foreign Xian Sect disciples were also honing themselves in the trial space.

Except for that unlucky alchemist.

Meanwhile, Xiao Fan's fist techniques gradually grew more refined through repeated battles, each move and posture approaching perfection.

He became utterly immersed in the power of the Tai Xuan Combat Art, the feeling of controlling every vein and meridian within his palm leaving him unable to let go.

Lastly, Zhang Yunlu continuously fought various types of cultivators, and no matter what method they used, she shattered it with a single sword strike.

The Cloud-Flow Sword Art that Xu Xing once taught her had now been fully integrated into her own style, becoming ruthless, solemn, and deadly, advancing without retreat.

emm……

Perhaps this transformation was because she had "died" too many times?

…………

Thus, time swiftly arrived at the eve of the second trial.

In a quiet chamber at the Third Middle School of Xuan Jian City, normally used by teachers for meditation.

Yu Ming sat at the center, surrounded by other Soul Transformation cultivators.

Besides the principal, the mayor, and the head of Silutang, two heavyweight figures were present—the Void-Return Elder from the Sword Sect and Li Qingyang.

This made the already small chamber feel even more cramped, but no one cared.

The trial had stirred up too much commotion, yet none of these Soul Transformation cultivators could participate.

Yu Ming sat calmly, meditating and regulating his breath.

Please collect, please follow!! (End of Chapter)