Chapter 354

354. Chapter 354: Second Layer Trial

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Protagonist:

Yu Zhangsheng

After nearly half a day, Yu Zhangsheng, who was meditating to recover, slowly opened his eyes, stood up, and after sensing his body's state, stretched his limbs vigorously.

"How is the recovery? No need to rush; the trial has no time limit, as long as you can persist?"

The Sui Xian Sword's sword spirit awoke from its meditation, met Yu Zhangsheng's gaze, and spoke indifferently.

"Recovered almost completely; no need to waste any more time."

Yu Zhangsheng smiled faintly, waved his arm, moved his joints and bones, and said with a smile.

Half a day had already allowed his essence, energy, and spirit to reach their peak once again; firstly, Yu Zhangsheng's physical recovery ability was inherently quite good, the Myriad Spirits Art also had a certain healing effect, plus the assistance of pills; under the condition of being strong but not fatal, this speed was considered normal.

Secondly, it was also because within this Yiji Land, it seemed the recovery of any injury had a certain blessing effect.

"Alright, then get ready; the Second Layer Trial begins now."

Hearing this, the Sui Xian Sword's sword spirit glanced at Yu Zhangsheng, did not insist on anything, and after its eyebrows twitched a bit, introduced the matter in an unhurried manner:

"This second layer trial differs from the first layer trial; it tests your Beast Taming Technique. Once the trial starts, ninety-nine Spirit Beasts will appear. These Spirit Beasts are not real; they are merely remnant souls, yet they must not be underestimated."

"The power they explode with, even a Sub-Talisman cultivator would find it difficult to retreat unscathed. However, similarly, they will not possess such great power from the start, but will become increasingly violent as time passes."

The Sui Xian Sword's sword spirit paused slightly in tone, pondered for a moment, and organized its words:

"Because these Spirit Beasts are merely remnant souls, their spiritual intelligence is also incomplete, leaving only violent instincts. Initially, there will be environmental suppression preventing them from going completely berserk right away, but later the suppression will gradually unlock. At that time, with your cultivation base, facing the fury of these ninety-nine Spirit Beasts means certain death."

The Sui Xian Sword's sword spirit hesitated for a moment, exhaled deeply, looked up at Yu Zhangsheng, and said: "What you must do is, before these Spirit Beasts completely fall into uncontrollable berserkness, use your Beast Taming Technique to appease and control as many as possible. The subsequent cultivation method of the Myriad Spirits Art has also been divided into ninety-nine parts, existing within the True Spirits in these Spirit Beasts' remnant souls, requiring you to make contact yourself."

"Likewise, as long as you can successfully control forty-nine of the Spirit Beasts — that is, half — this trial counts as passed."

The Sui Xian Sword's sword spirit finished speaking. Its face carried a trace of a meaningful smile; it smiled lightly with interest, the corners of its mouth curling up slightly.

"However, I must tell you, the opportunity to comprehend the Myriad Spirits Art is only this once. If you want to obtain the complete cultivation method, that means it is not merely a matter of passing this barrier."

"You must achieve the utmost: completely control all ninety-nine Spirit Beasts and further make contact, in order to complete your Myriad Spirits Art."

"Only then can your Myriad Spirits Art truly, thoroughly, ascend to a Saint Level cultivation method."

Yu Zhangsheng listened quietly; in his heart, he now had a general understanding of this. His brows furrowed slightly, a thoughtful look on his face.

"Fundamentally, this barrier tests Beast Taming Technique. The previous barrier tested Sword Path; this one tests Beast Taming. As expected, Cao Jinxian, as a supreme prodigy of Dual Cultivation in both paths, has an inheritance that is the same."

Yu Zhangsheng murmured in his heart, but he suddenly breathed a sigh of relief. Compared to the previous Sword Path barrier, he was more willing to do Beast Taming; after all, this is his home turf.

"However, having to delve into their True Spirits to retrieve and complete the Myriad Spirits Art while simultaneously commanding these Beast Souls makes it much more difficult."

Yu Zhangsheng thought of this, frowned slightly, rubbed his brow, feeling a bit of a headache.

"None of it is simple, this trial……"

But since he was already here, there was naturally no reason to give up halfway. Therefore, after a moment, Yu Zhangsheng nodded and said respectfully to the Sui Xian Sword's sword spirit in the sky:

"Senior, I am ready. We can begin this Second Layer Trial."

"Hmm." The Sui Xian Sword's sword spirit responded in a deep voice, coughed once, and with hands behind its back, kindly reminded: "Before we start, I'll still remind you: if you can't hold on, don't force it. It's just a trial; not worth joking with your life."

"If you truly encounter danger, just tell me."

The Sui Xian Sword's sword spirit hesitated for a moment, a flash of struggle crossing its face, but still exhaled a long breath, fidgeted a bit, and said: "If one time doesn't work, then come again. This barrier's trial, I can give you multiple chances. Understand?"

Actually being able to do this step is already the Sui Xian Sword's sword spirit deliberately letting up and taking care of you.

If it were otherwise, if the trial-taker were someone else, the Sui Xian Sword's sword spirit would only act according to the rules. Why would it give you this face? Pass and you pass, fail and you perish — it is that cruel.

Yu Zhangsheng listened, stunned for a moment, then came to his senses and felt somewhat moved. He once again lowered his head, bowed, cupped his fists toward the Sui Xian Sword's sword spirit, and said gratefully: "Good. Then I am endlessly grateful. Many thanks for Senior's care……"

This news was naturally extremely good for Yu Zhangsheng, so he secretly breathed a sigh of relief in his heart.

"Right. If I can't pass in one go, and have to retry, will it affect my comprehension of the Myriad Spirits Art?"

Yu Zhangsheng suddenly thought of this point and asked.

The Sui Xian Sword's sword spirit waved its hand, answering very sincerely:

"Every restart of the trial will cause some degree of wear and tear on these ninety-nine Beast Souls. The Myriad Spirits Art information stored in their True Spirits may also be affected and suffer loss. Therefore, it's best to pass in one go if possible."

The Sui Xian Sword's sword spirit swallowed a breath, fingers lightly tapping its head, kindly reminding:

"After all, the inheritance of a Saint Level cultivation method differs from others; there is a mysterious and special process called Daosong Inheritance. If you restart the trial too many times, the Myriad Spirits Art inherited at the end might be missing a bit, unable to form a Daosong, and ultimately fail to ascend to a Saint Level cultivation method — that is also possible."

Yu Zhangsheng finished listening, his brows immediately tightened, and his heart felt even more helpless.

"Failing to pass in one go even has this hidden danger. My biggest purpose for coming to this Yiji Cave Dwelling isn't precisely for this cultivation method?"

"If a mistake happens because of this…… I can't afford that gamble."

"Forget it. Even if I have to fight desperately, there can be no mistakes. If I lose the chance to ascend to a Saint Level cultivation method because of this, that would be a lifelong regret."

Yu Zhangsheng pursed his lips, his brows and eyes sinking slightly. After a long while, he took a deep breath and nodded at the Sui Xian Sword's sword spirit.

"This junior understands. I ask Senior to initiate the trial."

"Ready, then let's begin."

The Sui Xian Sword's sword spirit spoke in a deep voice, hesitated no longer, took a deep breath, and then lightly slashed its finger upward.

Crack……

Instantly, the Sui Xian Sword slanted into the center of the earth trembled, suddenly emitting a violent light. Immediately, a startling Sword Qi slashed out, tearing through the Void, slashing toward the Heavenly Dome.

This Sword Qi was immense, seeming to want to tear open this Sky. The Sword Qi swayed; ninety thousand li of stars trembled. The Yiji Land was full of this grand Sword Light. All of Yu Zhangsheng's heart and mind were drawn to it.

"Taichu…, Kaitian……"

Yu Zhangsheng's expression was slightly dazed. Watching this sword, he subconsciously murmured to himself. As the sword swung out, heaven and earth lost color. Even this sky full of starlight was torn open like a tide. The clouds and mist receded.

Boom—!

Xing Chen trembled one by one, bursting with dazzling light, and under the stimulation of this sword qi, that light finally gave rise to one after another of spirit beast remnant souls, as if breaking through a seal, stepping out in a single stride.

"Roar roar roar!"

Beast roars shook the heavens, transforming into the Hong Lu Great Bell, like muffled thunder rolling, exploding in this Yi Zhou, suppressing starlight, suppressing heavenly might.

Yu Zhangsheng looked up, feeling the beast might covering the entire Kong Jian, his shoulders suddenly sank, an invisible shackle filled his whole body.

One after another beast souls appeared; these beast souls were not condensed, but existed between illusion and reality, obviously shattered and incomplete, yet even so, the pressure they exuded still made Yu Zhangsheng change color, secretly alarmed.

These beast souls, dense and numerous, ninety-nine in total, fell one after another from beneath the stars, carrying unstoppable momentum to exterminate all, with roars shaking Tian Di violently.

Dragon flying phoenix dancing, auspicious signs hung down in strips, lions and tigers contended for sharpness, the great sound transformed into thunder, the great roc spread its wings and soared, great wings stirred wind and clouds, flying fish turned Tian Qiong into an ocean, descending upon endless green waves…

Spirit beasts one by one, eyes crimson, carrying suppressed ferocious instincts, stirring boundless storms; each one, Yu Zhangsheng merely roughly sensed, was at least Third Rank, with many Fourth Ranks as well!

"These spirit beast remnant souls were all once truly slain by my Master; their ranks are naturally not low."

The Sui Xian Sword Sword Spirit spoke lightly, a finger pointing at Yu Zhangsheng; instantly these ninety-nine spirit beast remnant souls rushed toward Yu Zhangsheng, howling without cease, pressure covering the sky.

"Be careful, this trial is beast taming, but it has considerable requirements for one's Shenjue strength; only if the Shenjue is strong enough can one bear the beast might of these spirit beast souls, and deeply contact them, thereby taming beasts."

The Sui Xian Sword Sword Spirit kindly reminded, a sharp light flashing in his eyes and vanishing.

"Your Shenjue strength can be considered rare and outstanding, so you have a great advantage, so there is no need to worry too much; just take it seriously."

Yu Zhangsheng's eyebrow sank slightly, he lightly nodded to show understanding; actually, without the Sui Xian Sword Sword Spirit explaining, Yu Zhangsheng had also sensed it.

These spirit beasts had no physical form, only illusory soul bodies, posing little burden on his flesh, but the burden on his Shenjue was heavy.

The first to bear the impact was his own Shenjue, and these beast souls each had only instinctive savage thoughts; to deeply contact them would inevitably be affected, and only a powerful, condensed Shenjue could bear it, uphold reason, and not fall into boundless resentment.

And on this foundation, one could then proceed to beast taming control.

"The First Trial appears to test the Sword Path, but actually also tests the flesh."

"The Second Trial tests beast taming, but also focuses on testing the Shenjue."

"This inheritance really isn't something ordinary people can obtain."

Yu Zhangsheng sighed in his heart, yet felt somewhat fortunate. Fortunately, his flesh and Shenjue had almost both reached the pinnacle of the current Realm, and now this advantage was revealed.

Actually, the design of this Trial was originally to select such talent; perhaps influenced by its Master, in the Sui Xian Sword Sword Spirit's view, a Cultivator's three paths of essence, qi, and spirit are all indispensable.

Whether flesh or Shenjue, both are part of one's Cultivation Base; only a genius with comprehensive development in all three aspects can go further and touch the Great Dao.

And thus such a Trial came to be.

………

Beast souls roared, each carrying hard-to-suppress savagery, rushing toward Yu Zhangsheng while various hand breaks appeared; tiger roars in the mountains, sound waves transformed into Soul Attacks, echoing through the Void, reverberating in all directions.

There were also dragons soaring in the sky, Dragon Might vast and mighty, spewing endless Fire Sea from open mouths, and great rocs with great wings swinging once, scattering boundless wind and thunder, exploding Kong Jian; strange divine birds, a claw slashing once, one after another green waves rippling, cutting through brambles and thorns, turning into great waves surging to the sky…

These attacks, though illusory and unable to harm Yu Zhangsheng's flesh, their impact on his Shenjue was hard to conceal.

"Hah…"

Yu Zhangsheng slowly exhaled a breath, his breath long and drawn out, his Sea of Consciousness trembling along with it.

"Thousand Thoughts Slash!"

Divine Sense transformed into lightning; for a moment, the Void gave birth to thunder, one after another pitch-black like ink Divine Sense Thunderbolts flashing, dense and numerous, covering the Void, standing before Yu Zhangsheng, enveloping this group of beast souls.

Boom—!

Invisible great waves surged, wave after wave; thus storms surged, Yu Zhangsheng's gaze sharp, as if holding a world-shocking sword, edge sheathed in its scabbard, sharp and peerless.

An invisible momentum had already taken form on Yu Zhangsheng's body.

The Divine Sense of Golden Core Peak, unleashed without reservation and even overdrawn, dealt with the beast souls filling the sky while the Myriad Spirits Art crazily operated.

In an instant, a strange fluctuation triggered layer upon layer of Dao meaning, spreading outward with Yu Zhangsheng at the center.

"It's coming, Myriad Spirits Art…"

The Sui Xian Sword Sword Spirit's gaze narrowed, murmuring softly, carrying a hint of nostalgia, carefully watching Yu Zhangsheng.

"This guy's beast taming skill is not bad, the Myriad Spirits Art is also cultivated well, his Constitution is special, and his Shenjue is even more powerful; normally, this trial poses no difficulty for him…"

"But if he wants to obtain the Daosong inheritance from within and complete the Myriad Spirits Art, then, I'm afraid it won't be easy…"

The Sui Xian Sword Sword Spirit thought in his heart, yet showed nothing on his face, withdrawing all thoughts; after thinking, he made a gesture toward the beast souls filling the sky.

Light flashed; the offensive unleashed by these beast souls instantly dropped by a rank.

"Whether you succeed or not is your own fortune…"

The Sui Xian Sword Sword Spirit lightly shook his head; after doing all this, he quietly floated in the air, watching.

The Trial of Inheritance; even he only had a certain permission to modify part of it, and could not do as he pleased according to his heart's desire.

………

On the Other Side, everything the Sui Xian Sword Sword Spirit had done was naturally sensed by Yu Zhangsheng; while his whole body relaxed somewhat, taking advantage of the gap, he cast a grateful glance toward the Sui Xian Sword Sword Spirit. (Chapter End)