Chapter 149: Shuo Dynasty, Heading Toward Lin Yuan

【Preparatory Dimension Apostle No. 9999090919 begins trial】

【Shuo Dynasty】

【Trial Summary: The Great Shuo has stood for three hundred years; barbarians press at its borders, while internal reformist talk grows loud—a sign of an empire on the brink of collapse.】

【Trial Task: Collect the Nine Tripod Maps scattered throughout Lin Yuan City (0/9) within three months】

【Trial Difficulty: A-rank (Hero)】

【Trial Reward: 10, 00 Paradise Points, +4 Attribute Points】

【Trial Failure: Forced return with all attributes reduced by 1, and all rewards revoked】

【Hint: This is an A-rank preparatory rank promotion trial. Apostle, give it your all.】

【Hint: This is a chained task; subsequent tasks will unlock sequentially. Failure to complete any task renders all subsequent tasks failed.】

【Hint: Do not leave the trial area arbitrarily; doing so may cause loss of trial items, death of trial characters, or other unknown consequences. You bear full responsibility.】

【Warning: Do not mention or reveal anything related to the Dimension Paradise during this trial. Violation results in immediate disqualification, all tasks deemed failed, and forced return to the Paradise.】

——

Chu Danqing glanced at the hint; the third line's trial scope had changed—it was originally meant to raise difficulty, but now it concerned trial items and characters.

Because this was a promotion trial, the penalty had been adjusted to focus on item and character integrity.

Any mistake would make completing the trial and achieving promotion virtually impossible.

【You spent 200 Paradise Points to master the language and script of this world.】

【Identity Selection Open】

【Identity: Wandering Sorcerer (Inherited), Cost: 500 Paradise Points】

Chu Danqing selected his Wandering Sorcerer identity again; after two accumulations, he must leverage his advantages further.

Though his abilities might not fully manifest in this new world, they would still add luster to his record.

Upon selection, simple background details and partial memories reappeared.

They were far more refined than in his previous two trials.

Even so, their utility remained limited—insufficient to sway the grand scheme.

If it were truly that powerful, it wouldn't cost only 500 points.

The main function of an identity is to prevent you from being an undocumented outsider, and to rationalize your alien skills, aura, or summoned entities within the trial world.

Otherwise, Chu Danqing's collection of wildly divergent summoned beings would have drawn suspicion long ago.

Upon arrival, Chu Danqing scanned his surroundings; they stood inside a ruined temple.

Besides himself and Da Bao, five other apostles were present.

He could clearly sense their strength—each radiated a distinct yet formidable aura.

Any one of them could defeat Da Bao alone.

Da Bao's fur was already bristling, instinctively expanding to appear larger.

This was a primal animal response; Da Bao's eyes brimmed with vigilance, and though he tried to calm his fur, his body refused to obey.

Da Bai, by contrast, was dazed—he had only just been born, had never fought, lacked sharp instincts, and remained safely hidden within Chu Danqing's body, unaware.

"My Da Bao is just a five-year-old child—he's shy around strangers," Chu Danqing explained.

The five apostles glanced at Da Bao, each silently amused.

Five years old? They could indeed overpower Da Bao, but killing him would cost them dearly.

Besides, they didn't believe Chu Danqing had only Da Bao as a summoned entity.

No one here had revealed their true cards; being placed in the same promotion trial meant their strengths were roughly equal.

"Preparatory Apostle of the Longhu Alliance, Qing Jian," said the woman in a paired-front ruqun, a longsword at her waist, introducing herself. "Willing to cooperate?"

Chu Danqing glanced at her; the Longhu Alliance's influence was immense—they appeared in every world without fail.

It meant they had apostles at every stage, a constant stream of new blood—a thriving faction.

"Preparatory Apostle of the Tiance Prefecture, Xue Ying," growled the man in military armor. "I've heard of you. Last trial, you made our Tiance Prefecture's self-proclaimed 'Little War God,' Tie Lu, kneel and beg for mercy."

"I've hated that brat for ages. Partnering with you should yield plenty."

He'd set up a false tension—expected friction—but instead delivered a sudden reversal.

Chu Danqing had heard of the Tiance Prefecture.

Reputation: fierce fighters, masters of group combat.

But this was his first encounter.

The two apostles from major factions promptly formed a surface alliance.

"I don't need one. My Da Bao dislikes strangers," Chu Danqing declined, using Da Bao as an excuse.

In truth, it was true—Da Bao's fur was still bristling; how could he possibly like anyone?

The remaining three apostles said nothing, likely due to their alien appearances.

Chu Danqing, Qing Jian, and Xue Ying all wore attire leaning toward Eastern xianxia aesthetics.

The other three: one dressed as a witch, gender indiscernible; one clad in armor resembling Iron Man's; the last in modern casual wear.

Without identity rationalization and disguise, such divergent appearances in any trial world would cause trouble of varying scale.

The countdown ended; the protective barrier vanished.

The three alien apostles left immediately without hesitation.

Qing Jian and Xue Ying, however, chatted easily.

Xue Ying looked like a brute, yet he flirted like a seasoned seducer.

Chu Danqing, as usual, began searching the temple with Da Bao.

You chat, I search—no interference.

"Brother, you're listening to us so intently we're practically kissing. Why not step aside?" Xue Ying's tone turned sharp.

Chu Danqing studied the two, then nodded.

"Fine. Hold on ten more minutes—I'll be done soon."

He agreed, but didn't move.

This wasn't about kissing—it was about fighting.

His words made Xue Ying frown. "You're in the way. Shall we take this outside?"

"Of course," Qing Jian smiled sweetly, walking out first.

Xue Ying followed behind, the two heading toward the temple entrance.

As Qing Jian crossed the temple threshold, Xue Ying launched a sudden ambush.

Qing Jian was prepared, countering instantly.

They clashed immediately; Da Bao instinctively activated his Tearing Claws, shielding Chu Danqing behind him.

The crossing waves of sword qi and Gang qi were blocked by Da Bao's Blood Fury.

Because the battle encroached on Chu Danqing, Da Bai immediately marked them as enemies—the Home Guard Aura activated.

Both instantly received debuffs from the Spirit Arts "Insult" and "Curse": all attributes reduced by 0. 2, plus a low-tier Weakness effect.

Weak in strength, but sudden.

Forced them to instantly break apart.

Both turned their gazes to Chu Danqing.

"Don't look at me—I'm just a summoner. I don't fight."

"I just kept a little safeguard. Suggest you take your fight elsewhere," Chu Danqing said plainly.

He favored PVE; if apostles left him alone, he'd leave them alone.

But that didn't mean he couldn't fight—his summons were all battle-hardened.

Qing Jian said nothing, tapped her foot, and sword qi surged around her as she fled the temple at high speed.

Xue Ying summoned a fiery steed, leapt onto its back, and gave chase.

"What grudge do they hold? Fighting in a promotion trial," Chu Danqing muttered.

This group of six apostles—including himself—were all in the A-rank promotion trial.

This looked like a fight to the death; it was impossible the task wouldn't be affected later.

Once other apostles learned of this, they'd inevitably grow wary of the two.

"Once I reach Rank 1, things will be much better," Chu Danqing knew. During the preparatory stage, apostles were all deployed uniformly.

After Xu Kequan's rank rose, standard trials granted further advantages based on identity—meaning each apostle's arrival point varied by their identity.

Preparatory rank was like an internship; no major advantages were given.

After searching, Chu Danqing found nothing.

"No way. No starting loot at all?" Chu Danqing grumbled.

Last trial, he'd at least found a Mountain Search Map. This time? Nothing.

The other apostles had already left.

"So now the question is… how do I get to Lin Yuan City?" Chu Danqing stepped out of the temple, staring at the landscape, unsure which way to go.

There was a path, yes—but it branched in two directions.

He had no idea which way to take.

"Little Chu, that way," Da Bao pointed: "Human scent, thick on the road."

"Go!" Chu Danqing decisively trusted Da Bao.

His perception matched Da Bao's, but Da Bao's animal instincts amplified his perception efficiency, and his physiology held natural advantages.

Chu Danqing thought for a moment, then chose to summon the Beast-Mask War Chariot.

【You spent: 300 - 10% (Life Dao Foundation) - 10 (Command Foundation) = 260 Mana Points to summon the Three Jia and Four Yu. Each minute will consume 30 - 10% (Life Dao Foundation) - 10 (Command Foundation) = 17 Mana Points to maintain the Three Jia and Four Yu.】

A bronze war chariot with beast-faced motifs emerged, pulled by four massive, muscular steeds.

Three beast-faced armored warriors stood upon it.

The warrior on the left held a bow, responsible for archery.

He was the crossbowman from before, though he had changed his role.

The warrior on the right wielded a ge spear, specializing in thrusting and clearing obstacles for the chariot.

The driver in the center wore only a short sword at his waist.

Only when he drew that sword would it mean the enemy had already boarded the chariot.

Chu Danqing climbed straight onto the chariot: "Follow this road forward."

The chariot had limited space; Chu Danqing boarding was fine, but adding Da Bao would leave no room.

But Da Bao didn't mind—he was used to walking anyway.

His build made it impossible for him to ride in any carriage or on horseback.

He was both too heavy and too large; most vehicles simply couldn't accommodate him.

Unless Chu Danqing got him a truck or a modified bus.

(End of Chapter)