Chen Tian, after sorting through his memories, rediscovered a forgotten part. This place had changed back then, or rather, it wasn't just a change, but…
In any case, Chen Tian understood the reason. Mu Yuanqing's figure appeared before the pavilion, and simultaneously, several flashes of light erupted, revealing three figures. Mu Yuanqing respectfully said, "Young Master, these three are the patriarchs of our Wood Spirit tribe. To open that trial space, we four must join forces."
"Good, let's begin."
As Chen Tian spoke, the other three elders nodded in unison. Mu Yuanqing had already informed them about Chen Tian's identity and origins. Moreover, now was not the time to be bound by the ancient rules of the Wood Spirit tribe. The Wood Spirit Mirror was essential; it had to appear no matter what. After all, if that person truly broke the seal, the entire continent would be plunged into an abyss of suffering and destruction.
The three elders and Mu Yuanqing's palms glowed with emerald light, the essence of Wood Spirit power. They extended their hands and raised them high. The Wood Spirit power transformed into streams of light, continuously flowing into the void. As the Wood Spirit power converged, a green vortex appeared in the sky, exuding a majestic life force. Mu Yuanqing, drenched in sweat, urged, "Young Master, hurry and enter! The space we four have opened will not last long."
In the past, opening a trial space for the Wood Spirit tribe consumed vast resources, providing the space with ample support to remain open. Now, it was different. It was opened by the four using their Wood Spirit energy as the primary resource. Wood Spirit energy was the very essence of the Wood Spirit tribe. Essentially, opening this trial space had cost them half of their origin, drastically weakening their strength. However, there was no other choice at this moment. The Wood Spirit Mirror was imperative. To strengthen the seal, those specific items were needed. That person had told them the same thing back then.
The Wood Spirit tribe, who possessed the Wood Spirit Mirror, understood the repercussions of this matter. They held no regrets. The moment Chen Tian saw the space open, silver-red wings unfurled from his back, and he shot towards the heavens.
Silver-red light, the apex of the heavens, brilliance crisscrossing.
Chen Tian entered the trial space. The trial space closed. Mu Yuanqing and the elders collapsed onto the ground. Mu Yuanqing said, "Everyone, let's rest. We have injured our origins this time and must go into seclusion to recover. If the trial is passed and the Young Master obtains the Wood Spirit Mirror, he can emerge from the trial space independently, and we will no longer need to open the space for him."
The First Elder said, "As the patriarch commanded, we hope the Young Master can earn the recognition of the Wood Spirit Mirror."
"Indeed! Otherwise, if the seal is broken, the entire continent will be destroyed."
"Do you think that person intentionally didn't kill him back then, all for this very day?"
"Hush! How dare you speak of that person like that? Do you not wish to live?"
"My apologies, patriarch. I just felt it was too much of a coincidence."
"In any case, let's go and recuperate first."
The four streaks of light vanished from the pavilion. Within the trial space, Chen Tian walked through a tunnel. This was the Wood Spirit tribe's training space. Chen Tian proceeded through the tunnel. The Wood Spirit trial was something even Mu Yuanqing did not know the specifics of. Chen Tian only knew to keep walking, and reaching the end would likely signify the start of the trial.
Chen Tian reached the end of the tunnel. A thin, emerald membrane appeared before him. Chen Tian touched it with his hands, his divine eyes opened, and information about this protective membrane appeared. Chen Tian sighed, "It requires Wood Spirit energy to enter. What can be done?"
To pass through the protective membrane, one needed to achieve resonance using Wood Spirit energy. There was no other way. As Chen Tian fretted, he found his arm passing through the Wood Spirit protective membrane. Chen Tian was utterly bewildered. "Didn't you require Wood Spirit energy to enter? What's going on?"
Despite his confusion, Chen Tian stepped through. His entire body passed through the membrane unharmed. Simultaneously, a game interface appeared before him.
"Ding! Congratulations, player, you have triggered a trial quest. Do you accept?"
Chen Tian exclaimed, "You can trigger quests here too? This isn't a game world! We're no longer in the Chronos Era. What's going on with this game system?"
Chen Tian knew that the world and space he was currently in were not part of the Chronos Era, yet a quest had appeared. He truly couldn't comprehend it. Chen Tian was momentarily stunned, feeling that something was different from his previous plans, though he couldn't pinpoint what.
Chen Tian clicked "yes." The quest information appeared before him. Chen Tian looked at the quest. The reward was the Wood Spirit Mirror. Chen Tian exclaimed, "Amazing! So, completing the quest means I get the Wood Spirit Mirror. That's much simpler than participating in a trial here."
Regardless of whether he could see the Wood Spirit Mirror, such a weapon possessed a certain sentience. Who knew if the Wood Spirit Mirror would accompany Chen Tian? Furthermore, upon obtaining the Wood Spirit Mirror, it would require a master-servant bond. Chen Tian was still unsure how to establish a bond in this world. As a system reward, it would be directly bound.
Chen Tian looked at the three quests and took a step forward, emerging from the dense mist. A magnificent city stood before him. Within the city, streams of deathly aura drifted towards the sky, engulfing the entire city. Chen Tian lamented, "I hope this trial doesn't weaken my strength."
Chen Tian knew that completing these three trials would come at a great cost. The most serious consequence would be a five percent reduction in his strength. Considering Chen Tian's current origin fusion had only reached ten percent, his formidable strength was precisely because of this. A five percent reduction in origin fusion progress meant a significant decrease in his power.
Fortunately, the origin fusion progress of the Divine Realm and the Cultivation Realm were synchronized. A five percent reduction meant Chen Tian's strength would only be affected for a portion of people; others would be indifferent.
In the Divine War tribe, a few days passed swiftly. Bing Tianning and Zhan Tian stood before the central mansion of the Divine War tribe's main city. Beams of light entered the city from all directions, instantly gathering over a thousand people. Each of them bore a mark on the back of their hands.
Two emerald beams of light descended. Zhan Tian respectfully greeted, "Little friend Mu Tian, long time no see."
"Isn't this Zhan Tian? Long time no see. We last met what, thousands of years ago?"
"Indeed! I wonder if your Wood Spirit tribe is only sending the two of you?"
"Old man Zhan Tian, you know our Wood Spirit tribe didn't compete for your spots. The fixed quota is only two."
Mu Tian and Zhan Tian chatted cheerfully. Mu Tian then proposed that they join forces during the trial, as their two tribes were in similar situations. Compared to them, the participants from other tribes were stronger, and their numbers alone far exceeded the combined numbers of their two tribes.
Zhan Tian agreed without hesitation. Bing Tianning had promised to look after the Divine War tribe's disciples, but teleportation into the space was random, so encountering each other was uncertain. More allies meant more safety.
"Alright, old man Zhan Tian, everyone is here. Let's open the space."
An elder said respectfully. If the key to opening the space wasn't in Zhan Tian's hands, they wouldn't have been so courteous. After all, if the keyholder was unwilling, they would have nowhere to turn.
It could be said that whether to open the space was up to Zhan Tian. Without the key, waiting there would not bring about the appearance of the secret realm. Zhan Tian did not hesitate. He took out a Qiankun hanging plate. On the plate, Zhan Tian manipulated the Qiankun positions on both sides, and a beam of light shot out, entering the void before them.
The void subtly fractured. Under Zhan Tian's control, the Qiankun hanging plate rotated to different orientations, and the beam of light grew larger, forming a vortex in the void. The Qiankun hanging plate returned to Zhan Tian's hand. The people with the mark on their hands began to glow.
"Go. This is an era for you juniors. Do not disappoint us," the Great Elder of the Cloud tribe said calmly to the Cloud tribe disciples. The Cloud tribe disciples echoed in unison, "We will not betray the elders' expectations."
The Great Elder transmitted his voice to each Cloud tribe disciple, his killing intent palpable, "Kill any Divine War tribe members on sight."
"Yes."
Countless disciples entered the space, as did Bing Tianning. This space gave Bing Tianning a strange sense of attraction, as if something within the space was meant for him to obtain. Bing Tianning followed his intuition and entered the space.
All marked individuals entered the space. The space was sealed. Zhan Tian announced, "Esteemed guests, the secret realm will be open for fifteen days. We kindly ask you to depart now. Our Divine War tribe will not be entertaining guests."
The attendees were elders from various factions. The Divine War tribe's statement was direct: they were not welcome, so they should leave.
They were furious but could not vent their anger. They could only suppress it. The Great Elder of the Cloud tribe said, "Very well, since Elder Zhan has said so, we will give your Divine War tribe some face. We will return in fifteen days."
"We're used to it. It's like this every year. However, the Divine War tribe can only do this now, as they have fallen.
Streaks of figures vanished from the Divine War tribe's city. Zhan Tian appeared anxious. The Divine War tribe of old would not fear these factions. Now, they couldn't afford any trouble. They lacked even the basic amenities to host guests. It was better to avoid being mocked.
Within the city, Chen Tian walked through the streets. Countless humans seemed infected with some illness, their bodies devoid of flesh and blood, yet exuding a powerful aura, incredibly weak. Some even had to crawl to move. Chen Tian's heart was touched. The entire city had tens of thousands of people!
The first trial had officially begun. Successfully saving tens of thousands of people would mean passing and entering the second stage. Chen Tian was not overly concerned about the first trial.
Chen Tian's figure approached a young boy. The boy exuded vital energy but was extremely weak, his body a mere skeleton. Chen Tian dripped some of his blood into the boy's mouth.