Moments later, the first batch of thirty to forty disciples, clad in blue and cyan robes, from the Azure Pill Sect, led by Sect Master Wu and others, arrived at the foot of the Ten Thousand Withered Ridge.
The Ten Thousand Withered Ridge spanned a vast area, roughly a hundred li in circumference, characterized by ashen-brown earth and sparse vegetation. Most astonishingly, thirty-two colossal stone pillars, each dozens of feet tall, were scattered across the ridge, inscribed with various mysterious runes—clearly, they were man-made structures placed here.
Besides the Azure Pill Sect, seven or eight other sects had already dispatched their disciples here. The sects did not congregate; instead, they positioned themselves near individual massive stone pillars, awaiting the arrival of the rest.
Upon arrival, the Azure Pill Sect disciples landed near one of these pillars.
All the disciples gathered around the massive stone column, which was so wide that dozens of people couldn't encircle it, marveling at its scale.
“This must be the Sealing Pillar. Years ago, over thirty immortal cultivation sects jointly excavated spirit stone mines here. Later, a demonic beast frenzy erupted, forcing a retreat. These pillars were likely erected to seal the various caves within the Ten Thousand Withered Ridge, preventing any single sect from entering them alone.”
Some disciples even struck the pillar with their spirit blades, only to find it immensely hard; with a sharp clang, they were repelled by the column’s surface.
Ye Qin merely glanced at the pillar, then moved to a nearby rock formation, sat cross-legged, and gripped a spirit stone to restore his mana.
Sect Master Wu’s flight speed earlier had been tremendous, generating intense gale winds in the air, forcing Ye Qin to activate his defensive shield, consuming a small amount of his mana. With the trial imminent, he needed to maintain peak magical energy.
The other disciples soon snapped out of their astonishment and swiftly sat down cross-legged, awaiting the start of the trial.
As soon as the Azure Pill contingent had settled, stewards and high-ranking figures from several other sects arrived via sword flight to pay respects to Sect Master Wu and the others, discussing the possibility of cooperating to clear the demonic beasts within the caves.
One must remember that among the seventeen immortal cultivation sects of the Spirit Mist Mountain Range, relationships varied from close affiliation to outright enmity. Simply observing these mutual courtesy calls could reveal subtle indications. However, much of the exchange was superficial pleasantry. The true, underlying internal conflicts between the sects were known only to their high-ranking members; ordinary disciples rarely discerned them.
The Azure Pill Sect held a decent reputation. High-ranking members from both major and minor cultivation sects came to exchange pleasantries, dropping numerous veiled hints about willingness to cooperate. Sect Master Wu was thoroughly courteous, accepting all greetings without prejudice, agreeing to everything.
Ye Qin sat with his eyes closed, yet aware of everything happening around him. He overheard some of the conversations between the high-ranking cultivators and inwardly chuckled. Sect Master Wu was merely placating them. Before their departure, none of the disciples had received any instructions from Sect Master Wu regarding which sect to ally with. Once inside the caves, once they met, there would be no hesitation in striking down anyone, regardless of their sect affiliation.
On the surface, the various immortal cultivation sects maintained certain scruples, unwilling to openly instigate conflict. But once deep inside the unfathomable caverns, they would slay without compunction, perhaps so thoroughly that the victim might never even know who killed them.
In about half an hour, the disciples from all seventeen immortal cultivation sects had successively arrived at the Ten Thousand Withered Ridge. Though each sect maintained a certain distance from the others, they could clearly observe each other, and the disciples were already sizing up the strength of their competitors.
The Seven Great Immortal Cultivation Sects had sent the largest contingent, and their disciples were the most elite.
The Ancient Artifact Sect, a major artifact refining school, primarily cultivated Metal element techniques, focusing mainly on offensive implements. They dispatched about twenty male and female cultivators. What was striking was that every single one wore golden robes and carried high-grade spirit swords and blades on their backs, their expressions cold and severe. If nothing unexpected happened, it was likely that the offensive magical tools they carried were considerable in number.
The Earth Ledge Sect, another major artifact refining school, specialized in Earth element techniques, focusing mainly on defensive implements. They also sent around twenty male and female cultivators. These disciples were all clad in golden or yellow armor, exuding a sturdy and formidable presence. Observing their gear, it was evident that their focus on defense surpassed the Ancient Artifact Sect’s overt aggression.
The Azure Pill Sect, a major alchemy school, primarily cultivated Wood element techniques. They had the largest contingent, over forty disciples. In terms of spirit artifact equipment, they were noticeably lagging. However, the Azure Pill Sect disciples generally possessed higher cultivation bases; the majority were at the ninth level of the Qi Condensation stage. In contrast, the disciples of the Ancient Artifact Sect and the Earth Ledge Sect were slightly lower in cultivation, with many at the eighth level of Qi Condensation, and fewer at the ninth. After all, the Azure Pill Sect disciples excelled at alchemy, which was extremely conducive to advancing one's cultivation.
Additionally, there were four other major sects: the Great Luo Gate, the Heavenly Gate, the Waning Moon Sect, and the Beast Spirit Gate.
The Great Luo Gate was also a major artifact refining sect, but their methods differed significantly from the Ancient Artifact Sect and the Earth Ledge Sect. They favored refining all manner of miscellaneous implements, claiming to have mastered the “Art of Refining All Strange Artifacts Under Heaven.” Consequently, the Great Luo Gate was often mocked by disciples of the Ancient Artifact and Earth Ledge Sects as practicing unorthodox paths.
The Heavenly Gate specialized in the crafting of various spells, talismans, and esoteric formations—no further elaboration was necessary.
The Waning Moon Sect consisted mostly of female cultivators, who were charming, exquisitely beautiful, causing countless male disciples from other sects to gaze at them dreamily, their imaginations running wild. They were also an artifact refining sect, primarily cultivating Water element techniques. However, they specialized in refining silk armors, usually worn beneath outer clothing.
The Beast Spirit Gate was a beast-taming sect. Their members wore brightly colored clothes, carried numerous beast pouches at their waists, and arrived for the trial riding flying birds or spirit beasts, presenting a magnificent sight. Whether this approach would prove effective in the cave trials remained to be seen.
These Seven Great Sects were all ancient immortal cultivation sects within the Spirit Mist Mountain Range, having survived the long passage of time and gradually accumulating their strength.
The initial disciples sent by the Seven Great Sects to scout the situation each dispatched at least twenty to over forty cultivators at the high stage of the Qi Condensation realm. The twelve smaller sects sent comparatively fewer, ranging from five to over ten cultivators each.
Once all the sects had gathered, Sect Master Wu of the Azure Pill Sect let out a piercing cry towards the Ten Thousand Withered Ridge: “The cave trial of the Ten Thousand Withered Ridge officially begins!” The cry traveled far, echoing across a hundred li.
The Azure Pill Sect and the Great Luo Gate were the nominal conveners of this cave trial.
Then, Sect Master Wu nodded toward the Vice Sect Masters and Elders—a total of seven Foundation Establishment stage cultivators—who floated up into the air, dancing above the ground.
Wu Ruiyang tossed his Wind and Cloud Fan into the sky; the fan immediately expanded to its maximum power. He drew a stroke in the void with his hand, and the Wind and Cloud Fan instantly swept, forming dozens of light-red wind arcs, each nearly a foot long.
“Go!”
He pointed his hand toward the giant pillar.
Dozens of wind arcs, carrying immense might, struck the colossal stone pillar densely.
Whoosh, whoosh!
As dust and debris settled, the moss on the pillar was stripped away, revealing its original form. Only a small section of the outer layer was shaved off; the interior remained perfectly intact.
The Azure Pill Sect disciples, standing far off, watched with their mouths agape in shock, stunned by the dozens of mid-tier spells, “Wind Arc Slash,” casually unleashed by Sect Master Wu. Just these few arcs could easily end their young lives.
However, they were even more astounded by the sheer defensive power of the stone pillar—it was too hard! Dozens of Wind Arc Slashes couldn't even scratch it.
Ye Qin sighed inwardly. If his mid-tier spirit artifact, the Flame Thorn Silk Armor, possessed the tenacity of this stone pillar, participating in this cave trial would be a sure thing. Unfortunately, the silk armor would likely shatter completely after just a few blows from such powerful Wind Arc Slashes; it simply couldn't compare. A fervent thought suddenly struck him: this pillar was so incredibly hard; perhaps it could be used to forge armor.
Wu Ruiyang, however, seemed to have anticipated this result. His expression remained calm as he gazed at the pillar and stated, “This stone pillar is a sealing pillar left behind by Golden Core stage cultivators back in the day. It exists by automatically absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. After thousands of years, it should no longer retain much of its original power. My fellow Martial Brothers, let us combine our strength to shatter this pillar.”
“Yes, Martial Brother!”
The Vice Sect Masters and Elders responded in unison. They each summoned their magical artifacts from their sleeves and storage bags: fire-red blades, dazzling golden swords, jade-green staves, orangey-yellow bronze rings, multi-colored ribbons—the variety was endless.
They concentrated and cast their spells.
Each of the seven Foundation Establishment cultivators was at least at the high stage of the Foundation Establishment level. Their magical artifacts were similarly mid-tier or high-tier. They spun in the air, forming a formation.
The seven cultivators simultaneously unleashed their full power. For a moment, the various magical artifacts shone brilliantly in the air, causing the wind and clouds to change hue. This spectacle startled the blue and cyan-robed disciples, who hurriedly retreated, unwilling to approach.
Following a sharp shout from Wu Ruiyang, the seven artifacts struck the massive stone pillar together.
Boom—!
The artifacts impacted the pillar, sending sparks flying and stone fragments scattering.
Every sweep of the giant fan unleashed countless dense wind blades that whistled toward the stone.
The golden sword artifact directly collided with the pillar. With every impact, a faint crack appeared on the stone, and this fissure rapidly expanded and spread.
As for the wooden staff, it transformed into a green dragon, roaring as it pounced upon the stone pillar.
The earth shook violently, and the same booming sounds echoed across all parts of the Ten Thousand Withered Ridge.
The major sects were simultaneously striking their respective sealing pillars.
Moments later, the tremors subsided.
Under the combined assault of the various magical artifacts, the stone pillar finally could not withstand it, shattering in the middle before crashing down with a roar.
Subsequently, within a radius of ten li around the pillar, the landscape abruptly changed.
Numerous dark mine tunnels were revealed on the mountainside. These caves were dug thousands of years ago during mining operations. Sealed by the giant stone pillar, their entrances had been invisible, merging perfectly with the surrounding rock, rendering them inaccessible.
Once the pillar was destroyed, this mass of tunnels immediately revealed its true form.
The Azure Pill Sect’s seven pre-prepared reconnaissance teams each approached one cave entrance. The veiled young woman went to a cave alone.
Before entering, Ye Qin casually picked up a fragment of stone that had fallen when the pillar shattered. He crushed it easily in his hand, discovering it was merely ordinary rock. He was astonished; given the pillar's incredible hardness, the strength likely did not come from the inherent material, but rather from the sealing runes engraved upon it.
Yan Xuan saw Ye Qin lingering behind and urged him repeatedly, “Junior Martial Brother Ye, hurry up and come over! What are you doing?”
“Oh, coming right away.”
Ye Qin quickly dropped the fragment in his hand and, with a few swift movements, arrived at the cave entrance where Yan Xuan and the other three were waiting. (To be continued. For future developments, please log on to www***, many chapters, support the author, support genuine reading!) First published