“Roar—” The solar eclipse was nearing its darkest moment.

The once brilliant sun was reduced to a mere sliver of light.

Lei Jingang let out a deep, guttural cry, and the great saber in his hand grew increasingly fierce and tyrannical! Born of darkness, in this instant when the world’s light was extinguished, only the bloody arc carved by his massive saber represented the strongest power in existence.

Unstoppable! Even the giant serpent symbolizing the power of Nuwa could not meet his blade head-on; under that crimson long saber, it could only shrink back and tremble.

This was the might of the Chi You demon-god! Lei Jingang could feel every part of his body brimming with power—a violent, all-consuming force.

“So strong…” Feng Zikang frowned.

If Lei Jingang in his normal state used the Demon-God Possession Art, he wouldn't have been afraid, but now, as darkness swallowed the heavens and earth, the power of the Chi You demon-god was incredibly immense.

If they truly clashed head-on, even with all his trump cards deployed, he would likely face certain death.

However, facing this terrifying monster right now was not him.

Feng Zikang shook his head, scattering sword light to repel the aggressive advance of the five elders once more.

This Trial Tower.

It was inherently a place only Nascent Soul masters should be able to enter.

Therefore, if each floor’s Mysterious Realm was considered a checkpoint, the strength required to pass it must be above the Nascent Soul stage.

While the Dragon Fiend on the first level was relatively simple, it still possessed lethal moves; on this level, both the Holy Maiden’s Transformed Serpent and Lei Jingang’s Chi You Demon-God Possession displayed strength surpassing the Nascent Soul stage.

To achieve victory and obtain the Qilin Marrow, attempting it without sufficient power was simply out of the question.

To engage in a direct contest would require cultivation far exceeding the Nascent Soul stage to secure a sure win.

Fortunately, passing through this Trial Tower did not necessarily rely solely on brute force.

The path Feng Zikang chose this time was quite astute: relying on the strength of the White Miao tribe to contend with the Flower Miao tribe, and using the Transformed Serpent to counter the Chi You Demon-God Possession.

Otherwise, relying on his own strength alone, his chances of success would have been minuscule.

“I see…” In his contemplation, Feng Zikang seemed to gain a deeper understanding of the Trial Tower’s nature.

The so-called Trial Tower indeed tested those who entered by guiding them through different Mysterious Realm scenarios, but—what was the ultimate purpose of the trial? And what were the results? These matters remained unclear for the time being.

“Boom!” By now, the sky had turned completely dark, and the power of Chi You had reached its zenith! Its blade struck unpredictably, yet carried unmatched force! The giant serpent could not evade it.

The sharp blade sliced into the front half of its body, causing blood to spray wildly, exposing flesh and bone.

The Chi You form of Lei Jingang, drenched in blood, threw its head back and laughed maniacally! The giant serpent cried out in agony, convulsing, in unbearable pain! A phantom half-figure of the Holy Maiden materialized upon her body, her face ghastly pale, her appearance haggard.

“Heh heh, vile servant, now die!” Lei Jingang showed no mercy whatsoever; his blade movements were ferocious and unforgiving! When the eclipse peaked, the power of Chi You achieved complete suppression… “It seems I must intervene again…” Feng Zikang sighed deeply.

He knew that if he didn't act now, allowing the Holy Maiden’s Transformed Serpent to recover, and if Lei Jingang managed to eliminate the serpent in one go, he wouldn't fare well either.

He instantly galvanized his sword light, forcing back the five elders again, and launched himself upward, transforming into a streak of light, heading towards the great saber in Lei Jingang’s hand.

“Clang!” The sword light collided with the great saber, erupting in a deafening noise.

Feng Zikang’s blood churned, and he landed, inwardly startled.

He had already suspected the immense power of Chi You, but he hadn't anticipated it reaching this degree! “What, boy, finally couldn’t hold back, could you?” Lei Jingang snorted coldly.

This mysterious master was certainly beyond his expectations.

He understood the peculiar nature of this Mysterious Realm, knowing that aside from himself and Yu Luosha, the two inheritors of the bloodline, no one could truly cultivate here.

Even if someone possessed profound strength, it wouldn’t reach the level of countering them, so he hadn't taken it seriously.

But before the fight began today, this boy had struck him across the face with a sword.

Although it caused no injury, it left a dull ache, which surprised him.

Later, seeing him single-handedly hold off the five great elders of the Flower Miao tribe with ease, his strength was at least equal to Lei Jingang’s when he wasn't using the Demon-God Possession.

Who was this person? And where had the White Miao people found him? Though doubts plagued Lei Jingang’s mind, currently possessed by Chi You, making him invincible in the darkness, he maintained a certain arrogance and didn't press the issue.

“Boy, if you seek death, don’t blame me for being merciless!” Lei Jingang sneered, twisting his blade and hacking forcefully at Feng Zikang.

Feng Zikang dared not meet the blow head-on and dodged aside.

He never intended to confront Lei Jingang alone; his goal was merely to stall for time.

As long as they weren't at the peak of the eclipse, the Transformed Serpent still possessed sufficient power to contend with Chi You, and her injuries required time to heal.

Fortunately, although Lei Jingang’s attacks were ferocious, they were not without flaw.

Feng Zikang darted in and out amidst the flashes of the saber, trying hard to avoid direct clashes.

Although his Heaven-Swallowing Ancient Sword was formidable, under the pressure of that seemingly overwhelming crimson giant saber, it was completely suppressed and subdued.

“Boy, perish!” Lei Jingang roared in anger, his blade striking with greater urgency.

Feng Zikang sneered, “I doubt that!” He spun out of the melee, summoning the four attendant demon-gods to restrain Lei Jingang’s limbs.

Lei Jingang was initially startled to see these demon-gods resembling himself, but upon closer inspection, he realized their power was far inferior to his own.

He burst into laughter and tried to shake them off! “Mr.

Feng, be careful!” Just as Feng Zikang was about to deliver a killing blow, he heard the Holy Maiden’s cry from behind him.

Understanding immediately, he flipped and cleared a path, watching as a silver streak shot in, suddenly binding Lei Jingang’s demon-god form tightly! It was the divine ability of the Holy Maiden’s Transformed Serpent.

Although her wounds hadn't healed, they were covered in transparent, fibrous protective membranes, resembling a spider’s web—likely another secret art from the Miao territories.

With a sweep of her tail, she tightened her hold around Lei Jingang! The solar eclipse in the sky gradually passed, and a ray of sunlight peeked out again! “Mr.

Feng, I entrust my people to your care!” The Saintess cried out resolutely, her body flickering.

The humanoid phantom vanished, and the giant serpent, tightly bound around Lei Jingang, flew towards the heavens! “It’s a mutually destructive move!” Feng Zikang nodded, understanding the serpent’s intent.

Clearly, the serpent’s secret art could not be sustained for long, while the Chi You demon-god’s power had not waned significantly.

Even past the peak of the eclipse, as long as the sun hadn't fully emerged, he could still resist the serpent’s constraints, and the serpent was running out of time.

“Vile servant, what are you doing!” Lei Jingang roared sharply.

Although his limbs were immobilized, the crimson long saber seemed alive, thrashing wildly.

“Thwack! Thwack, thwack!” New wounds appeared on the giant serpent’s body, and a mist of blood filled the air, dyeing the sky a dark crimson.

Yet, the serpent coiled tighter and tighter, showing no sign of loosening its grip.

“You woman, you’ve gone mad!” Lei Jingang let out a final, mournful shriek; he was finally afraid! Feng Zikang looked up as the two figures gradually diminished into a pinpoint of light in the sky, which flashed brilliantly as if burning, and then vanished without a trace.

“It’s over!” Feng Zikang sighed with a sense of completion.

This ending was somewhat expected, though he hadn't anticipated the Saintess would be so resolute.

Still, since she had deployed the serpent’s secret art, she must have carried the determination to die.

In contrast, while Lei Jingang’s Chi You Demon-God Possession was terrifying, his unsettled mind was ultimately controlled by the demon-god; his pride and underestimation led to this outcome, which was also foreseeable.

“Pfft!” Just as he was shaking his head and sighing, something bloody and mangled fell from the sky.

Focusing his gaze, he saw it was Lei Jingang, covered in gruesome injuries and near unconsciousness! He hadn't reverted to his true form, retaining the shape of Chi You, but there were no signs of life, as if he were dead! Feng Zikang’s eyes lit up.

“A fine prize, leaving this for me!” This was clearly the physical body of the Chi You demon-god, which had fallen from mid-air after losing its master.

He was a spirit of the world, resilient to blades and swords, and difficult to destroy even beyond the ninth heaven.

It was left for Feng Zikang.

Feng Zikang beckoned, catching the Chi You demon-god body.

He probed it carefully and found no trace of a primordial spirit; Lei Jingang must have been utterly annihilated.

He smirked coldly, commanding the Four Symbols Demon-Gods to collect it for future use.

The battle on the ground remained deadlocked.

When Feng Zikang was present, the White Miao held a slight advantage; once he left, the Flower Miao regained the upper hand.

Countless casualties were sustained, but the outcome remained undecided.

Feng Zikang smiled coldly.

Since the matter had reached this stage, there was no need to hold back.

He struck out with his full sword power, felling all the Flower Miao combatants.

Although the White Miao had lost their chief, they easily secured a decisive victory.

This chaotic brawl finally concluded.

“Mr.

Feng, this is the Qilin Marrow.

Please accept it!” Hua Nu, who had become the chief of the White Miao, respectfully presented the Qilin Marrow.

It was a piece of black, soft jade, emanating a faint scent of blood yet secretly containing a precious luster; it was clearly no ordinary object.

Hua Nu had witnessed Feng Zikang’s power on the battlefield and dared not treat him lightly.

This battle did not result in the merger of the White Miao and Flower Miao tribes.

Although the initial agreement included such a possibility, the Flower Miao, having lost their chief, still harbored deep resentment and were unwilling to merge with their perceived enemies.

Lei Jingang’s successor left behind a vicious vow to return, before escorting his remaining people back to the city.

If he had wished to annihilate them then, it wouldn't have been impossible, but Hua Nu could not commit such an act, and Feng Zikang had no reason to meddle in others’ affairs.

Although he knew that cutting the weeds and digging up the roots was the best course of action, by sparing these enemies, Hua Nu had ensured a necessary conflict decades later.

However, perhaps this was the fate of this Mysterious Realm, and he didn't intend to become overly involved.

Since the Qilin Marrow was obtained, after waking up Luo Lianxin, he would figure out the passage to the next level.

He was now developing a certain interest in this game of clearing stages one by one.

What final challenges awaited them at the culmination of the Trial Tower? “Thank you, Chief Hua.

I will attend to my companion now; please wait a moment!” Having secured the Qilin Marrow and learning how to use it, he returned to his room.

Luo Lianxin was still sleeping peacefully, her complexion a specific pale gold, her expression remarkably serene.

It seemed the effect of the Five Treasures Wine was still holding.

Feng Zikang couldn't help but think of the Saintess Yu Luosha, whose remains were gone.

While he felt no remorse towards her, a strange emotion crystallized in his heart.

Life and death were impermanent; that which is born must eventually die.

Feng Zikang smiled faintly, brought forth the Qilin Marrow, and suspended it directly above Luo Lianxin.

The Qilin Marrow spun rapidly, shooting a beam of dark light toward Luo Lianxin’s brow, seemingly forming a channel connecting the two.

A red dot immediately appeared on Luo Lianxin’s brow, as if blood were gushing forth, and the dark light was swiftly stained a vivid crimson.

Feng Zikang knew this was the Qilin Marrow absorbing the virulent poison of the Evil Dragon Blood within Luo Lianxin! It seemed the power of the Evil Dragon Blood was truly treacherous.

Not only did the connecting dark beam, but the Qilin Marrow itself, originally a dense black mass, began to show faint blood threads, forming a bizarre dark red color.

The Evil Dragon Blood seemed endless, continuously being drawn out.

Luo Lianxin’s face contorted in pain.

“Wuu—wuu—” Perhaps sensing its impending doom, the Evil Dragon Blood made sounds akin to sorrowful weeping, like a living thing.

With a sudden burst, the dark light connecting the Qilin Marrow and Luo Lianxin fractured.

The originally small Qilin Marrow swelled into a spherical mass, assuming a grotesque blood-red hue, constantly twisting and expanding in a highly unusual manner.

“…What?” Feng Zikang suddenly sensed something was wrong.

Hua Nu and the Saintess had never mentioned this abnormality of the Qilin Marrow.

His mind raced, and with a sudden sweep of his sleeve, he gathered Luo Lianxin and rushed out of the room.

“Boom!” A tremendous explosion erupted behind him.

Turning back, he saw that the house he had just occupied was flattened, and the Qilin Marrow had vanished.

“What happened?” Hua Nu rushed over in shock.

Feng Zikang sighed; he had a rough idea of what had occurred and explained the preceding events to her in detail.

“If… if that is the case…” Hua Nu gave a wry smile.

“The Qilin Marrow likely could not withstand the intense poison on Miss Luo, choosing instead to destroy itself to perish along with that malice in the world—it truly is a pity, but given the circumstances, perhaps it was fate…” Feng Zikang nodded.

Although the Qilin Marrow was a sacred object, it had been used for so many years, absorbing untold amounts of toxins.

It was already contaminated, and subjected to such a violent toxic shock, this outcome was understandable.

“Since the Qilin Marrow is destroyed, the temple passage must have opened.

The prophecy of the ancestors from a thousand years ago should be fulfilled by now?” “Oh?” Hearing about the passage, Feng Zikang realized the destruction of the Qilin Marrow must have been predestined; only by shattering the Marrow would the passage to the next level open… “I never expected the tasks in each Mysterious Realm to be so interconnected…” Feng Zikang chuckled wryly.

If that were the case, if Luo Lianxin hadn't sustained the Evil Dragon Blood injury in the first Mysterious Realm, the Qilin Marrow wouldn't have broken, and he might have been trapped in this second Mysterious Realm for who knows how long.

He shook his head.

“Chief Hua, this passage opening probably leads to another realm, which is relevant to us as well.

Please direct us to the temple so we can proceed…” Hua Nu chuckled lightly.

“Mr.

Feng, there is no need for ceremony.

That temple passage was likely prepared for you.

Neither our Flower Miao nor White Miao tribesmen can ascend to the temple on the Sacred Mountain…” She pointed toward a distant high mountain.

“That is the Sacred Mountain.

Once you reach the summit, you will naturally find the temple.

As for where the passage is located, Mr.

Feng will have to search for it himself!” Feng Zikang nodded, thanked Hua Nu, and carrying the still-unconscious Luo Lianxin, flew directly toward the Sacred Mountain.

Though the Sacred Mountain was high, it was only relative.

After a short flight, Feng Zikang reached the peak.

On the summit stood a majestic temple.

The people of the White Miao and Flower Miao tribes could not ascend it; it was unclear if it was built using some secret art or if it was a remnant from antiquity.

Feng Zikang stepped into the temple and saw two divine statues enshrined on the left and right.

The one on the left was Nuwa; Feng Zikang recognized her immediately.

Her appearance bore some resemblance to the Saintess Yu Luosha.

The one on the right held a crimson great saber and had horns on its head—undoubtedly Chi You.

It was strange that these two were enshrined together, but if they were the ancestors of the White Miao and Flower Miao tribes, it was not entirely unexpected, despite the slight incongruity.

As Feng Zikang’s gaze swept around, he noticed a dark shadow behind both statues.

Understanding dawned, he walked over and gently shifted the two statues aside, revealing a dark, gaping cavern behind them.

“Is this… the cavern leading to the third level?” As Feng Zikang pondered this, Luo Lianxin let out a soft moan in his arms and awoke.

“Feng… Senior Brother Feng…” Seeing herself cradled in Feng Zikang’s arms, she blushed slightly and tried to stand, but her limbs felt weak and unresponsive.

“Junior Sister, do not rush.

You have just recovered from a severe injury; take your time.” Luo Lianxin remembered being wounded by that black blood.

She looked around and saw that the scenery had completely changed.

Being sharp-witted, she knew she had been unconscious for a long time.

“I must thank Senior Brother for saving me.

Lianxin is deeply grateful…” “Not at all…” Feng Zikang surprisingly offered a polite response for once.

“Junior Sister, this is the passage to the third level.

Shall we enter?” “The third level?” Luo Lianxin looked at the dark cavern with doubt, but then realized what must have happened: Senior Brother had resolved the issue of the second level, bringing them to the entrance of the third.

She marveled at how high Senior Brother’s cultivation had reached.

The difficulty of the second level was far greater than the first, yet he had navigated it with ease while carrying her as a burden—truly remarkable! She nodded.

“Then I shall trouble Senior Brother!” Feng Zikang smiled faintly, picked her up, and stepped into the cavern.