I am cautiously cultivating immortals in a strange world

Seeing Lian Zizhang's expression, Chen Lin couldn't help but smile.

"What, after going through such a life-or-death experience, you still won't behave yourself? I think you should just focus on your cultivation and wait for the Heavenly Trial to begin."

The other party is indeed an adventurer. He just escaped with his life from the Refining God Tower and is about to explore the secret place again after recovering.

It's best to stay away from people like that.

"What's the difference between that and waiting to die?"

Lian Zizhang said bluntly.

"Oh?"

Upon hearing the other party's response, Chen Lin showed a look of surprise.

Take a closer look.

"So, you mean you know about the Heavenly Trial?"

"Know a thing or two."

Lian Zizhang pulled out a chair and sat down.

"You went to great lengths to save me this time, so in return, I'll tell you this secret so you won't be confused and unsure of what to do."

"Please speak."

Chen Lin immediately took out the spiritual tea and poured a cup for the other party.

Then, with a wave of his hand, he used the Zodiac Secret Technique to create a barrier to prevent eavesdropping.

The current rulers of Beihan City are numerous and each possesses extraordinary abilities, so we must remain vigilant.

Lian Zizhang took a sip of the spiritual tea.

"Have you heard of the Outer Heavens?"

"I've heard some things about it, but I don't know exactly where it is. I've only heard that if you succeed in the Heavenly Trial, you might be sent there."

Chen Lin recounted what he knew.

"good."

Lian Zizhang nodded.

"Those who succeed in the Heavenly Trial can indeed go to the Outer Heavens. This is a shortcut. Otherwise, one must cultivate to the ninth level of the Sovereign Realm and break through to a higher realm before ascending."

"What is a higher realm? The primordial one?"

Chen Lin immediately inquired.

The Primordial Realm has always been a legend, and no one knows whether it actually exists. Only the Shadow Scholar seems to have reached that realm, and he is very curious about it.

"That's it."

Lian Zizhang gave an affirmative answer.

He immediately added, "Actually, there is no fixed concept of realm. 'Original' is just a name, and there are many other names as well. No matter what cultivation method you use, as long as you can achieve a qualitative leap in your level, you can be considered to have entered the next realm."

Chen Lin nodded slightly.

This explanation is similar to what Little White Bear said, so it should be correct.

"but."

Lian Zizhang continued speaking.

"Even if you reach the Primordial Realm, you may not be able to ascend. This is just the minimum requirement. To ascend to the Outer Heavens, you also need the ability to open a passage."

"not only that."

"There's something you absolutely need to know: the Heavenly Sovereign positions in the Outer Heavens are fixed. For every person who successfully ascends, there will be someone who is eliminated. So you should be able to imagine how difficult it is to ascend."

Chen Lin took a deep breath.

He asked in a deep voice, "Are all the Heavenly Lords in the Outer Heavens? How many seats are there in total? Are they ranked?"

This is important information.

With fixed seats, the competition will inevitably be fierce. Upon ascension, one will not only face the tribulation of the Great Dao, but will also likely suffer attacks from the existing Heavenly Ruler.

even.

These celestial rulers also monitor the lower realms to prevent the emergence of powerful beings who threaten them, eliminating any potential threats before their ascension.

"Of course, not all of them are Heavenly Emperors."

Lian Zizhang shook his head slightly.

"The Heavenly Lords are the top beings in the Outer Heavens. There are 108 of them, each of whom controls the supreme rules. There is no distinction in ranking."

"However, there are probably still differences in strength."

"Besides the Heavenly Lord, there are other positions, which can be obtained through different channels, and the Heavenly Trial is one of them."

"After obtaining these positions, one can also have a cultivation ground in the Outer Heavens, but it cannot be compared with those who ascend. Perhaps one will need to obey the Heavenly Lord's orders."

"Is that so?"

Chen Lin was somewhat suspicious.

He immediately asked, "According to this logic, shouldn't there be a monarch in the Outer Heavens? Otherwise, who has the final say among so many heavenly monarchs, and who appoints the other positions?"

"It is the Way of Heaven."

Lian Zizhang's tone became serious.

"I don't know the specifics, but it seems that there is a Heavenly Dao. Some people believe that it is a spiritual entity formed by the beliefs of all living beings. It has no emotions and only follows the rules."

"Some people also believe that the Heavenly Dao is a cultivator."

"It is the creator of this cultivation world, and all living beings are under its control. With a single thought, it can determine the life and death of everyone."

Chen Lin instantly recalled the notification sound when the Mandarin Duck Board was activated.

The voice was very young and lacked emotion; it was probably a manifestation of the Heavenly Dao.

Just as he was about to ask further questions, Lian Zizhang waved his hand.

"This is not something we need to discuss. It's useless to figure it out; it won't change anything unless you can ascend now. Otherwise, you must pass the Trial of Ascension."

"Do you know the process of the Heavenly Trial?"

Chen Lin understood that the other party was wary of the Heavenly Dao and dared not discuss it further, so he also changed the subject.

"The Heavenly Trial is not fixed."

Lian Zizhang answered quickly.

"Normally, each trial has three stages. You are pulled into a special space to complete a designated task. Once you complete the first stage, you can receive a reward and leave."

"But in fact..."

"Throughout history, all known participants have been stuck at the first hurdle. The so-called benefits gained from passing the trial refer to the first hurdle."

Chen Lin frowned immediately.

He immediately asked, "Since the trials began, no one has even passed the first level?"

If that's the case.

This trial to heaven is far too difficult.

Even if he succeeds in the second soul-splitting, let alone his current strength, there's little hope.

"That's not it."

Lian Zizhang continued to explain.

"Anyone who survives has likely passed the first hurdle. I suspect that once they pass the first hurdle, they might be able to choose to return."

"in addition."

"Having special items, such as secret orders, may also allow one to leave the mission after certain conditions are met."

"Of course, this is just speculation."

"As for those who will enter the second stage, it's not impossible."

"For example, the Shadow Scholar. He may have already entered the third level, but no one knows for sure. However, one thing is certain: if he receives the reward for passing the level, his strength will definitely increase dramatically. He cannot be treated as an ordinary cultivator. He is the person you need to be most careful about during the trial."

Chen Lin seemed to be deep in thought.

The Shadow Scholar is indeed mysterious, and it is very likely that he did not die. Since the other party did not choose him as the vessel for rebirth, there must be a better vessel. Perhaps he has already been successfully resurrected.

There are also Lu Jiuxuan from Langdang Mountain, and the master of the ferry of life, etc.

These entities are estimated to have passed one hurdle.

A top-tier treasure like the Ferry of Life is simply not something that this cultivation world can forge; it's most likely a reward for passing a trial.

and so.

As Lian Zizhang said, these beings have a great advantage in this trial.

Not only are they powerful in cultivation, but they also possess treasures that transcend this realm. Other participants find it difficult to compete with them, and the top rankings are always occupied by them.

Do you know how many people are selected to pass each trial?

Chen Lin pondered for a moment and asked.

Without hesitation, Lian Zizhang said, "If you mean passing all the levels, then there will only be one person, and only one person will be selected each time. But for the first two levels, it's not certain, as the tasks are different each time."

"It could be one, or it could be many."

"If it's the latter, then even if you're lucky and have a high chance of surviving, it's still just a chance. The participants chosen for the Ascension Trial are all beings with magical abilities, so they can't be underestimated in any way."

Chen Lin raised an eyebrow slightly. He tentatively asked, "You know so much about this, have you perhaps participated in the trial?"

"You don't need to worry about that."

Lian Zizhang did not answer, and then stood up.

"Alright, I've told you so much, which is part of how I repay your life-saving grace. If we meet again in the trials, I will continue to repay you."

He paused for a moment.

She touched the mask on her face.

"Since you are unwilling to explore the secret realm with me, then I will go by myself. Please tell Lord Bai Yujing that I will repay this favor later. Right now, I must retrieve that treasure in order to have any chance of surviving the trial."

"Until we meet again."

There was no further delay.

Lian Zizhang glanced at Chen Lin, turned around and walked out of the room, leaving the camp directly.

Chen Lin did not send any gifts.

He sat in the chair, reflecting on the information the other person had provided.

A sense of urgency arose spontaneously.

It is foreseeable that the number of people who pass the Heavenly Trial will be extremely small. Even for the first and second stages, the number is probably in the single digits. Otherwise, it would not be something that all cultivators fear so much.

Although the scale of this trial has increased and the number of spots will not be too many, if he wants to get a ranking, he still needs to continue to improve his strength and cannot rely entirely on the secret order.

Other methods should also be prepared.

Chen Lin touched his chin.

The Heavenly Trial is not entirely based on combat strength; otherwise, there would be no need to select those with lower cultivation levels, as they might be able to use any means necessary.

Then he finally understood.

Why are so many cultivators so keen to explore nameless secret realms?

It's not just about increasing combat power, but also about the bizarre and wonderful abilities of the rare treasures. Everyone has the same idea: to enrich their own methods.

Thinking about this...

Chen Lin called the blind woman and the others to his side and shared the information with them.

These were his closest people, and even Zizhang hadn't asked him to keep it a secret, so there was no need to hide it.

Everyone became serious.

Under such rules, it's a pipe dream for them to even get past the first hurdle, let alone compete for rankings with those terrifying beings.

"Don't give up on yourself."

Chen Lin offered words of comfort.

"Until the trial begins, no one knows what it will entail. It may not even be related to cultivation level or strength. What you need to do now is to collect as many items as possible that have different uses."

"Not just extraordinary treasures, but ordinary items should also be collected."

"besides."

Chen Lin gave a serious reminder.

"If you can carry it on your person, don't put it in a storage item, otherwise the storage item will be unusable after entering the trial."

"Yes."

"Everyone responded in unison."

Chen Lin's gaze lingered on each person's face for a while, deeply imprinting their features in his mind.

Exhale softly.

"Try not to spread the news, otherwise it will affect the collection of items. Don't rush into anything, just keep a calm mind."

The crowd responded again.

Then he quietly left the room.

The blind girl stayed until the end.

She asked softly, "Should we send this message to Sister Luo and the others?"

"Yes, I'll send it."

Chen Lin said without hesitation.

But who to ask to deliver it is a problem. With the threat from Tianhu Fisherman, it would be unwise for him to go himself, and Xiaocao and the others don't have the ability to do so.

"Should I go take a trip there?"

The blind woman volunteered.

"Need not."

Chen Lin waved his hand in refusal.

"You should hurry up and prepare for the trial. Going back and forth will take too much time. I'll find someone else to help."

The other party's main ability is mental; they are not good at traveling, so they are not the best candidate to deliver the message.

If it's just sending a message, you can ask anyone.

He gave an explanation.

Chen Lin left the courtyard and arrived at the Seven Absolutes Sect's headquarters.

They didn't see Beitang Zhu, but they did see one of Beitang Zhu's trusted subordinates. They handed him a jade slip containing information and asked him to send it back to the Seven Star Realm through the Seven Absolutes Sect's channels.

In return.

He left the information Lian Zizhang had given him on a scroll using a special method of transmission and had his trusted confidant deliver it to Beitang Zhu.

Then they arrived at the Eight Trees' camp.

Do the same thing.

He also entrusted the other party to deliver the information jade slip to Ruan Qingxi, and gave Lian Zizhang's information as payment.

Also.

He also packed up the unclaimed artifacts he had collected, along with some high-level treasures from the Star Ruins, and gave them all to Luo Qinglan.

Between the two major powers, one of their channels will surely be able to successfully deliver the message.

After finishing, Chen Lin stopped thinking about it. That was all he could do to help, and there was no point in thinking too much. He needed to use the rest of his time to improve himself.

Even in the frigid northern realm, the sun rises and sets, and a dozen or so years pass in the blink of an eye.

The nameless secret realm is no longer accessible.

The originally fixed passage became increasingly unstable and suddenly collapsed three years ago. Only some stray nodes still occasionally appear, but no one who enters ever comes out again.

Without the allure of the secret realm, various forces were unwilling to linger here and left the Northern Cold Realm one after another.

Chen Lin did not leave.

With the opening time of the Ascension Trial fast approaching, and having no power to manage, returning to the Star Ruins was no different from staying here.

Moreover, Bai Yujing and Bai Lingyu have not yet emerged from seclusion.

He needs to be responsible for protecting.

Another important reason is that I have too many enemies in the Star Ruins, and now there is another seventh-level demon king, so it is safer to stay here.

There was only one person he had a grudge against, Feng Qing, whose cultivation level had no effect on him at all.

"Master, Lord Bai has emerged from seclusion and requests your presence."

This day.

Xiao Cao came to Chen Lin's cultivation room to report.

Chen Lin's spirits lifted.

He had been waiting for this day; there were so many things he needed the help of these brother and sister.

Congratulations on your recovery, brother!

"Congratulations Elder Bai on advancing your cultivation to a higher level!"

Upon seeing the two, Chen Lin immediately paid his respects. Both of them looked more energetic than before they were injured, suggesting that their years of seclusion had brought them not only healing but also other benefits.

"Hahaha."

Bai Yujing laughed heartily.

"It can be said that surviving a great calamity will surely bring good fortune."

After saying that, he took out a crystal the size of an egg.

He handed it to Chen Lin and said, "This is a primordial crystal. It should be beneficial for you when using the God-Slaying Seal. Take it and use it."

"Thank you, brother."

Chen Lin was overjoyed. With this item, he could use the God-Slaying Seal more often, which would greatly help improve his strength.

Bai Yujing glanced at Chen Lin.

He then offered another reminder.

"You should know that the God-Slaying Seal is not omnipotent. Although it can restrain high-level beings, it has certain limitations and cannot be relied upon completely."

"We still need to focus on our own strength." (End of Chapter)