Family Cultivation: Evergreen of the Song Family

A towering floating gate, hundreds of feet high, stood atop a massive floating island shaped like a tortoise. On the rusty bronze door frame, dense golden runes could be faintly seen, exuding an ancient and vast aura.

The central spatial teleportation vortex was dazzling and dreamlike; one glance at it felt as if one were about to be drawn into it.

In front of this floating gate, most of the survivors of the Trial Road have gathered here. Originally there were nearly four hundred trial participants, but after decades of competition, there are now less than fifty left.

There may be some other trainees who are hiding elsewhere and have not yet made a move for various reasons, but their number will most likely not exceed ten.

Each trial participant represented a cultivator at the Great Perfection of the Purple Mansion realm, but within a few decades, most of them perished.

Outside the region, they may have a certain reputation, or even be the founders of a certain force.

But here, they are merely consumables used to generate the [Dice of Fate], nothing more.

They had heard about the cruelty of the trial path before, but when they gathered together and looked at these few figures, they still felt a mix of emotions.

An even crueler truth is that by the end of this trial, no more than a handful will survive. Based on the results of previous trials, the most survivors have ever been only three, demonstrating its brutality.

"Where did those two killers go?"

Before the floating gate, a middle-aged cultivator with a resolute face asked in a deep voice.

"They're only a few hundred miles from here, they should be recuperating. Why don't we just charge in and take their heads?"

"We have an overwhelming numerical advantage. Even if those two are strong, they're only at the Purple Mansion level. Do you think they can wipe us out?"

The middle-aged cultivator glanced at him disdainfully and said, "What a fool's opinion. Both of them have those strange dice in their hands now. With those dice, they can directly enter this door."

We don't know where this door leads, but it's definitely related to breaking through to the Golden Core stage. We just need to guard this island, and they'll come to us sooner or later.

"If we take the initiative, given their strength, if they break through the encirclement and enter this gate, you and I will be doomed, understand?"

The old man beside him quickly chimed in, "Fellow Daoist Mingwei is right. Those two killers are far too powerful. Taking the initiative to attack is too risky. Let's just stay here and wait for them to come to us."

In the past few days, Song Qingxing and Shen Jingchuan have joined forces to launch attacks in various places, killing nearly a hundred people and directly giving rise to the third die.

Every single one of the trial participants present had witnessed the ferocity of the two and knew just how monstrous their strength was. Otherwise, they wouldn't have chosen to huddle together for warmth here.

Because only here can they feel safe.

Mingwei turned to face the crowd, and said with a deep breath, "Gentlemen, now that we've come this far, I won't bother with any more grandiloquent words."

Although we are competitors, we now have two chances to live, so I hope that you can all work together to eliminate those two killers.

At this time, I do not want anyone to hide their strength for personal reasons, because we are facing two terrifying opponents, and the slightest carelessness will cause us to lose our chance.

They have two dice in their hands, and how those dice came to be is still unknown. So far, only three dice have appeared, and the maximum number of survivors in all previous editions is three.

If there are only three dice in total.

If we let one of these two go, it means we lose a chance to live; if we let both go, we'll both die!

Since you've all come here, you must all be here to save yourselves. How about we kill them first, and then have a proper duel?"

Mingwei had also made a name for himself in the Trial Grounds. People came here because of his call, and it was from him that they learned that the key to entering that door was a die.

It was through these qualities that he gained some prestige among the people and became their temporary leader.

Therefore, no one seemed to object to his words; however, only heaven knew how many people would actually follow through.

They were well aware of Song Qingxing and Shen Jingchuan's strength. No one present could confront them head-on. Even if they were to gang up on them, they would take at least ten or eight people down with them before they died.

To put it bluntly, the faster you rush in, the faster you die.

They certainly don't want to risk their lives only to have it all go to someone else...

Hundreds of miles directly in front of the Trial Gate, Song Qingxing and Shen Jingchuan sat facing each other, each occupying a corner of the floating island. Although the two cooperated to kill enemies, they still had to be vigilant, after all, you can't see into someone's heart.

However, both of them now possess the [Dice of Fate], which essentially gives them a chance to survive, so there's no need for them to fight amongst themselves.

Furthermore, they had already received information that the others had joined forces. At this point, killing each other was tantamount to suicide. Without the strength of any one of them, they would not be able to break through the blockade of the other trial participants.

Internal unity often requires the participation of external forces, and this is clearly demonstrated in the case of these two individuals.

After an unknown amount of time, Song Qingxing slowly stood up, his deep eyes looking at the floating island that resembled a giant tortoise, revealing an undisguised sharpness.

Shen Jingchuan understood his meaning, stood up as well, casually tossed his black hair behind his head, and chuckled, "What a grand display! Our heads are worth a fortune these days."

"Do it!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Song Qingxing leaped into the air, transforming into a sword light that streaked across the sky and plunged straight into the floating island.

Shen Jingchuan transformed into a stream of light and followed closely behind.

"coming!"

A sudden shout from the crowd made all the trial participants stand up as if by reflex. Looking at the two beams of light rushing towards them, they unconsciously swallowed and their palms, gripping their swords, became sweaty.

Mingwei looked at the crowd, raised his arm and shouted, "Fellow practitioners, your lives are in your own hands. Let us face the enemy together!"

His loud shout echoed above the floating island, but to his disappointment, no one stood with him, not even a single person moved. Everyone tacitly chose to wait for someone else to make the first choice.

In such a chaotic battle, if you want to survive, you should avoid being the first to engage in combat.

They're all seasoned veterans who've lived for hundreds of years; they know this all too well.

Seeing this, Mingwei could only sigh to the heavens. They were a bunch of good-for-nothings. Could such infighting really stop those two ruthless killers?
Despite feeling pessimistic, I can't just give up like this.

"Those who don't want to die, let's attack together!"

As soon as he finished speaking, his surging magical power burst forth, and a broadsword phantom quickly materialized behind him.

He chose to strike first, and the instant the broadsword took shape, he slashed at the two rapidly approaching streaks of light with overwhelming force.

Although everyone had their own ulterior motives, they all knew that if they couldn't eliminate these two first, everything would be in vain. As Mingwei took action, they all activated their magic and unleashed their supernatural powers.

In an instant, colorful minor supernatural powers emerged one after another above the floating island, causing the entire island to tremble violently.

The simultaneous attack by dozens of cultivators at the Great Perfection of the Purple Mansion realm was a spectacular sight, and its momentum was terrifying.

Song Qingxing and Shen Jingchuan, who came head-on, were not afraid at all. With their swords and sabers, they were unstoppable. The sword light and saber energy surged out at the same time and collided with the various minor supernatural powers that came at them.

"Boom"

A deafening explosion resounded throughout the entire Trial Path, and a small floating island at the center of the battle was instantly crushed into dust.

Before the smoke and dust had cleared, Song Qingxing, who was in the middle of it, waved his hand and threw out the [Dice of Fate] in his hand. This was the second time he had thrown out the dice that he already had.

Shen Jingchuan, who was standing to the side, was stunned for a moment, then said anxiously, "Are you crazy?"

"Disrupt their formation," Song Qingxing said calmly.

Sure enough, as soon as the dice appeared in front of everyone, everyone's attention was instantly drawn to them.

Seeing the greedy, covetous looks in everyone's eyes, Mingwei's mind went blank, feeling like it was about to explode. The reason they were temporarily setting aside their differences and standing here was because of these dice.

This is their only hope of survival.

I thought it would be a tough battle, but the opponent just threw it out like that.

This action sent a chill down Mingwei's spine.

This move is truly ruthless. They already have no trust in each other, and with the appearance of this die, this ridiculous alliance will immediately crumble.

Once you grab this die, you can turn around and enter the trial gate in less than a quarter of an hour.

Not only can it save one's life, but it can also help one break through to the Golden Core stage and become a high-ranking Golden Core True Person.

The temptation... is just too great.

"Swish"

Someone couldn't resist and was the first to grab the die.

Just as the dice were about to fall into his hands, supernatural powers and spells surged in from all directions.

Not everyone has Song Qingxing's strength. Facing the combined fire of dozens of cultivators of the same level, he had no hope of survival and was blasted into a bloody mist in mid-air.

Even before the blood mist dissipated, more cultivators joined the fray.

Everyone is gambling, gambling that they are fast enough and lucky enough.

At such a close distance, they only need one sprint to enter the trial gate, which is a much better chance than trying to snatch another die from those two killers.

The situation instantly spiraled out of control, and the once united group suddenly began to turn on each other.

As Mingwei watched the alliance he had painstakingly built crumble so easily, a sense of desolation welled up in his heart.

He had even lost the will to persuade or stop him.

It's not that I don't want to, but that there's no solution to this open scheme.

No one would give up such a close opportunity to face those two killers with him.

Do you think those people involved in the scramble didn't know this was Song Qingxing's scheme?

They knew it, of course, but they had no choice; the opportunity was fleeting.

"They really are a rabble; I overestimated them before."

"In that case, let the storm rage on!"

Shen Jingchuan whistled and, surprisingly, threw his own dice without hesitation.

The trial participants on the field reacted immediately, splitting into two groups, making the scene increasingly chaotic.

"How about we each take one side? Whoever gets the dice, we'll kill them!"

Seeing this chaotic and bloody scene, Shen Jingchuan couldn't help but rub his hands together, his mad blood rapidly reviving.

Song Qingxing did not respond, but charged directly into the battle. With a flash of his sword, he beheaded the woman who had snatched the dice.

The others were only stunned for a moment before continuing their struggle.

Everyone harbored a sense of wishful thinking.

Song Qingxing mingled among the completely frenzied crowd, using his Qingfeng sword to continuously reap the lives of the trial participants.

On the other side, Shen Jingchuan did the same thing, his knife never stopping for a moment.

Neither of them concealed their actions, so the other trainees present could naturally guess their intentions.

But their eyes never left the two dice, for they represented their chance to survive.

The only one who didn't join the fight was Mingwei. He stood there, coldly watching the others fight over two dice like wild dogs.

He didn't even need to think about the outcome of this battle; unless many people joined forces to stop those two killers, they would definitely be the final winners.

But who would do something so thankless and exhausting?
In this situation, let alone uniting, very few people would dare to stand by and watch like he does.

After all, it wasn't just them who were close to that door at this moment; the two killers were too.

Once the dice are back in their hands, even if the others join forces, they may not be able to stop them. Rather than waiting for someone to catch them in the act, they should take a gamble with all the knowledge they have gained.

Unfortunately, since Song Qingxing had the courage to throw the dice, he naturally had the ability to prevent others from getting their hands on them.

Whoever grabs the dice will be struck by his sword the moment they get their hands on it. Even if they don't die, they will be torn apart by the other competitors.

And so, one by one, the trial participants fell in this cold void, as invisible energy was drawn from their still-warm bodies.

In less than three hours, fewer than ten people remained in the arena.

Seeing that it was almost time, Song Qingxing and Shen Jingchuan calmly put the dice back into their pockets.

Just then, the fourth die fell from the sky and landed in front of Mingwei, who had been watching coldly from the sidelines.

Mingwei was visibly stunned for a moment when he saw the dice that suddenly appeared in front of him, but he put them in his pocket without hesitation.

In an instant, the six people left on the field who didn't have dice all turned around and stared at him intently, their eyes filled with murderous intent that seemed to want to completely engulf him.

"The farce is over," Shen Jingchuan said, but a restless thought was brewing within him.

At this point, it would be a real shame not to kill them all.

He licked his scarlet lips, turned to look at Song Qingxing, and found that he had already walked to the front of the trial gate and stepped in without looking back.

"Hey."

Shen Jingchuan didn't expect that the other party wouldn't even give him a greeting.

Looking at the dice in his hand, he finally decided to quit while he was ahead.

Shortly after the two entered the trial gate, Mingwei, after a bloody battle, fell amidst the siege, filled with resentment.

The fighting continued, and when only one person remained on the field, he picked up the blood-stained dice, stood amidst the mountain of corpses, and laughed maniacally.

Before the laughter subsided, a streak of light shot out from the shadows and pierced straight through his skull.

He too transformed into one of the mountains of corpses beneath his feet.

Even in death, he clutched the die that symbolized "fate" tightly in his hand...

...(End of chapter)