Nine Dragons Pulling the Coffin: I Set Taboos in the Heavens

"It's time to go out and see the world again!"

After thoroughly arranging matters on the Bountiful Continent, Fang Qing traveled around the continent for some time.

During this time, something unexpected yet perfectly logical happened to Yang Qi.

Yang Qi's mother, the mysterious "Holy Mother of the Hanging Mountain," has made a move.

She dispatched an old man from her subordinates whose aura was as deep as an ancient well, as if he were seriously ill. He was actually a terrifying being at the ninth level of the Great Saint realm, known as "The Sick Old Man".

The sick old man brought a message and tokens from the Virgin Mary, asking Yang Qi to return to the Hanging Mountain with him.

The reason is that the Suspended Mountain is about to hold the strongest trial, which is directly granted by the Immortal Realm. This is a once-in-a-millennium opportunity, and the Holy Mother hopes that Yang Qi can participate in it and obtain this opportunity.

Yang Qi had mixed feelings about this.

He felt a mixture of instinctive curiosity and longing for the mother who had given him life and special bloodline, whom he had never met, yet harbored resentment due to years of abandonment.

But the ultimate trial, the prestige of the Immortal Realm, and the allure of potentially unraveling the mystery of his origins ultimately led him to decide to go.

As Yang Qi's most trusted cousin and protector, Fang Qing naturally wouldn't let him face the unknown environment of the Suspended Mountain alone.

After giving his final instructions to the avatars and core members of the Abundant Continent, Fang Qing and Yang Qi embarked on a journey with the ailing old man to the plane where the Suspended Mountain was located.

They arrived in a vast plane that was completely different from the bountiful continent.

Despite its name, the Hanging Mountain is a place where the scenery before our eyes cannot be described by a single mountain peak.

It was a terrifying presence that occupied almost the entire field of vision, and was even difficult to perceive in its entirety through divine sense.

It floats in a vast, boundless star field. Its main body is a massive, indescribably large cone-shaped peak. The diameter of its base is probably light-years, and its peak pierces the depths of the star field, as if it wants to pierce the sky and connect to a higher dimension.

The giant peak is a deep bluish-gray color, and its surface is covered with countless dense, honeycomb-like caves, palaces, platforms, and huge rune chains flowing with the light of laws.

Surrounding this main peak are countless floating landmasses, islands, star fragments, and even some giant floating cities that are clearly man-made.

Like stars surrounding the moon, they slowly rotate around the main peak according to some mysterious trajectory, connected by rainbow bridges, light bands, or teleportation arrays, forming a complex and precise three-dimensional ecological and defense system!

As far as the eye can see, this star field occupied by the suspended mountain is so vast that it could probably contain tens of thousands of bountiful continents.

The spatial laws here are exceptionally stable, and the spiritual energy is so dense that it is almost liquefied, forming vast oceans of misty spiritual energy that flow between the floating landmasses.

You can even see some enormous, powerful mythical birds and beasts soaring and darting among the clouds and floating islands.

This is the Suspended Mountain—a super immortal power that rules over a vast star field with a towering peak at its core. Its scale and grandeur are worlds apart from the concept of "continent" in the Abundant Continent!
Fang Qing and Yang Qi stood on the flying boat piloted by the sick old man, gazing at this breathtaking scene, both deeply moved.

The level of power here is also different from that of the Bountiful Continent.

In the bountiful continent, those at the legendary level are already considered experts, and the Great Sage is even more legendary.

But in the Suspended Mountain, cultivators at the legendary level are just ordinary disciples, and those at the Life-Seizing Realm are even more common, and are even treated like servants or slaves.

The ailing old man explained calmly, “The Suspended Mountain retains some of the style and standards of the ancient Qi cultivator era. In ancient times, only those who reached the Legendary Realm could barely be considered to have embarked on the path of cultivation, and were the lowest level of ‘Qi cultivators.’ The Life-Seizing Realm was merely the foundation laid by mortals. Only by becoming a Great Sage, condensing a Saintly Mark, and touching the laws could one be qualified to be called a ‘Sage’ and have a certain status in the Suspended Mountain.”

Fang Qing and Yang Qi exchanged a glance; the profound secrets of this Suspended Mountain were indeed unfathomable.

The sick old man placed them in a special area called "Whale Plains" on the outskirts of the suspended mountain, allowing them to temporarily cultivate and adapt while waiting for the trials to begin.

Whale Plains, as its name suggests, is a small plane shaped like a crouching ancient whale, with a unique landscape where the "whale's head," "whale's body," and "whale's tail" are clearly distinguishable.

Deep within the continent, there are even vast bodies of water resembling real oceans, as well as the outlines of enormous organs that appear to be petrified.

Even more astonishing is that deep within the earth's veins, one can clearly sense energy channels like meridians, where the flowing and condensed true energy has transformed into high-quality natural spiritual stone veins.

"This Whale Plains is a special plane that evolved from a whale that failed to break through to the Heavenly Realm and ultimately perished, its body and origin merging into the void."

The sick old man coughed and said, “The Primordial Giant Whale was enormous and contained life essence that was hundreds or thousands of times greater than that of humans of the same level! After its failed attempt to break through, the remaining essence and laws transformed into everything here. This place has an excellent auxiliary effect on cultivating the physical body, absorbing life essence, and comprehending the laws of power. You can meditate here.”

Fang Qing nodded upon hearing this.

The abundant life essence and residual laws of power in this place can be absorbed, analyzed, and integrated into his own Great Five Elements Technique and Great Chaos Technique.

He immediately found a spot called "Whale Heart," set up a protective barrier, and began a pleasant period of secluded cultivation.

Yang Qi's arrival caused quite a stir and discussion among the younger generation of Suspended Mountain.

"Have you heard? Her Majesty the Holy Mother actually has a son! She brought him back from the mortal realm!"

"Really? Isn't the Holy Mother always pure and untainted by worldly affairs? How could she..."

"It's true! We're in the Whale Plains right now! His name is Yang Qi, and he doesn't even seem to be the Great Sage!"

"A bastard who isn't even a Great Sage dares to come to our Suspended Mountain? Why did the Holy Mother bring him back? Is she going to acknowledge him as a relative? Or does she want him to participate in this 'Strongest Trial'?"

"Hmph, participate in the trial? Him? A mere ant at the Legendary Realm? Don't laugh your head off! Even if the Holy Mother personally intervenes and forcibly elevates him to the Great Saint level, his foundation is unstable; going in would just be suicide!"

"Exactly! A bastard dares to covet a spot in the Immortal Realm Trials? He's utterly ignorant and arrogant! He deserves to die!"

Various unpleasant comments, ridicule, and even undisguised hostility surged like an undercurrent among the young disciples of Xuankong Mountain.

Clearly, Yang Qi, this suddenly appearing "son of the Holy Mother," has touched a nerve with many people, especially those who harbor illusions about the Holy Mother or those who have competing relationships within the Hanging Mountain.

Yang Qi merely smiled coldly and paid no further attention to it.

He had no sense of belonging to the suspended mountain, and these idle gossips couldn't hurt him in the slightest.

He simply trained even harder in another part of the Whale Plains, familiarizing himself with the new power he had gained from the Emperor Tower, while also digesting the information about the "Strongest Trial" revealed by the sick old man.

Fang Qing also heard some rumors, but seeing that Yang Qi could handle it on his own and had not suffered any real harm, he was happy to have some peace and quiet and continue his cultivation.

He believed that with Yang Qi's current strength and composure, he was more than capable of handling these minor troubles. Several days later, the sick old man returned, bringing definite news.

Both Fang Qing and Yang Qi can participate in the strongest trial.

The elderly man explained in detail the rules and significance of the ultimate trial.

The so-called ultimate trial is a special trial that the high and mighty immortal realm will issue decrees every once in a while, selecting talented disciples from the many lower realms under its jurisdiction or attention.

The purpose is twofold: first, to select true geniuses and nurture them; and second, to examine the disciples' piety, loyalty, and faith in the immortal realm through the trial process.

Those who excel in the trials will not only receive generous rewards from the Immortal Realm, but may also become core members of the Suspended Mountain or even higher-level forces in the future.

"However, this strongest trial is no small matter."

The old man's expression grew more solemn. "According to reliable sources, the Immortal Realm will specially select a group of exceptionally outstanding individuals and bestow upon them the title of 'Children of Immortal Spirits'! Once selected, the Immortal Realm will directly open a temporary passage between itself and the mortal world, forcibly infusing them with incomparably pure immortal energy to enhance their strength! They will also be rewarded with 'divine-grade spirit stones,' or even 'immortal stones'!"

In this realm, spirit stones are classified into four levels: lower, middle, upper, extreme, king, emperor, saint, heaven, and god.

In the secular world, sacred items are already rare treasures, heavenly items are even rarer, and divine items... are legendary supreme treasures that contain a trace of divine aura or the origin of the universe.

As for immortal stones, they are used by immortals for cultivation. Even the lowest grade immortal stone has an energy quality that far surpasses that of divine-grade spirit stones.

If you could get one... there would be many benefits.

"May I ask, senior, how exactly is this trial conducted? Is it a martial arts competition?"

Yang Qi asked.

“No.” The sick old man shook his head. “Deep within the Suspended Mountain, a trial notice condensed from the power of the Immortal Realm’s edict will be erected. At that time, the Immortal Realm will open a special passage, directly connecting to the ‘Hell’ plane, or some subordinate or peripheral planes near Hell. All disciples participating in the trial will enter it to slay demons!”

"The level and strength of the demons slain will be recorded by the mysterious laws of the celestial realm and converted into corresponding points. After the trial ends, the one with the highest points will be the 'strongest one' in this trial, and will receive the most generous rewards and have the greatest chance of being selected as the 'Child of the Celestial Spirit'!"

Go to hell to slay demons? A points system?

Both Fang Qing and Yang Qi almost burst out laughing when they heard this.

This is a trial tailor-made for them.

The Divine Elephant Suppressing Prison Force inherently contains divine purifying power and has a natural restraint on demons. Wouldn't it just be able to kill indiscriminately in hell?

This trial was as easy as taking candy from a baby for them!
"This trial, because it directly connects to the real Hell Passage, is far more dangerous and offers far greater opportunities than ever before! The true geniuses and best of the younger generation from the Suspended Mountain will all enter it. For example, be extremely careful with 'Elephant Force'."

"Elephant power?"

Yang Qi frowned.

“That’s right. Xiang Li is a direct descendant of the ‘Elephant Heaven Ancestor’ lineage. He possesses the bloodline of an ancient giant elephant and has reached the fifth level of the Great Saint realm. He is incredibly powerful, arrogant, and vengeful.”

The old man with a serious expression said, "The lineage of Ancestor Xiangtian has immense power in the Hanging Mountain and has a long-standing feud with our Holy Mother lineage. During this trial, he will definitely try every means to target you, and may even kill you. You must be extremely careful."

A cold glint flashed in Yang Qi's eyes: "Great Sage Fifth Rank... Ancient Giant Elephant Bloodline? I'll remember that."

The old man sighed, "Alas, in every trial, the lineage of Ancestor Xiangtian actually has a huge advantage. Because the ancient giant elephant is said to be a branch of the divine elephant. And the divine elephant, in the legends of the immortal realm, is a supreme being created by the gods, specifically to suppress hell!"

"It is precisely because of the special nature of this trial and the generous rewards that the Holy Mother spared no expense to recall you from the Bountiful Continent and secured this spot for you."

The sick old man looked at Yang Qi and said earnestly, "She hopes that you can stand out in this trial, communicate with the immortal realm, gain recognition, and have a bright future. You must understand the Holy Mother's good intentions."

Yang Qi was silent for a moment, then nodded: "I understand. I will do my best."

"That's good."

The sick old man then looked at Fang Qing and said, "Fellow Daoist Fang, although you are not from my Suspended Mountain, since you have been approved by the Holy Mother to participate in the trial, you must also abide by the rules and pay attention to safety."

"Thank you for your advice, fellow Taoist."

Fang Qing cupped his hands in greeting.

The sick old man addressed Fang Qing as "fellow Daoist," after all, Fang Qing was also a Great Sage.

That must be a fellow Daoist.

After the sick old man passed away, Fang Qing and Yang Qi settled down in the Whale Plains, cultivating while waiting for the trial to officially begin.

Fang Qing's cultivation progressed rapidly.

He continuously devoured, refined, and absorbed the incredibly rich life essence and power laws of the Whale Plains, which originated from the ancient giant whale, using the Great Five Elements Technique and the Great Chaos Technique.

His inner world of chaos became more stable and vast, the sun, moon and stars shone brighter, the veins of mountains and rivers became clearer, and the sacred radiance emanating from him became purer.

Yang Qi focused on familiarizing himself with the new changes in the Great Emperor Tower after it merged with the power of the "Abundance Token," while constantly honing his own true energy and attempting to break through to the Great Sage realm.

With Fang Qing protecting and guiding him, his progress was quite remarkable.

During this time, the discussions about Yang Qi on Suspended Mountain did not subside; on the contrary, they intensified as the trial date approached.

Some of the younger disciples even deliberately "passed by" near the Whale Plains, casting curious, disdainful, or hostile glances at them.

Even more extreme, some followers of the "Elephant Force" faction have declared that they will teach Yang Qi a lesson in the trials, showing him the true meaning of power and prestige.

Yang Qi ignored all of this and simply trained even harder.

Fang Qing was happy to have some peace and quiet. Occasionally, he would release a trace of his peak Great Saint aura, which would frighten the prying eyes and send them fleeing in panic.

Finally, the day has arrived for the trial to begin! (End of Chapter)