I gain ten years' worth of cultivation every day, and even geniuses will only see my doorstep!

Qin Yuan stood there, watching their figures disappear behind the door.

Then he turned and walked toward the giant door.

He stopped when he was about ten feet from the door.

Countless eyes were fixed on him—there were rogue cultivators, members of the Netherworld Sect, and disciples from smaller factions who had not yet joined.

Qin Yuan ignored those gazes.

He took a deep breath and stepped forward.

The moment they stepped into the ten-zhang range, a violent force of ice and fire suddenly descended!

On his left, the biting cold transformed into countless ice blades, frantically slicing through his body!

On his right, blazing flames condensed into whips of fire, lashing his soul fiercely!

Ice and fire intertwine, forming a terrifying killing field!

Qin Yuan let out a muffled groan, and starlight shone brightly around him!

The Undying Body of the Universe Stars was pushed to its limit!

He gritted his teeth and moved forward step by step!

With each step, countless ice blades were shattered!

Every step tore through countless fiery whips!

Ice and fire left countless tiny wounds on his body, the blood freezing or evaporating as soon as it seeped out. But his gaze remained as firm as iron!

Five steps.

Ten steps.

Fifteen steps.

Finally, he stepped through the temple gates!

Behind him, the power of ice and fire suddenly dissipated.

Qin Yuan stood inside the temple, panting heavily.

His body was covered in wounds, his blue robe was tattered, and his breathing was somewhat disordered. But in his eyes, a fierce light burned.

He pulled through.

Based on their own abilities.

"interesting."

A voice rang out.

Qin Yuan looked up.

Jian Wufeng was standing not far away, with his hands behind his back, watching him with great interest.

"In the early stages of the Void Refinement realm, there are no more than ten people in the entire Southern Continent who can withstand the baptism of ice and fire. You have once again impressed me."

Qin Yuan wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.

"Thank you for the compliment."

Jian Wufeng smiled.

"It's not a compliment, it's a statement."

He turned and walked deeper into the temple.

"The Temple of Ice and Fire has nine levels. The higher you go, the greater the opportunities, but also the greater the dangers. I'll be waiting for you on the ninth level—if you can make it there alive."

His figure disappeared into the darkness.

Qin Yuan withdrew his gaze and began to look around.

The first level of the temple is a huge circular hall.

Around the hall, there are eight passageways leading in different directions. At the entrance of each passageway stands a stone tablet, inscribed with dense text.

Qin Yuan approached the nearest stone tablet and examined it carefully.

The inscription on the stone tablet records the basic information about this floor.

The Temple of Ice and Fire has nine levels. Each level presents different challenges; only by passing the challenges can one advance to the next level.

The first level of the test is "choice".

There are eight paths, only one of which leads to the second level. The other seven are either dead ends, traps, or endless mazes.

You've made the right choice; keep moving forward.

Choose the wrong one, and you're doomed.

Qin Yuan frowned slightly.

He looked at the eight passageways.

Each one looked exactly the same, with no difference whatsoever. Even when probed with divine sense, no abnormality could be detected.

How do I choose?

He pondered for a moment, then suddenly an idea struck him.

He took out the four fragments of the War God's Token from his pocket.

The four fragments glowed faintly, pointing towards the third passage from the left.

Qin Yuan's eyes lit up.

There is a play!

He gathered the fragments and stepped into the third passage without hesitation.

The passage was deep and dark, with ancient runes carved into the walls on both sides. The runes glowed faintly, illuminating the path ahead.

Qin Yuan made steady progress.

After walking for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the view ahead suddenly opened up.

It was another large hall.

In the center of the hall stood a teleportation array.

The entrance to the second floor.

Qin Yuan's lips curled up slightly.

First level, pass.

The second level is the "Test of Strength".

In a huge training ground, Qin Yuan faced a giant ten zhang tall, formed from the power of ice and fire.

The giant is at the mid-stage of the Void Refinement realm, possessing immense strength and the power of both ice and fire, with each strike carrying the dual effects of freezing and burning.

Qin Yuan fought fiercely with it for half an hour, and finally withstood the giant's final blow with his powerful physical body, the "Undying Body of the Universe Stars," while simultaneously shattering its core with a single punch.

Pass.

The third level is the "Trial of Illusion".

Qin Yuan stepped into a fog and saw countless illusions.

There was a stream behind the Xuan Yuan Sect. Lin Qing'er was squatting by the stream washing spiritual herbs when she looked up at him and smiled, "Brother Qin Yuan, you're back?"

There is the Bloodbath Secret Realm of the War God Temple, and the thumbs-up that the Void Refinement Battle Soul gave before his death.

There was the mountain gate of the Taiyi Immortal Sect. Liu Suifeng patted him on the shoulder and said, "Take care."

There was the brocade pouch that Lin Qing'er handed him when she saw him off from Qingzhou.

Every illusion is so real that it makes you want to immerse yourself in it.

But Qin Yuan remained clear-headed.

He walked through the fog without looking back.

Pass.

Fourth floor, fifth floor, sixth floor...

Layer by layer, Qin Yuan steadily descended.

Each level of the test was more difficult than the one before, but he never stopped.

Three days later, he stood in front of the exit on the eighth floor.

Before me was the door leading to the ninth floor.

Footsteps sounded behind me.

Qin Yuan turned around.

Dozens of figures were walking out from the depths of the eighth floor.

The leader was an old man in black robes, at the peak of the Void Refinement stage.

Behind him followed more than twenty Netherworld Cult cultivators, and—Mu Sangzi.

"Qin Yuan".

The old man in black robes gave a sinister smile.

"We meet again."

Qin Yuan's expression remained unchanged.

"You want to make your move here?"

The old man in black robes grinned maliciously.

"Smart. The eighth floor is a dead end; there's only one exit. You can't escape."

With a wave of his hand, more than twenty people behind him instantly dispersed and surrounded Qin Yuan.

Mu Sangzi stood at the back of the crowd, her eyes filled with resentment.

"You little beast, you never expected this day to come, did you? You exposed me on the Ice and Fire Platform? You ruined my reputation? Today, I'll make you die right here!"

Qin Yuan glanced at him but didn't say anything.

That gaze was so indifferent, as if it were looking at an ant.

Mu Sangzi was furious.

"Elder, kill him!"

The old man in black robes snorted coldly and stepped forward.

"Qin Yuan, you have killed many of my Netherworld Sect members. Today is your death day. However, if you hand over the four fragments of the War God Token, I can grant you a quick death."

Qin Yuan looked at him.

"You bunch of trash?"

The old man in black robes frowned.

"court death!"

He struck out with his palm, the black palm print carrying a strong aura of death, and slammed towards Qin Yuan!

Qin Yuan neither dodged nor evaded, but met the punch head-on!

"boom!"

Both of them took three steps back at the same time!

The old man in black robes' expression changed slightly.

Three days ago, he was able to suppress Qin Yuan. Now, they can only manage a draw?

This kid is growing up so fast!

"Attack together!"

He shouted sharply, and more than twenty Netherworld Cult cultivators attacked at the same time!

Countless black beams of light crashed down on Qin Yuan like a tidal wave!

Qin Yuan's eyes turned cold, and four fragments of the War God Token flew out at the same time, transforming into a gray light screen to block in front of him!

"Boom boom boom boom!"

The explosion was deafening!

The light curtain shook violently, but ultimately did not shatter!

A glint of greed flashed in the old man's eyes.

"The War God's Token! It truly is a priceless treasure!"

He bit his tongue, spitting out a mouthful of blood, and then formed hand seals to unleash a secret technique!

The essence blood transformed into countless blood threads, seeping into the black palm print. The palm print instantly expanded several times its original size, carrying an even more terrifying aura, and slammed fiercely into the light barrier!

"Break it!"

"Boom—!"

The light curtain shattered with a deafening roar!