From Five Animal Exercises to being hailed as a saint and ancestor

Nearly six thousand students who chose to continue the assessment entered the Silent Soul Abyss one after another, like streams flowing into a dark ocean.

As soon as they crossed the invisible boundary formed by the twisted stone pillars, a pressure that was much clearer and heavier than what they felt on the airship suddenly descended upon them!

It wasn't just the oppression in my heart; it felt as if even the surrounding air had become viscous, my spiritual energy flowed somewhat sluggishly, and an invisible, cold spiritual force, like a bone-deep ailment, was constantly trying to erode my soul and stir up the negative emotions deep within my heart.

Because this assessment was a last-minute change, the assessment areas for the Pulse Realm and the Spirit Sea Realm were not separated as usual, resulting in disciples from both realms being mixed together.

After a brief period of chaos, disciples from various factions began to spontaneously band together to deal with the unknown danger.

At Qinglu Academy, the inner and outer disciples naturally split into two groups.

The inner courtyard was led by Su Xiaoman and Shi Potian, but the dozens of inner courtyard disciples following behind them all had cultivation levels of at least the third level of the Spirit Sea Realm, and their auras were refined.

However, when they saw the nearly fifty disciples in the outer courtyard,

When everyone except Yao Mengkang and Xuanyuan Po was at the Qi Opening Realm, their brows involuntarily furrowed.

Zhao Zhongming, who had previously provoked Xuan Yuanpo at the base, has now recovered most of his injuries.

He glanced at the outer courtyard group, especially those disciples at the Qi Opening Realm, making no attempt to hide the disdain on his face.

He addressed the people in the inner courtyard.

"Senior Sister Su, Senior Brother Shi, the dangers of the Silent Soul Abyss are unknown."

"With so many junior brothers and sisters at the Qi Opening Realm, their movements are slow and their perception is limited. If they encounter danger, they will not only be unable to help, but will also be a burden."

"We should regroup, finish this quickly, and gather enough spiritual materials."

Many inner court disciples nodded in agreement upon hearing this.

They have their own pride, and traveling with disciples of the outer court at the Opening Meridian Realm would only reduce efficiency and increase risk.

Su Xiaoman tilted her head and looked in the direction of the outer courtyard, then looked at her junior brothers and sisters, and finally waved her hand indifferently.

"Alright, alright, then we'll go on our own! Junior Brother Yao, Junior Brother Xuanyuan, be careful!"

She doesn't care too much about being grouped, as long as it doesn't interfere with her seeking "excitement".

Shi Potian nodded to Yao Mengkang and Xuan Yuanpo as a greeting.

Soon, the inner court disciples assembled into an elite team. Led by Su Xiaoman and Shi Potian, they chose a direction and disappeared into the gray-black mist at lightning speed.

On the outer court side, although everyone was resentful, they also understood the real problems brought about by the difference in strength.

All eyes were on Yao Mengkang and Xuanyuan Po.

"Senior Brother, Senior Brother Xuanyuan, we're following you!"

Zhou Tiancan was the first to shout, and many outer court disciples echoed his call.

With two top experts leading the way, it will undoubtedly be much safer.

Yao Mengkang and Xuan Yuanpo exchanged a glance and nodded.

One possesses an immeasurable spiritual sea, while the other has a ten-thousand-foot spiritual sea at its peak. Their strength far surpasses that of their peers, giving them the confidence to lead the outer court disciples.

"Okay, everyone stay close, remain vigilant, and look out for each other."

Yao Mengkang gave the order in a deep voice.

The team began to advance cautiously.

The Abyss of Silent Souls was dimly lit, and the ground was soft, damp, black soil that seemed to have been soaked with the wails of countless dead souls. Twisted, strangely colored plants grew all around, and a faint smell of decay permeated the air.

At first, things went smoothly, but as they went deeper, discordant voices began to emerge within the team.

"Strange... why do I feel increasingly suffocated the further I go? My head is also a little dizzy..."

A disciple at the ninth level of the Qi Refining stage couldn't help but complain in a low voice, his face turning somewhat pale.

"Me too, it feels like I'm carrying a mountain on my back, and my spiritual energy circulation is much slower."

"Yeah, it wasn't this uncomfortable when we were on the edge..."

In contrast, Yao Mengkang and Xuan Yuanpo, although they also felt the pressure, were still within their tolerance range due to their profound foundation and powerful divine souls, and their actions were not greatly affected.

Mu Qingqing was meticulous. She carefully observed her surroundings, then looked at Yao Mengkang and Xuan Yuanpo, whose auras were deep and profound, as well as her fellow disciples who were becoming increasingly uncomfortable. A bold guess came to her mind.

She quickened her pace, came to Yao Mengkang's side, and whispered.

"Senior Brother Yao, something seems amiss."

"I suspect that the suppression we're experiencing isn't fixed, but rather... related to the strongest person in the team!"

Yao Mengkang paused, a glint of light flashing in his eyes.

"Oh? Tell me more."

Mu Qingqing analyzed.

"The rules of the Silent Soul Abyss are unique; the suppression and danger increase with the increase of strength."

"If we are a unified team, when the rules within the abyss determine whether we pose a threat, will they use the strongest member of the team as the standard?"

"In this way, the weaker junior brothers and sisters are probably under pressure far exceeding what their current level should be under!"

Upon hearing this, Xuan Yuanpo, Zhou Tiancan, and the others standing nearby all changed color.

"That makes sense!"

Wang Le slapped his thigh.

"No wonder I felt much more uncomfortable than when I was standing alone earlier!"

To verify this conjecture, Yao Mengkang asked everyone to stay where they were.

He appointed ten of his most powerful disciples, including Zhou Tiancan, Mu Qingqing, Wang Le, and Huo Ling'er.

He led a few disciples at the Qi Opening Realm and moved a short distance away from him and Xuan Yuanpo.

really!

After leaving the area around Yao Mengkang and Xuan Yuanpo, the disciples at the Qi Opening Realm, although still under pressure, showed significant improvement in their complexion and were no longer in so much pain!

"Just as I expected!"

Mu Qingqing confirmed her guess.

The group exchanged bewildered glances, their feelings a mix of emotions.

I originally thought that following the two strongest senior brothers would be safer, but I didn't expect that it would put even greater invisible pressure on my weaker companions.

If this continues, those disciples at the Qi Opening Realm will likely be suppressed and worn down by these rules before they even encounter any real danger.

"It seems we can't work together anymore."

Yao Mengkang sighed and made a decision.

"We must separate them and pair people of similar skill levels together so that the rule suppression can be reduced to a reasonable level that each person can bear."

Although it's hard to give up, this is the most reasonable solution at present.

Otherwise, with disciples at the Qi Opening Realm, Yao Mengkang and Xuan Yuanpo would not be able to quickly delve deeper and explore areas more likely to grow high-level spiritual herbs.

Disciples at the Opening Meridian Realm will also be burdened by their "halo," making their progress difficult.

After a brief discussion, the team quickly split up.

Yao Mengkang and Xuan Yuanpo formed a team.

They were the strongest, so their goal was naturally to go deeper, find higher-quality spiritual herbs, and try to find possible clues about that special mission.

The top ten disciples of the outer academy, including Zhou Tiancan, Mu Qingqing, Wang Le, Huo Ling'er, Xu Zijian, and Shi Hao, formed the second echelon.

They were all at least at the tenth level of the Qi Opening stage, with similar strength, and were capable of exploring the middle-level area.

The remaining dozens of outer court disciples, led by several strong early-stage Spirit Sea Realm disciples, formed a third echelon. They mainly operated in the relatively safe outer area, collecting basic spiritual materials for safety.

"Take care, everyone! See you again in three days at the edge of the abyss!" Yao Mengkang said solemnly, clasping his hands in a fist salute.

"Senior Brother, Senior Brother Xuanyuan, take care!"

"Everyone be careful!"

The three teams bid each other farewell and then chose different directions.

He resolutely plunged into the boundless darkness and deathly silence of the Silent Soul Abyss.

Parting ways is for better survival, and also for our different goals.

The real test is only just beginning.

Other geniuses who chose to act alone or in small groups were like raindrops of ink falling onto this vast forbidden canvas.

They began their respective explorations.