In the center of the trial space, ten teams occupied their own mountain peaks. From the summit of each mountain, one could overlook all other mountains.
Beyond these ten peaks lay a vast, flat plain.
Surprisingly, none of the ten mountain peaks saw any team dispatch, nor any trace of battle. Clearly, no team had challenged these ten top-tier allocated teams in this disciple trial.
Dozens of miles away, mountains began to appear. This was where the mid-tier teams were located. Compared to the plains outside the top-tier teams' territory, this area was undoubtedly a mess.
Gullies crisscrossed the land, and the flora had long been destroyed by the aftermath of battles. Even the air faintly retained traces of terrifying, chaotic fluctuating energies.
Further out was the region occupied by the low-tier teams. Compared to the top-tier and mid-tier teams, this area seemed rather ordinary. There were neither towering mountains nor vast grasslands. What existed were ravaged grounds that had clearly endured countless battles.
The teams were distributed around the perimeter, with the teams closest to the depths being undoubtedly the strongest among the low-tier teams.
Of course, this also included some mid-tier teams that had failed challenges or had been overthrown.
"I didn't expect the battle to be so fierce," Li Xuan's expression turned solemn as he and his twenty-person contingent arrived, observing the many injured individuals from the surrounding teams.
Getting injured during the disciple trial would naturally affect the entire team's overall strength. The ultimate consequence would be the inability to continue challenging.
"Disciple trials are always like this. Those injured are still fortunate. It's said that quite a few disciples have perished in these trials in the past. At least they are still alive," Qiu Jiu Qian sighed slightly upon hearing this.
Everyone fell silent. The generation of spirit masters had always been a world of the strong preying on the weak. Those lacking strength would naturally be crushed by others.
Even with the shelter of the Heavenly Yi Pavilion, internal struggles were unavoidable.
Sensing the somber mood of the group, Li Xuan spoke, "Although casualties are inevitable, doing one's best is enough. Fortunes change. As long as you persevere, you will eventually reach the pinnacle."
"For now, everyone should adjust their state and focus on winning this disciple trial. After all, becoming stronger requires cultivation resources."
The group nodded and then chose a deserted corner to sit cross-legged. Qiu Jiu Qian and Gong Han Feng exchanged a glance before joining Li Xuan at the front of the group to observe.
*Boom!*
With a rumbling sound, the team battle between two groups concluded. The defeated wore expressions of dejection, while the victors showed no hint of joy. Instead, there was mostly solemnity and vigilance.
After all, they could face new challenges at any moment.
Time gradually passed. Ten days had gone by since Li Xuan and his group arrived. In these ten days, Li Xuan had witnessed firsthand the ferocity of the battles. Even in the dead of night, the fighting never ceased.
The hundreds of teams in this area had almost all engaged in combat. Some low-tier teams that had successfully challenged were then challenged and overthrown by other teams. This cycle repeated itself, over and over.
"The Great Dao is ruthless, yet it is what spirit masters strive for their entire lives. All the bustling in the world comes for profit; all the comings and goings are for gain. Even we cannot escape this. It turns out, what I've always felt lacking is this."
Li Xuan murmured, and the spiritual light around him suddenly flared.
Qiu Jiu Qian and Gong Han Feng noticed the commotion and immediately looked towards Li Xuan. Upon seeing him, both were shocked.
For Li Xuan had closed his eyes, and his aura was rapidly approaching the Transformation Realm.
"Is Commander Li about to break through?" Gong Han Feng asked Qiu Jiu Qian with surprise.
Qiu Jiu Qian smiled helplessly and nodded, "It seems so. Regardless of whether Commander Li breaks through, everyone's priority is to protect him."
The group immediately rose and sat around Li Xuan, warily surveying their surroundings, as a spirit master's breakthrough was a critical moment.
Any disturbance or interruption could have terrifying consequences for them.
Furthermore, Li Xuan's current transformation had already drawn the attention of many teams.
Although Li Xuan's group had been here for ten days, they had not initiated any challenges from the beginning. Now, with Li Xuan on the verge of breaking through to the Transformation Realm, he would undoubtedly be the greatest threat.
Fortunately, Li Xuan's group was situated in a relatively remote area, and with the protection of Qiu Jiu Qian and the ongoing battles, not many people noticed them for the time being.
*Buzz.*
After five minutes passed, a humming sound suddenly emanated from within Li Xuan. A golden light, as thick as a thumb, seemed to descend from the heavens, piercing through the void and entering Li Xuan's forehead. Under the watchful eyes of Qiu Jiu Qian and the others, it quickly vanished.
At the border of the Heavenly Yi Domain, an elder suddenly opened his eyes and looked towards the Heavenly Yi Pavilion, murmuring, "Perfection of the Nine Extremes Limit?"
"Perfection of the Nine Extremes Limit!" On Su Nu Peak, Bai Su Xin, Bai Zun, and Mo Ning Xiang all stood up, exchanging shocked glances.
"Such an omen... the phenomenon of the Perfection of the Nine Extremes Limit. Who is it from the Wood Pavilion?" The Golden Pavilion's Supreme Being moved and appeared above the Golden Pavilion, looking towards the Wood Pavilion with a hint of surprise.
"Perfection of the Nine Extremes Limit. It seems our Heavenly Yi Domain will have another remarkable talent," Chen Peng, the Supreme Being beneath the flowing water, said with a gratified smile, propping himself up.
"This brat really doesn't make things easy," Mu Lan Xin, the Supreme Being from the Wood Pavilion, glanced up and shook her head with a wry smile. Then, with a wave of her hand, a strand of green light enveloped the entire mountain range of the Wood Pavilion.
"She is a bit protective, but if it were a disciple of my Water Pavilion, this Venerable would likely do the same." Following Mu Lan Xin's action, the other Supreme Beings could no longer sense the previous aura.
Chen Peng, the Supreme Being, smiled slightly and then closed his eyes, allowing himself to be carried by the flowing water.
*Hoo.*
Less than a minute after the golden light entered Li Xuan's forehead and disappeared, Li Xuan slowly opened his slightly closed eyes.
"Commander Li!" The group immediately called out.
Gong Han Feng and Qiu Jiu Qian exchanged glances, confusion in their eyes. During the recent event, they had felt that Li Xuan could directly step into the early stage of the Transformation Realm. However, in the end, Li Xuan had stopped.
"I didn't expect a moment of enlightenment to almost let me cross into the Transformation Realm. But with this disciple trial, everyone can rest assured now," Li Xuan said with a slight nod, signaling he was fine.
"Commander Li, why did you forcefully suppress the breakthrough?" Gong Han Feng asked, puzzled.
Li Xuan smiled and replied, "Now is not the time."