This caused not only Zi Linling and Elder Du, but even the Ten Yama Kings to be utterly stunned.
The leap from the peak of the Saint King realm to the early stage of the Minor God realm was not as simple as breaking through from the Qi Induction realm to the Spirit Gathering realm.
It required not only comprehension of the fundamental laws to an introductory level but also stringent requirements for physical strength.
As one’s cultivation reached higher realms, the energy gap between major realms grew significantly. If the vessel containing these energies was too fragile, there was a danger of it bursting.
It was akin to attempting to force two jugs of water into a balloon that could only hold half a jug.
The inevitable outcome would be the balloon exploding, the water wasted, a classic case of losing both the battle and the prize.
Therefore, the higher the cultivation realm, the greater the risk of breaking through by crossing levels.
The reason Ye Lingyuan handled it with such ease was, on one hand, due to his solid foundation, and on the other, because the Hades Seal contained his own sealed power.
This power, originating from the same source as him, would first improve his physical constitution upon entering his body.
In essence, as Elder Du had said, potential coupled with good fortune was essential.
Ye Lingyuan possessed both, making his breakthrough a natural progression.
Having broken through to the early stage of the Minor God realm, Ye Lingyuan, under the protection of the heavenly and earthly laws, stabilized his cultivation and then abruptly opened his eyes.
At the very moment he opened his eyes, the Hades Seal, along with the spiritual energy vortex, merged into his body, settling quietly in his Dantian.
"Congratulations to our King! Congratulations to our King!"
The attitude of the Ten Underworld Lords became even more respectful, their voices unified.
As seasoned veterans, they naturally understood what the phenomenon of Ye Lingyuan's breakthrough signified.
Their King's future was immeasurable!
Ye Lingyuan ignored the Ten Yama Kings and walked towards Zi Linling, saying, "Lin'er, it is time for us to leave."
Zi Linling smiled and nodded, "I was thinking the same!"
Ye Lingyuan smiled, then turned to the Ten Yama Kings, "The affairs of the Underworld will continue under your management. I will leave the Hades Seal here. Any issues can be communicated through it!"
The Ten Yama Kings were taken aback. Their King was planning to abdicate his responsibilities!
As they were about to object, a light enveloped Ye Lingyuan and Zi Linling.
"Manage the Underworld well, and await my return!"
Ye Lingyuan's gaze swept over the Ten Yama Kings as he spoke in a cold tone.
With that, he naturally took Zi Linling's soft hand and revealed a radiant smile.
This scene almost made the Ten Yama Kings kneel.
In their memories, their King was always stern-faced and had never smiled so unrestrainedly.
Under the astonished gazes of everyone present, Zi Linling and Ye Lingyuan's bodies rapidly faded until they vanished.
Chi Mo Yue Hua arrived just as the two were about to disappear, thus she couldn't utter a single word.
Of course, even if she had arrived in time, she still wouldn't have been able to say anything.
This was because Zi Linling didn't know how to interact with her, and Ye Lingyuan never showed kindness to any woman other than Zi Linling.
Thus, Yue Hua finally sighed and silently retracted the Mountain of White Bones.
Since she had not given them prior notice, the Ten Yama Kings standing on the Mountain of White Bones nearly fell into the River of Oblivion, their attention entirely fixated on the disappearing Ye Lingyuan.
Fortunately, they were all powerful cultivators in the Minor God realm. Despite being caught off guard, their reflexes were quick.
Otherwise, if the administrators of the Underworld were to fall into the River of Oblivion, which suppressed the souls of the living, the consequences would be catastrophic.
Meng Po, standing on the Bridge of Sighs, watched the two vanish in a beam of light and shook her head helplessly, murmuring, "The time is not yet right! The time is not yet right!"
Meanwhile, when Zi Linling and Ye Lingyuan regained their senses, they had returned to the altar.
"Congratulations to the two of you for passing the ninth trial!"
The voice of the Altar Spirit resounded.
Zi Linling and Ye Lingyuan exchanged a look and said coldly, "Immediately initiate the tenth trial!"
They had already spent twelve hours in the ninth trial.
This meant they only had six hours left to complete the tenth trial.
Therefore, they had no time for pleasantries with the Altar Spirit and could only pray that six hours would be sufficient.
"You two are truly in a hurry!"
The Altar Spirit's voice echoed with amusement. "The tenth trial requires a half-hour cooldown period after the ninth trial."
"Therefore, please be patient and wait here."
Zi Linling's expression turned cold.
Their time was already running short, and any further delay would make passing the tenth trial difficult.
Thus, she strongly suspected that the Altar Spirit was toying with them.
Zi Linling's voice carried a chilling aura as she asked, "Are you doing this on purpose?"
"Of course... not! This is the rule here!"
The Altar Spirit's voice drew out, speaking at a leisurely pace.
A cold aura emanated from Zi Linling, and Ye Lingyuan's face also grew grim.
The Altar Spirit felt a tremor of unease.
However, it was not lying this time. The tenth trial was very special and could indeed only be initiated after half an hour.
"You'd better not be lying, or I won't hesitate to dismantle this place and obliterate you!"
Zi Linling threatened with a cold face.
The Altar Spirit glanced at Ye Lingyuan, then said somewhat flusteredly, "This spirit is truly not lying!"
It wasn't afraid of Zi Linling, but of Ye Lingyuan.
In its view, Zi Linling truly lacked the capability, but Ye Lingyuan was different.
Ye Lingyuan gave it a deeply unsettling feeling at this moment.
"Your Majesties, this is truly due to the rules."
The Altar Spirit, not daring to be negligent, quickly defended itself.
Seeing that it didn't seem to be lying, Zi Linling snorted and said, "I hope so!"
Then, she sat down on the steps and began to cultivate.
Ye Lingyuan glanced indifferently at the place where the Altar Spirit resided, then sat down beside Zi Linling and closed his eyes.
Although he had obtained the Hades Seal just now, he hadn't had a chance to examine it. Thus, with this bit of time, he naturally had to seize every moment.
Time ticked by.
Half an hour was neither long nor short.
Soon, the time arrived.
Zi Linling and Ye Lingyuan opened their eyes simultaneously.
Seeing them awaken, the Altar Spirit didn't dare to delay and immediately initiated the tenth trial.
Strangely, after the tenth trial began, everything around them remained unchanged.
Had they been tricked?
The thought crossed both their minds simultaneously.
Just as Ye Lingyuan was about to summon the Yi Qi Whip, he heard the Altar Spirit's voice.
"Your Majesties, you are now standing on the ninety-ninth step. Just one more step forward, and you will enter the tenth trial."