Traveling through time to cultivate immortality: a life and death test

After much deliberation, Liu Xing felt that there was nothing wrong, so he decided to go with Lu Hua. In order to dispel the other party's malicious intentions, he still needed to use the Great Elder's tiger skin.

"Senior Brother Lu, I agree to accompany you. However, I have a task for the Great Elder right now, so I will leave a message to the Great Elder to report my itinerary first." Liu Xing deliberately took out the elder token, then took out a sound transmission note and read, "Senior Brother Lu Hua from the Divination Department and I will go to the Yinming Cave in the north and return in two months. Please let the Great Elder know." After that, he used the elder token to activate the sound transmission note and flew to the Great Elder's cave at the top of the Restriction Department.

"Junior Brother Liu, it's truly enviable that the Great Elder has favored you." Lu Hua was shocked. The rumor that Liu Xing had some connection with the Great Elder seemed to be true. Fortunately, he had no ill intentions. Otherwise, even if he had tricked Liu Xing, he wouldn't have gotten past the Great Elder.

"Brother Lu, let's set off without further delay." Liu Xing did not respond to Lu Hua's words, looking very secretive.

Lu Hua naturally desired this opportunity. He summoned a blood-red flying sword and flew off. "Magic weapon!?" Liu Xing's heart skipped a beat. It seemed Senior Brother Lu was a magic cultivator. The aura emanating from the blood-red flying sword was as powerful as his mantis hammer. Lu Hua's strength should not be underestimated. Liu Xing summoned Jiao Jiao and stepped onto its back, following behind Lu Hua. Jiao Jiao flapped its wings and soared at breakneck speed. Lu Hua envied Liu Xing greatly. He had such a powerful spiritual pet as a mount, unlike him, who had to constantly expend spiritual energy to control a flying sword.

With the massive Qianji Sect around, no rogues dared to venture forth. Thus, Liu Xing and the others had a smooth and peaceful journey. Liu Xing remained highly alert, his spiritual sense fully unleashed to survey the surroundings, ready to evacuate at the first sign of trouble.

Half a month later, they arrived at a deep abyss. From the bottom of the abyss, a gray-black yin energy gurgled, severely blocking the exploration of spiritual consciousness. This yin energy could cause illness at best, or even complete loss of cultivation at worst, so most people did not dare to approach it.

"A thousand feet below the abyss lies a cave called the Yinming Cave. This Yin Qi is seeping out from this cave. With Junior Brother Liu's cultivation, you're more than capable of resisting this Yin Qi," Lü Hua explained, raising a spiritual shield and leaping into the abyss. Liu Xing followed suit, raising a spiritual shield as well, but with his physical strength, he didn't need one; his flesh was more than enough to block the intrusion of Yin Qi. He simply didn't want to reveal the secret of his Dharma body.

The two slowly descended, and Lü Hua suddenly stopped mid-air. This cliff face looked no different from any other. Even Liu Xing, with his powerful consciousness comparable to that of a mid-stage Jindan cultivator, couldn't detect anything unusual. It seemed this Yinming Cave was indeed quite secretive. Lü Hua raised his blood-red flying sword, and a flash of blood-red light struck an inconspicuous cliff face. Suddenly, a gray light shield rose, revealing the barrier sealing the cave entrance. Simultaneously, the blood-red sword energy bounced back from the barrier, its power significantly increased. Clearly prepared for this, Lü Hua dodged the attack with a single step.

"A life and death cycle array!?" Liu Xing exclaimed in surprise upon seeing the array. This was exactly one of the arrays from his Ten Ancient Forbidden Articles that he hadn't been able to fully comprehend. He was incredibly surprised to have encountered one here.

"Junior Brother, you recognize this formation?" Lu Hua was astonished. His family, including himself, had searched countless sources for this formation, but hadn't been able to find its origins. He hadn't expected Junior Brother Liu to name it at a glance. It seemed the reputation of the Forbidden Department's number one was well-deserved. He felt even more apprehensive, but also a surge of joy. Since Junior Brother Liu was familiar with the formation, there was hope for breaking it.

"I have seen it in a book before, but this is a magic array with both offensive and defensive functions, and it is very difficult to break. Please wait patiently, brother, and listen to my instructions and help me when the time comes." Liu Xing nodded and explained.

"It's good that you are familiar with it. Junior brother, just concentrate on breaking the formation. I will protect you. Just tell me when you need my help." Lu Hua agreed immediately.

Liu Xing then sat cross-legged in mid-air, Jiao Jiao hovering nearby, guarding his master. He carefully reviewed the theory behind the "Life and Death Cycle Formation." He knew the locations of the gates of life and death, so breaking the formation was practically effortless. However, seeing this vast formation he had studied for so long, he didn't intend to break it, but rather to learn its layout. He alternately touched the aura shield with his hands, then closed his eyes in deep thought, then ran up and down, exploring every corner. This process lasted for three days. Lü Hua, bewildered, could only wait.

"I see!" Liu Xing finally laughed out loud. He had finally figured out the trick to the layout. He had been studying it for a long time, but there were a few key points he hadn't figured out, so he hadn't been able to arrange it. Now with the real objects as a reference, he suddenly understood. Now, as long as he had the materials, he could arrange it immediately.

"Junior Brother Liu, have you found a way to break the ban?" Lu Hua was delighted to see Liu Xing laughing.

"Brother Lu, I've found a way in. Just follow my steps." Liu Xing naturally wouldn't tell the truth. Now he didn't need to destroy the "Life and Death Reincarnation Formation" at all. He could simply follow the path along the Life Gate to easily enter without being trapped or attacked by the formation. Without destroying the original formation, they could enter the Yinming Cave to carry out their business. With the protection of the original formation, they could also prevent others from suddenly breaking in.

Liu Xing led the way, moving left, right, forward, and backward in a completely unpredictable pattern. His footwork was so unpredictable that Lu Hua didn't dare to act rashly, so he simply followed Liu Xing's footsteps. He had tried to memorize the route, but Liu Xing reminded him that memorization was useless because the route was constantly changing. Without understanding the logic of the formation, it was impossible to predict the correct landing point. He immediately gave up and simply followed Liu Xing's lead.

After three hours of walking, they finally came upon a dark, deep cavern. The yin energy within was so dense it scraped their skin with a chilling pain. The yin energy was blocked by the formation, allowing only a small amount to escape. Lu Hua turned and glanced behind him, realizing they were only a step away from their starting point. Yet, he and Liu Xing had already traveled for three full hours. He couldn't help but marvel at the strength of the barrier. He also had to admire Liu Xing for having found the correct route in without even breaking the barrier. His accomplishments were truly astonishing.

"Senior Brother Lu, we have arrived at the cave entrance now. We can go in." Liu Xing stepped aside and let Lu Hua go in first.