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

The trials of the Sunset Secret Realm had entered their final stages. The geniuses of each race had completed their respective harvests of spiritual herbs and were now gathered in the core area, preparing to divide up the Emperor's Flowing Juice. The Emperor's Flowing Juice was so important that the powerful demons had already set up restrictions to protect it. They had also crafted jade tokens to break the restrictions and distributed them to each race. Collecting the jade tokens from three or more races would unlock the restrictions and extract the Emperor's Flowing Juice.

"Where's Niu Xiong?" Shi Meng looked around at the other talented people who had arrived, but didn't see his old rival. He asked in confusion. The demons had their own animal language. Although they couldn't speak human language, it didn't affect their ability to communicate with each other.

All the monsters shook their heads to indicate that they didn't know. They only saw Shi Meng, Shu Xiaojin, Lang Xiao, Yuan Wu, and the geniuses of the Spirit Snake Clan and the Golden Eagle Clan. However, there were only two members of the Green Ox Clan left, making the tribe look particularly destitute.

"We've been waiting for a whole day. Everyone who should have arrived has arrived. Can we lift the ban now?" Yuan Wu said to Shi Meng a little impatiently. He saw that more than 30 monsters had gathered here, and almost all the monsters from different tribes had arrived.

"Wait another hour and then lift the ban!" Shi Meng made the final decision. He was the strongest here and all the monsters had no objection.

An hour passed quickly. The three demons, Shi Meng, Yuan Wu, and Lang Xiao, stepped forward and each took out a jade pendant, each shaped like a lion's head, a monkey's head, and a wolf's head. They placed each pendant into a groove and then injected spiritual energy into it. The pendants grew brighter and brighter, emitting a dazzling light. The restrictions were unlocked, and a dazzling portal of light appeared. The demons looked forward and saw a bottomless crater behind it. Lava roiled within, surging like waves, and waves of heat washed over them. The Tianjiao standing in front looked calm, as if they had expected this. However, most of them, who had not been warned by their families, were witnessing this scene for the first time and immediately retreated in shock.

"Everyone, go in and claim the treasure based on your own abilities." Lion Meng looked around and growled at everyone. Flames erupted from his body, shielding it completely, and he leaped into the crater. What a majestic fire lion! Upon entering, his flame shield quickly shrank by half, but he shook himself off and continued deeper. Seeing the intense fire within the magma, the other monsters immediately retreated in fear.

"Hmph, a bunch of rats!" Yuan Wu snorted coldly, and jumped in with a green protective shield on his head.

"You bastard monkey! Who are you scolding?" Rat Xiaojin couldn't stand it anymore and chased after him.

Then, the geniuses of other races, who felt they could withstand the high temperature of the magma, made sufficient defensive preparations and jumped into the magma to look for the Emperor's magma.

It turns out that the Emperor's Magma is produced within this special flame magma. Every three hundred years, a batch matures and is distributed throughout the magma. It's a red, liquid substance of varying sizes, usually scattered in small pieces. Because its color closely resembles that of the magma, it's extremely difficult to find. Monsters with strong spiritual awareness and exceptional strength have a higher chance of encountering it, and luck is also required to encounter it. In previous years, powerful geniuses could find more than a dozen pieces, while ordinary monsters could only find two or three at best.

Jiao Jiao had also arrived, watching as all the demons plunged into the lava in search of the Emperor's Flowing Lava. Those who didn't were unable to withstand the firepower. It was eager to try, too, wanting to go in and explore. Liu Xing naturally supported it; if he didn't show up, he wouldn't be exposed. While the Emperor's Flowing Lava was precious, its production was high, and it wasn't monopolized by the demon clan's higher-ups. If Jiao Jiao obtained some of it under her identity, she believed the higher-ups wouldn't embarrass her. If she didn't take the treasure, it would only arouse suspicion.

Jiao Jiao leaped into the lava, sensing the intensity of the fire. A thin layer of spiritual armor on her surface was enough to block it. Liu Xing suggested heading deeper into the lava; the deeper they went, the less competition there would be, and the greater their chances of obtaining the Emperor's Flowing Liquid. Jiao Jiao continued to advance, gradually breaking free from the other demons and advancing alone. A thick light shield protected her, shielding her from the higher temperatures and the immense pressure. At this depth, even Shi Meng wouldn't be able to enter. At this point, Liu Xing also emerged from the pet bag. With his profound magical powers, he was naturally stronger than any of the demons here. He tossed a jade bottle to Jiao Jiao and instructed them to split up and search for the Emperor's Flowing Liquid.

Just three hundred meters down, he sensed a strange mass. Though also red, it seemed out of place among the surrounding magma. He immediately fled over and discovered that the object, also floating with the magma, emanated astonishing spiritual power. Convinced that it was the Emperor's Flowing Magma sought by the demons, he immediately contained it in a jade bottle. Then, five hundred meters away, he sensed another unusual phenomenon. This mass of Emperor's Flowing Magma was three times larger than the first. He gradually discovered that the Emperor's Flowing Magma originated somewhere deep within the magma, flowing outward with the magma. None of the demons, not even Liu Xing, could penetrate the depths of the magma. It was estimated that only a great demon in the Transformation Stage or a human Yuanying could do so.

Emperor Flowing Juice is incredibly valuable. Even in the human world, cultivators with pets would likely covet it. Enabling their pets to awaken their intelligence prematurely would double their combat power—how could they resist? A small vial of Emperor Flowing Juice can be refined into a Spirit-Awakening Pill, so it's estimated that a single vial could be exchanged for at least one top-grade magical instrument. For cultivators in need, the price could be even higher.

Liu Xing searched with great joy. His spiritual sense was powerful, and with no competition down here, he was practically picking up gold. Two days later, he reached the critical point of his penetration and gave up. He estimated he must have penetrated about ten miles into the magma, and he had also harvested a large bottle of Emperor's Flowing Liquid. So, he sensed Jiao Jiao's location and joined her. As expected, Jiao Jiao didn't disappoint him, having also collected half a bottle. Their combined Emperor's Flowing Liquid was enough to refine over a hundred Spirit-Awakening Pills, another fortune, estimated to fetch 60,000 to 70,000 Spirit Stones. Liu Xing, overjoyed, retreated into his pet bag to rest.

Jiao Jiao slowly emerged from the lava, looking relaxed and at ease. Looking around, the demons had already emerged. Some beamed with joy, evidently having reaped a bounty, while others looked dejected, likely returning empty-handed. Seeing this unusual creature, the demons gazed curiously at it. However, sensing its powerful aura, even more formidable than that of a lion, and having been warned by their elders not to provoke it, they dared not act rashly. The demons crouched, sat, or lay, silently recovering their mana. There was no fighting among them. Those remaining were elite, and a fight would only result in mutual destruction. The demons were not foolish enough to let others take advantage.

Half a day later, Shi Meng saw that all the monsters had come out, so he cast a spell to close the restriction so that the next time the secret realm opens, the next batch of trial disciples can come to collect the treasure.