Gou Zai Fei Men made up myths

At the same time, the system is also analyzing the collected energy data at high speed.

[Warning! An extremely high-intensity complex restriction has been detected ahead! It contains multiple attributes including spatial distortion, law repulsion, mental illusion, and energy annihilation!]

[A faint fluctuation of the same Daoist aura was detected, with a compatibility of 17.3% with the host's "Flowing Cloud Dao Body".]

[Safe path simulation failed! Energy level too high, rules too chaotic.]

[Anomaly detected: The restricted energy flow exhibits extremely weak periodic fluctuations, and the fluctuation nodes are suspected to contain "life-threatening" points.]

Periodic fluctuations? A lifeline?

Shen Mo suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze sharpening! He stared intently at the slowly rotating chaotic vortex, no longer viewing it as a whole, but instead trying to catch the faint fluctuation indicated by the system notification.

Gradually, under the powerful perception of his divine sense and Dao body, it seemed that there was indeed an extremely subtle rhythm, like breathing, in that seemingly irregular and violent energy flow!

"Follow me! Watch my steps, don't make a single mistake!" Shen Mo shouted, no longer hesitating. His figure transformed into a pale blue stream of light, shooting towards the edge of the chaotic vortex along a mysterious and indescribable trajectory!

Shi Tie, Su Xiao, and Zhao Qingyan were filled with trepidation and dared not be negligent in the slightest. They pushed their speed and spiritual senses to the limit and followed closely behind Shen Mo, step by step!

"Left three, advance seven, retreat one, rise five zhang!" Shen Mo's voice was short and clear, like a guiding light amidst the raging energy roar.

His figure darted through countless colorful energy turbulences and spatial rifts with the slightest difference in distance, each movement precisely landing on that fleeting "gate of life" node!

The four of them were dancing on the edge of a knife, teetering on the brink of destruction. A pitch-black spatial rift, powerful enough to annihilate a Golden Core cultivator, grazed past Shi Tie's nose; a ball of energy burning with pale flames exploded behind Su Xiao; countless twisted whispers of the mind tried to penetrate Zhao Qingyan's sea of ​​consciousness, but they narrowly avoided or withstood them all!

The short distance of a hundred feet felt like crossing a chasm between life and death. As Shen Mo took his last step and his figure disappeared into the relatively "calm" surface of the vortex of light, Shi Tie and the other two followed closely behind and rushed in.

Looking back, the path they had come from was once again submerged by violent energy, as if the experience just now was merely an illusion.

"Damn it... that scared the hell out of me!" Shi Tie plopped down on the ground, panting heavily, his whole body drenched in cold sweat.

Su Xiao and Zhao Qingyan were also drenched in sweat, their pretty faces pale, still shaken. That moment had truly been a brush with death!

Shen Mo was also slightly out of breath, trying to regulate his energy and spiritual power, which had been greatly depleted. But his eyes gleamed with excitement, because after passing the first trial, the scene before him had changed dramatically!

They did not enter the core of the vortex directly, but instead appeared at the entrance of a wide, deep jade passage leading to unknown depths.

The walls on both sides of the passage were inlaid with countless luminous pearls that emitted a soft glow, illuminating the path ahead. The passage was silent, yet filled with an ancient, vast, and awe-inspiring atmosphere.

Above the passage, three large, elegant characters, full of Taoist charm, shone brightly—Trial Path!

"The Trial of the Dao? It seems this is the true test left behind by Ancestor Liuyun!" Su Xiaomei's eyes lit up as she saw the clue.

"To attain my Dao, one must pass three trials." A peaceful and vast voice, seemingly originating from the distant past, suddenly resounded within the passage, echoing in the minds of the four. "The first trial tests the heart of the Dao; the second tests the battle spirit; the third tests the myriad methods. Those who pass will receive the true teachings. Those who fail will have their souls scattered."

As the sound faded, three light gates emanating different auras could be vaguely seen at the end of the passage.

"Just as I thought!" Shen Mo's spirits lifted. "Ancestor Liuyun has set up three trials to select his successor! This is both a crisis and a tremendous opportunity! If we can pass them, we might obtain the key to controlling the changes in the secret realm and even dealing with external crises!"

"Charge!" Shi Tie jumped to his feet, his eyes blazing with fighting spirit. "Whatever the test, we'll fight our way through!"

"Don't be reckless!" Zhao Qingyan said solemnly. "The test set by the Ancestor is no ordinary trial. We must proceed with caution."

Shen Mo nodded: "Qingyan is right. Let's adjust our state and proceed with the trials one by one. The first trial, 'Seeking the Heart,' I'll go!"

He stepped towards the first portal of light. The portal rippled like water, engulfing his figure. Shi Tie and the other two could only wait anxiously outside.

Within the gate of light lay not a perilous place, but a fairyland shrouded in mist and brimming with celestial energy. Pavilions and towers stood amidst the chorus of cranes, and spiritual springs flowed freely. Countless beautiful and powerful fairies and divine generals bowed to him, addressing him as "Lord of the Dao."

Countless rare and precious materials and secret martial arts manuals were piled up like mountains, available for him to use. An extremely strong temptation tried to make him indulge in this and enjoy eternal bliss.

"How can such an illusion sway my Dao heart?" Shen Mo's Dao heart remained steadfast, unmoved in the slightest. He pursued the path to immortality and the rise of his sect; how could he be captivated by such fleeting illusions?

His divine sense was like a knife, slicing through illusion. The fairyland before him instantly collapsed, revealing a staircase leading to the next place. Beside the staircase, a jade slip emanating a cool Daoist aura floated—the "Purifying the Mind and Enlightening the Dao Technique".

His divine sense was like a knife, slicing through illusion. The fairyland before him instantly collapsed, revealing a staircase leading to the next place. Beside the staircase, a jade slip emanating a cool Daoist aura floated—the "Purifying the Mind and Enlightening the Dao Technique".

"A superior calming and concentration technique!" Shen Mo was overjoyed. He put away the jade slip and stepped onto the stairs.

The second test, "Test of Battle Soul." Shen Mo stepped through the portal and instantly found himself in a boundless ancient battlefield! Beneath his feet lay piles of white bones, the sky a blood-red setting sun, and countless blurry figures, yet exuding a chilling aura, demonic shadows, demonic soldiers, and ghostly generals surged towards him like a tide! Each one possessed the strength of a Foundation Establishment cultivator, and among them were several terrifying auras comparable to those of the late Foundation Establishment stage!

"Fight!" Shen Mo showed no fear, pushing his Flowing Cloud Dao Body to its limit. He wielded fists, palms, fingers, and swords with ease, engaging countless phantoms in a fierce battle! His figure moved like lightning, cutting through the enemy ranks and blasting phantoms apart one by one! This trial tested not only combat strength but also an unwavering fighting will!

Having endured countless hardships, Shen Mo's will remained as firm as iron. He fought his way through countless battles, finally reaching the very end and defeating the phantom leaders who were at the late Foundation Establishment stage. As the battlefield dissipated, a legacy crystal containing the profound combat technique "Flowing Cloud Battle Technique" fell to the ground.

Having passed two trials, Shen Mo's breathing was somewhat disordered, but his eyes became even sharper. He took a short breath to adjust his breathing and stepped into the third trial, "Test of All Laws".

The third level doesn't involve combat, but rather a massive star compass filled with countless array nodes. Within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, you must deduce the compass's operational rules and correct three errors in key nodes. This is an immense test of your array cultivation!

Fortunately, Shen Mo possessed a system and a powerful divine sense. He also inherited part of the array formation from True Person Liuyun. With all his might, he finally completed the deduction at the last moment. The compass shone brightly, and a jade slip containing the complete core array diagram of the "Minor Nine Palaces Flowing Cloud Array" and many insights into the array formation appeared.

Having broken through three barriers in succession, Shen Mo reaped enormous rewards! But he knew this was just the beginning. He stepped out of the portal and nodded to the three people waiting for him.