Outside the Desolate Legacy Wastes, a flash of light erupted and more than two hundred people appeared atop a Teleportation Array.
Warren Xiahou's voice rang out: "Listen up! This trial lasts only seven days. Inside the Desolate Legacy Wastes, there's a flower called the Deathblossom. Your task is to collect Deathblossoms—the top six collectors will earn slots as Outer Sect disciples of Yu King Palace. Let me remind you: this ruin was once the capital of an imperial court, destroyed overnight by mysterious forces. Even after all these years, countless vengeful spirits still wander inside. So, be careful on your way to the Deathblossom Valley! Here is what a Deathblossom looks like."
As he spoke, Warren Xiahou gathered his spiritual power and conjured a black seven-petaled flower in midair, covered in countless sharp spikes.
Ian Song had read about the Deathblossom in ancient texts. This flower grows only in places of extreme yin and cold, feeding on resentment. For yin spirits and ghosts, however, it's an incredible holy medicine that makes their soul bodies much more solid.
That's why wherever Deathblossoms grow, there are always plenty of yin spirits guarding them.
Warren Xiahou continued, "And remember, you must return here in exactly seven days. If not, you'll be considered to have failed. Go now!"
Immediately, the candidates shot out in all directions, charging into the Desolate Legacy Wastes.
"Brother Ian, let's go too!"
Travis Yuleman urged.
Ian Song nodded and followed behind Travis Yuleman, stepping into the ruins of the Desolate Legacy Wastes.
"So that's Ian Song? Looks like he's teamed up with Travis Yuleman!"
A handsome man in white robes with three swords strapped to his back spoke in a low voice. He was Blake Rivers, the Sword Immortal, ranked second on the Great Jin Dragon List.
"So what? The Yu King Palace slot is mine, no matter what!"
The young man in gold robes declared arrogantly. This was Young Lord Orion, rumored to be a true dragon reincarnation.
Blake Rivers smiled, "Let's go too!"
With that, the two led several dozen people into the Desolate Legacy Wastes.
The Desolate Legacy Wastes were vast, shrouded in a faint mist of yin energy. If ordinary cultivators inhaled it, their bodies would suffer great harm, but for late-stage elites like Ian Song and Travis Yuleman, it was nothing to worry about.
"Woooo—"
After traveling only a few dozen li, they were blocked by yin spirits ahead. In the thick black mist, grotesque human faces flickered in and out of sight, looking quite terrifying.
"Get out of the way!"
Travis Yuleman let out a low shout, sending out a wave that instantly shattered dozens of yin spirits. The remaining spirits, seeing this, scattered and fled.
Wait, Brother Travis, do you know where the Deathblossoms are?
Ian Song called out to Travis Yuleman.
This is the first time I've heard of such a flower, so I'm just relying on luck!" Travis Yuleman said, a little embarrassed.
Ian Song said, "Deathblossoms grow in places of extreme yin and cold, and feed on resentment. So, if we just look for environments suitable for Deathblossoms, we might be able to find them!"
Travis Yuleman laughed, "Brother Ian, you're so knowledgeable—unlike me, I'm just a natural-born battle maniac!"
Let's head this way!
Ian Song pointed in a certain direction.
So, the two changed course and headed northwest. After traveling about a hundred li, they saw a battle ahead.
Three young women were besieged by over a thousand yin spirits. These spirits were unusually strong, and for the moment, the three women seemed unable to overcome them.
Heh, it's the Heavenly Way Palace girls!
Travis Yuleman laughed gloatingly, "No need to bother with them, let's keep going!"
Ian Song nodded.
After all, with the strength those three women had, the yin spirits couldn't really do anything to them. So neither Ian nor Travis had any intention of helping.
The two men walked straight past.
The youngest of the three women pouted, "Sister, who are those two? We're three fairy girls here, and they just left us behind so heartlessly!"
The white-robed woman called "Sister" said, "Neither of those two are easy to deal with. One is Travis Yuleman, ranked third on the Great Jin Dragon List, and the other, though not on the list, is even stronger—Ian Song. We're lucky they didn't attack us, let alone help."
So it's those two!" Yara Qin pouted, clearly unimpressed.
All three women were from the super-sect Heavenly Way Palace of the Great Jin Imperial Court—one at early Tribulation, two at late Void Fusion.
Such intense resentment!
Suddenly, Ian Song paused, looking at the valley ahead.
Could there be Deathblossoms here?
Travis Yuleman said excitedly.
Let's go in and see!
The two carefully slipped into the valley, which was crawling with yin spirits. Seeing two living people enter, hundreds of spirits immediately rushed to attack.
Die!
Travis Yuleman's eyes narrowed as he raised his hand and unleashed a thunderous punch.
Thunder roared and spread out, instantly blasting hundreds of yin spirits into dust.
Then—
Travis Yuleman dashed forward, slaughtering his way deeper into the valley.
In the valley's depths was a black pool, radiating deadly cold. Thirteen Deathblossoms floated on its surface, and around the pool sat four giant yin spirits, each ten zhang tall.
Die!
Travis Yuleman was fearless. Without a word, he charged at the four spirits with his blade.
His blade flashed like thunder, exploding again and again.
In an instant, Travis Yuleman destroyed all four spirits—brutally. Keep in mind, these four were late-stage Void Fusion powerhouses.
Brother Ian, seven for you, six for me—how about that?
Travis Yuleman picked the Deathblossoms and spoke.
Sure!
Ian Song nodded. He hadn't done anything, yet got an extra flower, so he had no objections.
With the Deathblossoms in hand, the two left the valley and ran right into the three sisters from Heavenly Way Palace.