Chapter 361 No one dared to touch the five supreme treasures, and Master Jiang's step out caused the entire audience to erupt in cheers!

Jiang Yun stood before the first display stand, stopping one foot away.

Deep within his eyes, a faint blue light flickered.

[Spirit Nurturing Pill: Falling Star Rank, Low Grade Medicinal Pill. Upon consumption, it permanently enhances Mental Energy intensity and aids in Realm Breakthrough. The stand is protected by a Mental Restriction personally set by the Medicine God—one must use Mental Energy to enter the assessment space and pass the 'Three Questions of the Medicine God' trial to claim the pill. Consequences of failure: Mental Energy backlash, resulting in mental confusion at best, or instant death at worst.]

Jiang Yun finished reading, his brow slightly raised.

He then walked to the second display stand.

[Bone Tempering Pill: Falling Star Rank, Medium Grade Medicinal Pill. It can temper the bones, increasing Physical Body strength, with significant effects below the Diamond Rank. Assessment content: Endure the Mental Might left by the Medicine God during the 'Physical Body Trial' within the mental space. Consequences of failure: Mental collapse and self-immolation of the Physical Body.]

The third one.

[Soul Condensing Pill: Falling Star Rank, High Grade Medicinal Pill. It can condense the Soul, preparing one for a Breakthrough to the Falling Star Rank. Assessment content: Undergo the 'Soul Inquisition' within the mental space, requiring one to directly face the deepest fear in their heart. Consequences of failure: Soul damage, turning one into a demented and foolish person.]

The fourth one.

The fifth one.

Jiang Yun looked along the line, taking in the information from every single display stand.

The Restrictions on all stands followed the same pattern—

Use Mental Energy to enter the assessment space, pass the trial set by the Medicine God, and only then can the treasure be taken.

Failure meant death.

Or a fate worse than death.

Jiang Yun withdrew his gaze, understanding dawning in his heart.

He turned around and looked at the crowd behind him.

The gazes of those people were all fixed on him, full of expectation.

Jiang Yun spoke, his voice calm.

"I see clearly now."

"These Restrictions are not defensive Formations, but rather trials."

Trials?

Everyone present was stunned upon hearing this.

Lie Yunkong stepped forward, frowning, "Trials? What kind of trials?"

Jiang Yun said, "Every treasure on these stands has a Mental Restriction left by the Medicine God. You cannot forcibly take them—the few people who were just thrown back are examples."

He paused.

"You need to use Mental Energy to perceive and enter the mental assessment space left by the Medicine God. Pass the trial, and the treasure is naturally yours. If you fail..."

He did not finish the sentence.

But everyone understood what he meant.

If you fail, you die.

The few people thrown back earlier were just lucky enough not to trigger the real Restriction.

If they had triggered it...

The crowd felt a wave of lingering fear.

A strange look flashed in the beautiful eyes of the Blood Lady, "Master Jiang means we need to use Mental Energy to enter... an assessment space?"

Jiang Yun nodded.

The Black Wind Old Demon asked sinisterly, "Then what is the content of the assessment? What happens if we fail?"

Jiang Yun shook his head.

"I don't know about that."

His gaze swept over the crowd.

"However, since it is an assessment, failure naturally has a penalty. Perhaps one will be hit by a Mental Energy shock and become an idiot; perhaps one will die on the spot; perhaps..."

He paused.

"One will suffer a fate worse than death."

At these words, the crowd felt a wave of shame.

Become an idiot?

What difference was that from being dead?

Lie Yunkong's expression turned solemn.

The Blood Lady's smile vanished.

The Black Wind Old Demon's brow furrowed tightly.

He Yuanming took a deep breath.

Those team members turned pale, their legs going weak.

They came here seeking treasures, not to throw their lives away.

What if they failed...

They dared not think about it, truly dared not think about it.

Lie Yunkong was silent for a few breaths, then looked at Jiang Yun.

"Master Jiang, then in your opinion, this assessment..."

Jiang Yun said lightly, "I have no opinion. I am merely telling you the truth. As for how you choose, that is your business."

Lie Yunkong was momentarily choked up.

Of course, he didn't want to be the first to try.

What if he failed?

What if he died?

He looked at the Blood Lady and the Black Wind Old Demon.

Those two also looked at him.

The gazes of the three intersected, and they all saw the apprehension in the other's eyes.

No one wanted to be the bird that sticks its head out.

Lie Yunkong's gaze fell upon that group of team members.

The corner of his mouth curved slightly.

"You few, come here."

The faces of those few team members instantly turned deathly pale.

They knew the fate of cannon fodder had descended upon them again.

"Lie... Commander Lie..."

A team member at the Amethyst Ninth Tier spoke with a tremble.

Lie Yunkong looked at him coldly.

"What? Do you dare disobey my command?"

The team member trembled all over and dared not say another word.

Three team members walked out fearfully.

One at Amethyst Ninth Tier, and two at Amethyst Eighth Tier.

Lie Yunkong pointed at those display stands.

"Each of you choose one, and sense it with your Mental Energy as Master Jiang said."

The faces of the three team members were deathly pale, but they dared not resist.

They walked to the display stands and each selected a Low Grade Medicinal Pill of the Falling Star Rank.

They took a deep breath.

Closed their eyes.

Their Mental Energy extended out, touching the light on the display stand.

The next moment—

The three simultaneously froze, motionless.

Like three statues standing there, unmoving.

"Did they... go in?"

Someone asked in a low voice.

"Probably..."

Everyone's eyes were tightly fixed on those three people.

One breath.

Two breaths.

Three breaths.

There was no movement.

Ten breaths.

Twenty breaths.

Thirty breaths.

Just when everyone thought everything was going smoothly—

Suddenly!

One of them suddenly opened his eyes!

His face was filled with terror!

"No... Don't... Don't come closer!"

He roared, his voice piercingly mournful!

"Ah—!"

Amidst the scream, his body suddenly burst into flames!

That flame was not ordinary fire.

It was a transparent, almost invisible flame!

It burned up from within his body, ignited from the depths of his Soul!

"Ah—!"

He screamed and struggled, rolling on the ground.

But the flames burned fiercer and fiercer.

His skin began to crack.

His flesh and blood began to dissolve.

His bones started turning to ash.

In just three breaths.

A living person turned into a pile of ashes.

Even the screams abruptly stopped.

A deathly silence descended.

Everyone stared with wide eyes at the pile of ashes, trembling all over.

"Dead... died..."

"Just like that... died..."

"Too terrifying... Too terrifying..."

Fear, like a cold snake, crawled over everyone's spine.

Lie Yunkong's face was ashen.

The Blood Lady covered her mouth, unable to speak.

A trace of dread flashed in the Black Wind Old Demon's eyes.

He Yuanming took a deep breath and clenched his fist.

Those team members, in particular, had legs that felt weak, nearly collapsing to the ground.

Just then—

The second person also moved.

He opened his eyes.

But those eyes were hollow, unfocused, and lacked direction.

"Heh heh heh..."

He started laughing foolishly.

"So many... so many bugs..."

"So many, many bugs... crawling all over... crawling all over my body..."

He lowered his head, looking at his arm, frantically swatting at it.

"Get away! Get away! Don't bite me! Don't bite me!"

He slapped at the empty air, as if countless bugs were truly crawling there.

Then he raised his head again, looking at the ceiling, and started laughing foolishly.

"So many... so many eyes... are all watching me..."

"Heh heh heh... so many eyes..."

He was raving nonsensically.

Everyone present felt a bone-chilling coldness.

He was mad.

Truly mad.

A powerhouse at Amethyst Eighth Tier had gone mad just like that.

It was even more terrifying than death.

"The... the third one?"

Someone asked with a tremor.

Everyone's gaze fell upon the third person.

That person was still motionless.

Just when everyone thought he had also failed—

He suddenly opened his eyes!

His face was filled with ecstasy!

"Hahahaha!"

He threw his head back and laughed, tears streaming from his eyes.

"I passed! I passed!"

He turned around and reached out to grab the pill on the display stand.

This time, no light blocked him.

His hand directly grasped the pill.

The light on the display stand instantly vanished.

"He succeeded! He succeeded!"

Someone exclaimed in surprise.

The man held the pill, turned around with an excited face.

"I got it! I really got it!"

The crowd erupted in an uproar!

Someone actually succeeded!

Lie Yunkong strode forward and grabbed the man's shoulder.

"Tell me! What assessment did you go through?!"

The Blood Lady and the Black Wind Old Demon also gathered around.

The man, surrounded by three Meteorite Rank experts, was so agitated he could barely speak coherently.

"I... I don't know either..."

"What?"

Lie Yunkong frowned.

The man tried hard to recall.

"I entered... entered a space. It was pitch black there, I couldn't see anything. Then a voice asked me—'Do you dare take one step forward?'"

"One step forward?"

The Blood Lady asked doubtfully.

The man nodded.

"That voice said that taking one step forward might lead to a ten-thousand-foot abyss, or a mountain of corpses and sea of blood, or the Asura's Hell. But as long as you dared to take that one step, you would pass."

"I... I gritted my teeth and stepped out."

"Then... then my vision blurred, and I was out."

He shook the pill in his hand.

"It was... that simple?"

The crowd exchanged glances.

That simple?

Lie Yunkong frowned, "Did the voice say anything else? What did you see?"

The man tried hard to remember but couldn't recall anything.

"I... I don't remember. It seems... it seems something wiped away my memory."

Wiped away his memory?

The crowd was shaken.

What kind of terrifying existence could achieve this level of power?

The Blood Lady took a deep breath and murmured, "What Realm is this Senior Medicine God in?"

The Black Wind Old Demon said grimly, "At least Saint King Rank. Perhaps... even higher."

Saint King!

These two words weighed like giant stones on everyone's hearts.

A Saint King Rank powerhouse was a Legendary existence.

The peak existence in this world.

Capable of destroying heaven and earth with a flick of a finger.

Capable of erasing others' memories with a single thought.

How could the assessment left by such an existence be so easy to pass?

For a moment, everyone fell silent.

No one dared to step forward again.

The fate of those three people was still vividly before their eyes.

One dead.

One mad.

One succeeded.

But the one who succeeded couldn't even remember what he experienced.

Who knew what the next person would face?

Just then—

The team member who successfully obtained the pill excitedly put the pill into his Storage Ring.

Suddenly!

A cold light flashed!

"Ah—!"

The team member screamed, and his right hand was severed right at the wrist!

The pill and the severed hand fell to the ground together!

"You—!"

He clutched his severed wrist, looking at the direction of the attack with a face full of terror.

There, Lie Yunkong stood with his hands behind his back, his expression icy cold.

"You... how could you..."

The team member was shocked and angry, unable to finish his words.

Lie Yunkong glanced at him with disdain.

"A Meteorite Rank pill like this, is it something a mere trash like you deserves to possess?"

He said coldly.

"It is already an act of great mercy that this seat hasn't killed you. You should be overwhelmed with gratitude and kneel down to thank me."

The team member's face was pale, and his body trembled.

He wanted to resist, wanted to curse angrily, but looking at Lie Yunkong's icy gaze, all his words were stuck in his throat.

That's right, what could he do?

The opponent was Meteorite Fourth Tier.

He was just a cannon fodder at Amethyst Ninth Tier.

Resisting meant death.

He clutched his severed wrist, lowered his head, and dared not say another word.

The entire scene was dead silent.

Everyone's faces were extremely grim.

Those team members' eyes were filled with fear and anger.

But they dared not speak.

They dared not move.

They could only watch silently.

Watching Lie Yunkong bend down, pick up the pill, and put it into his own pocket.

The Blood Lady and the Black Wind Old Demon exchanged a look, a hint of complexity flashing in their eyes.

They hadn't expected Lie Yunkong to be so ruthless.

Severing someone's wrist in public and seizing their treasure.

Without any attempt to conceal it.

But they also said nothing.

Because Lie Yunkong was the strongest one present.

Meteorite Fourth Tier was enough to suppress all of them.

Furthermore, what he said was not wrong.

Such a treasure was indeed wasted on those pieces of trash.

It was better left to powerhouses like them to possess.

He Yuanming frowned, wanting to say something, but ultimately kept his mouth shut.

His gaze towards Lie Yunkong carried a hint of apprehension and anger.

But he also dared not speak.

Because even if he spoke, it would be useless.

Lie Yunkong put away the pill and looked at the remaining team members.

[part:mistral-large]

Those team members felt a chill run down their spines under his gaze.

"Next..."

Lie Yunkong spoke slowly.

"What should we do?"

He looked towards Blood Lady and Black Wind Old Demon.

Blood Lady forced a smile. "Does Team Leader Lie have any brilliant ideas?"

Lie Yunkong gave a cold laugh.

"I wouldn't say it's brilliant, but I do have a plan."

He looked at the team members.

Under his gaze, they felt a chill in their hearts.

Lie Yunkong said slowly, "Have them go up one by one for the assessment. Those who pass will hand over their treasures. Those who hand them over will live. Those who don't..."

He didn't finish his sentence.

But everyone understood.

Those who don't hand them over will die.

As soon as he said this, the whole place was shocked!

The team members' faces turned pale as sheets!

"Team Leader Lie, this... this is just sending us to our deaths!"

Someone couldn't help but shout.

Lie Yunkong gave him a cold look.

"What? You have a problem with that?"

The person shivered and dared not speak again.

The other team members were filled with anger and resentment.

But what could they do?

Rebel?

Even combined, they were no match for Lie Yunkong alone.

Moreover, though Blood Lady and Black Wind Old Demon said nothing, they didn't object either.

Clearly, they agreed.

These were the people who truly controlled the situation.

The rest were just pawns to be slaughtered.

Lie Yunkong watched the terrified expressions of the team members, a satisfied smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

"Rest assured, everyone. If there are treasures, I will naturally share some with you. Those who survive will receive even greater benefits."

His words sounded generous.

But no one believed him.

The team member who had just successfully obtained the Medicinal Pill was still clutching his severed wrist, blood flowing unceasingly.

Share with them?

Fat chance!

But no one dared to object.

Lie Yunkong's gaze swept over the team members.

"What are you waiting for? Go!"

His voice held a hint of coldness.

"If you don't go, the consequences..."

He didn't finish his sentence.

But the meaning was clear.

If you don't go, you die now.

If you go, you might have a chance to live.

The team members gritted their teeth, their eyes filled with despair.

But in the end, they took a step forward.

One by one, they walked towards the platforms.

Because they knew that survival was the most important thing.

As long as they were alive, there was hope.

If they died, all would be lost.

Soon, screams, mad laughter, and terrified shouts filled the air.

Some people spontaneously combusted, turning to ashes.

Others went mad and were casually killed by Lie Yunkong.

Some managed to pass and walked out with the Medicinal Pill.

But before they could rejoice, Lie Yunkong snatched the Medicinal Pill away.

They didn't even have the courage to resist.

All they could do was step aside silently, watching as the treasures they had risked their lives for fell into someone else's hands.

Jiang Yun stood to the side, quietly watching the scene.

He saw the team members' despair.

He saw the coldness of the Falling Star Rank cultivators.

He saw Lie Yunkong's greed.

He saw Blood Lady and Black Wind Old Demon's acquiescence.

He saw He Yuanming's silence.

Human nature.

This was human nature.

In the face of absolute treasures, all promises and guarantees were meaningless.

All talk of "being in the same boat" and "helping each other" was nonsense.

With sufficient benefits, these people would not hesitate to tear off all masks.

Jiang Yun withdrew his gaze, his heart cold.

He looked at the five main platforms with the treasures.

These were the five most precious treasures in the entire hall.

A golden Medicinal Pill.

An ancient Jade Slip.

A purple Spirit Medicine.

A red Ore.

A tattered beast skin scroll.

Each one radiated an aura far superior to those Falling Star Rank Medicinal Pills.

Lie Yunkong and the others also noticed Jiang Yun's gaze.

Lie Yunkong smiled. "Master Jiang, are you interested in those five treasures?"

Jiang Yun said nothing.

Lie Yunkong continued, "However, the assessment for those five treasures is not something ordinary people can pass. Although Master Jiang is skilled in Formations, you are only at the Gold Rank Five Level, and your Mental Energy is limited..."

He didn't finish, but his meaning was clear.

Those five treasures are not for you.

Jiang Yun still said nothing.

He just quietly looked at the five main platforms.

Deep in his eyes, a blue light flickered slightly.

【Nine Revolutions Soul-Returning Pill: Low Grade Saint King Level Medicinal Pill, can revive the recently deceased, effective for any Realm below Saint King Level. The platform is set with the Medicine God's core Restriction—requires Mental Energy to enter the "Reincarnation Illusion," experiencing nine lifetimes of Reincarnation without losing oneself, to obtain the Medicinal Pill. Assessment failure consequence: Soul forever trapped in Reincarnation, Physical Body turned to dried bones.】

【Medicine God's Legacy Jade Slip: Contains the Medicine God's lifetime of Alchemy, Medicine refinement, and some Cultivation Techniques. The platform is set with the Medicine God's life Restriction—requires Mental Energy to enter the "Legacy Space," and receive personal testing from the Medicine God's residual Soul. Assessment failure consequence: Soul devoured by the residual Soul, becoming nourishment for the Medicine God's revival.】

【Nine-Leaf Purple Spirit Mushroom: Medium Grade Saint King Level Spirit Medicine, can be used to refine a Beast Control Breakthrough Saint King Level Medicinal Pill, or directly consumed to greatly enhance Cultivation. The platform is set with the Medicine God's personally laid Five Elements Purgatory Formation—requires Mental Energy to enter the Formation, enduring the refinement of the Five Elements' powers. Assessment failure consequence: Mental Energy eroded by the Five Elements' powers, becoming an idiot.】

【Heavenly Fire Mystic Iron: Low Grade Saint King Level Ore, can be refined into a Saint King Level Divine Weapon. The platform is set with the Heavenly Fire Soul-Burning Restriction! Requires Mental Energy to enter the Heavenly Fire space, enduring the Heavenly Fire's burn without collapsing. Assessment failure consequence: Soul burned away by the Heavenly Fire, not a trace of the body remains.】

【Ancient Pill Formula Scroll: Records three lost ancient Saint King Level Pill Formulas. The platform is set with the Alchemy Heart-Questioning Restriction—requires Mental Energy to enter the Heart-Questioning space, answering three Alchemy questions left by the Medicine God. Assessment failure consequence: Mental Energy backlash, Soul shattered.】

Jiang Yun's lips curved into a slight smile.

So that's how it is.

These five treasures' assessments, though terrifying, were not without loopholes.

Because he discovered that these assessment spaces were essentially Mental Energy spaces.

And his Innate Talent Skill, in Mental Energy spaces...

Might just work.

He stepped forward, walking towards the five main platforms.

This action immediately caught everyone's attention.

"Master Jiang?!"

"What is he doing?!"

"Could it be... he wants to challenge those five main treasures?!"

Lie Yunkong's pupils contracted.

Blood Lady suddenly stood up.

A gleam flashed in Black Wind Old Demon's eyes.

He Yuanming exclaimed in shock.

"Master Jiang! You must not!"

But Jiang Yun did not stop.

He walked step by step towards the five platforms.

Behind him, everyone's gaze was on him.

Shock.

Doubt.

Disbelief.

And a hint of...

Expectation.

Lie Yunkong squinted, his gaze flickering.

He did not stop Jiang Yun.

Because he wanted to see just how capable this youth was.

Blood Lady covered her mouth, her beautiful eyes shining with admiration.

"Little Brother, you've got guts!"

Black Wind Old Demon's sinister eyes flashed with a gleam, but he said nothing.

The team members stared wide-eyed.

Master Jiang was going to challenge those five supreme treasures?

Those were things that even Falling Star Rank cultivators didn't dare to attempt lightly!

Could he succeed?

Jiang Yun walked to the first platform.

An ancient Jade Slip floated above it.

【Medicine God's Legacy Jade Slip】

Five words flashed through Jiang Yun's mind.

He took a deep breath.

His Mental Energy surged forth!

A Diamond Rank Mental Energy, like a sharp sword, pierced towards the Jade Slip!

"That's... Diamond Rank Mental Energy?!"

Lie Yunkong's pupils suddenly contracted!

"Wasn't he at the Gold Rank Five Level? How does he have Diamond Rank Mental Energy?!"

Blood Lady was also shocked.

"Gold Rank Five Level Cultivation, Diamond Rank Mental Energy... How is that possible?!"

"Could Master Jiang have hidden his true Cultivation Level?"

Black Wind Old Demon stood up abruptly, his eyes filled with disbelief.

He Yuanming's mouth was wide open, speechless.

The team members looked as if they had seen a ghost.

Gold Rank Five Level, Diamond Rank Mental Energy?

What kind of Prodigy was this?!

But what shocked them even more was yet to come.

The moment Jiang Yun's Mental Energy touched the Jade Slip, his whole body suddenly stiffened!

The next moment,

his body fell straight back!

"Master Jiang!"

He Yuanming cried out in alarm and was about to rush forward.

But Lie Yunkong held him back.

"Don't move!"

he said solemnly.

"His Mental Energy has entered the Jade Slip. Moving him now will cause his mind to collapse!"

He Yuanming's face was ashen, and he could only stand there, anxiously watching Jiang Yun.

Everyone's gaze fell on Jiang Yun's motionless body.

Not moving a muscle.

As if dead.

But they all knew that this youth's consciousness had already entered another world.

The Medicine God's Legacy space.

...

Jiang Yun felt a darkness before his eyes.

Then, the world spun.

As if swept into a vast vortex, his whole body spun, sank, and floated.

He didn't know how long it lasted.

Perhaps a moment.

Perhaps ten thousand years.

Finally—

His feet touched solid ground.

Before his eyes, light gradually brightened.

Jiang Yun opened his eyes.

Then, he was stunned.

This place...

It was beautiful.

He stood in a small pavilion.

The pavilion was made of white jade, exquisite and elegant.

Inside the pavilion was a stone table and two stone stools.

On the stone table was a set of tea utensils.

The teapot still steamed, and the aroma of tea filled the air, invigorating with just one whiff.

Outside the pavilion was another world.

In the distance, green mountains stretched layer upon layer, like a fairyland.

Nearby, a waterfall cascaded from a cliff into a deep pool.

The sound of water was like heavenly music.

By the pool, several ancient pines stood tall and proud, with celestial cranes perched on their branches.

The sky was blue, with white clouds floating.

The sun was warm, and the breeze was gentle.

This was not some assessment space.

It was clearly a paradise!

Jiang Yun took a deep breath, suppressing the shock in his heart.

His gaze fell inside the pavilion.

There sat a person.

An old man.

The old man wore a gray robe, with white hair and beard, his face thin and gaunt.

He sat on a stone stool, holding a teacup, taking a sip.

His manner was leisurely, as if he were enjoying tea in his own backyard.

But the moment Jiang Yun saw him, he felt as if struck by lightning!

Because—

He could not sense any aura from this old man!

Clearly sitting right there, just a few steps away.

But to Jiang Yun's senses, there was only empty air!

As if the old man did not exist!

Or rather—

He existed in another dimension!

Jiang Yun took a deep breath.

Deep in his eyes, a blue light suddenly brightened!

Innate Talent Skill—Entry Manifestation!

【Name: Medicine Dust Son (Medicine God)】

【Realm: Saint King Ninth Tier】

【Identity: Ancient Saint King Level Alchemist, Valley Master of Medicine God Valley, Grandmaster of Alchemy】

【Status: Residual Soul form (Original body perished thirty thousand years ago, this is a strand of residual Soul guarding the Legacy)】

【Divine Soul Companion: Nine Revolutions Heavenly Incinerator (Legendary), an ancient mystical beast, originally a primordial smelting furnace born at the dawn of the universe, capable of smelting all things, refining Divine Pills. Its life and Soul intertwined with Medicine Dust Son, accompanying him throughout his life. After Medicine Dust Son's demise, the Nine Revolutions Heavenly Incinerator also fell into slumber, its Divine Soul and Spirit becoming the core Spirit of this Legacy Jade Slip, its true form lost.】

【Note: This residual Soul retains seventy percent of Medicine Dust Son's original consciousness, can pass on the complete Legacy of Medicine God Valley through the assessment. Assessment content: Alchemy Heart-Questioning. Assessment failure consequence: Soul devoured by the Nine Revolutions Heavenly Incinerator's Divine Soul, becoming nourishment for its revival.】