49: Chapter 49 Conquering Three Gates in Succession! S-Rank Pet Egg Obtained!

Lin Feng stood before the gate of water and took a deep breath.

The deep blue watery door frame flowed slowly, making a "lapping" tidal sound, and the briny smell of the sea in the air grew stronger.

"The Fire Gate is cleared; now let's try the Water Gate."

He reached out to touch the watery door frame.

A cool sensation came from his fingertips, like dipping into a stream in early spring.

The next second, a powerful suction came from inside the gate!

"Holy crap—"

Lin Feng was dragged inside!

His vision blurred.

When he opened his eyes again, he found himself standing... on the seabed?

No, not the actual seabed.

But a massive, enclosed underwater space.

Above him was a deep blue water curtain, like an overturned bowl; the water flowed slowly but didn't fall.

All around were coral reefs and undersea plants, with colorful schools of fish swimming leisurely.

Beneath his feet was fine white sand, soft to the step.

The most magical part was—Lin Feng could breathe normally!

He took a tentative breath.

Cool, moist, slightly salty air flooded into his lungs.

[Entered Water Element Trial Grounds]

[Current Environment: Deep Sea Illusion]

[Effect: Water element skill effectiveness +40%, fire element skill effectiveness -30%, can breathe freely underwater]

"Underwater breathing... that's not bad."

Lin Feng moved his limbs a bit.

Moving in water had some resistance, but it wasn't too bad.

He looked around, searching for a direction to proceed.

Ahead, there was a small path paved with glowing coral, winding into the distance.

At the end of the path, a... Shell Palace could be faintly seen?

"Looks like that's the goal."

Lin Feng stepped onto the Coral Path.

Just a few steps in—

Splash!

A dark shadow suddenly darted out from the thicket of seaweed on the right!

It was a three-meter-long deep blue sea snake; its scales glinted with a metallic luster under the dim light, and a pair of crimson eyes sat on its triangular head.

[Deepwater Venomous Snake (Elite)]

[Rank: 20]

[Health: 6,000]

[attack power: 350-450 (Includes Toxin)]

[Defense: 180]

[Skills: Venomous Fangs, Water Arrow Jet, Hidden Mist]

[Description: A predator of the deep sea, highly toxic]

"Starting off with an elite mob..."

Lin Feng raised an eyebrow and calmly lifted his hand.

"Light Bullet Technique!"

Poof!

A golden light bullet traced a path underwater, hitting the sea snake's head.

-734!

Damage was a bit lower than on land; the water's resistance affected the speed.

The sea snake hissed in pain and spat out a water arrow!

Shing!

The water arrow was extremely fast!

Lin Feng dodged to the side; the water arrow whistled past his shoulder and hit the coral behind him, shattering a chunk with a "crack."

"Underwater... Light-type skills are affected. Let's try something else."

Lin Feng cupped his hands.

Left hand—Lightning Strike Technique.

Right hand—Wind Blade Technique.

"Fusion: Lightning Wind Piercer!"

A blue-purple energy cone formed, spinning as it shot toward the sea snake!

Lightning skills are more powerful in water—that's common sense!

Sizzle sizzle—

The lightning-wind cone hit the sea snake's body, exploding in a shower of electric sparks!

The sea snake writhed frantically, scorched marks appearing on its body.

-1,280!

Lin Feng's eyes lit up, and he pressed the attack.

A few more Lightning Strike Techniques.

Crack! Crack!

Purple lightning conducted through the seawater, forming a small-scale electric net.

The sea snake twitched violently from the shock, its health plummeting.

Finally, it let out a hiss, and its body "popped," dissipating into a cloud of mist.

[Killed Deepwater Venomous Snake, Experience +900]

[Obtained: Deep Sea Snake Gallbladder x1 (Blue Material)]

Lin Feng picked up the gallbladder and continued forward.

The Coral Path wasn't long, but monsters kept harassing him along the way.

Deepwater Venomous Snakes, Giant Sea Crabs, Jellyfish Swarms...

All were level 20 water-attribute monsters, with significantly boosted combat power in the underwater environment.

But Lin Feng had gotten smart.

He specifically used lightning skills, occasionally mixing in earth-type ones—Earth counters Water; although the effect wasn't as obvious as lightning, it still dealt extra damage.

Killing his way through, his experience points steadily rose.

Ten minutes later, Lin Feng arrived before the Shell Palace.

This was a palace built from countless giant shells, over ten meters high, with a surface gleaming like mother-of-pearl.

The palace gates were wide open, and the interior was deep and dark.

"The Legacy... should be inside, right?"

Lin Feng walked into the palace.

The interior was more spacious than imagined.

The hall was circular, about fifty meters in diameter.

The floor was paved with smooth mother-of-pearl tiles, and the walls were embedded with glowing night pearls.

In the center of the hall, there was a... pool?

No, it was more like a small fountain.

A circular basin made of white jade, about three meters in diameter.

The pool water was crystal clear, and a soft, ice-blue orb of light floated on the surface.

The orb rotated slowly, emitting a dense, pure aura of the water element.

[Water Element Legacy Core]

[Quality: ???]

[Effect: Touching it grants the Water Element Legacy]

[Description: The manifestation of the Water Element Legacy of the Trial Heavenly Palace]

"It really is a Legacy..."

Lin Feng thought of that phrase again!

"The greedy shall perish from exhaustion."

"The Palace Keeper said that in three thousand years, seven people reached this place; five passed one gate and obtained a Legacy, while one greedy person died attempting three gates in a row."

"It didn't say... if anyone cleared three gates but took nothing."

"What if... I clear all three gates, but take none of the three Legacies?"

Once this thought appeared, it grew like wildfire.

"The three trials correspond to tests of adaptability and combat power for three elements."

"The Legacy is a reward, but it's also... a temptation?"

Lin Feng narrowed his eyes.

He remembered tropes from many novels—the true test often lies behind the temptation.

"Maybe... not taking the Legacy is the correct choice?"

Thinking of this, Lin Feng withdrew his hand.

He took a few steps back, giving the ice-blue orb one last look.

"Sorry, I can't have you for now."

With that, he turned and left the Shell Palace.

He returned the way he came.

Out of the palace, along the Coral Path, killing the respawned monsters—strangely, the monsters on the way back had respawned, but their strength was much lower.

It seemed the trial grounds were "taking it easy" to let him leave comfortably.

Five minutes later, Lin Feng stepped out of the gate of water and returned to the platform.

The Palace Keeper's phantom was still there.

Seeing Lin Feng emerge, its blurry face seemed... even more surprised?

"Thou hast come out again?"

"Yeah," Lin Feng nodded. "I've finished the Water Gate too."

"The Legacy... thou didst not take it again?"

"Didn't take it."

The Palace Keeper fell silent.

This time, the silence lasted even longer.

A full half-minute.

Then, it slowly said, "Dost thou know that the Water Element Legacy can greatly increase thy water element affinity, which would be of great benefit to thy future cultivation?"

"I know." Lin Feng grinned. "But I think... there might be something better."

The Palace Keeper spoke no more.

It drifted to the side, as if saying: As you wish.

Lin Feng took a deep breath and walked toward the third gate—

The Gate of Darkness.

An ink-black door frame, with twisted shadows flowing within.

"Rustling" whispers came from inside the gate, like countless people murmuring in his ear.

Just standing before the gate made Lin Feng's spine tingle.

"The last one..."

He reached out to touch the shadow door frame.

Cold.

Bone-chilling cold.

Like touching ten-thousand-year-old ice.

The next second, darkness swallowed him.

...

When he opened his eyes again, Lin Feng found himself standing... in absolute darkness.

It wasn't just dim light.

It was true, pitch-black darkness where one couldn't see their own hand.

Illumination Spell?

Lin Feng tried to cast it.

Poof.

As soon as the light orb appeared, it was instantly swallowed by the surrounding darkness.

Like a drop of water falling into a pool of ink, it didn't even stir a ripple.

[Entered Dark Element Trial Grounds]

[Current Environment: Eternal Night Domain]

[Effect: Vision is 0, dark element skill effectiveness +50%, light element skill effectiveness -80%, all perception range -70%]

"Vision is 0... and perception is weakened by 70%..."

Lin Feng's heart sank.

This environment was too harsh.

Couldn't see, couldn't hear clearly, even perception was suppressed.

He was completely blind and deaf.

"I'll have to rely on other senses..."

He crouched down and felt the ground.

Rough stone slabs with fine etchings on the surface.

He reached out to feel around.

Empty, no walls.

"I need to move forward slowly..."

Lin Feng cautiously took his first step.

Just as his foot landed—

Whoosh!

A sound of something cutting through the air came from the right!

Lin Feng leaned to the side, relying on combat instinct!

Something cold and sharp whistled past his neck!

Taking a few strands of hair with it.

"What was that?!"

His heart pounded, and he immediately jumped back.

But in the darkness, he had no idea where the attack had come from.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Three more sounds of cutting air!

Attacking from three different directions!

"Earth Wall Technique!"

Lin Feng pressed his hands to the ground, and three earth walls rose instantly, forming a triangle to protect him in the middle.

Thud, thud, thud!

Impact sounds came from the earth walls.

Something had embedded itself in them.

Lin Feng felt around and touched a few... bone spikes?

Cold, sharp, with barbs on the surface.

[Shadow Bone Spikes (Environmental Trap)]

[Effect: Deals 300 dark attribute damage, includes "Bleed" effect]

"A trap... or a monster?"

Lin Feng frowned.

He dispelled the earth walls and continued to feel his way forward.

This time, he was even more careful.

Every three steps, he would stop and listen for movements around him.

In the darkness, the "rustling" sounds persisted.

Like countless small things crawling.

Or like someone speaking in a low voice.

He walked for about five minutes.

Lin Feng estimated he had moved less than fifty meters.

Suddenly—

Heavy breathing came from ahead.

Huff... huff...

Like some large creature panting.

Lin Feng immediately stopped and held his breath.

He cupped his hands, and energy began to condense in his palms.

No matter what was coming, he had to be ready to attack.

The breathing sound drew closer.

Accompanied by a "clack-clack" sound, like bones grinding together.

Lin Feng could feel a massive presence approaching him.

Three meters.

Two meters.

One meter...

"Lightning Strike Technique!"

Lin Feng suddenly released the skill in the direction of the breathing!

Crack!

Purple lightning exploded in the darkness!

The brief flash illuminated what was ahead—

It was a... skeleton?

No, not an ordinary skeleton.

It was a three-meter-tall skeleton giant made of ink-black bones!

Eerie blue flames burned in its eye sockets, and it held a massive bone saber in its hand.

[Shadow Skeleton Guard (Boss)]

[Rank: 22]

[Health: 15,000]

[attack power: 600-750 (Dark Attribute)]

[Defense: 350]

[Skills: Shadow Slash, Bone Armor, Summon Skeletons]

[Description: Guardian of the Eternal Night Domain, immune to most crowd-control effects]

"A level 22 boss!"

Lin Feng's pupils constricted.

The Lightning Strike Technique hit the skeleton, dealing only -1,100 damage.

For fifteen thousand health, it was barely a scratch.

The Skeleton Guard was enraged.

It raised its bone saber, which became wreathed in dense dark energy.

Skill: Shadow Slash!

Hum—

A pitch-black crescent-shaped Saber Qi slashed toward him!

It was incredibly fast!

Lin Feng couldn't see clearly in the darkness and could only roll to the right by instinct!

Boom!!!

The Saber Qi whistled past his left arm and struck the ground behind him, blasting a deep pit.

A searing pain came from his left arm.

[Received Shadow Slash Damage: 680 - Defense 168 = 512!]

"The damage is so high..."

Lin Feng gritted his teeth and quickly cast Water Shield on himself.

Then, he began to move frantically!

He couldn't stay in one place!

In the darkness, he was blind, but the Skeleton Guard clearly wasn't!

The opponent could see him clearly!

"I have to rely on area-of-effect skills..."

Lin Feng raised both hands and chose the most violent combination.

Left hand—Fireball Technique + Blasting Light Flame Technique.

Right hand—Lightning Strike Technique + Wind Blade Technique.

“Four-Skill Fusion—Thunderfire Blasting Storm!”

This time, he injected ten thousand mana!

Red, gold, purple, and green light crazily intertwined in his palms!

After the Fusion was complete, a chaotic-colored energy storm with a diameter of two meters appeared!

“Go!”

Lin Feng smashed the storm towards the general direction of the skeleton guard.

BOOM!!!!!!!!!

A deafening explosion rang out!

The moment the energy storm exploded, the blinding light briefly dispelled the darkness!

Lin Feng saw the skeleton guard being engulfed by the storm, its bones snapping and cracking!

-17,820!

Terrifying damage numbers jumped up!

The skeleton guard's health dropped by a huge chunk instantly!

But the light from the explosion only lasted for two seconds.

Darkness shrouded the area once again.

The skeleton guard's roar came from ahead.

It wasn't dead yet!

And it seemed even more furious!

“Clack... clack...”

The sound of bones rubbing together rang out densely.

Lin Feng heard more... footsteps appearing around him?

Small, light, and numerous.

[Shadow Skeleton Guard activated skill: Summon Skeletons!]

“Summoning lackeys now...”

Lin Feng's heart sank.

He immediately retreated while bringing his hands together again.

This time, he chose an ultra-wide area-of-effect clearing combination.

“Earth Wall Technique + Ice Cone Technique + Wind Blade Technique—Fusion: Glacial Earth Storm!”

Injecting eight thousand mana!

Boom!

With Lin Feng at the center, a violent Glacial Earth Storm erupted!

Countless ice cones mixed with earth and stone fragments sprayed wildly in all directions!

Sshhh-ssshhh-ssshhh—

Dense sounds of bone shattering came from the darkness.

Those newly summoned small skeletons were instantly cleared in large numbers.

But the skeleton guard was still approaching.

Heavy footsteps drew nearer and nearer.

Five meters.

Four meters.

Three meters...

Lin Feng could smell that decaying scent carrying the aura of death.

“Let's do this!”

He gritted his teeth and charged forward instead of retreating!

He lunged towards the direction of the footsteps!

At the same time, his hands frantically formed seals in front of his chest.

“All Light-attribute skills—Fusion: Super Holy Light Eruption!”

Light Bullet Technique + Light Flame Slash + Blasting Light Flame Technique + Illumination Spell!

Four-skill Fusion, injecting fifteen thousand mana!

This was the maximum Light energy he could mobilize in this dark element environment!

Buzz—

In his palms, a golden orb of light like a miniature sun condensed into form!

“Light up—FOR ME!!!”

Lin Feng used all his strength to push the light orb toward the skeleton guard!

BOOM!!!!!!!!!!!!

An indescribable, blinding golden light erupted!

Like a nuclear explosion, it instantly illuminated the entire Eternal Night Domain!

The darkness receded like a tide.

Lin Feng saw it—

The skeleton guard was just two meters ahead of him, its bone saber already raised, about to slash down!

But at this moment, it was engulfed by the golden light.

The eerie blue flames in its eye sockets flickered wildly, and large cracks appeared on the surface of its bones.

-24,500!

Instakill!

The skeleton guard's massive body collapsed with a loud crash, broken bones scattering everywhere.

[Killed Shadow Skeleton Guard, Experience +20,000]

[Obtained: Shadow Core ×1 (Purple Material)]

The golden light gradually dissipated.

Darkness shrouded the area again.

But Lin Feng noticed a light appearing... ahead?

It wasn't light from his skills.

It was a natural, soft, eerie blue light.

He felt his way forward.

After walking about twenty meters, the view suddenly opened up.

This seemed to be the center of the Eternal Night Domain.

A circular platform ten meters in diameter.

There was no darkness on the platform, only soft blue light spilling down from above.

In the center of the platform floated a... shadow?

No, it was a mass of dark energy that kept shifting its form.

Like a black hole, yet also like a vortex.

[Dark Element Legacy Core]

[Quality: ???]

[Effect: Can obtain the Dark Element Legacy upon touching]

[Description: The manifestation of the Dark Element Legacy of the Trial Heavenly Palace]

“Dark Element Legacy...”

Lin Feng walked to the edge of the platform and looked at that mass of dark energy.

The eerie blue light reflected on his face, shadows dancing in his eyes.

As long as he reached out, he could obtain the Dark Element Legacy.

From then on, he would master the power of shadows and become a king in the darkness.

Temptation.

A massive temptation.

Lin Feng slowly raised his hand.

His fingertips were trembling.

Not because of fear.

But because of desire.

A Dark Element Legacy...

Combined with his existing Holy Light Physique, Dual Cultivation of Light and Dark—how strong would that be?

His fingertips got closer and closer to the dark energy.

Ten centimeters.

Five centimeters.

Three centimeters...

Lin Feng's hand stopped.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

The heat of the fire element Legacy, the coolness of the Water Element Legacy, and the eeriness of the Dark Element Legacy before him flashed through his mind.

Three Legacies.

Three choices.

But...

“I don't want any of the three.”

Lin Feng opened his eyes and withdrew his hand.

He turned around and left the platform without looking back.

He followed the path he came from—though he couldn't see, he could feel his way by memory.

Ten minutes later, Lin Feng stepped out of the Gate of Darkness and returned to the platform.

The three gates behind him slowly dissipated.

They turned into specks of light and merged into the air.

The projection of the Palace Keeper floated there quietly.

It looked at Lin Feng, and on its blurry face... did a smile appear?

“Three gates passed, yet none of the three were taken.”

The Palace Keeper's voice echoed on the platform.

“In three thousand years, thou art the first.”

Lin Feng grinned: “So... I guessed right?”

“Indeed.” The Palace Keeper slowly floated closer. “The trial of the Elemental Path is not the Legacy itself.”

“Rather, it is... temptation.”

“The heat of fire, the gentleness of water, the eeriness of darkness—all are great temptations.”

“Only those who can resist temptation are qualified to obtain the true Legacy.”

Lin Feng's eyes lit up: “True Legacy?”

The Palace Keeper did not answer directly.

It waved its hand.

Buzz—

The space in the center of the platform began to distort.

A new door slowly emerged.

It wasn't an elemental door.

But a simple, wooden door.

There were no decorations on the door, only simple wood grain.

“This is... the Door of State of Mind.”

The Palace Keeper floated to the front of the door.

“By passing through this door, thou shalt reach the Legacy Hall.”

“There, thou shalt find the reward thou deservest.”

Lin Feng took a deep breath and walked toward the wooden door.

This time, there was no hesitation.

He reached out and pushed the door.

Creak—

The wooden door slowly opened.

Behind the door was a small courtyard.

Bluestone slabs paved the ground, emerald bamboo grew all around, and in the center was a stone table with two stone stools.

At the end of the courtyard was a simple bamboo house.

“Come in.”

The Palace Keeper's voice came from the courtyard.

Lin Feng stepped inside.

The wooden door closed automatically behind him.

He looked around.

The courtyard wasn't large, but it was very elegant.

The emerald bamboo swayed gently in the breeze, making a 'rustling' sound.

A tea set was placed on the stone table, and steam was still rising from the spout of the pot.

The projection of the Palace Keeper sat on one of the stone stools, holding a teacup and taking a light sip.

Although its face couldn't be seen clearly, its movements were leisurely and natural.

“Sit.”

The Palace Keeper pointed to the stone stool opposite it.

Lin Feng walked over and sat down.

The stone stool was cold, but sitting on it was very comfortable.

“Have a cup of tea.” The Palace Keeper poured him a cup.

The pale green tea soup emitted a refined and elegant fragrance.

Lin Feng picked up the teacup and took a sip.

The warm tea entered his throat, carrying a faint sweetness and a hint of... a strange energy?

He felt the fatigue throughout his body ease significantly.

“Good tea.” Lin Feng praised sincerely.

“Spirit Mist Tea from three thousand years ago.” The Palace Keeper said calmly. “It has long been extinct in the outside world.”

Lin Feng took another sip and then put down the teacup.

“Senior, about the true Legacy you mentioned...”

“No rush.” The Palace Keeper interrupted him. “First, tell me why thou didst not take any of the three Legacies?”

Lin Feng thought for a moment and said seriously: “I felt... it was too easy.”

“Oh?”

“The Gravity Staircase was so difficult, and the reward was an Earth Element baptism, which greatly increased affinity.”

“While on the Elemental Path, although the three trials weren't simple, giving the Legacy directly... always felt off.”

Lin Feng paused and continued: “Moreover, you said that the greedy would die of exhaustion.”

“But if I just cleared the trials without taking the rewards, that wouldn't count as being greedy, right?”

“More importantly... I think the true test should be 'restraint'.”

“Restraining the desire for power, restraining the greed for a Legacy.”

The Palace Keeper listened quietly.

Only after Lin Feng finished speaking did it slowly speak.

“Thou art very clever.”

“Seven people in three thousand years; five took one Legacy and left satisfied. Their future achievements were not low, but ultimately limited.”

“One was greedy and took all three Legacies after clearing the trials. In the end, the elements conflicted, and his body exploded.”

“Only thou... cleared all three and took none.”

The Palace Keeper raised its hand, and a ball of light appeared in the void.

The light ball slowly descended, landing on the stone table.

It was... an egg?

The size of a fist, dark gold in color, with fine silver light spots like stars on its surface.

The shell was semi-transparent, and something could be seen faintly wriggling inside.

[Unhatched pet egg]

[Quality: Gold]

[Hatching Conditions: After leaving the Trial Heavenly Palace, nurture it with one's own essence blood and mana]

[Description: Reward for the second trial of the Trial Heavenly Palace, containing an unknown creature with immense potential]

“This is...”

Lin Feng's eyes widened.

A pet egg?

And it's S-Rank Gold quality?!

“The reward for the second trial.” The Palace Keeper said. “Since thou hast passed the trial, this object is gifted to thee.”

Lin Feng carefully picked up the pet egg.

It was warm to the touch, and as if it had a life of its own, he could feel a faint heartbeat coming from within.

Thump... thump... thump...

“Thank you, Senior!” Lin Feng said excitedly.

A Gold-tier pet!

It was impossible to buy one on the market!

Even if there were any, the price would be astronomical!

“Don't be too quick to thank me.” The Palace Keeper said calmly. “This egg needs to be nurtured with thy essence blood and mana before it can hatch.”

“Furthermore, the creature that hatches will be connected to thy Bloodline, sharing life and death.”

“If thou art weak, it will be weak; if thou art strong, it will be strong.”

Lin Feng nodded heavily: “I understand!”

He carefully stored the pet egg into the wanxiang ring, placing it alone in a safe corner.

Then he looked up at the Palace Keeper.

“Senior, what about the third trial...”

The Palace Keeper put down the teacup.

The projection slowly stood up.

“The third trial is called 'Seeking the Dao'.”

“It asks not of strength, nor of Talent, but only of one's true heart.”

It floated toward the bamboo house.

“Follow me.”

Lin Feng got up and followed.

The door of the bamboo house opened automatically.

The inside was very simple.

A bamboo bed, a bamboo table, and a bamboo chair.

A painting hung on the wall.

In the painting was a white-robed old man with a long sword on his back, standing on a mountain peak and looking up at the starry sky.

“This is the founder of the Heavenly Palace—Star River Sword Venerable.” The Palace Keeper said slowly. “The third trial is to answer the three questions he left behind.”

Lin Feng looked at the painting.

The old man's gaze in the painting was profound, as if he could see through one's heart.

“What questions?” Lin Feng asked.

The Palace Keeper turned and faced Lin Feng.

The projection's gaze seemed to pierce through its blurry features, looking directly into Lin Feng's heart.

Then came three questions, which Lin Feng answered quite well! He was then led into the final Legacy site!