241: Bodhi Secret Realm, Final Trial

Jiang Lan frowned slightly.

To pass this trial, would it really be as he thought?

Could it be that he had to swim through this magma?

If not, the other three directions were all rock walls, making passage impossible.

Since the other three directions couldn't be the way to pass, then this last lava lake, no matter how absurd it seemed, should be the only way to get through this trial.

The surface of the lake wasn't particularly low, just under an inch lower than Jiang Lan's current position.

He could even reach out and touch the magma surface by simply bending down.

However, the scorching temperature emanating from the magma made Jiang Lan hesitate.

There's no reason it can't be passed.

Since the Building Master of Cold Crow hadn't specifically mentioned it to him at the time, passing the trial shouldn't be difficult.

And the previous three trials had indeed proven this point.

The first trial, ascending the mountain of blades, likely tested perseverance.

The second trial, on the other hand, probably tested reactions when facing extremes.

The third trial seemed to be about enduring loneliness.

And this fourth trial...

Jiang Lan's eyes flickered for a moment.

A moment later, he finally got an answer... In the Dark Demon Sect's cave.

"This trial tests courage. I wonder if this little guy can endure it."

"Let's see," said the person completely hidden in a dark cloak, their voice carrying a hint of playfulness. "I think he can. After all, if he wasn't brave, could he have almost flattened your Ten Thousand Demons Hall?"

Kunpeng Demon Emperor's face turned red.

Tian Tong then spoke:

"It's different. Before, it was a newborn calf not fearing a tiger. But the Fire Trial in the Five Elements Trial isn't something one can pass just by being a newborn calf not fearing a tiger. If he doesn't have some conviction, he might not pass. This trial is where the most people are kicked out of the Secret Realm.

"Even I almost got kicked out the first time I attempted it."

Yuan Wei glanced at Tian Tong, then spat and said coldly, "That's because you're useless."

Tian Tong: "?"

Ever since he was exposed for peeking at Yuan Wei bathing a few days ago, this little girl hadn't given him a good look. Now she was even resorting to personal attacks?

But there was nothing he could do about being personally attacked; who told him he was in the wrong first?

No choice, he'd just have to endure it.

They had been old friends for so many years; she would get over it eventually.

Moreover, he hadn't actually intended to peek at Yuan Wei bathing at the time; he just wanted to contact her through the Flower in the Water, but unfortunately, Yuan Wei was bathing at that moment.

Coupled with his loose tongue, it led to today's bitter outcome.

Tian Tong Daoist secretly regretted it.

Why is my mouth so reckless? What was the point of telling Kunpeng?

...Inside the Secret Realm.

Jiang Lan hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth, preparing to jump into the magma.

He had endured so much suffering before; how could he back down at a time like this?

And Jiang Lan didn't believe that this Secret Realm would design a death trap.

If everyone who came here was destined to die, how could the Building Master of Cold Crow have known all the details inside this Secret Realm?

Although what she said might not be entirely accurate, since she knew, then certainly many people had passed this trial before.

If others could pass, why couldn't he?

A man dies facing the sky; if he doesn't die, he lives for ten thousand years.

Moreover, even if he retreated, he couldn't exit the Secret Realm.

Only two paths awaited him.

Either pass the trial or die in this wretched place.

Jiang Lan certainly didn't want to die in this wretched place.

So, he could only charge forward!

Jiang Lan closed his eyes and leaped into the magma.

A scorching burning sensation immediately enveloped him.

The feeling was as if he had been set on fire.

But Jiang Lan found that his movements didn't seem to be affected.

Since he wasn't burning up, he should swim quickly.

Jiang Lan gritted his teeth, closed his eyes, and lunged forward.

Magma was unlike water; it was made of viscous, flowing solids, and the resistance was much greater than normal water.

So, his swimming speed was extremely slow.

The burning sensation continuously eroded Jiang Lan.

Jiang Lan swam with his head down for a while, seemingly exhausted, and slowly reduced his speed.

Although the burning sensation continued, it didn't become more severe.

In fact, after a prolonged period, Jiang Lan even felt like he was soaking in a bathhouse.

His heart gradually relaxed.

Is that all there is to it?

This magma looked truly terrifying, but once he was actually in it, it seemed to be nothing more than that.

However, he didn't let his guard down.

The previous trials had all become more difficult the further he progressed.

And he had been swimming with his head down in the magma the whole time, completely unaware of how far he had gone.

Jiang Lan poked his head out from the thick layer of magma and looked towards the opposite bank.

When he stood on the bank, even with his eyesight, he could only vaguely see the opposite shore.

But now, he could already see the outline of a cave entrance on the opposite bank.

The distance from his current position was only about three or four li.

One more push!

Jiang Lan lowered his head again, using both his hands and feet, and continued to swim towards the opposite bank.

After about a quarter of an hour, Jiang Lan suddenly realized that the burning sensation on his body didn't seem to be increasing anymore.

Looking up again, the distance between him and the opposite bank had shrunk from the previous three or four li to less than one li.

Jiang Lan suddenly accelerated a few points.

After about twenty to thirty breaths, Jiang Lan finally reached the opposite bank.

He used all his strength to leap up.

As his feet landed steadily on the bank, Jiang Lan lowered his head and looked at his body.

Hmm.

There didn't seem to be anything special.

His body hadn't gotten any magma on it at all, and even his clothes hadn't changed in the slightest, as if swimming in magma had never happened.

A smile appeared on Jiang Lan's face.

He hadn't expected it to be so simple.

Although he hadn't initially believed he would die in such a place, such a simple trial still made him very happy.

Compared to the week of torment he endured in the snow before, this was equivalent to just taking a swim.

Easy and pleasant.

Not far in front of him was an upward cave entrance, and from Jiang Lan's position, he could vaguely see some light.

Without much hesitation, he walked directly into the cave entrance and then proceeded upwards along the path.

After walking for a short while, Jiang Lan felt the scenery in front of him change.

The cave scene disappeared, replaced by a desert.

Jiang Lan's eyes flickered.

He had truly passed the trial.

So, next was the final Earth Trial?

He wondered what the contents of this Earth Trial would be.

However, as the final sub-trial of the Five Elements Trial, it probably wouldn't be that easy to pass.

But just as Jiang Lan was about to investigate, he suddenly froze.

It wasn't because of anything else, but because the scenery in front of him changed once again.

The desert from before also disappeared, replaced instead by an endless plain.

The plain exuded an aura of dead silence, as if countless vengeful spirits surrounded it.

What's going on?