25: Yellow-level Earth Vein Illusion

"The location for this assessment is a Yellow-Grade Earth Vein Illusion Realm within the Spirit Realm.

Although it is an illusion, once one dies, their Divine Soul will be damaged, requiring a year of recovery." A voice came from the Void Realm.

As soon as these words were spoken, the place immediately erupted into an uproar.

"What? It's an Earth Vein Illusion Realm!"

"Even a Yellow-Grade Earth Vein Illusion Realm isn't easy to clear. The most troublesome part is that if you fail and die, your Divine Soul will be injured, wasting at least a year.

You know, now is precisely the explosive period for Geniuses; their strength changes day by day. This price is simply too great."

"Exactly, the third assessment is too harsh."

'Father's guess was correct; the third assessment is indeed this.' Not far away, Guo Huai's lips curved into a smile as he secretly touched the green fish jade pendant hanging from his waist.

"Earth Vein Illusion Realm, I did read about it in ancient texts," Li Jiangchen murmured, "A place where a large number of living beings perished, their lingering regrets unfulfilled, their remnants and Earth Fiend Qi intertwining, can form an Earth Vein Illusion Realm.

I can't believe the third assessment is this."

The Earth Vein Illusion Realm was extremely dangerous, and many people immediately wavered.

They had thought it was just a Captain's assessment, a chance to get first place with good luck, but who knew they would have to risk damage to their Divine Soul?

It's not worth it!

"Our Demon Suppression Division members are on the front lines of demon slaying. Those who fear death may withdraw now." A cold voice came from the Void Realm.

The assessors on the field looked at each other, seemingly waiting for the first person to withdraw.

Finally, a mysterious armor-clad youth struggled with his expression, tremblingly raising his hand and saying, "I withdraw."

No sooner had his voice fallen than another voice followed: "I also withdraw."

"I withdraw."

Withdrawal announcements rose and fell, with twenty-three people withdrawing consecutively.

Such retreating behavior naturally drew many disdainful glances.

"Bah, Han Song, you coward who fears death, to think that you would shrink back from a mere Yellow-Grade Earth Vein Illusion Realm. I, Yan Tao, am ashamed to call you a brother."

"Hmph, you won't even take the risk of Divine Soul damage, yet you still dream of taking first place. How ridiculous."

At this moment, a ripple came from the Void Realm, moving the withdrawers out of the training ground.

Those who passed the first two rounds were already less than a hundred; now only a mere few dozen remained, making the training ground appear empty.

"Good, there are still thirty-six people, more than I imagined." A laugh came from the Void Realm: "In that case, the assessment... begins!"

As soon as the words fell, Earth Fiend Qi erupted like a spring in the center of the training ground, gradually condensing into a grey-white flower, upon which ancient seal characters floated—Yellow Grade 167.

The Earth Vein Evil Qi permeated, instantly engulfing everyone.

At this moment, in reality, Yue Tuyao's expression was solemn, his gaze fixed on the Earth Vein flower, and he murmured in a daze, "Yellow Grade 167... how could it be this Earth Vein Illusion Realm?"

He leaned back against his chair, a complex and painful emotion showing on his face.

On the other side.

Earth Vein Illusion Realm.

A grey-white ice mountain stood majestically, covered with countless hollows from which cold winds constantly blew.

A column of soldiers in mysterious armor were gathered at the foot of the mountain, making a fire and cooking. The pot was boiling, emitting an aroma of meat mixed with vegetables, dispelling the surrounding cold.

Suddenly, one of the mysterious armor-clad youths had his eyes clear up. The firelight illuminated Li Jiangchen's face.

At the same time, a surge of information flooded his mind.

"Cangyuan City... personal guard Li Yuan under Deputy General Yue Lou... is this my identity?"

"Earth Vein Illusion Realm rules: You must play your assigned role and must not reveal reality to anyone within the Earth Vein. Violators will die immediately and be ejected from the illusion.

Main Quest: Defend the city for ten days. Countdown in progress."

"Side Quest: demon slaying.

Slay an Enlightened Demon to gain one point.

Slay a Dao-Entering Demon to gain one hundred points.

Slay a Great Demon to gain ten thousand points."

Li Jiangchen digested the information, his gaze turning to the massive ice mountain not far away.

The Great Demon Earth Mother was invading Cangyuan City, constantly giving birth to Demon lairs around Cangyuan City, gathering Demons.

Deputy General Yue Lou sent out his personal guards from the city to clear out newly formed Demon lairs. This ice mountain before them was an Ice Demon nest.

According to intelligence, there were many Dao-Entering Ice Demons entrenched here.

These were all points, without a doubt.

"Eat this meal, then follow me to slay Demons." Li Jiangchen straightened up.

"Yes, boss."

After the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Li Jiangchen stepped into the ice mountain. The biting cold wind assaulted him, his muscles tightened, and his bones shivered from the cold.

"In the illusion, the Body Refining strength of this personal guard's body is far inferior to the second layer of the Giant Spirit Gang Yuan Body.

However, fortunately, there are no restrictions on Dao techniques."

Whoosh—

A pale Ice Demon swept out, its body entirely white, its mouth full of sharp teeth, as if carved from ice crystals.

Seemingly smelling the scent of a living person, its wings vibrated, and it suddenly transformed into a sharp sword, rushing towards them.

"Oh no, it's a Dao-Entering Ice Demon!" a mysterious armor-clad youth exclaimed.

The next moment, a fair hand reached out, like a steel Dragon claw, gripping the Ice Demon's throat. No matter how it struggled, it couldn't move.

Sword Qi surged from his palm, and a white streak flashed. The Ice Demon's expression immediately stiffened, and with a sound like shattering glass, its body disintegrated, turning into a puddle of crushed ice.

"Points: 100"

A piece of information entered his mind.

'Indeed, slaying Ice Demons here doesn't grant Demon cultivation...' Li Jiangchen sighed inwardly.

Suddenly, his gaze swept over, and he saw a ball of light in the crushed ice on the ground, faintly showing the appearance of a mini Ice Demon.

"This is... a demon soul..." Li Jiangchen's heart filled with joy.

His Demon Kingdom in the Palm was currently lacking demon souls.

With a thought, black Qi permeated his palm, and an invisible force field swept past, absorbing the demon soul remaining in the crushed ice.

"As expected of the boss, one of the top three personal guards under Lord Yue Lou." The mysterious armor-clad soldier beside him flattered.

"Exactly, exactly, following the boss is much safer than with other personal guards."

'It seems Yue Lou has more than one personal guard. I wonder if there are also assessors among them...' Li Jiangchen secretly speculated, then pointed a finger, and a grey-white Sword Qi covered everyone.

Immediately, everyone's aura quickly withered, becoming inconspicuous, like a piece of gravel by the roadside.

This, again, caused a wave of exclamations.

It was the Withered and Flourishing Sword Intent.

This Sword Intent could not only be used on oneself but also on others.

Currently, it was most suitable for infiltrating Demon lairs and secretly slaying Demons.

"Ice Demons are gregarious demons; we must slay them secretly, trying not to attract the attention of the Demon horde."

"Yes, boss."

Continuing their advance, they encountered many Ice Demons along the way, all of which were cut down by Li Jiangchen's single sword.

With the Immortal Sword Body, the two great Sword Intents, and the augmentation of the Demon Kingdom in the Palm, ordinary Dao-Entering Demons were not even a match for a single move.

If he were to use the Chan Meditation Sword, he might even be able to fight a Great Demon comparable to an Aperture Opening Martial Artist.

Ten.

A hundred... As more Ice Demons were slain, the points also soared, reaching as many as three thousand eight hundred and sixteen points.

Most of them were Enlightened Ice Demons, not yet formidable.

There were only thirty Dao-Entering Ice Demons.

However, at this moment, as more demon souls were absorbed, the power of the Demon Kingdom in the Palm was constantly increasing, gradually showcasing the splendor of a Peerless Grade Dao technique.

An hour later, everyone arrived at the center of the cave. Unlike other nests, this place was devoid of any Demons, with only a heart-shaped piece of ice.

Cold Qi continuously seeped out from it, and the appearance of an Ice Demon faintly emerged from its center.