Chapter 18:The trial.

Chapter 18: Chapter 18:The trial.

The perspective changed for the crowd. The world around them shifted almost in an instant. A moment ago, it had been the red-filled sky beneath the cover of hundreds of thousands of flaming fireflies.

In the next second, more than two hundred Chen Family members who had been standing within the courtyard suddenly found themselves somewhere completely different.

Their surroundings were no longer the familiar grounds of stone pavement.

Instead, they now stood within an enormous underground cave.

The abrupt change caused many of them to instinctively look around, their expressions changing and varying from one emotion to another.

The ceiling stretched high above their heads, disappearing into the darkness. The cave walls surrounding them were uneven and seemed to have been poorly carved out, covered with faint traces of weathering that suggested they had existed for countless years.

However, compared to the time when Chen Haoran and Qingxue had first come here, the cavern was now considerably brighter.

Across the ceiling and walls, countless flaming fireflies floated through the air. Their crimson-golden flames illuminated a large portion of the cavern, casting a warm glow across the surroundings.

The sight caught everyone’s attention the moment they arrived.

"Is this the inheritance cave?"

"Where are we? Is this the legendary hidden space?"

"How large is this place?"

Voices quietly spread through the group. Several people raised their heads, attempting to see the full extent of the cave, but the fireflies’ light only illuminated part of the enormous underground space.

Farther ahead, where the cave continued deeper into the ground, a massive wall of fire stood across their view.

The enormous wall was formed from thousands of densely packed flaming fireflies, their tiny bodies arranged so closely together that they formed what appeared to be a vast curtain of crimson-golden fire.

Yet despite the frightening appearance of the flames, not even the slightest heat radiated from them. The wall of fire was completely harmless to the surroundings.

The wall simply stood there, separating the illuminated portion of the cave from everything beyond it.

This was deliberate. Chen Yuan had intentionally concealed that part of the cave for future uses of ’Ancestor Creation’.

As long as he maintained control over what the clan members could see, he could gradually establish the existence of other ancestors without allowing anyone to discover anything they were not supposed to know.

For the current situation, this portion of the cave was enough to be made public to the family.

Next, Chen Yuan’s attention shifted toward the stone platform in the distance as he hovered in the air, close to the ceiling.

The clansmen gradually noticed it as well. There, at the far end of the illuminated area, stood a crude stone platform. Embedded within its center was a sword.

The conversation throughout the crowd slowly faded as one by one, they turned their attention toward it.

Nobody had to tell them what they were looking at. It was clear that the sword itself possessed an indescribable presence.

It was slender and straight, its surface plain without elaborate decorations. However, from where they were standing, everyone could faintly sense the invisible fluctuation spreading from the blade.

It was pure pressure.

And the moment they sensed it, the expressions of many clansmen changed almost immediately.

"What... Is that feeling?"

Chen Yichen spoke as he stared intently at the place where the stone platform was.

"It’s coming from the sword."

Chen Yuexin added from the side, her arms crossed over her chest as she narrowed her eyes. "There’s an invisible pressure surrounding it. Could it be the trial?"

Chen Minghao remained silent, and his cold gaze stayed fixed upon the sword.

As for the other clansmen, their reactions were different. Some possessed decent talent but lacked experience. Others were obviously nervous just at the sight of the sword.

A few were even already intimidated by the faint invisible pressure despite still standing outside the first layer.

Chen Yuan didn’t think less of them.

Talent is a supplement. Obsession is fuel.

Not everyone needed to possess the same kind of talent.

He shook his head and smiled.

Then, Chen Yuan raised one hand, and almost instantly, the spiritual energy around the stone platform began to fluctuate.

The crowd noticed the movement and turned their attention toward him.

"The trial has three stages."

His voice echoed through the cave, and a crimson ring of spiritual energy appeared around the stone platform.

It expanded outward before stopping roughly ten meters from the platform.

"This area is the first layer."

Chen Yuan pointed toward the outer ring.

"The pressure within it is equivalent to the late stage of the Qi Condensation Realm."

"For most, you will experience suffocating pressure, compressed bodies, and slower spiritual energy circulation."

The clansmen exchanged glances with one another as they heard Chen Yuan’s explanation. Some of them subconsciously clenched their fists.

They had known that the trial would not be easy, but after hearing the actual difficulty, the revelation made them nervous.

Chen Yuan continued despite the crowd’s restlessness.

"Five meters closer to the platform is the second layer."

Another ring of fire appeared within the first.

"The pressure there is equivalent to the peak of the Qi Condensation Realm."

"Within this layer, your strength will be meaningless. Your talent insufficient. What’s left will be pure will and desperation."

The atmosphere turned solemn.

Then, a third ring appeared around the stone platform within the second one.

"The final layer, or the third layer. The final three meters around the sword platform."

Chen Yuan’s voice became slightly deeper.

"The pressure there is equivalent to a Half-Step Foundation Establishment Cultivator."

And the moment Chen Yuan stopped speaking, a deafening silence spread throughout the cave. Even the participants who had remained confident before became more cautious after hearing that.

Chen Yuan noticed this, but he didn’t mind the reaction.

"The closer you approach the sword, the stronger the pressure will become."

"But remember."

His gaze swept across the crowd.

"The pressure is not the only thing being tested."

"The sword will recognize your will, determination, and talent based on your performance."

The clansmen listened carefully.

"Those who possess greater compatibility may be able to advance farther than someone with a higher cultivation."

This sentence immediately caused several people to look at one another.

A Fourth Layer cultivator could potentially surpass a Fifth Layer cultivator?

The possibility alone caused their hearts to beat faster.

Chen Yuan continued.

"The farther you advance, the greater your chance of obtaining something from the inheritance."

He paused.

"But do not misunderstand."

"Advancing farther does not guarantee that you will receive an inheritance."

The crowd became quiet again.

"Likewise, failing to reach the deepest stage does not necessarily mean that you will leave with nothing."

His eyes settled upon the sword.

"The sword decides."

Nobody dared to speak. The three prodigies stared at the sword once more, their expressions differing from one another.

Chen Yuan looked across the gathered clansmen and slowly spoke.

"If there are no further questions, those who are ready may proceed."

His voice was calm, carrying clearly throughout the enormous cave. But despite the reassurance within his tone, the crowd barely felt reassured by it.

The clansmen looked at one another, each waiting for someone else to take the first step.

They had already known that the inheritance would not be easy. However, hearing Chen Yuan personally describe the pressure within each layer was one thing, and actually stepping into it was another.

The crimson ring marking the first layer remained quietly suspended around the stone platform.

Beyond it, the sword continued to stand embedded within the ancient stone, its presence seemingly becoming heavier the longer they looked at it.

Weighted against the heart and eyes, the heaviness of uncertainty settled over them.

Several people swallowed nervously. Some lowered their gazes, while others clenched their fists, clearly struggling between curiosity and caution.

Even those who had confidently volunteered earlier were now hesitating.

Chen Yuan did not urge them. He simply waited.

Time wasn’t something he lacked after entering the Foundation Establishment Realm.

A five-hundred-year lifespan wasn’t something to be taken lightly.

After several breaths, a young man finally stepped out from the crowd.

He appeared to be around twenty years old. His cultivation was at the Fourth Layer of Qi Condensation, making him one of the weaker participants who had qualified for the trial.

His face was slightly pale as he stepped out to the front. After taking a deep breath, he forced himself to calm down.

"I’ll go first, Ancestor."

His voice was not particularly loud, but in the silence of the cave, everyone heard it clearly.

Several clansmen immediately turned their attention toward him. The young man looked toward Chen Yuan and cupped his fists.

"Ancestor, this junior will try."

Chen Yuan nodded.

"Go."

The young man turned around after receiving Chen Yuan’s confirmation.

He stared at the crimson ring marking the first layer.

It was only ten meters away.

From where he stood, the distance did not appear particularly far.

However, after hearing Chen Yuan’s explanation, those ten meters suddenly seemed like an enormous distance.

He took another deep breath and slowly approached the edge of the first ring of fire.

He paused and took a deeper breath into his lungs.

Once ready, he stepped forward.

His right foot crossed the boundary.

The instant his foot entered the first layer, his expression changed almost immediately.

Boom!

"Ugh!"

His body suddenly sank.

A terrifying invisible pressure descended upon him without warning, pressing against his entire body from every direction.

His knees nearly buckled.

He instinctively reached out with one hand, barely managing to steady himself before falling.

His face instantly flushed red.

The spiritual energy within his body seemed to become sluggish under the pressure. Even breathing suddenly required considerably more effort.

"Already this much..."

Someone among the crowd quietly muttered.

The young man gritted his teeth.

He refused to retreat.

He slowly straightened his back and took another step as his second foot entered the first layer.

Almost immediately, the pressure intensified.

Boom!

His shoulders trembled violently. Sweat began forming across his forehead almost instantly, sliding down the side of his face.

Yet he remained standing and refused to step out.

"He’s actually holding on?"

"Is this trial even doable?"

"I don’t know. But... I want to try my best."

Several clansmen watched with encouragement in their eyes.

The young man clenched his fists tightly and took another breath.

Then he raised his foot for the third step.

The moment his foot landed—

Boom!

His entire body suddenly shook violently as the pressure multiplied several times in the span of a split second. The coercion descended like a heavy boulder, slamming against his body as his knees buckled rapidly.

"Ah!"

His expression changed.

The invisible pressure seemed to multiply all at once, crushing down upon his body until his legs could no longer support his weight.

His knees gave out.

His upper body lurched forward.

He tried desperately to stabilize himself, but his arms trembled uncontrollably as his body continued sinking toward the ground.

"I... can’t..."

His teeth were clenched tightly.

He had only taken three steps.

Three steps into the first layer!

Yet the pressure had already reached the limit of what his body could endure.

Before his body could completely collapse onto the cave floor, Chen Yuan casually raised one hand as a faint spiritual fluctuation swept through the area.

The young man’s figure immediately vanished.

The next instant, he reappeared outside the crimson boundary.

He stumbled backward several steps before finally managing to regain his balance.

His chest rose and fell heavily, his entire body drenched in sweat, and his face remained flushed from the pressure he had just endured.

Several nearby clansmen immediately looked toward him.

"Are you alright?"

The young man slowly straightened himself and glanced back toward the sword in the distance. There was a trace of unwillingness in his eyes.

He had barely taken three steps.

He had not even properly entered the inheritance trial before being forced out.

Still, there was no shame on his face.

Instead, after realizing that Chen Yuan had personally intervened before he was injured, he quickly turned around and bowed deeply.

"Thank you, Ancestor, for saving me."

Chen Yuan nodded calmly in return.

"There is no need to thank me."

"You recognized your limit. That is already enough."

The young man lowered his head respectfully.

"Yes, Ancestor."

He stepped back into the crowd.

The surrounding clansmen became noticeably quieter as the realization settled over the crowd. The entire process had taken less than a minute.

Yet those three short steps had allowed everyone to understand just how difficult the trial truly was.

The first layer was already enough to force a Fourth Layer Qi Condensation cultivator out after only three steps.

And that was merely the outermost layer.

The sword itself was still more than ten meters away!

"Is this... even possible?"