Previously on Rebuilding the Immortal Cultivator Clan...
After arresting suspected spies, Li Zhirui dealt with the internal threat and continued to lay the groundwork for a counterattack. He manipulated the factions into conflict, successfully delaying their assault on Qinghua Sect. As the enemy forces relaxed their guard and marched toward the mountain gate, Li Zhirui unleashed a devastating ambush, decimating their army.
Those cultivators who managed to survive, in addition to possessing formidable personal abilities, were fortunate enough to escape by sheer luck. Regardless of the circumstances, the successive, devastating attacks left them utterly stunned, unable to recover for a considerable time. Li Zhirui made no move to annihilate them completely, as he deemed it unnecessary. This world was merely a construct of historical fragments, a trial, and given the current outcome, he presumed he had already succeeded. "My score likely won't be too low, will it?" The Qinghua Sect experienced no losses; they navigated this crisis completely unscathed, a truly impeccable situation. In the following instant, a radiant Spirit Light descended from the heavens, enveloping Li Zhirui entirely before swiftly whisking him away. The cultivators who remained seemed oblivious to this event, continuing their actions as if nothing had transpired.
...
With a spatial transition, Li Zhirui found himself back in the ruins. "Congratulations on completing this phase of the trial with an outstanding 'A' grade!" A congratulatory voice echoed in his ears just as he regained his footing. A spectral remnant soul, emanating a ghostly blue Spirit Light, materialized before him. A closer inspection revealed a complex mix of surprise and regret within its ethereal form. The surprise stemmed from Li Zhirui's high marks, which would undoubtedly bolster his chances in the final trial, granting him a significant edge. The regret arose from its prior transgression against him; should he truly inherit the legacy, its future existence would likely be fraught with difficulty. "Was it you who ensnared me in this causality?" Upon recognizing the entity responsible for his troubles, Li Zhirui's visage darkened instantly. The remnant soul's expression faltered for a moment before it rapidly responded, "Your exceptional performance this time will be of immense assistance in the upcoming final trial."
"I surmise you are not particularly well-acquainted with the Tongtian Sect? This was a cultivation power from over a hundred millennia past. Not only has the relentless march of history obscured much of its information, but other factions also prefer that related details remain undisclosed." "Oh?" Li Zhirui’s attention was indeed captured, a spark of interest igniting in his eyes at the revelation. "I cannot disclose everything directly; you must uncover it through your own investigations. However, one certainty remains: the Tongtian Sect was far more than a mere Golden Immortal Realm entity!" As it uttered this final assertion, the remnant soul's demeanor shifted, becoming grave and dignified. "Accepting this legacy entails considerable causality and profound responsibilities, yet concurrently, it offers immense rewards—benefits that even Golden Immortal Cultivators find irresistible!" Li Zhirui perceived the unshakeable confidence and pride resonating from its tone, believing its words to be true. Synthesizing this with his prior deductions, he grew more assured that the power that fell from grace was far from the simple stature of a Golden Immortal entity. "Tongtian Sect..." he murmured, head bowed, as if speaking to himself, "What a monumental reputation."
"You now stand at the precipice of the final stage. Do you intend to proceed immediately? Upon successful completion, you will have the option to accept the legacy." It was only then that Li Zhirui comprehended that by conquering the fourth stage, he had already penetrated the heart of the ruins, mere steps away from claiming the legacy! "May I pose a few inquiries?" The remnant soul contemplated for a moment before responding with evident effort, "Provided they do not pertain to the legacy itself or the trials, I shall endeavor to provide answers." "Is there any other Mystic Immortal Cultivator within these ruins besides myself?" The knowledge of this place as a potential legacy site had likely spread among major powers, potentially prompting them to dispatch formidable Mystic Immortals to secure the inheritance. "Not at this present moment." "How many cultivators currently inhabit the ruins? Aside from myself, who has progressed through that stage the quickest?" "Over three thousand individuals, with only a handful presently navigating the fourth stage." Li Zhirui let out a breath of relief; it appeared no one was positioned to rival him for the legacy at this juncture. "In that case," he declared, "let us wait a short while longer, allowing me a brief period to recover." The remnant soul experienced a dual sensation of unease and satisfaction from his words. It harbored concerns about its own fate should he successfully claim the legacy, yet it found solace in his deliberate approach, which showcased not only meticulous and calm reasoning but also marked him as an exceptional candidate for inheritance. However, it refrained from excessive contemplation—after all, the true difficulty of the final trial remained unknown. Perhaps he might not prevail, rendering contemplation of distant outcomes unnecessary. Li Zhirui spent an hour recuperating, fully restoring his spirit before signaling his readiness to continue the trial. "Let us commence."
"Fulfill your destiny in passing through the gate and obtaining the legacy!"
In the next instant, he stepped beyond the gate, entering the ultimate trial.
The surroundings before him warped swiftly, and once the scene solidified, Li Zhirui found himself in an astounding, ethereal realm brimming with Immortal Qi.
No majestic palaces or ornately constructed edifices were present, merely a few unassuming meditation mats laid out before him.
"What is this place?"
Without any directives or clues, it seemed entirely up to him to figure things out.
"Am I meant to select one of these seven meditation mats to settle upon?"
Li Zhirui pondered internally, receiving no answer; he simply followed his intuition, choosing the most aesthetically pleasing mat among the seven to sit down.
The subsequent moment, the immediate vicinity reformed, and distinct figures materialized upon each meditation mat.
The figure seated upon the foremost mat was clad in azure robes and, despite the absence of any weapon, exuded an incredibly piercing aura.
The remaining five mats each bore a robust and sizable figure, their faces indiscernible but seemingly emanated laughter.
Three female cultivators adorned in courtly attire, each possessing a unique disposition: one as sharp and potent as the figure above; another as mutable as Chaos, elusive and hard to grasp; and the last, deep, serene, and unyielding.
The final mat held three differently hued Spiritual Clouds, accompanied by a gentle breeze.
Even Li Zhirui’s selected meditation mat underwent a radical transformation. Though it appeared suited only for a solitary individual in meditation, upon regaining his senses, he perceived that the space had expanded limitlessly.
Numerous diverse figures materialized around him, totaling over ten thousand by a rough estimate; some had human torsos with beast heads, others beast heads with human bodies, and a few, like himself, had assumed the form of the Acquired Dao Body.
These figures engaged in pleasantries and conversation; the atmosphere seemed exceptionally amicable.
Though their dialogue remained inaudible to him.
’Could this depict a scene where a Tongtian Sect Ancestor is imparting the Dao?’
Li Zhirui experienced a sudden flash of insight, instantly arriving at this hypothesis.
Clang—
But before he could grasp any profound meaning, a clear and resonant bell tone sounded, instantly bringing silence to the tableau; all figures assumed a cross-legged posture.
Lacking comprehension of the circumstances, it was prudent to emulate the others to minimize any potential missteps, so he too sat in meditation.
"The spirit resides above, Guan Yuan below... the purple essence returns, and the yellow concoction enters the Dantian..."
Unforeseenly, the Great Dao's profound truths resonated from the figure in the uppermost blue robes.
For Li Zhirui, this evolved into the most mysterious and enlightening lecture he had ever experienced. Despite a momentary lapse in concentration, he quickly became deeply engrossed.
The concept of trials faded from his mind as he fully embraced this invaluable opportunity!
His previously incomplete grasp of the Purification Principle now felt crystal clear, facilitating a swift ascent in his cultivation Realm.
Li Zhirui could not ascertain the passage of time. As the blue-robed figure concluded the discourse, he was abruptly pulled from the state of immersive enlightenment, experiencing a surge of profound longing and regret.
