Chapter 64: The Three-Layered Dahua Palace

  As soon as he stepped onto the Transmission Array, Xiao Chen suddenly felt a strong surge of cloud and mist energy erupting from beneath his feet, which couldn't be dispersed, making him feel lost all at once.

  When the clouds and mist dispersed, the scene that appeared in front of Xiao Chen was greatly changed. It was no longer the secret room of San Cai Pavilion, but a huge martial arts training ground.

  This martial arts arena is dozens of times larger than the one in Feiyun Courtyard. Above the arena, there are various gigantic stone locks, which Xiao Chen estimates to be at least 1,000 catties each.

  There were also several giant ancient trees with trunks as thick as three or four people embracing them, and between the two ancient trees, there were four roots of dragon tendons as thick as a person's arm. A disciple was training on top of them, and the four sturdy dragon tendons had tremendous pulling force, tied to the disciple's limbs, who was struggling to move forward, causing the dragon tendons to creak with a "creaking" sound.

  There were also thick steel plates, weighing at least over a thousand catties, with disciples throwing them up and down. They weren't using their palms to move them, but rather punching them with their fists, striking the thick steel plates and sending them flying into the air, only to fall back down and be punched again.

  Some of the disciples had gravity symbols on their legs, and while running, they chased and hit each other. From time to time, some weaker disciples were beaten until they spat blood from their mouths and noses, but as long as they didn't faint, they would get up and continue.

  The sky is vast, with the scorching sun shining down. On the ground, young men are sweating and bleeding under the intense sunlight, enduring the cruel training.

  "The training in this Da Luo Palace is so different from the rumors outside, isn't it supposed to be a place of eerie winds and ghostly paths?" Xiao Chen felt that the rumors outside were really exaggerated, as the scene before him was clearly one of majestic grandeur and radiant sunshine.

  "Old Man Qi!"

  But at this moment, someone shouted. Upon hearing the sound, Xiao Chen and Qi Chang Lao both looked towards the source of the voice, and it turned out to be Xi Men Wu Di and others.

  Just now, Ximen Wudi and others were sitting under the shade of that towering tree, waiting for Qi Changlao's arrival. At this moment, Qi Changlao led Xiao Chen over, and Ximen Wudi and others also appeared.

  Qī Chánglǎo, apart from excavating Xiao Chen, also unearthed a batch of good seedlings from the Qingyun Upper Court. As Xīmén Wúdí and others approached, Xiao Chen suddenly discovered that among them was an old acquaintance, none other than Gù Xiǎowèi.

  On that day, the outer gate test showed that Gu Xiayu's talent was still above Ximen Wudi, with a hundred flower battle body, stirring up the heaven and earth yuanqi, condensing the fragrance of a hundred flowers, tender purple and crimson.

  Especially Gusu Xiaoyi's high and mighty, arrogant and unparalleled personality, Xiao Chen is even more memorable.

  Qin Yue'er was also among them, the Yinghao List Competition. Qin Yue'er awakened Qingying Blood Moon War Body and was favored by Qi Changlao, so she was naturally in the training team as well.

  Ximen Wu Di and four others arrived in front of Qi Chang Lao, waiting for his training.

  These people selected by Qi Changlao were different from those free training disciples, their training was personally taught by Qi Changlao, and they would wait for half a month before participating in the inner door assessment.

  Moreover, Xiao Chen and these people are also the most outstanding figures among the outer door martial artists, and they are the ones who have the highest possibility of advancing to Fei Long Institute.

  "En." Waiting for Ximen Wu Di and the other four to approach, Qi Chang Lao responded with a sound before saying: "Although you have half a month's time before participating in the inner door assessment, but half a month's time is not considered long for you, so I have already arranged a cultivation plan for you."

  "You six are all specially selected by me, don't let me down. Now I'll take you to the second floor of Daluo Palace."

  "Qī Chánglǎo, aren't you cultivating here?" Qín Yuè'é asked.

  "It's too easy for you here, and it won't achieve the desired training effect." Qi Changlao said: "The Daluo Palace is divided into three layers, corresponding to the three major levels of martial arts disciples in the Yunchuan Sword Sect. This is just the first layer, which is where the Qingyun Upper Academy's martial arts disciples come to train."

  "You are the disciples who will be assessed by Feilong Institute, so you naturally need to go to the second floor for cultivation. The third floor is where core disciples cultivate, and you can't set foot there yet."

  "What about that elite disciple?" asked Xiao Chen.

  "Elite disciples are the highest achievement of ordinary disciples, and there are no martial body disciples among them. After breaking through the Tongxuan boundary, they will become elders or instructors. Only martial body disciples have the qualifications to become core disciples, and martial body disciples who enter the Tongxuan boundary will become core disciples." Elder Qi explained.

  Upon hearing this, Xiao Chen finally understood that the highest achievement for an ordinary disciple was to become an elite disciple. No wonder Ling Shuiyan said that if Yao Yi wasn't his uncle's protégé, he wouldn't have been able to enter the core disciples' ranks.

  The Izumo Sword Sect has a total of 72 core disciples, each one is extremely precious and will be the backbone of the sect's future. They are absolutely the elite among elites, not allowing any room for error.

  Yao Yi was able to enter the ranks of core disciples as a non-war body disciple, which shows that his uncle is simply omnipotent.

  "Come with me now." Qi Changlao, seeing that no one else had any questions, led Xiao Chen and the others to the transmission array on the first floor of Daluo Palace that went to the second floor.

  Splash!

  The thick cloud and misty air burst out again, and then Xiao Chen and the others were transmitted to the second layer of the Daluo Palace.

  The second floor of the Da Luo Palace is completely different from the first floor. This is truly a place where dark winds howl and ghosts wail, as rumored outside. The light is dim and gloomy, barely visible within four or five meters in front of you.

  Waaah...

  This is inside the mountain, according to reason there should be no wind, but here it is transmitting a "Wu Wu" sound of the wind howling, as if it were a fierce ghost or a wronged soul crying.

  Crack—Boom—

  After the gust of wind passed, in the dark place where the gaze couldn't reach, there was a continuous burst of thunder, accompanied by azure-colored lightning. Under the intense blue light, one could vaguely see that ahead was a rugged cave wall with protruding teeth-like rocks. On that stone wall were carved many statues with thick eyebrows and angry eyes, wide mouths and sharp teeth, like the gods and ghosts of Witch Mountain.

  Such a scene, coupled with the howling wind, truly gave one a feeling of entering hell.

  Even the proud and unparalleled Gu Xiangyun's face changed slightly at this moment, with a sense of palpitations towards the dark unknown ahead, heaven knows what was hidden in the darkness beyond sight.

  "Go ahead into the labyrinth in front of you. Five days later, I hope you can return safely to the original gathering place, and at that time, I will arrange a new training plan for you. This training is cruel and intense, which can greatly stimulate your soul awakening, and then transform the true energy inside your body into true yuan, thereby entering the spiritual mirror." said Qi Changlao.

  "Xiao Chen, you and Qin Yue'er have yet to enter the Ninth Heaven of Concentrated Spirit. This training can also help you both break through your current realm and enter the Ninth Heaven."

  Qī Zhǎnglǎo finished speaking and then activated the transmission array method to leave this place directly, without any further hints.

  Whether it was Xiao Chen or Xi Men Wu Di, they were all visiting the second floor of Da Luo Palace for the first time. Their understanding of this place was limited to rumors heard from outside.

  And Qi Changlao didn't mention anything about this place, only hinting at the word "Maze", leaving everything else to Xiao Chen and others to explore on their own. Whether they live or die depends on their own abilities.

  "What does everyone think we should do now?" asked a disciple with a resolute face, chiseled like a knife.

  "Shen Wei Shixiong, you joined earlier than us, you decide." The speaker was Ximen Wudi.

  "I think it's better to train together first, everything ahead is unknown, and we can take care of each other. Once we get a clear understanding of the situation, we can separate and continue training." Yu Chenwei entered early, but he was also completely ignorant of everything here, so he could only suggest a relatively safe approach.

  Xiao Chen had no objection to this. In this situation, it was safest to unite together. Once everything became clear, whoever had the ability would reveal it in due time. The first priority was to preserve their lives.

  Always looking down on others, with an attitude of superiority, Gu Xiuyi rarely did not object, it seemed that girls had a natural fear for this eerie and desolate place, even someone like Gu Xiuyi who was fearless by nature, at this moment also appeared hesitant.

  However, Gu Xiangyun was a strong-willed person who would not yield to anyone. Even if she was afraid in her heart, she still followed the crowd with a stiff upper lip, pretending to be fearless. But the jade hand holding the treasure sword was already soaked with sweat.

  "Xiao Chen, my junior brother, let me introduce you to these two senior brothers. In case we encounter any danger later on, it's good that we can call out each other's names and look out for one another." Just as everyone was slowly walking forward, about to merge into the darkness, Ximen Wudi spoke up.

  "This is Yu Chenwei Shixiong, he is the Mahavairocana Golden Light War Body. This is Ye Heng Shixiong, he is the Dark War Body."

  Upon hearing this, Xiao Chen looked at the two of them. He saw that Yu Chenwei, his senior brother, had a dark complexion with the words "honest" written all over his face. The other one, Ye Heng, was somewhat handsome, with sharp facial features and piercing eyes.

  "Xiao Chen has met two senior brothers and a senior sister." Xiao Chen shouted, then began to introduce himself: "Xiao Chen, Seventh Heaven of Concentrated Spirit, Stellar War Body."

  "Xiao Chen, Shidi."

  "Xiao Chen, Shidi..."

  The two seniors were very kind and courteous, and they all greeted Xiao Chen.

  "You two junior sisters have already met, no need for me to introduce you, right?" Ximen Wudi said.

  "Master Gu, Master Qin." Xiao Chen shouted, these two were Gu Xiuyi and Qin Yue'er, Xiao Chen naturally knew them.

  "Hmph!" Upon hearing this, Gu Xiuyi snorted and seemed to be somewhat displeased with Xiao Chen. She muttered under her breath: "To actually associate with such a glutton, it's truly degrading for someone of my status. I really don't know what the higher-ups in the sect were thinking, choosing to let someone like you stay."

  Upon hearing this, Xiao Chen smiled faintly and pretended not to have heard it. As the ancient saying goes, "It's difficult to deal with petty people and women." In this situation, Xiao Chen had some understanding of Gu Xiuyi's character - a spoiled and arrogant little woman who likes to order people around and looks down on others.

  So Xiao Chen simply ignored her, this kind of person can't be reasoned with, the more you talk to her the more energized she becomes.

  Others heard it in their ears, also without helping to harmonize, making Gu XiaoYi self-inflicted a loss of interest, and glared at Xiao Chen with hatred.

  "Xiao Chen, you're absolutely stunning! I'm really impressed." Qin Yue'er's response was the exact opposite of Gu Xiuyi's. As soon as she spoke, the atmosphere in the room suddenly became much more intense.

  Gu Xiao's eyes changed instantly, her gaze turned icy cold, and she shot a chilly glance at Qin Yue'er.

  "Be careful!"

  But at this moment, Ximen Wudi suddenly let out a loud shout. At the same time, Ximen Wudi's sword flashed out of its scabbard and swung fiercely, with true energy pouring into it. The sword blade, over half a meter long, shot out and tore through the darkness, slashing horizontally and then falling down with the momentum.

  Bang!

  A crisp sound burst out, as if Ximen's invincible sword had slashed onto the scaly body of Sheng You, and at the point of intersection, a cluster of sparks burst forth like a bouquet of flowers.

  Just as Ximen Wudi shouted "Not good" at the same time, Xiao Chen and others reacted extremely quickly, with agile movements, operating their swords, the sword's edge spitting out like a poisonous snake spitting out its letter, cutting off all six directions, and attacking in unison.

  However, everyone's law swords all chopped to empty places, hitting the mountains and rocks, shattering stones and piercing the air, and it turned out that not even a ghostly figure was caught.

  "What is this thing, it's so fast that even our sword tips haven't touched it." Yu Chenwei was slightly startled and opened his mouth to say.

  "Ximen Shidi, you've only fought with that thing once, what is it?" Ye Heng asked.

  Upon hearing this, Ximen Wudi shook his head, "I don't know either, but from the power I can sense that guy's strength is enormous, and it seems to have scales on its body. The arm I chopped earlier should be one of its arms."

  Upon hearing Sima's invincible description, everyone's first reaction was: a demon beast!

  Powerful demon beast, directly facing Ximen's invincible sword and escaping unscathed. How many such beasts are there?!

  Everyone's eyebrows furrowed instantly, the sword's edge flashed back and forth, illuminating the surroundings, barely visible, tensely guarding against the monster's next attack.