With Bibi Dong's white fox by his side, Mu Chen could no longer continue leading Xiao Yu and the others in circles within the mist. Without the opportunity to circle around, he couldn't seize the chance to enjoy the thrill of touching Ruo Lin's skin in the presence of Xiao Yu, Xue Ni, and Bibi Dong, savoring that unique sense of excitement.
Along the way, Mu Chen and his group encountered attacks from the Gold-Devouring Rats, a race that claimed to be increasing the difficulty but was actually taking the opportunity to exact revenge on humans.
The Gold-Devouring Rats possessed unique abilities, allowing them to navigate the fog-covered area with ease. This made them a constant nuisance to humans. Whenever they encountered the rats, Mu Chen didn't intervene. Instead, Bibi Dong, Ruo Lin, Xiao Yu, and Xue Ni took action. Every Gold-Devouring Rat they encountered met its end.
Faced with this situation, the Gold-Devouring Rat clan eventually sent out a Dou Zong-level expert to avenge their fallen comrades.
Mu Chen showed no mercy to this Dou Zong-level expert and swiftly killed him. It wasn't until a Gold-Devouring Rat, comparable in strength to a Dou Zong expert, was killed that the clan gave up their attacks on Mu Chen, Bibi Dong, Ruo Lin, Xiao Yu, and Xue Ni. Faced with the unfathomable strength of Mu Chen, they had no choice but to swallow their pride.
Of course, due to Bibi Dong's white fox, Mu Chen and his group still faced attacks from other humans. Bibi Dong showed no mercy to these humans, killing them all one by one.
Bibi Dong's cold and decisive methods of killing left Xiao Yu, Ruo Lin, and Xue Ni, who were also women, in awe of her.
As the group of one man and four women continued forward, a gentle breeze blew towards them, causing the thick fog around them to churn violently. The surrounding scenery slowly came into view.
Before them stood an extremely majestic mountain. On the steep mountain paths halfway up the mountain, golden giant rats occasionally darted past.
"Let's go. The Tianshan Platform is halfway up the mountain. There, the Gold-Devouring Rat clan has set up some challenges. Only those who successfully pass these challenges can reach the Blood Pool at the summit of Tianshan," Mu Chen said as he began to head towards the Tianshan Platform. Bibi Dong, Ruo Lin, Xue Ni, and Xiao Yu followed closely behind.
When Mu Chen and his group arrived at the Tianshan Platform, they found about twenty people already gathered there. They stood alone or in groups of three, clearly from different factions.
As time passed, more and more people arrived at the Tianshan Platform.
"Xiao Die, where have you been these past few years?"
Mu Chen took this opportunity to catch up with Bibi Dong. Since Bibi Dong now went by the name Xiao Die, Mu Chen tactfully addressed her as such.
As for Xiao Yu, Ruo Lin, and Xue Ni, if they asked about Bibi Dong, Mu Chen would simply say she was a friend. After all, Bibi Dong wanted to leave her past behind, and if Mu Chen were to bring up her former life, it would only anger her.
From Bibi Dong's own account, Mu Chen learned that after their last meeting in the Tagor Desert, she had traveled through various places and eventually arrived at the Central Continent. Along the way, she enjoyed the scenery and killed many men who coveted her beauty.
Thud.
While Mu Chen and Bibi Dong were chatting, a bell chime slowly resonated across the platform. A short, elderly figure walked over, scanning the humans on the platform and speaking in a weak voice, "I am Jin Shi, the patriarch of the Devouring Gold Rat Clan. Since you've made it here, you must be no ordinary individuals. You should all be aware of the rules of Tianmu Mountain. Only by passing the trials we've set can you secure one of the eight spots. You must endure the Rat Tide Soundwave to reach the summit and pass the test. Alright, time's up. Begin the trial."
As Jin Shi finished speaking, he raised his finger, and from the platform, a dense swarm of Devouring Gold Rats appeared along the stone steps leading to the summit.
"Mu Chen, what is the Rat Tide Soundwave?" Xiao Yu asked.
"The Rat Tide Soundwave is a collective soundwave attack launched by the Devouring Gold Rat Clan. Once it enters your mind, it can cause hallucinations or even dizziness. You can think of it as a dual attack combining soundwaves and mental assault," Mu Chen explained.
"Then how do we resist it?" Instructor Ruo Lin inquired.
"Simple. Against the soundwave attack of the Devouring Gold Rat Clan, you can rely on robust Dou Qi to protect your head and endure it. Alternatively, you can use soundwave-based Battle Skills to counter it directly," Mu Chen continued.
"A dual attack combining soundwaves and mental assault?" Bibi Dong murmured to herself, her eyes flashing with an unknown thought.
As Jin Shi's voice faded, two reckless individuals impulsively charged forward. However, they only managed to advance ten meters before being struck by the attack, falling heavily onto the stone steps and spitting out mouthfuls of blood.
Next, Feng Qing'er made her move. Relying on her incredible speed, she outpaced the soundwaves and safely reached the summit.
Following Feng Qing'er's success, others began to step forward. However, very few succeeded. After six consecutive failures, the rest hesitated, too afraid to continue.
"Let's go," Mu Chen said, stepping forward. "Who's going first?"
"I will," Ruo Lin replied, walking to the entrance of the stone steps.
Boom!
As soon as the sound faded, Ruo Lin's body trembled, and she instantly transformed into a streak of blue light, shooting toward the summit at a terrifying speed.
"Wait, how did Instructor Ruo Lin's speed become so fast?" Xiao Yu exclaimed in astonishment, staring at her mentor.
Squeak! Squeak! Squeak!
The sharp soundwaves converged into visible ripples, chasing after Ruo Lin. Yet, by the time she reached the summit, the soundwaves had still not touched her.
Feng Qing'er, who had already reached the summit, turned her head in surprise to look at Ruo Lin. Feng Qing'er hadn't expected Ruo Lin's speed to be so astonishing. What Feng Qing'er didn't know was that Ruo Lin's speed was due to the seal within her body being broken, causing her physical attributes to skyrocket. Similarly, Ruo Lin didn't know that Feng Qing'er's speed was because she wasn't human but the dominant Magical Beast, the Heavenly Demon Phoenix.
"Who's next?" Mu Chen asked with a smile.
"Let me do it," Bibi Dong stepped forward, approaching the entrance of the stone steps. With a light tap of her toes and a gentle flutter of her back, eighteen multicolored wings extended from her back.
"So beautiful!"
A Battle Practitioner present couldn't help but murmur in admiration. Even the clan leader of the Gold-Devouring Rat Tribe, Jin Shi, who had lived for most of his life and seen countless beauties, couldn't help but linger his gaze on Bibi Dong for five seconds.