From afar, many butterfly-type spirit beasts could be seen freely soaring within the valley.
Ning Tianchen, positioned at the rear of the group, glanced back to see that the hundred-thousand-year Tyrant Evil Eye had stopped its pursuit and no longer seemed intent on chasing them.
After assigning Chen Huayu to keep an eye on their rear, Ning Tianchen approached Lone Wolf and asked, "Check the map. Where are we right now?"
Lone Wolf didn't rush to look but instead asked, "Isn't your destination just a canyon? Doesn't this environment match your expectations?"
Ning Tianchen gazed toward the valley.
Inside the valley, he only saw various butterfly spirit beasts, with no trace of any other spirit beasts.
Based on the current situation, this place was likely their intended destination.
However, nothing should be determined solely by conjecture—it required further verification.
Seeing that Ning Tianchen hadn't responded, Yu Die, barely containing her excitement, urged Lone Wolf to quickly check the map.
Lone Wolf climbed to a nearby vantage point to examine whether the landmarks marked on the map still existed.
"Maps need real-time updates. The map you provided is old, so I'm not sure if the landmarks are still there. Moreover, this is my first time here, so don't expect too much."
He said this in advance to avoid crushing everyone's hopes later or causing them to lose confidence entirely.
From his elevated position, Lone Wolf could clearly observe everything around him.
He had also noticed the departure of the hundred-thousand-year Tyrant Evil Eye.
There were no signs of destruction from spirit beasts around the valley. After investigating, he confirmed that the landmarks marked by Zhang Chenghuan on the map still existed.
However, landmarks farther away were nowhere to be found, likely destroyed due to conflicts between spirit beasts.
He relayed the situation to the group.
Yu Die was incredibly excited and immediately prepared to enter the valley to investigate further.
Ning Tianchen stopped her, reminding her, "When Zhang Chenghuan entered the valley, he was paralyzed by the spirit beasts' numbing phosphorus powder. If we recklessly enter, we might encounter the same situation."
After some thought, he decided to lead the group down to the valley floor first. If the spirit beasts didn't welcome them, they could retreat immediately and reconsider their options.
Ning Rongrong added, "The spirit beasts here likely don't want conflict in the valley. Regardless of what happens next, I hope everyone stays calm and doesn't act rashly."
With this understanding, the group proceeded toward the valley floor.
Having found their destination, Lone Wolf's mission was technically complete. However, he didn't leave immediately but followed the group down into the valley.
…
Within the valley, flowers and grasses flourished in vibrant colors. Butterflies danced gracefully among the flowers, sometimes flying high, sometimes low, like elegant dancers showcasing their beauty.
In the perilous Evil Demon Forest, this was a rare haven of peace.
There was no fighting, no killing—only tranquil harmony.
As Ning Tianchen and the group ventured deeper, the butterflies noticed their arrival. Some bold ones even fluttered around them.
Before long, a high-level butterfly spirit beast circled above their heads.
"Is it welcoming us, or trying to drive us away?" Chen Huayu muttered.
Since they couldn't communicate with spirit beasts, they were unsure of its intentions.
However, based on the current situation, this butterfly spirit beast at least didn't appear hostile.
"Keep moving forward," Ning Tianchen said gravely.
If the creature showed clear signs of hostility, they would retreat immediately.
After walking another few hundred meters, more and more butterfly spirit beasts appeared around them. The air was filled with the sweet scent of pollen.
Through his senses, Ning Tianchen knew the pollen contained no toxins—it was ordinary flower pollen.
Suddenly, Lone Wolf yawned, his cheeks flushed, and he appeared slightly tipsy. "This place feels so comfortable. There's probably no danger. I'm a bit sleepy—I'll take a nap. Wake me when you're ready to leave."
With that, he walked over to a patch of flowers and lay down, falling asleep.
Yu Die sniffed the air and said gravely, "He smells like butterfly phosphorus powder. He must have been affected."
Chen Huayu and Oscar anxiously asked, "Do we have any phosphorus powder on us?"
"No," replied Cai Die, who hadn't detected the smell of phosphorus powder on anyone.
Ning Tianchen glanced at the high-level butterfly spirit beast circling above them. "It seems it only wanted to drive Lone Wolf away, not us."
Still, this was their first time here. The Butterfly Valley was filled with flowers and butterflies, with no signs of human activity anywhere.
At the same time, a divine trial completion announcement echoed in everyone's minds.
"The sixth trial of the Asura has been completed. Reward: 20% increase in Asura affinity, one divine-bestowed soul ring, and a 20,000-year increase in soul ring years."
"Total affinity: 80%."
The total soul ring years had reached 100,000, and all of Ning Tianchen's soul rings had transformed into crimson hundred-thousand-year soul rings.
Oscar and Chen Huayu received red-grade six trials. Upon completing their trials, their divine examinations were officially over.
However, the moment the trial ended, a majestic voice echoed in Oscar's mind.
The voice identified itself as the "God of Food" and, recognizing Oscar's talent and strength, decided to pass on its divine position to him.
Immediately, the mark of the God of Food's trial appeared on Oscar's forehead.
"Everyone… I think I've received the divine nine-tier trial!" Oscar's voice trembled with excitement.
After some explanation, Ning Tianchen smiled and said, "Your luck is good, but from now on, you'll have to start the trials again from the first stage."
In the original timeline, Oscar had also received the God of Food trial.
However, Ning Rongrong now had the trial of the God of Light, so the inheritance of the Nine-Colored Goddess could only go to someone else.
Moreover, Oscar and Ning Rongrong were now just ordinary friends. Even if Ning Rongrong hadn't received the God of Light trial, there was no reason for the Nine-Colored Goddess's trial to go to her.
The God of Food's trial wouldn't carry over the progress of the red-grade six trials, so Oscar truly had to start over.
Chen Huayu said enviously, "Xiao Ao at least has a trial. Right now, I'm just a 'free agent.'"
Ning Tianchen retorted, "You, along with Zhu Zhuqing, Yu Die, and Cai Die—you all have the chance to receive divine trials. It's just a matter of time. Have faith in yourselves."
No sooner had he finished speaking than the details of another trial appeared in everyone's minds.
"The seventh trial of the Asura: Break through to Level 90 Soul Power. For the ninth soul ring of the first martial soul, you must personally hunt and absorb a hundred-thousand-year soul ring. Time limit: two years. Upon completion, reward: 20% increase in Asura affinity and a 20,000-year increase in soul ring years."
Upon learning the content of the divine trial, Ning Tianchen understood that the ninth soul ring of the Seven Kill Sword couldn't absorb a divine-bestowed soul ring—it had to come from a spirit beast.
Currently, his soul power level is at 86. Without obtaining soul rings for his second martial soul, his soul power growth would be extremely slow, and he might not reach Level 90 within two years.
As for hundred-thousand-year spirit beasts, they weren't too difficult to find relatively speaking.
"My seventh trial is to return to the Endless Abyss and retrieve the divine artifact, the Sword of Light. What about yours?" Ning Rongrong asked.
Her seventh trial could only be completed alone, so she guessed that others' trials might differ.
Feng Xiaotian's seventh trial was to rely on his own strength to enter the deepest part of the Hurricane Canyon and retrieve a divine artifact from the mysterious wind realm within.
…
The seventh trials of the group could only begin upon returning to the Douluo Continent.
For now, the pressing matter was to figure out why the divine trials had guided them here.
And what made this place special?
As they pondered, Zhu Zhuqing pointed to a large rock not far ahead of them. "I remember when we first arrived, that rock wasn't this close to us."
"We were discussing the divine trials earlier and didn't move forward, so how did that rock get closer to us?"
Her observation was remarkably keen. Ning Tianchen and the others had been so focused on the divine trials that they had neglected to pay attention to their surroundings.
After her reminder, Ning Tianchen furrowed his brow. "It moved at least ten meters closer."
"Could it be an earthquake?" Oscar suggested.
Before they could think further, the rock stood up right in front of everyone.
No, it would be more accurate to say that it wasn't a rock but some kind of creature that closely resembled one.
After standing up, this creature's height reached a terrifying 100-plus meters. The part that had been visible above ground earlier was just its head; beneath the surface lay its massive body.
Every step its enormous frame took caused the ground to tremble.
The butterflies in the valley showed no fear toward this giant. Even the butterflies without cultivation years would land on it willingly, showing their closeness.
Ning Tianchen and the others tilted their heads back to a full ninety degrees, yet still struggled to take in the entirety of this creature's appearance.
"A stone golem this big—how many years of cultivation must it have?!" Yu Die exclaimed in awe.
"At least a hundred thousand years," Ning Tianchen responded.
Facing this giant, the group felt no fear. Instead, they curiously examined it.
The stone golem took a few steps back, crouched down slightly, and looked at the group.
"Oh ho, more visitors have arrived."
Its ability to speak human language confirmed beyond doubt that this creature was over a hundred thousand years old.
Ning Tianchen paused to think.
In Zhang Chenghuan's account, there had been no mention of a stone golem. It seemed this giant hadn't paid attention to Zhang Chenghuan.
The "people" it referred to must have been someone else.
Ning Tianchen glanced at Yu Die. Perhaps the person who had come here before them was none other than the mother of the two sisters.
Realizing his implication, Yu Die quickly asked, "Senior, have you seen our mother?"
The giant fell silent for a moment before replying, "Hmhm, after all these years, your family has finally returned."
What?
The group exchanged glances. Could there be another hidden story behind this?
"Some of you carry the aura of other gods. Never mind—follow me. As for the sleeping one, the others will escort him out of here. You don't need to worry about his safety."
The group's questions grew, but they decided to follow behind the giant anyway.
Wherever they were going next might provide the answers they sought.
…
This valley was vast. After following the giant for several minutes, the group stopped in front of an enormous stone archway.
The archway was tall enough for the giant to pass through, and beyond it stood a towering palace. In front of the palace was a stone stele.
"A shrine!" Feng Xiaotian raised an eyebrow.
The architectural style here differed greatly from what he had seen in the Wind God's Small World, but the layout was identical—it was no wonder he made the connection.
The giant stopped at the archway, pointing to the two sisters. "You two go inside. The rest of you wait here."
Yu Die didn't rush in but instead pressed further, "Has our mother been here? If she has, where is she now?"
The giant crouched down and looked at them. "Among the group that came here long ago, there was indeed a woman. From the perspective of bloodline inheritance, she was indeed your mother."
"You've encountered other gods, so you should understand the difficulty of the trials."
Back then, their mother had entered through this stone archway and received her trial.
Afterward, to complete the trial, she left this place. Where she went specifically, no one knew. But after such a long time without results, the outcome was self-evident.
They were well aware of the consequences of failing or being unable to complete a divine trial.
For a moment, the two sisters broke into sobs, struggling to accept the truth.
Ning Tianchen pressed further, asking about the others who had accompanied their mother. He also retrieved a portrait of Chen Haobai's father from his soul-guidance device.
According to the giant, the man in the portrait had accompanied the sisters' mother here. They had left together afterward, but where they went specifically was unknown.
"You must pull yourselves together," Feng Xiaotian consoled the sisters. "The difficulty of the trials is something we've all witnessed. Look at us—we've all made it this far."
"What happened to your mother is only speculation. Perhaps she didn't fail the trial."
"If you want to know what happened to your mother, you should go and undergo the trial yourself."
The stone golem added, "You are descendants of the Butterfly God. Go—the Butterfly God will protect you."
"The Butterfly God!"
The sisters' eyes hardened with resolve.
At first, they had only heard the name of the Butterfly God and weren't sure if it truly existed.
Later, after witnessing the existence of gods, they no longer believed the Butterfly God was merely a legend.
Now, the Butterfly God was right before their eyes.
"You are descendants of the Butterfly God, so the difficulty of the trial will be much lower. Go—go and claim your divine trial," Ning Tianchen said, patting the two sisters on their shoulders.
After all, the Qian Family of the Spirit Hall were descendants of the Angel God.
For tens of thousands of years, there had been no record of any member of the Qian Family dying during their trials.
Of course, that didn't mean it was impossible—but it did mean that gods tended to show favoritism toward their descendants, ensuring the trial wouldn't be absurdly difficult.
As for the sisters' mother, in Ning Tianchen's view, there was a high probability she was still alive somewhere.
"Thank you, everyone. I think we understand what we need to do."
After finishing their words, the two sisters walked toward the palace beyond the stone archway.
At this point, the giant spoke up again. "You can cultivate here, but don't wander around. Their inheritance process will take time."
With that, his massive form sank back underground, leaving only a small portion of his head visible.
Ning Tianchen found an open space to sit and called out, "Everyone, let's cultivate here. The ambient energy here is extremely dense—it will accelerate our cultivation."
------------------------------------------------------
40+ Chapters Ahead: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow
There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)