The second trial had fulfilled its conditions for completion. The massive formation that once covered the vast area gradually faded, revealing a gigantic spatial gate suspended in the void.
Seeing their opportunity, everyone immediately fled without hesitation. Only Ling Yu, Yan Lan, and Yin Tian remained.
In this situation, escaping was no longer difficult for them-but they chose not to leave. Instead, they continued watching the battle between Long Tu and Wu Ming.
Long Tu hurriedly raised his guard. At this distance, he could no longer react to Wu Ming's speed.
He braced himself for the incoming attack-but nothing happened.
When he cautiously lowered his defense to observe, he discovered that no one remained in the surrounding area. At that moment, he realized-they had all left.
He roared in fury at being deceived by such a tactic.
"I will not let you leave alive!"
Instantly, he unleashed his full speed and shot toward the spatial gate.
"Tch! They've all learned my secret. If this is exposed to the outside world, the righteous sects will hunt me down relentlessly. But if I kill them all in the next trial, none of that will matter!"
He burst into manic laughter.
"Hahahahahaha!"
But his joy was short-lived. He soon discovered that the spatial passage had begun to destabilize. The laws governing it were falling into chaos, becoming violently unstable.
"This is bad!!!"
He immediately began burning his lifespan to increase his speed-but it was too late. The spatial gate shut midway while he was still inside the passage.
"No!!! I will not die meaninglessly like this!!!"
His body drifted into the endless void, gradually fading into the boundless darkness.
On the other side of the exit of the second trial's spatial gate-
The group was now sitting cross-legged, healing their injuries. Only Wu Ming remained seated before the gate. He had used the Laws of Space to forcibly close it ahead of time, suffering backlash for violating the natural order.
Wu Ming coughed up mouthfuls of blood continuously until the gate finally sealed completely.
Unable to maintain his balance any longer, he allowed himself to fall. However, instead of feeling the grass of the earth beneath him, he felt something soft and warm.
When he slowly opened his eyes, he discovered that his head was resting on Yan Lan's lap.
He hadn't expected such comfort-it nearly made him lose consciousness again. He quickly sat up.
"Ahem! I must apologize for the impropriety... and thank you, Miss Yan, for protecting me while I was unconscious."
Yan Lan smiled charmingly, radiating an alluring warmth.
"You don't need to thank me. After all, you were the one who saved all of our lives earlier. You are our benefactor. It is we who should be thanking you."
After speaking, she cupped her hands and bowed deeply. Ling Yu also bowed in gratitude. Yin Tian, however, merely offered a simple thank you with an indifferent expression.
Wu Ming did not mind and politely accepted their thanks.
He then noticed that Su Lan and Lun Fu were no longer present.
"Where did those two go? Weren't they the fastest to escape? The first to pass through the spatial gate?"
Yan Lan and Ling Yu shook their heads, unaware.
Yin Tian spoke up.
"Those three fled ahead to the third trial for the Emperor-level inheritance. They were likely afraid it would be taken first-that's why they left before we arrived."
Wu Ming pondered carefully. One part of his plan had gone slightly wrong, but overall he had regained control of the situation. His plan could still continue-even though he had been exposed earlier.
Wu Ming cupped his hands toward the three and said:
"Since we survived together and stand here safely, I would like to know your names. I also apologize for hiding in ambush earlier. But I hope that now, after facing life and death together, we can consider ourselves comrades-in-arms. My name is-"
"Wu Ming."
Everyone introduced themselves naturally.
"My name is Yan Lan, from the Yan Clan. My goal in participating in this competition for equal heirs is to gain recognition from a powerful force or obtain a powerful opportunity that can support me. You may call me Xiao Lan, if you wish."
She spoke with a gentle laugh.
Wu Ming felt slightly awkward but replied politely, "There's no need to address me so formally. We are all about the same age. You may simply call me Wu Ming."
Ling Yu cupped his hands respectfully and introduced himself.
Ling Yu cupped his hands respectfully and introduced himself.
He explained that he originally came from the southernmost region of the Kun Lun world, later moving to Huan Tian City. He had traveled the martial world in search of experience. In countless battles, he had faced defeat time and again-but those defeats had tempered him, strengthening both his heart and his extraordinary swordsmanship.
When it was Yin Tian's turn, he remained his usual calm and indifferent self, standing with arms crossed.
"My name is Yin Tian. I'm from Huan Tian City."
He said nothing more.
Wu Ming did not pry into anyone's background further. He simply responded warmly, expressing his pleasure at making their acquaintance.
Outside the boundaries of the competition, the great mountain-level powers were closely observing the event with intense focus and anticipation.
They noticed that certain groups of cultivators had vanished within the secret realm-among them were even the number-one geniuses from various cities and factions. Many forces speculated that those individuals had likely fallen into traps and perished.
However, how could top-tier geniuses fall so easily?
Some had clearly entered different dimensional layers. Only the truly wise and high-level powers could deduce these movements. If they had not died, then they must have obtained inheritance or treasures within overlapping hidden dimensions of the secret realm-places powerful enough to block all external perception and prevent interference.
An elderly man sat upon an ornate chair decorated like a priceless treasure. His expression was indifferent, his tone calm and steady.
"I believe this speculation is the most reasonable. If they did not obtain inheritance or legacy, then they must have died. There are only two possible outcomes."
A man standing beside him bowed respectfully and spoke.
"Greetings, Elder Jun Yi. It seems those inheritance trials or treasures must be extraordinarily valuable. Even top-tier geniuses are unable to pass them quickly. What level do you believe those inheritances to be?"
Everyone nearby listened attentively, waiting for the answer. But the response left them puzzled.
"The level of the treasure is not important. Whether it is King-level, General-level, or Emperor-level-if they can obtain such inheritance, that alone proves their worth and qualifications. There is no need for us to dwell on the specifics. It does not concern us."
The crowd nodded thoughtfully in understanding.
Suddenly, the projected image of the secret realm shifted-to Gu Fei Yi.
Jun Yi spoke:
"It seems the most outstanding genius of this year is Gu Fei Yi. His talent and techniques are exceptional. Even his control over space is considered excellent among those of the same realm."
A voice interrupted:
"I do not think so."
Everyone turned toward the speaker. It was the overseer of the Sovereign Pavilion, Xuan Yue.
Jun Yi raised a brow.
"Oh? I did not expect the Pavilion Overseer of Sovereign Pavilion to disagree with my assessment."
Xuan Yue appeared relaxed and unconcerned.
"What I say is never without reason. You may be too focused on Gu Fei Yi's visible talent-his rapid accumulation of points and impressive combat skills. In doing so, you've overlooked someone."
Many present were displeased by her confident tone, which seemed to place her insight above their respected elder.
Jun Yi asked curiously:
"Oh? Then who do you believe surpasses Gu Fei Yi? From everything displayed in the projections, I have seen no one more outstanding or impressive."
Xuan Yue replied immediately: "That is because your vision is too narrow-you see only the surface."
The crowd grew even more dissatisfied. A man named Jun Xu nearly moved to act in anger-but he was stopped by Jun Yi.
"What are you trying to do? Violate the rules of peace? Without my permission?"
Under Jun Yi's cold and terrifying gaze, Jun Xu immediately restrained himself and bowed respectfully.
Jun Yi then asked Xuan Yue calmly:
"Who is this person you speak of?"
Xuan Yue smiled faintly with satisfaction.
"If you wish to know, then wait for the final round. That person does not seek attention nor stand out. You could hardly distinguish him from an ordinary participant. But once he shines... I believe even you would wish to take him as a disciple."
Jun Yi chuckled softly before laughing.
"Hahaha! Now I truly cannot wait for the final round of the genius competition. I am curious to see who has captured Overseer Xuan Yue's attention so greatly."
Beside Xuan Yue stood Mei Xue, who served tea for her. Upon hearing her senior sister speak with such pride-as though possessing a priceless treasure and flaunting it before the poor-Mei Xue froze momentarily in surprise.
....
...
.....
Inside the Third Inheritance Trial
Wu Ming suddenly sneezed violently twice.
"Achoo! Achoo!"
"Is someone thinking about me? Or is it just the mountain wind getting into my nose?"
Yan Lan shouted from below:
"How is it over there?!"
Wu Ming leapt down swiftly from the high mountain.
"I've checked the route. About 1,200 miles ahead, there appears to be a massive structure. It might be a civilization from this world. Let's go investigate."
Yan Lan nodded attentively and prepared to depart.
Wu Ming then noticed Ling Yu was not with her.
"Where is Ling Yu? Wasn't he just here?"
Yan Lan replied:
"He said he wanted to train for a while and would catch up later. He left a spirit jade token with me so he can track our route and rejoin us."
Wu Ming nodded in understanding.
"If that's the case, let's depart without delay."
He couldn't help but wonder whether time flowed differently here compared to the outside world. He was still suffering spiritual and willpower injuries from forcibly violating the natural laws to close the spatial gate earlier and prevent Long Tu's escape.
The two of them traveled cautiously, remaining alert and uncareful, until dusk gradually arrived.
In the stillness of a tranquil night, a chilling wind swept softly across the land.
"Yan Lan... this place feels unusually silent. Not even the faintest sound of a living creature can be heard. Such stillness... it makes me feel profoundly alone."
Haa...
"Within this world, the sounds that should accompany the night - the cicadas, the crickets, the subtle hymns of life are nowhere to be heard. Everything is deathly quiet, devoid of vitality. I truly dislike such an atmosphere."
Wu Ming murmured to himself while gazing into the vast expanse of the heavens. Though this realm was but a minor world - perhaps even a layered fragment of dimension overlapping upon another dimension - the distant stars still shimmered in the unreachable firmament.
That oppressive stillness stirred something deep within him.
Silently, his thoughts drifted backward... returning to a distant, ancient past.
He longed - unconsciously to return to those bygone ages.
Within the River of Ten Thousand Great Worlds.
Upon one immense and tranquil world overflowing with nature and life, vitality stretched across boundless lands as far as the eye could see. Dark clouds hung low in the sky, hinting at impending rain, yet the air was cool and refreshing, carrying with it an indescribable sense of serenity and comfort.
On a vast emerald meadow, untouched and undisturbed, a lone man lay upon the grass in perfect ease. His posture was relaxed, as though he had sunk deeply into the boundless ocean of his own consciousness.
His heart was utterly still - tranquil beyond measure disturbance, free of burden. free of
Haa...
"After living in silence for over ten thousand epochs, I have finally attained complete serenity of mind. My heart has ascended beyond even the realm of the Supreme Gods. Even among those of equal standing, none could compare. In this entire Supreme World, I alone have reached such a boundary."
Suddenly, a distant voice called out.
"Senior Brother Wu Ming! At last, I have found you! Why are you lying here? Do you know I have searched through ten thousand worlds just to find you?"
"I apologize for making you wait so long, Su Yan. I needed to do this... to temper my heart into absolute stillness, to cast away every stray thought. It is as though the mind has become empty - and yet, within that emptiness, pure consciousness remains."
He turned his gaze toward Su Yan, whose eyes shimmered with tears. In the next instant, she threw herself into his warm embrace.
"Ten thousand epochs... they were unbearably long..."
Hic...
Hic...
He gently raised his hand and stroked her head in tender comfort.
"Yes... it was indeed a very long time..."
"Wu Ming…"
".....Wu Ming!"
"Wu Ming!!!"
"Huh? What- what happened?!"
Yan Lan hurried to his side, carefully inspecting his body and condition. Finding nothing physically amiss, she asked anxiously,
"Did something happen? Why did you suddenly start crying?"
"Hm? Crying?"
Wu Ming raised his hand to his cheek. There, from the corner of his left eye, a single tear had fallen - sliding quietly downward before dropping onto the earth.
He shook his head lightly.
"I am fine."
Yan Lan could not conceal her worry.
"Are you truly alright? Is there something troubling you? If there is... you can tell me. I am willing to listen."
As she spoke, she unconsciously clasped his hand tightly.
Seeing this, Wu Ming let out a long sigh.
"I truly am fine. I merely recalled events from a distant past... That is all.
The atmosphere tonight reminded me of those days. It simply feels similar... You do not need to know these matters. They are not important."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"You should go and rest. I will keep watch tonight."
Yan Lan hesitated.
"Will it truly be alright...?"
Wu Ming smiled gently a calm, reassuring smile.
"Do not worry. Nothing will happen. I apologize for frightening you and causing you concern. That was my fault. We still have a destination to reach, so you should preserve your strength. There is no need to worry about me. I can meditate through the entire night without issue."
Yan Lan hesitated for a moment longer... but eventually nodded and obeyed.
In the depths of midnight, faint firelight continued to flicker gently across the surrounding darkness.
Wu Ming remained seated beside the fire, quietly keeping watch until dawn arrived. In the distant past, he had already attained a Great Dao Heart, yet that belonged to a bygone era. Now, only the present mattered - the path before him required his full focus.
Wu Ming murmured to himself,
"Only a few more days remain before the Talent Trials come to an end. If we continue to linger within this inheritance trial, I fear we may be forced to remain here for another hundred years."
He tossed a thin twig into the flames, feeding the fire so its light would not fade.
"Tomorrow morning... we should increase our pace and travel with everything we have. There is no need to waste any more time."
After speaking, he crossed his legs and entered meditation.
His mind emptied itself completely - tranquil and untroubled. No stray thoughts emerged, yet his awareness remained perfectly clear.
He controlled every part of his body and perceived every subtle movement within it: the rise and fall of his breathing, the steady beating of his heart, the circulation of blood through his veins, and even the delicate flow of spiritual qi through every pore of his body.
...
...
In the depths of midnight, faint firelight continued to flicker gently across the surrounding darkness.
Wu Ming remained seated beside the fire, quietly keeping watch until dawn arrived. In the distant past, he had already attained a Great Dao Heart, yet that belonged to a bygone era. Now, only the present mattered - the path before him required his full focus.
Wu Ming murmured to himself,
"Only a few more days remain before the Talent Trials come to an end. If we continue to linger within this inheritance trial, I fear we may be forced to remain here for another hundred years."
He tossed a thin twig into the flames, feeding the fire so its light would not fade.
"Tomorrow morning... we should increase our pace and travel with everything we have. There is no need to waste any more time."
After speaking, he crossed his legs and entered meditation.
His mind emptied itself completely - tranquil and untroubled. No stray thoughts emerged, yet his awareness remained perfectly clear.
He controlled every part of his body and perceived every subtle movement within it: the rise and fall of his breathing, the steady beating of his heart, the circulation of blood through his veins, and even the delicate flow of spiritual qi through every pore of his body.
Light slowly spread across the horizon.
The sun gradually rose from the distant skyline, casting golden rays across the land. Birds began to soar through the air, singing bright melodies to welcome the morning.
A fresh new day had arrived.
Yan Lan slowly woke from her drowsiness. As her vision cleared, she noticed Wu Ming sitting calmly beneath the shade of a tree, deep in meditation.
What surprised her even more was the sight of several small animals climbing onto his body, playing across his shoulders and arms as though he were nothing more than a silent statue.
What...? Is he meditating?
If I wake him now... would that disturb him?
Before she could decide what to do, Wu Ming suddenly opened his eyes.
His pupils were dark and profound, yet within that darkness flickered a faint vitality a quiet brilliance that revealed he was very much alive.
He slowly rose from his seated position. The moment he moved, the animals that had gathered upon him scattered in panic and vanished into the depths of the forest.
Yan Lan asked nervously,
"Did I disturb your meditation?"
Wu Ming answered calmly,
"You did not disturb me. I had already cultivated long enough, so I chose to end my meditation."
He glanced toward the distant horizon.
"Now is the time for us to travel with full effort. We will no longer delay."
"Our destination - that large civilization-like structure - is now less than six hundred miles away."
"If the two of us travel at our maximum speed, we should reach it within three hours."
Yan Lan replied helplessly,
"But the difference between our top speeds is enormous. I feel like you would arrive there long before I could even catch up."
Wu Ming looked at her silently for a moment, as though contemplating something.
Then he made a decision.
Without warning, he stepped closer and lifted her into his arms.
Yan Lan stiffened instantly, her entire body freezing in shock.
Completely unprepared for what was happening, she could not even form words.
Wu Ming glanced at her silently for a moment, as though weighing something in his mind.
Then, he made a decision.
Without warning, he stepped forward and gently lifted Yan Lan into his arms.
Yan Lan's entire body stiffened instantly.
Her mind went completely blank.
She had never expected such a sudden action. For a brief moment, she did not even know where to place her hands.
Her heart began pounding rapidly in her chest.
"W-What are you-"
Before she could finish her sentence, Wu Ming had already pushed his speed to the limit.
Whoosh!
A powerful gust of wind erupted as his figure shot forward like a streak of light across the sky.
The surrounding landscape blurred instantly as mountains, forests, and rivers flashed past beneath them.
The intense wind pressure rushed against Yan Lan's face and clothes, causing her hair to flutter wildly behind her. Instinctively, she grabbed onto Wu Ming's robe to steady herself.
Wu Ming's arms remained steady and unmoving, carrying her as though she weighed nothing at all.
Despite traveling at such terrifying speed, his breathing remained calm and controlled.
Yan Lan secretly glanced up at his face.
His expression was composed, focused solely on the direction ahead, as if what he was doing was the most natural thing in the world.
This man...
Does he not realize how embarrassing this situation is?
Her heart continued to beat uncontrollably.
Why does he always act so calm?
And why does it feel... strangely reassuring to be carried like this?
The thought startled her, and she immediately shook her head internally.
What am I even thinking?!
Meanwhile, Wu Ming remained completely unaware of the storm of emotions raging within Yan Lan's mind.
To him, this was simply the most efficient way to travel without slowing down.
As the wind howled past them and the land rushed beneath their feet, the two figures sped toward the distant structure on the horizon at a breathtaking pace.
At this speed, the six hundred miles separating them from their destination would soon disappear.
...
......
Within an unknown region of the ancient civilization's ruins.
Inside a vast and boundless structure-once adorned with decorations befitting an imperial palace of unimaginable authority-those former luxuries had now long since decayed, leaving behind only eerie and desolate remnants that inspired a sense of dread.
Along the towering walls were countless exquisite carvings and murals, each crafted with astonishing precision. Yet among them all, one mural in particular stood out far more than the rest.
It was colossal in scale.
The mural depicted the movements of celestial orbits and the patterns of countless stars. Surrounding a central world were many other strange and unfamiliar worlds, each positioned differently within the cosmic design-as though illustrating the structure of an entire universe revolving around a primary realm.
"Hahaha... It seems my speculation was indeed correct."
A voice echoed within the silent ruins.
"This inheritance domain is not merely some limited pocket space or minor dimension. It is a real world-an actual world existing within another dimension. And not only that... within this world itself exist countless overlapping regions and bizarre spatial layers, all separated from one another in incomprehensible ways."
Lun Fu frowned slightly as he looked toward the speaker.
"Zhang Yun... how can you be so certain that this is a real world as you claim? What if this is nothing more than an ordinary inheritance ground?"
Zhang Yun crossed his arms calmly.
"Lun Fu, it seems you have yet to learn certain truths about inheritance realms."
"In some cases, inheritance grounds are indeed nothing more than artificial spaces created by powerful beings-places meant solely to preserve their legacy, bloodline, or will for future generations."
"But... there are also certain inheritance realms that are entirely different."
He paused briefly, his gaze turning toward the massive mural of the cosmos.
"Those places are essentially new worlds... worlds completely separate from our own."
"And such worlds are known as..."
Severed Worlds.
Lun Fu's eyes widened slightly.
"If what you're saying is true... then that would indeed be astonishing."
"But how can we be sure of this? And more importantly... where did you even learn such knowledge? These aren't things even cultivators of extraordinary status can easily discover."
Zhang Yun revealed a sly smile.
"That is not something you need to concern yourself with."
"For now, the only thing you need to understand is that this place is far from simple."
"Severed Worlds are not limited inheritance spaces. They are entire worlds-vast realms that preserve countless fragments of history, legacies, and forgotten stories."
His expression gradually grew more serious.
"We must find a way to leave this world as quickly as possible."
"The sooner, the better."
"Because Severed Worlds exist outside the cycle and governance of heaven and earth. Even the universal laws do not fully bind them."
"If we remain here for more than three days..."
"...we will be completely severed from the world we know."
The words struck Lun Fu like a thunderbolt.
"What?!"
His face turned pale.
"But this place lies within the territory of the kingdom! How could an inheritance domain send us to somewhere this distant?!"
Zhang Yun fell into brief contemplation before answering.
"I cannot say for certain."
"But there is one possibility that seems plausible."
"The secret realm we were transported into... may once have been a fragment-a subordinate world that originated from the core of a Severed World."
Lun Fu clenched his fists anxiously.
"Then how are we supposed to obtain the inheritance and escape from here?"
Zhang Yun slowly furrowed his brows.
"I think the best option is for us to split up."
"This place likely no longer contains any living dangers. The civilization here collapsed long ago."
"At most, only a few remaining treasures still lie scattered throughout the ruins."
"It would be better for each of us to search independently rather than remain together and achieve nothing."
Lun Fu felt a lingering sense of unease and suspicion, but he had little choice. In the end, he nodded reluctantly, and the two parted ways to search the ruins separately.
At the outer perimeter of the ancient civilization's ruins
"We've arrived."
Wu Ming had finally reached the enormous structure he had glimpsed earlier from afar. After flying continuously for nearly an hour, he slowly descended from the sky.
"I didn't expect my speed to be faster than anticipated... but at least it saves time."
Before he could say anything further, he suddenly noticed something.
Yan Lan was still curled within his arms.
He had been carrying her the entire journey without even realizing it.
Her face was now flushed bright red-like a ripened tomato. Embarrassment filled her expression as she avoided meeting his gaze.
Only then did Wu Ming realize the situation.
Startled, he immediately released her.
Yan Lan had not even prepared herself to stand.
Thud.
She fell directly onto the ground.
Yan Lan groaned slightly.
"Could you be a little gentler with me? I wasn't even ready to stand yet..."
Wu Ming let out an awkward laugh while scratching the back of his head.
"My apologies... it seems I rushed things a bit."
He quickly reached down and helped her to her feet.
Once she had steadied herself, the two of them finally lifted their gazes and looked toward the massive structure standing before them.
The colossal ruins of an ancient civilization towered silently ahead.