A total of forty-seven people left the Flying Moon Hall, heading towards the final Innate Pavilion.

The others felt regret but also anticipation.

Because according to the norm, only upper-class disciples could enter this Flying Moon Hall.

Yet, Master Wu still allowed all the intermediates to enter, which meant that after some time, many here might also have the opportunity to enter the third hall.

Although they certainly couldn't pass the trial, they would still gain some benefits.

For instance, during this Flying Moon Map trial, everyone received guidance from Zhou Leng and Zhang Xinglie, and they all gained some degree of understanding of the method of externalizing True Qi from the True Qi White Moon.

In front of the Innate Pavilion, Master Wu looked at Zhou Leng, who was still recording.

"Young man, step outside and explain the Innate Pavilion's trial to them."

Zhou Leng stopped recording and began to explain the rules of the third trial to all forty-seven people.

Once Zhou Leng finished, Rao Mingxian, Li Yuanhe, Zhang Feng, and others led the group in clasping their fists and bending at the waist in salute, with the others hurrying to follow suit.

"Thank you, Senior Brother Zhou Leng."

Their voices varied, but all were sincere.

Among them, five trial takers bent the deepest, and their calls were the loudest.

These five were originally top-tier among the trial takers, but because they hadn't listened to Zhou Leng's teachings, they fell to intermediate disciples, and it was only through intense cultivation that they eventually passed the Eighteen Mountain.

Zhou Leng, now an Inner Sect disciple of the Ancient River Sect, nodded slightly, accepting the salute from everyone.

Seeing Zhou Leng accept with ease, everyone felt more at ease.

"You should first choose your respective Nine-sided Martial Shadow Wall. After choosing, I'll share the translations on the group chat."

Li Yuanhe asked, "Senior Brother Zhou Leng, what are your thoughts on these basic martial arts?"

Everyone looked at Li Yuanhe, secretly praising him.

Zhou Leng then brought up Master Wu and analyzed the various martial arts.

"I'll choose the same as Senior Brother," Li Yuanhe said.

Upon hearing this, everyone instantly understood and thought that this guy was smart for having Zhou Leng as his third brother.

Whatever Zhou Leng learned, they would also learn, and thus, any martial arts from the Ancient River Sect would be as if they had a half-master.

If they chose something Zhou Leng didn't learn, who would they ask for guidance?

In the end, except for four who had long learned other external skills and couldn't switch, everyone else chose the same nine external skills as Zhou Leng.

Zhou Leng said, "You can study them evenly, aiming for Six Flashes. Afterwards, you can continue to watch videos and learn."

"Hmm?"

Everyone's eyes widened, looking at Zhou Leng, then at Master Wu, and finally at the Martial Shadow Wall.

No one spoke, but each person's face showed an inexplicable joy.

They all understood that Zhou Leng already had a way for them to see the Ancient River Sect's cultivation techniques outside.

If this news got out, it would be enough to shake the Ten Realms.

This was truly a Stellar Inheritance.

What would become of Zhou Leng's status then...

Everyone felt envious yet fortunate.

Li Yuanhe said, "Let's create a new group for those of us who are the first to enter the Innate Pavilion."

"Good!" Everyone nodded in agreement.

Li Yuanhe created the group, everyone joined, and Zhou Leng added Zhang Xinglie and Song Juesi, making exactly fifty members.

Some with less fortunate backgrounds looked at this group, their hearts surging.

The value of this group was incalculable.

The five who hadn't listened to Zhou Leng sighed in relief, finally catching up; this time, they wouldn't miss it for the world.

Rao Mingxian smiled, "From now on, Zhou Leng is my only contact in the Ten Realms."

Everyone burst into laughter.

Zhou Leng uploaded the translations in the group, guided everyone, and returned to the Innate Pavilion to record.

Three days later, a long bridge of clouds and mist appeared behind the Innate Pavilion mountains.

One end of the long bridge was connected to the back door of the Innate Pavilion, the other end to a circular whirlpool of clouds and mist.

Master Wu's expression suddenly brightened, then his brow furrowed.

"Impudent!" Master Wu extended his hand, stopping mid-air, then slowly withdrew it.

He pondered for a moment, then asked, "Young man, have you finished recording?"

"I've finished recording all the simplest and most difficult ones, leaving only some intermediate ones unfinished."

"That should be enough. Any more, and you wouldn't be able to learn everything. You can come out now."

"What about the others..."

"Teach them after you come out. Due to a spatial distortion, our Ancient River Sect's Hundred Peaks Valley has been prematurely entered by outsiders. Though I intended to eliminate them, upon reflection, I decided against it. Remember to climb the highest mountain once inside and retrieve the other half of the Tiger Talisman."

"Yes..."

Just as Zhou Leng was about to inquire further, Master Wu said, "Everyone stop."

With a crack of thunder, everyone stopped cultivating, and Zhang Xinglie and Song Juesi stood back at the bottom of the steps.

Master Wu stood on the steps, with Zhou Leng by his side, facing the other forty-nine disciples.

Master Wu said, "This trial was originally supposed to end early, but out of respect for the Ancient River Sect not opening for millions of years, it was delayed repeatedly."

"Now that circumstances have changed, the Ancient River Trial has ended."

"Other disciples with average strength will be sent back directly."

"You fifty barely qualify to enter the Hundred Peaks Valley."

"However, our Ancient River Sect's Hundred Peaks Valley has been infiltrated by otherworldly scoundrels."

"For the reputation of the Ancient River Sect, once you enter, you must bravely kill the enemy and strive for the top fifty positions within both the inner and outer sects of the Hundred Peaks Valley."

"Although the Hundred Peaks Valley seems like a hundred scattered mountains, in reality, each mountain is a star tempered into a grand star, containing the Foundation of Ascension to Saint, commonly known as 'Observing Heaven Mountain.'"

"The top fifty peaks will belong to the Inner Sect, and the fifty lesser ones will be for the Outer Sect."

"After the conclusion, any disciple of the Ancient River Sect who ranks in the top fifty will have their mind linked with the corresponding 'Observing Heaven Mountain.'

"The mysteries are numerous, and time is short, making it inconvenient to elaborate, but they are enough to grant you great advantages."

"When this Hundred Peaks Valley ends, I shall repair the damaged areas. Thereafter, only the disciples of the Ancient River Sect may enter once every five years, no one else may enter."

"Those who possess Observing Heaven Mountain shall enjoy five years of opportunity."

"Off you go, slay the foreign tribes, and strengthen our Ancient River."

Zhou Leng listened with growing astonishment, for this Hundred Peaks Valley had leaderboards, a hundred mountains, and foreign tribes, and had just opened a few days ago—everything sounded like the battleground of the Ten Realms Youth Battle.

Zhou Leng relayed Master Wu's words to the others present.

"Could this be the battleground of the Ten Realms Youth Battle?" Zhang Feng blurted out.

"The possibility is very high."

"Which means, not only did we not miss the Youth Battle, but we also got a free trial of the Ancient River?"

"Be careful, or Master Wu will strike you down."

Zhou Leng cleared his throat, and the group quieted down, all eyes turning towards him.

Zhou Leng turned to Master Wu and said, "Master, could we meet with the others?"

"Yes."

With a wave of his staff, Master Wu caused a flash of light in front of the Innate Pavilion, and all who were in the fore and middle halls appeared behind the group of forty-nine.

The people behind looked at Zhou Leng and the others with envy.

Zhou Leng slowly glanced over at the group.

He had been pondering the balance between the Ancient River Sect and Blue Star.

"Since the Ancient River Trial has concluded, as the acting senior brother of the Ancient River Sect, there are words I must say."

"Those of us entering Hundred Peaks Valley must do our best, work together, and not imitate a minority who turn on each other for treasures."

"After returning to Blue Star, please do not publicize the results of myself, Zhang Xinglie, and Elder Song, or the Demon Worship Church will stop at nothing to kill us."

"Information about the Ancient River Sect will not be hidden for long, but it must not be leaked in the short term."

"Next, in my capacity as the acting senior brother of the Ancient River Sect, I will cooperate with the Martial Mansion, Demon City Army, and the Martial Guard Department to find a balance between the Ancient River Sect and Dragon Country, advancing slowly."

"Our identities are unique, constrained by both the oath of the Ancient River Sect and a simple heart for Dragon Country."

"Of course, I wish to see the Ancient River Sect Technique spread worldwide immediately, but even Master Wu is unsure of what degree might trigger the intervention of the Ancient River Sect's powers."

"I know there are those who defy this, you might as well help test the Ancient River Sect's thunder."

"Therefore, we must move with small and quick steps."

"You all come from various major powers and will become the core liaisons between the Ancient River Sect and these major powers in the future."

"However, what we do must always be measured, avoiding diverging from the path."

"Throughout history, too many powers have brought the world to ruin because they lacked such measures or deviated."

"Hence, I want to establish this measure, or the highest principle: to not let down the Ancient River, and not let down the people. Do you hear me?"

"We! Hear! You!"

Everyone present, having undergone all sorts of military training since youth, stood at attention and shouted in unison.

Including Song Juesi, no one was an exception.

"Very good..."

Zhou Leng looked towards the seven people from the Seagull Alliance among them.

"What is your stance?"

The leading one hastily cupped his hands and said, "We follow the senior brother. We have already agreed, not to leave Dragon Country or return to our country for contact, focusing single-mindedly on reviving the grand endeavor of our Ancient River Sect."

The others smiled; they were wise as well, knowing that if they aligned too closely with the Seagull Alliance, they might offend both the Ancient River Sect and Dragon Country.

However, if they completely disregarded their country, it wouldn't be appropriate either; once they returned, it would be impossible to say nothing.

It was better to wait another five years to see the situation. After five years, the range of disciple selection for the Ancient River Sect might be expanded to all of humanity, relieving them of their dilemma.

Moreover, staying in Dragon Country and learning with the Ancient River Sect for five years could possibly establish the foundation for a Grandmaster or even the Foundation of Ascension to Saint.

The Seagull Alliance, prosperous decades ago, later became drained by Dragon, Eagle, Bear countries, and the Demon Worship Sect, losing much of its former influence and strength.

Zhou Leng turned to Zhao Nandi and said, "Sister Nan Di, when you return to the Guhe Research Institute, communicate with the military. Do not leave, wait for us to return."

"Okay." Zhao Nandi murmured internally, wondering why he addressed her as Sister Nan Di in public—shouldn't it be Teacher?

"Let's go." Master Wu, leaning on his staff, walked towards the back door of the Innate Pavilion.

Zhou Leng and the fifty others followed behind.

Light descended, and everyone else vanished from where they stood.

Ancient River Ruins Research Institute, Pit No. 9.

Dozens of soldiers patrolled back and forth; with a flash of light, the Ancient River Trial Takers appeared.

The leaders of the research institute, who had been waiting for a long time, breathed a sigh of relief.

Zhao Nandi, with the experts, approached the director and whispered, "Notify the highest-level departments to come, as a matter that could impact the Ten Realms is about to occur. Additionally, cease all research and isolate us from everyone else, including signal isolation."

The director glanced over everyone, who all nodded gently.

"Alright!" The director hurriedly left to make preparations.

"Where is Rao Mingxing?"

"Why is he missing?" Some people looked around.

"He wouldn't have secretly followed the fifty to that Hundred Peaks Valley, would he?"

"No, he was still beside me when we were transmitted."

"Could a spatial turbulence during transmission have swept him away?"

"Very likely..."

The disciples who personally witnessed Master Wu preventing Rao Mingxing from entering the middle hall suddenly fell silent together.

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