Chapter 552: Sudden Accident

Once they took out their most trusted artifacts, the small courtyard instantly became a riot of colors, a truly beautiful sight.

Besides common artifacts like swords, blades, mirrors, pagodas, banners, and flags, there were also many that Qin Sang didn't recognize. Their functions were likely very unusual, and anyone qualified to enter this small courtyard was clearly extraordinary.

Mu Yifeng still wielded his Nine-Fire Divine Blade. This artifact had been meticulously refined by him for many years, countless hours poured into it. Now, the flames on the nine fire dragons subtly glowed purple, signifying that it could no longer be simply categorized as a top-tier artifact.

Qin Sang guessed that Mu Yifeng's devotion to it was likely because he intended to continue enhancing the Nine-Fire Divine Blade after forming his core, treating it as his destined artifact.

The artifact Zhan Yi was using at this moment was a fist-sized brass bell, which Qin Sang had never seen before.

Soon, everyone was ready.

"Whoosh!"

Chen Yan lightly waved her hand. Spiritual energy coalesced at her fingertips, forming a paper crane. The paper crane emitted a crisp cry and, with a flutter of its wings, flew into the courtyard.

The paper crane hovered above everyone's heads. Suddenly, it rapidly flapped its wings, and streaks of light, agile wind descended from above.

"Whoosh, whoosh..."

The courtyard was instantly swept by a fierce gale, yet it was firmly controlled to precisely encircle the group. This level of extreme precision in control was simply beyond reach for most.

Qin Sang silently watched the courtyard, trying to glimpse Chen Yan's cultivation realm through the paper crane and the spiritual wind, but gained nothing.

The spiritual wind gathered more and more, becoming substantial.

Like dark clouds covering the sky, it slowly pressed down!

Each person was enveloped by a dense curtain of spiritual wind, which brought immense pressure to those within.

Mu Yifeng and the others quickly activated their artifacts, fully resisting the pressure of the spiritual wind.

As the spiritual wind curtain accumulated thicker and thicker, the figures inside became almost indistinguishable.

"Bang!"

Finally, one person couldn't hold on any longer and was the first to fall. The moment he was about to hit the ground, the pressure on him suddenly vanished, allowing him to maintain his composure.

The person bowed his hands with a look of shame and quietly retreated to the side.

The pressure on the others continued to slowly increase.

Seeing that he truly couldn't ascertain Chen Yan's cultivation through the paper crane, Qin Sang stopped troubling himself. Instead, he focused on Mu Yifeng and Zhan Yi, the two people he knew.

Where Mu Yifeng stood, only the shadows of nine fire dragons could be seen. They formed a ring, attempting to prop up the spiritual wind curtain.

Zhan Yi's brass bell also hovered above his head, emitting a strong yellow glow like a bright lamp. From the sound, it was clear the bell was shaking more and more rapidly.

"Bang, bang, bang..."

One after another, they failed. Among them were many experts of the False Core stage.

Qin Sang pondered, "It seems this test isn't solely about cultivation. What exactly is happening inside the spiritual wind curtain is still unknown for now."

As time passed, fewer and fewer people remained.

Suddenly, Zhan Yi roared. The sound of his bell became extremely rapid, and the yellow light above his head intensified greatly, but it was no use. His figure swayed violently.

After the curtain dissipated, Zhan Yi stabilized his stance.

Qin Sang noticed an undisguised look of disappointment on Zhan Yi's face. A thought struck him, and he subtly observed Che Yutao. Seeing Che Yutao gently shake his head, a hint of disappointment flashing across his face, Qin Sang couldn't help but ponder.

In the end, only three people remained, including Mu Yifeng.

But these three were clearly at their limits. Mu Yifeng's nine fire dragons had become extremely thin, like flickering candles in the wind, liable to extinguish at any moment.

A barely perceptible sigh emanated from beneath the cloak.

Che Yutao said somewhat awkwardly, "The disciples of our sect are not up to par; please don't mind their inadequacy, Miss Chen Yan! The Sect Master and Miss Chen Yan gave the order too urgently. Other disciples are either out on training missions or currently in secluded cultivation attempting to form their cores. If we have them rush back now, there probably won't be enough time for refining, and they won't be able to suppress the fierce souls within the beast seals. As for disciples from other sects, we fear they cannot be trusted. However, once the Five-Element Beast Seals are activated, the five individuals will become one. With Mu Yifeng and the other two present, even if the remaining two are slightly weaker, it shouldn't affect the overall situation."

Chen Yan uttered an "Mm," saying, "It will have to do."

Before her words had fully faded, a dragon's roar suddenly echoed in the courtyard. Mu Yifeng's nine fire dragons around him suddenly disintegrated simultaneously. Then, a point of red light burst forth from beneath the curtain, like a sharp cone piercing through it.

Accompanied by a roar, Mu Yifeng, wielding his Nine-Fire Divine Blade, burst out, cutting through the wind!

Mu Yifeng staggered for a moment but ultimately regained his footing.

It was a sudden turn of events.

Che Yutao's eyes lit up. He praised, "Excellent! You may come over too."

"Thank you, Senior Martial Uncle Che!" Mu Yifeng cupped his hands. He retracted his Nine-Fire Divine Blade into his body for nourishment, then strode over to Qin Sang and triumphantly raised an eyebrow at him.

The remaining two weren't so lucky. They made many attempts but couldn't break through the curtain. Finally, one of them couldn't hold on and fell, and the pressure on both of them vanished simultaneously.

"You may all return now."

Che Yutao called the person who had persisted until the end to come forward. He waved his hand, dismissing the others, then said to Chen Yan, "The personnel have been selected. I will report to my Master now."

Chen Yan nodded. Suddenly, she stood up, her figure flickered, and she vanished into thin air.

From beginning to end, she seemed not to have cast a single glance at Qin Sang.

Qin Sang and the other five stood side by side, their hearts filled with extreme curiosity.

Only from Che Yutao's words did they learn that their own Ancestor had actually arrived at Hanging Skull Pass, and that this test had been initiated by the Ancestor himself.

For some reason, Qin Sang suddenly had an ominous premonition.

Che Yutao waved his hand, sending out a streak of green light. A moment later, everyone inexplicably felt a tightness in their chests as a gentle voice echoed in their ears: "Are these them?"

He was the Marquis of Dongyang!

A flash of realization struck Qin Sang's mind.

Che Yutao bowed towards the void and respectfully said, "Replying to Master, these are the five strongest disciples currently within the pass."

Along with an "Alright," a five-colored long rainbow suddenly flew into the hall. On closer inspection, this five-colored rainbow was actually the light emitted by five small seals.

These five small seals were all of similar size and square-shaped; the difference lay in their tops.

On the top of each small seal, a sacred beast was carved: precisely the four legendary sacred beasts—Azure Dragon, Vermilion Bird, Black Tortoise, and White Tiger—as well as a divine beast resembling a Qilin, named Gouchen.

"Instruct them to meticulously comprehend the mysteries of the beast seals and assist me!"

"Your disciple obeys!"

Che Yutao reached out and took the small seals. He turned to look at Qin Sang and the others, and with a gentle flick, the five small seals flew to each of them.

The beast seal in front of Qin Sang was precisely the one with the Black Tortoise carved on its top.

The Black Tortoise on the beast seal was lifelike. Its limbs were stout, and its head was raised towards the sky. It seemed to be roaring at the heavens, exuding an untamed, ferocious aura.

Che Yutao said blandly, "From now on, each of you will take charge of one beast seal and refine it with all your might. You must tame the fierce soul within the seal within six months. Then, you will accompany the Ancestor and Miss Chen Yan into the Ziwei Palace."

What!

Qin Sang's mind reeled.