Chapter 523: First, Let's Look at a Thousand Copies

The Dragon Lock is the ultimate defense of any sealed mechanism. Its intricate design makes it impossible to break unless one's cultivation level is exceptionally high. What's more, once it's activated, even the Artisan Master who created it cannot reopen it!

Hall Master Sai's face turned ashen.

This is considered an Artisan Master's final, desperate measure, akin to a martial artist's self-detonation. It's only activated in dire situations, usually to prevent invasion or to achieve mutual destruction with an enemy. Once engaged, there is no possibility of reopening it. Not even a dragon could pass through, which is why it's named the 'Dragon Lock.' It can only be broken if one's power surpasses the mechanism's capacity to withstand it, as the opponent mentioned, reaching the ninth level of Mortal Transcension. Otherwise, any attack would be futile.

“Then… we can't get out?”

It can only be opened by someone at the ninth level of Mortal Transcension. Among them, the strongest is only at the fourth level, still far from being able to break it. If they can't even break it, how can they leave?

“Let me see!”

Zhang Xuan also frowned, walked to the stone door, and touched it with his finger. A book appeared in his mind.

“A Level 6 Dragon Lock, crafted by the six-star Artisan Master Hu Yangzi. It's made from special materials, making it incredibly difficult to break. Weakness: First, the refining technique…”

After finishing the book, Zhang Xuan's expression turned grim. Although the Dragon Lock had weaknesses, none of them could be exploited by someone of his current strength. In other words… the opponent was correct. Without reaching the ninth level of Mortal Transcension, it would be utterly impossible to break this mechanism.

What to do? Are they truly doomed to be trapped here?

As they pondered how to escape, Zhao Feiwu's voice broke the silence: “Everyone, don't panic. Since he intends to possess one of us, he wouldn't trap himself here with no way out!”

“This…”

“Right!”

The others were initially stunned, then their eyes simultaneously lit up with understanding. If this individual truly aims for possession, they must have a plan for how to leave afterward. Why would they intentionally trap themselves in a death trap?

“Let's figure out how to leave after we've dealt with this individual. Right now, our greatest danger isn't being trapped!” Zhang Xuan said. Even if they truly couldn't escape, the food in their storage rings, along with spirit stones and other supplies, could sustain them for at least a few years. They certainly wouldn't perish in the short term. However, their most immediate and terrifying threat was the tomb's owner—the Witch Soul Master hidden in the vicinity. If they couldn't locate and eliminate him, none of them would survive.

“Solve me? Do you have that strength?” The voice coldly snorted, having overheard Zhang Xuan's words.

“Regardless of our strength, we must try!” Jin Conghai stepped forward, flicked his wrist, and a jade bottle appeared in his palm. He cautiously scanned the surroundings, seemingly attempting to pinpoint the opponent's location.

“Try? Then I'll show you how ridiculous that idea is!”

As the voice finished, a beam of light shot directly from within the hall. Jin Conghai had no time to react before it struck him square in the chest. He flew backward, slamming hard against the wall, spitting out large mouthfuls of blood.

“Senior Jin!”

It was shocking to see Jin Conghai, their strongest member, unable to withstand even a single attack, sent flying and gravely wounded. Everyone clenched their fists. To instantly incapacitate a fourth-level Mortal Transcension expert so severely, leaving them no chance to dodge or defend, meant that even if the opponent wasn't a six-star Soul Master, they were far beyond their current capabilities to contend with.

Despite Jin Conghai's injury, Zhang Xuan remained calm, seizing the opportunity to observe the source of the light. A book appeared in his mind, and he casually opened it.

“It's the power of the mechanism?” Zhang Xuan's eyebrows furrowed. The preceding attack wasn't a martial skill employed by a Soul Master; it was clearly the power of a mechanism. This meant that, based solely on that attack, it was still impossible to pinpoint the opponent's location.

“A Soul Master would never allow their position to be discovered,” Luo Zhu transmitted again. “Otherwise, if their target is prepared and seals off their spiritual defenses, how could they successfully possess them?”

“That's right!” Zhang Xuan nodded. Soul Masters possess by invading through the spiritual pathway, much like a sneak attack. If a target is prepared in advance, seals off their spiritual access, and resists with their soul, the possessor would likely have to pay a significant price to succeed. After all, possession involves expelling the original soul from a body and merging with it. If the body's owner resists to the death, the resulting ruined vessel would be useless. Precisely for this reason, this individual would never allow their presence to be discovered. If they did, even if the possession failed, any powerful artifacts designed to counter souls would render their strength useless.

“Don't bother trying to find me; you won't succeed. And don't even think about killing me; your strength is far from sufficient!” Hearing their whispered exchange, the voice continued, seemingly looking down on them: “By entering this place, you must be prepared for possession. However… I can only possess one of you, so… the rest of you are safe.”

“Safe? I'm afraid it's not that simple!” Hall Master Sai snorted. Having trapped them here, it couldn't possibly be that straightforward. He refused to believe that this individual would allow them to leave alive after a successful possession. After all, Witch Soul Masters are a taboo. If news of a successful possession were to spread, many would seek to eliminate him.

“When I say safe, I mean you won't die immediately. As for how long you'll live, that depends entirely on your choices!” The voice chuckled.

“Choices?” Zhang Xuan frowned.

“Indeed. I'm offering you two choices. First, I have three trials here. Those who pass will not be killed, but neither will they be escorted out. You will be left here to survive on your own!” the voice said.

“Trials?” Everyone was startled. Isn't this individual aiming for possession? Why set up trials? Zhang Xuan was also completely baffled. Trials are typically for assessing Master Teachers or specialized professions. This individual is so powerful they could easily kill them all. Why bother with such an elaborate setup? However, trapped as they were, and with their unseen adversary controlling the mechanisms, able to kill or destroy at will, the decision was no longer theirs. No matter how perplexed or strange they found it, they couldn't refuse.

“What's the second one?” Zhang Xuan continued to ask.

“Second, I will kill you one by one until someone willingly agrees to attempt the trials!” the voice snorted.

That the second condition still involved trials left everyone even more perplexed. What was this individual's true intention in insisting they undergo these trials?

“Could it be… a selection process for a 'guest sheep'?” Luo Zhu couldn't help but suggest.

“Choosing the guest sheep?” Zhang Xuan's mouth twitched.

The term 'guest sheep' is used by shepherds. When guests arrive, a sheep is typically slaughtered for a feast. The challenge lies in selecting the most succulent one from the flock. Typically, the flock is made to run, and the one that runs with the most vigor and speed is deemed to be of the highest quality. Could the opponent's insistence on these trials be similar to selecting a 'guest sheep' – a way to assess them and choose the physique most suitable for possession, ensuring better integration and minimal loss of power?

“Very likely!” After analyzing it, Zhang Xuan nodded. When put that way, it's highly possible. Possession by a Witch Soul Master isn't suitable for just anyone. Take the previous soul that attempted to possess Luo Zhu; not only did its cultivation plummet, but successful integration proved extremely difficult. Even if a successful possession were achieved, an incompatible physique would severely limit future achievements. It's like forcing someone skilled with a sword to use a hammer. Something unsuitable, no matter how good, cannot achieve its maximum effect. It's highly probable that this individual's insistence on them undergoing trials is precisely for this reason: to conduct a selection and identify the most suitable body before making a final decision. Otherwise, a soul that has existed for an unknown length of time wouldn't be so bored as to activate the Dragon Lock just to play games with them. It's likely he had this plan from the moment they arrived. He made no moves initially, only revealing his presence and cutting off their escape route once they had entered the passage.

“Indeed, I am selecting a ‘guest sheep’,” the voice resounded again, having overheard their conversation. “I'm examining whether any of you possess a physique suitable for a Witch Soul… What, are you frightened?”

Zhang Xuan shook his head. “Frightened? Not in the slightest! Where are your trials? Show them to us!”

“That's more like it!” Upon hearing his agreement, the voice continued: “Don't assume that failing to pass means you won't be chosen! My selection criterion is physique, not the speed or method of completion! Remember, only those who pass will be spared; those who fail… will unfortunately have to bid farewell to everyone!”

Rumble!

As the words concluded, the hall trembled, and a colossal stone stele emerged within it.

“This stele contains the most fundamental techniques of a Witch Soul Master. All of you must cultivate them. If you can achieve soul projection within ten days, you will have passed. Those who fail after ten days will be directly eliminated by the mechanism!” The voice declared, devoid of any emotion.

“Soul Guiding Art?”

Zhang Xuan gazed at the stone stele, indeed seeing it densely covered with characters. The first three large characters, 'Soul Guiding Art,' seemed to pierce the soul, sending a spiritual tremor through him.

The Soul Guiding Art! The cultivation method of a Witch Soul Master. He had wondered what the first trial would be, but it turned out to be a cultivation method!

“It seems this individual wants to select people capable of cultivating Witch Soul techniques!” Zhang Xuan realized. “That makes sense. Those who can cultivate the Soul Guiding Art possess a suitable Witch Soul physique, meaning they can continue cultivating after possession and return to their peak!” A person skilled in swordsmanship would naturally prefer to possess a body suited for swords, as it would greatly facilitate their future cultivation. As a Witch Soul Master making a decision about possession, they would undoubtedly seek a host capable of cultivating Witch Soul techniques, ensuring that, once successful, they could continue their cultivation effectively in that body.

“Don't hold onto false hope, trying to delay your soul projection until the very last day. That serves no purpose for me. Talent isn't determined by the speed of soul projection. Furthermore… once you begin cultivating the Soul Guiding Art, it becomes beyond your control…” The voice warned, almost menacingly, fearing that the group would procrastinate and not focus on cultivating.

However, before the voice could finish, the young man's calm voice interjected: “This Soul Guiding Art seems promising… But do you have any other similar cultivation techniques? The more, the better. Perhaps… you could provide me with a thousand of them to look over?”

The voice was stunned. “A thousand?”