Note: Tq @ShadowEvolver for massage Chair. Enjoy the Bonus Chapter!
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The surviving members of the Demonic Sea Tribe assembled around Elsa. Old enemies recognized one another immediately. Old rivalries resurfaced.
Several participants were already exchanging cold glances while others secretly evaluated the strength of those around them.
The imperial family members continued to question Tony about Mark.
Elsa remained completely indifferent. To her, the arguments of human disciples were meaningless. She was more interested in understanding where exactly the World Tree had brought them and what opportunities remained hidden ahead.
Just as the atmosphere appeared ready to become even more hostile, a deep rumbling suddenly echoed throughout the entire chamber.
The sound was so powerful that every conversation stopped instantly. The enormous roots covering the walls began trembling. Golden streams of light flowed beneath the bark. Ancient symbols slowly appeared across the surrounding surfaces.
Everyone immediately forgot their arguments and looked toward the center.
A gate... An enormous gate. The structure towered hundreds of meters into the air.
Ancient runes covered its surface. Golden light leaked through countless cracks. The pressure emanating from it caused many disciples to instinctively hold their breath.
Nobody had sensed the existence of such a gate moments earlier. Yet now it stood before them like the entrance to another world.
Then came a deafening explosion.
BOOM!
The gate slowly opened. Blinding golden light flooded the chamber. The moment it happened, the entire crowd exploded into action.
"It’s open!"
"The inheritance!"
"Move!"
"Quick!"
Nobody cared about rivalries anymore. The moment the gate appeared, every participant understood the same thing.
The real opportunity had finally arrived. Several disciples immediately transformed into streaks of light and rushed forward. Others followed without hesitation.
Even the Imperial disciples who had been confronting Tony moments earlier completely abandoned the matter.
The surviving Demonic Sea Tribe members surged forward. Several independent disciples practically threw themselves toward the opening.
The atmosphere instantly became chaotic.
Tony observed the scene calmly before finally moving.
"Let’s go."
Kevin Ten grinned. "Finally."
"Brother... Don’t be impulsive. Be safe..." Leo muttered as he followed his brother closely.
Emma followed from behind. The Bald Monk also entered the crowd while secretly keeping Tony within sight.
Elsewhere, Elsa led the Demonic Sea Tribe survivors directly toward the opening. Her expression remained calm, but her eyes contained obvious anticipation. Whatever existed behind that gate was important enough for the World Tree itself to reveal.
One after another, the surviving disciples entered.
The moment Tony crossed the threshold, his vision was swallowed by golden light. Everything disappeared. The tree chamber disappeared. For a brief moment, only light remained.
Then the world changed. Tony slowly opened his eyes. His first impression was emptiness.
An endless white world stretched in every direction. The floor beneath his feet resembled polished jade. Smooth. Perfect. Endless. The space appeared infinite. It felt as though they were standing among the clouds beyond heaven itself.
One by one, the surviving disciples appeared nearby. Everyone wore confused expressions.
Many immediately began examining their surroundings. The white world remained completely empty.
Soon the final participants arrived. The moment the last disciple entered, a deafening noise echoed behind them.
BOOM!
Everyone turned... The gate had closed. The enormous entrance disappeared completely.
Several disciples immediately rushed toward where it had been. Nothing remained. The way back had vanished.
"We’re trapped?"
"What is this place?"
"Where is the inheritance?"
Several participants became restless. After all, they had expected some kind of treasure ground. Instead they found themselves inside an endless white world.
As confusion spread, some disciples gradually became hostile again.
Without opportunities visible before them, old grudges naturally resurfaced.
Several Imperial disciples glanced toward Tony. Some Demonic Sea Tribe members eyed nearby humans. The atmosphere slowly became dangerous once more.
A golden light suddenly gathered at the center of the white world. The movement immediately attracted everyone’s attention. The golden particles continued gathering.
Then a figure slowly emerged.... A woman. She floated above the ground.
Long silver-white hair flowed behind her. Her robes appeared woven from roots, leaves, and sunlight itself. Ancient runes rotated around her body. Her eyes contained neither warmth nor hostility. Only indifference.
The moment she appeared, every disciple felt tremendous pressure descend upon them.
Several participants nearly lowered their heads instinctively.
The woman slowly observed the gathering. Then she spoke.
"Welcome."
The woman slowly raised her hand. Golden light spread throughout the white world.
"You stand within the inheritance grounds created by the World Tree."
Many disciples immediately inhaled sharply.
"The Dream Realm was merely the first test."
Shock appeared on many faces. Years of struggle... Months of survival. Merely the first test?
The woman ignored their reactions. "Those who failed have already been eliminated. Those who survived have proven their qualifications. Every one of you has already reached the peak of the Grand Master Realm."
The atmosphere immediately became serious. No one argued. Because it was true. Every survivor standing here had already reached the limits of the Grand Master stage. That was precisely why they entered the World Tree Blessing.
"The World Tree Blessing exists for one purpose. To grant worthy cultivators the opportunity to step beyond the Grand Master Realm. The inheritance trials will determine your worth. Pass them... Receive the blessing. Fail... And leave with nothing."
The endless white world suddenly trembled. Golden runes began appearing beneath everyone’s feet.
"The trial... Had finally begun."
The moment the spirit muttered last words... the atmosphere changed completely.
What had seemed like a peaceful inheritance ground suddenly revealed its true nature.
Endless streams of life energy erupted from the surroundings and descended upon the gathered disciples like an invisible ocean crashing from the heavens.
Several participants immediately stumbled. Others nearly lost control of their cultivation.
Some even fell flat on the floor!
The pressure wasn’t malicious, nor was it attacking them directly. Instead, it felt as though the World Tree had suddenly increased the density of life energy within the environment to an absurd degree.
Every breath brought enormous amounts of energy into the body. Every pore was forced open. Every meridian was flooded.
For talented cultivators, it was an opportunity. For ordinary cultivators, it was a nightmare. The closer one moved toward the shining path ahead, the denser the energy became. The trial had already begun.
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Tq @White_Tiger_King for Golden-Ticket!