Although Daoist Fangzheng had regained his senses, the problem remained unsolved.
They were merely at the entrance of this stone corridor. Even with a Calming Talisman, Daoist Fangzheng had still fallen victim. If they ventured deeper, Mo Tiange dared not be certain she could pass through either. Thus, they were at an impasse. The two of them discussed several methods, but none provided a solution.
With so many Moonlight Illusion Stones, given their current strength, there was simply no way to force their way through.
"What should we do?" Daoist Fangzheng turned and asked. Having been repeatedly reminded by Mo Tiange, he had grown accustomed to seeking this junior's opinion.
Mo Tiange couldn't think of a solution for the moment either. Yet, the thought of turning back filled her with reluctance. In the previous trial, out of nine people, six had died and one was half-dead, leaving only two unscathed. Having paid such a price, how could she bear to turn back after overcoming that trial?
But insufficient strength was just that—insufficient. Perhaps the master of this place had laid down this path to block cultivators below the Core Formation stage. If they forced their way through, wouldn't they be throwing their lives away?
After turning the problem over in her mind, Mo Tiange gritted her teeth. "We can't take this path, Fellow Daoist Fangzheng. Let's find another way."
"This..." Daoist Fangzheng was clearly unwilling, his face showing reluctance as he cast several more glances at the Moonlight Illusion Stone corridor.
Mo Tiange said, "Given our current abilities, we simply cannot pass through this path. I have no desire to throw my life away here."
Hearing this, Daoist Fangzheng also hesitated. He understood, of course, that Mo Tiange was different from him. Judging by the numerous treasures she possessed, she was likely a disciple of a major sect. At such a young age, she already had this level of cultivation; there was no need for her to take such risks. If his companion were like him, perhaps he could grit his teeth and they could risk it together, just like the cultivators who had died here. But without a companion, he couldn't muster the courage.
These hallucinogenic items affected one's own consciousness. It wasn't a matter of not fighting each other if there was no companion; after losing one's senses, one would go mad on their own. At that point, even without others, one would self-destruct.
"Alright, since Fellow Daoist Ye says so." Daoist Fangzheng finally made up his mind. Although his lifespan was limited, he hadn't reached a point of complete hopelessness. If he were to perish here, he would ultimately be unwilling. After a moment's thought, he added, "However, should we search for other places?"
It wasn't just Daoist Fangzheng; Mo Tiange was also filled with reluctance. When descending into the valley, she had nearly lost her life. In the Illusion Formation, she had witnessed others die or suffer severe injuries. To end up unable to advance any further—how could she possibly be willing?
"Alright. However, Fellow Daoist Fangzheng, if we cannot find one, it's best we leave as soon as possible."
"Naturally." Daoist Fangzheng hurriedly agreed. This place was dangerous everywhere; of course, he didn't want to linger either.
Watching Daoist Fangzheng tap and carefully inspect the not-so-long corridor, Mo Tiange stood still instead. She was pondering what seemed off about this situation.
First, although the valley emitted pure Spiritual Qi fluctuations, they were not vast. If a Core Formation or higher cultivator passed by, they likely wouldn't pay it any mind. When descending into the valley, given their cultivation level, they had barely managed to pass, which blocked Qi Refining cultivators outside the valley. But if it were a Core Formation cultivator, it would have been very easy. Then there was the Illusion Formation. For a Core Formation cultivator, having passed the Core Formation inner demon trial, even if they couldn't break the Illusion Formation, it would be a close call without real danger. It definitely wouldn't result in such a tragic outcome as their six deaths and one severe injury.
Summarizing these first few characteristics led to one conclusion: although it was unknown who left this valley, every aspect seemed targeted at Foundation Establishment Cultivators. Yet, this particular path was one that Foundation Establishment Cultivators simply dared not tread. This didn't seem right no matter how she thought about it.
If so... either this path was a fake, with another path leading to the next step, or the master of this place had a twisted sense of humor, deliberately setting up such a trap.
Thinking of this, Mo Tiange wondered again: what exactly was this valley? Looking at the valley's Illusion Formation and the arrangement of this Moonlight Illusion Stone corridor, the master of this place clearly possessed formidable cultivation. By her estimation, it must be above the Nascent Soul stage. A Cave Abode left behind by a Nascent Soul cultivator should, in principle, interest other Nascent Soul cultivators as well. In that case, it seemed as if it were deliberately luring Foundation Establishment Cultivators.
At this thought, Mo Tiange felt a sudden chill. Then she remembered that this Cave Abode had clearly been abandoned for a long time; there shouldn't be any sinister purpose. But how to explain the actions of this place's master? What about these cultivators who died under the Moonlight Illusion Stones? What benefit did deliberately luring Foundation Establishment Cultivators here and having them die here bring to the Cave Abode's master? Or was it truly just a twisted sense of humor?
A sense of humor at the cost of human lives was far too cruel.
"Fellow Daoist Ye!" Suddenly, she heard Daoist Fangzheng's delighted call.
Mo Tiange turned her head and saw Daoist Fangzheng pointing at a section of the stone wall. "Look, there's a door here."
Mo Tiange approached for a closer look. Indeed, there were fine seams on the stone wall, resembling the shape of a door.
"Let me try." Saying this, Daoist Fangzheng stepped back slightly. With a flick of his whisk, the dust threads surged with Spiritual Qi as he forcefully struck the door.
The stone door emitted a heavy thud and was easily pushed open.
Mo Tiange was taken aback. This... seemed too easy.
The two cautiously peered inside. It seemed to be a stone chamber, smaller than the great hall but larger than an ordinary Cave Abode chamber, resembling a small hall. It was empty inside, with only several stone statues and a few large, round stones suspended from the ceiling, illuminating the entire room brightly.
"Sunlight Stones!" Daoist Fangzheng exclaimed in surprise.
"Sunlight Stones?" Mo Tiange was puzzled.
"Indeed," Daoist Fangzheng said with a smile. "Fellow Daoist Ye, with these Sunlight Stones, even if we turn back now, this trip will not have been in vain."
"Oh?"
Daoist Fangzheng explained, "For us cultivators, Moonlight Stones merely provide illumination, like lamps in the mortal world. But these Sunlight Stones can produce the effects of sunlight and can even be used to generate True Solar Fire!"
The effects of sunlight! True Solar Fire!
After a brief thought, Mo Tiange understood the value of these items. True Solar Fire went without saying—it was one of the three best True Fires for alchemy and artifact forging. In the cultivation world, the furnace fire used for alchemy and artifact forging was extremely particular. Cultivators could use their Dantian True Fire for alchemy and forging, but using Dantian True Fire placed too high a demand on Spiritual Qi. Even Nascent Soul cultivators would become extremely fatigued from prolonged use. Therefore, any cultivator with the means used external fire.
So-called external fire included heavenly fire and earthly fire. Heavenly fire referred to solar fire, but harnessing solar fire involved quite complex formations and instruments. Earthly fire, like the former Tianhuo Mountain of the Danding Sect, was a typical example. The pinnacle of heavenly fire was True Solar Fire; the pinnacle of earthly fire was Earth Extreme True Fire. Additionally, there was the Samadhi True Fire, which transcended both and was considered the foremost fire. These three fires were known as the Three Great True Fires.
That Samadhi True Fire only existed in legends; no one had seen it for many years, and even the method to cultivate it had been lost. Therefore, the best external fires for alchemy and artifact forging in the world today were True Solar Fire and Earth Extreme True Fire.
If these Sunlight Stones could generate True Solar Fire, their value would absolutely not be inferior to a small earthly fire vein. If sold, the price would likely reach tens of thousands of spirit stones!
If this were true, with these Sunlight Stones, not only would their trip not be in vain, it would be an immense harvest!
However, Mo Tiange didn't believe they could obtain these Sunlight Stones so easily. Judging by the previous trials, it made no sense for them to gain benefits so effortlessly this time.
Daoist Fangzheng thought the same, so the two proceeded with extreme caution. They first sent the bird to scout the path, confirming there were no issues before stepping into the stone chamber.
However, when they stepped onto the stone slab at the chamber's entrance, suddenly, with a "rumble," the stone door behind them instantly dropped. Before they could react, they were sealed inside the stone chamber.
After the initial shock, Mo Tiange calmed down. If there had been no reaction at all, that would have been even more suspicious. With dangers lurking at every step along the way, if treasures were simply there for the taking, then there would likely be even more malicious traps later.
The two stopped where they were. Mo Tiange asked, "Fellow Daoist Fangzheng, in your opinion, what might be here?"
Daoist Fangzheng stroked his beard. "Before, there were miasma, astral winds, an Illusion Formation, and Moonlight Illusion Stones—each place designed to kill. I'm afraid this trial won't be easy either. However, thinking carefully, the miasma and astral winds tested our defensive methods. The Illusion Formation tested our temperament and willpower. That Moonlight Illusion Stone path tested whether we could resist the temptation of treasures everywhere and whether we could maintain control and not lose our senses. But none of these trials tested our combat abilities. In my opinion, it's very likely..."
Before he could finish, they heard a sound like the earth shaking and mountains quaking, as if something heavy was pounding on the stone wall.
Turning to look, Mo Tiange had already identified the source of the sound and frowned.
It was the first stone statue against the wall inside the stone chamber. It had suddenly taken a step, heavily marching toward them.
Daoist Fangzheng saw it too and held his breath.
They hadn't paid any attention to this stone statue earlier. Upon seeing it, they had merely thought it was decoration for the place, like murals carved on the walls. But in the blink of an eye, it had become a living creature!
"Fellow Daoist Ye, this..."
Mo Tiange had already activated her protective aura and summoned her White Silk Kerchief and Flying Sky Shuttle.
What this trial was had already been revealed. As Daoist Fangzheng had guessed, it was testing their combat abilities!
The stone statue was over ten feet tall, equivalent to twice their height. Its features were clearly carved in the style of a warrior, its iron armor distinctly segmented, and the stone sword in its hand carved with visible patterns. Just moments ago, it had possessed not a trace of Spiritual Qi, but now it was brimming with Spiritual Qi, akin to a Foundation Establishment peak-stage cultivator.
Mo Tiange quickly calculated in her mind. Both she and Daoist Fangzheng were at the Foundation Establishment mid-stage. Although this stone statue was equivalent to a Foundation Establishment peak-stage cultivator, it was, after all, an inanimate object and bulky in size. Defeating it shouldn't be too difficult. However, the sound of the stone statue's footsteps shaking the ground suggested it possessed considerable strength. They had to be extremely careful not to take its blows head-on.
As she was thinking this, the stone statue had already stepped before them, raised its arm, and swung its stone sword down heavily.