Outside the great hall, the surviving powerhouses finally exhaled, tension draining from their bodies.
"In the end, the Monster Race still gained nothing," an Insect Race Undying sneered openly. "So many treasures, yet only those with fate can obtain them. It seems Heaven and Earth simply didn't want you to succeed."
The Monster Race powerhouses' expressions were ashen. No matter how unwilling they felt, there was nothing they could do. Demon Blood Marquis could only raise his head and let out a long, bitter sigh toward the void.
At that moment, Bai Yue suddenly felt space ripple.
The surrounding palaces, pavilions, and courtyards dissolved like illusions, vanishing one after another. In the blink of an eye, everything returned to the vast, boundless white mist.
Beneath everyone's feet, a narrow stone path appeared.
To the left and right of the path lay endless white mist, thick and unfathomable. Three feet beyond the path on either side, vision was completely swallowed, as if leading directly to oblivion.
"Everyone," Yuan Bin's voice echoed once more between Heaven and Earth, carrying an unmistakable note of satisfaction. "I congratulate you on passing the first stage. From this moment on, all of you have a chance to obtain true treasures—items a thousand times more valuable than heavy treasures!"
The crowd trembled as one.
A thousand times more valuable than heavy treasures?
Just the word treasure made hearts pound violently.
"Haha, are you all very excited?" Yuan Bin laughed. "As for what those treasures are—don't rush. Before that, allow me to introduce myself properly."
"I, Yuan Bin, am the greatest treasure-refining genius in the entire history of the Lian Xing Clan. A peak Champion. Even Universe Exalts lower their voices when speaking to me."
His words dripped with arrogance, yet no one dared doubt them.
"To ensure the safety of those who may obtain my legacy in the future," Yuan Bin continued, "I will say only this: what lies ahead is a unique treasure."
The excited expressions on many faces stiffened.
That was all?
Just that?
After such a grand buildup, he still refused to explain anything in detail.
Bai Yue couldn't help but laugh inwardly. Saying this is the same as saying nothing. Truly airtight protection for future owners.
Yet the phrase unique treasure etched itself deeply into everyone's minds.
"The greater the treasure, the greater the difficulty in obtaining it," Yuan Bin said calmly. "The Illusion Heart Realm was simple, so the rewards were naturally limited. But what lies ahead is different. To obtain a true treasure, the difficulty will increase countless times."
A chill ran through the crowd.
If the difficulty rises further… how many more will die? Bai Yue felt a faint shock in his heart.
He wasn't the only one. Nearly everyone present was silently cursing.
"If you wish to obtain treasures without facing danger or life-and-death crises," Yuan Bin continued, "then stop dreaming. When you entered the Illusion Heart Realm, you were already warned—once inside, life and death are no longer within your control."
"Now, two paths lie before you."
He paused deliberately.
"The path on the left leads to a space filled with cultivation resources. Once you enter, you will be restricted there, but at least your lives will be safe. I advise you to choose this path. Perhaps, in the future, you may even find a way to leave."
"And the path on the right…" His tone turned cold. "It is filled with danger. Do not even think of stepping into the white mist—doing so will result in certain death, even for a Champion."
No one dared doubt his words.
If Yuan Bin dared to say such a thing, then stepping into the mist truly meant death.
"You have one hour," he concluded. "After one hour, the path to the left will close. Whether you choose survival or gamble everything for the treasure—that choice is yours."
With that, his voice vanished.
Silence fell.
Everyone stared ahead, weighing safety against ambition.
Beyond the stone tablet on the right, a vast river resembling molten magma flowed endlessly. Purple flames burst upward from its surface, painting half the sky in crimson hues.
The sky itself was no safer.
Bolts of terrifying lightning streaked through the air, radiating destructive power. Between magma and lightning, only a narrow path—less than half a meter wide—extended into the distance.
Just looking at it made one's scalp prickle.
An hour passed quickly.
Yuan Bin's voice echoed once more.
"Time is up. Those who remain—prepare to step onto the right path. Good luck."
As his words faded, the path on the left slowly dissolved, disappearing completely.
Bai Yue did not hesitate.
He stepped forward decisively, heading straight toward the right.
The moment his foot touched the path, an invisible pressure crashed down upon him, as though a massive mountain had been placed on his shoulders. His figure paused briefly.
This pressure would instantly crush an ordinary Immortal, pinning them in place, unable to move.
But Bai Yue was no ordinary Immortal.
After stabilizing himself, he continued forward at an unhurried pace, as if the pressure scarcely existed.
As he advanced, he vaguely sensed movement upstream along the magma river.
A narrow path—parallel to his own.
"That's an Automaton Race Immortal," Bai Yue recognized instantly.
It was Morris.
Suddenly, three bolts of lightning descended from the sky, tearing through space and slamming directly toward Morris.
The lightning was terrifyingly fast.
Under the oppressive pressure of the path, Morris struggled to move even an inch.
An angry, unwilling roar echoed.
Lightning engulfed his body. His aura plummeted, flickering violently. Moments later, under the relentless bombardment, Morris fell—his existence erased on the spot.
"He's dead…" Bai Yue felt a fleeting sense of regret.
A dignified Immortal, reduced to nothing in such a manner.
He no longer paid attention to others.
Dodging lightning, evading surging flames, Bai Yue advanced steadily along the narrow path.
All around, others who had chosen this route faced the same trial. Those who reacted quickly survived—those who failed were instantly annihilated by lightning or fire, without exception.
A full day passed.
After traversing an enormous distance, Bai Yue finally reached the opposite bank. Beyond it lay a vast grassland, calm and serene in stark contrast to the deadly path behind.
Several figures had already gathered there.
Without exception, all were Lord-level powerhouses.
No one spoke.
Having learned from prior experiences, they waited silently—for the trial to conclude, and for Yuan Bin to issue the next instructions.
"Brother, how should I address you?"
A voice came from beside him.
It was the Separation Marquis.
Bai Yue instantly understood his intention.
After the earlier struggle for the control core, the Separation Marquis had clearly felt the pressure of numbers. Now, among those who stood here unharmed, there were three Monster Race Lords, two Insect Race Lords—and only himself on the Human Race side.
Realizing that Bai Yue had deliberately hidden his strength, the Separation Marquis naturally wanted to draw him closer, to avoid being besieged again.
"Walker," Bai Yue replied calmly.
"Brother Walker truly hides his strength well," the Separation Marquis said sincerely. "In that side hall, I couldn't sense your aura at all. I was blind—please don't take offense."
"There's no need," Bai Yue said indifferently. "I hid it on purpose."
"Brother Walker is truly magnanimous," the Separation Marquis immediately praised. "With you here, the strength of our Human Race has increased greatly. Our chances of obtaining the treasure are much higher now."
The implication was obvious—you are Human; stand with us.
"For now," Bai Yue said flatly, "safety comes first. Other matters can wait."
"Of course," the Separation Marquis replied, visibly relieved.
The immediate danger had passed.
But everyone knew—this was only the beginning.
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