CHAPTER 102
The Hall of Trials
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"Ha! You never cease to surprise me with every word."
Su Cheng's words truly amused Yu Lan!
"I've lived for thousands of years, Sister, and this is the first time a man has ever asked me to hide behind him like a little girl!"
"Very well! Then I shall rely on you! Do not disappoint me!"
Amidst her laughter, Yulan’s mind raced. Clearly, Su Cheng understood just how perilous the Hall of Trials truly was!
This wasn't some rash, empty threat. Su Cheng had clearly weighed his words carefully before reaching this conclusion.
By Dragon King standards, a few thousand years was barely adulthood. Su Cheng thought this, but dared not voice it…
"Just stay behind me, Sister. I'll handle everything. I won't let you down. I only hope you won't go back on your word."
Yu Lan said nothing, merely stamping her foot. Thus, the so-called riding clouds and mist manifested.
No need for external aids—this was the true power of the Dragon King, soaring through heaven and earth, unbound by constraints.
To be carried under the arm of a middle schooler while flying? Honestly, this was a first for Su Cheng…
Before long, Su Cheng was carried along to the Trial Hall in the east. The massive doors stood before them, a truly magnificent sight.
"This is the Trial Hall?"
Su Cheng stared at the massive doors before him, feeling a bit flustered…
This didn't quite match the system's description at all?
Gazing at the massive doors standing atop a platform resembling an altar—a landmark with a touch of French flair—Su Cheng had no heart for appreciation at that moment.
Yu Lan chuckled, "What? Having second thoughts? If you're scared of dying, it's fine. Shall we go back?"
Though her pink lips formed these words, Yulan didn't believe Su Cheng was afraid of death. Instead, she was curious—what exactly was he so shocked by?
But Yu Lan was neither witch nor fox spirit; she possessed no mind-reading abilities.
Su Cheng thought to himself: The system clearly stated the Trial Hall's entrance lay exposed at the mountain's base, imposing like a temple. Within lay a hidden realm—a vast space concealed within the peaks, containing several trials. The final grand hall held the divine weapon belonging to Yu Lan.
"Sis, are you sure this is the Trial Hall?"
"What? You don't believe me?"
"It's not that I doubt you, Sister. But from what I know, the Trial Hall should be hidden within the mountains, with only its entrance at the foot sealed by special magic."
Yu Lan smiled. "How can you be so certain, little brother? I've lived on this coiling dragon mountain for thousands of years. The Trial Hall has always been this way."
Su Cheng grew even more flustered. What was the Dragon King laughing about? Was this some kind of test?
"Please trust me, Sister. My word is my bond—I would never deceive you."
Yu Lan studied Su Cheng thoughtfully once more, finding him even more enigmatic now!
Without another word, she stamped her tiny foot down. The Dragon King's aura instantly formed an oppressive force, causing even half-meter-thick trees along the edge to bow beneath its weight. The entire forest seemed to prostrate itself, clearing a path for her!
Simultaneously, a golden nail engraved with a dragon's head shot into the air. Yu Lan drew forth dragon blood and dipped the nail in it!
Soon, the golden nail slowly embedded itself into the door. Behind the massive door, which had previously been nothing but a frame, a scene unfolded like a curtain being drawn.
Yu Lan withdrew her imposing aura and smiled as she spoke, "Let's go. I'll follow behind you."
Su Cheng was genuinely surprised. So this Trial Hall could only be opened by her! Was she just toying with me all this time?
This thought made Su Cheng grow wary of the little loli once more. Though she constantly reminded herself that Yulan wasn't a child…
But that loli appearance was far too beguiling to men. Even as he addressed her as Sister Yulan, Su Cheng couldn't help but occasionally slip into treating her like an adult…
Much like his second disciple, even though he knew it was Daiyao, Su Cheng couldn't help but… glance a few extra times at the stunning beauty running about the Lingxian Hall courtyard in her revealing attire.
Though her body was that of a white-haired loli, she was the genuine article—the Dragon King. Her millennia of cultivation and depth of character were no laughing matter.
Su Cheng nodded silently and walked straight through the door.
Li Shiyu followed closely behind Su Cheng. After all, her senior sister had entrusted the Master to her care—she couldn't afford to lose track of him!
Stepping through the doorway felt like entering another world. Panlong Mountain itself resembled a hidden realm—likely designed to conceal this dragon clan sanctuary!
Yu Lan followed Su Cheng's instructions, obediently trailing behind him. Before long, they indeed spotted the temple-like entrance revealed at the mountain's base.
Yu Lan wasn't surprised. This wasn't her first time here. Even with her current cultivation, she could only advance as far as the third trial chamber.
Yet she wondered how Su Cheng knew of such matters. He clearly didn't recognize that door as the "special method" he'd mentioned—the seal guarding the Trial Chamber.
Yet despite never having been here before, he could describe the appearance of the Trial Hall behind the seal with such clarity!
Still, if Su Cheng chose not to speak, she wouldn't press him. She knew all too well that with a man like him, impatience was futile.
Forcing answers wouldn't yield what she sought—it might even push him into desperate measures, making the cost outweigh the gain.
Seeing the temple entrance, Su Cheng finally relaxed. Thankfully, the system hadn't malfunctioned—otherwise, he would have truly been finished!
This system had accompanied Su Cheng for a long time, traversing several worlds like a transient traveler. From its initial beta version, it had upgraded to the current 12.0, evolving from a handful of basic functions to now supporting AI responses.
That’s not to say it hadn’t malfunctioned before. Su Cheng had suffered losses several times, but back then, he either held absolute power or possessed invincible prowess, always managing to turn danger into opportunity. He wasn’t the worthless cultivator he was now…
This body, when faced with danger, is honestly quite difficult to handle.
[System, Guide to Secret Realms]
[Ding~]
【Host, hang in there!】
Fine, fine, fine! Ever since I arrived in this world, you damn system has been hell-bent on screwing me over!
【Searching Secret Realm Data】
【Ding~】
【Secret Realm Data as follows…】
Su Cheng actually knew a bit about this secret realm, but since he was coming in person, he had to be cautious. He'd tried many things, but never tested whether he could revive after dying.
He glanced at Yulan, motioning for her to follow, then entered the Trial Hall.
Similar in style to the Spirit Pool Hall, though lacking the spirit pool itself, it was a vast, empty temple. Clearly, this was the first trial.
"Who are you?"
Voices echoed from all directions—these were the guardian spirits of the Trial Hall, the very temple itself speaking.
“My name is Su Cheng, Grandmaster of Lingxian Hall.”
"This is the Dragon Clan's place of trial. Depart at once."
"The Dragon Queen sent me here. I won't leave!"
Yu Lan smiled. Su Cheng was always like this—giving off an oddly brave yet strangely handsome vibe.
He was clearly just a fox borrowing the tiger's might, yet he spoke as if he were utterly justified!
The guardian spirit seemed to sense Yulan's presence and fell silent.
Seeing no one to disturb him, Su Cheng began to survey the secret realm before him. The Dragon King's trials were hardcore. Unlike human secret realms, there were no puzzle-solving segments. One word summed it up: fight!
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