Chapter 86: The Chosen One

It wasn’t that his voice was too loud, it was simply too quiet around them.

He closed his mouth and stopped speaking.

The molten lava behind them soon vanished and the oppressive heat gradually dissipated.

Once they left this place, everything that had disappeared would instantly return.

This formation would remain intact unless Ye Shiyuan actually removed the key.

Only then would the Eight Dragon Formation that had been guarding this place for eight days instantly disappear.

Thus, the four trials were completed.

But that was all there was to it.

The four trials above would prove far more difficult than the ones below.

When he looked up at the dark staircase leading further upward, Bai He took a deep breath and his expression turned serious.

"Master, there’s no need to be nervous. We’ve already made it this far, so the rest should be able to pass as safely and steadily as we have so far."

Seeing Bai He’s nervous, Ye Shiyuan couldn’t help but reach out and hold his hand, hoping to reassure him, to let him know there was no need to be afraid.

However, Ye Shiyuan had no idea that the next four trials were almost entirely designed for him alone.

The Dawnmaker Divine Sword had already designated Ye Shiyuan as its master.

In the upcoming four trials, Xu Feng and Bai He would not face any significant danger.

As long as the original story described it this way, even though Bai He and Xu Feng were merely accompanying him, the results would not change.

Ye Shiyuan couldn’t quite read the look in Bai He’s eyes, but he still held his hand and stepped forward.

They entered the fifth level.

Ye Shiyuan’s expression changed instantly, while Bai He and Xu Feng showed no reaction at all.

"Master, what’s wrong with Senior Brother?"

Bai He pulled Xu Feng to the side. "He needs to face the trial on his own!"

"Then, Master, shouldn’t we help him?"

Bai He shook his head. "No. We can’t help him. In the next trials, none of us will be able to help him."

Xu Feng looked puzzled and glancing at Bai He in confusion. "Master, why?"

"The previous four trials were merely tests set by the Dawnmaker Divine Sword. Only one person can face its trial, and it has already made its choice. That person is Ye Shiyuan. Furthermore, we cannot help him, and there is no way for us to help him. All we can do is wait here and watch. Only if he succeeds in the trials can we leave this place together."

In other words, their lives were now entirely in Ye Shiyuan’s hands.

It was trust and it was hope.

Bai He wished for Ye Shiyuan to succeed so that they could all be safe.

"And Xiao Feng, don’t think about slacking off. While he’s doing this, you’ll stay here and cultivate."

Bai He gestured toward the many sword manuals that was placed nearby.

This was meant as a reward for accompanying him.

Different cultivation techniques had been laid out here.

Each one was suitable for specific people and all were extremely powerful.

If Xu Feng could master even one of these methods, it would be well worth the journey and his strength would increase dramatically.

Bai He walked over, picked one of the manuals and tossed it to Xu Feng. "You should cultivate this one. This secret manual is even more suited to you than the one I gave you before."

Xu Feng opened it with some hesitation and surprise. "Master, can I really practice this?"

"Yes. Not only can you practice it, but time moves faster here."

"Time moves faster?"

Bai He nodded. "Yes. One day here is only one hour outside. Cultivating here is a gain. And the cultivation you do here will not vanish when we leave this place."

Xu Feng’s eyes lit up and he immediately began to cultivate eagerly.

Bai He did the same.

He also began to cultivate.

Mo Zhu replayed the previously recorded techniques specifically for Bai He.

Only Bai He could see it and no one else could.

As for Ye Shiyuan, Bai He had no way to intervene.

He could only rely on his own skills to get through it.

For a long time, Xu Feng and Bai He were only cultivating when they’re alone

So, at this moment, when Xu Feng saw Bai He practicing, he could not help but feel a little surprised.

In his heart, although he called Bai He "Master," at most he regarded him as a friend.

After all, considering Bai He’s age and strength in this place, Xu Feng really could not force himself to sincerely accept him as his master.

But now, watching him cultivate seriously, it was as if his entire being had changed.

A faint radiance enveloped Bai He and his presence became dignified and commanding.

"Xiao Feng, I told you to cultivate, pwhy are you peeking here?"

Bai He sensed everything in his surroundings whenever he cultivated, though he wasn’t sure why.

He could clearly tell whether Xu Feng was genuinely focusing on his cultivation or not.

Xu Feng was startled in his heart and immediately began to cultivate properly.

Meanwhile, Ye Shiyuan stood facing a barely perceptible figure before him.

"Who are you? Where are my Master and my junior brother?"

"Congratulations. You have obtained the recognition of the Dawnmaker Divine Sword and will now undergo the next stage of assessment. Once you complete this evaluation, you can become the master of the Dawnmaker Divine Sword."

Ye Shiyuan did not feel any joy at hearing this news.

He furrowed his brow. "And if I fail the assessment?"

"I strongly advise against entertaining such thoughts. By coming here, you have implicitly accepted the evaluation. Once completed, you can leave this place and become the master of Dawnmaker Divine Sword. If you fail, both you and those who came with you will die here. Therefore, you must give it your all."