Chapter 2078 - 2077: Challenging the Three Trials, the Guests

The changes in heaven and earth are closely related to the inescapable net.

Xu Zimei gazed seriously, carefully sensing and comprehending the changes within.

The Celestial Stem and Terrestrial Branch, Ying-Yang Bagua, and Circulation Stars.

These seemingly disparate elements now fused into one, perfectly forming this Heavenly Net Earthly Trap.

"Brilliant," Xu Zimei praised after watching for a while.

Everything here isn't difficult, but the challenge lies in flawlessly blending everything together.

Xu Zimei sighed deeply.

"Can it be broken?" Lin Ruhu asked from the side.

It was clear that if it couldn't be broken, he was ready to force his way through, impolite as it might be.

Xu Zimei smiled and replied, "Perhaps difficult for others, but for me, it's nothing."

The strength of a Three Corpses Strong One is not merely spoken of.

Under his gaze, all the world's rules could not escape.

It could be said that the rules are right in front of him; no matter how the net operates, it cannot break free of the rules.

No matter how intricate and marvelous, everything is governed by rules.

"Follow close behind me, do not step wrong," Xu Zimei warned.

He took a step forward, appearing ordinary to the common eye, but in the eyes of the strong.

This step contained supreme wonders, as if disrupting the serene order with a single stride.

Like the calm surface of water disturbed by a stone.

"Where I am, there the rules reside," Xu Zimei said softly.

To break this net, one must not follow its rules.

Doing so is akin to being led by the nose, utterly directionless.

Only by breaking the net's rules and establishing one's own, can one find a way out.

Xu Zimei led the way forth, ahead there were clearly large trees blocking the path, but upon his approach.

The trees seemed non-existent, vanishing, merging directly into Xu Zimei's body.

Initially, Xu Zimei's pace was slow.

But as he moved, he became smoother, as if totally grasping the secrets of the net.

Until finally, his figure was like an illusion, fast as a shadow.

Lin Ruhu struggled to keep up from behind.

Unaware of how long they had walked, though the Cloud Stream Forest seemed not vast, under the net's grasp.

Its space was magnified countless times.

At last, when Xu Zimei found no path ahead, the scene before him transformed from illusion to reality.

He finally emerged from the trapping array.

Lin Ruhu's figure followed closely behind.

Looking up, he realized that unbeknownst to him, he had arrived at the forest's depths, amid a valley of blooming flowers and lively birds.

The valley was silent, eternally spring-like.

It seemed like an earthly paradise, the perfect place for seclusion.

Lush and verdant, full of the essence of flora.

Ahead was a manor.

The manor was small, surrounded by bamboo structures.

No rare flowers or plants were planted here, only weeds.

But the weeds were not chaotic; each seemed pruned and cherished like precious blossoms.

Even the weeds were pleasing to the eye, exceptionally calming.

Before the door, a group of people attentively attended to them.

Seeing Xu Zimei and Lin Ruhu, they brightened.

With a smile, they said, "It seems new friends have arrived!"

They rose and first greeted Xu Zimei and Lin Ruhu.

"I am Zhou Chongming from Blood Fish Bay!"

"And I am Xu Shikai from the Human Emperor Hall!"

"I am Gongshu Buyi from East Hundred City!"

These three introduced themselves directly, and Xu Zimei with Lin Ruhu also introduced themselves: "Loose Cultivator Xu Zimei, Lin Ruhu."

"Did you come for Mr. Zhuge too?" Zhou Chongming asked with a smile.

Xu Zimei nodded.

"Where is Mr. Zhuge?"

"Seeing Mr. Zhuge is not so easy," Xu Shikai responded from the side.

"Mr. Zhuge once said that whoever can see him, he will answer one question they ask honestly and openly.

Many wish to meet him daily, but few pass through the net of the Cloud Stream Forest."

"You have crossed at least this step; the Zhuge Villa holds three trials, which you must overcome to meet him."

"Which three trials?" Lin Ruhu asked curiously.

"Meeting him is so difficult; I wonder how great his skills are."

"Mr. Zhuge has a talent that pierces the heavens, there's nothing in the world he doesn't know," Xu Shikai laughed.

"The so-called three trials, in fact, are the three of heaven, earth, and man."

"Under Mr. Zhuge's banner are guests; defeating a guest is the man trial.

Within the yard are weeds; crossing the weeds is the earth trial.

The back yard connects to the firmament; traversing the firmament, is the heaven trial.

After these three trials, Mr. Zhuge will naturally meet you."

"And what about you?

What are you doing here?" Lin Ruhu asked again.

"Although we have passed the net of the Cloud Stream Forest, we could not pass the three trials.

So, we settled in the vicinity of Zhuge Villa," Gongshu Buyi smiled.

"This place, with its lively birds and blooming flowers, brings freedom from the world's clamor.

It's an ideal place for cultivating and tempering the heart.

We have come to love life here, and even if we can't meet Mr. Zhuge, we are content."

"Are there many who pass the three trials?" Xu Zimei asked.

Xu Shikai shook his head.

"The three trials may sound easy, but they encompass profound mysteries.

I think Mr. Zhuge favors tranquility, hence he made the trials somewhat challenging, not wishing to be disturbed."

"Let's give it a try, I'm curious about these three trials," Xu Zimei smiled.

"Time for some excitement," Zhou Chongming, who spoke first, chuckled.

"Rarely does anyone come in here; it's been so quiet for so long, let's see if you can pass the three trials."

With the three leading the way, Xu Zimei learned much about Zhuge Villa.

Upon entering the manor gates, in contrast to the peace outside, within the manor, there were dozens of people.

Some wore scholarly robes, reciting poetry and prose continuously.

Others wielded blades, practicing martial arts, drinking, with carefree abandon.

"These people are Mr. Zhuge's retainers, living here and safeguarding the manor's peace," Zhou Chongming explained.

"Why didn't you become retainers?" Lin Ruhu asked.

The three smiled, with Gongshu Buyi saying, "Our strength is too weak, unqualified; otherwise, we'd like to be retainers too."

"Newcomers!" Gongshu Buyi shouted.

Instantly drawing everyone's attention in the forecourt.

"Someone's challenging the three trials, wonder if they'll succeed?"

"I doubt it, the last one to pass was probably over a decade ago!"

People debated fervently, but among the retainers stood a leader.

A blind man.

He wore a black straw raincoat and held a bamboo stick, slowly approaching.

He asked, "Are you here to challenge the three trials?"

"To see Mr. Zhuge, we challenge the three trials!"