Passing through the mist once more, Lin Moyu sensed something was off.
Unlike before, everything vanished like the wind, leaving only the sword in his hand. The trial had changed.
He soon reached the end of the suspension bridge. Instead of a mere 20-meter-wide platform, he stepped onto an open plain.
A figure stood before him.
Though nearly human in appearance, Lin Moyu instinctively knew otherwise. The being's ears were pointed and longer, the face sharp and angular, as if sculpted by a blade.
The figure studied him and spoke, âWait a moment. Thereâs one more person coming.â
Lin Moyu frowned. It could talk?
Then, his pupils shrank.
A hexagonal gem gleamed on the beingâs forehead.
"The Life Core!" Lin Moyu muttered in his heart.
He had long suspected a connection between the Ancestral Land and the Life Core, but now, the truth was right before his eyes.
Just then, space rippled. Lin Mohan stepped out.
Seeing Lin Moyu, he stretched lazily and smirked, âMoyu, a step ahead again, huh?â
Lin Moyu wasnât surprised that Lin Mohan had made it this far.
In his heart, she had always been strong. It had been that way since they were children.
Lin Mohan turned to the being and smirked, âSo, we finally meet, Life Spren. My teacher asked me to give you this.â
She pulled out a fingernail-sized crystal from her pocket and tossed it over.
Only now did Lin Moyu learn what the being was calledâLife Spren.
Catching the crystal, the Life Spren examined it briefly before shifting its gaze to Lin Mohan, âYouâre his disciple?â
Lin Mohan nodded, âThatâs right. My teacher said heâs fulfilled his promise. Now, itâs your turn to keep yours.â
The Life Spren pressed the crystal against the Life Core on its forehead, causing the gem to glow faintly. Then, with a flick of its hand, a ball of light shot into the air. As if it had a will of its own, the light dove into Lin Mohanâs body.
Her entire body began to glow, and her aura rose sharply.
Grinning, Lin Mohan said, âThanks!â
The Life Spren remained expressionless, âThe deal between me and him is complete. Now, itâs time for your trial. There is only one spot. Only one of you may stay. You will duel. The winner stays.â
Lin Moyu didnât hesitate, âI donât wanâtââ
Lin Mohan cut him off, âNo need. Send me out. This chance belongs to him.â
Lin Moyuâs eyes widened, âSisterââ
Lin Mohan cut him off again with a grin, âCome on, be good. This opportunity matters more to you than to me. Iâve already completed my third class awakening. Furthermore, Iâve gotten what I wanted.â
Lin Moyu eyed her with suspicion. He couldnât shake the feeling that she was giving up an opportunity for his sake.
The Life Spren spoke up, âSheâs telling the truth. What she gained is even better.â
Lin Mohan reassured him, âDonât worry, little brother. I have my own path to follow. I donât need whatâs here. I only came to complete the deal.â
Lin Moyu said slowly, âYou better not be lying to me.â
Lin Mohan chuckled, âIf I were lying, my pants would be on fire!â
The familiar phrase stirred memories. She had always been playful, but she had never lied to him.
Turning to the Life Spren, she said, âAlright, send me out. I know the rulesâI wonât speak a word about what happened here. Iâll just pretend I lost my memories.â
The Life Spren nodded and pointed at her.
In an instant, Lin Mohan became a streak of light, vanishing from the Ancestral Land.
The Life Spren then turned to Lin Moyu, âFollow me.â
Its tone was calm, devoid of emotion.
To Lin Moyu, it felt less like a living being and more like a talking puppet.
Outside the Ancestral Land, Lin Mohan emerged.
Her eyes were clearâher memories perfectly intact.
Anyone who passed the fourth challenge and met the Life Spren would retain their memories of the Ancestral Land. But they would still have to abide by its rules, not revealing what transpired inside to others.
Seeing Lin Mohan appear, Ning Yiyi ran over excitedly, âSister Mohan, youâre out! Is Moyu still inside?â
Lin Mohan hugged her, âYeah, Moyu is the only one left.â
âLittle girl, what did you just say?â Suddenly, a sharp voice cut through the air.
An old man stepped forward, his piercing gaze locked onto Lin Mohan, âYou said Godly General Lin is the only one left inside. Then tell meâwhere is my grandson, Sha Jin?â
His aura flared, powerful and oppressive, exceeding level 85.
Ning Yiyiâs face paled, her breath quickening under the pressure.
Lin Mohan stepped in front of her, unfazed, âHow should I know?â
The old manâs expression darkened. His aura exploded outward, thick with fury.
Lin Mohan didnât flinch. A hint of disdain flickered across her beautiful face, âWhat? You want to fight?â
A thunderous voice rang out, âSha Zhen, what are you doing?!â
Ning Tairan strode forward.
To dare bully Ning Yiyi in front of himâSha Zhen must be tired of living.
As a God-level powerhouse, Ning Tairanâs aura was even more overwhelming.
Like a heavy punch, it struck Sha Zhen, forcing him back three steps.
Only then did Sha Zhen realize his mistakeâNing Yiyi was Ning Tairanâs granddaughter, his most cherished treasure.
Mo Yun stepped beside Lin Mohan and said in a low voice, âHis grandson is Sha Jin, the person who killed the most creatures in the Ancestral Land.â
Lin Mohan chuckled, âOh, him? After slaughtering so many creatures, Iâd bet heâs already dead.â
She crossed her arms, âThis isnât the first time something like this happened, is it? Didnât you teach your grandson not to indiscriminately kill the creatures inside the Ancestral Land?â
Sha Zhen trembled, his voice cracking, âI told him⊠Jin, why didnât you listen?â
Lin Mohanâs gaze swept across a few people, pointing at them one by one, âYou. You. And you. You were among the first to be eliminated, werenât you? You killed plenty of creatures in there.â
A smile tugged at her lips, âConsider yourselves luckyâyou didnât end up like Sha Jin.â
Her words hit like ice water dumped over them.
She was right. They had been the first to be eliminated.
The more creatures one killed, the thicker the mist clouding their vision, making it impossible to clearly see the stone tablets. How could they possibly pass the trial?
Not ending up like Sha Jin was already a stroke of luck.
Lin Mohan fixed her gaze on Sha Zhen, whose face had gone pale, âDo you want to fight me? Think carefullyâdo you want the Sha Family to be wiped out?â
A faint glow flickered on the back of her handâthe Primordial Rune had begun to shine.
Sha Zhen was level 85, but if she fought with all her might, she could still take him down.
And as for the Sha Family? She had her teacher backing her.
âPrimordial Rune!â Sha Zhen froze, his eyes locked onto the glowing rune on Lin Mohanâs hand.
Anyone capable of obtaining a Primordial Rune had a formidable force behind them.
The Sha Family was strong, but not that strongest.
Just then, Mo Xinghe rushed forward, âMiss Lin, please calm down. Sha Zhen was merely worried about his grandson and lost his composure.â
Ning Tairanâs deep voice followed, âMiss Lin, let it be. Forgive him this time.â
The two men attempted to persuade Lin Mohan.
Lin Mohan smiled faintly, âAlright, for your sake, Iâll let it slide this time.â
Turning to Ning Yiyi, she said, âIâm leaving first. Hurry up and settle things with MoyuâI want to be an aunt soon.â
Ning Yiyiâs face flushed bright red, âSister Mohan! Youâre spouting nonsense again!â
Lin Mohan laughed, activated a Teleportation Stone, and vanished.
The moment she disappeared, Mo Xinghe exhaled in relief, âOld Sha, you almost brought disaster upon yourself just now.â
It was clear he and Sha Zhen knew each other.
Still shaken by Sha Jinâs fate, Sha Zhenâs expression was grim, âBrother Mo, why do you say that?â
Mo Xingheâs voice dropped, âHer identity is not simpleâshe is that personâs disciple.â
Sha Zhen stiffened.
That person?
A thought struck him. Realization dawned.
His face drained of color, eyes flickering with panic.
âNo wayâŠâ He muttered in disbelief.
Mo Xinghe continued, âNot only that, but she is also the older sister of Godly General Linâwho is the disciple of Mad God, White God, and Serene God.â
Sha Zhen froze, trembling.
Ning Tairan snorted coldly, âKeep your eyes open next timeâdonât bring disaster upon yourself and the Sha Family.â
A long silence followed before Sha Zhen finally came to his senses.
He had nearly dragged the Sha Family into catastrophe.
Never in his wildest dreams could he have imagined that this stunning woman had such a terrifying background.
A shiver ran down his spine, âThank you for the warning, Brother Mo. Iâll head back first to take care of Jinâs resurrection.â
Sha Jin was deadâbut not truly gone.
There was still a chance to bring him back.
However, the process wouldnât be easy.
And it would come at a cost.