Wang Hong spent several days repeatedly experimenting, finally refining a kind of spiritual liquid. This liquid was based on the materials of the Body Refining Pill and combined with the alchemical method of the Condensing Qi Pill.
As for its effects, Wang Hong himself was uncertain; only by trying it would he know. He added this medicinal liquid to the Spirit Honey, and this time, the Spirit Bees finally consumed it all.
After observing for a while and seeing no abnormalities in the Spirit Bees, he added this medicinal liquid to all the Spirit Honey in the beehive.
On the fifteenth day after signing up for the mysterious trial, Wang Hong received a notice. All disciples who had signed up for the trial were to gather at the peak square.
When Wang Hong and Zhang Chunfeng arrived at the peak, dozens of people had already gathered on the square, standing in groups of three or five.
Glancing around, he noticed his neighbor Cheng Zan was also present, so he walked over.
"Senior Brother Cheng, I didn't expect you to sign up for the trial as well."
Wang Hong was indeed surprised that Cheng Zan would sign up. Given his age, even if he obtained the Foundation Building Pill, reaching Foundation Building was a distant hope. It would be better to retire peacefully at home.
"It's Junior Brother Wang. I'm not going to let these old bones die in peace. If I can come out alive by some chance, even if I don't get the Foundation Building Pill, with the contribution points rewarded by the sect, I can leave behind a lot of cultivation resources for the juniors. I didn't expect you to join the trial either."
Only now did Wang Hong notice that there were several cultivators on the square with their lifespans nearing the end, probably sharing Cheng Zan's thoughts.
"Do you know why they summoned us?" Wang Hong asked.
"It's to gather all the disciples who signed up for the trial at the peak for a six-month training session."
Wang Hong was a bit puzzled. He hadn't heard that participating in a trial required additional training.
"Junior Brother Wang, you might not know. Our participation in the trial is closely related to the sect's interests. The sect naturally wants us to die less and gain more. Each major sect competes fiercely in the trials, hoping that their side becomes stronger. Survivors in the trials, who endure the brutal life-and-death struggles, are elites within the Qi Cultivation stage, the cornerstone of the sect's development. Naturally, the more, the better."
Now Wang Hong understood. Major sects wanted their side to be as strong as possible in the trials.
"Why train here? Wouldn't it be better to gather the entire sect for training?"
"Qingxu Sect is united externally, but there is competition among the seven peaks internally. The sect benefits available to disciples from each peak vary. This is the result of competition, to stimulate the Disciples' desire for progress."
Cheng Zan, being an old member of the sect, was well-versed in various aspects of the sect's affairs.
"So every time we enter the trial, it's based on the mountain peaks for entry."
As they spoke, more than a hundred people had gathered on the square, and dozens were crowded around something happening inside.
People naturally liked to watch a commotion, so Wang Hong and Cheng Zan also squeezed in.
It turned out that two disciples inside were having a dispute, and Wang Hong took a moment to understand what was happening.
It turns out that a disciple named Pan Yuan borrowed a middle-grade Magical Weapon from another disciple named Hu Hao, promising to return it a few days later. However, over a year had passed, and Pan Yuan was still refusing to return it, using various excuses.
Hu Hao was helpless, as his cultivation level was lower than Pan Yuan's, making it impossible to win in a fight. Despite pleading and trying to reason, Pan Yuan kept avoiding the issue.
Today, they met here, and with many fellow disciples present, Hu Hao gathered the courage to confront Pan Yuan.
The two were pulling at each other, refusing to let go.
"Senior Brother Pan, you said you were facing difficulties that day, and out of goodwill, I lent you the Magical Weapon. Now, you've taken it as your own."
"Junior Brother Hu, let me warn you. I did borrow your thing, but I'll return it to you. Don't tarnish my reputation in front of so many fellow disciples, or I won't be polite."
Just then, someone in the crowd shouted, "Senior Brother is here!" The crowd automatically made way, revealing a tall young man striding in.
"Pan Yuan, it's you again. Do I need to hand you over to the Enforcement Hall for the senior brothers to handle?"
Upon hearing this, Pan Yuan immediately released his grip on Hu Hao's clothes, putting on a smile.
"Oh, it's Senior Brother returning. Hu Junior Brother and I were just joking."
"Who's joking with you? Give me back my Magical Weapon."
Seeing someone taking charge, Hu Hao seized the opportunity.
"I really didn't bring it with me. I'll give it back to you tomorrow. How about that?"
"I bet you've already sold the Magical Weapon!" At this moment, the senior brother who knew Pan Yuan well spoke coldly.
"Speak up! How many Spirit Stones did you sell it for? Return them to this junior brother, or you'll know the consequences of bullying fellow disciples."
"I used the Spirit Stones to buy Elixirs. Here are two bottles of Condensing Qi Pills, equivalent to the value of your Flying Sword."
Saying this, Pan Yuan handed two bottles of Elixir to Hu Hao, who accepted them, satisfied.
With no more excitement to watch, the crowd gradually dispersed.
"Senior Brother seems quite influential. How did he manage to make Pan Yuan yield so easily?" Wang Hong quietly asked Cheng Zan beside him.
He could tell that Pan Yuan was no good, but in front of the senior brother, he behaved like a mouse encountering a cat.
"Senior Brother is a direct blood relative of our peak master. He is upright, often upholding justice for the lower-tier disciples within the peak. Besides, he is formidable in battle, rumored to possess the demeanor the peak master had in his youth. I heard he will lead the team into the trial this time."
Just then, a loud voice sounded, and three disciples in purple robes appeared in the center of the square, unnoticed until now.
"I'm surnamed Qin. I'm pleased that you all have signed up for the trial, bringing glory to the sect. For the next few months, the three of us will be responsible for teaching and assisting you. This will give you the chance to collect more Spiritual Medicine and increase your chances of survival."
After speaking, Senior Uncle Qin led everyone into a hall, where they took their seats.
"Today, I'll explain the terrain of the trial. The area of the trial is equivalent to a mortal kingdom with a population of over a hundred million. Inside, there are mountains, rivers, lakes..."
Senior Uncle Qin began detailing each location's terrain, the distribution of treasures based on past experiences, and more.
In the following days, they were taught about the terrain, Demonic Beasts in the trial, various traps' creation and identification, as well as combat skills.
Every day, Foundation Building cultivators taught them hands-on, providing invaluable knowledge and exposing them to the various skills of cultivators.
Wang Hong spent his days , studying for a few hours during the day, returning to his courtyard to refine a couple of pills, and then tending to the Spirit Bees.
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