Looking around, Darren exclaimed in surprise, "Where are we?"
He also noticed that the wounds on his body disappeared and he was back to his original human form.
In front of him was a cliff. Behind him was a vast wasteland where a great number of huge living creatures strolled and where fights took place occasionally.
'I have only read about these things in books about the ancient world, ' he thought with astonishment.
"Darren, this is the Black Cliff of Sword Intent. I have been here before," Elsa introduced, a trace of terror flashing in her eyes. It had never crossed her mind that she would return to the place where her nightmare began.
Darren nodded then said in a surprised tone, "I'm guessing this is an independent space. The images in the distance look so real."
"You think those are illusions, don't you? But the truth is they are all real."
Her words left Darren dumbfounded. He looked at the demonic monsters. 'I thought they were visions, ' he exclaimed inside.
Upon seeing the skeptical look on Darren's face, Elsa explained further, "I'm telling you the truth. Look at that cliff. There are signs left by swords. If you can't comprehend enough things in three days, the cliff will remain closed and the huge demonic monsters will attack us."
"I see!" The thought of those demonic monsters coming at them gave Darren goosebumps.
"Where is Mr. Xiao?" Elsa muttered as she looked around.
"What did you just say?" Darren asked curiously.
Before she could answer, an elder's shadow that exuded a powerful aura appeared in front of Darren.
"Welcome to the trial, my 34652nd visitor," the shadow said flatly.
"Who, who are you?" Darren asked, with shock in his eyes. Elsa bowed to the shadow calmly as if she had met it before.
"I was Mathew Xiao, a sword cultivator at the Grand Realm. I died 7000 years ago. You can call me Mr. Xiao," the old man replied with a smile.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Xiao," Darren greeted, bowing to the shadow. 'Cultivators at the Grand Realm are stronger than those at the Wonder Realm. They are the rightful rulers of the world, ' he thought in awe.
The shadow of Mathew nodded and then turned to Elsa who was standing beside Darren. "Missy, you were able to escape this place. What brings you here again? You know I am just a shadow and I can't help you. I can't change the test my master created."
Upon hearing this, Elsa felt a bit embarrassed. She explained, "Sir, we had no choice but to break in because we were pursued."
"Looks like luck isn't on your side. Master sent 108000 fragments which bear the sword intent to the outside world, so there are only a few left in here. I remember you failed to open the door of the cliff back then, and the fragment which led you here is still in your hands. Looks like you're doomed to take the test again.
Well, I will not waste more of your time. Hurry up and study the signs on the cliff. Once you have mastered three of them, you can go through the door. That way, you can probably live for another day.
Lots of young men and girls come here by chance, and many of them lose their lives in here. Even those geniuses chosen by the fragments of sword intent failed to leave here alive. Master, do you still want to select your successor by this way? I don't know how many years it would take before someone can inherit what you left behind..."
Listening to the old man silently, Darren had gotten bits of information. But what astonished him most was that the legendary elder who had entered the Grand Realm had an even higher master. 'How strong could his master be? How precious is the treasure he left behind?' he wondered.
Darren shook off those doubts and without a word, looked at the signs on the wall.
Those complicated signs each had a terrifying power. Anyone who caught a glimpse of them would feel as if someone was putting an invisible sword down their throat.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Talented Martial Hero