Next, Lin Jing learned the specific situation of the Demon Ancestor Ruins from Steward Zheng.

"Actually, among the disciples of the three sects, a small number have already acquired a thin trace of the Zhu Yan bloodline. However, most cultivators of the three sects are not here for this, as not everyone wants to possess beast blood."

"The disciples of the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect merely want their pet beasts to acquire a hint of the Zhu Yan bloodline, along with the cultivation techniques, magic, and martial arts practiced by demon beasts."

"As for our Thousand Illusions Mountain, we aim to find more Demon Ancestor aura from the ruins, hoping that one day we can perfectly revive the Vermilion Bird as an illusion. As an ancient relic species, its strength could surpass the three Demon Ancestors imprinted in the deepest part of the Divine Beast Hall."

"At that time, you only need to explore the image, magic, and martial arts of the Vermilion Bird."

"Since you have some insights in simulating the White Nether Monkey King, perhaps you might gain some extra rewards in the Demon Ancestor Ruins. Although not of the same species, they are all monkeys after all..."

"And what about the Flower Sect?" Lin Jing asked.

"They don't want us to succeed, so they're here to cause trouble," Steward Zheng said. "A bunch of sluts, really. When you enter the Demon Ancestor Ruins, make sure to thoroughly defeat that group of demonesses like today."

"I decided to let you join the exploration team of the Demon Ancestor Ruins precisely because of your keen understanding of dealing with Flower Sect demonesses."

"Although it is very dangerous, this opportunity is also quite rare. Consider it carefully."

Lin Jing was speechless.

He didn't really want to go to the Demon Ancestor Ruins, but he couldn't refuse either.

This seemed to be the quickest path for him to advance to a True Disciple, and if all competitors were at the Foundation Establishment cultivation level, relying on his illusion mastery, he might indeed be able to compete.

"Disciple won't disappoint the Steward's expectations." Lin Jing clasped his fists.

...

A few days later, the name Huang Yu spread within the Thousand Illusions Mountain. Many disciples learned that another illusion genius had joined the Illusionary Killing Hall and had captured alive a mid-stage Foundation Establishment demoness from the Flower Sect.

Defeating a cultivator of the same level is something many can achieve.

However, capturing one alive is extremely difficult. Generally, it requires one to have vastly superior cultivation to accomplish such a feat.

And according to the confession of the Flower Sect demoness, this "Huang Yu" managed to summon a perfect greater demon, almost instantly subduing her, further attesting to Huang Yu's reputation as a genius.

As for Lin Jing himself at that time, he once again entered a closed cultivation state.

......

Three months later.

A hundred elite Foundation Establishment disciples from the Thousand Illusions Mountain were gathered together.

These hundred Foundation Establishment disciples ranged in cultivation from early-stage Foundation Establishment to Foundation Establishment Great Perfection, among which ninety-five were Inner Sect Disciples and five were True Disciples, all sect core members set to enter the Demon Ancestor Ruins this time.

The Demon Ancestor Ruins were discovered by strong cultivators from the three sects ten years ago. After the first exploration, although some gains were made, none of the sects obtained what they truly desired, the opportunity that could alter the sects' dynamics.

Subsequently, the three sects deliberated and decided that every five years, each would send a hundred disciples to explore once.

This was the third exploration...

"Depart!!!" On the Thousand Illusions Mountain Flying Boat, the half-step Divinity Transformation sect leader led the team, accompanied by several Nascent Soul Elders.

On the flying boat, the hundred disciples were divided into five squads according to different tasks, each led by a True Disciple of Foundation Establishment Great Perfection acting as captain, responsible for command.

Lin Jing was part of the second squad, where the captain was a Foundation Establishment Great Perfection female cultivator skilled in illusions. She wore a purple dress, with a light veil, depicting a dreamlike figure, making her face indistinct.

People called her "Senior Sister Ning."

"Next, I will explain our squad's mission..."

"Senior Sister Ning, you speak, we will definitely heed your words," a late-stage Foundation Establishment youth among the dozen team members expressed his admiration.

Senior Sister Ning, the True Disciple, nodded and said, "According to the situations from the previous two explorations of the Demon Ancestor Ruins, each entrant initially enters the same grand hall."

"In this grand hall, initially, a drop of Zhu Yan's blood will manifest, which will then transform into a small Zhu Yan at early-stage Foundation Establishment level."

"Only by defeating this small Zhu Yan can you pass the first stage."

"Although it is only early-stage Foundation Establishment, this small Zhu Yan is incredibly powerful, requiring the combined efforts of a hundred people to hope to defeat it."

"Eventually, after defeating it, the ruins will reward thin Zhu Yan blood according to the damage each person inflicts on the small Zhu Yan. This Zhu Yan blood, once absorbed into the body, will fortify the physique, and upon accumulating a sufficient amount, one will acquire thin Xu Yan bloodline..."

"The holder of the Zhu Yan bloodline will have an exceptionally strong physique, similar to those with special constitutions like the 'Heavenly Dragon Body', 'Furious Bull Body', and 'Beast King Body', possessing certain demon beast bloodlines, no longer considered purely human."

"While it's an opportunity, it isn't suitable for disciples of the Thousand Illusions Mountain."

"Therefore, our task is not to acquire this Zhu Yan blood! We don't need to participate in the battle."

"Instead, our role is to observe the demeanor demonstrated by the small Zhu Yan in combat against other cultivators. As this small Zhu Yan is not a lifeform but an illusion, the demon-revealing mirror cannot be used; we must rely on our memory."

"During this process, some disciples from the Flower Sect might abandon their fight with the small Zhu Yan to interfere with our analysis. Don't mind them; fellow disciples from other squads will guard us and combat them."

"Until the critical moment, focus entirely on observing the small Zhu Yan; even if you can only capture a fragment of its essence in the end, the sect will grant significant rewards."

"If other sect disciples break through our sect's defenses, cease your analysis and defeat them."

After Senior Sister Ning spoke, everyone nodded.

"As for after passing the first stage, in the second stage, we will enter another grand hall, which also contains a small Zhu Yan. Overall, the rules are similar to the first stage; however, this small Zhu Yan will wield a weapon and use martial arts, unlike the one in the first stage, which only engages in brute-force melee combat! More formidable and difficult to deal with!"

"Defeating it will not only reward the Zhu Yan blood, but the weapon it uses will also acknowledge its final vanquisher as its master..."

"However, the weapon is not that valuable... it's equivalent to a medium-grade magical treasure."

"Therefore, our role in this stage is still to observe the battle, using illusions to capture the essence of its martial arts!"

"Third stage..."

Lin Jing listened all the way through, gradually understanding his task this time.

It is to watch the battle between others and the small Zhu Yan, striving to memorize all its combat stances and essence, and to manifest it as his own illusion beast, only allowed to engage in combat with other sect disciples or the small Zhu Yan at the most critical juncture...

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