Chen Guan didn't feel anything unusual; it was no different from ordinary stone steps.

From below, the situation above was not visible. It wasn't until reaching the end of the steps that he discovered a large platform, upon which the ancient Pure Yang Monastery was built.

The three characters "Pure Yang Monastery" were engraved on the stone plaque above the large door, appearing weathered and battered, as if they had endured untold years and storms, with the characters becoming vague and indistinct.

Beside the Pure Yang Monastery, a stone stairway continued upwards toward the higher reaches of Cuiyun Mountain.

"Such a mysterious place actually has a Daoist Temple. When was it built? And by whom?" Chen Guan was shocked within.

"Continue exploring upwards." Xiu Jie Ming merely glanced at the Pure Yang Monastery without any intention of investigating. He just directed Kouzi Ge to continue exploring up the stone steps.

Kouzi Ge was preparing to go but suddenly heard a creaking sound. Everyone shuddered involuntarily and assumed combat stances. Some even summoned spirit pets, their eyes all fixed in the direction of the Pure Yang Monastery.

The previously tightly sealed main gate of the Pure Yang Monastery opened a crack, which gradually widened, yet nothing or no one could be seen within. It seemed as though the gate opened by itself.

Inside the gate was shrouded in mist, rendering it impossible to discern anything, only a hazy expanse.

Such circumstances were unexpected for Xiu Jie Ming and his group. Previously, when the Xiu Family sent people into Cuiyun Mountain, they knew of the Pure Yang Monastery's existence but had never seen its door open.

Xiu Jie Ming positioned everyone in a defensive formation, while everyone also summoned their spirit pets. If any change occurred, the pets were meant to engage first.

Buzz!

From within the gate came a resonating hum. The next moment, three sword lights flashed out, transforming into three long swords that vertically hovered before the door.

Simultaneously, a mysterious voice echoed from all directions: "I have three swords: one can sever ignorance and troubles; the second can sever ignorant anger; the third can sever nameless greed."

"To inherit my sword, one must pass three trials. Those who pass one will gain swordsmanship; those who pass two shall receive the sword technique. Passing all three, my lineage of the Pure Yang Sword Dao shall be yours."

That voice seemed to come from the void itself, echoing from all directions, making it impossible to determine its source. But it likely originated from within the Pure Yang Monastery.

Everyone looked at each other; this situation was something they had never anticipated.

Wen Yutao and Xiu Jie Ming, among others, had a glint of delight in their eyes. Wen Yutao respectfully saluted the Pure Yang Monastery and then loudly inquired, "Could you please tell us what the three trials are?"

"The first trial... simply take my sword..." One of the swords floating in the air flew forward, and behind it, a transparent humanoid silhouette appeared, like a ghost or specter, taking the form of a white-clad spirit body without discernible features.

It stood there holding a sword, seemingly gazing at everyone.

"Can pets be deployed?" Wen Yutao respectfully asked again.

"They may." The clear voice of the white-clad spirit body rang out again.

"Commander, may I try first?" Wen Yutao turned to Xiu Jie Ming for permission.

"Go ahead." Xiu Jie Ming consented.

Upon hearing this, Wen Yutao summoned a Stone Spirit pet, directing it toward the white-clad Sword Spirit.

The Stone Spirit was not particularly high in level, a Level 17 Stone Spirit. It appeared like an anthropomorphized stone creature, swinging its stone fist towards the white-clad Sword Spirit.

The white-clad Sword Spirit lightly swung its sword, seemingly without much force, yet the Level 17 Stone Spirit was cleaved in half with a single strike, dying instantly.

"Again." Wen Yutao summoned another pet, this time a Level 28 Iron Armor Xuan Warrior.

"Each person has only one chance; you have no further opportunity. Attacking my true form again will be considered a provocation." The white-clad Sword Spirit coldly stated.

Wen Yutao was taken aback, but dared not let the Iron Armor Xuan Warrior attack the white-clad Sword Spirit, and had to withdraw it.

"Commander, may I attempt it?" Deputy Commander Zhao Zhikai asked with a salute.

"Since the opportunity is presented to all, naturally everyone can give it a try." Xiu Jie Ming stated.

Zhao Zhikai hesitated no more and summoned a red-haired Spiritual Monkey pet that was only half-human height.

Wen Yutao intended to use the robust defense of the Stone Spirit or Iron Armor Xuan Warrior to withstand a blow from the white-clad Sword Spirit, while Zhao Zhikai took a different approach.

The red-haired Spiritual Monkey was small but exceptionally fast, possessing the Spiritual Monkey Hundred Transformations Secret Skill. Zhao Zhikai wanted the monkey to dodge the white-clad Sword Spirit's attack.

Under Zhao Zhikai's command, the red-haired Spiritual Monkey approached the white-clad Sword Spirit.

The white-clad Sword Spirit wasted no words, swinging its sword at the monkey.

The red-haired Spiritual Monkey immediately exerted its strength, its form flickering like lightning, leaving behind residual images as if multiple red-haired monkeys appeared at once, making it unclear which was its actual body in an attempt to dodge the sword.

However, it avoided the sword but not the sword energy, the invisible force slicing it in half mid-air. Blood and entrails scattered across the ground.

Everyone frowned. The red-haired Spiritual Monkey, even with its extreme speed for a Third Awakening pet, couldn't evade a single strike.

Subsequently, several Third Awakening cultivators summoned pets to challenge the white-clad Sword Spirit, but none of the Third Awakening pets were able to withstand a strike.

For a time, the platform was strewn with the corpses of Secret Spirit pets. Let alone passing three trials, not even one was surmountable.

Second Awakening cultivators dared not attempt it.

Since Third Awakening pets were instantly defeated, Second Awakening pets would just be sent to their death.

As for First Awakening cultivators, only Chen Guan was among the team.

"I'll take your sword." When no one else attempted, Xiu Jie Ming slowly walked towards the white-clad Sword Spirit without deploying a pet, approaching on his own.

"Big Brother... that's too risky..." Xiu Yingmei held Xiu Jie Ming's arm.

"Commander, prioritize the bigger picture; it's not worth the risk now. Knowing there's a secret here, we can bring more people next time." Wen Yutao also advised.

"No worries." Xiu Jie Ming soothed Xiu Yingmei and Wen Yutao, striding towards the white-clad Sword Spirit.

Standing before it, Xiu Jie Ming's stature was so robust that the white-clad Sword Spirit appeared small in comparison.

"Please." Xiu Jie Ming made an opening gesture, which held no practical effect but was a customary form of respect in a duel.

"Please." The white-clad Sword Spirit returned the courtesy and then swung its sword without hesitation.

The sword was incredibly swift, seemingly casual, yet so fast that one could see it, but the nerves couldn't react in time, only able to watch as the sword tip approached the forehead.

When the sword tip was just three inches from Xiu Jie Ming's brow, it stopped as if frozen in place.

Xiu Jie Ming pressed his palms together at his forehead, clasping the sword between them, gently exerting force to seize the sword from the white-clad Sword Spirit as if it took no effort.

"I apologize." Xiu Jie Ming respectfully returned the sword to the white-clad Sword Spirit with both hands.

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