Three days passed by in the blink of an eye. All of the squads were gathered in the center of Celestial Mirror City, where excited chatter bubbled into the skies.

Everyone's faces were filled with anticipation and vigor. After spending three months in seclusion to refine their insights, they were filled with newfound energy to take on the challenges ahead.

Li Luo led the Astral Sage College squad to gather with the rest of the East Divine Continent's squads.

That said, squads would no longer be divided into their respective divine continents during the Celestial Mirror Martial Exchange. Instead, they would fight in smaller squads and the trial would conclude with all of the peak experts engaging in a frenetic battle.

"The Celestial Mirror Martial Exchange will start from the Celestial Mirror Pagoda's thirtieth layer. You will have to undergo numerous trials to progress forward, and what you want will likely be on the thirty-fourth layer at the very least," Jiang Qing'e told Li Luo.

Li Luo nodded. Based on Jiang Qing'e's information, that was likely the place the Greater Acquired Resonance Godly Forging Art would be.

"What sorts of trials are there during the Celestial Mirror Martial Exchange?" Li Luo asked.

Jiang Qing'e shook her head and explained, "I don't know. The Celestial Mirror Pagoda is filled with mysteries and is capable of creating a copy of anything, just like a true reflection. Thus, nothing that appears should surprise us. Each trial will be different."

Li Luo was taken aback by her words, and he couldn't help but sigh at the thought that the Sacred Void Resonance Sect must have poured incredible amounts of resources into this. This was a wondrous place for tempering disciples that could only have been created by the overlord of an era.

"If we encounter any trouble, you can find me. We'll deal with it together," Jiang Qing'e said.

Li Luo nodded, a gentle smile on his face.

At this point, laughter rang out from beside him. "Hehe, Mentor Li Luo and Jiang Qing'e, you two truly have deep feelings for each other. As a bystander, I feel envious!"

Li Luo turned his head and saw that it was none other than the Enlightened Sage College's Guo Jiufeng.

"Congratulations, Mentor Li Luo and Jiang Qing'e on forging Ten-Pillar Golden Duke Bergfrieds. It looks like we will have no opportunity to shine during the Martial Exchange with you two around," he continued as he clasped his hands respectfully.

The Celestial Mirror Martial Exchange was no longer about the performance of the divine continents and thus, the squads from the East Divine Continent could no longer ride on Li Luo's coattails.

"You're more than strong enough to obtain a decent result, Vice Principal Guo Jiufeng." Considering that Guo Jiufeng was also one of the people that had trusted and invested Celestial Mirror Sand in him, Li Luo gave a courteous reply.

Guo Jiufeng smiled bitterly and shook his head. "Haha, your words are too flattering. We'll be grateful if we can complete the thirty-first layer." The two then exchanged a few more words before Guo Jiufeng took his leave.

As he glanced at his departing figure, he grinned at Jiang Qing'e. "Thinking back, Vice Principal Guo Jiufeng is part of the reason we we've reaped so many benefits."

Guo Jiufeng was originally the leader of the East Divine Continent, a role he truly deserved. However, with Li Luo's rise to the top, he didn't hesitate to give up his position. This show of magnanimity and broadness of mind was truly impressive.

One had to know that many experienced leaders were very concerned about their positions being replaced, as their reputation would be affected.

Jiang Qing'e's golden eyes were still glued to Guo Jiufeng, and she hesitated slightly.

She then told Li Luo softly, "I don't really like him."

Li Luo paused and glanced at Jiang Qing'e quizzically, then his gaze turned somber. "What? Is there a problem?"

Jiang Qing'e frowned slightly. "I don't know. It's just a gut feeling. However, this feeling vanished almost as quickly as it appeared. Perhaps it was a misperception. It's also strange. When I met Vice Principal Guo Jiufeng earlier, I didn't feel this way..."

𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Li Luo frowned as well. Jiang Qing'e possessed the Heart of Light and was extremely sensitive to others' inner emotions. Although he didn't sense any negative intentions from Guo Jiufeng, he trusted her and knew that it was best to remain wary.

"I'll watch out for him," Li Luo said. It was better to be cautious sometimes, and if Guo Jiufeng was fine, then everything would be great. However, if anything did happen, then it would definitely not be a minor matter as the other party had hidden himself too well.

Jiang Qing'e slowly nodded as well.

As the two spoke, the skies filled with majestic undulations of energy. Then a formless and terrifying pressure descended upon the area.

Three figures appeared in the sky, namely Wang Xuanjin, Elder Bai Yu, and Elder Jin Xi, the three organizing elders.

When they appeared, worldly natural energy coalesced around them, forming lotus thrones which they sat upon, looking like gods watching over the world.

"Now that everyone has arrived, we can begin," Wang Xuanjin said as resolutely as ever. "You must remember, the Celestial Mirror Martial Exchange begins on the thirty-first layer of the Celestial Mirror Pagoda. There will be numerous opportunities hidden within, and all you will be able to rely on are your abilities and methods. When you enter, the information regarding the trial on that layer will be transmitted into your minds. If you have no other questions... then I officially announce that the Celestial Mirror Pagoda's final trial, the Celestial Mirror Martial Exchange, begins now!"

With those words, everyone's minds buzzed and the world around them began to shift, as though the stars before them were moving.

The feeling only lasted for a few tens of breaths before it stopped.

Li Luo then noticed that the world before him had changed greatly.

Celestial Mirror City had vanished and what replaced it was a desolate and endless wilderness. The world in front of him seemed to be covered by a misty fog.

At the same time, a mighty wind howled, stirring the fog.

Gradually, his surroundings began to clear up.

Everyone present sucked in a deep breath in shock. What they saw before them were nine mountains that stretched into the skies, so tall that the peaks were submerged into the clouds.

They were like nine giants that were immovable since ancient times.

However, to Li Luo, they resembled nine gigantic fingers that were connected to the ground beneath their feet. If they were to look down, it was as though they were in the palm of the gigantic hand, and they were standing in the center of the palm.

Was this the Celestial Mirror Pagoda's thirty-first layer?

Li Luo's mind trembled as information entered it.

This was the Nine Finger Realm, with nine peaks derived from the different worldly natural energies. There was a mirror altar on each peak that allowed one to reach the thirty-second layer.

The first one to ascend each peak would be given an opportunity. Once half of the people had passed through, the layer would thus be closed and anyone still remaining would be eliminated.

Li Luo gasped in his heart. Wasn't the rate of elimination a little too high? That said, what truly moved Li Luo was the fact that the first to ascend each mountain would obtain an opportunity!

This meant that he would have to choose one of the peaks and take the lead.