“I shall also inform all of you," Big Devil continued.

"The inheritance trial is divided into eight trials in total." Big Devil's gaze swept across everyone present. "The eighth trial is the final inheritance trial.

In other words, one must acquire twelve Black Devil Tokens from the first seven trials to advance to the eighth trial.

Starting from the second trial, there is no time limit. However, once someone passes the final inheritance trial, those among the remaining candidates who have yet to obtain five Black Devil Tokens will be eliminated," Big Devil declared coldly.

A deathly silence fell over the crowd.

All the Archimmortals and Archdeities listened intently, finally understanding the full requirements of Sovereign Black Devil's inheritance trial.

So, there were eight trials in total. One had to obtain twelve Black Devil Tokens in the first seven trials to qualify for the eighth trial.

"Archimmortal Xiang Fei, you shall begin the third trial," Big Devil announced slowly.

With a wave of his hand, Archimmortal Xiang Fei vanished instantly from her spot.

Immediately after, Big Devil disappeared as well.

…

Seven trials, requiring at least twelve Black Devil Tokens? This means one must rank at or near the top in every single trial?

Wu Yuan pondered silently.

This newly acquired information had caught him completely off guard. Naturally, his plans would need to be adjusted.

If one can obtain three Black Devil Tokens in each trial, then completing just the first four trials would be enough to gain twelve Black Devil Tokens.

That would allow direct advancement to the eighth trial.

Wu Yuan realized this point.

It wasn't necessary to pass all seven trials. If one was exceptional enough, outstanding performance in just the first four trials would suffice.

I can't afford to delay any longer. Now, my body refiner self will continue analyzing the basic units of life, while my qi refiner self will begin attempting pill refining.

Wu Yuan had previously been unhurried, as few had completed the first test of the second trial, not even two thousand individuals.

He had believed there was still ample time. Thus, he wanted to gain sufficient confidence before swiftly tackling the three tests.

But now, knowing the full set of rules, the situation had changed, and naturally, he needed to pass the second trial as quickly as possible.

The second trial is unfavorable for me. Even if I had initially chosen the first path, it would be difficult to compete with figures like Archimmortal Xiang Fei. But this may not be the case for later trials.

Wu Yuan silently reasoned that it would be best to pass the second trial as soon as possible.

Although he had not yet reached his expected goal, four hundred years of dedicated research had already taken Wu Yuan very far along the path of analyzing all things.

It was worth noting that previously, Wu Yuan had cultivated for fewer than 1300 years in total, yet had already achieved such accomplishments.

He had spent four hundred years on the second trial. Moreover, both his true selves tackled this task with their full focus, their powerful souls operating at full capacity. Naturally, his progress was beyond imagination.

If Wu Yuan hadn't chosen to divert his attention to analyzing all things, his body refiner self might have even been able to deduce the Great Dao of Creation to the fourth-level True Intent stage.

As of now, over a hundred individuals have completed the second test. I must act quickly, aiming to be among the first hundred to pass the trial and obtain two Black Devil Tokens.

Wu Yuan, having thought it through, naturally made changes to his approach.

Whoosh!

After four hundred years of secluded cultivation in the lotus position, Wu Yuan's qi refiner self finally stood up and approached the enormous pill furnace before him.

He began selecting the ingredients for the first medicinal pill.

…

Wu Yuan's actions didn't attract much attention. After more than four hundred years, he still hadn't passed the requirements for the first test, and most Archimmortals and Archdeities had long since stopped paying attention to him.

Even the numerous major factions of the Dao Realm didn't focus much on him anymore. They had long since concluded that Wu Yuan would spend a very, very long time on the second trial.

"By the time Ming Jian passes the second trial, Sovereign Black Devil's inheritance trial might well be over." This was the consensus among many powerhouses.

"Archimmortal Xiang Fei was the first to complete the second trial, but her performance in the first trial was quite ordinary."

"We still have a great chance."

"Go for it, Gu Shou. If you can secure three Black Devil Tokens in the second trial, you'll have six Black Devil Tokens in total. Your advantage would actually be greater than Archimmortal Xiang Fei's."

"Understood."

Whether they were powerhouses from the Dao Realm or the Devil Realm, they were all doing their utmost.

…

In the Black Devil Blood Hollow, deep within a mysterious location, countless tendrils of black mist swirled around the periphery.

In the center stood a group of figures. These figures varied greatly in stature – some were as diminutive as dwarves, others as towering as giants, and some even took on bestial forms.

The auras they emanated were equally diverse - some exuded bone-chilling cold, others radiated heat like blazing suns, while some possessed a ghostly, sinister quality.

There were nine figures in total.

Big Devil stood among them.

The common feature among these figures was that they were all shrouded in black robes. Apart from Big Devil, it was difficult to discern the faces of the others.

Before them, a massive light screen projection appeared, displaying the scene of Wu Yuan attempting to refine pills.

"Too poor."

"Four hundred years, and he hasn't even met the requirements for the first test," the short, black-robed figure spoke in a raspy voice.

"Big Devil, is this the successor you specially activated the inheritance trial for?" The four-legged bestial figure's voice boomed: "His foundation in pill cultivation, equipment cultivation, and talisman cultivation is indeed poor, but no matter how poor, he should have at least been able to meet the first requirement after so many years."

"At this rate, his chances of passing the eighth trial are pitifully low." One by one, the black-robed figures spoke up, their voices filled with dissatisfaction.

"What's the rush? He is indeed very talented. I believe in him," Big Devil's gaze swept across the figures. "Besides, don’t forget that the order to initiate the inheritance trial came from the Sovereign. Ming Jian has his special qualities."

The black-robed figures fell silent, their eyes fixed on the white-robed figure in the light screen, waiting silently.

Their displeasure stemmed from their expectations, from their fervent desire for the emergence of a monstrous prodigy who could inherit the Sovereign's legacy. The higher the expectations, the greater the disappointment.

Ming Jian, are you truly this untalented in pill cultivation and equipment cultivation?

Big Devil stared at the light screen, his brow slightly furrowed.

…

Time flowed on, and merely ten years later, another streak of brilliant light flashed across the sky, once again drawing the attention of all the powerhouses.

"Gu Shou has completed the third test and passed the second trial," Big Devil appeared again, his gaze sweeping over all the candidates. "Gu Shou is also the sixth to pass the trial among the eleven trial grounds."

"Astral Lord Gu Shou."

"He obtained three Black Devil Tokens in the first trial."

"He’s now gained another three Black Devil Tokens?"

"Doesn't that mean he already has six Black Devil Tokens? His progress is far too swift." The various Archimmortals and Archdeities felt the pressure, especially top candidates like Astral Lord Xue Yao and Astral Lord Red Devil.

…

In one of the massive halls within the Hundred Mysteries Palace headquarters, over a thousand Archimmortals and Archdeities were gathered, many of whom were cordoned off in separate areas.

One such area was occupied by an Astral Monarch skilled in talisman cultivation alongside Astral Lord Gu Shou's true self. Over the years, this Astral Monarch had been guiding Astral Lord Gu Shou.

"Success!"

"Astral Lord Gu Shou."

"He's obtained six Black Devil Tokens." The thousand-plus Archimmortals and Archdeities from the Hundred Mysteries Palace with mana or ether bodies at the trial grounds were all utterly shocked as they gazed at Astral Lord Gu Shou.

Among them, half hadn't even met the requirements for the first trial yet.

Whoosh!

A figure wreathed in black flames appeared, his imposing aura enveloping the entire temple.

"Sovereign."

"Sovereign." The numerous Astral Monarchs, Archimmortals and Archdeities in the temple all bowed respectfully.

"Gu Shou." Sovereign Bai Xuan's gaze fell upon Astral Lord Gu Shou, a faint smile appearing on his face. [1] "Very good, you're the first from our Hundred Mysteries Palace to enter the third trial ground.

You've already seized six Black Devil Tokens, giving you a tremendous advantage. You must strive to reach the eighth trial as quickly as possible.

Regardless of your final success or failure, as long as you can advance to the eighth trial, it will prove your potential, and I will bestow an extremely generous reward upon you."

"Yes, Sovereign," Astral Lord Gu Shou replied respectfully.

His heart was also filled with excitement. The Sovereign had personally made him a promise, which meant his chances of becoming an Astral Monarch in the future would naturally increase dramatically.

I must give it my all! This is my opportunity. I must exert every ounce of effort to vie for Sovereign Black Devil's legacy.

Astral Lord Gu Shou thought to himself.

In his heart, a burning ambition grew.

…

Another three years passed.

Hum~

A mysterious ripple enveloped the space where Wu Yuan was located.

"Congratulations, Ming Jian. You have completed the first test," a cold voice resonated in Wu Yuan's mind. "Please proceed to the second test."

Whoosh!

Wu Yuan put away the immortal pill he had just refined, and the pill furnace immediately transformed into an enormous equipment forging chamber.

This scene caught the attention of some people.

"Ming Jian completed the first requirement?"

"His Dao comprehension is comparable to that of an Astral Monarch, yet it took him over 400 years to complete the first requirement? That's far too slow."

"Indeed, it's too slow." Many Archimmortals and Archdeities shook their heads, losing interest.

In their view, Wu Yuan posed no threat, at least in the second trial.

As time passed, more and more people reached the requirements for the first and second tests, and several even managed to complete the third test, passing the trial!

Among them was Astral Lord Xue Yao, who once again drew attention. She too had effectively obtained six Black Devil Tokens.

When the second trial had reached its 480-year mark, six people from this trial ground had already entered the third trial ground.

Hum~

On this day, another ripple enveloped the space where Wu Yuan resided, and the equipment forging chamber transformed into a talisman chamber.

"Hmm?"

"What? Ming Jian has completed the second test? So quickly?" The Archimmortals and Archdeities not far from Wu Yuan were shocked.

"It's not that fast, is it? Over 150 people have already completed the second test by now," someone questioned.

"What do you know? It took him over 400 years to meet the first requirement, and how long has it been since then? He's already completed the second test?"

"He took less than 50 years to complete the second test after passing the first, the shortest time out of anyone."

"It's even shorter than the time Archimmortal Xiang Fei took!"

After more than 400 years, the name 'Ming Jian' once again caught the attention of countless Archimmortals and Archdeities on the trial grounds, simply because this rate of progress was too fast.

It was worth noting that at the beginning of the second trial, Ming Jian was already widely recognized as the candidate with the most potential and hope of obtaining the inheritance.

…

Once I’ve analyzed the fundamental nature of all things, learning pill cultivation, equipment cultivation, and talisman cultivation is indeed easy.

Wu Yuan smiled.

It was as if he had first constructed a massive excavator from raw materials and then used it to swiftly dig through and level a small hill. The efficiency was only natural.

Talisman cultivation? I should be able to pass the test within 50 years.

Wu Yuan immersed himself in drawing talismans.

1. Bai Xuan = Hundred Mysteries ☜