Chapter 143: Trial Through the Land of Yin and Yang

At the same time, this was a deadly trap filled with misleading information. The union of Yin and Yang wasn’t really about merging two worlds.

Instead, it meant that those undergoing the trial from the two realms—Yin and Yang—had to break through a certain barrier and meet each other to complete the test.

Triggering this trial was extremely demanding. Both participants had to be virgins, with the man embodying Yang and the woman embodying Yin.

The man must enter the Yang Realm first. Three minutes later, the woman enters the Yin Realm, drawing out both realms—so the Land of Yin and Yang appears in the world.

The Land of Yin and Yang only appears once every thousand years.

Whoever clears this trial can defy all rules and go straight to the end of the Divine Path, claiming the highest peak of the world!

Meanwhile, only half a day had passed on the Sword Qi Continent, while time within the Divine Path moved tens of thousands of times faster than in the outside world.

That’s why challengers on the Divine Path always feel time rushing by.

Gu Xiaoyao shot to his feet, realizing that the more critical the moment, the calmer he needed to be. He carefully retraced every detail of this strange world.

First, any attacks or spiritual force cast here were rendered useless. In the face of danger, only one’s physical strength and skill mattered.

Second, this world looked vast but no matter how far one walked, they always circled back to the same spot. It was like being trapped in a maze with no exit.

At the center sat a single ancient locust tree, surrounded by a few large stones neatly arranged.

Meanwhile, in the Yin Realm—

Xuyan looked down at her petite body, seeing nothing but pitch darkness around her, completely helpless. She wanted nothing more than to fly. Just a moment ago, she’d been happily soaring through the air.

The next instant, she plunged face-first to the ground, her backside split from the fall. She didn’t even have time to nurse her bruises before that deathly voice echoed again.

“Half an hour has passed since the trial in the Land of Yin and Yang began. There’s only half an hour left. Both participants, hurry and complete the trial!”

“Otherwise, when the hour runs out, you’ll both be wiped out! Take this seriously!”

Xuyan grumbled, “Alright, I get it! Quit rushing me! If you keep it up, I’ll die from stress before I even find the way out!”

The voice paused, a note of surprise in its tone. “Wait, you’re the Flame of the Void? That’s interesting, I never thought someone as proud as you would accept a master!”

Xuyan blinked in confusion. “Who are you? How can you recognize my true form? And what does me accepting a master have to do with you?”

The voice chuckled, and then suddenly, a shadowy figure streaked with black and white appeared in the sky above.

“Haha! Flame of the Void, it’s been thousands of years since we’ve met. You really haven’t changed, still acting on every whim,” the figure said.

Xuyan looked up, all her confusion melting away. She called out, raising her voice.

“So it’s you, Yin-Yang Spirit!”

“Hold on! Why are you here? And how did you end up as this trial’s examiner? No, something’s not right!”

“You dare to scare me? After all these years, you’ve really grown bold! See if I don’t beat the crap out of you, you little brat!”

Catching Yin-Yang Spirit off guard, Xuyan leapt behind him and began pummeling him with her fists.

The Yin-Yang Spirit could only cry for mercy. “Please, don’t do this! I give up, alright? I’m sorry!”

“Sorry won’t cut it! You threatened to kill me, remember? So you’d better make it up to me,” Xuyan pressed her foot on his back, her knuckles cracking ominously.

Inside, Yin-Yang Spirit was cursing up a storm. Why had he bothered revealing himself? Now he knew he wouldn’t get out of this without a heavy price.

“Sister Yan, how about I tell you the method to clear the Land of Yin and Yang trial, and in return, we call it even?” Yin-Yang Spirit sighed.

Xuyan snorted. “Just like that? You think I’m that easy? I’d rethink your offer if I were you. Or else…”

Swallowing nervously, Yin-Yang Spirit said, “Alright, I’ll add more. I’ll tell you the weaknesses of both guardians on the ten-thousandth floor, and give you three life-saving talismans. Does that work?”

Xuyan’s eyes darted about as she considered. Reluctantly, she accepted his deal.

“Fine, Yin-Yang Spirit, I accept your terms—but just this once. And from now on, call me Sister Yan. Got it?”

“Got it, I got it,” Yin-Yang Spirit quickly handed the three talismans to Xuyan, then whispered instructions to her.

……

Three minutes later, led by the Yin-Yang Spirit, Xuyan navigated through the eternal darkness and found an ancient locust tree completely shrouded in black.

Where the tree stood was the only patch of light in this whole world, hidden in a spot few would ever find.

Yin-Yang Spirit pointed to the locust tree. “Sister Yan, this is the key to passing the Land of Yin and Yang’s trial. Only if the two participants from the Yin and Yang realms smash this old locust tree at the same time, can you break the barrier and complete the trial!”

Xuyan frowned. “Are you hiding something? You say we have to break it at the same time, but how am I supposed to communicate with someone from another world? Are you messing with me?” She twisted Yin-Yang Spirit’s ear in warning.

“Sister Yan, go easy on me! How could I fool you? Heaven and earth can testify! If I lie, may I die a terrible death!” Yin-Yang Spirit protested, face wincing.

“Fine, fine, I’ll trust you. Now tell me, how do I get in touch with the person on the other side?” Xuyan rubbed her temples.

A sly smile crept onto Yin-Yang Spirit’s lips. He moved to the base of the huge tree, pulled out a sparkling stone, and handed it to Xuyan.

“Sister Yan, this is called a Sound-Transmitting Stone. It can connect both the Yin and Yang realms, linking you to the other world!”

“Is this thing really that amazing?” Xuyan eyed the Sound-Transmitting Stone skeptically, turning it over in her hands.

Seeing her doubt, Yin-Yang Spirit repeatedly assured her until she finally decided to give the stone a try.

Meanwhile, in the Yang Realm—

Gu Xiaoyao leaned against the ancient locust tree, sighing, when suddenly a stone at his side began to glow.

Puzzled, he picked it up. Before he could study it further, a voice echoed from inside.

“Host, can you hear me? This is Xuyan. Listen, I’ve found a way to pass the trial! Do you see an old locust tree? Both of us have to break it at the same time to succeed!”

Hearing this, Gu Xiaoyao’s face lit up instantly. This was the lifeline they needed. He calmed himself and replied with determination.

“Xuyan, I’ll count to three. Let’s smash the tree together. This is our one shot!”

“No problem, let’s go!” Xuyan answered.

“Three.”

“Two.”

“One.”

“Now!”

They struck at the same moment, shattering the ancient locust tree in unison. Instantly, the whole world darkened, and the barrier split apart. Light slowly seeped into the darkness, shining for the first time on the sunless Yin Realm.

A swirling vortex appeared before the three of them.

Yin-Yang Spirit spoke in a measured tone, “Congratulations, you’ve completed the trial. Step through this vortex and you’ll reach the ten-thousandth floor! Good luck on your journey ahead!”

Gu Xiaoyao and Xuyan shared a look and nodded. Xuyan hopped onto Gu Xiaoyao’s shoulder as they walked into the vortex.

Before stepping in, Xuyan turned back. “Yin-Yang Spirit, I’ll be back to mess with you someday, so be ready!”

With that, the two disappeared into the swirling portal, which faded away behind them.

Yin-Yang Spirit watched them go, letting out a long sigh, then grinning with relief.

“That little troublemaker’s finally gone. Thank goodness—I can look forward to some peace and quiet again!”

Humming a jaunty tune, he turned away, disappearing in an instant. Once he was gone, the Land of Yin and Yang returned to its original, tranquil state.