Chapter 576: Ghost Domain Phantom City

Cultivators could alter their appearance and skin through medicines or cultivation techniques, making themselves look younger, sometimes even fooling renowned masters, but the soul was different.

The soul had accompanied a person since birth, growing continuously as time passed, and no technique or method could conceal it.

Therefore, testing the soul to determine age was the fairest, and no one objected.

Soon, the test was completed. All fifty-six contestants participating in the competition passed, mostly between twenty-eight and twenty-nine years old, with the oldest being twenty-nine years and eleven months, and the youngest naturally being Zhang Xuan.

He was still two months shy of twenty. Seeing someone of such an age participating in the competition, contending with those ten years older, countless people couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

With equal strength, the younger one was, the more potential they had.

How had the Ten Nations Alliance regressed so much?

Indeed, sending such a little kid to compete with us—they must have no hope of winning!

Having been at the bottom so many times in a row, anyone would lose confidence. They're probably just giving up...

...

Many also showed contempt.

Although Master Yang had forced the fourteen factions to leave in disgrace, the matter had been suppressed by a gag order, and many observing masters, even those participating in the competition, were unaware of it.

The Ten Nations Alliance had always performed poorly, and now seeing them send someone ten years younger than themselves, they naturally thought the other side had given up.

Since everyone is qualified, let me explain the content of the selection test in detail.

Seeing that everyone had passed the test, Master Hong smiled slightly: "The first level: mental fortitude!"

Here we have a Ghost Domain Phantom City, left behind by the five-star master Feiyuzi. It contains esoteric arts and is a rare treasure!

With that, Master Hong waved his hand.

Whoosh!

Everyone's vision blurred, and they saw a corner of the previously misty platform revealed—a tall castle with red bricks, green tiles, white walls, and blue corridors. From afar, it gave off a sinister feeling, sending chills down one's spine.

Ghost Domain Phantom City?

What is that thing?

I think I've seen it in some book before. It's a special treasure with esoteric arts inside... As for what exactly it is and how the test works, I don't know either!

Esoteric arts? What are those?

It's a special profession, very rare. I heard there isn't even a branch in the entire Huanyu Empire.

……

Seeing that a castle had actually appeared in the mist, everyone burst into an uproar at the same time.

Even Hall Master Kang and the others furrowed their brows.

They were well-traveled and knowledgeable, but they had never heard of such a thing.

"The Ghost Domain Maze City has only one entrance and one exit, a test of mental fortitude... As long as all of you present enter from the entrance and exit from the exit within the time it takes to burn one incense stick, you win!"

Master Hong smiled and stated the rules.

"Is it that simple?"

"I can only see the entrance; where is the exit?"

"I don't know either, but once we go in, we should be able to find it..."

……

Hearing that the rules were so easy, everyone was stunned, and even Zhang Xuan found it somewhat strange.

Everyone present was a four-star master teacher with extraordinary eyesight; even if this Ghost Domain Illusory City contained some hallucinogenic formations, it surely wouldn't be too difficult to pass through.

Since it claims to be a selection, how could it be so simple?

"Do you think it's too simple? I can tell you in advance, don't harbor any侥幸心理—this level is not that easy to pass!"

Seeing the crowd's confusion, Master Hong smiled: "The Ghost Domain Phantom City can only admit one person at a time. There are fifty-six of us here, so we need to determine an order! Since we just tested ages, I think we might as well arrange by age, from youngest to oldest... For the first round, let this Master Zhang go first!"

Zhang Xuan was the youngest, so by age he would be the first to enter.

Master Hong's arrangement was also to see just how capable this personal disciple of Master Yang really was.

"Me?" Zhang Xuan blinked.

"Yes!" Master Hong nodded.

"Letting Master Zhang go first? Isn't that a bit rash?" Hall Master Kang, Elder Su, and the others below exchanged glances, their mouths twitching.

"I think so too..." Elder Wu nodded repeatedly.

He had suffered losses during the selection tournament at Ten Thousand Nations City back then. This Master Zhang's methods were too bizarre—letting him go first... Master Hong's approach was too imprudent.

"Um... Master Hong, how about I go first? Master Zhang can be last!"

Young Master Ruohuan also reacted and stepped forward.

"What? We said by age, so it's by age. Are you trying to show favoritism?"

"If you don't have the strength, don't come. If you're scared at the last moment and dare not advance, then go back. Your Ten Thousand Nations Alliance can afford to lose face, but don't disgrace our profession of master teachers!"

"It's too late to be scared now..."

……

Hearing Ruohuan's words, the many master teachers competing in the same match all sneered coldly.

Being the first to enter was like eating a crab; psychologically, it was hard to avoid a shadow. In everyone's view, this Zhang Xuan didn't want to go, and instead let Ruohuan speak, clearly out of fear.

Combined with his age and cultivation, contempt was written all over their faces.

"Don't worry, entering first and entering last have the same effect. The strange formations within the Ghost Domain Illusory City change continuously, never the same twice. Even if you know the scene the previous person encountered, it offers no reference for those who follow!"

Thinking that was what the other was worried about, Master Hong smiled: "Also, if you don't come out within the time it takes an incense stick to burn, the attacks will automatically disappear. Even if your cultivation is insufficient, there's no danger to your life!"

"No need to worry, I can handle it..."

Seeing that the other was about to go up in his place, Zhang Xuan smiled and waved his hand.

This Ghost Domain Illusory City sounded terrifying, but he didn't really care.

"Please!" Seeing him agree without any fear, Master Hong showed an approving expression and gestured.

"Mm."

Facing the entrance, Zhang Xuan stepped inside.

Watching him disappear from sight, Ruohuan finally smiled bitterly: "Of course I know you can handle it. I'm afraid... the Ghost Domain Illusory City can't handle you..."

To be honest, having spent quite some time with this guy, he knew him all too well.

He seemed muddled, but once he acted, he could scare people to death.

Not to mention how Elder Wu and Elder Bai were driven nearly mad, take the Ice Plain Palace—they went there to cultivate using the Yin-Yang Pool, but before even seeing the pool, he went and used up the Mother Water...

He never played by the rules.

This Ghost Domain Illusory City seemed formidable; if others entered, he'd be more at ease, but with this guy going in, who knew what trouble he'd stir up?

"I hope nothing happens..."

Clutching his chest, Ruohuan's face alternated between red and pale.

"Don't worry, Master Zhang is exceptionally capable; there shouldn't be any danger!"

Seeing his expression, Song Chao walked over.

Having not seen Zhang Xuan these days, he often visited the Master Teacher Hall and had long since become acquainted with this Ruohuan.

Both had been 'tormented' by Master Zhang, so they had common ground. Moreover, both came from good backgrounds and carried the air of noble scions. Though rivals, they also felt a mutual admiration.

"Cough, I'm not worried about Master Zhang being in danger, but..." He paused mid-sentence: "I hope I'm overthinking it."

"Not worried about him being in danger? What do you mean? Don't tell me you're worried about the Ghost Domain Illusory City being in danger?"

Before Song Chao could speak, a young man not far away flicked his sleeve: "Ridiculous!"

The two turned to look; it was a young man with a high nose bridge and thick eyebrows.

"Liao Wuzhi of the Cold Qi Sect, second only to Luo Xuan in potential, ranked second!"

Ruohuan recognized him.

Though this young man's words were unpleasant, his true skill was not to be underestimated.

The top genius of the Cold Qi Sect, second only to Luo Xuan, a peak figure and the hottest contender for the championship.

"This... Master Zhang is indeed quite formidable..." Not knowing how to respond, Ruohuan said awkwardly.

"Formidable?" Liao Wuzhi snorted: "You don't know how terrifying this Ghost Domain Illusory City is!"

"Terrifying?" The two were stunned: "Does Brother Liao know about it?"

"Of course! I once read an introduction to this thing in a book!" Chin raised, Liao Wuzhi's gaze carried a hint of arrogance.

Many hall masters were unclear about it, but he knew, which showed his extensive knowledge.

"The Ghost Domain Illusory City is laid out with strange formations, divided into Three Wonders, Eight Gates, and Six Jia. It contains the spirits of things like Zhifu, Tengshe, Taiyin, Liuhe, Baihu, Xuanwu, Jiudi, and Jiutian, causing those who enter to fall into endless fear, unable to extricate themselves! Those with weak minds are easily attacked in their soul defenses, losing confidence!"

Hands behind his back, Liao Wuzhi's expression was calm, with an air of commanding the scene.

"I've heard of this Master Zhang. Being able to defeat you, Ruohuan, shows he has some skill. Reaching Four-Star at such a young age is admirable. But... being young, smooth-sailing, and never having experienced setbacks, his mental fortitude is bound to be insufficient! This trial... might be his biggest obstacle."

Being a top contender, he was not only strong himself but also good at analysis.

Though Zhang Xuan was young, emerging from the Ten Thousand Nations Alliance was no simple feat, so he didn't underestimate him.

However, a genius he might be, but being too young with weak mental fortitude would be his biggest flaw.

This trial, he probably wouldn't pass.

"If my guess is correct, he'll last no more than five to ten minutes inside before losing his mental composure and being unable to extricate himself!" Liao Wuzhi analyzed.

"Five to ten minutes?"

"Mm! This thing is too powerful. I've calculated privately that I can only last the time it takes an incense stick to burn. Master Hong designed this time quite precisely... You must come out within that time, or no one can hold on! He's much younger than me; lasting over five minutes would already be good..."

Liao Wuzhi waved his hand, looking proud. He was about to continue when he suddenly froze, eyes wide as if seeing a ghost, his whole body stiff, lips trembling uncontrollably.

"This... what's going on?"