As the Great Clan Elder spoke, the group continued their ascent, arriving at a stone chamber halfway up the mountain. Inside, intricate patterns were painted in white, swirling in mysterious designs.

A single glance was enough to make the seemingly stationary patterns spin endlessly, leaving one feeling dizzy and heavy-headed.

"Of course, the Glowing Moon Attainment Realm isn’t just about danger. If you can awaken your consciousness within the Dream Realm and become lucid amidst the bizarre illusions, you will gain a unique opportunity."

"An opportunity to experiment freely."

The Great Clan Elder said.

"Experiment freely?"

The group asked in confusion.

"That’s right. As I said before, in the Dream Realm, your consciousness is dormant, making you like a puppet on strings. But if your consciousness awakens mid-dream, and the dream doesn’t shatter as a result... what do you think would happen?"

"At that point, you can use your consciousness to control the ongoing dream. In there, you will be like a creator—omnipotent. The Dream Realm is intrinsically linked to reality, especially the Glowing Moon Dream Realm. Its power is far more special than that of an ordinary dream. You can think of it as a separate, illusory world. During that time, all the knowledge and experience you gain within the Dream Realm will be unequivocally real."

"Perhaps that’s too abstract. Let me be more specific. Members of my clan often enter the Mental Attainment Realm when they face a difficult bottleneck. The goal is to awaken within the Dream Realm and repeatedly test various methods for breaking through. They can then identify the most promising approach and use it to achieve their breakthrough after they fully awaken."

The Great Clan Elder said calmly.

Everyone finally understood. ’In the Dream Realm, you can try anything, just like a creator. You could manifest all sorts of extreme conditions in an instant, and since it’s just a dream, there’s no risk of injury...’

’If one could seize this opportunity to attempt some extreme and terrifying Martial Dao experiments...’

’The gains would be absolutely immense.’

"Those who can pass the Mental Attainment Realm are all individuals of unwavering will, people who would sooner die than doubt themselves. Therefore, if all of you can pass, we will be able to let down most of our guard."

"I will ask one last time: have you all considered this carefully?"

The Great Clan Elder turned and looked at Zhou Yuanjue’s group of four, pausing for a moment in surprise.

The four of them had faces full of anticipation, as if they couldn’t wait to enter the Mental Attainment Realm and begin. No words were needed; the answer was written all over their faces.

’Truly extraordinary.’

"Everyone, please enter the stone chamber."

The Great Clan Elder remarked with a sigh, gesturing for the group to enter.

Zhou Yuanjue and the others then entered the stone chamber, each sitting cross-legged on the floor.

"Alright everyone, relax your minds. We are about to begin. The entire trial will last for the time it takes one incense stick to burn in the outside world. As for how much time will pass within the Dream Realm... that is unclear."

The Great Clan Elder said calmly, then abruptly swung his arm.

HUMMM!!

The white patterns painted on the chamber’s four walls instantly flashed with light. A dense, silvery-white Glow of the Hazy Moon enveloped the four of them and began to take effect.

The patterns around the stone chamber seemed to come alive. Coupled with the effects of the Moonlight Power, and with their minds already relaxed, the four couldn’t help but feel a wave of drowsiness wash over them. Their eyes slowly began to close.

"Do you think they will be able to pass? Among our own Moon Race who attempt the Mental Attainment Realm, the success rate is not even twenty percent."

The Third Clan Elder suddenly spoke as he watched the four of them gradually fall into a deep sleep.

"I believe their probability of passing is over fifty percent."

The Great Clan Elder replied.

"You think it’s that high?"

The Third Clan Elder said in surprise.

"When it comes to mental fortitude, few can compare to a Saint Awakening Level Martial Artist. Most of our clansmen fall far short."

The Great Clan Elder said calmly.

"The fastest record for clearing the Glowing Moon Attainment Realm is about a third of an incense stick’s burn time. I wonder if that record will be broken."

The Second Clan Elder said, his gaze falling upon Zhou Yuanjue.

’This man, a mere mortal, defeated a prodigy of the Xuan Clan. His feat was nothing short of world-shattering. I wonder how long it will take him to break through this realm?’

HUMMM!!

Just then, a layer of the Glow of the Hazy Moon enveloped each of the four, encasing them like an eggshell.

This layer of the Glow of the Hazy Moon represented the Dream Realm. If the eggshell shattered, it meant they had broken free from the dream.

At this very moment, Zhou Yuanjue clearly felt his consciousness being suppressed by something. It grew heavier and heavier, the boundaries of his self-awareness blurring until he finally sank into darkness.

"Jue, Jue, wake up. We’re almost there."

Finally, a gentle voice called out to him, and Zhou Yuanjue’s eyes snapped open.

The first thing he saw was the face of a dignified and gentle middle-aged woman.

He shook his groggy head, and his eyes, heavy with sleep, gradually came into focus.

He found himself in a moving car. A middle-aged man was driving, and the woman was in the seat next to him. Hearing the stirring from the back seat, the driver turned his head slightly to glance at Zhou Yuanjue.

He was a handsome, middle-aged man who wore glasses and had a scholarly air about him.

They were both incredibly familiar to Zhou Yuanjue.

"Jue, you’re awake?"

The middle-aged man said with a smile.

Zhou Yuanjue stared at their faces, his own expression completely blank.

SCREECH!!

Just then, a sharp, ear-piercing screech of brakes tore through the air. A massive shadow rapidly loomed larger and larger in the car’s front windshield.

CRASH!!

The middle-aged man didn’t even have time to react before the car violently collided with the shadow.

AHHH!!!

A sharp, tragic scream rang out. Zhou Yuanjue watched as the two familiar figures before him were crushed by the mangled frame of the car. Their faces contorted in agony, and blood sprayed out, splattering hot and stinging across his own face.

It all unfolded as if in slow motion, with terrifying clarity.

The next moment, he himself was struck by a massive impact. His body was wracked with intense pain, but his consciousness, far from fading, grew even sharper.

He felt the car rolling over and over. The world spun violently around him before finally, slowly, coming to a halt.

He stared intently at the front seats, where the two familiar figures lay, twisted in agony and barely breathing.

A shadow flickered past his eyes and slipped into the car. It was like a ball of black mist, from which a hideous, terrifying face was vaguely discernible.

"Do you want to survive? Do you want to save them?"

"Do you want to escape this fragile body, this powerless life?"

"I can help you..."

An incredibly seductive voice whispered in his ear.

POP!!!

The next moment, the voice stopped abruptly. A blood-soaked, severely deformed hand had crushed it into a puff of smoke.

"How dull."

Zhou Yuanjue’s face was calm. All over his body, silver flames had begun to ignite.