Led by Qing Danhong, the two passed through the Flower Sea at the bottom of the gourd and arrived at a pool in the deepest part of the canyon.

The pool was quite large. A powerful spring surged from its center, like a fountain.

Having been exposed to Karma before, Zhang Deming could clearly sense faint wisps of an ominous aura in the pool’s water.

Arriving before the pool, Qing Danhong took out the pendant from around her neck.

It was a round, emerald-green Jade Pendant.

Its design depicted a jade-green vine coiled into a circle.

Holding the Jade Pendant, she formed several spell seals.

The jade-green Jade Pendant seemed to activate, shooting into the air. It flew to the center of the spring and dropped in.

A moment later, a massive vine, as thick as a great tree, grew out from the center of the spring.

The vine grew rapidly within the pool, forming a ring. A faint fluorescent light emanated from the ring, creating something that looked like a Teleportation Gate.

Finally, a tendril extended to the shore, forming a bridge of vines.

Once everything had stabilized, the vine bridge connected to the ring-shaped, jade-green Teleportation Gate.

Qing Danhong said, "Upper Immortals, according to my clan’s records, this is the entrance to the Inner Sect’s core trial.

However, because of the old rule that vassal races could not become Core Disciples, our Flower Demon Elf Clan doesn’t have permission to enter this Teleportation Gate.

Our clan’s literature was also mostly destroyed when we fled the Ghost Vine’s mutation.

So, we’re not entirely sure what lies within."

Zhang Deming and Li Shifan exchanged a glance and nodded.

Zhang Deming took the lead. Light Wings appeared at his heels, and with a slight vibration, he tapped the vine bridge and floated effortlessly into the Teleportation Gate. Li Shifan followed closely behind without hesitation.

In a flash, they both vanished into the circular Light Curtain.

Watching them disappear, Qing Danhong whispered, "I hope this bears fruit. Otherwise, I’ll truly have no choice but to lead my remaining kin away from here."

With that, her hands moved slightly.

The jade-green vine quickly vanished, reverting to a Jade Pendant that flew back into her hand.

······

"Please select a trial Secret Realm passage: Geng Metal, Cyan Wood, Turtle Water, Fire Separation, or Wu Earth.

Disciple, please note: This is the Inner Sect’s core trial. Your choice of passage will determine your future path of advancement. Please choose with care before you begin.

Auras of both the Cyan Wood and Turtle Water Core Cultivation Techniques have been detected within the Disciple. The Cyan Wood and Turtle Water passages are recommended.

Primary recommendation: Turtle Water. Secondary recommendation: Cyan Wood."

After passing through the Light Gate, Zhang Deming experienced a moment of disorientation and then received a message.

’Turtle Water?’

’So, was that Secret Realm at Falling Turtle Lake really a fragment of the Turtle Water Secret Realm?’

Zhang Deming’s focus shifted. Five options had appeared on the Light Screen before him.

Annoyingly, all of them were grayed out except for Cyan Wood.

’Well, I can’t say they were *all* gray. The Geng Metal option was dark gray, Wu Earth and Fire Separation were a standard gray, and the Turtle Water option was gray and riddled with cracks, with faint specks of light flowing across it.’

Zhang Deming tentatively reached out and touched the Turtle Water option with the specks of light, but there was no response.

He then touched the Wu Earth and Fire Separation options, but still got no reaction. Looking at the dark gray Geng Metal, he didn’t even have the desire to try.

’As someone familiar with software, I can infer a few things from these colors, especially given my suspicions about Turtle Water. I don’t want to mess things up by trying something rash.’

Even though it would most likely be just as unresponsive as the others, Zhang Deming wasn’t willing to try.

’So if I can only pick one, what’s the point of showing five options?’

’It’s just a classic case of a false choice, isn’t it?’

’Where’s the close button? Can I just not choose?’

Zhang Deming stared at the Light Screen, speechless for a long time.

He tried to observe his surroundings, but it seemed he was in a purely conscious state. He could get no information from anywhere but the Light Screen, and he couldn’t even move.

After trying for a long time to no avail, Zhang Deming resignedly chose Cyan Wood.

"You have selected the Cyan Wood trial. Upon completion, you will be assigned to Cyan Wood Heaven. Please confirm!"

’So, back when this Inner Sect core trial was fully intact, it involved choosing and being assigned to a faction?’

’That’s quite similar to the Celestial Spirit Sect. Full of internal factions vying for power, I imagine the infighting was constant.’

"Confirm!"

"A Core Disciple of the Blessed Land represents the honor of the Five Elements Blessed Land. We have no need for ordinary or mediocre Disciples.

This trial is a trial for the extraordinary!

Options: Extreme Extraordinary Trial, Comprehensive Extraordinary Trial.

Please choose!

Note: This choice defines a major cultivation focus. Please select the path that best fits your own to proceed with the trial. Otherwise, your chances of passing are virtually nil."

’Is this asking me to choose between a path of comprehensive development and one of extreme cultivation?’

’Another non-choice, it seems.’

’Given the path I’m currently on, could I possibly choose the ’Extreme’ trial?’

’Well, it’s a slight possibility... I could summon a Mirror Image of Li Shifan, use Fusion, and tackle the trial with the Extreme Sword Dao.’

’But that would be like crippling most of my own abilities right from the start!’

"Comprehensive Extraordinary Trial!"

"Trial confirmed. The Cyan Wood Comprehensive Extraordinary Trial is beginning. Strive hard, young one. The Grotto Heaven Blessed Land awaits your arrival. Cyan Wood Heaven welcomes you!"

"First Stage: Comprehensive Wisdom—Survival. All storage-type Artifacts will be sealed for the duration of this trial!"

Once Zhang Deming made his selection, everything faded away. He could finally sense his body again. He opened his eyes and stretched a little.

Zhang Deming surveyed his surroundings, his brow furrowing slightly.

He was now in a vast, desolate desert. Endless yellow sand stretched out as far as the eye could see, and a fierce sandstorm was blowing.