After entering the passage, Li Zhirui didn't pass through the first layer of the maze; he was still within it and needed to continue exploring.
However, this part of the journey was much easier because he discovered that the maze indicators dropped by the golems he defeated earlier were for this place.
By correctly piecing the fragments together, he could find the correct passage.
Before long, Li Zhirui found himself on the right path and saw the true challenge of the first layer of the maze—a Perfect Loose Immortal cultivator.
But upon closer examination, it became clear that this cultivator wasn't a real person but a projection!
"Could this person have been a cultivator who entered the maze before me?" Li Zhirui speculated.
Because looking at his clothes, they were of a style popular in recent years.
"To move on to the next layer of the maze trial, you must first defeat me!"
The projection spoke: "You may choose to duel with me or compete in alchemy."
