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"Tang San, how do you plan to search?"
As he spoke, Zhao Wuji turned to face the crowd behind him from the Dragon Halberd Sect. "It's expensive to bring so many people out here, so you need to make a decision quickly."
The Tianjian Sect had tacitly approved Tang San's actions, so Zhao Wuji naturally wouldn't oppose Tang San's arrangements.
The Sunset Forest was the second-largest forest on the Douluo Continent. Though they had sent over a hundred people, it was impossible to thoroughly search every corner of the vast forest.
Moreover, this was a gathering place for soul beasts. Not only did they need to conceal their movements, but they also had to avoid being detected by soul beasts.
While the strength of the soul beasts in the Sunset Forest wasn't as formidable as those in the Great Star Dou Forest, the abilities of the people Zhao Wuji had sent varied greatly. Encountering a soul beast with over fifty thousand years of cultivation would likely result in a total wipeout.
The Dragon Halberd Sect was the Tang Sect's only ally, and Tang San couldn't afford to let these disciples throw their lives away.
In terms of personnel arrangements, he acted with great caution. "First, everyone should take a look at what we're searching for."
With that, he passed around a hand-drawn image of the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud (the Sea God's Heart) to everyone.
"Memorize its appearance and start by searching the outer regions of the forest."
Human activity was frequent in the outer areas of the Sunset Forest. Moving in large groups would inevitably draw attention, which could lead to reports being sent to the top three sects.
Thus, Tang San split the group into numerous small teams.
The outer regions were relatively safe, and individuals acting alone were unlikely to be attacked by soul beasts—though they still needed to be cautious of suspicious individuals.
The soul beast forests were havens for criminals. Countless fugitives who had committed serious crimes would try to hide within them.
If they encountered such individuals, they weren't to engage in combat; instead, they should escape as quickly as possible.
"Tang San, you need to give us a clearer objective. If so many people conduct a sweeping search, anyone paying attention will easily guess our purpose."
After some thought, Tang San replied, "Look for tree hollows or caves. What we're searching for is most likely hidden in places like these."
"If you find it in someone else's possession, report back immediately. Under no circumstances are you to act on your own."
"I hereby promise: anyone who provides useful information and assists in finding this item will receive a reward of 50,000 gold spirit coins. Whoever brings the item back directly will receive 100,000 gold spirit coins."
With rewards on the line, motivation was guaranteed.
Most of the Dragon Halberd Sect's disciples were members of the Shadow Division. Many of them weren't even aware they served the Tianjian Sect. For such people, money was the driving force.
Whoever paid more got their loyalty.
Within just a minute, the hundred-odd people dispersed into small groups, fanning out across every corner of the forest in search of the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud.
Tang San, as the overall commander of this operation, didn't immediately join the search. Instead, he sat on a tree trunk, deep in thought.
"Teacher Zhao, you go ahead and get busy. I'll think this through carefully."
Unable to hold back his curiosity, Zhao Wuji asked, "Tang San, where exactly did you lose this item? A rough range would help everyone search more efficiently, right?"
Tang San wasn't about to casually reveal the details of the divine trial. His excuse to the Dragon Halberd Sect was that he had lost an important item while training in the Sunset Forest long ago.
These words were merely a cover story—how could Tang San possibly know where the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud actually was?
"Teacher Zhao, it's been too long. I can't quite remember clearly. I need some time to think it through."
Zhao Wuji didn't press further and turned to walk into the forest.
Tang San leaned against the tree trunk, attempting to communicate with the Sea God in his mind.
Now that he was near the Sunset Forest, he hoped the Sea God could roughly locate the position of the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud using him as a bridge.
But no matter how hard he tried, the Sea God gave no response.
The divine trial should have existed in the mind of the test-taker, detectable upon entering one's consciousness.
Yet when Tang San attempted this, he found nothing in his mind—it was as if the Sea God's trial had never existed.
Startled, he leapt off the tree trunk, lightly touched the Sea God's mark on his forehead, and summoned the Sea God Trident into his hand.
Seeing this, he couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. "The trident is still here, which means the Sea God hasn't abandoned me… but why…"
Before he could finish his thought, his eyes caught sight of the trident in his hand.
The Sea God Trident was a super-divine artifact, usually enveloped in a golden glow. But now, the golden light was gone, leaving behind only a dull golden trident.
Tang San tried swinging it but realized the trident had completely lost its former might, reduced to an ordinary weapon.
The only difference from a regular trident was that the material used to forge the Sea God Trident remained incredibly durable.
"How could this happen!"
The Sea God Trident was the weapon once wielded by the Sea God himself. Why had it changed so drastically after leaving the Sea God Island?
Confusion and urgency overwhelmed Tang San. He no longer had the heart to continue searching for the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud.
He had a premonition that something unforeseen had happened to the Sea God's trial—it might have even disappeared entirely.
He had to rush to the Sea God Island immediately and ask Bo Saixi for answers.
After all, the Sea God's trial was his only hope for avenging the Spirit Hall. If it vanished, he would lose all chance of revenge.
…
Moments later.
"What? Withdraw?"
Tang San's sudden change of plans caught Zhao Wuji off guard.
The Dragon Halberd Sect had been invited by the Tang Sect to assist Tang San in searching for the lost item. They had barely started the search a few minutes ago, and the personnel hadn't even fully spread out yet. Now they were withdrawing—wasn't this just making fools of them?
Tang San's mind was racing with urgency. If not for the cooperative relationship between the Dragon Halberd Sect and the Tang Sect, he would have already left on his own without hesitation.
To maintain the alliance between the two sects, Tang San had no choice but to call off the search.
"Teacher Zhao, an urgent matter has come up, and I must return to the sect immediately. I apologize for any inconvenience caused to your sect, and the Tang Sect will take full responsibility. Later, after I return to the sect, I'll have my uncle allocate funds to compensate your sect."
"But for now, I must leave immediately. There's something extremely important that I need to handle as soon as possible."
With compensation promised, the disciples of the Dragon Halberd Sect were placated, and Zhao Wuji naturally had no objections.
"Alright, take care on your journey. I'll gather the team and lead everyone back."
"Thank you, Teacher Zhao. I'll personally apologize to you another time."
With that, Tang San activated the Ghost Shadow Perplexing Steps and rushed back toward the Tang Sect at full speed.
Zhao Wuji couldn't understand why Tang San's demeanor had changed so drastically in just a few minutes. He was certain that Tang San hadn't come into contact with anyone during that time.
If that was the case, the urgency must stem from some major issue within the Tang Sect's plans, forcing Tang San to abandon the search for the lost item.
Whether or not this was true, Zhao Wuji didn't care. Since they were already near Tian Dou City, he decided to pay a visit to the Tianjian Sect.
However, he wouldn't go there openly. Instead, he would contact the sect's upper echelons through covert channels and meet privately.
As for Tang San, he pushed himself to the limit on his way back, not stopping for even a moment.
Something had gone wrong with the Sea God's trial, and he had to make arrangements with Tang Xiao as soon as possible!
…
In the Evildemon Forest.
After accepting the Evil Eye Tyrant Emperor's sacrifice, Ning Tianchen's two martial souls reached the nine-ring stage.
Additionally, the head soul bone he had been missing was now complete.
With all the soul bones in his body assembled, the armor formed from their fusion was of such quality that it rivaled the divine equipment of ordinary gods.
His strength had also advanced further, reaching the quasi-god level.
Had it not been for the ongoing divine trial, he would have already been able to attempt breaking through to Level 100 in seclusion.
After the Evil Eye Tyrant Emperor's sacrifice, there were no outsiders left in the core area of the Demon Forest.
After all, the soul beasts in the forest wouldn't dare to test the strength of the Evil Eye Tyrant Emperor. Even though he had sacrificed himself, no soul beast would dare to enter this place.
For Ning Tianchen, this was a natural sanctuary for seclusion.
The divine trial had already reached this stage, so there was no need to delay further. He decided to directly initiate the final trial.
He placed the Asura Devil Sword in front of him, forming a barrier to avoid any disturbances.
Next, he sat cross-legged, touched the Asura Mark on his forehead with his right hand, and communicated with the Asura God to begin the final trial.
In the next moment, a crimson mist emanated from the Asura Devil Sword, enveloping Ning Tianchen's figure within it.
In a daze, his consciousness entered a void-like space.
It was a sea of blood, and cries of anguish occasionally echoed in his ears.
Upon closer inspection, the surroundings were clearly a scene from hell.
The Asura God sat high upon his throne, overlooking everything with an air of disdain.
"This is the birthplace of sin—a place people call Hell," the voice of the Asura God drifted into his ears.
Following this, the Ice Dragon King soul bone on his right arm and the Heavenly Azure Bull Python's right palm soul bone were stripped away.
"The first part of the Ninth Trial of Asura: Status."
Ning Tianchen felt dizzy again, and in the next second, he found himself in an imperial city.
All the memories in his mind seemed to have vanished, and at this moment, he had become one of the inhabitants of this illusion.
"My head hurts."
Ning Tianchen sat up, and before him was the sight of a palace.
He was seated below the throne, in the first position to the left, while a valiant-looking man with streaks of white hair sat upon the throne, smiling warmly at him.
In this illusory world, there was no soul power, no cultivation system—only ordinary people existed.
"Lord Ning has rendered such tremendous service that no title I bestow upon you could match your contributions. Therefore, I shall grant you five coin-casting furnaces. You may cast as many coins as you wish."
"To grant you wealth is not enough—I must also grant you nobility. I hereby bestow upon you the title of Grand General of Tiance, placing you above all other lords and princes."
"Why does this place feel so familiar?" Ning Tianchen frowned.
Though he had lost his memories from Douluo Continent, he hadn't entirely forgotten the memories of his past life.
This scene felt eerily familiar, yet he couldn't recall why.
"Lord Ning, quickly thank His Majesty," a refined man behind him gently nudged his back.
Ning Tianchen stood up and bowed deeply to the man on the throne. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
"Hahaha!" The man on the throne laughed heartily and waved his hand. Palace maids and dancers streamed into the hall from outside.
In an instant, the hall was filled with music and dancing, and the man seated high up seemed completely absorbed in the festivities.
Two men sitting opposite him appeared to be Ning Tianchen's brothers.
At this moment, they harbored some grievances about the emperor's rewards. Though their expressions remained calm, the jealousy in their eyes was unmistakable.
"Changsun Fuzhi, does the palace have a Xuanwu Gate?" Ning Tianchen turned and asked.
The man behind him replied confidently, "Lord Ning, are you feeling unwell? How could you forget the Xuanwu Gate?"
Am I Li Shimin?
Although the names of those present had changed, the scene and events closely resembled the history he had read in his past life.
Li Shimin's coup at the Xuanwu Gate, where he killed his brothers and forced his father to abdicate, was infamous in history.
After the banquet ended, Ning Tianchen returned to his mansion, the 'King Ning's Residence'.
He locked himself in his study, rubbing his temples repeatedly. He seemed to have forgotten something important and didn't know why he was here.
As he pondered, his gaze fell upon a nearby sword rack.
Stepping forward, he lightly touched one of the long swords. Instantly, countless sword techniques and moves flooded into his mind.
The soul never perishes, and the spirit of the sword endures forever.
Even though he had lost his previous memories, holding the sword now made him feel as if the Sword God had possessed him.
In this world without a cultivation system, the sword qi couldn't be unleashed. But the sword in his hands moved sometimes gently, sometimes fiercely.
Before long, hurried footsteps approached from outside, followed by a rough voice shouting, "Lord Ning! Changsun Fuzhi said you're ill. Jingde has come to see you!"
This man was used to being brash and, being close friends with Ning Tianchen, barged in without hesitation.
The sword shot out swiftly and ferociously, its momentum unrelenting.
Finally, the tip of the sword stopped just before the man's throat.
The man was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter. "Goodness gracious, Lord Ning, when did your swordsmanship improve to this level?"
"If only Crown Prince Li Jiancheng and Prince Li Yuanji had even half your courage, there'd be no place for us in this empire!"
Ning Tianchen chuckled softly. "Jingde, perfect timing. Shall we practice?"
Jingde laughed loudly. "With Lord Ning wielding a bow and Jingde wielding a spear, who in this world could stop us?"
"Haha! Since Lord Ning has switched to the sword, then I'll wield a sword too. Let's fight three hundred rounds!"
…
Three hundred rounds were far from necessary. In just three exchanges, the sword in Jingde's hand was cleanly severed.
"Goodness gracious, Lord Ning, when did your swordsmanship become so extraordinary? You've been hiding your skills well!"
Ning Tianchen lowered his head, gazing at the sword in his hand. "I don't know why, but when I hold this sword, it feels as though I'm guided by divine power."
Jingde scratched his head, unable to comprehend.
Perhaps this was what they called "a celestial master's guidance".
Even without remembering it, the techniques remained unforgettable.
"By the way, Lord Ning, that fellow Changsun Fuzhi said that Li Jiancheng and the Crown Prince might make a move soon. Du Xuanling and Fang Ruhui have already been dismissed and expelled."
"The Crown Prince has already extended his reach into the King Ning's Residence, and Li Jiancheng is lurking nearby, ready to act. Lord Ning, we can't wait any longer. Let's go find Fuzhi tonight—we must discuss and decide on a plan."
…
With the memories of his past life and his unparalleled swordsmanship, this version of the Xuanwu Gate Incident concluded even more swiftly than the original historical account.
The former emperor abdicated, the new king ascended the throne, and the illusion dissipated.
Ning Tianchen's consciousness returned, and the Asura God before him burst into laughter, showering him with praise. "You are the sole ruler of the Asura Hell, irreplaceable. This illusion took me years of contemplation to perfect, and you passed through it flawlessly. Admirable, truly admirable."
The meaning behind this illusion was to make Ning Tianchen understand that the Asura God was the sole ruler of Hell, one who would never step down or allow his foundations to be shaken by petty individuals.
"Next, prepare yourself for the second test."
As soon as he finished speaking, all the soul bones on Ning Tianchen's left arm were stripped away, and his consciousness entered another illusion.
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