Fierce beasts rushed in from every direction, dozens of them closing in at once. The three little ones were already used to this kind of chaos, so they slipped into formation and joined the fight without hesitation.
Língzūn poured Yun Jin a cup of tea and spoke gently. "When I sensed that my lifespan wouldn't last much longer, I forged this trial ground. I named it the Ninefold Heaven Trial. Each stage is a heaven of its own, and if a spirit beast can climb all nine, it'll have the chance to inherit my mantle and become the next Língzūn."
Ninefold Heaven Trial.
Yun Jin's eyes flickered.
"At first, this place was only open to spirit beasts of the Spirit Beast World," Língzūn continued. "But after several hundred years, not one spirit beast managed to break through the ninth stage. So I used a few methods and connected the trial to your small world. More spirit beasts entering means more chances of finding the right successor."
Yun Jin finally understood.
That weak point in the Spirit Beast Forest was created on purpose.
No wonder every spirit beast that returned from the forest always came back stronger than before.
While they spoke, the water mirror showed Gun Gun and the others surrounded by beasts. They were beginning to struggle.
Yun Jin felt her chest tighten.
Língzūn soothed her. "This trial exists to select, not to slaughter. If a spirit beast reaches the point of life danger, it'll be transported out instantly."
She let out a small breath. So there was a safeguard. That was only natural. After all, Di Xiao had told her he'd never heard of any spirit beast dying in this secret realm.
Their lives weren't in danger, but watching their small bodies covered in wounds still made Yun Jin's heart twist.
They had never suffered like this when they were with her. Ever since they parted, they'd been fighting nonstop in this trial ground. They had fought for more than twenty years.
Could the three of them really endure this any longer?
The more Yun Jin watched, the more a faint regret crept into her heart. She had the power to protect them. Why insist on making them go through something so harsh?
Just as she was drowning in worry, the three little ones burst out a series of linked attacks and wiped out the beasts surrounding them.
The monsters dissolved into light, then poured into their bodies.
Their auras rose once more.
The three exchanged high fives, joy shining in their eyes.
"We're already close to the entrance of the Seventh Heaven. Let's find a spot to rest first. I've already figured out the rules of the Sixth Heaven. I understand every pattern of these beasts. In a quarter hour there'll be a perfect opening. When I shout, follow me. We'll charge straight for the Seventh Heaven," Huan Huan said with a smile.
Although Huan Huan wasn't the strongest among the three, she'd always been the one making the plans.
Her scouting ability had saved them countless times.
Hearing her words, Gun Gun and Dan Dan nodded without hesitation.
"This place helps us improve fast, but I still kinda miss our master," Gun Gun sighed. "I haven't even shown her my new Rainbow Battle Armor Dance yet."
Dan Dan pouted. "I miss her too."
Huan Huan stayed calm. "Both of you, quiet. Once we reach the Ninth Heaven, we'll be able to return. Don't you want to help our master? It's already been more than two years in our world. With her strength, who knows how much she's improved. With what little power we have now, what can we do for her?"
Gun Gun and Dan Dan straightened up at once.
This place was deadly, but every beast they killed boosted their strength. Nowhere else offered a chance like this.
"Enough. Focus your minds and be ready," Huan Huan said.
She lifted her ears, sensing something in the distance.
Suddenly she shouted, "Follow me, run!"
She pressed her paws together and formed a quick seal. "Swift!"
Light wrapped around the three of them, and their speed exploded. They shot forward like lightning.
Huan Huan's timing was perfect. They slipped right through the gap between two converging beast packs.
By the time the beasts reacted, the three little ones had already reached the formation leading to the Eighth Heaven.
Yun Jin's eyes reddened as she watched.
Her babies had learned to stand on their own after leaving her.
They were incredible.
Língzūn watched her expression and couldn't help laughing softly. He was about to smile when a sharp pain struck his chest. He coughed twice, violently.
Yun Jin leaned forward. "Senior, are you alright?"
He shook his head and spoke gently. "I'm fine. Those three have a real chance of reaching the Ninth Heaven. When this trial ends, I'll have to perform the final rite."
He looked at her. "I'll choose a spirit beast to inherit all my strength and protect this world. Your three all have great potential. One of them may become the next Língzūn."
Yun Jin scratched her head. "They're talented, but I doubt they'd willingly stay behind as Língzūn."
Língzūn froze. "Why? They'd receive all my gifts. If they cultivate steadily, they'll eventually reach my level."
He was one of the strongest beings in this world.
Inheriting his mantle was something most spirit beasts could only dream of.
Yun Jin said, "From what I know of them, they won't accept being confined to one small world. And they won't stay here for long."
Língzūn understood and sighed. "True. With a master like you, they'll probably ascend to the Spirit Immortal Demon Realm before long."
Curiosity flickered in Yun Jin's eyes. "Senior, with your strength, why haven't you ascended? How did you remain in this world until your lifespan is nearly gone?"
The spirit beasts here could still ascend. It wasn't easy, but for someone of his level, it shouldn't have been difficult. Spirit beasts, especially divine beasts, had incredibly long lifespans. Even without ascending, they could live for tens of thousands of years.
Yet Língzūn had stayed in this small world until his life had nearly run out. If he'd ascended earlier, he would've gained a far longer lifespan. Now that his life force was drained and his spirit was exhausted, even if he regretted it now, it was too late.
If he'd been dying from injuries, Yun Jin could heal him.
But this wasn't an injury.
He was simply at the end of his lifespan, and no one could change that.
No wonder the system's mission was to find him a successor, not save his life.
He couldn't be saved.
Yun Jin took a slow breath.
This old man had guarded this world for countless years.
Língzūn fell silent for a while, then spoke in a soft voice. "Let me tell you a story."