'What happened?'
'What's going on?'
Everyone's movements, along with everything in this world, were frozen, but their consciousness did not stop; their thoughts continued as usual.
However, this inability to move while thinking brought a deeper level of fear, like puppets at someone's mercy, not even knowing where the hand manipulating them was.
'Could it be a Gu Immortal acting?'
This thought surfaced in a Gu Master's mind. Gu Immortals are high above, no longer on the same level as Gu Masters. Ordinary Gu Masters might never see a Gu Immortal in their lifetime, only imagining their marvels.
This scene now certainly fit most Gu Masters' imagination of Gu Immortals' omnipotence.
But imagination was just imagination. The Gu Masters, unable to do anything, could only remain motionless, sealed in the light pillar, waiting for changes to occur.
'Main God, can I return now?' Zhou Ming did not sit idly by, attempting to contact the Main God.
[Reincarnators can return at any time. Returning requires paying 4000 reward points. Do you wish to return now?]
The Main God's grand and solemn voice directly sounded in his mind, immediately calming Zhou Ming's heart.
Indeed, the Main God's power was always beyond doubt. 4000 reward points was the normal fee; the Main God didn't even ask for an extra penny.
With a means to escape, Zhou Ming no longer had much concern for his life safety. He could even use his limited field of vision to survey the surrounding scene, curious about what the blue light enveloping them was.
Suddenly, the blue light pillar contracted sharply, disappearing in an instant.
Everyone within the blue light pillar, along with the broken ships and corpses, vanished.
The sea surface instantly became clean and calm, leaving no trace, as if no life had ever visited this place.
The distant Sapphire Jellyfish slowly swam over, filling the void. Thus, this part of the sea became indistinguishable from other areas, still the dreamlike Illusory Wave Sea Area... In a strong sense of weightlessness, Zhou Ming's vision returned, as did his ability to move.
The surrounding scenery had changed greatly. Although it was still the vast sea, it was just ordinary seawater, without the shimmering blue, dreamlike colors of the Illusion Wave Sea.
The sea and sky were one color, and beneath his feet was gray-white rock. The place Zhou Ming stood was a desolate small isolated island, only a few hundred meters in circumference. Rather than an isolated island, it was more like a larger reef.
Standing on this isolated island, besides Zhou Ming, were Cai Zhiyin, Qiu Hongyan, the battered merchant caravan Gu Masters, and scattered pirate Gu Masters, as well as the two Rank Four experts.
After the fierce battle and the destructive power of the two Killing Moves, the combined forces of both sides numbered only about thirty people, a truly catastrophic loss.
After the initial brief confusion, the atmosphere between the two sides instantly became tense. If not for their apprehension about the sudden change in scenery, the mixed groups would likely have immediately erupted into a free-for-all.
"Oh, quite a few people are left, aren't there?"
A young boy wearing a blue Water Path Daoist robe suddenly appeared in mid-air, floating, looking at the people on the island.
He looked no more than five or six years old, exquisitely sculpted, with a pair of large blue eyes like a vast ocean, possessing a depth unsuited to his apparent age. He stretched out his chubby little hand, smiling as he counted the people.
Seeing the appearance of this small Daoist boy, Zhou Ming's pupils contracted. Combining this with the drastic change in the surrounding environment, she easily came to a conclusion.
'Land Spirit! This is a Gu Immortal Blessed Land!'
Rank Five is mortal, Rank Six is Immortal. After a Gu Master undergoes Tribulation and advances to Rank Six, the Aperture in their body transforms into an Immortal Aperture, opening up a world of its own.
And when a Gu Immortal dies, their Immortal Aperture falls to the ground, absorbing Heaven and Earth Qi, and transforms into a Gu Immortal Blessed Land. The Gu Immortal's obsession from their lifetime will then become the Land Spirit of the Blessed Land, continuing to oversee it.
'I just don't know if this Blessed Land has an owner or not? If it's ownerless, then why did this Land Spirit move us all here? Is it for...'
A sudden thought made Zhou Ming's heart stir with excitement, and she looked at the Land Spirit with a touch of fervor.
The Land Spirit is the embodiment of the Blessed Land's will, and it carries the Gu Immortal's obsession from their lifetime. If a latecomer can meet the Land Spirit's requirements and fulfill the Gu Immortal's obsession, then the Land Spirit will recognize them as its master, and the entire Blessed Land will become theirs.
Acquiring a Gu Immortal Blessed Land is a tremendous Opportunity even for a Gu Immortal, let alone a small Gu Master!
Indeed, the young boy floating in the air then said: "Outsiders, listen up! This is Water Ripple Blessed Land, the Legacy ground left by my main body, a Rank Six Water Path Gu Immortal."
"If you can pass the trials set by my main body, you can inherit this Blessed Land, obtain the Gu Immortal Legacy, and become my master. Undergoing Tribulation to become an Immortal in the future will be within reach."
The boy's words exploded like a bomb in everyone's minds, leaving them dazed, as if in the clouds, as if in a dream.
However, at this moment, the boy continued: "But I must state beforehand, although my main body was of the Righteous Path in his lifetime, the trials he set are not something just anyone can pass."
"Most of you have too low cultivation and will likely die in the trials before even passing the first stage. For those below Rank Three, death is certain. You should consider whether you want to participate in the trials."
"Also, one more thing: Water Ripple Blessed Land can only be inherited by males. Even if a woman passes the trials, she cannot inherit the Blessed Land."
His deep blue eyes swept over the few women present, and he chuckled, saying: "However, if there are women assisting in the trials, the chances of success will greatly increase, especially in the final trial."
"You all should think carefully before participating in the trials, okay?"
The Land Spirit's words left many dumbfounded. It was reasonable that those with low strength couldn't do it, but that women couldn't either was strange. Did this Gu Immortal intensely dislike women during his lifetime?
The Land Spirit's body quickly ascended, and he pointed a finger far into the distance. Suddenly, another island rose from the sea, also a barren isolated island, appearing not much larger than this one.
"Those who wish to participate in the assessment, go to that island!"
"Those who reach the island by relying on the strength of others will lose their qualification to participate in the assessment, but they can still act as participants to help others pass the assessment."
"Finally, before participating in the assessment, you cannot fight each other. Do not have any crooked ideas. Save your strength for the assessment. I will be waiting for you on the island ahead!"
With that, the Daoist boy Land Spirit's figure suddenly vanished.
The island fell into silence.
Suddenly, among the pirates, the Rank Four Water Path Gu Master was the first to break the silence, shouting: "My subordinates, all follow me! Help me pass the trials. After I inherit the Gu Immortal Legacy, I will surely grant you wealth and honor to enjoy for a lifetime!"
His words immediately drew responses from a few pirates, who gathered around him, eagerly awaiting departure.
However, only these few pirates responded to him; most of the other pirates remained silent, showing no reaction.
"Hmm? None of you want to go? This is a Gu Immortal Legacy, a heaven-sent Opportunity!" The Water Path Gu Master's expression turned somewhat ugly.
"Second Brother, you don't want to go either? Or do you have other ideas!"
The Transformation Path Gu Master he questioned's eyes flickered, and he said: "Big Brother, you're right, this is a Gu Immortal Legacy, a heaven-sent Opportunity. Of course, I don't want to give it up."
"I am also a Rank Four Gu Master. I also want to reach the sky in one step. Why should I help you obtain the Gu Immortal Legacy?"
"Second Brother, you betray me!" The Water Path Gu Master flew into a rage: "I am a Water Path Gu Master; this Water Path Legacy should rightfully be inherited by me!"
"It's not impossible for me to switch to cultivating the Water Path either." Second Brother sneered.
"Second Brother, have you forgotten that year when you were being hunted, and I saved you? And now you're being ungrateful!" Big Brother raged.
Second Brother scoffed: "Big Brother, you saved my life back then, and I've served you all these years, saving you many times. That favor has long been repaid. If anything, you owe me."
"You scoundrel! Don't forget this is my pirate group, and they are all my people! Without their help, how do you expect to pass the trials yourself!"
"Heh heh, Big Brother, call out to them and see how many are willing to help you?" Second Brother sneered repeatedly, then suddenly said: "Everyone, it's time to say goodbye to our Big Brother."
Immediately, among the remaining pirate Gu Masters, over half walked behind Second Brother. The remaining ones either looked hesitant, frankly indifferent, or completely disengaged, lost in thought.
"You..." Big Brother stared blankly at these people, then suddenly realized: "You all planned to overthrow me long ago! You ungrateful wretches!"
"Hmph hmph, Big Brother, that's not how you should put it." A Rank Three Gu Master behind Second Brother suddenly said.
"Big Brother, what is your true identity? Is it meaningful to hide it until now? We are all pirates, with cheap lives. You are the descendant of a great Family. Did you ever truly treat us as brothers?"
Second Brother then pointed at Cai Zhiyin and the others watching the show from the side, saying: "Just talking about robbing this merchant ship, Big Brother, don't tell me this wasn't an order given to you by your Family behind you. Otherwise, it would be impossible for you to immediately and impatiently clash with them right after our pirate group suffered heavy losses!"
"Look, my pirate group, which I painstakingly managed for several years, now has only these few people left! This is all because of your orders as Big Brother! You still want to be Big Brother? Are you fit to be Big Brother?!"
This series of questions left Big Brother speechless. He turned his head to look at the few Gu Masters who remained standing in place and asked: "What about you?"
"Big Brother, our cultivation is low, so we won't go to our deaths, will we?" Those people all put on bitter expressions, repeatedly declining.
"Good, you've made your own decisions. I just hope none of you regret it later. Let's go!"
Big Brother snorted coldly, activating his Gu to condense the seawater into a solid platform, carrying the only few pirates still willing to follow him away.
His true essence had been exhausted in the previous battle, but after entering the Blessed Land, he found that his true essence was replenished, and the injuries from the backlash after his Killing Move was broken had also fully recovered. He could only attribute this to the marvels of Gu Immortal methods.
It wasn't just him; all those who entered the Blessed Land alive were now in a state of replenished true essence and fully recovered injuries.
"We're leaving too!" Second Brother waved his hand, signaling the remaining people to leave. Even as they left, this group didn't spare Cai Zhiyin and the others a second glance.
All previous battles, grudges, and Family missions held no weight in the face of a Gu Immortal Legacy.
The remaining pirates also didn't pay attention to Cai Zhiyin and the others. Anyway, the Land Spirit said that even if they didn't participate in the assessment, they couldn't fight each other, so there would be no danger. One by one, they either lay or sat, completely giving up.
Seeing this farcical scene conclude, Cai Zhiyin cupped his hands to the Gu Masters on his side, saying: "Everyone, you are all aware of the current situation."
"Those who wish to participate in the assessment, or those who wish to stay, can act voluntarily. I, Cai Zhiyin, will say nothing. If you are willing to assist me in the assessment, I, Cai Zhiyin, will remember this favor in my heart and will surely repay it generously in the future!"
"Those willing to come with me, come here. Let's set off together!"
His strategy of retreating to advance was indeed effective. Immediately, many Gu Masters stepped forward, expressing their willingness to serve him.
Qiu Hongyan naturally rushed to Cai Zhiyin's front first, and Zhou Ming also gracefully walked over, standing beside Cai Zhiyin.
"Miss Qin, you are willing to help me?" Young Master Cai was greatly excited and overjoyed.
"Thank you, Young Master Cai, for your care along the way. This humble one has no way to repay you, so I shall assist Young Master in obtaining this Gu Immortal Legacy as a token of my gratitude."
Zhou Ming smiled faintly, immediately filling Young Master Cai's heart with happiness. He felt as if he was floating, as if even the Gu Immortal Legacy was not as important or precious as her words.
"Since that's the case, let's set off!"
Young Master Cai laughed heartily, full of ambition, and once again activated his Gu to condense a platform of mud and sand. This was naturally not the Accumulated Mud Platform Killing Move, but merely for carrying people.
At this moment, Zhou Ming gently advised: "Young Master Cai, you don't need to carry everyone. Let those of us who have our own means to cross the sea use our own methods to get there."
"You need to conserve your strength to use it during the trials inside."
"Miss Qin is right to remind me!" Young Master Cai slapped his head and laughed: "Miss Qin's thoughts are indeed thorough. Brothers, then I'll have to trouble you all a bit."
Everyone naturally had no objections. So, those with means used their own methods, while those without the strength boarded the mud and sand platform, letting Young Master Cai take them to the second island.
Although Qiu Hongyan wanted to be with Young Master Cai, she didn't want to exhaust his physical strength, so she also planned to use her Gu to cross the sea. But then Zhou Ming's voice came: "Sister Hongyan, come here, I'll take you."
Looking up, she saw Zhou Ming stepping on a large lotus flower, smiling and waving to her. The white dress and the snow-white lotus complemented each other, making her appear even more Immortal and ethereal, otherworldly.
Even though Qiu Hongyan always viewed Zhou Ming as a rival, at this moment, an uncontrollable sense of inferiority rose in her heart. She thought: Perhaps only a fairy like Sister Qin is truly worthy of my cousin.
Lost in thought, Qiu Hongyan didn't even know how she stepped onto Zhou Ming's lotus, leaning against Zhou Ming, floating on the sea. One in a dress as white as snow, the other in a dress as red as fire, like a pair of twin lotuses, breathtakingly beautiful.