Xin Yi'an frowned at this, eyeing Xue Jianming with some puzzlement. What was the fellow playing at, dragging things this way and that for no reason at all?

Given Bing Wushuang's temperament, he would never have joined in such a pointless exercise, but he recalled that Dr. Glasses had instructed him beforehand that, in all matters concerning the Trial Grand Tournament from here on, Xue Jianming was to take the lead. So even he could not afford to be too unaccommodating, or he would invite suspicion.

"Elder Xin, I know very little about this, and I daresay everyone else is the same. Why not satisfy our curiosity?" Bing Wushuang had no choice but to play along, steeling himself to speak.

"Exactly. Since the Trial Grand Tournament is meant as preparation for the Ancient Trials, it stands to reason that we should be told in advance what makes these particular Ancient Trials so unusual. At the very least it would set everyone's minds at ease. You are the leading elder of this expedition, Uncle-Master Xin, so it falls within your duties as well, does it not?" Xue Jianming pressed his advantage without pause, choosing his words once more to corner him.

"That's right, Uncle-Master Xin, do tell us," the rest of the group chimed in, all now stirred to eagerness.

Matters having come this far, Xin Yi'an had no choice but to speak. Besides, it was no secret, and there was no harm in indulging everyone's curiosity.

"Very well. But this trial ground is a once-in-a-millennium occurrence, and I myself know only the broad outlines, not the particulars. Take it as a reference, nothing more." Xin Yi'an pondered a moment, then continued: "Any place chosen as a trial ground is bound to be rich in rare natural treasures, and this one more so than most, in greater abundance rather than less. That said, the guardian spirit-beasts and the various dangers will likewise multiply severalfold. That is something you must all be prepared for."

Everyone nodded repeatedly and pressed him eagerly: "Just what special benefits does this trial ground hold, Uncle-Master Xin? Do be specific."

"From what I know, the most conspicuous feature of this trial ground is a river called the River of Divine Consciousness. As the name suggests, to be within it is to temper one's divine consciousness. I trust I need not elaborate on what a boon that is," Xin Yi'an said.

"The River of Divine Consciousness!" Everyone's eyes lit up at once. The Ancient Alliance had always placed immense value on the cultivation of divine consciousness, and places capable of tempering it were few and far between across the whole of the Ancient Little Jianghu—and every one of them was held in the grip of the four great sects and families. Apart from their core disciples, no outsider could even dream of getting near. To think that this trial ground should contain a River of Divine Consciousness—truly worthy of being called a once-in-a-millennium event!

It was not only the crowd; even Wei Zhao felt his spirits lift at the words. He had never thought much of cultivating divine consciousness before, but his attitude was now entirely different—not merely because he was presently a spirit-yuan body, but above all because he had come to realize more and more keenly just how vital such cultivation was.

If one's physical strength was the hardware, then one's spirit-yuan cultivation was the software; the two complemented each other, neither dispensable. At low realms it hardly mattered, but at his present level, with a charge upon the Giant Realm already in sight, if his spirit-yuan cultivation were to remain this feeble and wanting, it would be like trying to walk on one leg—how could he?

This time, projecting his spirit-yuan back into the secular world, Wei Zhao's acquisition of the Star-Ink Charcoal from Leng Leng had already been an unexpected delight. He had never imagined that the Ancient Trials would also hold a River of Divine Consciousness—a heaven-sent opportunity delivered right to his door!

He had previously meant only to scout out the situation in the Ancient Little Jianghu, but now, hearing Xin Yi'an's account, his heart burned with eagerness.

"That is not all. Legend has it that the River of Divine Consciousness can do more than temper one's divine consciousness—buried within its waters lies a treasure unmatched in all the world," Xin Yi'an said with a click of his tongue in admiration.

"A treasure? What treasure?" The crowd's appetites were hooked at once.

"That I do not know. If any of you are interested, you may go and try your luck once we arrive," Xin Yi'an said with a faint smile.

"Good! If the legend paints it in such glowing terms, it must be a peerless treasure indeed. When the time comes, let each win it by his own means, and let the ablest have it!" Xue Jianming seized the moment to fan the flames.

"Brother Xue speaks the truth!" the others chorused at once.

Xin Yi'an smiled and said nothing. Though he did not know what the treasure was, the mere fact that a legend of it had survived a thousand years showed that it must be no trifling thing. How could any random Foundation Establishment disciple hope to lay claim to it?

Never mind whether these people had the fortune or the luck to encounter it—even if they did, whether it would prove a blessing or a curse was far from certain. They might well lose their lives for it. Truly, they had not an ounce of self-awareness.

But as the leading elder of the expedition, he could hardly say such things aloud. The lot of them were merely indulging in fantasy; there was no need to dampen their enthusiasm over so small a matter.

While the crowd's blood ran hot, Xue Jianming had been watching the reactions of Wei Zhao and his companions all the while. By comparison, they appeared far more indifferent—Wei Zhao in particular said not a word, showing not the slightest sign of being moved.

Xue Jianming began muttering to himself again. Even this failed to hook them—these fellows were remarkably cool-headed! After a moment's thought, he said deliberately: "Since the Ancient Trials offer so many benefits, then naturally only disciples of our Ancient Alliance may take part. These irrelevant outsiders from the secular world surely have no right to qualify?"

"That..." Xin Yi'an looked at Wei Zhao with some difficulty. He did not yet know what Wei Zhao's intentions were, and thought it unwise to respond on his own authority before the crowd.

Wei Zhao was left speechless. Xue Jianming's little trick was far too obvious and far too crude. But since he had long since decided to bring his people to the Ancient Trials, he could only follow the other's lead: "So by your reasoning, we are not permitted to take part?"

"Not necessarily. But Uncle-Master Xin said just now that whoever does not enter the Trial Grand Tournament means to voluntarily give up the Ancient Trials. The rest does not matter to me—I am only afraid some people might try to slip in through the back door!" Xue Jianming sneered.

At these words, everyone turned suspicious eyes upon Wei Zhao and his companions. They could not tolerate even the slightest hint of unfairness, let alone allow Wei Zhao and the others to slip through the back door outright.

Strictly speaking, it was already a stretch for Wei Zhao's people merely to enter the Trial Grand Tournament. If they truly tried to slip in through the back door, these people would raise a storm over it, even at the cost of taking the matter straight to the upper echelons of the Ancient Alliance. (To be continued.)