NOVEL WEB Chapter 1234: Trial
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."
"If you win the duel, you can select a Loose Immortal-grade Divine Power, Magic Artifact, or Spiritual Object; if you win the alchemy competition, you can select a Loose Immortal-grade Pill Recipe or Spirit Seed."
"Oh?" A trace of astonishment flashed in Li Zhirui's eyes. He initially expected the projection to be as mechanical and rigid as a golem, but now it seemed not as simple as he thought.
Was it some preset program, or did it have a touch of Spiritual Intelligence?
"Then let's compete in alchemy!" After a brief consideration, Li Zhirui gave his final answer.
"Very well!"
The projection waved its hand, and in front of each of them appeared a Pill Furnace and a wooden table adorned with countless Spiritual Objects, saying: "On the table are various common Spiritual Objects. You may choose from them freely to refine an Immortal Pill, with the grade, quality, and quantity of the pills deciding the victor."
'What grand words and extraordinary mystical abilities!'
With Li Zhirui's discerning eyes, he could naturally tell that both the Pill Furnace and the Spiritual Objects before him were projections. However, they gave him a real feeling. This method of making fake appear real was truly remarkable!
Might not a step further imply achieving creation from nothing?
A flash of inspiration suddenly crossed Li Zhirui's mind, but before he could seize it, it vanished.
Seeing the projection had already started refining the Immortal Pill, he could only regretfully set the thought aside and focus on the task at hand.
After all, failing the trial at the first layer would mean that the subsequent eight trials and treasures crucial to his path of cultivation would be completely out of his reach.
To ensure undeniable victory, Li Zhirui brought out the highest-grade Immortal Pill he could refine—the Chong Yuan Immortal Pill!
He wasn't sure how many times he'd refined the Chong Yuan Immortal Pill; his movements were fluid and elegant, appearing quite beautiful and very soothing as each Spiritual Object was refined, extracting its essence, soaking, and merging in Spirit Water.
Simultaneously, wisps of impurities emanated, which he isolated with his Mana.
With the advancement of his cultivation and realm, Li Zhirui's mastery of the Purification Principle had reached a relatively high level, allowing him to now merge the laws within his Mana.
As a result, the grade of the Immortal Pills he refined was much better than that of ordinary Alchemists.
The entire alchemy process was orderly, meticulous, without the slightest error.
Over two hours flew by.
The projection had long since refined its Immortal Pills, standing aside waiting for Li Zhirui.
At this moment, traces of pill fragrance wafted from the Alchemy Furnace. Seeing the time was ripe, Li Zhirui swiftly opened the furnace lid and tapped the furnace body with his Mana, sending seven streaks of flowing light flying out and landing sequentially on the Jade Plate on the table.
The Chong Yuan Immortal Pills were round, jade-like, crisp and transparent; a single glance was all it took to note their extraordinary quality.
In contrast, the Immortal Pills refined by the projection still had minor surface dimples, the color was not pure, and there were only six pills.
In other words, in terms of both the quality and quantity of the Immortal Pills, Li Zhirui won completely with no doubt!
"Passed this trial!"
The projection mechanically said: "What reward do you choose?"
"A Loose Immortal-grade Spirit Seed."
Instantly, a light screen unfurled before Li Zhirui, filled with various Loose Immortal-grade Spirit Seeds, dazzling to the eye, including many names he hadn't even heard of.
"I choose the Ice Crystal Divine Flower Spirit Seed."
He didn't check through them one by one but directly stated the Spirit Seed he wanted.
The reason for choosing the Ice Crystal Divine Flower was that among the Spiritual Objects known to Li Zhirui, it was the most effective Loose Immortal-grade object for enhancing the Spiritual Soul.
The benefits of a strong Spiritual Soul need no further elaboration.
In fact, he had always been searching for this type of Spiritual Object, but never could attain it, primarily because factions forbid trading Spirit Seeds, and secondly, the objects themselves were rare, requiring harsh growing conditions, making them rarely encountered in the wild.
This naturally led to an extreme scarcity of Spiritual Objects that enhance the Spiritual Soul.
Now that he finally had the opportunity, Li Zhirui certainly couldn't miss it.
He saw the light screen before him flash, transforming into a lotus seed with a cool aura, landing in his palm.
With a thought, he sent the lotus seed into a space, casually finding an empty spot to plant it.
After all, the space was mysterious, not needing specifically tailored growth conditions; all Spiritual Objects could grow healthily and quickly.
"Trialist: Number 10,050, do you wish to enter the second layer of the maze to begin the second trial!?" the projection asked coldly.
"Continue."
Li Zhirui, of course, would not quit now and without hesitation, stepped forward.
The scene before him unchanged, still within the complex maze, but having experienced the first maze layer, he became more cautious, meticulous, sparing no possibilities.