"Isn’t that exaggerated?

Everyone’s physique is different. Some can only absorb a strand of clear energy, some can absorb two or three, and the most can absorb four strands. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

But I’ve never heard of anyone exceeding four strands." Brother Gao shook his head.

"Even adding just two layers to the Spirit Platform is quite impressive," Brother Lu sighed,

"If any Trench Patrol Guest can obtain four strands of clear energy, wouldn’t they have the cultivation level of someone with more than seven layers on the Spirit Platform?"

Upon hearing the term ’Trench Patrol Guest,’ everyone felt a twinge of tension in their hearts.

In the Abyss, the top-tier experts, the Trench Patrol Guests, make up the majority.

What do ordinary cultivators have to compete with them?

Wouldn’t the opportunities in the True Monarch’s Blessed Land be fully monopolized by the Trench Patrol Guests?

Fortunately, Brother Gao gave everyone some reassurance next.

"The laws in the True Monarch’s Blessed Land are special, and they suppress cultivation. In fact, the higher the cultivation level, the more it is suppressed.

The Fifth Layer of the Spirit Platform is the ceiling and cannot be surpassed." Brother Gao laughed, "No matter how powerful the Trench Patrol Guests are, they can’t cover the sky with one hand, so rest assured."

"With the Fifth Layer of the Spirit Platform as the limit, many people can at least put up a fight." Brother Shen said joyfully.

However, Lou Yi was not as optimistic as he was.

Ordinary cultivators can call upon their friends; does that mean Trench Patrol Guests always fight alone?

Either way, those with higher cultivation definitely have the upper hand.

"How long is it until the opening of the True Monarch’s Blessed Land?" someone asked.

"There are always some differences each time. Based on previous experiences, it should open in four to five months," Brother Gao replied,

"To prevent surprises, most people arrive in advance and also observe their opponents."

"Oh, doesn’t that mean you can meet the elite talents from all sects?" Brother Jin’s face lit up with joy when he heard this.

"How is that related to you? What can you do now?" Brother Shen reprimanded unceremoniously, "All who come are those with Spirit Platform levels, and you haven’t even reached Dao Foundation Perfection, so keep a low profile."

Brother Jin’s face turned bitter upon hearing this.

The group walked and chatted, quickly crossing into the Su District and entering the Fangsu District.

Unlike the gray mist in most districts, the mist in the Fangsu District was overall reddish in color.

The air carried not only a sulfur smell but also a faint iron rust scent.

Stepping on the ground, one could also feel its warmth, significantly hotter than in other districts.

According to Lou Yi’s estimation, it was almost sixty to seventy degrees Celsius.

"I made an appointment with some friends to meet at a certain place.

Brother Shen, why not join me? We can introduce everyone to each other." Brother Gao smiled.

He wore a neatly tailored black and white Daoist robe, his hair tied evenly, his appearance handsome and heroic, fully displaying the demeanor of a major sect disciple.

"Oh, I definitely want to meet the talents from the major sects in the Central Continent’s heartland!" Brother Shen said with delight.

The group followed Brother Gao to the foot of a mountain, all reddish-brown.

Due to the obstructing red mist, the mountain’s full appearance was unclear, but it seemed impressive.

Brother Gao took a two-foot-long ink painting, filled with pavilions and towers, from his sleeve and gently threw it onto the ground ahead.

A magical scene unfolded.

The pavilions and towers in the ink painting began to emit a dazzling light, rapidly growing and extending from two-dimensional to three-dimensional.

Soon, they turned into several high, intricately constructed, red stone flying eaves houses.

"Everyone, how about we rest inside?" Brother Gao made a gesture of invitation.

Everyone followed and entered the house, finding it equipped with tables, chairs, tea sets, lamps, beds, all new additions, and they couldn’t help but marvel.

"This is a famous magical artifact of the Heaven Work Sect—the Painting House. Mine is a basic version, only able to transform into ordinary houses, just enough to shield from the elements," Brother Gao explained,

"The advanced versions even have functions comparable to top-grade magical artifacts or even spiritual artifacts, with arrays for protection, able to resist enemy attacks and accelerate the gathering of spiritual qi."

"The Central Continent is indeed rich with fine items; we’ve never witnessed such a Painting House before," Brother Shen lamented.

"Haha, just a fancy little toy, not worth mentioning," Brother Gao’s eyes flashed with a hint of something else, but he said, "For a cultivator, one’s cultivation is the foundation."

Soon, a burst of hearty laughter came from outside the Painting House.

"Brother Gao, why are you here so early?"

Everyone followed Brother Gao out of the Painting House.

They saw the newcomer, a young male cultivator, arriving on a flying spirit beast.

He wore a brightly colored Daoist robe, embroidered with various birds and beasts, wet and transformative, along with a large beard on his chin, which gave him a wild and unrestrained vibe.

The flying spirit beast beneath him was also quite unique.

It wasn’t an ordinary bird-like spirit beast but a giant centipede, about ten yards long.

Its entire body was jade white, with two pairs of semi-transparent gray wings, resembling bird feathers, whirring rapidly in the air.

"Brother Wan, long time no see!"

When Brother Gao saw this person, he too laughed heartily and went to greet him.

The bearded man on the four-winged centipede jumped down with a ’bang.’

The two men patted each other’s arms firmly as a gesture of camaraderie.

"The last time we parted was seven years ago.

At that time, we both killed a rather powerful spiritual creature together. Then, we both broke through to the Second Layer of the Spirit Platform. It was a double celebration..."

"Brother Gao, your cultivation has progressed greatly since then, now only a step away from the Fifth Layer of the Spirit Platform.

You might achieve a breakthrough before the True Monarch’s Blessed Land opens.

By then, even some Trench Patrol Guests may not be your match!"