In preparation for the "Family Trial" to be held half a year later, the entire Bright Bolt Zone was thrown into an unprecedented state of urgency.From Julian Voltis at the very top, down to Cedric and the other personal guards, and even to the slaves toiling deep within the mine tunnels extracting Skybolt Crystals, no one was spared from the mounting pressure.The atmosphere across Julian's territory grew tense and driven, as though an invisible storm was gathering above them all.Julian devoted himself completely to strengthening both his own cultivation and the overall power of his faction. He sought every possible method, such as rare resources, secret techniques, and specialized training, to accelerate growth within the shortest time possible.Every decision he made revolved around increasing combat strength and securing an advantage. The coming trial was not merely a test; it was a battle for status, resources, and future influence within the family.Meanwhile, the unfortunate s

During the two days, Cedric focused completely on refining the Ninefold Lightning Origin Core. He did not leave his cultivation chamber, nor did he allow any distractions to disturb him.The moment he began absorbing its power, he understood why it was so highly regarded. The lightning force contained within the core was dense, pure, and layered. Each wave of lightning essence that entered his body felt powerful but controlled, unlike wild lightning that caused damage. It flowed through his meridians steadily, strengthening them instead of tearing them apart.By the end of the third day, his cultivation had successfully risen from the Advanced Seed Soul Stage to the Beginner Bloom Soul Stage. His overall aura became stronger and more condensed than before.At the same time, his Lightning Domain also advanced significantly. From Level 2, it directly increased to Level 4. The control and intensity of lightning within the domain were greatly enhanced, and its destructive force became muc

The Black Desert was a vast and harsh area in the Black Horizon Trial Zone known for violent sandstorms, unstable terrain, and hidden dangers beneath the dunes.Visibility was often low there, and energy fluctuations were unpredictable.The Shadow Venom Scorpion Tail Spike could only be obtained by killing a mature Shadow Venom Scorpion. These creatures were fast, highly aggressive, and possessed deadly venom capable of corroding both flesh and energy shields.As for the Radiant Dusk Crystal, it was a rare mineral formed under the special environmental energy of the Black Desert. It was primarily found in a dangerous area known as the Luminous Rift Valley. This area was filled with chaotic energy currents and shifting terrain patterns, making exploration difficult and time-consuming.After studying the information, Julian frowned slightly."The environment in the Luminous Rift Valley is too complicated. If we go there first, we may waste too much time navigating the terrain."He pause

The staff stationed at the monitoring checkpoint worked with remarkable speed and precision. Despite the long lines in the square, the queue moved steadily forward.It didn't take long before Cedric and the others reached the front.A sharp electronic tone sounded."Beep!"One of the soldiers at the checkpoint took Julian's mercenary card, which is also the identification token they had obtained earlier from Midnight Mercenary Alliance, and scanned it using a compact verification device. The screen flickered with data, confirming identity codes, registration numbers, and team affiliation.After that, another staff member activated a separate instrument designed to measure soul fluctuations and cultivation realm. A faint ripple of light swept across each member of the team in turn.The device compared their current Realm signatures with the information recorded on their mercenary cards. The process was strict, but swift.Satisfied that everything matched, the soldier gave a short nod an

The group moved forward while maintaining a steady altitude roughly a thousand meters above the shifting layer of light and shadow illusion below.From that height, they could barely avoid the strongest hallucinatory effects while still observing the terrain ahead.Even after hours of flight, the landscape seemed endless to them.Nearly three hours later, the formation suddenly tightened.One of the Bloom Soul Stage slaves flying at the front slowed slightly, his expression sharpening as his perception probed forward through the hazy interference."Master, there are mountain ranges ahead." He hurriedly told Julian."Mountain ranges?" Julian straightened immediately."Have we finally found them?"Without hesitation, the team accelerated immediately.The shimmering horizon ahead gradually shifted, and then the mountain range appeared.Stretching across their field of vision was a vast chain of black-brown mountains, extending so far that it seemed to merge with the distant sky. The rang