Chapter 53: The Map of Trials

As Mu Xuyang took the map of trials, Zhong Xiaoyun continued to explain, "The Xuanhuang Great World we currently live in is just a small part of the entire universe. It is said that this universe is controlled by two powerful figures, the Immortal King and the Demon Emperor. The Immortal King governs the Immortal Realm, while the Demon Emperor controls the Demon Domain. They are hostile towards each other and both seek to annihilate their opponent and merge the respective domains they control. The Xuanhuang Great World belongs to one of the countless worlds under the jurisdiction of the Immortal Realm. As a human being and one of the billions of creatures under the Immortal King's command, you also follow the will of the Immortal King and take it upon yourself to slay demons and monsters."

Just as Zhong Xiaoyun finished speaking, Mu Xuyang couldn't help but ask eagerly, "This fragmented map of trials, does it have something to do with the Demon Domain?"

"Yes," nodded Zhong Xiaoyun, and continued, "If this map were complete, it would be a treasure that allows one to traverse freely through the various spatial planes of the Demon Domain. It was crafted by the Demon Lord, who intended to kill the Demon Emperor, overthrow and seize control of the Demon Domain. Unfortunately, the Demon Lord's power was inferior to that of the Demon Emperor, and he was completely annihilated in their battle. Most of the treasures crafted by the Demon Lord were destroyed by the Demon Emperor."

"So why did Master refer to this map as the Map of Trials?"

"That's just a name I randomly gave it. When I obtained this map, I unintentionally discovered the activation method and successfully used its power to enter several spatial realms recorded on the map. However, in those realms, I didn't encounter powerful beings in battle but rather demonic creatures that can contend with cultivators at the levels of Body Refinement, Essence Accumulation, Qi Manifestation, and Talisman Embodiment among human cultivators."

"Are you suggesting that I should use the power of this map to enter the Demon Domain, hunt down demons, and enhance myself through battles?"

"Yes, that's precisely what I mean."

"Can I bring someone along?"

"No, you can't," Zhong Xiaoyun smiled and said, "You're worried about the two senior brothers you brought, right? You can rest assured, I will make arrangements for them."

"Thank you." Upon hearing Zhong Xiaoyun's assurance that Ao Qing and Nie Yifan would be taken care of, Mu Xuyang's worries were completely dispelled, and he quickly expressed his gratitude to Zhong Xiaoyun.

"Master will now teach you the secret chant to activate the Training Treasure Map. Are you ready?"

"I'm ready."

"Good." Zhong Xiaoyun nodded with a smile and proceeded to tell Mu Xuyang the secret chant to activate the Training Treasure Map.

After obtaining the secret chant to activate the Training Treasure Map, Mu Xuyang silently recited it in his mind to ensure he didn't miss anything. Then he asked Zhong Xiaoyun, "There should be quite a few people training in the Demon Realm, right?"

"The Demon Realm is incredibly vast, not smaller than the cosmic space controlled by the Immortal Realm. Almost every dimensional space controlled by the Immortal Realm has intricate connections with certain dimensional spaces in the Demon Realm. Therefore, when you use the power of treasures from the same dimensional space to enter the Demon Realm, it will mostly lead you to the corresponding Demon Realm dimensional space connected to the current Immortal Realm dimensional space."

"Are you saying that besides using the Training Treasure Map to enter the Demon Realm dimensional space, it's also possible to directly teleport people there using magical powers?"

"As long as you possess a treasure with the ability to traverse space, you can use spells to teleport people there. The Ten Great Immortal Sects open passages to the Demon Realm every year and send their disciples there to hunt down demons and gain experience. However, the opening time is limited, ranging from a month at most to as short as around ten days. With this Training Treasure Map, you don't have to wait for the sect to open the passage to the Demon Realm. You can directly enter and train there."

"Oh, I see now."

After finishing the conversation with Zhong Xiaoyun, Mu Xuyang, who was eager to explore the Demon Realm, didn't hesitate. He immediately recited the secret chant to activate the Training Treasure Map.

Once the Training Treasure Map was activated, Mu Xuyang saw a magnificent teleportation light emanating from the power map in his hand. He quickly raised his hand and tapped on the option corresponding to the first level of the Demon Realm that he wanted to go to.

With the option confirmed, the words indicating the first level of the Demon Realm on the Training Treasure Map began to flicker. In the blink of an eye, it released a mysterious teleportation force that projected towards Mu Xuyang, enveloping his body directly.

After being enveloped by the mysterious teleportation force, Mu Xuyang suddenly felt a void beneath his feet. Then he keenly sensed his body being dragged by the mysterious teleportation power, rapidly flying towards an unknown space below.

...

While Mu Xuyang was on his way to Qingyun Sect after dealing with the bandit hideout in Luo Mansion in Guyan City and killing many members of the Luo Mansion, Zhong Xiaoyun had already learned about it.

Moreover, he was well aware that the high-ranking figures in his sect had close ties to the Luo Mansion in Guyan City. He worried that once the higher-ups in Qingyun Sect learned that Mu Xuyang had arrived, they would send people to take him away and hand him over to the Luo Mansion for disposal. This would provide an explanation to the Luo Mansion, appease their anger, and ease the relationship between Qingyun Sect and the Luo Mansion.

Therefore, to prevent such a situation from occurring, Zhong Xiaoyun took out a practice treasure map that he was reluctant to share with others and gave it to Mu Xuyang. He wanted him to go to the Demon Domain for training as a way to protect him.

About half an hour after Mu Xuyang left, more than ten figures swiftly crossed a vast space and landed in the square in front of the palace.

Among the group that arrived at the palace where Zhong Xiaoyun resided were Du Yongming, who had killed Fang Junyun and Gu Jinzhong to silence them, as well as his master, Lin Jintian, an elder of Qingyun Sect. There was also another person dressed in luxurious attire, Luo Yunqing, the young master of the Luo Mansion in Guyan City.

"Young Master Luo, this is the palace where Elder Zhong rests. If my speculation is correct, that detestable Mu boy is hiding in this palace," Du Yongming said with a smile to Luo Yunqing, who was dressed in luxurious clothing.

"Is Elder Zhong in a master-disciple relationship with that Mu boy?"

"Elder Zhong has the intention to take that Mu boy as his disciple, that much is certain. As for whether they have performed the ceremony to formally become master and disciple, that is currently unknown. We will only know once we meet Elder Zhong. Elder Zhong is a reasonable person, and he is well aware of the good relationship between Qingyun Sect and the Luo Mansion. They wouldn't sever ties with the Luo Mansion over a disciple who is not particularly outstanding. Therefore, I believe Elder Zhong won't choose to confront the higher-ups of the sect and will insist on protecting that Mu boy," Du Yongming explained.

"I hope so," Luo Yunqing smiled and nodded, then turned to Lin Jintian, who had a slightly unpleasant expression on his face, and asked, "Senior Lin, in your opinion, will Elder Zhong hand over that Mu boy to us?"

"Elder Zhong is stubborn, arrogant, and holds no one in high regard. It's too early to speculate on what choice he will make. We can only know once we meet him," Lin Jintian responded, quickening his pace and walking towards the main gate of the palace.