Chapter Seventy-Six: The Arena of Heaven and Earth

Since the trial at the training grounds began, more than a dozen hours had passed, yet the sky above the inner island remained bright, making it impossible to feel sleepy. Once beyond the barrier, it was still daytime outside, but somehow, everyone yawned, eager to return to their rooms and rest.

Among the ten of them, only Ye Sansi and five others had lodgings; the remaining four needed to be accommodated elsewhere. For convenience, they were assigned rooms on the same staircase as Ye Sansi. Once inside, Ye Sansi hurried to his bed, stretched out languidly, and said, “I’m exhausted. These past dozen hours have truly been tiring, but at least all six of us have been selected. I wonder what will happen at the Heaven and Earth Training Grounds?”

Liu Lingshuang, sitting at her bedside, asked softly, “Sanshi, do you think Miss Li Bing is beautiful?”

“She is. Her blue hair is strikingly lovely, and her eyes are as clear as the mountain springs on Mount Buyun. At first glance, you can sense her extraordinary temperament—surely a lady of noble birth.”

Lingshuang pouted and replied, “So what if she is? What’s so special about that? I’m a lady of noble birth too. Is she really better than me?”

Ye Sansi sat up, scratched his head, and grinned. “I never said that, did I? Lingshuang, you have a special place in my heart—no one can compare. Though Li Bing is indeed beautiful, she’s not a match for Nian’er’s beauty. How can one judge only by appearance?”

Liu Lingshuang smiled. “Of course. Our Nian’er is the most beautiful in the world—who could possibly compare? You know what to say, but from now on, you must keep your distance from Li Bing. Don’t…”

“Don’t what?”

“Oh, just keep away from her! Why do you have so many questions?” Lingshuang turned away, still pouting.

The other four, watching the scene, covered their mouths, laughing at Lingshuang’s adorable jealousy. Ye Sansi knew what she meant but enjoyed teasing her.

It was getting late. After some casual conversation, they washed up and went to bed. They were truly exhausted. Xiong Gang soon began snoring, but despite the noise, all six slept deeply.

Seven hours passed in the blink of an eye. A disciple of Fangcun came to knock on their doors, and everyone slowly roused themselves. Taiyi opened the door, and the disciple said, “In half an hour, report to the barrier. Elder Fang Yuan will escort you to the Heaven and Earth Training Grounds.”

With that, the disciple left. Ye Sansi stretched and walked over to Taiyi. “What’s going on?”

“Sanshi, today we’re going to the Heaven and Earth Training Grounds for the final trial. If we pass, we’ll officially become disciples of Fangcun Immortal Island. Just the thought makes me excited!”

Ye Sansi smiled. “Coming here was my idea alone, but you all have stood by me, and I’m truly grateful.”

“Sanshi, I was wandering the world by myself. Meeting you and then coming to the Immortal Island has made everything so much more interesting. If you want to thank someone, thank Nian’er and Sister-in-law! Hahaha.”

Ye Sansi scratched his head, laughing. “We’re not married yet. How could you call her that? If Uncle Liu found out, he’d be furious.”

Lingshuang approached, making a face. “What are you two whispering about? Hurry up and wash up, or we’ll be late.”

“All right.” The six gathered their things and, within the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, left their rooms.

Today the outer quarters were noticeably quiet. Most of the residents had departed. Ye Sansi felt a bit nervous. He could tell that, though Taiyi claimed not to care, he was anxious about the outcome—he longed to stay on the Immortal Island and learn its arts.

Ye Sansi worried that if he failed at the Heaven and Earth Training Grounds, Taiyi would insist on leaving with him, which would be unfair and might cut off Taiyi’s immortal destiny. This only strengthened Ye Sansi’s resolve to win.

As before, Fang Yuan first led the ten of them to the Eastern Dining Hall. Though the food was plentiful, no one dared to eat their fill, for no one knew what awaited them in the trial ahead. Each heart was weighed down with uncertainty.

The Heaven and Earth Training Grounds were situated before the Hall of Heaven and Earth, built much like the martial arts grounds at Liu Family Fort. According to Lingshuang, the grounds were vast enough for a thousand people to practice swordplay together without crossing blades.

Li Taiyi remarked, “It’s said that Fangcun’s architecture is unique—every staircase, building, and brick is arranged according to a formation. The Hall of Heaven and Earth sits at the center, harnessing celestial energy and protecting the island.”

Lingshuang, ever curious, whispered, “Isn’t this just a legend spread by the Immortal Island to intimidate outsiders?”

Ye Sansi laughed. “Legends always have a kernel of truth, but there’s no need to dwell on it. This island is enormous—we’ve been walking for hours and still haven’t reached the center.”

“Sanshi, be careful on the island. Don’t let petty people find an opportunity to report you to the Island Lord and elders—you’d be punished.”

Ye Sansi straightened his back. “What opportunity? I, Ye Sansi, have a clear conscience. Why should I fear the schemes of petty men?”

Still, he lowered his voice and added, “I’m only worried that if the genuine Su Yu Bracelet in my possession is discovered, they’d expel me from the island—or worse, confiscate the bracelet.”

“Sanshi, if they take it, so be it. The Su Yu Bracelet belongs to the Immortal Island, after all. If they found out, you’d get more than just expelled…”

Ye Sansi instinctively clutched the bracelet at his chest. “Absolutely not. Anyone who tries to take my bracelet will have to fight me for it!”

“All right, all right, calm down. The bracelet is safe with you—no one will find it. Besides, Nian’er has a fake one. If things go wrong, she can use it as a decoy.”

The six of them—Ye Sansi and Li Taiyi, Liu Lingshuang and Lin Nian’er, Xiong Gang and Jin Sun—chatted quietly in pairs as they walked. Unknowingly, they arrived at the so-called Heaven and Earth Training Grounds.

At first glance, the grounds were not as exaggerated as Lingshuang had described, but they were still much larger than the Liu Family Fort’s training area.

Following Fang Yuan through a side hall, they finally set foot on the Heaven and Earth Training Grounds that so many aspired to see. Upon arrival, they spotted the other contestants. Ye Sansi counted them—adding his own group from the Eastern Grounds, there were forty in all.

The other thirty competitors, at first glance, were clearly formidable martial artists. As Ye Sansi’s group approached, gazes met—none were openly hostile, but each was filled with a fierce desire to claim the top prize.

Ye Sansi sneered inwardly. Though these people bore enmity, they were all ordinary folk. Surveying the crowd, he realized that none could match his strength.

This was not arrogance, but confidence born of self-knowledge. Since absorbing the power of Nuwa and the Lingzhou demon, his strength had increased tremendously. If it came to a fight, even Fang Yuan might not be his equal.

Yet all he had mastered were martial arts—useful, but not as dominant or formidable as immortal techniques. If he truly wished to grow stronger, the path of immortal cultivation was the only way for Ye Sansi and his companions.

Fang Yuan was the last to arrive among the leaders of the four training grounds. By the time they got there, the eight elders and Island Lord Fang Jian had all taken their seats. The disciples paid their respects, and the contestants followed suit.

To the south of the training grounds, forty chairs were arranged along the boundary. Under Fang Yuan’s direction, each person took their seat.

Lifting his gaze, Ye Sansi saw a grand and imposing hall—the very Hall of Heaven and Earth Lingshuang had described. He’d glimpsed it from afar when first arriving on the island, but standing beneath its eaves now, he felt its awe-inspiring presence.

Before the hall stood nine crimson chairs. The Island Lord sat at the center, with eight elders flanking him. Their vantage was high, allowing a clear view of the training grounds.

Fang Jian spoke: “You forty who have been selected are all outstanding talents. Thirty-two of you hail from prominent families, trained in both martial arts and conduct since childhood—a fine group indeed. Now, on this very training ground, the final trial will be set by the Chief Law Elder.”

The Chief Elder, named Fang Lang, was Fang Jian’s senior brother—stiff and stern, but his disciples were always among the best of their generation. Fang Yuan was one such disciple.

As Fang Lang descended from the hall, Fang Yuan bowed deeply and addressed him as “Master” when he drew near.

Fang Lang nodded slightly. “Good, Yuan’er. Go wait at the hall and see if your uncle has further orders.”

“Yes, Master.”

Fang Yuan hurried to the hall and stood behind Fang Jian.

Perplexed by some of Fang Jian’s secret instructions, Fang Yuan bent low and whispered, “Master Uncle, you once told me to look after Jin Sun and Xiong Gang, saying they were reincarnations of celestial beings. If they joined the Immortal Sect, they would accomplish great things. I arranged for them to face easier opponents yesterday, but as for Ye Sansi and Lin Nian’er…”

Fang Jian laughed. “What do you think of those two?”

“At first glance, Ye Sansi’s martial arts are unmatched—likely the strongest among these dozens. But Lin Nian’er…”

“Hahaha, don’t be fooled by her delicate appearance. With her on Fangcun Immortal Island, we need not fear demons or monsters.”

The other elders laughed. “Looks like our junior brother is up to his tricks again. Don’t let the senior elder find out, or you’ll be in for a scolding.”

Fang Jian waved them off with a hearty laugh. “Brothers, as long as you don’t tell, how would that old stick-in-the-mud know? The four I have my eye on are each capable of shouldering the future of Fangcun.”

“Junior brother, you mean to say…”

“In less than thirty years, any one of Xiong Gang, Jin Sun, Ye Sansi, or Lin Nian’er will surpass us in cultivation.”

Fang Yuan exclaimed, “How can that be? By then, Island Lord and elders, you’ll have cultivated for a hundred years. How could the younger generation surpass you?”

“Yuan’er, we are mere mortals. If we wish to ascend, we must wait for the Immortal Path to show mercy… But for those who are reincarnations of celestial beings, this mortal life is just a journey of experience. Once their merit is complete, they will naturally return to the heavens. How can we compare?”

“Then, Master Uncle, are you saying all four of them have immortal destinies?”

“Jin Sun, Xiong Gang, and Lin Nian’er I’m certain of. As for Ye Sansi…”