Indeed, there are good people in the world, and some are so kind it’s beyond comprehension.
However, for a power to be this benevolent, disregarding easily attainable benefits, things start to get strange.
Is Tianyun Temple associated with Kaishan Hall?
For a power to stand at the Peak, it surely isn’t the result of sheer good deeds from top to bottom, but from being strong enough and iron-blooded in combat.
Therefore, it’s truly odd that Tianyun Temple would offer so many trial spots.
Yet, it’s undeniable that many people benefit from these trials; otherwise, why would so many flock to them?
This matter, it’s perplexing.
Shi Hao was no longer a naïve youth; he possessed the wisdom of a Heaven Building Ladder powerhouse, so his perspective on issues was never superficial.
Sitting on a stone outside, he observed people being led into the hall one after another, all of whom had, of course, passed the Nine Passes.
They all looked oddly at Shi Hao, wondering why this person was sitting there all alone.
—Once they learned about the Gravity Chamber here, they would certainly think Shi Hao was even more of a fool.
However, after a while, a youth actually strolled out of the hall and approached Shi Hao.
"Come on, make some room." He pointed at the stone beneath Shi Hao’s rear.
Shi Hao was surprised, as there weren’t only one stone to sit on. Why insist on squeezing with him?
But upon closer inspection of the youth, Shi Hao couldn’t help but express a look of surprise.
The face seemed familiar.
Yet how could he feel a sense of familiarity when he had clearly never encountered this person before?
There are disguising techniques in the world that can change one’s appearance, but the one thing they can’t change is the eyes.
"Brother Gu?" Shi Hao tentatively called out.
"Eh, little brother, you have quite the eye to have recognized me!" The youth laughed heartily, appearing very open and relaxed.
Shi Hao’s mouth twitched slightly. Normal people wouldn’t make such an odd request to share a stone. Your name is Gu Tong, and indeed, your behaviour is as peculiar as your name.
"Brother Gu, are you sure you’re not over thirty yet?" he asked.
One’s appearance can be altered, but with an age restriction in place, it wouldn’t be assumed based on looks but rather determined through a measurement of Blood Age.
How could that be fooled?
Gu Tong straightened his face: "Do I look like I’m over thirty?"
Well, if you’re going to be so shameless, then I’m at a loss for words.
Shi Hao changed the subject: "You’re already so powerful, why participate in this trial?"
Gu Tong smiled faintly: "I’m here to retrieve an item, and I don’t want to disturb a certain someone, so I have to keep a low profile."
Since he didn’t specify what the item was, it was clear he didn’t want to tell Shi Hao, so Shi Hao tactfully did not inquire further.
However, to catch Gu Tong’s eye, the item must certainly be a precious treasure.
Hmm, could this be related to the strength of Tianyun Temple?
"Brother Shi, why don’t you ask me what I want to obtain?" Gu Tong looked at him somewhat displeased, "Do you think I would conceal something from you?"
Now that the conversation had reached this point, Shi Hao asked, "Brother Gu, what is it that you want to take?"
"I can’t tell you, the issue is too significant!" Gu Tong immediately changed his expression to one of utmost seriousness.
Are you being this playful for a good reason?
Shi Hao sighed. If only his strength were greater—well, quite a bit greater—then Gu Tong would surely find himself being ground into the floor by him right now.
"Hahaha!" Gu Tong burst into laughter, clapping Shi Hao on the shoulder, "Just a joke, don’t mind it. But really, this matter is of great import. If you knew, it could actually put you in danger, so it’s better that you don’t know."
Shi Hao did not dwell further on the matter, as he had already realized that Gu Tong was far from a straightforward person.
"Brother Gu, do you know if there’s anything peculiar about Tianyun Temple?" he asked.
"You noticed that?" Gu Tong expressed his surprise.
"Hehe, although it’s a bit like imagining others in my own ungenerous terms, I genuinely cannot fathom why Tianyun Temple would do such a good deed," said Shi Hao with a smile.
"Truly my brother, your insight is penetrating; you haven’t been blinded by desire," Gu Tong praised, "Take care of yourself, and you won’t face any issues."
Hmm, aren’t you going to tell me where the problem lies?
"Ah, I’m tired, tired, going to sleep." Gu Tong stretched lethargically and headed inside the hall.
Shi Hao grimaced; all this talking and leaving him hanging, only to walk away , was indeed very Gu Tong.
However, Shi Hao trusted that Gu Tong would not harm him; otherwise, a powerful being like that could simply extend a hand and erase him.
There certainly was something odd about Tianyun Temple, but since Gu Tong said all that was needed was a bit of caution, it probably wasn’t a grave issue. After all, he was also here, and should a being emerge that Shi Hao absolutely couldn’t handle, Gu Tong surely wouldn’t just stand by and watch.
If Shi Hao were to say, it’s actually Tianyun Temple that should be on guard. With a top-notch expert like Gu Tong keeping an eye on it, who wouldn’t be worried?
Days passed, and more and more people cleared the assessment. Shi Hao didn’t stay outside all the time; since he couldn’t wander around, it was better to cultivate in his room. Even the slightest progress was still progress, certainly better than wasting time.
He estimated that his second Soul Island was approaching its limit, and breaking through was a matter of the next few days.
His progress was mainly thanks to the Spiritual Medicine Han Liren had gathered for him previously, as well as the jade spirit fruit among others, all of which he refined into pills or directly absorbed, allowing him to reach the brink of the second island so quickly.
Of course, if it hadn’t been for the miraculous Nine Revolutions Sky-Plundering Scripture, but rather internal consumption, the effect wouldn’t have been so beneficial.
He felt some urgency, as the gap between him and the contemporary geniuses was rather significant; they were already at the Eight or Nine Islands, while he was still only at the second. Although he was confident, winning was exceptionally arduous.
Three more days passed, and Shi Hao reached the limit of the second island.
Time to assault the third island!
The Nine-Color Soul Seed took flight, once again traversing the Sea of Suffering.
Boom, the Sea of Suffering churned with tides, wave after wave trying to impede the Soul Seed, with some waves so high that even Shi Hao had to make the Nine-Color Soul Seed soar to greater heights to evade them.
And in the Sea of Suffering, the higher one flew, the more strength was consumed, affecting the ultimate distance the Soul Seed could reach.
Therefore, as one drew closer to the Other Shore, the more difficult it became to break through, because if one couldn’t fly far enough, the Soul Seed would have to return to the originating Soul Island.
Shi Hao remained neither joyous nor sorrowful, casting aside all emotions. There was only one thought in his mind now, and that was to let the Soul Seed fly a sufficient distance.
One breath, two breaths, three breaths... Time slowly passed, and soon came a hundred breaths, while Shi Hao’s Soul Seed was still crossing the sea.