"Believe in yourself, Gross, as the most talented of the Nightingale Family, you can surely pass the trial of the Crimson River!"
Gross stood at the edge of the Crimson River, muttering to himself, repeating the key points recorded in the family’s secret annals:
"First and foremost, remember that any mystical breakthrough cannot be abandoned halfway, once you’ve decided to start, you must persist to the end, whether you succeed or fail..."
"Next, the Crimson River possesses strong corrosive properties that can erode the soul, thus spiritual protection is of utmost importance."
While speaking to himself, he used unnamed arts to reinforce layer upon layer of protection around his soul.
"Spiritual enhancement!"
Various unnamed arts, potions, and magical items were utilized, making his Spiritual Body look as though it was clad in a luminescent outfit of myriad colors.
"The final point, the Crimson River has tides, and during each ’day-night division’ in the Spirit Realm, its waters surge most violently, but after the biggest wave has passed, there will be a brief period of calm, which is the best time to ford the river!"
This was a mystery uncovered through the painful sacrifices of countless generations of the Nightingale Family, known only to the direct lineage of the family.
Moreover, if it weren’t for their belief in ’Pastor’ and utmost respect for chronology, they would not have discovered this marvelous juncture.
Precisely because of this, the ’elevators’ of the Nightingale Family are in abundant supply, ranking as a mysterious powerhouse within the Mesoamerican Federation and also a major financial magnate.
"I can do this, I can do this."
Gross continued his preparations while nervously opening an old pocket watch to closely check the time.
Time in the Spirit Realm is highly chaotic, and trusting in external observations for timing can easily result in errors; this magical item was a family treasure, specifically borrowed for the promotion by spending family contributions.
"Here it comes, the largest wave!"
Gross stared at the turbulent, boiling blood-red river and murmured.
’This person... really boring, all this preparation and still not in the water?’
Zhong Shenxiu couldn’t stand it anymore and walked over, "Hey, brother, ready to swim?"
Gross replied instinctively, then saw the approaching figure, and was startled, "No... sorry, I was too excited just now, I didn’t expect to encounter a fellow traveler in the Spirit Realm."
To have reached this place means one must have at least reached the peak of ’excellence,’ and each one deserved to be treated with seriousness.
Zhong Shenxiu sized up this fellow.
In the Spirit Realm, the body is a projection and materialization of spirituality and the Spiritual Body, not necessarily identical to one’s true appearance, but it can accurately reflect a person’s inner self.
To him, this fellow’s Spiritual Body looked naive, with a noble air about him, likely one of those elite youths nurtured by a big family, but clearly not well-exposed to the world, having been overprotected.
"Gross Victor, from the Nightingale Family!" Gross quickly gave his name but then regretted it: ’Damn, my thought processing in the Spirit Realm is still a bit slow, I should’ve only mentioned the name of the Nightingale Family. That would have been intimidating enough, why did I give my full name?’
’You can call me the Bartender!’
Zhong Shenxiu smiled, sensing that the guy was somewhat naive.
Or perhaps his own spiritual strength was too great, turning his mind projection into an old hand?
"Getting ready for a promotion? Want to go together?"
"No, now is not the time!"
Gross solemnly refused and then subconsciously covered his mouth.
’Damn it, I mustn’t speak of the time sequence—it’s a family secret... Pastor, please forgive me...’
However, the very next moment, his pupils suddenly dilated.
Because he saw the young man with a black snake twined around his arm walk to the edge of the crimson river, stretch out his arms in a standard dive pose, and then plunge headfirst into the water.
"Hey, hey... it’s... the strongest tide now!"
Gross reached out his hand, but it was already too late.
He came to the edge of the crimson river and looked at the patch of blood-red water where the other had dived in, only to see not even a bubble emerge, screaming, "Is he mad? It’s the strongest tide now... Although the crimson river seems very calm, that tide that originates from the soul can make even the strongest Spiritual Body extremely exhausted..."
In the next moment, Zhong Shenxiu’s head popped out of the bloody water, and with a backstroke motion, he continuously swam towards the opposite shore while still able to speak to Gross.
At the same time, he felt the black snake transform into a layer of barrier, guarding his whole body, making it seem as if he was enveloped in a layer of protective droplets, becoming more agile in the water.
"Well then, I’ll be going first, see you on the other side!"
Zhong Shenxiu waved his hand towards the back, then suddenly swept his arms, and under the inherent boost of the Pastor, his whole person dashed through the water like a fish, quickly turning into a small black dot, then disappearing completely from sight.
"Is this crimson river fake?"
"Or is my pocket watch malfunctioning?"
"No no, the family can’t be wrong; it’s just me being too cautious! Indeed... as the family’s talent, I need to have some confidence."
"How could a mere third Dao Mark possibly stop me? I, Gross, am destined to become a longevity!"
Gross looked at the layers of protection on his body and suddenly mustered infinite courage, no longer caring about the timing, and directly dived into the crimson river to begin his advancement.
In the next instant, an infinite stench of blood, madness, and corrosive torrents surged towards him!
On Gross, the colorful aura continually burst, emitting a sound as if it could no longer bear the pressure.
"It’s fake, right? Why did that bartender seem so at ease just now?"
A hint of despair appeared on Gross’ face.
At this moment, he felt an invisible ’wave’ coming at him from the vast blood-colored river ahead.
It wasn’t the crimson tide of blood, but an attack similar to Spiritual Pressure that came from the soul, yet magnified by more than a thousand times?
The invisible force hit Gross hard, turning everything black before his eyes, and he fainted, falling to the bottom of the crimson river, washed away by the blood-red waters...
Another invisible wave of Spiritual Pressure crashed onto Zhong Shenxiu.
"Refreshing! So exhilarating!"
Feeling the Spiritual Pressure, like a hammer, constantly refining his spirit and causing a qualitative change in his soul, Zhong Shenxiu couldn’t help but feel thoroughly invigorated.
"It doesn’t seem like the river is that wide, so why can’t I see the end from the other side?"
After swimming for a while, he saw the white shore, climbed up, and felt the transformation of his soul.
"Hmm, ’advancement’ is the qualitative change of the soul, in terms of amplification strength... at this moment, I probably don’t need to use the nameless art; just relying on my own Spiritual Pressure should be enough to crush those ordinary people who have drunk the merciless blood, right?"