"Can I obtain this Cultivation Technique?" Mu Can asked his final question. Initially, Mu Can aimed to uncover some secrets about the Immortal Ancient Secret Realm from the elder, but he soon became intensely interested in the Cultivation Technique practiced by the elder.
"Of course, you can, as long as you pass the Third Layer trial. However, since the establishment of Tongshen Mountain, only a handful have succeeded," the elder replied with a light smile upon hearing Mu Can’s question. It wasn’t mockery in his tone but seemed like he thought of an amusing matter.
"Is the Third Layer trial that difficult? What are the requirements, elder?" Though curious about the slight oddity on the elder’s face, Mu Can asked respectfully, as his purpose was to pass the Third Layer trial.
"In fact, telling you this already breaks the rules, but having seen endless years here, I’ve never met such a shameless youth. You even used the tactic of urinating on my whereabouts to force me out. However, seeing that you possess the strength of an Intermediate Martial Saint at such a young age, you might indeed have a shot at the Third Layer trial," the elder assessed Mu Can, nodding satisfactorily.
Mu Can could only blush as he faced the elder. Even though the elder was complimenting him, it somehow didn’t sound pleasant to his ears, rather sounding like a reprimand.
"Please don’t keep me in suspense, elder. I didn’t actually urinate on the rocks; it was just to scare you," Mu Can, having grown thicker-skinned after spending time with Wang Cai, quickly recovered his composure, asking with a smile.
"No more urinating? With that flattering smile, I knew you could be someone great." The elder looked at Mu Can’s expression, even more pleased with him.
Isn’t it fashionable to appreciate honest youths anymore? Why do the old generation of powerhouses now admire crafty youngsters?
"Hehe." Even with his thick skin, Mu Can couldn’t resist such praise and laughed, scratching his head.
"I can tell you some details about the ultimate trial, but I have a condition," the elder said calmly, looking at Mu Can, waiting for his response.
"What kind of condition?" Mu Can wasn’t one to hastily agree without knowing the terms first, giving him room to refuse.
"I grow more impressed with you the more I see. If you had readily agreed, I wouldn’t have believed you. But you asked what my condition was first. It’s simple; if you pass the final trial, I hope you can take a part of me, a clone, out with you," the elder spoke calmly.
"That can be arranged. If I can pass the final trial, I’ll take the elder’s clone with me."
Taking a clone was no big deal for Mu Can; looking at those around him, like Purple Cloud Immortal Venerable from Immortal Realm Supreme, now reconstructing his body in the Reincarnation Pearl First Layer, and others like the giant bird Little Red, the panda Little Lucky, the Tree Man Dumb, along with a dimensional zero in the Reincarnation Pearl Fourth Layer, plus the clone of Demon Ancestor and the Artifact Spirit Wang Cai. It was a gathering of various formidable and bizarre beings, adding one mysterious elder was no problem. However, Mu Can decided that he must not let the elder know the existence of the Reincarnation Pearl to avoid trouble.
"Alright, this time I am all in on you," now the elder’s gaze on Mu Can had changed. If he had embraced him before, now he looked like an in-law meeting a son-in-law, growing fonder by the minute.
With the elder’s introduction, Mu Can successfully learned some details about the ultimate trial.
Turns out everything on top of Tongshen Mountain was prepared for those passing the final trial. At the summit of Tongshen Mountain, the Sovereign prepared a significant gift for those succeeding; though the elder did not reveal what precisely the gift was, it surely wasn’t something simple considering his tone.
About the Third Layer trial, the elder couldn’t reveal much, only admonishing Mu Can with these words.
"Whatever happens, you must follow your true heart and make the most sincere choice in your mind."
Mu Can engraved the elder’s words deep in his memory. He was determined to try passing the Third Layer. Otherwise, even if he obtained the Secret Manuals of the Second Level but lost his memories here, it would be a loss outweighing the gain.
Finally, the elder told Mu Can that during his experience in the ultimate trial, he might encounter other selected candidates chosen by other clones. If initially, everyone fails the final trial, it would be fine, but if someone does pass, then the clone that chose that candidate can leave Tongshen Mountain with them, becoming an independent entity, severing connections with the original body.
Mu Can became suddenly vigilant. If this was the relationship between clone and original after cultivating this technique, he really had to consider whether he should pursue this Cultivation Technique.
However, the elder dispelled Mu Can’s doubts. These clones wanted to leave Tongshen Mountain simply because it was also the original’s desire.
Being trapped here for endless years, both original bodies and clones were tired of it and longed to experience the vibrant outside world. This led to the elder’s choice with Mu Can.
Hearing the elder’s explanation, Mu Can finally relaxed. Otherwise, even if he acquired this wondrous Cultivation Technique, he wouldn’t dare to use it if the relationship between clone and original was such, for the potential risks could be considerable.
Ultimately, gaining a technique through great effort, only for the clone to abandon the original body and weaken it - that would definitely be a prospect too mournful.
"Go forth boldly and confidently." The elder waved the Dragon Head Walking Stick in his hand, a red glow shot from it directly entering Mu Can’s body. The Power of Gluttony, this glow, was much larger than any Mu Can had acquired before, directly enhancing his physical fitness by a quarter.
Feeling the changes in his body, Mu Can was filled with a sense of satisfaction.