In a bright and spacious room, the sea breeze gently stirred the curtains.
A graceful female Taoist priestess was examining Lin Li with a look of disbelief. "Are you sure you haven't cultivated any sort of youth-preserving technique?"
This female Taoist was none other than the Ninth Princess's master, Taoist Priestess Shallow Waters.
Despite nearing two hundred years of age, due to practicing a youth-preserving technique, she still appeared youthful, radiating a mature charm.
"Of course," Lin Li answered naturally, "Male cultivators rarely practice youth-preserving techniques."
"Let's not dwell on that. I'd like to ask, how can one obtain the method for Core Formation?"
Taoist Priestess Shallow Waters replied, "There are various methods to achieve Core Formation, each with different success rates. If you want the method with the highest success rate, it would be to represent Baixing Kingdom and participate in the Crimson Trial in Sky City, along with representatives from the other two great ocean empires, and return successfully."
"Oh?" Lin Li was intrigued but asked curiously, "Why is that?"
Sitting beside Lin Li, the Ninth Princess was not paying attention to their conversation, resting her chin in her hands, dreamily gazing at Lin Li.
Meanwhile, the protector from Hailan Kingdom, who stood behind the Ninth Princess, listened intently, also interested in the conversation.
"Because if you return from the Crimson Trial successfully, you will have performed a great service. Baixing Kingdom will open its Library Pavilion to you, allowing you to select from the Core Formation methods, and they will even provide the rare resources required for Core Formation."
Taoist Priestess Shallow Waters continued, "However, in exchange for Baixing Kingdom's assistance in forming your core, after succeeding, you will be required to serve as an elder for Baixing Kingdom, helping to deter the other two great ocean empires."
"My lifespan is nearing its end. The Crimson Trial, which takes place in a month, is my last hope!"
"If you're interested, I can offer you a spot to accompany me. Naturally, Baixing Kingdom will assist you with your Core Formation if we succeed."
"Thank you very much!"
Lin Li accepted without hesitation.
...
Afterward, Lin Li stayed in Taoist Priestess Shallow Waters' residence alongside the Ninth Princess and the protector.
During this time, the Ninth Princess mustered up the courage to show affection toward Lin Li. However, Lin Li, focused on achieving Core Formation, remained indifferent, leaving the princess feeling quite resentful.
A month later, Lin Li set out with Taoist Priestess Shallow Waters, along with fifty-eight other late Foundation Establishment protectors from Baixing Kingdom, aboard a massive dragon ship heading toward Sky City.
The so-called dragon ship was actually a massive vessel pulled by four gigantic sea serpent beasts.
After three months of sailing, they arrived at the junction between Baixing Kingdom and the two other ocean empires: Icefire Island!
The southern part of Icefire Island was scorching hot, while the northern part was eerily cold.
In the center stood a gigantic hot air balloon.
"Sky City is directly above Icefire Island!"
As they boarded the hot air balloon, Taoist Priestess Shallow Waters explained to Lin Li, "It is said that Sky City came from the other side of the ocean. In ancient times, there were mighty beings who had reached the realm of ascension battling fiercely, tearing through space, which caused the city to cross from the other side of the ocean to here. Because of this, Sky City is imbued with spatial laws, allowing it to float permanently in the sky."
"Sky City contains the cultivation legacy from the other side of the ocean. The Crimson Trial was established by the three great ocean empires to compete for this legacy."
"However, due to the restrictions of the spatial laws, only those below Core Formation can enter Sky City. To maintain balance, the three empires have agreed that each year, each empire may only send sixty cultivators to explore the relics of Sky City."
"Once inside, regardless of life or death, all will be expelled from Sky City by the spatial laws after one month. During this month, the 180 cultivators from the three empires will engage in a chaotic battle with no rules. Whether you survive or gain opportunities will depend entirely on your own abilities. Any legacies you acquire in Sky City will be rewarded accordingly by the king upon your return."
As the hot air balloon ascended, Taoist Priestess Shallow Waters continued, "Lin Li, this is my only chance. Once inside Sky City, stick close to me. For this month, not only will the three empires fight each other, but even the sixty cultivators from our own kingdom will be in competition. Everyone besides me is an enemy! Furthermore, there are ancient beasts and various other dangers lurking in Sky City, so be extremely careful!"
"Understood," Lin Li nodded.
...
After passing through the clouds, Lin Li finally caught sight of a colossal city floating above the clouds, an awe-inspiring sight!
The hot air balloon docked at a white jade plaza in front of the gates of Sky City. The cultivator responsible for piloting the balloon said, "Everyone, disembark here. I will return to pick you up in one month. Good luck!"
Lin Li and Taoist Priestess Shallow Waters disembarked and waited for a while. Soon, two more hot air balloons arrived.
"The one on the left is from the Infinity Empire, and the one on the right is from the Holy Empire," Taoist Priestess Shallow Waters explained. "For now, we cannot fight, but once we enter Sky City, they will be our enemies. You are still young, and you may lack experience in battle, so do not panic when the time comes."
Lin Li smiled faintly. In truth, he was most eager for these battles!
Although he had already reached the false core stage and could no longer advance his cultivation, accumulating a large amount of energy through combat would certainly be beneficial when it came time for Core Formation!
...
In front of the white jade plaza stood the gates of Sky City, towering a hundred meters high and vast as if built for giants.
"From this moment on, the Crimson Trial of the three great empires officially begins!"
In the sky, the Core Formation cultivators from all three empires announced in unison, "You may now enter Sky City!"
As soon as the announcement ended, 180 Foundation Establishment perfection cultivators rushed into the gates of Sky City, eager to claim their opportunities before anyone else.
...
After crossing the gate, there was a long descending staircase.
Looking ahead, the city below was filled with moss-covered stone buildings, appearing as a vast ruin.
"I have a friend who reached Core Formation and participated in the Crimson Trial before," Taoist Priestess Shallow Waters said. "He gave me some advice. Follow me. The chances of finding an ancient legacy are greater in that direction!"
With that, Taoist Priestess Shallow Waters moved swiftly toward the depths of Sky City...
...
Twenty days later!
In the central area of Sky City.
Inside the ruins of a large building.
"This is great!"
Taoist Priestess Shallow Waters was ecstatic, holding a jade slip covered in ancient, unreadable script. "This is an ancient legacy!"
Just then, a sinister voice sounded from behind Lin Li and Taoist Priestess Shallow Waters. "Well, well, looks like someone got lucky!"
"If you know what's good for you, hand over the jade slip and maybe we'll spare your lives! Otherwise... hehe…"