Whoosh whoosh whoosh!
Three beams of spiritual power shot down from the sky. When the spiritual light dissipated, Li Xuan, Qiu Jiugian, and Gong Hanfeng all appeared simultaneously. As soon as they landed, the three looked around vigilantly. Upon seeing the scene, Li Xuan and the other two became solemn.
The land was ravaged, riddled with holes, and resembled scorched earth. In the distance, a towering mountain range blocked their view.
Throughout the entire space, the dark red glow made the Crown of Purgatory appear even more oppressive. Even Li Xuan felt a sense of pressure.
"Phew, we're lucky to have been teleported to the edge here," Gong Hanfeng withdrew his gaze, speaking with a hint of relief.
Even Qiu Jiugian relaxed slightly and looked towards Li Xuan, clearly awaiting his next instructions.
"I don't know much about the Crown of Purgatory. The information I have is only what you've told me. So, the next plan will be decided by you. Also, what are the conditions to achieve a B-grade evaluation?" Li Xuan shrugged and asked.
"You don't even know about the Crown of Purgatory? Could it be that you're a hidden disciple of some major power?" Qiu Jiugian looked at Li Xuan in surprise, as if he had heard something unbelievable.
"Fellow Daoist Li Xuan, this Crown of Purgatory has countless spaces, almost every participant creates their own space. Of course, those of us who have sworn the Oath of Alliance will be in the same space."
"And within the Crown of Purgatory, to get an evaluation, you need to enter this mountain range." Gong Hanfeng pointed to the towering mountains, then spoke with a grave expression, "As for a B-grade evaluation, the assessor needs to kill a Earth Spirit within the mountain range. Killing one earns a B-grade. Heavily wounding one is B-grade lower. B-grade higher is to kill an Earth Spirit within five minutes."
"Earth Spirit? Are they very strong?" Li Xuan frowned slightly. Although he had a general understanding of the Crown of Purgatory and why no other participants appeared, he knew little about the Earth Spirit required for the assessment. It was no wonder; Li Xuan had only recently arrived in the Tianyi Domain and had spent his time on Tianfeng Peak. To understand the affairs of the Tianyi Domain would likely take some time. The fact that Gong Hanfeng, with his strength, treated it so seriously indicated that the Earth Spirit's power was certainly not weak.
"Earth Spirits are unique products of the Crown of Purgatory, usually living in groups. As their name suggests, they live underground in the mountain range and are extremely difficult to deal with. Each one possesses the strength of the early stage of the Divine Transformation Realm."
"If it were a one-on-one fight, perhaps none of us participants would be able to pass smoothly. And if we're unlucky enough to encounter an Earth Spirit King, there's almost no chance of survival," Qiu Jiugian sighed softly and said.
"Early Divine Transformation Realm strength, and they live in groups? In that case, isn't this assessment unfair?" Li Xuan frowned. If he hadn't formed an alliance with Qiu Jiugian and Gong Hanfeng, it would be difficult to pass the assessment after entering the Crown of Purgatory. However, if someone could gather other participants for a hunt, it would naturally be much easier, thus tilting the fairness of the assessment.
"With more people, it would certainly be more convenient. But with more people, more Earth Spirits are needed. Once the attention of the Earth Spirits here is drawn, there will be a terrifying pursuit. If one is alone, it's easier to evade, but their strength might not be enough to complete the assessment."
"However, with you and me, we can still manage to kill an Earth Spirit together," Qiu Jiugian said, looking at Gong Hanfeng. At this moment, Li Xuan understood why Qiu Jiugian had been reluctant to let Gong Hanfeng join them earlier. One more person meant one more Earth Spirit to kill.
"I see. However, since we have entered together, we are allies. A mere Earth Spirit should be no problem for the three of us. In that case, let's discuss how to proceed." Li Xuan understood Qiu Jiugian's previous thoughts, but he had promised Gong Hanfeng, so he couldn't abandon his teammate now. Moreover, he was curious about how strong the Earth Spirit was, which both Gong Hanfeng and Qiu Jiugian valued so highly.
"The method is simple. We just need to find a single Earth Spirit, then use a decoy to lure it into our trap. I forgot to tell you, Earth Spirits strongly dislike us Spirit Masters. Once they discover us, they will fight to the death," Qiu Jiugian said immediately.
"If we do this three times, then this assessment will be considered passed?" Li Xuan asked in surprise. He had heard that the Crown of Purgatory was extremely difficult, but with this plan, it seemed quite easy.
"This is considered a bit of a shortcut. The real assessment for Tianyi Pavilion disciples always requires individual completion. If this wasn't a selection, they wouldn't allow us to do this," Qiu Jiugian said without mercy.
"Let's discuss the decoy matter," Li Xuan said with a wry smile, shaking his head. For someone in the Limitless Realm to kill a creature in the Divine Transformation Realm, especially one that lives in groups, was akin to climbing to heaven. He didn't have the confidence to do it alone.
"Originally, my plan was for us two to take turns being the decoy and kill two Earth Spirits. But now there's one more person, and their strength is a bit weaker. I think this decoy task should be assigned to him," Qiu Jiugian said, looking at Gong Hanfeng.
"Wait a minute! You also said I'm the weakest of the three of us. If I'm the decoy, and I can't reach the trap in time, won't I fail the assessment?" Gong Hanfeng immediately protested, shaking his head.
"If you can't even be a decoy, what use are you?" Qiu Jiugian retorted without heeding Gong Hanfeng's protest.
"Alright, alright, both of you, stop arguing for now." Li Xuan, feeling a headache coming on, waved his hand. After a moment of thought, he looked at Qiu Jiugian, "Brother Qiu, I've seen your speed, even I have to admit defeat. And Brother Gong's point is not without reason. An Earth Spirit in the Divine Transformation Realm is not easy to escape from. And this is our first battle, it's best to be steady."
"Fine, I'll be the decoy for the first time," Qiu Jiugian said after a moment of contemplation, nodding slowly in agreement.
"Thank you, Brother Qiu," Li Xuan said with a sigh of relief and cupped his hands towards Qiu Jiugian. Gong Hanfeng, though somewhat embarrassed, also cupped his hands towards Qiu Jiugian to show his gratitude.
"Brother Li, you two prepare yourselves. I'll go scout first." With that, Qiu Jiugian moved and swept towards the mountain range. Watching Qiu Jiugian's ghost-like disappearing figure, Li Xuan turned to Gong Hanfeng and said, "Alright, let's start preparing as well."