In the center of the platform, the ancient, weathered stone patterns suddenly lit up, forming a circular design roughly ten meters in diameter. As the pattern's light flickered, three stone statues—entirely composed of dark yellow rock, each wielding a massive axe and standing over three meters tall—slowly rose from the glow. Red flames danced in the statues' eye sockets, emanating spiritual energy fluctuations at the late Foundation Establishment level, locking onto every living thing on the platform! "It's a guardian trial!" Margaret's pupils contracted. "We must defeat them to continue forward, or perhaps earn the right to stay here!" The stone statues emitted deep rumbles, striding forward with heavy steps, swinging their giant axes toward the group. Before the axes arrived, the sharp gale force was already stinging their faces. "Form up! Engage!" Margaret drew her sword and charged toward one of the statues first. She knew there was n...
Panic was instantly replaced by despair—and a twisted fervor! No way down, only up. Opportunity and survival both lay above! "Go up! Climb!" "Get out of here! I have to leave!" "Treasures! There are treasures on the mountain!" The crowd erupted into complete chaos, blindly surging toward any mountain path or cliff face that seemed to lead upward. But how could Buzhou Mountain be a forgiving place? Even relatively gentle areas concealed deadly dangers. "Ahhh—!" Screams soon rang out. Some stepped on loose rocks and plunged into bottomless ravines. Others stumbled into seemingly calm mist zones, instantly torn apart by hidden venomous insects or sha spirits. Still others, fighting over a path that looked passable, turned their blades on those beside them! Chaos, slaughter, death—all erupted instantly across this mid-mountain platform and surrounding areas forcibly packed with "trial participants"! "Form up! Defend!" Margaret com...