An Understated Dominance

After returning to the marketplace, the entire camp was immersed in post-survival relief and anxiety about the future. Those who passed the Heart-Questioning Stairs from Margaret's side totaled eleven: Margaret, Scarlet, Adam, Bai Qingxue, Bai Wuhen, Dustin, and five Dragon Guards with firm willpower. From the Bai family, Bai Wei also made it, but three other clan members remained forever on the Heart-Questioning Stairs. Other forces suffered even heavier losses. Though the Qin siblings passed easily, of the dozen-plus guards they brought, only three kept up. Of the Yu family's seven or eight elites, only the mid Golden Core middle-aged man and two others passed. Montgomary Palace also suffered devastating losses—though Mark Montgomary made it, only four of his people remained. "The Spirit Transformation Pill..." Margaret murmured. "That's the Qin family's true objective." Dustin nodded: "For a hidden clan like the Qin family, ordinary treasures...

 On the fifth day, Mark Montgomary came again. This time, he brought important intelligence. "In three days, the second level trial of Buzhou Mountain will begin." He lowered his voice. "According to information the Qin family obtained, this trial is called the 'Heart-Questioning Stairs,' with ninety-nine steps. Each step requires facing an inner demon trial. Only those who reach the top may proceed to the next stage." Margaret and Dustin exchanged glances. "Where are the Heart-Questioning Stairs?" Mark pointed northeast, outside the marketplace: "About twenty-five kilometers from here is a place called 'Wind Thunder Platform.' The entrance to the Heart-Questioning Stairs is there. When the time comes, all forces who want to continue upward will gather at Wind Thunder Platform." He paused, then added meaningfully: "However, Wind Thunder Platform itself is also a trial. Violent wind and thunder rage there year-round—the slight...

 He had no cultivation, but the way of formations depended on understanding rules. Over these past days, he had gained some understanding of the common restrictions and formations on Buzhou Mountain. As he adjusted things now, it actually looked quite impressive. The moment the formation's operation changed, the independent cultivators outside immediately sensed something was wrong—the formation that had been on the verge of collapse suddenly became solid, with signs of backlash! "What's going on?" The lead cultivator frowned. "Didn't they say this formation couldn't hold much longer?" "Boss, should we charge in?" "Charge my ass! Our job is to stall them, until—" Before he could finish, battle cries suddenly erupted from the distance! Margaret had finally moved with the main force! "Kill!" At her command, the Dragon Guard elites descended like tigers from the mountain, attacking from the front! The independent cultivator...

 After Mark had gone some distance, Scarlet couldn't help saying: "That guy's smile is so fake. He doesn't look like a good person." "He's definitely no simple character." Adam said gravely. "I've done some investigating—Mark Montgomary didn't gather so many people in such a short time just by relying on Montgomary Palace's reputation. He's deeply calculating with ruthless methods. A troublesome figure." Margaret looked at Dustin: "What do you think?" Dustin pondered: "He says he came to pay his respects on his own behalf, but the Qin family may well have given him instructions. The Qin family wants to support Duke Montgomary's ascension. Margaret, as legitimate royal blood, you're an obstacle to them, and also... a potential chess piece." Margaret sneered: "They want to make me a chess piece? They'd better have the ability." "In any case, caution is best." Dustin said. ...

 Scarlet instinctively gripped her Liaoyuan spear, but Dustin gently pressed her wrist, signaling her not to act rashly. Qin Xue walked to the stall. Without even looking at the burly man, she tossed down a pouch of spirit stones and reached for the sword. "Wait!" A voice suddenly rang out. Another person emerged from the crowd. This was a man in his thirties with a sinister face, wearing a blue-purple robe, with faint lightning flickering around him—someone from the Yu family! "Young lady," the man said with a false smile, "the malevolent energy on this sword happens to counter the lightning techniques my Yu family cultivates. It would be perfect for research. Why not let me have it?" Only then did Qin Xue raise her eyes to look at him, her gaze cold as frost: "What kind of thing are you? You think you're worthy of competing with me?" The man's expression changed: "Little girl, don't think being from the Qin family means you can...

 After passing through Spirit Fruit Valley and climbing along the rugged mountain path for two full days, Dustin's group finally arrived at a place completely different from anywhere else. This was a relatively open platform on the mountainside, with flat terrain roughly the size of several football fields. Most surprisingly, a temporary marketplace had formed here—dozens of crude stalls scattered about. Some people had spread beast hides on the ground, displaying a few spirit-light-emanating artifacts. Others had set up wooden frames with cloth canopies, hanging various pill bottles and jars. Most people moved back and forth, stopping to observe or conversing quietly, the sounds of haggling rising and falling. "This... this is incredible!" Scarlet's eyes widened. "A marketplace in a place like this?" Dustin surveyed the surroundings thoughtfully: "More and more survivors are on Buzhou Mountain. People need to exchange supplies and information—a marketp...