The Ancestor of the Sky Hybrid Sect brought the new disciples back to the Newbies' Continent. Hovering high above the land, she extended a finger toward the distant horizon.
The disciples followed her gaze.
Far away, they saw an enormous sinkhole stretching across the land, nearly one hundred kilometers in diameter. Its pitch-black depths seemed capable of swallowing the heavens themselves.
Everyone was stunned.
None of them had imagined that such a sinister place existed within the sect.
The Ancestor calmly explained,
"That sinkhole leads to an independent dimension."
She paused before continuing.
"Time flows differently there."
"One month inside is equivalent to only one day in the outside world."
A wave of excitement spread through the disciples.
For cultivators like them, who desperately lacked time to strengthen themselves and catch up with the sect's requirements, such a place was nothing short of a priceless cultivation ground.
The Ancestor continued,
"The dimension is divided into three separate regions."
"The first and second regions are suitable for Elementary Gods and High-Level Gods."
"There, you will encounter disciples from the other sects participating in the trials."
Her tone gradually became more serious.
"The third region is highly restricted."
"It was born from an abnormal spatial phenomenon."
"Hidden dangers exist everywhere within it."
"Even God Emperor-level cultivators can become trapped there and lose their lives."
The disciples immediately became solemn.
Initially, they had assumed this mission would simply be an opportunity to earn contribution points.
Now they realized the danger involved was far greater than they had imagined.
The Ancestor looked at everyone before speaking again.
"Avoid entering the third region unless absolutely necessary."
"Fortunately, every region is clearly marked."
"Your trackers will remain connected to the sect's virtual system at all times, whether actively or passively."
She smiled faintly.
"And remember..."
"The number of Spirit Cores you obtain will directly determine the number of contribution points you receive."
With those final words, the Ancestor vanished.
The disciples found themselves instantly teleported back to their respective residences.
Solanky entered his living quarters and walked directly into the training room.
He collected his virtual tracker together with several other items he considered necessary before preparing to depart.
Although he now possessed the strength of a High-Level God approaching the God Emperor Realm, he had no intention of revealing it.
Using such power would only attract unnecessary attention from the sect's higher-ups.
After leaving his residence, he noticed many of the new disciples gathered in the distance, patiently waiting for Venerable Leo to escort them to the trial grounds.
Just then, someone called out to him.
"Solanky!"
He turned around.
It was Cilia.
For a brief moment, Solanky was left speechless.
Compared to before, Cilia looked completely different.
The elegant outfit she now wore accentuated her natural beauty.
Her long jade-colored hair flowed gently behind her, while her smooth, dull pink skin seemed to glow softly beneath the sunlight.
Noticing the amazement in Solanky's eyes, Cilia blushed slightly before smiling.
"If you keep daydreaming like that..."
"...you're going to get yourself killed during the trials."
Solanky scratched the back of his head awkwardly and laughed.
Cilia smiled before asking,
"Would you mind if we teamed up?"
Solanky nodded.
"I'd be glad to."
Seeing his warm smile, Cilia's cheeks reddened once more, and she quickly looked away.
The two quietly stood beside each other while adjusting their virtual trackers.
Suddenly, a streak of light rushed toward them from the distance at an astonishing speed.
Moments later, a magnificent jade flying boat descended before the gathered disciples.
Standing proudly upon it was none other than Venerable Leo.
He glanced across the crowd.
"Is everyone here?"
The disciples nodded.
Venerable Leo slowly closed his eyes.
The very next instant, he opened them again.
"We have visitors."
"Disciples from the other sects have already arrived."
With a wave of his hand, an invisible force gently lifted every disciple of the Sky Hybrid Sect onto the jade flying boat.
After everyone had boarded, Venerable Leo smiled.
"This year's God Realm Sect Trials are being hosted by our Sky Hybrid Sect."
"I expect all of you to represent the sect well."
He chuckled.
"As for whoever earns first place in contribution points..."
"I'll personally reward them with an additional one hundred contribution points."
The disciples immediately erupted in excitement.
The jade flying boat shot through space and soon arrived above the enormous sinkhole.
Venerable Leo addressed them once more.
"Don't forget to activate your trackers."
He waved his hand.
A jade slip floated toward each disciple.
"These jade slips serve two purposes."
"First..."
"They possess separate storage spaces for Spirit Cores and Life Cores."
"When you return, the elders can easily verify your harvest and award the appropriate contribution points."
"Second..."
"They contain an emergency teleportation formation."
"If your life is in danger, they will immediately transport you to safety."
The disciples let out sighs of relief.
Knowing the sect had prepared such safeguards greatly eased their worries.
They carefully stored the jade slips inside their storage rings and pouches before respectfully bowing toward Venerable Leo.
Meanwhile, Solanky and Cilia exchanged their virtual identification codes.
If they became separated inside the dimensional space, they would still be able to track each other's location and exchange information.
Not far away, another booming voice echoed across the sky.
"Listen well!"
"You are the pride of the Sword Heart Sect!"
"A true swordsman cuts through every obstacle with an unwavering heart and an unshakable mind."
"Show the world the glory of our sect!"
A muscular middle-aged man resembling an ordinary human from Earth stood proudly before his disciples.
The Sword Heart Sect disciples roared in unison.
Their morale surged.
Venerable Leo glanced toward the man and smiled.
"That is Venerable Ice Blade of the Sword Heart Sect."
"He is a Dimensional God who specializes in the Frozen Heart Sword Slashing Technique."
"During the battles in the Void Realm..."
"He personally slew three Dimensional Devils whose cultivation matched his own."
The disciples of the Sky Hybrid Sect were visibly shocked.
Until now, they had believed becoming a Dimensional God meant attaining true immortality.
Unable to suppress her curiosity, Cilia asked,
"Venerable Leo..."
"Aren't Dimensional Gods and Devils immortal?"
Venerable Leo laughed.
"Only partially."
"Beings from the Fourth through the Eighth Dimensions are what we call Semi-Immortals."
"They can still be completely killed."
"Once destroyed, they leave behind no opportunity for reincarnation."
He paused.
"However..."
"The Ninth and Tenth Dimensional beings are entirely different."
"No matter how many times they are killed, they are capable of reincarnating."
"They have already touched the profound mysteries of Creation and Destruction."
"They also possess an extremely deep understanding of Karma."
Halfway through his explanation, Venerable Leo suddenly stopped.
"...Wait."
"Why am I telling a bunch of new disciples something like this?"
Cilia, Solanky, and the rest of the Sky Hybrid Sect disciples couldn't help laughing.
Venerable Leo looked strangely at Cilia.
"Who exactly is this girl?"
"How did she make me reveal secrets that beings below the Dimensional Realm aren't supposed to know?"
Fortunately, everything he had just said had been transmitted directly to the minds of his own disciples through voice transmission.
The surrounding sects remained completely unaware.
Soon, disciples from every major sect of the God Realm assembled above the sinkhole aboard countless flying boats and enormous spaceships.
At that moment, the Ancestor of the Sky Hybrid Sect appeared once again.
Her majestic voice echoed across the heavens.
"Welcome, everyone, to the Sky Hybrid Sect..."
"...and to this millennium's God Realm Sect Trials."
She pointed toward the gigantic sinkhole below.
"The dimensional world beneath your feet is where the trials will take place."
"I trust that each of you has already familiarized yourselves with the rules."
She smiled.
"Then..."
"Let the trials begin."
Without hesitation, disciples from every sect leaped from their flying boats and warships toward the massive sinkhole below.
The disciples of the Sky Hybrid Sect followed immediately afterward.
Before jumping, Solanky sent Cilia a voice message through their virtual trackers.
"Stay close to me."
She smiled and nodded.
The two leaped into the sinkhole together alongside the countless participants.
As they descended through the endless darkness, Solanky drew his dagger.
Using the sect's communication network, he broadcast a message to every Sky Hybrid disciple.
"Stay alert."
"We have no idea what awaits us on the other side."
Immediately, the disciples drew their weapons and prepared themselves for battle.
Beside him, Cilia unfurled her whip.
With a graceful motion, it spun around her body, creating a powerful cyclone that surrounded her like a protective barrier.
Seeing her flawless control, Solanky smiled to himself.
"She's a natural."