As time passed, True Monarch Tianhua was the first to awaken from the illusion, aside from Zhang Fan, taking only seven breaths.
After more than ten breaths, powerful figures like Daozun, Wen Hou, and Sikong Xia slowly emerged from the illusion.
"The first trial has ended!"
The ethereal voice of the golden light artifact spirit echoed in the grand hall. Those still immersed in the illusion froze for a moment, then stiffened and fell, their life forces gradually dissipating.
"They died?"
Daozun and the others were struck with alarm. The artifact spirit's abilities far surpassed their imaginations, easily trapping Golden Core realm cultivators in illusions and extinguishing their souls.
Generally, artifact spirits were not considered offensive. Without their master's control, they couldn't detach from the spiritual treasure.
It was like a peerless divine sword; no matter how sharp, if its master wasn't wielding it, the artifact spirit within could hardly use the sword to harm anyone, as it was confined within the blade and unable to move it.
Even though they had entered the Golden Light Immortal Mansion's interior, without a master, the artifact spirit's usable power was extremely limited. Annihilating three top-tier Golden Core realm cultivators solely through illusions was truly inconceivable.
"Congratulations, you have passed the first round of trials."
The golden light, devoid of any emotion, swept its gaze over everyone without joy or sorrow. It spoke, "The second trial is a test of your Dao."
With that, Golden Light waved its sleeve, and eight passages appeared in the hall. The entrances were shrouded in a hazy golden light, making it impossible to discern what lay within.
"These are the passages to the second level of the Golden Light Immortal Mansion, and also the paths into the 'Dao Discussion Array.' Only by passing the Dao Discussion Array will you be qualified to enter the second level."
"Dao Discussion Array?"
The words of the golden light artifact spirit caused the expressions of everyone present, except for Zhang Fan, to change drastically. They had considered many possibilities for trials, but never imagined that True Immortal Ziwu would establish a Dao Discussion Array within this immortal mansion.
The 'Dao Discussion Array' was a type of formation, yet it fundamentally differed from any other known formation.
A complete Dao Discussion Array comprised one hundred and eight layers. Legend had it that only by cultivating a single Great Dao to perfection could one possibly traverse all one hundred and eight layers.
But how vast were the Great Daos of heaven and earth? Let alone a group of second-grade Golden Core cultivators like them, even first-grade Golden Core cultivators' comprehension of the Great Dao was merely a drop in the ocean.
The fact that True Monarch Tianhua and Daozun could condense top-grade second-grade Golden Cores meant they had comprehended the true meaning of six Daos during their Core Condensation stage. Although their comprehension of the Great Dao would gradually deepen after forming their Golden Cores and they might comprehend more true meanings of Dao, they were all filled with anxiety at the prospect of facing the Dao Discussion Array.
"I wonder how many layers of the Dao Discussion Array True Immortal Ziwu requires of us?" Daozun asked, bowing slightly and looking up at the golden light artifact spirit.
The other cultivators also stared intently at the golden light, their faces filled with tension. Failing to pass the Dao Discussion Array meant failing the trial, and they already knew the consequence of failing—death. Thus, they were naturally extremely concerned.
"Eleven layers."
Golden Light's voice deepened slightly, clearly indicating that it too found this to be a weighty number.
The complexions of Daozun and the others indeed turned grim. Even True Monarch Tianhua wore a solemn expression.
One hundred and eight layers of the Dao Discussion Array, with a hurdle every nine layers. If it were within nine layers, Daozun and the others might still have some confidence, but eleven layers felt truly despairing.
Zhang Fan watched all this with a calm demeanor. Only after they had finished asking did he speak, "Can we begin now?"
The golden light artifact spirit looked at Zhang Fan with a glimmer of curiosity. This young man, who had not yet condensed his Golden Core, appeared so composed in the face of the Dao Discussion Array, making it difficult for the artifact spirit to comprehend him.
"Anytime."
The golden light artifact spirit nodded and added, "If you fail to pass eleven layers of the Dao Discussion Array within three days, you will be eliminated!"
Zhang Fan's gaze was calm as he looked at Daozun, True Monarch Tianhua, and the others, then stepped into the hazy golden light passage. His surroundings seemed to transform, and a world filled with sword energy appeared before his eyes.
This was the marvel of the Dao Discussion Array. It would manifest a world of Dao according to the Dao being cultivated by the person attempting the array. Traversing the Dao Discussion Array was not merely a test, but also an opportunity.
Within the Dao Discussion Array, cultivators could better comprehend the Dao they practiced, discover their own shortcomings, and only by constantly rectifying these deficiencies could they progress further.
Of course, for Zhang Fan, this Dao Discussion Array held little significance. How could the Dao he cultivated be manifested by a mere Dao Discussion Array?
Wisps of sword energy surged towards Zhang Fan. Some were swift and fierce, others ethereal and unseen, while some carried immense, heavy might.
If ordinary methods were used to block these sword energies, they could indeed be parried. However, they would persist within the Dao Discussion Array, attacking endlessly until the challenger's demise!
The only way to break the array was to unleash sword energy with the same intent, engaging in a counter-attack, thereby completely annihilating it.
Zhang Fan gently tapped the air with his finger, and strands of sword energy gushed forth. Though each wisp was incredibly weak, it was all-encompassing. In just a few breaths, all the sword energy darting through the Dao Discussion Array was eradicated.
...
After Zhang Fan entered the golden light passage, Daozun, True Monarch Tianhua, Wen Hou, Sikong Xia, and the others exchanged glances. Not daring to hesitate, they all stepped into the golden light passage.
Upon entering the Dao Discussion Array, Daozun was enveloped by a world filled with blade energy. None of them had traversed a Dao Discussion Array before, but they had read books about them and naturally knew how to break them.
Facing blade energy that resembled wind blades, he unleashed the full might of his Snow Spirit Saber, constantly wielding and slashing. The blade energy within the Dao Discussion Array gradually diminished until it vanished completely.
"Whoosh!"
Just as Daozun was about to sigh in relief, blade energy began to slowly generate within the array again, causing his heart to tighten as if facing the grim reaper.
...
To traverse eleven layers of the Dao Discussion Array was indeed exceedingly difficult for a group of second-grade Golden Core cultivators like Daozun and the others. Zhang Fan estimated that if two out of the eight of them managed to pass, it would be considered remarkable.
Zhang Fan walked through the Dao Discussion Array as if on a leisurely stroll. In less than half a day, he had passed all eleven layers and entered the second level of the immortal mansion.
"Without even condensing a Golden Core, you possess such profound insight into the Sword Dao. I suspect even some Nascent Soul cultivators are not your equal. How exactly did you cultivate?"
The golden light artifact spirit had been waiting in the second level. It could clearly see the images of all the challengers and naturally knew how effortlessly the young man had passed the eleven layers of the Dao Discussion Array.
...