So, Chen Jingzhai left the Peak Master’s side residence and went to Deacon Hall to sign up for the mission.

And also to sell those Ningyuan elixirs in exchange for some other Grade 2 potions and pills.

Only then did he return to Tianyahai Pavilion with much satisfaction.

On the same day, the news of Little Master-Uncle signing up for the mission to explore the secret zone spread throughout Daoxuan Peak.

After Zeng Wangbei got wind of it, he hurried over to the Peak Master’s side residence, asking to see his master.

“Master,” he asked, “is it true that Master-Uncle is about to go to the secret zone?”

“Why? You don’t think Jingzhai can do it?” Mrs. Yang rushed over and questioned him somewhat aggressively.

“It’s not that I don’t think he could do it,” said Zeng Wangbei worriedly. “It’s just that when the Little Master-Uncle built his foundation at Hongluan Peak within a hundred days, he had not had much experience with battles. So I’m afraid that he might not be able to adapt to this mission into the secret zone.”

“You!” Peak Master Yang smiled indifferently. “You are underestimating Jingzhai, after all.”

Zeng Wangbei gave an embarrassing chuckle. He still didn’t think his concerns were inappropriate.

Although Master-Uncle Jingzhai did not come from the outside to the inner sect, he had less experience and far less battle experience at that.

He was as pure as a piece of white paper. Even though his cultivation had improved rapidly, it was inevitable that his inexperience would cause concern.

Mrs. Yang’s face remained indifferent as she lowered her head to sip her tea without saying anything.

Finally, Peak Master Yang said with some resignation, “Did you forget that Jingzhai had passed the test of the twenty-eight?”

“So what?” Zeng Wangbei asked in surprise.

“You didn’t even get through the second major pass. So, naturally, you don’t know the mystery within,” Peak Master Yang said, laughing. “The three major passes are not simply tests; each has its own intention. The second major pass is like this, and the third pass is even more so. You have to know that even I got through the third pass only when I was in the Nascent Plane.”

“How does this have anything to do with cultivation?” Zeng Wangbei asked hesitantly.

“It’s hard to describe the actual situation in words. Only those who have experienced it in person may understand,” said Peak Master Yang. “You just need to know that after passing through the test of the twenty-eight, the disciples who the founders have named are definitely those with special considerations, and they cannot be judged by common standards. There is a reason why they were named as direct disciples.”

Zeng Wangbei frowned and looked at his master, still showing some internal conflicts.

“Just don’t worry about your Little Master-Uncle,” said Mrs. Yang. “If you are that worried, you can also participate in the mission this time. However, there are only ten spaces, and I’m afraid you might be a little too late for that.”

Zeng Wangbei was taken aback for a moment before he saluted the master and Mrs. Yang and left quickly.

By the time he arrived at Deacon Hall, it was too late. All ten spaces were taken.

Initially, other cultivators of Daoxuan Peak had no interest in exploring the secret zone.

However, when they heard that Little Master-Uncle would be participating, it immediately aroused the interest of many people.

Almost as soon as Chen Jingzhai took the mission, all nine other spaces were instantly taken.

Zeng Wangbei looked at the other nine names and went to Tianyahai Pavilion with a gloomy expression.

Chen Jingzhai was not practicing alchemy at the moment. Instead, he was sitting alone on a rock on the mountain.

Hong Yu and Hong Fu were both waiting on him on either side.

In front of him was a mahogany tea table, on which tea was brewing.

He sipped the tea leisurely, appearing quite at ease.

“Master-Uncle!” Zeng Wangbei dashed over and called out to him as soon as he saw Chen Jingzhai.

“Sit!” Chen Jingzhai gave a wave with his hand.

“How can I sit down?” Zeng Wangbei said in a huff. “Unless Master-Uncle can give me a space.”

“What do you want with the secret zone?” Chen Jingzhai looked at him and asked with a smile.

“What are you going there for, then?” said Zeng Wangbei. “Isn’t it nice to practice alchemy here at Tianyahai Pavilion? So why go to the secret zone and take the risk? Do you know that all nine spaces were already taken?”

“I guess the secret zone is very enticing,” Chen Jingzhai said with a smile.

“Bullsh*t!” Zeng Wangbei looked at him, his nose twitching. “They want to give you a hard time in there.”

“I have no grievances with them. So why would they want to do that?” Chen Jingzhai laughed.

“Of course, it’s because they are not convinced of your status.” Zeng Wangbei sighed and sat down. “Everyone is a genius talent. Why should you bear the title of Master-Uncle, and they are just inner disciples? The longer you are here at Daoxuan Peak, the more unconvinced they are, and they want to find a chance to compete with you.”

“But, there are battle forums for that purpose, isn’t it?” Chen Jingzhai asked.

“They can’t wait any longer,” Zeng Wangbei said seriously. “Master-Uncle is so good at alchemy, and the more pills you make, the deeper the bond between you and Daoxuan Peak. So the longer they wait, the harder it will be to take any action against you.”

“So, you don’t think I can handle them?” Chen Jingzhai raised his eyebrows and asked him point-blank. “You think I will fail?”

“Master-Uncle, you are only in the Beginning Foundation Plane.” Zeng Wangbei sighed. “The worst of them are in the Intermediate Foundation Plane.”

Chen Jingzhai chuckled as he got up. Then, with a tiny hop on his toe, he floated and alighted above the sea of clouds.

Zeng Wangbei watched him in amazement as he followed suit.

“Master-Uncle?” he called out.

“Let’s fight!” Chen Jingzhai folded his hands behind his back. “You may employ any spiritual items, magic treasures, spells, and formations. You can use them all and do your best. If I miss a step, the space will be yours.”

“Are you serious?” Zeng Wangbei said excitedly. “I’ve been wanting to learn from Master-Uncle for a long time.”

“Of course, I’m being serious,” Chen Jingzhai said with a smile. “So, hurry up!”

“Master-Uncle, my apologies in advance!” Zeng Wangbei laughed and slammed down with a palm strike.

In the sea of clouds, a giant python formed by the gathering of clouds and mist rushed in Chen Jingzhai’s direction.

The giant python was moving fast, and when it advanced, the clouds and mist surged, and its body expanded.

When it got in front of Chen Jingzhai, the giant python had already turned into a Kraken, and it swooped down with its mouth wide open.

Chen Jingzhai, with a smile at the corner of his mouth, didn’t seem to care at all. He only put his two fingers together as he pointed it into a sword and stabbed it down gently.

[Puff!]

A sharp sword vapor burst out from his fingers as a flame suddenly rushed from them.

A tiny flame penetrated the giant Kraken as the cloud and mist evaporated instantly.

The flame was like a rope. As it twisted and turned, it was about to wrap around Zeng Wangbei.

“Very well!” Zeng Wangbei shouted as he pushed his palm against Chen Jingzhai.

Likewise, another flame flew out of his hand, directly swallowing up the tiny flame from earlier.

Like a gust of wind, it threatened to overcome this space, crushing Chen Jingzhai directly.

“Not too shabby. A subtle suggestion of water and fire both being ruthless.” Chen Jingzhai nodded but continued to stand still. Then, until the monstrous flames swept in front of him, a fire raven dashed out from beneath his feet.

The fire raven was only the size of a fist, and yet it faced the monstrous blazing flames all by itself.

With its wings trembling, the fire raven rushed into the flames, and the monstrous fire suddenly stopped.

In the blink of an eye, the monstrous fire solidified on the spot as a massive sun began condensing from the flames.

“Water and fire reversed!” The smile now disappeared from Zeng Wangbei’s face as he launched another strike with both hands, forming a seal.

Under the massive sun, the solidified flames transformed into a majestic flood of water.

Most of them turned into giant waves that slammed into Chen Jingzhai.

Compared to those monstrous flames, its momentum was now even more powerful, suggesting a strength that could destroy mountains and earth.

As Chen Jingzhai was taking in the profundity of this attack, his eyes lit up slightly; the smile on his face had not diminished.

Soon, he was hit by the surging waves, and the place where he stood was washed away by the flood.

However, Zeng Wangbei had a look of resignation on his face.

“Reversing the water and fire, not too bad at all.” Chen Jingzhai stood beside him as he clapped. “I didn’t expect your first formation to be the Reversed Formation. Amazing!”

“But I was still no match for Master-Uncle.” Zeng Wangbei sighed. “I admit defeat and ask Master-Uncle for mercy. This time, I was too indiscreet. Please forgive me.”

Chen Jingzhai merely laughed. Without any detectable movement from him, that massive sun above the sea of clouds instantly dissipated. At the same time, the flaming rope on Zeng Wangbei’s ankle also disappeared.

“Master-Uncle’s spell is truly superb. I am astounded,” Zeng Wangbei said with some bitterness.

He was of the Intermediate Foundation Plane, one level higher than Chen Jingzhai’s cultivation.

There were reasons for him to look down upon Little Master-Uncle, and even more reasons to worry about him.

But he never imagined that it was he who was defeated this time.

Although there was a component that he had underestimated in his opponent, losing was losing, and he had no excuse for himself.