The others, including Shuzi, were also shocked by the scene before them. It was truly awe-inspiring.
Before them stood three mountains, each distinct in height, shape, and even aura. Majestic and grand, on the other side of the mountains, a small black hole swirled and spun.
A sense of the uncanny, of a power that devoured all, could be felt. Shuzi, Gezi, Hongmo, and Qingling approached Chen Tian. Shuzi asked, "Chen Tian, are these training grounds all created by you?"
Chen Tian didn't immediately reply. He then nodded and said, "Each of you has certain weaknesses. These places are perfect for honing them. I designed them meticulously. Only by passing these trials will you truly complete your training."
The game "Shikong Jiyuan" (时空纪元 - Chrono Era) featured a training mode that allowed players to create their own scenarios and training objectives. This mode was also the most practical for team training.
Chen Tian looked at the four individuals and continued, "Shuzi, you will go to Jianzhong Mountain (剑冢山), the second mountain. Your weakness lies in the insufficient mastery of sword energy's intensity. While your swordsmanship can compensate, skills are also crucial in combat. There, I've set up Divine Demonic Sword Energy (神魔剑气) to help you quickly grasp it."
"Hongmo, you will go to Gravity Mountain (重力山岳), the third mountain. This mountain exerts gravity hundreds of times that of the outside world. You must move forward against this gravity to reach the summit, strengthening your physique stats. Your physique is too low. Though your profession is overpowered, you'll be at a disadvantage in close combat, especially against professions like Fist Masters."
"Gezi, you will go to the first mountain. Your weakness is your limited offensive methods. The trial content on this mountain is to eliminate all enemies, and you are forbidden from using your shield. Leave it in the house. Different levels of the mountain will have different weapons."
As Chen Tian finished speaking, Gezi immediately placed his shield into Chen Tian's portable cabin.
Chen Tian nodded with satisfaction. Shuzi, Hongmo, and Gezi looked at each other. Shuzi then asked, "Shall we compete to see who finishes first?"
"Sure!"
"It's a shame Wuque Nan (乌鹊南) isn't here. Otherwise, I could have bet with him too."
Shuzi said with a hint of helplessness. Gezi was speechless. Shuzi and Wuque Nan had been in a state of conflict for over three years and were still at it, a true pair of sworn enemies.
As Chen Tian watched the three head towards the mountains he had designated, Qingling approached him. "Brother, what is that black hole?"
"This? This requires your help. I have a mission to attend to, but it's too far. I need your assistance, which is why I created this tunnel."
Chen Tian’s expression was solemn. Qingling nodded, feeling it was best to help her brother.
She then raised her magic staff, and instantly, a magic array appeared behind the vortex, overlapping with the swirling black hole.
Qingling then asked, "Brother, the location, the coordinates!"
"Winter Nation, the Far North!"
Chen Tian replied. He still had a mission to resolve in the Far North. Previously, he had been forced to retreat due to insufficient level. But now, Chen Tian had broken through, reaching level thirty-three. He was no longer the same as before. Chen Tian wanted to complete this mission first, especially since he desired that fragment.
"Okay!"
Qingling responded sweetly. The vortex then transformed into a long tunnel. Qingling then said, "Brother, this tunnel only lasts for three days. You must hurry, or you'll have to return."
"Alright, I understand. And while I'm gone, keep an eye on those three and make sure they don't slack off."
"Understood, Brother. Don't worry!"
Then, Chen Tian's figure entered the tunnel vortex and disappeared.
Meanwhile, Shuzi faced the mountain before him. It was a black and white peak exuding a terrifying aura – the aura of gods and demons. The black and white mountain only had a path in the middle. Shuzi felt helpless. If he could separate the divine demonic aura, he might be able to walk. But standing on the path in the middle meant he had to walk under the combined assault of both divine and demonic auras.
Shuzi felt he couldn't even master the demonic aura, let alone walk through it. Wasn't this making things difficult for him?
However, Shuzi knew it was difficult, but he also understood that Chen Tian meant well for him. He gritted his teeth and pressed on.
He took a step forward, and instantly, black and white currents surged from both sides, attacking him. Shuzi immediately knelt on the mountain.
Shuzi gritted his teeth and exclaimed, "Damn it, does it have to be this realistic? Is the training mode this brutal? Hiss!"
"No, I need to circulate the Divine Demonic Sword Energy within me to counteract the surrounding divine demonic aura. Otherwise, I won't be able to move!"
Shuzi's eyes glowed with black and white pupils, and black and white currents appeared all over his body, clashing with the black and white currents on both sides. Simultaneously, Shuzi's body swelled as if it were about to explode.
The Divine Demonic Sword Energy contained divine and demonic power, which Shuzi, at his current stage, could not fully control. Once activated, Shuzi had to focus all his attention on controlling this sword energy, or face death.
Shuzi gritted his teeth and persisted. He took his first step, and instantly, the surrounding black and white aura intensified, pressing down mercilessly.
Shuzi's body remained upright. Due to the Divine Demonic Sword Energy, the divine demonic aura did not have a significant impact on him, but his progress was slow.
On Hongmo's side, the mountain was a silver peak, its entire structure appearing to be mechanically crafted, gleaming with silver. Hongmo bounced into the mountain with a "boom!" He immediately fell to the ground, embedded in it.
Hongmo complained, "This gravity is more than a hundred times! It feels like a thousand times!"
Hongmo was pressed into the ground by the relentless gravity. From the depression, Hongmo tried his best to move, but found he couldn't do anything.
"Damn it, I need to adapt to this gravity. Only then can I move."
Hongmo then closed his eyes and began to sense the flow and direction of the surrounding gravity. The gravity felt like a giant iron ball placed on his body, pressing him down.
After about forty minutes, Hongmo managed to bend a finger. Of course, it was just a single finger. Hongmo was speechless. After such a long period of adaptation, he could only move one finger. It was too difficult!
But Hongmo did not give up. He believed that once he fully adapted, he would be able to move. Gezi, on the other hand, stood before the mountain. Three weapons were placed at the front of the mountain.
A long sword, a pair of sabers, and a staff. These three weapons were left by Chen Tian for Gezi to use. Chen Tian's backpack was filled with so many weapons it was almost like a mountain. He didn't know what to do with them.
After all, the rewards for completing his missions and defeating bosses were too numerous.
Gezi walked towards the long sword without hesitation. He then stood in place, and a voice appeared in his mind: "Kid, you cannot touch any of these three weapons. You cannot use them, let alone them."
"What do you mean? Who is it?"
"You don't need to know. Just know that you cannot use these three weapons. Use the short sword I gave you. This training is sufficient."
"Okay!"
Gezi believed the person wouldn't lie to him. If they said he couldn't use them, then he definitely couldn't.
As Gezi stepped onto the mountain, a figure instantly swung a silver mechanical long sword at him.
Seeing this, Gezi instinctively reached for his back with his left hand, only to find it empty. His shield wasn't there.
He then swung his short sword. With a clang, Gezi was pushed back to the base of the mountain.
Gezi was shocked. This was just the foot of the mountain, and it was already this difficult? How powerful were the opponents Chen Tian had set up?
However, Gezi did not give up. He acknowledged that he relied too much on his shield in combat, leading him to only play defensively and passively. Chen Tian was doing this for his own good.
Gezi then stepped onto the mountain again. This time, his eyes were cautious as he watched. As expected, the mechanical long sword appeared before Gezi and swung at him.
Gezi quickly dodged, then thrust his short sword towards the opponent.
This time, Gezi saw clearly. The opponent was a robot. Chen Tian's designated enemy was a robot, and its level was seventy-seven!
"Damn it! Chen Tian, you're tricking me!"
Gezi let out a curse. Was level seventy-seven something he could contend with now? This was a joke!
However, Gezi looked at the enemy's data and breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed the opponent was only terrifying in terms of level. Its other abilities and skills were lacking. Its stats were just a bit stronger. He could still fight.
Then, Gezi thrust his short sword and charged towards the opponent. The robot horizontally blocked the short sword's attack. Simultaneously, a light shone from the robot's eyes, as if it had come alive.
With an instant horizontal sweep, nearby trees collapsed, the ground cracked, and waves of air surged. Gezi blocked the attack with his short sword. The collision between the short sword and the airwaves sent him back to his original position.
He couldn't even take the first step forward. Gezi felt it was too difficult. He felt so weak!
At this moment, Chen Tian reappeared in the Far North. He looked down at the snowy mountains below. This time, he was determined to complete the mission. Chen Tian didn't want to delay any longer.