Finally, the storm faded away, revealing the hall master's clone and Xiang Shaoyun once again, both separated from the other.

Blood was dripping from Xiang Shaoyun's mouth, and his expression was somewhat pale. Evidently, he had sustained rather serious injuries. His vicious counterattack had further exacerbated his condition. As for the clone, he had grown translucent and looked like he couldn't last any longer.

"You're not bad, kid. It's my defeat," said the clone with a praising look on his face. Noiselessly, his body melted into the ring.

The eyes of the elders widened in shock. Evidently, none of them had expected Xiang Shaoyun to actually defeat their hall master.

"Haha, good kid. I have not made a misjudgment, after all. You have defeated the hall master," shouted the excited Old Urchin.

"Hmph. Don't talk drivel, Old Urchin. That is only a clone," said Hu Yanbo coldly.

"Yes, but that's still the hall master's clone. A defeat is a defeat. Why can't we talk about it? Even the hall master himself has admitted defeat!" said Old Urchin. "Look, the kid you guys found doesn't seem to be doing well. He looks to be on the verge of losing."

Sure enough, at the other side of the ring, Xiang Zixuan was in an intense battle with the other clone. The clone was holding the absolute upper hand, delivering a punishing beating to Xiang Zixuan.

Before the battle, Xiang Zixuan had used some herbs and spring water to recover to his peak condition. But he was still not the match of the hall master's clone even when the two had the same cultivation level.

It was becoming increasingly apparent that Xiang Zixuan was heading toward the path of defeat. Thus, the third and seventh elders wore ghastly expressions. If only Xiang Shaoyun managed to pass this trial, they would hear no end of it from Old Urchin.

As for the Black and White Guardians from the Xiang Clan, they had awkward expressions. They had never imagined that even with Xiang Zixuan's strength, he still couldn't defeat the hall master when both were at the same level. It was obvious how powerful an individual the hall master was.

Looking at Xiang Zixuan, who was on the verge of defeat, Xiang Shaoyun smiled and said, "Although this fellow is strong, he still can't compare with the hall master when their cultivation levels are even."

So long as Xiang Zixuan suffered a defeat, Xiang Shaoyun would be the sole victor. He believed Old Urchin would stop making things difficult for him after that.

Just as the hall master's clone was about to land a finishing blow on Xiang Zixuan, he changed his weapon. A much sharper weapon appeared in his hand, and a rain of purple lightning suddenly fell down from the sky. A sea of lightning was created as if a natural calamity was happening.

Rumble! Rumble!

Even Xiang Shaoyun was alarmed by the prowess demonstrated by the rain of lightning. In fact, he did not doubt that he would be immediately reduced to nothingness facing that attack himself.

After a while, the rain of lightning finally stopped. With a purple sword in hand, Xiang Zixuan stood on the ring, forcing his body to remain standing.

The clone turned incredibly translucent. Softly, he said, "Pass," before dissipating into nothingness.

"Shit, that kid actually used a saint weapon!" Old Urchin cursed.

Many of the elders saw what happened, and they had complicated expressions. Even so, none of them said anything.

"Since even the hall master himself gave him a pass, there is nothing wrong with using a saint weapon," said Hu Yanbo. He looked at the first elder and continued, "First elder, both candidates are greatly exhausted. Should we give them an hour to rest?"

The first elder waved his hand and said, "We continue with the third trial. Come with me."

He then led the group somewhere else. The others followed, not daring to say anything.

"Hey, if you can't keep up, just give up. Don't force yourself," said Xiang Shaoyun provocatively.

Although his injuries weren't light, he had already used a drop of lightning liquid and some emperor-grade spring water. He was healing quickly, and he was in a much better condition than Xiang Zixuan.

"Dream on!" Xiang Zixuan gave an unyielding response.

He also used some high-tier spring water to increase his recovery speed. He was, after all, a prodigy from the Xiang Clan who had reached the Soul Foundation Realm. Thus, he had his own astral cosmos sea. It wasn't particularly large, but it was enough for him.

"You had such a hard time passing the previous two trials, so you will definitely stand no chance against the last trial. Remember, those refusing to listen to the advice of the elderly will be the ones to suffer," said Xiang Shaoyun with the tone of some senior cultivator.

"You had merely gotten lucky. You have no right to act all smug before me," said Xiang Zixuan as he glared at Xiang Shaoyun.

"We'll see," said Xiang Shaoyun, his head raised smugly.

In truth, he was feigning this arrogance. He felt that the final trial would be the hardest, and he wasn't confident he could get through it. But at this point, it was too late for him to withdraw. Perhaps he would get lucky and pass the final trial as well?

Shortly after, the group arrived at a certain location.

Hu Yanbo asked, "First elder, why are you bringing us to the restricted zone?"

"The third trial will be inside the restricted zone. Wait here, all of you. I'll bring both of them in," said the first elder.

The restricted zone at the rear court of the Holy Hall was a place filled with stone towers. Each stone tower held a different position, and one could easily get lost amid the stone towers.

The forest of towers was actually an ancient formation that contained an indescribable power. With Xiang Shaoyun and Xiang Zixuan in tow, the first elder went deeper into the restricted zone.

"Stick with me, or you'll be trapped here forever," the first elder's voice rang out.

While following behind the first elder, Xiang Shaoyun released the senses of his Nether Soul Domain, trying to map out his surroundings. However, he found that although his senses could spread out, he couldn't study his surroundings. It was as if some sort of power was obstructing his senses.

This is indeed a restricted zone. One won't be able to casually scan this place, thought Xiang Shaoyun.

After a short while, the three arrived before a certain stone tower. This tower was taller than the other towers. They could see numerous green scars on it, and the tower itself emanated an ancient vibe.

"The first one to comprehend the secret of this stone tower will pass the third trial," said the first elder before he turned and left. His words left Xiang Shaoyun and Xiang Zixuan staring at the stone tower blankly.