But it was only the beginning.

There were still many seals left. It was unknown how many years would it take for Lin Xiao to be a proper Emperor. 

The group were all looking at each other warily as they regrouped back to their original group. Prince Lin Yan's expression was grave because he understood that if they tried to fight, they would not be able to gain the upper hand in the battle.

Boom!

The table shook as there was a voice sounded. "You can all got a reward for passing the stage. Now, you have two choices: First, you can choose to continue fighting and those with high rank will get more reward! Second, you can choose to withdraw and leave with your treasure back to your home! I'll send you near the entrance!"

CHOOSE!

The voice boomed in their mind as if giving them warning while also tempting them to move forward.

Who wouldn't want more reward?

But before they all could make their choices, light flashed to their head. Lin Xiao was stunned speechless when he realized what he saw. It was a set of movement that would further increase his recovery.

Recovery Lake Technique!

The technique that was inserted into Lin Xiao's head was complementing the Nourishing Lake Technique that he had learned before. If the two techniques could work together, Lin Xiao knew that his recovery ability would increase even more.

It will be very hard for other cultivators to kill him!

However, it would take time before Lin Xiao could fully use the technique that he was given in. It was clear that he would need some time before he could practice it and right now, his combat ability was still not high enough!

"What's your decision?" Prince Lin Yan asked as he glanced to the others.

"Retreat…" Lin Xiao was the first to reply. His tone was unwilling but he knew himself well. If he chose to continue and faced with a Golden Core Stage Cultivator Stage 2… he might even die.

This Secret Region had already killed so many people who entered the place. Continuing it would not bring him too many benefit.

Princess Lan Yi Hua nodded. "Retreat."

"Retreat." Prince Lin San didn't even have any hesitation in his decision. His main ability was not combat but rather escaping. If not because of Prince Lin Yan forcing him to move forward and fought that brutal battle, he would have long escaped far away and never even tried to bet with his life.

Thankfully, it had helped him to greatly increase his ability.

Xia Ye also nodded. "Retreat."

He was more into following Lin Xiao and besides, he knew very well that his current capability was simply not enough to face those monsters. It would take him some more time before he could possibly contend against those geniuses.

"I'll retreat too." Prince Lin Yan nodded. He was glad that they still understand that they were not a match for those people and willingly step back. Based on what he had seen so far, he could see that those geniuses were not tired at all. They probably hadn't used their ability to the fullest yet during the time of the previous stages.

Hu Fei was stunned when he saw them all backing out. He looked at his best friend with resentment as he still wanted to continue. The reward… was simply so enormous that he felt like salivating.

"Do you still want to continue even when you know that you'll die?" Prince Lin Yan spat out.

"Tsk. I'll retreat." Hu Fei clicked his tongue. He understood very well that the regions after this was not one that he could possibly traverse as the current him. It would take him some time before he could possibly contend against them.

Despite they were all of the same rank, they were still very different.

Long Hao yawned and shrugged. "I'll back out. It's boring here."

The others: "…" only you can say something like that.

For Long Hao, the skill set that was given to him through the light probably didn't worth that much. He only entered here through sabotaging the genius who came, though.

"Eh wait, if he'll bring us back to the entrance… does it mean that I'll be separated from you?" Long Hao was stunned when he realized a problem.

Lin Xiao scratched the back of his head before nodding. "It should be."

"Damn it… I'll make my way to you, then, Master. You just wait for me!"

"Ok."

Honestly, Lin Xiao was not totally sure how long it would take for Long Hao to finally find Lin Xiao. Not to mention, Lin Xiao would be going back to Sun Kingdom soon. 

Long Hao then furrowed his brows when he recalled the enemies that was waiting for him. He glanced at the table as he grinned. "Well, I'll continue then. If I stay here, I might be able to get some reward and train myself to reach Golden Core Stage 1. At that time, those b*stards who want to kill me won't be able to freely attack anymore."

Lin Xiao then glanced at the table. He nodded. "Alright. Good luck Long Hao."

"Don't worry, Master. I'll get out alive and…."

"The next stage can last for a year or more," Princess Lan Yi Hua interjected. She knew that there was once someone who managed to overcome the next stage and returned after the brutal battle. He didn't manage to pass many but it had provided him with plenty of reward.

Long Hao's face faltered a bit. He gritted his teeth. "So what? It's better to train here rather than outside where the Qi is so scarce!"

"…Up to you." 

"You…"

Boom!

"Those who wish to stay, step forward!"

Prince Lin Yan paid more attention to the other group. Upon seeing that the other four from Hua Lan Kingdom chose to stay behind, his face turned solemn. There might be a battle that would ensue soon.