The ambush by the demonic cultivators came without warning.

No one had anticipated that members of the Blood Fiend Sect would appear within a cave abode supposedly under the Shen Family’s control.

Witnessing his companion fall, Shen Tianhao was consumed by fury. He charged forward with his spirit sword, his entire body erupting with dazzling spiritual light. The blade, wrapped in violent spiritual power, thrust straight for the red-robed demonic cultivator’s throat.

The demonic cultivator let out a sinister laugh. His arm, densely covered in blood-red patterns, suddenly swelled. To everyone’s shock, he caught the blade with his bare hand, producing the ear-piercing screech of metal grinding against metal.

Violent spiritual power surged around the two combatants, causing the ground beneath their feet to crack inch by inch.

Shen Tianhao’s sword momentum was akin to a rainbow, while the demonic cultivator’s bloody palms danced through the air. Each collision detonated a storm of spiritual power, weaving together scarlet and silvery-white light.

Sword light sliced through bloody barriers; bloody palms shattered sharp sword energy. For a time, it was impossible to determine who held the upper hand.

Meanwhile, the remaining demonic cultivators began attacking the guards’ defensive formation.

The scene descended into chaos.

“How annoying,” Ye Qingxian whispered with a frown from within the crowd. Her slender, jade-like fingers moved in a subtle, undulating rhythm. The surrounding spirit beast phantoms seemed to receive a command, roaring as they charged toward the demonic cultivators.

Nearby, Shen Xian’s eyes flickered. Since this Empress was making a move, there was no longer any need to worry.

The spirit beast phantoms roared as they plunged into the fray, instantly reversing the tide of battle!

An eagle-shaped phantom struck first. Its wings spread to a full three zhang, stirring up a violent hurricane that sent two demonic cultivators flying through the air.

Before one of them could even hit the ground, a wolf-shaped phantom pounced. Sharp fangs viciously tore into his neck, sending a spray of blood into the air.

“Ah! Why are these beast spirits attacking us?!” one demonic cultivator screamed in terror, wildly swinging his blood-red blade. Although he shattered one phantom, even more surged forward to take its place.

Hadn’t they been told they wouldn’t be attacked as long as they didn’t try to forcibly subdue them?

And how was the other side able to command these spirit beast phantoms to counterattack?

These demonic cultivators had completely failed to anticipate this variable. Most crucially, by attacking these spirit beast phantoms, they had triggered the second trial’s death rule: enraging the beast tide.

Countless spirit beast phantoms surged toward the demonic cultivators with awe-inspiring momentum.

One by one, the cultivators fell, meeting gruesome ends.

Seeing this, the red-robed demonic cultivator fiercely slammed down a blood-colored talisman.

The talisman exploded, transforming into a sky-filling blood mist that obscured everyone’s vision.

“Trying to run?” Shen Tianhao roared in anger. His sword light swept horizontally, but it only sliced through empty air.

As the blood mist dissipated, the enemy had vanished without a trace, leaving only his companions’ corpses behind.

The guards panted heavily, warily scanning their surroundings. Only after confirming there were no further threats did they relax slightly.

“Thanks to Young Madam’s assistance in controlling the spirit beasts,” Shen Tianhao said, sheathing his spirit sword and cupping his hands toward Ye Qingxian in gratitude.

Although he didn’t know why she could suddenly control spirit beasts, if not for her, their losses would have been severe.

Ye Qingxian did not respond. She simply turned and continued walking forward.

“Young Madam, please wait,” Shen Tianhao hurriedly called out to stop her. He spoke seriously, “For demonic cultivators to infiltrate this cave abode, there must be collaborators both inside and out! I fear for Young Master and Young Madam’s safety. We should return first.”

Ye Qingxian did not pause her steps.

She was determined to obtain this inheritance; no one could stop her.

Knowing her thoughts, Shen Xian spoke up at the opportune moment. “This attack wasn’t an accident. No one can be sure if there are more ambushes waiting outside the cave abode, either. Send someone to notify the family and have them prepare a reception party. We will continue exploring for now and leave only if absolutely necessary.”

Shen Tianhao pondered for a moment and found the reasoning sound.

Within this cave abode, the strongest opponents were limited to the Foundation Establishment Perfection stage; he could still provide protection.

But outside, if they encountered enemies at the Golden Core or Nascent Soul level… they would be sitting ducks.

“Third Young Master speaks wisely,” he nodded. He immediately dispatched one of his subordinates to leave and report to the family.

Then, Shen Xian had the guards search the demonic cultivators’ bodies for loot.

Aside from some demonic cultivation techniques and artifacts, they also found treasures these cultists had discovered within the cave abode.

Among them was Jade Marrow Crystal!

Shen Tianhao was very perceptive. He promptly handed all these items over to Shen Xian. “Third Young Master, please handle these.”

Shen Xian naturally accepted them with a smile.

Afterward, everyone continued forward.

When they passed through the light curtain at the end of the valley, all the spirit beast phantoms vanished. However, the abilities granted by those beasts were temporarily preserved. The scene before their eyes abruptly transformed.

A vast and boundless forest of black stone steles stood before them. Each stele was covered in obscure, complex beast patterns that exuded an ancient and mysterious aura.

At the center of this stele forest hovered a violet-gold giant stele, several times larger than the others. Its surface flowed with faint spiritual light, as if containing some supreme inheritance.

“The Ten Thousand Beasts Stele Forest…” Shen Tianhao murmured softly, a look of gravity flashing in his eyes.

According to family records, this trial tested comprehension ability. Cultivators needed to contemplate and understand the inscriptions on these steles within a limited time frame; comprehending a single secret art would allow them to pass the trial.

However, if anyone tried forcibly memorizing or copying the inscriptions onto paper scrolls, the stele would automatically crumble, resulting in immediate failure.

Ye Qingxian had already stepped forward proactively, while Shen Xian secretly activated the Void Reflecting Spirit Mirror, using his Deity Transformation Realm divine sense to carefully observe the surroundings.

That red-robed demonic cultivator had escaped, but the matter wasn’t over yet. Given his Second Brother’s temperament, he definitely wouldn’t have prepared just one plan.

Ye Qingxian stood gracefully before the violet-gold giant stele, her eyes slightly closed, fingertips lightly touching its surface.

Instantly, the beast patterns on the inscription writhed like living creatures, transforming into streams of golden light that swirled around her.

Since she wanted to obtain the inheritance, she naturally needed to complete each trial as perfectly as possible.

She intended to comprehend the most difficult secret method available.

Seeing this, Shen Tianhao and the others showed expressions of surprise and astonishment.

Having witnessed her pass the previous two trials, they had already realized that their Young Madam’s temperament and talent were of a truly high caliber. If she had not lost her cultivation base, she surely could have walked further on the path of immortality than most others could ever dream of achieving in a lifetime.

Ye Qingxian began to immerse herself in the comprehension of the secret art.

The others followed suit, fanning out across the Stele Forest to search for any treasures that might be hidden among the ancient monoliths.

Shen Xian did not join the group. Instead, he walked alone toward the desolate edge of the forest.

Guided by the power of his divine sense, his gaze fell upon an unremarkable grey stone tablet.

This particular stele was much shorter than the others. Its surface was heavily weathered, and the beast patterns carved into it were blurred and faded, as if eroded by the relentless passage of eons.

However, Shen Xian’s divine sense caught a subtle anomaly.

He crouched down, his fingertips lightly tracing the rough surface of the stone. Suddenly, he felt a hidden indentation.

Click.

A secret compartment popped open at the base of the stele.

Tucked inside was a crystal-clear jade stone, with faint clouds and mist swirling deep within its core.

“A Beast Spirit Stone!”

A flash of joy crossed Shen Xian’s eyes.

A Beast Spirit Stone was a priceless treasure for spirit beasts. It could purify their bloodlines and enhance their natural talent and potential.

Most importantly, such stones occasionally contained essence fragments of ancient divine beasts.

If a spirit beast absorbed these fragments, there was a chance they could master the divine abilities of those ancient beings, vastly increasing their combat power.

At the moment, it was impossible to tell if this stone contained such a fragment. Only after a spirit beast absorbed it would the truth be revealed.

Just as he was about to tuck it away, he noticed something else lingering in the depths of the compartment.

It was a fragmented jade slip. A few blurred, ancient characters were etched onto its surface:

“True Explanation… of Ten Thousand Beasts… Supplement…”