An incense stick of time passed quickly, and the Palace Spirit appeared again.

"The third trial — Comprehension Ability." The Palace Spirit waved its sleeve, and a massive white jade wall rose in the center of the palace.

The stone wall was covered with dense Cultivation Technique patterns: sword techniques, palm techniques, footwork, Formations... a dazzling variety of them.

"Within one hour, everyone must choose one Cultivation Technique to comprehend and demonstrate. Those who succeed pass, those who fail are out!" The Palace Spirit announced the rules.

Everyone immediately became nervous. Comprehending a Cultivation Technique in one hour? This requirement was too high!

Bao Zhijian was the first to rush forward, seizing the central position: "Get lost, all of you! This spot is mine!"

Others were angry but dared not speak, scrambling to find suitable positions.

Fang Hao was unhurried, activating his Clear Spring Spirit Eyes to carefully scan the stone wall. He discovered that these Cultivation Techniques were categorized; the ones towards the edges were simpler, while those towards the center were more profound.

"Junior Brother Ning, come over here!" Liang Ling called out to him. She and Lin Wan had occupied a good spot.

Fang Hao walked over and discovered a sword technique carved there, which was quite exquisite.

"I am comprehending this ’Flowing Cloud Sword Technique’," Liang Ling said softly.

Lin Wan pointed at a set of footwork: "I am learning this ’Butterfly Dance Steps’."

Fang Hao’s gaze swept over, eventually fixing on an inconspicuous finger technique in the corner — "Star Shattering Finger".

This finger technique looked simple, but when Fang Hao activated the Ethereal Art to sense it, he discovered it contained spatial mysteries and was extremely extraordinary!

"This is it!" Fang Hao sat cross-legged and focused entirely on comprehension.

Time was tight, and everyone immediately threw themselves into comprehension. The palace was silent, with only occasional gasps of surprise or frustration.

Bao Zhijian was comprehending a domineering palm technique, but his progress was not smooth, and he was sweating profusely from anxiety.

A few Disciples were too greedy and couldn’t digest what they had learned, switching back and forth, and ended up achieving nothing.

Others attempted to comprehend profound Cultivation Techniques but couldn’t understand them at all, wasting their time in vain.

Fang Hao calmed his mind, the Profound Truth of the Star Shattering Finger circulating in his mind. This finger technique was divided into nine levels, each harder than the last, involving space compression and explosive power, which was extremely profound.

"So that’s how it is..." Fang Hao had an epiphany. The Ethereal Art was perfectly suited to assist in cultivating this finger technique!

His hands moved unconsciously, the space at his fingertips slightly distorting.

An hour passed quickly.

"Time is up!" The Palace Spirit’s voice rang out, "Begin the demonstration!"

Bao Zhijian jumped out first and said arrogantly: "Watch my ’Mountain Crushing Palm’!"

He pushed out with both palms, the palm wind fierce, his Aura astonishing! But anyone with a discerning eye could see that this palm technique only had the form, but lacked the spirit.

The Palace Spirit said indifferently: "Form is present but spirit is missing, six points. Pass."

Bao Zhijian’s expression was ugly, but he had passed nonetheless.

The next few people were not so lucky. One Disciple was demonstrating a sword technique, got stuck halfway, and was directly teleported out. Another practicing footwork fell flat on his face and also failed.

Liang Ling stepped forward, executing the Flowing Cloud Sword Technique like flowing water, possessing quite a bit of spirit.

"Eight points. Pass." The Palace Spirit nodded.

Lin Wan’s Butterfly Dance Steps were light and agile, scoring seven points, and she also passed.

When it was Fang Hao’s turn, Bao Zhijian sneered: "What can a piece of trash possibly practice?"

Fang Hao ignored him, took a deep breath, and pointed a finger!

"Star Shattering Finger, First Level — Space Breaking!"

The space at his fingertip compressed and suddenly exploded! An invisible finger force shot out, striking the test stone and leaving a deep hole!

"A spatial finger technique?!" Everyone exclaimed.

The Palace Spirit’s eyes flashed with surprise: "Nine points! Pass!"

Bao Zhijian’s face turned livid, and he gritted his teeth.

Only twenty or so people remained, less than half of those who had entered.

"Rest for an incense stick of time, the fourth trial — Combat!" The Palace Spirit announced.

Everyone felt a chill in their hearts. The combat trial was the most dangerous!

After an incense stick of time, the scene changed again. The palace transformed into a sparring arena, with ten platforms rising in the center.

"Battle in pairs, the winner advances, the loser is out!" The Palace Spirit said, "Draw lots to determine opponents."

The draw results came out, and Fang Hao breathed a sigh of relief — he hadn’t drawn Bao Zhijian. His opponent was a Xuan Ming Cult Disciple, Foundation Establishment Middle Stage.

Bao Zhijian drew a Chiyang Sect Disciple and laughed triumphantly: "Trash, consider yourself lucky!"

The competition began. Fang Hao leaped onto the platform, his opponent a black-robed Cultivator who sneered: "Trash from the Azure Cloud Sect, go to hell!"

Fang Hao couldn’t be bothered with nonsense and attacked directly: "Dividing Light Sword Shadow!"

Nine sword shadows appeared at once! The black-robed Cultivator was startled and hurriedly summoned a black banner for defense!

"Trifling tricks!" Fang Hao sneered, pointing out with the Star Shattering Finger! The finger force penetrated the black banner and struck the opponent’s chest directly!

"Pfft!" The black-robed Cultivator spat blood and flew backward! Defeated in one move!

"Fang Hao wins!" The Palace Spirit announced.

Other platforms were in the midst of fierce fighting. Liang Ling won easily, and Lin Wan also won after a bitter struggle.

Bao Zhijian’s side was even more crushing; he defeated his opponent in three moves, looking incredibly arrogant.

One round ended, and twelve people remained.

"These twelve people can participate in the fifth trial, but combat will continue until the top three are decided. Rest for an incense stick of time, and continue fighting!" The Palace Spirit said.

Everyone seized the time to regulate their breathing. Fang Hao discovered that with every win, a faint energy was injected into his body, helping him recover. It seemed there were rewards for consecutive wins!

In the second round of drawing lots, Fang Hao drew a Formation Master from the Heavenly Secret Pavilion. The opponent set up a Formation to trap the enemy, which was quite impressive.

But Fang Hao, with the Ethereal Art, easily saw through the Formation’s weakness, pointed out the Star Shattering Finger to break the Formation eye, and won easily.

Bao Zhijian also won, but it was a difficult victory; his opponent was a Chiyang Sect expert, causing him some trouble.

Liang Ling and Lin Wan both advanced. Now only six people remained.

In the third round of drawing lots, Fang Hao felt a tightness in his heart — he had drawn Bao Zhijian!

"Hahaha! Trash! You’ve finally fallen into my hands!" Bao Zhijian laughed wildly, "Watch me cripple you!"

Liang Ling said worriedly: "Junior Brother Ning, be careful!"

Lin Wan also said anxiously: "If you can’t do it, just admit defeat, don’t force it!"

Fang Hao’s eyes were firm: "Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing."

The two leaped onto the platform, the atmosphere tense.

"Begin!" The Palace Spirit commanded.

Bao Zhijian attacked first: "Mountain Crushing Palm!" The palm wind was violent, rushing straight at Fang Hao!

Fang Hao didn’t take it head-on, using Shrinking the Ground to an Inch to dodge! At the same time, he used Dividing Light Sword Shadow to harass him!

"Dodging? Let’s see how long you can dodge!" Bao Zhijian’s offensive became even more fierce, and the platform shook!

Fang Hao responded calmly, using the Five Elements Spirit Shield for defense and the Star Shattering Finger for sneak attacks. The two fought for dozens of rounds, making it hard to determine the winner.

Bao Zhijian couldn’t win after a long time and became increasingly irritable: "Trash! Can you only dodge?"

Fang Hao sneered: "Being able to dodge is also a skill."

Bao Zhijian was furious and suddenly summoned a Magic Treasure — a bronze mirror! "Let me show you my true strength! Profound Light Mirror, shine!"

A beam of light shot out, locking onto Fang Hao! Fang Hao felt his body stall, and his movements slowed down!

"Oh no!" Fang Hao was alarmed. This Magic Treasure could actually restrict movement!

Bao Zhijian lunged over with a savage grin: "Go to hell!"

At this critical moment, Fang Hao had a flash of inspiration, activating the Ethereal Art with all his might! His figure blurred for an instant, and he actually broke free from the restraint!

At the same time, the Star Shattering Finger Second Level — Space Shattering! He pointed it out!

The finger force penetrated the palm wind and struck Bao Zhijian’s wrist directly!

"Ah!" Bao Zhijian screamed, and the bronze mirror slipped from his hand! Fang Hao seized the opportunity to strike with a sword, pointing directly at his throat!

Bao Zhijian was terrified and retreated quickly, but it was too late! The sword tip stopped half an inch from his throat!

"You..." Bao Zhijian’s face was ashen.

"Fang Hao wins!" The Palace Spirit announced.

There was an uproar under the platform! A Foundation Establishment Early Stage defeating a Late Foundation Establishment Stage! It was simply unbelievable!

Bao Zhijian was filled with shame and anger, glared fiercely at Fang Hao, and fell off the platform.

Fang Hao let out a long breath. He had won, but it was a massive drain.

The Palace Spirit said: "Rest for one hour, the fifth trial — Heart Refining!"

Everyone felt a chill in their hearts. The Heart Refining trial was often the most dangerous!

Fang Hao sat cross-legged to regulate his breathing, looking forward to it in his heart. Having passed four trials, he was one step closer to the Palace Master’s Legacy.

The Nine-Layer Palace trials were getting more and more exciting.