"It is said that after we enter the Immortal Ancient Battlefield, our identities will also change, and we will need to survive with different identities," Ning Bufan spoke.

"What do you mean?" Ji Chen asked curiously, puzzled.

Huang Shuying explained, "Everyone who enters the Illusion Realm will randomly receive an identity, similar to us being possessed by the ancients. Some might become disciples of the Nine Great Di Races, or perhaps soldiers on the front line of the battlefield."

"Oh?"

Hearing this, Ji Chen's eyes subtly narrowed, "So, if one could become a disciple of the Nine Great Di Races, wouldn't the benefits be endless? One could take the opportunity to study the Martial Techniques and Secret Techniques possessed by those Di Races!"

Conversely, becoming a frontline soldier would be the most unfortunate; after all, in such an environment, the probability of surviving on the battlefield is extremely low.

"Within the Immortal Ancient Battlefield, there should be many Great Saints or even Ancient Emperor Level powerhouses, right? Is there a possibility for us to obtain their identities?" someone speculated aloud.

Soon, Huang Shuying shook her head and denied, "It is said that the identity acquired is related to one's cultivation. For example, if you enter the Secret Realm with the strength of the Second Layer of the Void Realm, you will most likely become someone within the Secret Realm who is also at the Second Layer of the Void Realm, possibly at the First or Third Layer, but there won't be much change."

"Additionally, upon obtaining an identity, we will also acquire some related memories of the person we are possessed by, including the Martial Techniques and Secret Techniques they have comprehended. We can perform them, but once the Secret Realm ends, how much of these memories can be retained depends on one's own fortune."

"It's just like a dream, where most of what you experience is forgotten upon waking."

"How long will this Secret Realm journey last?" Ji Chen inquired.

"It is said that it will be a long journey, possibly lasting three to five years, or even ten years," Huang Shuying stated.

"That long?"

Not only Ji Chen, but everyone present furrowed their brows upon hearing this.

"That is only in terms of the time within the Secret Realm. In reality, only a few days will have passed in the outside world," Huang Shuying remarked with a smile.

Upon hearing this, everyone reluctantly accepted it.

However, spending several or even ten years within the Secret Realm is certainly not an easy task.

After all, in such an environment, survival becomes exceedingly difficult.

Perhaps, upon learning this, many might choose to forgo participating in this trial, unwilling to take such a risk.

But, as they say, fortune favors the bold, and the majority will inevitably choose to participate in the trial!

"This journey is long and extremely dangerous. I hope everyone can turn peril into safety, and after the trial ends, we will gather here again,"

Ji Chen's gaze swept over those present.

Everyone was from Daoxuan, and during their time in the Celestial Emperor's Mansion, they had always helped each other out, forming close friendships. Ji Chen sincerely hoped that none of them would perish on this journey.

"I hope everyone can get a good identity,"

Huang Shuying spoke up.

Before long, after some leisurely chatter, everyone bid farewell and left Qixian Residence, each returning to their own place to prepare for the trial that awaited the next day.

Ji Chen also paused his cultivation, intending to have a good rest to prepare for the trial the next day.

Lately, he had spent most of his time cultivating and in battles with Shen Yan, which had already left Ji Chen feeling physically and mentally exhausted.

If he were to enter the Secret Realm in his current state, it would not bode well.

...

In the blink of an eye, a night had passed.

Early the next day, Ji Chen awoke, feeling in much better shape than before.

After a simple wash, he donned a clean white robe, tidied up everything in Qixian Residence, and finally headed down Spirit Peak Mountain.

He arrived in Celestial Emperor City.

Looking out, in a vast plaza, a large crowd had already gathered, composed of disciples from various peaks, numbering nearly ten thousand, almost all of them were present.

In addition to the younger generation of disciples, elders from each peak also appeared, all focusing on the plaza, waiting for the opening of the trial entrance.

Ji Chen found Huang Shuying and the others and began discussing some matters related to the Immortal Ancient Battlefield with them.

Time slowly passed.

Finally, no one knew how much time had passed, when suddenly in the distant sky of Celestial Emperor City, an aura abruptly emerged.

There was no need for any intentional reminder, as almost everyone's eyes turned in that direction immediately.

Then they saw nine Saint Venerables simultaneously descending and appearing.

Among them was an old man, with hair and beard all white, looking extremely aged and thin as a stick, his face full of wrinkles, and in his deep eyes, there was an indescribable sense of time and vicissitude.

"Greetings to the Mansion Master!"

"Greetings to the Saint Venerables!"

In the plaza, upon seeing these ten people appear, all the disciples bowed respectfully from a distance, expressing their greetings aloud, with not a hint of disrespect on their faces.

"So that's the Mansion Master, it's my first time seeing him in person," Mo Cheng said.

They had been part of the Celestial Emperor's Mansion for some time now, yet this was their first time seeing the legendary Mansion Master.

"It is said that the Mansion Master is the former master of Celestial Peak. He had been in seclusion for many years and rarely showed his face, let alone to us. Even some who've been here for three to five years haven't seen him," Si Ruyan said.

"This trial is different from the previous ones. You should be aware of the general content of the trial. If you have any questions, feel free to ask now, and this Mansion will dispel your doubts,"

The white-haired elder hovered in the air, cloaked in a white robe, yet appeared affable, his voice old but powerful, his words carrying a sense of Power of the Dao, clearly reaching everyone's ears.

"What a terrifying aura,"

On the white-robed Mansion Master, Ji Chen and the others perceived a formidable aura subtly emanating, making it hard to fathom the extent of his cultivation level.

"It is said that in this trial, we will spend several years, even ten years, in the Secret Realm?"

Someone asked a question from the crowd.

The white-robed Mansion Master nodded, smiling as he said, "You will spend ten years in the Secret Realm, but only seven days will pass in the outside world."

"In those ten years within the Secret Realm, any possessions you acquire cannot be brought out; the only thing you can retain is memories."

"So, Secret Techniques and Martial Techniques should be the first things you prioritize. Understood?"