The silver light ball swiftly collided against the round mirror at the top of the Silver Tower, like a shooting star streaking across the night sky, disappearing within an instant.

Ripples appeared on the surface of the mirror, akin to a stone breaking the tranquility of a lake.

Everyone felt that the surrounding space was filled with a vast silver expanse, and after a violent fluctuation, it seemed to have traversed through several invisible barriers, finally descending into a mysterious space shrouded in milky white fog.

As the silver light around them gradually dissipated, the seven Boarding Orders returned to their respective owners.

No one had the leisure to mind these, as they all gazed around in surprise and uncertainty.

This space was enveloped by dense fog, making everyone feel as though they were in an illusory realm, their bodies floating lightly in the void.

All around was a vast whiteness, with nothing but fog to be seen. This sudden change filled everyone with caution, unsure of what challenges lay ahead.

"It seems that this is the interior of the Silver Tower. Qin Demon is truly capable of divine skills; with a mere spell, he brought us here," Wu Yu looked at Sima Changqin with an approving smile.

Sima Changqin did not boast of his accomplishment but said gently, "The method I just used was merely a guiding secret technique. As for why we were transported here, I do not know. Perhaps it was some sort of coincidence."

Upon hearing this, the others did not act rashly, each employing their own means to investigate.

However, the spatial pressure here seemed greater than outside, and the white fog severely impeded everyone's vision and divine sense. Everyone was thus extra cautious, not daring to act recklessly.

At that moment, a voice suddenly spoke, "Downward."

Everyone turned towards the voice, only to see Yuan Ming gazing downward.

Jin Chen beside him asked, "Have you discovered something, Fellow Daoist Wan?"

Yuan Ming did not answer but flew directly downward.

Seeing this, Wulu followed without hesitation.

The others, seeing this, also followed.

Yuan Ming flew downward for a moment, then suddenly changed direction, heading to the left.

Though puzzled, everyone followed suit, altering their course.

"Fellow Daoist Wan, are you using the Four Mountains Linked Seal to explore?" Sima Changqin asked curiously.

Yuan Ming did not speak, only nodded.

In his Dantian, the Four Mountains Linked Seal floated, rotating slowly.

Since achieving the Undying Body, his body could transform at will. Activating spiritual treasures was now more concealed than before, requiring no external projection, only internal activation.

At this moment, Yuan Ming's eyes faintly glowed with gold, interwoven with array patterns of the Breaking Array Seal. Under the insight of the golden eyes, the chaotic fog perceived by others revealed a subtle formation change.

Clearly, a rather advanced illusion array was hidden within that white fog.

This array, although advanced, reaching the seventh level, did not fully realize its potential for some reason.

With the Breaking Array Seal activated and the insight from his Eyes of Golden Flame, Yuan Ming had discerned its intricacies.

Yuan Ming led everyone in flight, going up and down through the fog for a short while. Suddenly everyone's view cleared, revealing they had unknowingly flown out of the fog's coverage.

Before their eyes was a vast and boundless land, flat, open, and silent.

In the center of this land stood a tall, blue-gray altar, serene and mysterious.

The altar reached a hundred zhang in height, wholly constructed from a peculiar kind of wood. Despite the distance, everyone could clearly sense a life force emanating from the altar, as if from ancient times.

A wooden staircase, roughly a thousand steps long, extended from the altar's top all the way to their feet. Each step was exceptionally wide, large enough to accommodate several people standing side by side without feeling cramped.

Long Hou gazed from afar at the altar, filled with amazement, and said, "This wood... Could it be the legendary World Tree? Who could wield such exquisite craftsmanship, using such precious wood to build an altar and staircase?"

Master Tantai, hearing this, also showed a look of disbelief, asking, "World Tree? Are you sure, Fellow Daoist Long?"

Long Hou nodded affirmatively, saying, "In Heavenly Dragon Hall, there is a classic book detailing the characteristics of the World Tree, with accompanying illustrations. I have pondered it many times; naturally, I wouldn't mistake it."

With these words, the others stepped forward to examine the altar closely. Some couldn't resist and reached out to feel the surface of the wood, as if trying to closely experience the aura of the Ancestor of Ten Thousand Trees.

The World Tree is the legendary spirit wood, long extinct in the world, unexpectedly appearing here.

Yuan Ming discovered the material of the altar earlier than Long Hou, and although his expression was calm, in his heart, he was secretly overjoyed.

Back in White Emperor City, the piece of World Tree trunk he accidentally acquired had already caused his Undying Tree to transform, producing dozens of strands of Ten Thousand Wood Origin Power. Yet the altar before him was entirely made from the World Tree. If he could refine all of it, who knows to what level his Undying Tree would advance.

Thus, Yuan Ming also approached the altar, reaching out to gently touch the surface of the wood.

From his palm emerged a root of the Undying Tree, smoothly piercing into the interior of the altar.

However, when he attempted to channel force to absorb the World Tree's Original Spiritual Power, he discovered the entire altar was enveloped by a formidable forbidden power, preventing the Undying Tree's roots from extracting even a trace of spiritual power.

As everyone was carefully observing this mysterious altar, an azure spirit light suddenly rose from the altar.

This spirit light coalesced mid-air into the spectral figure of an old man with cyan hair and beard, whose sudden appearance startled everyone below the altar, drawing all eyes to him.

"Hehe, you all are indeed exceptional to have entered the Three Realms Immortal Boat, arriving here. It seems the Three Realms Immortal Boat may find a qualified helmsman among you. I am the helmsman of this Three Realms Immortal Boat; you may call me Jie Cha," the cyan-bearded elder said with a warm smile to everyone.

Upon hearing his words, everyone felt a sense of happiness, secretly pondering that this place truly was the legendary Three Realms Immortal Boat.

From Jie Cha's words, they seemed to sense a hint of selecting an inheritor.

Long Hou's gaze was sharp, carefully examining Jie Cha before suddenly speaking up, "Helmsman? If I'm not mistaken, you should be the Artifact Spirit of the Three Realms Immortal Boat."

Jie Cha smiled slightly, replying, "To the Three Realms Immortal Boat, helmsman and Artifact Spirit are merely titles differing in name, with no essential distinction."

"I dare to ask Senior Jie Cha, how can we gain control over the Three Realms Immortal Boat?" Jin Chen directly voiced the common curiosity of everyone.

Jie Cha's gaze was profound as he slowly said, "The method is actually simple. This altar where I stand is the control hub of the Three Realms Immortal Boat. Whoever can first ascend this thousand-step stairway and reach the altar top will become the next master of the Three Realms Immortal Boat."

Master Tantai furrowed his brows, glancing at Wu Yu, and asked in a deep voice, "Senior Jie Cha, how can we trust what you say? Could this trial be a trap meticulously set by some?"

Wu Yu's expression remained calm, seemingly oblivious to Master Tantai's gaze.

Jie Cha's demeanor unchanged, replied indifferently, "If you do not believe, simply activate your Boarding Order to leave. I have no need to prove myself."

Upon hearing this, Master Tantai's brows tightened, though he had no intention of leaving.

At this moment, Yuan Ming asked, "Are there any rules to follow in ascending these steps?"

Jie Cha nodded, saying, "Naturally. Everyone has only one attempt; failure means elimination. During the climb, the body must remain entirely on the steps; if any part disengages, it also results in failure. However, ascending the altar has rewards. If you manage to reach the steps at 300-level, 600-level, and 900-level, you can choose a treasure from me. Even if you cannot eventually reach the top, you won't have expended effort in vain."

Upon hearing this, everyone began to discuss fervently.

Though these steps seemed ordinary, in Jie Cha's words, they concealed a challenging trial.

The various camps, despite lacking communication, quickly made the same decision: to dispatch individuals to scout the way ahead.

Wu Yu cast a glance and said, "Kong Liang, you proceed."

Several Level 5 demon race members from Ten Thousand Demon Country immediately stepped forward, saluted Wu Yu, and without looking back, proceeded up the stairway.

Simultaneously, other forces dispatched Returning Void-level cultivators to attempt the climb and scout the path for Dharma Manifestation Realm cultivators.

On Yuan Ming's side, Wulu transmitted his voice, "Brother Yuan, I will also give it a try."

Yuan Ming nodded, advising, "Safety first. Retreat promptly if anything is amiss."

Wulu responded and then ascended the steps.

Not far off, Nan Shangfeng of the Daluo Sect also stepped out, exchanging greetings with Wulu before together ascending these steps that appeared ordinary yet concealed hidden secrets.

Yuan Ming watched Nan Shangfeng and Wulu's receding figures, his heart remaining vigilant. He quietly immersed his mind into the Stealing Heaven Tripod, discussing the impending trial with Xi Ying.

"The trial of the Three Realms Immortal Boat is no child's play."

Xi Ying's voice echoed within the tripod, carrying a hint of seriousness, "I suspect those Returning to Void Realm cultivators will likely only be able to reach the 300-level steps before exhausting themselves and returning."

Yuan Ming's soul splitting nodded slightly in agreement, "Indeed, it is so. The road ahead will likely be truly probed only by Dharma Manifestation Realm cultivators. My concern is that the difficulties on the steps may only be felt firsthand. If this is the case, everyone will have to rely on their own skill, unable to first observe others' progress on the climb."

Xi Ying sighed before continuing, "Moreover, earlier, Jie Cha never mentioned whether conflict is permitted on the steps. In my view, the rule that the body must not fully leave the steps seems to secretly encourage conflict. In the end, this assessment may turn into a chaotic battle. However, given your strength, apart from Sima Changqin and Wu Yu, there is little need to worry."