"This Array can temper a Cultivator’s physical body, Divine Soul, and Dao Heart. It is a sacred ground for arduous cultivation."

"My master has stated that any Cultivator who wishes to resist demons and fiends may enter and try it. All costs incurred during the process will be borne by my master."

"Furthermore, my master has also established rewards. The one who goes the farthest and lasts the longest on the Path of Purgatory will receive a generous prize, regardless of whether they join our Silver Moon Royal Mansion."

Hearing the servant’s words, Shen Wanshang’s gaze narrowed. She instantly saw through Ji Hao’s scheme:

’This is a trap, aimed primarily at Zhong Ming and those aligned with Prince Qinghe’s Mansion. As long as the latter still harbor any ambition to be players in this game, they have no choice but to attend.’

’Those who shy away from a challenge won’t win anyone’s allegiance.’

’At the same time, this is also a move by Ji Hao to win popular support.’

’Opening the Path of Purgatory to all the Cultivators in Immortal Martial City will earn him a stellar reputation.’

’Indeed, anyone sent to Immortal Martial City is no fool.’

Though she thought this, Shen Wanshang’s face betrayed nothing. She said lightly, "I appreciate Ji Hao’s kind offer. I will be sure to attend with my people in three days."

Shen Wanshang accepted the invitation and dismissed the servant with a wave of her hand.

Once the servant had left the Celestial Sea King’s Mansion, an advisor’s eyes immediately lit up. He stepped forward to offer his counsel, "Commandery Princess, this is our chance! Ji Hao has merely set the stage, but the final victor is yet to be decided. We can seize this opportunity to take the top spot and leave the Silver Moon Royal Mansion with nothing to show for their efforts."

Far from being pleased by this declaration, Shen Wanshang shook her head. Someone at her side even scoffed before retorting:

"How foolish. The Path of Purgatory is an Array from the Qi Family, and it’s now under Ji Hao’s control—it’s his home ground. If we compete with the younger generation of the Silver Moon Royal Mansion there, we will undoubtedly be at a disadvantage. He wouldn’t even have to do much. He could just slightly tweak the rules of the Path of Purgatory’s trial, making the Array’s configuration better suit the methods of his own Cultivators, and we would immediately be on the defensive!"

"Er..."

The rebuttal left the advisor who had proposed the plan speechless and ashamed. "My thinking was careless. I beg your forgiveness, Commandery Princess."

"It is no matter. Everyone is careless from time to time."

Waving her hand, Shen Wanshang was lost in thought.

Since the Path of Purgatory was the Silver Moon Royal Mansion’s home ground, Shen Wanshang didn’t plan on sending her strongest contenders. However, she did intend to go herself to observe the trial in three days.

’To make Xiyue fall for you so completely... Zhong Ming, let me see what’s so special about you... I hope you don’t disappoint me.’

...

Shen Wanshang’s faction was far from the only one to receive an invitation from Ji Hao. The great clans native to Immortal Martial City, the various powers that had been drawn to the city in recent times, and even the entrenched clans of the Demon Race in the surrounding areas all received an invitation.

Just like Shen Wanshang, the moment they saw the invitation, everyone knew that the Path of Purgatory trial in three days was the Silver Moon Royal Mansion’s opening gambit—a formal declaration of war against Prince Qinghe’s Mansion. The struggle for positions in the New Army was about to begin.

’The contest over the New Army positions is finally out in the open.’

Though each power had its own private thoughts on the matter, they all, without exception, decided to attend.

Moreover, the many small and medium-sized powers were not content with merely being spectators. They all wanted to seize this opportunity to make a name for themselves, hoping their own young prodigies would catch the eye of the major Royal Mansions. They aimed to secure a position as a Celestial General, or perhaps even a Divine General, in the New Army’s formation, thereby earning a lasting foundation for their family or sect.

At the same time, the various major powers that had accepted the invitation all began to confer internally. There was only one item on the agenda: who would emerge victorious from this dangerous banquet?

And the answer held no suspense.

Whether they were strong or weak, local or from afar, human or of the Demon Race,

not a single one favored Prince Qinghe’s Mansion!

"The gap is just too wide. The Silver Moon Royal Mansion has hundreds of thousands of elite soldiers and countless young geniuses. Prince Qinghe’s Mansion probably couldn’t even withstand a single detachment of their elites."

"The Silver Moon Royal Mansion’s victory is practically guaranteed. Still, I’m quite curious about Prince Qinghe’s Mansion... especially Zhong Ming!"

Many Cultivators expressed similar thoughts, and a competitive gleam shone in many of their eyes.

After all, a man who could make Xiyue fall for him at first sight, and who had also won the admiration of Ji Qingyue, Ji Qinglian, and even Master Luo Zhiwei... such a man was bound to attract a great deal of envy and jealousy.