"That is to say, human cultivators can set the rules for cultivation, while we demon cultivators can only follow the rules set by human cultivators."
At this point, the demon venerable with white temples sighed silently, "Therefore, no matter how powerful our demon cultivators are, we cannot surpass those top human cultivators."
Hearing Tu Shan Che's explanation, Chen Xiao finally understood.
The logic was simple: humans were the spirits of all creation, and the cultivation system was established by humans.
Thus, no matter how powerful the demon race was, or how high their cultivation realm reached, they would always be slightly inferior when facing top human powerhouses.
This was because demon cultivators had a ceiling, and that ceiling was set by human cultivators, making it impossible to compete.
However, there were gains for every loss. The strength of the demon race was reflected in other aspects. At the same cultivation realm, humans found it difficult to be opponents of demons.
"Alright, I've said too much useless nonsense, and Brother Chen must be annoyed. Let's begin the trial!"
Tu Shan Che said.
"Mhm!"
Chen Xiao nodded, then suddenly asked, "Brother Tu Shan, since King Xu Ying could undergo the Seven Gods Trial, you must have done it as well. How many deities recognized you during your Seven Gods Trial?"
Since King Xu Ying had gained the recognition of four deities, Chen Xiao assumed that Tu Shan Che, as the commander of the demon race, would have gained even more.
This was Chen Xiao's reasoning.
"Heh, that's a secret I'll keep from Brother Chen for now!"
Tu Shan Che chuckled heartily and continued, "After you complete your trial, I'll tell you how many deities recognized me, how about that?"
"No problem."
Chen Xiao nodded indifferently. Since Tu Shan Che was unwilling to say more now, he wouldn't force it.
"Brother Chen, please follow me."
Tu Shan Che led Chen Xiao to the center of the main hall, precisely at the convergence of the gazes of the seven divine statues.
Tu Shan Che lowered his head, closed his eyes, and a look of piety appeared on his face.
Then, a string of obscure and difficult-to-understand incantations flowed from his mouth.
Chen Xiao couldn't understand them at all, but he felt an inexplicable awe.
He sensed that as Tu Shan Che began to chant, even the surrounding air became more sacred.
"Buzz—"
Accompanied by Tu Shan Che's incantations, the seven divine statues around them seemed to come alive.
Of course, they remained divine statues, but they gave the impression of having life.
"Swish swish swish swish swish swish swish—"
Seven beams of light of different colors shot out from the eyes of each divine statue, converging like a rainbow.
A scroll was then lifted and supported by the rainbow, quietly suspended in mid-air.
The moment the scroll appeared, the light in the eyes of the seven divine statues vanished.
Chen Xiao noticed that the lifelike aura they exuded also disappeared instantly, and they reverted to seven towering clay figures.
Tu Shan Che then opened his eyes and reached out, grasping the scroll.
The scroll itself emanated seven rays of light, and Chen Xiao understood that they represented the power of the seven deities.
Chen Xiao was a bit puzzled. Wasn't he supposed to undergo a trial? What was the meaning of Tu Shan Che taking out a scroll? Could this scroll be the key to the trial grounds?
Amidst Chen Xiao's confusion, Tu Shan Che casually tossed the colorful scroll.
"Whoosh—"
The scroll flew into the air and suddenly unfurled, measuring about ten meters in length and over a meter in width.
Upon it was painted a magnificent and grand landscape of mountains and rivers.
The landscape painting was resplendent with flowing colors, full of charm, and appeared to be naturally formed.
"Brother Tu Shan, what is this?"
Although the landscape painting was beautiful, what did it have to do with the trial?
Chen Xiao became increasingly confused about Tu Shan Che's intentions.
"Heh, Brother Chen, why don't you take a closer look..."
Tu Shan Che said with a smile, pointing at the landscape painting with devout reverence.
Chen Xiao looked closely and discovered something.
He realized that this landscape painting contained all the elements encompassed by the seven deities.
Fire, water, wind, lightning, ice, grass, rock... the seven major elements, all present.
"I understand!"
Chen Xiao exclaimed in realization, "This landscape painting is the location of the Seven Gods Trial, isn't it?"
"As expected of Brother Chen, truly intelligent!"
Tu Shan Che exclaimed, clapping his fingers excitedly, and explained, "Brother Chen, the Seven Gods Trial is primarily a trial of the spirit. Therefore, at the start of the trial, you need to separate your physical body from your divine sense and inject your divine sense into this Seven Gods Scroll."
"As for how many deities you can gain recognition from, that will depend on your own abilities."
"Of course, during this time, I will guard your physical body for you. Rest assured and proceed with your trial."
After hearing Tu Shan Che's words, Chen Xiao nodded, "Mhm, I understand. Brother Tu Shan, I can begin now."
"Try to communicate with the Seven Gods Scroll using your divine sense. Your divine sense will automatically enter the trial grounds. However, before you begin, I must remind you, Brother, to act within your capabilities. Since it is a trial, there is a certain degree of danger. If you feel you are unable to cope, quickly withdraw, otherwise, the worst outcome could be the complete annihilation of your divine sense."
Tu Shan Che offered a warning, then added, "Moreover, with your current strength, Brother Chen, as long as you can gain the recognition of three deities, no cultivator at the Void Transformation realm in the Immortal Hidden Realm will be your match!"
"Three, huh..."
Chen Xiao murmured softly, then nodded, his divine sense reaching out to the Seven Gods Scroll.
Immediately, the Seven Gods Scroll flashed with light, and a blue dot the size of a fist appeared on the scroll.
This fist-sized dot represented Chen Xiao.
"Brother Chen, you mustn't disappoint your brother."
Tu Shan Che's smile faded, his expression turning serious, his gaze fixed.
Then, he said softly, "Come in, everyone. Don't crowd outside!"
As soon as he finished speaking, with a clang, the hall doors opened, and the four demon kings walked in.
The four demon kings stepped forward. Bai Guangda and Xiao Hei both looked directly at the Seven Gods Scroll floating in mid-air, their eyes filled with curiosity.
Neither of them had entered the Seven Gods Trial grounds before. As for King Xu Ying and King Golden Lion, they were less curious. They merely glanced at it casually before looking away.
This was because both of them had already experienced the Seven Gods Trial. King Xu Ying had gained the recognition of seven deities, while King Golden Lion, slightly less so, had gained the recognition of three deities.
Gaining the recognition of three or four deities might not sound like much, but in reality, during the era when every demon could enter the Seven Gods Scroll once, gaining the recognition of even one deity was a sign of a once-in-a-thousand-year genius.
However, that was several hundred years ago.
Since the Kyushu Spiritual Source was destroyed and the demon race moved into the Qingqiu Secret Realm, the spiritual energy in the world had been insufficient to support every demon in entering the scroll.