Min-Su was no different than Jin. He marveled at the sight of this magical place. He couldn't but ask in a low voice: "Just what is this place?"

Isla answered him with a light chuckle: "Impressive, ain't it? Everyone coming here for the first time react this way. This is the only artificial secret realm ever created. That statue depicts its creator. A reality within the distorted space within the reality"

Hae-Hyuk added: "This is where the final trial of cultivators is held and the only place where we can get the final treasure we need"

As they were led towards the castle, they saw a lot of others being led there too. Jin asked: "Are they rivals?"

Hae-Hyuk nodded and went on to explain: "There is only one treasure every hundred years and it isn't something that we can share"

Jin pursued: "What treasure is it?"

Since they were already here, Hae-Hyuk was no longer bound by the heavenly contract and could answer: "A one-million-year-old treasure. The key to ascend the 70th stage of spiritual accumulation"

As his sentence finished, everyone but him and Isla stopped in their tracks. They did think it would be something important but never expected it to be something that important.

There were two reasons a cultivator ended up stuck in stages:

1) The lack of resources.

2) The lack of talent / comprehension that led to an inability to face inner demons and the heaven's trials.

In the earliest stages, the lack of resources was near non-existent. But in the later ones? It became the toughest hurdle. Because, throughout the eons of existence of cultivation, where could they find natural treasures aged tens of thousands of years? Such things could never grow naturally.

And the requirement to reach the 70th stage was a treasure aged a million years old. Where can one expect to find such a thing? Nowhere! Such a thing was a priceless item. Scratch that, priceless wasn't even worthy enough of a word to describe its worth.

And Hae-Hyuk had then come here because of one?

They had a lot of questions. But Hae-Hyuk waved them away as he said: "Everything will be explained during the speech, just follow and stay silent for now"

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They did as they were told. They bathed in the scenery while wondering at the intricacies of the entire place. As they reached the gates, they saw Hye-Ja and Song-Min with two people in similar robes behind each of them. It seemed like they had brought their own champions. Now, being aware of what was at stake, both Jin and Min-Su understood why the two of them refused to ally with Hae-Hyuk.

This wasn't something a few techniques could buy.

Hye-Ja and Song-Min greeted Isla and Hae-Hyuk and joined the group as they all entered the castle. The End Castle's insides were very much like those of the boat. There were paintings, calligraphies, sculptures and many other forms of arts depicting the glorious ancestors who reached the End Point.

Jin appreciated the sights once more while he wondered how this whole thing would play out.

They were led into a giant hall with many tables and chairs and a scene at the end. People were already seated here and there. The guide led the group to a giant table with enough chairs and as they began to sit, waiters and waitresses appeared while bringing delicacies.

No one was eating yet though and Min-Su refrained from it even though he was salivating like a starving dog. Jin was very tempted too for the scent of the food was captivating.

It took close to an half an hour before all seats had been taken. It seemed like all guests had come. Not like anyone would ever pass on such an opportunity.

A few moments later, the lights fell except on the scene. Three men and two women appeared there as if they had always been. They came instantly into existence from nowhere. And as they did, everyone began to clap their hands.

All five of them wore purely white robes with absolutely no decorations. They looked ethereal. The man in the center waved a hand and no longer was there a single sound in the room. His presence and every gesture commanded respect and deference.

He looked like a handsome youth but was obviously far from it. He gazed solemnly at the crowd, moving his sight from left to right then right to left. Finally, he smiled amiably and spread his arms open as he said: "I welcome all of you fellow Grand Masters to our centurial festival of finality!"

There was applause before the man went on: "As usual, I will first enunciate the rules of this sacred place as there are a few newcomers. Rule number one: no fighting. That's it. And now, let me ask the members here as per customs, is there anyone who wishes to withdraw this time?"

There was a long silence. No one answered the man. He nodded while still having that very same smile on his face. Meanwhile Jin was quite stunned. He had expected many rules but there was only a single one? And it was not to fight? What did it even mean? He wasn't sure. This felt very weird. But the man on the stand remained unfazed as he continued: "Good, good, good. As usual, everyone plans to take the trial"

He turned towards the woman to his left who took a step forward and spoke: "As per customs, I will now explain the rules of the trial. Every participant is allowed to send in two disciples of his to take part as their champions. Under the watchful gaze of the heavens, you have sworn a hundred year before that you wouldn't give anything to your champions for free outside of guidance. You have sworn that your champions would be under the tenth stage of spiritual accumulation. And you have also sworn of secrecy about the trial. As the judge and overseer, I ask of the heavens to pass on its judgment upon us"

Nothing happened.

And the woman smiled as she bowed and retreated.