According to the information in his mind, "Competitive Challenges" are conducted through "Secret Realms."
These "Secret Realms" are not entered physically; only a person's consciousness is sent into them. Therefore, even if one dies during a challenge, there is no actual loss!
However, entering the relevant "Secret Realms" has requirements.
For example, to enter the "Challenge Secret Realm" related to Hua Tuo, one needs to master the "Five Animal Frolics" and reach the proficient level. To enter Gao Shun's "Challenge Secret Realm," one needs to be a soldier of the Camp of the Valiant, and they must have successfully completed their class change.
But lords have special privileges and can freely enter any Secret Realm with which their territory has established a bond, without being subject to conditions.
Although lords are not limited by conditions, most challenges still require them to possess relevant abilities, as the content of the challenges is often related to "bonds."
"Damn, I just tried a 'challenge,' and I have to say, the difficulty is insane."
"Agreed! I wanted to contend for a naval hero from our Tulip Kingdom. After entering the Secret Realm, I was asked to clear out pirates. I originally thought that regular troops fighting pirates would be easy, but after encountering a pirate named 'Zheng Zhilong,' my entire army was annihilated!"
"You guys have it good. Do you know what challenge I faced? Occupying one of their outposts before France surrendered in World War II..."
"Protest! Why do my Three Kingdoms historical figures have to kneel and kowtow to officials of the Great Ming Dynasty in the Challenge Secret Realm? This completely contradicts historical facts!"
Xia Tian saw that some lords in the chat channel had already eagerly entered the "Secret Realm" to try it out.
Because it's an "consciousness" entry, the time flow in the "Secret Realm" is much faster. It didn't take long for some people to finish the challenge... or, more accurately, to fail the challenge.
"Everyone in the territory can only participate in one 'Secret Realm Challenge' per day. It's recommended that you choose the 'Secret Realm' where you have the greatest confidence to try."
"Also, more people are not necessarily better for the challenge, because the difficulty of the Secret Realm will adjust according to the number of people. So, it is recommended to select elites, talents, and heroes to complete it. Moreover, the more people who enter, and the more weapons, armor, and other supplies they carry, the more luck will be consumed!"
"Furthermore, after entering the Secret Realm, 'Eye of Insight' cannot be actively used, but it can passively provide some information. 'Lord's Space' can be used, but only for taking items out, not putting them in. It's also recommended to use it as little as possible, because taking items out of it also consumes territory luck, and I strongly suspect that the party that uses fewer 'items' after 'clearing' the challenge will ultimately have a higher ranking..."
It has to be said that there is strength in numbers. By collecting information through the "chat channel," Xia Tian had already grasped most of the rules of the "challenge."
"Phew, that's enough. I can choose a 'hero' to try a challenge now."
Xia Tian's gaze lingered between the names Gao Shun and Hua Tuo.
Because both of them had more than one challenge opportunity. Even if they failed the first time, they could try again a second time!
"Hmm, let's go with Hua Tuo first."
After some thought, Xia Tian finally decided to undertake Hua Tuo's challenge.
After all, he had mastered the Grandmaster-level "Five Animal Frolics," so theoretically, his chances of success should be considerable.
When Xia Tian selected "challenge," he found his vision first darkened. When it brightened again, his consciousness had already arrived in a valley.
At a glance, various precious herbs swayed in the wind within his sight.
There were golden ginseng with clusters of red berries, purple ganoderma the size of a millstone with clear surface patterns, and black fleeceflower roots almost human-shaped... Unfortunately, this "Challenge Secret Realm" was just a "phantom world" evolved by the will of the Earth. These things could only be seen; even if picked, they couldn't be taken out.
"This old man has discovered many rare medicinal materials in this valley. Inspired by a stroke of luck, I wish to refine a good batch of medicine."
Besides the large quantity of medicinal materials, in the center of the valley was a flat clearing. A white-haired, rosy-cheeked old man, full of vigor, was squatting in front of a clay pot for brewing medicine, fanning the fire while speaking to Xia Tian.
"Most of the medicinal materials have been gathered, but I still lack a few key ingredients. I wonder if this young friend can help me find them?"
Good heavens, why does this feel like triggering a quest in a game dungeon?
Xia Tian thought to himself, his gaze fixed on the white-haired, ethereal old man in front of him.
Is this person the divine physician Hua Tuo?
No, information immediately surfaced in his mind, letting him know that the person in front of him was not, strictly speaking, the real Hua Tuo, but rather a "projection" of the divine physician Hua Tuo.
According to the information given by the will of the Earth, if he could complete the "challenge" and rank "first" among all territories that completed the challenge...
Then, when the real Hua Tuo descends upon "Eternal Land," he would also know the scenes the two experienced in this "Secret Realm." This would be equivalent to building a good relationship with this top-potential golden hero in advance, and the difficulty of recruiting him would naturally be greatly reduced.
Thus, it seemed that not only did he have to complete the challenge, but he also had to strive for first place!
"May I ask, what are the effects of the medicine you are refining, old sir?"
Xia Tian asked Hua Tuo.
"This medicine helps break through limits and is quite beneficial for mortal creatures to 'transform' to a higher level."
"Precisely because of this, when the refining is nearing completion, its scent will likely cause a commotion among some fierce beasts and wild animals nearby. I need to focus entirely on refining the medicine and cannot be distracted. If you, young friend, can help me deal with these attacking fierce beasts and bring me the blood of a bear, tiger, deer, ape, and bird, whose bloodlines correspond to the five elements, as medicinal guides..."
"Once this batch of medicine is complete, I can give you a portion!"
Hua Tuo stroked his beard with one hand, smiling as he spoke to Xia Tian.
"Transformation?"
Xia Tian hadn't paid much attention initially, only wanting to inquire about challenge-related information.
But Hua Tuo's words still caught his attention. After all, he had seen the word "transformation" many times, but he had always been unclear about its specific meaning.
Perhaps he could learn some information from the "Hua Tuo" in front of him.
"May I ask, old sir, what exactly does the word 'transformation' mean?"
"Mortals who wish to achieve transcendence must first undergo 'mortal transformation' by absorbing spiritual energy to cleanse their marrow and bones. However, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth has not yet manifested, and there is no spiritual energy to cultivate. One can only rely on oneself or external forces like medicinal power to temper the body, allowing parts of the body to break through their limits..."
Hua Tuo's words were a bit vague, but Xia Tian still understood.
Because the current "Eternal Land" had only undergone its first preliminary world fusion, the rules of heaven and earth could only accommodate mortal-level beings.
However, when mortal creatures reach their physical limits in a certain aspect, they can undergo a preliminary "transformation." Then, when the second round of heaven and earth fusion brings forth spiritual energy, they can directly step into the "mortal transformation" stage.
Not only that, if one can "transform" a certain attribute to a sufficiently deep level before the second round of heaven and earth fusion, they might even receive the "favor of heaven and earth" from Eternal Land during the next fusion, condensing "divine abilities and unique powers" similar to those of Xenomorph .
"Hmm, divine abilities and unique powers?"
Hearing this, Xia Tian's eyes suddenly lit up.