Evelyn Benson quietly pressed his palm against the vital acupoint on Matthew Benson's back, and a stream of pure internal energy slowly flowed into the latter's body. This technique, "Passing the Torch," is a unique method of exerting force at the eighth level of martial cultivation, but it is completely opposite to the "Condensed Void Force" used earlier—beneficial and harmless.

Feeling a warm current enter his body, Matthew Benson let out a comfortable low growl, and even his usually dull eyes flashed with a rare spark of vitality.

The internal injuries he had suffered for years from beatings and abuse were more than half healed in an instant, and all his meridians were greatly expanded under Evelyn Benson's selfless "Passing the Torch."

This "Passing the Torch" technique greatly depletes one's vital energy. After a moment, a flush of red appeared on Evelyn Benson's face, and only then did he slowly stop.

"With this help, Matthew's strength can at least rival someone at the third level of martial cultivation. Combined with his innate strength, it shouldn't be difficult for him to secure a spot among more than a thousand people."

Although using "Passing the Torch" had slightly weakened his own strength due to the loss of vital energy, Evelyn Benson felt very gratified at this moment, especially when his gaze fell on Matthew Benson's simple, smiling face, which made him even more delighted.

"Matthew, wait here and watch how your brother passes the test."

After Matthew Benson, more than ten people in a row failed to lift the thousand-jin stone lock. Evelyn Benson strode forward, and under everyone's gaze, lifted the stone lock with one hand and raised it high above his head—a feat that had stumped many. After three breaths, Evelyn Benson put down the stone lock, registered his name, and, ignoring the astonished looks around him, pulled Matthew Benson away.

At dawn the next day, the 480 people who passed the first test gathered in the Duan family's inner residence. For this group, who had never set foot in the inner residence before, it was clearly an exciting event to be able to enter the place reserved for the third-generation direct descendants and elite members of the Duan clan.

Lily Benson and Grace Benson took in the excitement and anticipation on everyone's faces, exchanged a glance, and clearly had a plan in mind.

Grace Benson stepped forward and said, "This time, the Zhenman King has summoned members of our Duan clan to join the army. It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. You have all passed the first test, which means you already have one foot in the Zhenman King's army. Today, you will have the honor of entering the clan's 'Lofty Mountain and Thick Earth Formation' to cultivate yourselves. If anyone is unwilling at this moment, you may leave; we will not force you to stay."

At the sudden mention of the "Lofty Mountain and Thick Earth Formation," everyone present showed expressions of utter shock. This formation was simply too famous in their minds.

Every member of the Duan family knew the name of the "Lofty Mountain and Thick Earth Formation." Its miraculous effects were legendary—so much so that it was said that as long as one had enough time to cultivate within it, even reaching the ninth level of martial cultivation would not be difficult.

Standing with Matthew Benson, Evelyn Benson was also visibly moved by Grace Benson's words. The months of selfless training in the "Extreme Gravity Chamber" had made him deeply appreciate the immense benefits of cultivating under such conditions.

All along, Evelyn Benson had been comparing the "Extreme Gravity Chamber" with the "Lofty Mountain and Thick Earth Formation," but had never reached a conclusion. He hadn't expected to get a chance to directly compare them so soon.

"You have each been given ten 'Fasting Pills,' which will keep you free from hunger and thirst for ten days. Once inside the formation, you will have ten days to cultivate. As for whether you stay or leave after coming out, the clan's Grand Elder will make the decision..."

"One last word: know your limits."

With that, Lily Benson and Grace Benson each said their piece and then gracefully stepped aside. Behind them was a shimmering green barrier, its interior impossible to see.

The 480 members of the Duan clan present entered the barrier one by one, stepping into the "Lofty Mountain and Thick Earth Formation"—a place they had never dared imagine entering.

Behind the great formation, Samuel Benson reluctantly took out two strange crystals from his chest, each about half the size of a fist and glowing faintly earth-yellow, and finally handed them to Mr. Harris, who stood beside him.

"Mr. Harris, I'll trouble you with this."

Mr. Harris accepted the two crystals, nodded slightly, and channeled the unique true essence of a pill-refining cultivator from his palm, fusing the two ordinary earth spirit stones—valuable even in the cultivation world—into a formation plate of unknown material.

After the two earth spirit stones were merged into the formation plate, Mr. Harris performed a series of formation gestures, immediately activating the "Lofty Mountain and Thick Earth Formation" that covered a radius of five hundred zhang, causing its light to flicker.

In the cultivation world, a formation like the "Lofty Mountain and Thick Earth Formation" used for tempering the body would be quite ordinary, but for the Duan family, it was an indispensable foundation for their prosperity over hundreds of years.

If it weren't for the fact that activating the formation each time required the consumption of spirit stones, Samuel Benson wouldn't limit its use to just once a year.

Chapter 11: Old Enemies

As soon as he stepped into the formation, a familiar heavy pressure descended upon him. Evelyn Benson couldn't help but reveal a faint smile at the corner of his mouth. "As expected, the effect of this formation is similar to the Extreme Gravity Chamber. But with only triple gravity, it really doesn't provide any training effect for me..."

Now, all those qualified to enter the formation were outstanding young members of the Duan family, but even so, when first exposed to the pressure inside, three or five of them immediately coughed up blood. The sudden gravitational pull from their internal organs made it almost impossible for them to move, and they nearly collapsed.

But there were also those with strong abilities who treated the triple gravity as nothing, walking inside with calm expressions.