“In the secret realm, you’ve already obtained the Extreme Snow Lotus. I intended to give you a higher quality one, but I found something more suitable for you.”
As Qin Xiaoxiao’s expectant gaze met his, Chu Yang produced a vibrant green flower. It was exquisitely beautiful, yet an aura of life and death continuously intertwined around it.
“This is…”
“This is the Yellow Springs Bianhua. It’s a heavenly treasure born only in places of profound stillness, thriving on death and perishing in life. It’s a rather paradoxical sacred medicine, but it possesses immense vitality and a powerful deathly aura!”
Qin Xiaoxiao was somewhat bewildered, unable to comprehend Chu Yang’s intention in giving her the Yellow Springs Bianhua.
Chu Yang stated calmly, “If I recall correctly, you should have retrieved a phoenix egg from the secret realm.”
Qin Xiaoxiao’s eyes widened, and she quickly retrieved the phoenix egg from her backpack.
“But… this egg seems to be spoiled. The little phoenix has already died…”
Chu Yang held the crystal-like egg in his hand, smiling faintly. “For the phoenix species, death is not always true death. They possess a state called Nirvana!”
“And with sufficient vitality, one can reawaken a life form that has entered the state of Nirvana.”
Under Qin Xiaoxiao’s astonished gaze, Chu Yang placed the Yellow Springs Bianhua onto the phoenix egg.
Immediately, the deathly aura of the Yellow Springs Bianhua vanished, transforming into a surge of immense life force that poured into the phoenix egg.
The once-still egg suddenly flickered with flowing light.
As an Ice Phoenix Sacred Body, Qin Xiaoxiao could sense the little life within the egg stir, as if awakening from a profound stillness…
“This… it’s truly alive?”
Chu Yang handed the phoenix egg back to Qin Xiaoxiao, explaining, “The vitality of the Yellow Springs Bianhua has been fully absorbed. It is no longer a dead egg.”
“Due to your unique constitution, carrying it with you will aid in accelerating its hatching. This is your reward, a genuine Ice Crystal Phoenix.”
Clutching the phoenix egg, Qin Xiaoxiao bowed ninety degrees to Chu Yang with deep emotion, “Thank you, Immortal Brother! I will take excellent care of it!”
“Although your talent is quite good, your personality might lead to some hardship in your future. I hope you can work on your courage. I’m quite optimistic about you!”
Qin Xiaoxiao’s face flushed. Couldn’t he stop mentioning her timidity? It was so embarrassing!
Besides, she had already made great progress; she even dared to smash a Rank 2 demonic beast with her little hammer!
After descending, Qin Xiaoxiao proudly showed off her egg to Luo Xiaowei.
“My reward is better than yours!”
“My assessment is that it’s inferior to my Candle Dragon Burning Heaven Sword!”
“A phoenix isn’t more impressive than your stinky sword?”
“Nonsense, do you even understand the value of Candle Dragon bones?”
The two engaged in a series of childish exchanges.
Meanwhile, Chen Xiaohan clutched Meng Zibin’s arm, her gaze fixed intently on the phoenix egg in Qin Xiaoxiao’s hand, seething with anger.
“That egg was originally ours!”
Meng Zibin held her hand and said, “Calm down. Our ranking is higher than hers, so our rewards won’t be worse than hers!”
Shortly after, Chu Yang indeed called out Chen Xiaohan’s name.
“…Let us congratulate the fifth-place finisher of this trial, Chen Xiaohan, with a score of 141!”
Both Luo Xiaowei and Qin Xiaoxiao felt a pang of regret. They were just three points short, merely a matter of a Rank 3 demonic beast. If only they had tried a little harder!
Seeing Chen Xiaohan’s somewhat gloomy expression, Chu Yang said, “I don’t know what you’ve experienced, nor do I wish to know. However, there are some things I must caution you about.”
Chen Xiaohan froze, her face paling.
But Chu Yang continued calmly, “There’s a state of uncontrolled cultivation known as Qi Deviation. You have already been influenced by the technique you’re practicing, and this influence is progressively deepening.”
“While poison cultivators possess formidable strength, they are also the most prone to problems. You’ve become fixated on certain matters. Try to be more open-minded about things; taking a step back opens up a world of possibilities.”
“Having said that, you have two choices for the reward I’m giving you.”
A cultivation technique and a sacred herb appeared before Chen Xiaohan.
“This is a top-grade Xuan-tier cultivation technique, ‘Gu Poison Scripture.’ It’s an extremely vicious poison art that requires nurturing a Gu within one’s own body, enduring torment day and night. However, its destructive power is terrifying, capable of allowing you to defeat enemies a full major realm above yours.”
“As for this sacred herb, named [Moon Dew Cold Heart Grass], consuming it can increase one’s cultivation, enable a long period of peace and tranquility, improve the chances of breaking through realms, and ensure one never experiences Qi Deviation in their lifetime.”
Clearly, Chu Yang presented her with two choices: one was to continue cultivating poison, gaining even more fearsome combat power through self-inflicted torment.
The other was to alleviate her current unusual psychological state, turning her into a normal young girl, free from any worries of Qi Deviation.
However, without much hesitation, Chen Xiaohan chose the “Gu Poison Scripture.”
She believed she wasn't ill and didn't need something like the [Moon Dew Cold Heart Grass]. She didn’t believe in Qi Deviation at all!
“I want this!” she exclaimed excitedly, pointing at the “Gu Poison Scripture.”
Chu Yang sighed. While this was within his expectations, he felt a degree of disappointment.
Chen Xiaohan actually possessed considerable talent and was ruthless with herself. It would be a pity if she succumbed to Qi Deviation due to her psychological state.
However, he couldn't simply give away the [Moon Dew Cold Heart Grass]; she hadn't reached a level where Chu Yang would bend the rules to such an extent.
“Remember my words. You must pay close attention to your mental state. If you experience Qi Deviation, I will personally eliminate you.”
Chen Xiaohan shivered. Chu Yang’s words made her vigilant about her own mental condition.
“Tha… Thank you, Immortal Brother! Thank you for your guidance…”
“Next… tied for fourth place with Chen Xiaohan is… Meng Zibin!”
Chu Yang offered a customary word of praise before gesturing for Meng Zibin to step onto the stage.
Meng Zibin approached Chu Yang.
Chu Yang looked at him and said calmly, “With your strength, you should have gone further. Your bloodline awakened too late, but achieving fourth place is still an excellent result.”
“The items I’ve prepared for each of you are carefully selected. And I believe what you need most right now is combat effectiveness.”
Chu Yang beckoned, and a heavy halberd materialized in his hand. The air rippled, as if a Flood Dragon were roaring.
“You’re practicing a top-grade Xuan-tier cultivation technique, which is already quite advanced. This halberd, named [Abyssal Flood Dragon Halberd], is also a Saint artifact. What makes it superior to the [Candle Dragon Burning Heaven Sword] is that it seals the soul of a true Flood Dragon within.”