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In the depths of the Zhi Xian Cave, at the very end of the white jade corridor, a grand palace was built to resemble the celestial halls above. Within, a figure clad in black robes lay languorously on an enormous dragon chair at the center of the hall, watching Bai Qiuran's every move through a shimmering screen. They were separated only by a palace door, and should Bai Qiuran choose to push it open and step forward, the cloaked figure could take advantage of the opportunity to seize Bai Qiuran's body.
Bai Qiuran relayed the events he encountered during the five Yin Trials in detail, prompting Li Jinyiao to immediately ask without hesitation, "Sword Ancestor, can you take me with you?"
"Indeed," Li Jinyiao said, slightly disappointed, but still trailing behind Bai Qiuran. As her breath still lingered in the air, she observed Bai Qiuran shake his storage bag before decisively turning back. With a smile, Bai Qiuran nodded and asked, "Have you been locating the formations?"
Inside the shimmering screen, Bai Qiuran advanced like a storm, breaking through enemy after enemy — whether they were ethereal giants made of plague clouds or terrifying monsters from the realm of the dead. None posed a threat to him; he crushed them effortlessly.
Li Jinyiao, taken aback, exclaimed, "What are you doing here? Haven't you yet crossed that last trial after all this time?" Despite her initial shock, she quickly adapted. After realizing the situation, her frustration burst forth, slamming a hand on the armrest as she began to curse, "You’re insane! The final boss is right here, and you fought so hard through all those monsters only to turn back? Come face me! The treasure of the Zhi Xian lies within this great hall!"
Seeing this unfold, the cloaked figure hastily prepared his speech to cover the stone tablet at the end of the level. The more Bai Qiuran showcased his strengths, the more intensely the figure's gaze fixed upon him.
"How I desire that perfect body," the figure muttered to himself, "If only I could merge with him, I could not only recreate a glorious dynasty but also reclaim lost lands, maybe even conquer the Immortal Realm!"
But no matter how much he cursed, Bai Qiuran couldn’t hear him, for he had already vanished into the sea of clouds, reappearing at the earlier cliff. He glanced at the white jade corridor and firmly declared five words: "I’m clearing this out!"
Among intelligent beings, minimal words sufficed for cooperation; Bai Qiuran gathered his true qi, raised a hand to defend, while Li Jinyiao focused intensely on searching for the nodes of the formation. Bai Qiuran paused briefly before the hall's entrance, slowly approaching.
Just days later, Li Jinyiao distinguished herself among the many disciples of the sects and stood as the first to cross the seven trials, arriving at this final cliff. "Oh," they exclaimed in tandem as they neared what lay ahead.
Soon enough, they came upon the first monster: a giant worm formed from the corpses of countless dead beings, bursting forth from a vortex within the cloud layers, spewing a cloud of rancid miasma towards them.
"Congratulations, you have passed the Eight Pains Trial. Your qualifications are sufficient to ascend the Immortal Path. Open the door of the great hall and receive the inheritance of the Zhi and Shu Immortal!"
At that moment, Bai Qiuran's movements stilled; he had abruptly knelt, revealing the treasures from his trial — precious spirit stones. Methodically counting each one, the black-robed figure’s heart raced.
In a fit of rage and disbelief, he shouted, "What are you doing? The final boss is right here! Having slaughtered all the previous monsters, why turn back? Face me instead! The treasures of Zhi Xian are within this palace!"
With the perspective shifted in front of them, Bai Qiuran let go of Li Jinyiao’s hand, saying, "Let’s go."
They stepped forward, as a new scene of potential challenges emerged on the horizon, reflecting their determination to face whatever lay ahead. Through teamwork and trust, they advanced further into the unknown.