The Mirage Woman was dead. One trial down, goddess knows how many more to go. Seraphine needed to rest and recover before tackling whatever fresh hell awaited us on the Celestial Stairway.

She brought the bowl with Echo and the pearls to her bed, setting it carefully beside her pillow.

Host safe, system safe—time to debrief.

I pulled up the character data, displaying the Mirage Woman’s portrait on my shell interface. Even in death, her face looked unsettling enough to make Seraphine frown.

“She said two words before dying,” I announced, drawing Seraphine’s attention.

I projected myself into the pearl, slapping the Mirage Woman’s face onto my circular form and raising a matchstick arm toward the sky. In my most dramatic voice, I recreated her final moments: “He… didn’t…”

Gag.

Performance complete. I switched back to my usual black-dot expression.

“That ‘He’ could refer to either the Mirage’s old master or new master. No clue what she was trying to say.”

Not that I regretted the timing of my strike. Reality was reality—no point dwelling on what-ifs when the present demanded action.

Seraphine’s brow furrowed as she processed this information. Everything about the Chongshan Secret Realm felt off, from the cultivation advancement to the trials within. Her eyes grew cold, warmth fading as her usual arrogant demeanor reasserted itself.

“Whatever,” she declared with characteristic dismissiveness. “Gods block my path, I’ll slay gods. Buddhas stand in my way, I’ll cut down buddhas. Doesn’t matter what’s ahead—I’ll eliminate everything.”

I raised both matchstick arms in enthusiastic support. Agree with host behavior! Support host decisions! Protect host life! Unwavering loyalty as host’s perfect companion and humanity’s helpful assistant!

Seraphine nodded approvingly.

The current version of Echo definitely gave her an unprecedented sense of security. To manifest during the Mirage Woman’s self-destruction and pierce her core with a single strike—Echo had to be at least late Golden Core!

She might not know Echo's exact cultivation level, but she had strength and absolute loyalty. The perfect sword she’d always sought was finally in her grasp.

Seraphine settled into a meditation pose, but before her spiritual energy could complete even one circulation, she opened her eyes.

“Speaking of which,” she said, studying my pearl form, “did you call my name today?”

I blinked my dots innocently. “Huh?”

Outside the jade house’s barrier, Qiu Shuangshuang gazed longingly at the glowing structure while munching on a spirit fruit.

Crunch.

So quiet… So peaceful…

I want a real bed so badly. She was the young miss of Autumn Water Pavilion, damn it! Why was she living this rough outdoor life? When she got home, she’d definitely invest in a portable dwelling artifact like Palace Lord Velka’s. I really want a bed.

Crunch.

Qiu Shuangshuang turned to observe Xue Bufan, who’d been sitting silently by the fire since drying his clothes.

Was he traumatized by today’s events? Probably not—despite his modest cultivation, Young Master Xue had shown both courage and strategy, even guiding her through the maze.

Unable to sit still, Qiu Shuangshuang called out to him a couple times. Xue Bufan startled, looking at her with a smile.

“Lady Qiu, what can I help you with?”

“Nothing really,” she said bashfully. “I’m just feeling restless after today’s scare and wanted to talk. By the way, has your ring gained something new?”

She held up her own hand, showing the black ring she’d received after escaping the dungeon illusion. The leftmost socket now held a pale purple gemstone that sparkled brilliantly.

Xue Bufan nodded, displaying his matching ring.

“Even though we didn’t personally kill the Mirage Woman, somehow we’re both credited with the achievement,” he explained.

Qiu Shuangshuang looked confused.

Xue Bufan pressed his lips together, then decided to tell the truth. “Whether it was the underground palace or the maze and Mirage Woman—they’re all trials left by an immortal. Pass the trials, and you can claim the treasures and inheritance in that celestial palace.”

“Young Master Xue, you know about the inheritance too?” Qiu Shuangshuang exclaimed in surprise.

Both stared at each other in mutual shock.

Qiu Shuangshuang knew about the celestial palace inheritance from ancient Autumn Water Pavilion records. Even after being saved by Xue Bufan, she hadn’t mentioned it. First, the secret realm was dangerous and his Golden Core cultivation was fake—she couldn’t let her savior risk his life. Second, only Autumn Water Pavilion disciples knew about the inheritance. She’d give him any other treasure gladly, but she couldn’t compete with her fellow disciples for opportunities.

As for telling Seraphine… that had been unavoidable. With the celestial palace hanging so obviously in the sky and Palace Lord determined to reach it, Qiu Shuangshuang would have died in the realm without protection. She’d had no choice but to reveal everything, begging Seraphine to escort her to find other Autumn Water Pavilion disciples.

Now they’d reached the palace’s base, but she’d found no senior disciples and nearly died again.

Qiu Shuangshuang sighed deeply and explained everything to Xue Bufan.

He nodded understandingly. “If you’re wondering how I know about the celestial palace inheritance… after my spiritual roots were damaged, I accidentally received guidance from my master’s spiritual consciousness fragment. My master was the original owner of Chongshan Celestial Palace.”

“What?” Qiu Shuangshuang’s face filled with shock. “But didn’t Chongshan Immortal Venerable ascend to immortality long ago? How could his spiritual consciousness fragment still exist in the mortal realm?”

Xue Bufan’s hidden hand stroked the ring on his thumb as he lowered his voice. “My master’s spiritual consciousness fragment told me his ascension involved dark secrets. He was betrayed by villains and nearly lost his divine soul completely. He could only scatter his consciousness fragments in hidden locations. By chance, I encountered one.”

Qiu Shuangshuang’s eyes widened with excitement.

This is exactly the kind of story I wanted to hear on this adventure!

“The Chongshan Secret Realm was once my master’s immortal mansion,” Xue Bufan continued. “Now it’s become a trial ground where the capable can claim its treasures. But since I’m his disciple, I must obtain his inheritance!”

“Ah!” Qiu Shuangshuang suddenly covered her mouth, glancing toward the jade house.

Palace Lord Velka is here for the inheritance too…

Xue Bufan naturally understood her concern. He gave a bitter laugh—his ugly face clashing with his pleasant voice.

“Palace Lord saved my life, and I’m grateful. But I’m determined to claim this inheritance. Still, I’ll share everything I know with you both.”

He extended his hand, showing the ring. “My master’s inheritance requires passing specific tests. The dungeon illusion was just the beginning. The maze and Mirage Woman were only the first trial.”

Qiu Shuangshuang stared at him in dismay. That was only the first trial, and it was already so difficult!

“Without seeing the celestial palace to awaken my master’s consciousness, I wouldn’t have known these were his tests,” Xue Bufan said with a bitter smile. “Master told me that escaping the illusion was just the start. There are three interconnected trials total.”

“The first trial’s Mirage Woman shouldn’t have been so brutal or life-threatening, but something went wrong. Still, with the Mirage Woman dead, only three of us passed the first trial.”

Xue Bufan’s voice grew heavier as he looked at Qiu Shuangshuang’s changing expression. He knew she understood. Taking a deep breath, he looked up at the celestial palace and murmured, “Which means…”

“Only one of us three can receive the inheritance?” Qiu Shuangshuang’s voice rose, her body trembling with excitement or fear.

“Yes.”

Among the three, Seraphine was at Great Perfection Golden Core stage. She seemed most likely to claim the inheritance. Since he also wanted it, he couldn’t just sit here waiting for defeat.

“I’m going ahead. Will you come with me?” he asked.

With such an enormous opportunity before her, Qiu Shuangshuang still looked pale as she swallowed hard.

“I… I need to think.”

She’d nearly died in the first trial, and there were two more to go! Originally, she’d just wanted to reunite with her senior disciples and return to Autumn Water Pavilion. Now… should I compete with my saviors for opportunities?

Setting aside gratitude, she’d have to face not just the trials but also Great Perfection Golden Core stage Seraphine!

The Palace Lord who cut down a Nascent Soul stage Mirage!

Qiu Shuangshuang shuddered.

Understanding her dilemma, Xue Bufan smiled. “Master told me the next two trials are the Lightning Beast after climbing the Celestial Stairway, and an exam in the Ten Thousand Books Archive. One martial, one scholarly.”

“Our real opponents aren’t each other, but these final two challenges. I’m grateful to Palace Lord for saving my life, so I’ll share all my knowledge. If you want to wait for her, please pass along my words.”

Xue Bufan bowed to Qiu Shuangshuang. “I’m leaving first. May one of us successfully claim the inheritance!”

He turned and stepped onto the Celestial Stairway, climbing steadily upward until the clouds swallowed his figure.

Qiu Shuangshuang’s mouth slowly fell open.

What do I do? What do I do?!

While she wrestled with indecision, the jade house door opened. Seraphine emerged, refreshed and elegant, even her forehead ornament redrawn in a new pattern. She stored the house in her storage ring.

“Not going?” Seraphine asked, clearly having heard the conversation.

“But my cultivation level…” Qiu Shuangshuang mumbled.

Tch.

Seraphine’s lips curved in disdain as she touched the golden hairpin in her hair, speaking in a lazy drawl. “Xue Bufan’s cultivation is lower than yours, yet he dared to continue forward. You’re the one who’s afraid. What, planning to spend your whole life as Autumn Water Pavilion’s carefree young lady?”

Qiu Shuangshuang froze, staring as Seraphine walked past her.

Seraphine was an adult, taller than her, with a proud and elegant bearing. Her condescending gaze felt like needles, filling Qiu Shuangshuang with shame.

“Go or don’t go—I don’t care. Actually, one less competitor suits me fine. Just wonder what those senior disciples you keep thinking about would say, knowing you had opportunity right in front of you but stood there paralyzed.”

Seraphine waved dismissively and stepped onto the Celestial Stairway.

I poked my head out from her collar, watching Qiu Shuangshuang’s shrinking figure. The girl stood with her head down, looking smaller and smaller. Just when I thought she’d given up, she suddenly moved.

“Qiu Shuangshuang’s following,” I reported.

“Mm,” Seraphine hummed lazily. “At least she has some courage.”

“With her spiritual root talent, she could surpass most cultivators in this realm. If she lacks the will to fight heaven and earth, why bother cultivating at all?”

I hopped onto Seraphine’s shoulder, grabbing a strand of her hair as she waved away the passing clouds.

“She’s been protected too well by her parents.”

That’s why she could leave home with such reckless confidence.

Seraphine’s eyes darkened. “By fifteen, I’d faced more secret realms than she has tears to cry.”

“Host is incredibly brave!” I immediately launched into praise mode, describing Seraphine as unmatched in heaven and earth until she threatened to throw me off the stairway. Then she felt something cool brush her face.

I circled around Seraphine twice before settling back on her shoulder. “Don’t worry. I’ll protect my host well too.”

Seraphine climbed silently for a long moment before chuckling softly. “Not calling me by name anymore?”

I could.

“I’ll protect Seraphine well,” I amended.

Outside the celestial palace, the Mirage Woman’s death had shattered the dungeon illusions completely. Those who’d escaped or remained trapped suddenly found themselves spinning through space before landing among the mountain peaks.

“What happened?”

Everyone looked around in confusion, finding themselves scattered like debris across the landscape. Many still wore expressions of confused awakening, as if unsure whether they were dreaming.

But these people were all remarkably young. Siyi’s gaze swept the crowd, noting their ages with interest.

Not just young—these disciples were famous talents, all with exceptional spiritual root affinities.

“Interesting,” Siyi murmured with a light laugh.

Such selective recruitment.

The confused disciples began comparing experiences and naturally grouped by sect affiliation, though most groups had only two or three members. Then a woman in crimson robes pushed through the crowd.

“Elder Si? You’re here too!” The woman was none other than Gu Yuqing from Luanyang Palace’s Benevolent Central peak.

Following her exclamation, other Luanyang Palace disciples gathered around Siyi. Including Siyi and Xue Mengtao, they numbered nine total! Siyi smiled with satisfaction.

Gu Yuqing—who had a one-sided antagonistic relationship with Siyi—frowned at her and the dejected woman behind her. That woman wore Phoenix Roost peak Palace robes. Gu Yuqing knew Seraphine had brought a palace servant on this expedition, though she couldn’t fathom why.

“Hey, you,” Gu Yuqing addressed the servant directly. “You’ve been with Elder Si this whole time?”

Xue Mengtao glanced at Gu Yuqing fearfully before lowering her head. “Y-yes.”

Her submissive attitude pleased Gu Yuqing, who automatically adopted a superior tone. “I figured as much. Someone with your pathetic cultivation—though I don’t know how you snuck into the secret realm—would be dead without Elder Si’s protection. Probably eaten by spirit beasts without even bones remaining.”

“……” Xue Mengtao trembled, thinking of her experiences in the realm, and unconsciously wrung her hands.

Siyi glanced at her but remained silent.

The other Luanyang Palace disciples exchanged meaningful looks, not daring to openly mock the Palace Lord’s servant in front of Elder Si. Gu Yuqing was Peak Master Yan’s closed-door disciple, heavily favored and thus recklessly bold. Peak Master Yan’s protective reputation was well-known—they wouldn’t dare offend him by crossing his favored student.

One disciple changed the subject. “I was mysteriously transported to an underground prison, then pulled into an illusion. When I escaped, I was still in the dungeon until suddenly being brought here.”

Siyi’s attention sharpened, memorizing his appearance. He wore the phoenix feather insignia of Benevolent Central peak.

“Same here! Just escaped the illusion and got transported!” another disciple said, equally bewildered.

“You actually escaped the illusions? I never got out… so that was an illusion,” a third murmured, looking lost.

Siyi suddenly raised her hand, touching his forehead. The disciple felt his spiritual consciousness clear dramatically, cold sweat breaking out as he bowed gratefully.

“Thank you, Elder Si.”

“Anyone else still trapped in illusions?” Siyi asked.

Three of the seven disciples raised their hands, including Gu Yuqing.

Siyi’s smile faded as she methodically cleared their spiritual consciousness, her voice gentle but stern. “You must cultivate more diligently. Don’t be lazy or overly proud of your talents. Keep ‘steadfast progress’ in mind always. How could you be trapped by mere illusions?”

The chastised disciples showed varying degrees of shame, though one frowned in displeasure.

“Elder Si, what do you mean by that? How do you know about my cultivation habits? I just hadn’t broken through yet—how do you know I couldn’t have escaped?”

Siyi appeared delicate as a flower, her smile ever-present and seemingly harmless. But she was Luanyang Palace’s administrative elder and its only Foundation Establishment elder. Her cultivation might be lower than other elders, but to become the palace’s chief administrator required more than surface gentleness.

Challenged by Gu Yuqing, she laughed softly and asked mildly, “I remember you. You’re the same age as the Palace Lord, currently at middle Foundation Establishment.”

Gu Yuqing had expected comparison to Seraphine’s superior talent and resources. “The Palace Lord’s talent is incomparable, plus she has countless treasures. Naturally she’s far ahead of me.”

Siyi tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, smiling gently. “Everyone brought to this dungeon possesses exceptional talent. But escaping illusions requires not just solid cultivation but firm resolve—resistance to the illusion’s temptations.”

“The stronger your will, the faster you break free.”

“Xue Mengtao,” she called. “Raise your head.”

The woman behind Siyi reluctantly lifted her head, calling out uncertainly, “Elder Si.”

“Did you remember what I just said?” Siyi asked.

“Mengtao remembers. I’ll eliminate distractions and cultivate properly when we return,” she replied quietly.

Siyi spoke to Xue Mengtao while watching Gu Yuqing, her smile warm but pointed. “Your complicated circumstances at Lianshan Sect made late Foundation Establishment at twenty understandable. But despite your excellent talent, you took a full day to escape the illusion after being trapped. This shows how many distractions cloud your mind. If you’d focused purely on cultivation, how could it have taken you a day to wake up from the illusion? You kept me waiting quite a while.”

Her words shocked several disciples, who stared at Xue Mengtao in amazement.

Under their surprised gazes, Xue Mengtao felt a complex mix of emotions. These people she’d considered prodigies were looking at her with wonder and astonishment. The attention made her nervous yet stirred something deep and secret within her.

“Yes, yes,” she stammered.

Siyi chuckled, patting Xue Mengtao’s back to straighten her posture. “Still, you did well enough. At least you woke up from the illusion.”

Now not only Xue Mengtao but also the disciples who’d failed to escape flushed with embarrassment. But while they showed shame, Gu Yuqing only reddened with anger. She clearly understood Siyi’s indirect mockery.

Her pride bristled. At twenty-five and middle Foundation Establishment, she expected to reach late Foundation Establishment before Siyi did. She’d secretly looked down on the elder, and Siyi’s veiled ridicule ignited her fury. She dropped all pretense of respect.

Still, she couldn’t find direct fault with Siyi’s words. Glancing around, Gu Yuqing sneered coldly, “The Palace Lord’s talent is undeniable. Elder Si says only talented people were selected—the Palace Lord’s abilities go without saying. So where is she?”

Malice crept into her eyes as she crossed her arms, raising her voice deliberately. “Don’t tell me our Luanyang Palace Lord, despite her Golden Core cultivation, was controlled by illusions and not only failed to escape but actually—”

Died in there?

She didn’t voice the final words, but her meaning was crystal clear. Looking around at the other survivors, all alive and well, the implication was obvious.

Before other disciples could respond, Xue Mengtao—gasped in shock. “How dare you slander the Palace Lord like this?”

Gu Yuqing’s eyes turned vicious at being challenged by a mere palace servant. But Siyi smoothly stepped between them, her gentle smile belying the ice in her gaze.

Her words drew not just fellow disciples but other sect members into tense silence. If Luanyang Palace’s Lord had truly died in the illusions, it would be earthshaking news!

“Gu Yuqing,” Siyi said, voice still gentle but eyes ice-cold, “should I call you refreshingly direct, or…”

Stupid?

She covered her mouth with a light laugh, then pointed toward the celestial palace floating in the clouds above the mountain peaks.

“See that?”

Everyone craned their necks upward, suddenly understanding the connection between Siyi’s words and the massive palace that had commanded attention since entering the realm. Such a grand structure surely contained incredible treasures—this was most people’s assumption, and they were right.

Every sect’s disciples had been heading toward that celestial palace while seeking opportunities in the realm.

Among all the sect disciples, only Autumn Water Pavilion’s disciples truly understood the situation. They swallowed nervously, quietly listening as the Luanyang Palace elder explained, “You couldn’t even escape illusions, yet you dare question the Palace Lord’s whereabouts? Do you realize that if not for the Palace Lord personally breaking the dungeon’s formation array, you people who couldn’t even exit illusions would have no life left to stand here spouting such—”

Self-righteous nonsense.

Silence fell like a stone. Gu Yuqing’s expression went blank, her crossed arms slowly dropping as she stared in shock.

“The Palace Lord broke the formation to save me?”

Other disciples who’d similarly failed to escape showed identical expressions of disbelief.

“Luanyang Palace’s Lord saved me?” one from another sect asked incredulously.

That was an illusion!

Anyone who couldn’t escape illusions historically met terrible fates! Yet here they were, jumping and talking, requiring only some stabilizing pills when they returned home. Not a single injury!

Immediately, several people approached Siyi to bow in gratitude.

Siyi raised her hand, spiritual energy stopping them mid-bow.

“I didn’t save you—why bow to me? Wait until our Palace Lord emerges, then offer your thanks.”

“Yes, of course!”

“My Qingyun Sect sent only me—I’m our entire sect’s hope! If I’d died here, our whole sect would’ve lost its future! When I leave this realm, I’ll bring my master to personally thank Luanyang Palace!”

“Count in Honglong Sect too!”

Other sect disciples crowded around, all eager to curry favor with Siyi.

During her responses, she casually glanced at Gu Yuqing.

That look… Gu Yuqing shivered, seeing echoes of the usually aloof and disdainful Seraphine. Siyi’s gaze pierced like needles, causing physical pain. Shame and rage overwhelmed her, making her forget her status as a Luanyang Palace disciple.

“Even if the Palace Lord saved me and the others who couldn’t escape illusions, what about those who did escape? Why are they still here?”

“Why is only the Palace Lord missing?”

Ah, truly hopeless.

Siyi covered her mouth, though everyone could see her amused smile. Even when exasperated, Luanyang Palace’s Elder Si maintained her gentle demeanor.

She sighed softly, looking at Gu Yuqing like a disappointed parent. “Naturally, it’s because there’s only one inheritance available, and the worthy shall claim it. Such a simple principle—can you not see it?”

Shaking her head with a sigh, she continued, “Of course, I have no standing to criticize you for this. After all, whether it’s you, or me, or—” She pulled Xue Mengtao forward. “—even a palace servant, we’re all people abandoned by opportunity, unworthy of selection.”

Gu Yuqing looked like she’d been punched, her face cycling through shades of red and blue. Bitterness and jealousy churned in her stomach.

“So the celestial palace inheritance goes to the Palace Lord?”

“I never said that,” Siyi replied unhurriedly. “Besides the Palace Lord, others might have been chosen too. But who will reach the end…”

She paused, meeting Gu Yuqing’s eyes with gentle firmness. “I may not know the answer, but I can tell you one thing clearly: no matter who ultimately claims the inheritance—”

“It absolutely won’t be you.”

“Achoo!”

I sneezed like the system in my bubble interface, floating upward to peer down at the base of the celestial stairway.

“So high,” I observed unnecessarily.

“Must be cold down there.”

The wind here was fiercer than at Luanyang Palace, carrying me back and forth like a tiny balloon.

Seraphine glanced up at my aerial dance. “Having fun?”

Actually, yes.

I obediently floated back to her shoulder, scanning upward. “I can’t see the top.”

“Mm.” Seraphine remained unconcerned. “Illusions test resolve, mazes test wisdom. This ascension steps tests patience.”

“What about the Mirage Woman?” I asked.

Then answered myself: “Combat skills!”

Seraphine shot me an annoyed look. What random nonsense.

I started tapping her shoulder with my matchstick arms—finally at the right height to do so properly!

“Host, work hard! After reaching the top, there’s still more combat ahead!” I pulled out two glow sticks—gifts from the main system, though I had no idea why it had sent them.

Might as well use them.

I circled Seraphine with the glow sticks, waving them enthusiastically while my cool voice echoed through the clouds and mist.

“Go, go, go!”

Seraphine stopped abruptly, snatching me out of the air.

“Mmph, mmph!” I waved my matchstick arms defiantly.

“Keep causing trouble and you can fly by yourself!” she threatened.

My glow sticks slowly, slowly lowered. I settled back on her shoulder, wiggling them silently.

Go.

Then I shoved both glow sticks in my mouth.

Let’s keep climbing.

With me nestled on her shoulder and Fire Rock Dragon coiled around her wrist, Seraphine climbed the celestial stairway in determined silence. After a while of mountain wind, I flew up to grip one of her fingers with my matchstick hand.

The climbing woman felt the cool touch and looked down.

My silver form looked up at her, still just three black circles for a face despite having a physical body—far less expressive than my bubble interface.

Inside the bubble, my avatar smiled brightly, arms and legs dancing in celebration while flowers bloomed above my head.

“Seraphine, let’s climb this mountain together.”