"Brother Chu Feng, you've truly opened my eyes."
"I suppose I underestimated you."
"But I'm very pleased."
Zhang Yingxiong watched as Chu Feng illuminated three layers of light, and rather than showing any displeasure, he appeared remarkably excited.
"I should also thank you for giving me this opportunity to experience a legendary artifact — the power of the Ancient Destiny Stone."
"However, by the rules you set, I believe I've qualified."
"So… may I ask now?"
Chu Feng addressed Zhang Yingxiong. Although the Ancient Destiny Stone had fascinated Chu Feng and he wanted to prove himself, and was genuinely happy to have succeeded, the thing he cared about most was his Master's whereabouts — the old Daoist with the cow nose.
"Brother Chu Feng, hold on a moment. Don't worry, I will honor my word."
After saying this, Zhang Yingxiong turned to Wang Yuxian. "Miss Wang, this is a rare chance. Won't you give it a try?"
"Lele, go ahead."
Before Wang Yuxian could even respond, the Dao Sea Fairy spoke up.
It seemed she wanted to see Wang Yuxian's talent even more than Wang Yuxian herself did.
"My junior sister is the most gifted person in the entire Nine Soul Heavenly River. She'll definitely illuminate three layers as well."
"That's right, Junior Sister — go show them your talent. That way this fellow can't keep bragging about being the only one who can light up all three layers."
"Let him know that today, two more people will accomplish the same feat."
"Hmph, maybe I can do it too. After Junior Sister finishes, I'll have a go."
"I want to try as well. I don't need three layers — two would be enough."
The Dao Sea Fairy's other disciples were brimming with confidence in their little junior sister, and the rest were eager to try as well, seemingly wanting to use the Ancient Destiny Stone to prove their own worth.
After all, their Master herself had said it was a legendary artifact.
As for Wang Yuxian, the moment her Master spoke, she was already on her way, arriving before the Ancient Destiny Stone.
Wang Yuxian, too, had not received any instruction from Zhang Yingxiong. Yet she likewise formed her array and opened a barrier teleportation portal that only she could enter.
The Dao Sea Fairy and Wang Yuxian's senior sisters showed no surprise at this. Wang Yuxian's talent had always been extraordinary. If Chu Feng could do it, then Wang Yuxian certainly could as well.
Hummm— The moment Wang Yuxian stepped into the Ancient Destiny Stone, the first layer of light appeared almost immediately.
The radiance was so divine that a smile spread across the Dao Sea Fairy's face.
Hummm— Before long, the second layer of light manifested, and that terrifying apocalyptic illusion once again blanketed heaven and earth.
At this, the smile on the Dao Sea Fairy's face deepened, and her expression was filled with pride.
But…
The third layer of light — the beam descending from the nine heavens — did not appear.
At first, people assumed it was simply delayed. At the very least, the Dao Sea disciples believed the belated beam would fall eventually.
But then the surrounding scenery began to shake violently, and the illusion dissolved into smoke before vanishing entirely. Everything returned to normal.
It was only then that the Dao Sea Fairy and the others realized the talent test had ended.
Wang Yuxian had failed to trigger the third layer of light.
And shortly after, Wang Yuxian was teleported out of the Ancient Destiny Stone.
Unlike Zhang Yingxiong and Chu Feng, who had emerged looking no different from when they entered, Wang Yuxian was gasping for breath and drenched in sweat, as though she had endured a tremendous burden.
"Lele, are you alright?"
At the sight of this, the Dao Sea Fairy and Wang Yuxian's senior sisters rushed forward, asking anxiously.
"Master, I'm sorry."
"I… I let you down."
Wang Yuxian showed no concern for her own condition. Instead, she looked at her Master, her face etched with shame and self-reproach.
She knew exactly what kind of expectations her Master had placed on her.
"Lele, your body is frail, so naturally you were unable to trigger the third layer of light."
"I believe that once you've recovered, you will succeed."
The Dao Sea Fairy said to Wang Yuxian.
"That has nothing to do with physical condition. Even with the weakest body, if you're capable of triggering it, you'll trigger it regardless."