It was a test that struck at one's Mental Power and willpower.
Put simply, it was also a trial of talent.
After all, any genius—even one who wasn't a Spirit World Master and therefore had relatively weaker Mental Power—would still possess formidable willpower.
Xiao Yu'er and Xianhai Shaoyu's talent was already extraordinarily high. Before Chu Feng appeared, they had been recognized as the strongest geniuses in the martial cultivation world.
Yet even they had received only a lukewarm assessment from this woman—merley "a chance."
That alone spoke volumes about the sheer force unleashed from that treasure vault.
Playing it safe, Chu Feng asked, "Then, Senior, do you believe this junior can withstand that power?"
Hearing his words, the female ghost looked him over once more.
"Your performance just now was somewhat impressive."
"But I must tell you—that power is truly terrifying, far beyond anything my test can compare to."
"So I cannot say for certain. All I can say is that of everyone I've encountered so far, you are the most likely to endure it," the female ghost said.
"Then this junior will give it a try. But Senior must first tell me where that forbidden object is located," Chu Feng said.
"Wait a moment. Follow the cave passage straight inward, all the way to the end."
"It may seem like there's no way forward, but in truth, the passage continues much deeper—it was simply sealed off by me long ago using a secret treasure."
"So what you see as the end is merely the barrier I set up."
"I used that treasure to seal the passage because I didn't want anyone to see what I was doing. I never expected that, by sheer coincidence, it would also block that power from erupting outward."
"Otherwise, this entire place where you stand would be engulfed by that force. Except for you, none of them could have entered at all—and even if they had, they'd have had to leave immediately. Many who entered wouldn't have had a chance to leave."
"I will pass on the technique to you momentarily, and you will be able to open that barrier. Once opened, continue forward, and you'll find the forbidden artifact that keeps me trapped."
"But before you open it, make sure your friends leave first."
"That power is truly extraordinary. Most of them won't be able to withstand it—especially those older ones."
"This is also the reason why, even though someone rarely makes it here, I still use my secret technique to test them."
"If they don't meet my standards, I absolutely won't let them take the risk."
As the female ghost finished speaking, Chu Feng was visibly moved.
She wasn't lying. Even though she was trapped, her secret technique alone was enough to interfere with many people.
Perhaps someone at the level of Xiao Yu'er's grandfather—or even his parents—could forcibly break free of the technique.
But most others couldn't.
So if she truly wanted to, she could have easily used threats and bribes to force anyone who came here to help her.
But from what the Xianhai Fish Clan had described, it was clear that this female ghost had never done such a thing.
She had always handpicked those with exceptional talent, never once interfering with ordinary people.
The female ghost gazed at Chu Feng, and something seemed to cross her mind. Her expression turned uncharacteristically hesitant and conflicted.
"Chu Feng, your Mental Power is extraordinary. Though willpower is also a form of talent, for someone your age to possess such resolve—you must have endured considerable suffering."
"Though this is our first meeting and I know very little about you, with no prior connection between us, I can tell that you are a rare genius in this world."
"I don't want to deceive you. I must tell you the truth—that force seeping from the treasure vault is truly terrifying. Even you may not be able to withstand it."
"If that barrier-sealing treasure is truly opened, that power will flood into you, and your life may be in danger."
"So take some time to think it over. This concerns your very survival. If you refuse, I will completely respect your decision," the female ghost said.
Hearing this, Chu Feng smiled. "Senior already knows this junior's name, but this junior still knows very little about Senior."
"I would like to know Senior's name, and also why Senior once left the Seven Realms Sacred Palace."
As Chu Feng spoke, the woman spun in place. When her face turned back toward him once more, her entire appearance had changed.
First was her face—gone was the ghastly pale visage with bleeding eyes. In its place was the appearance of a middle-aged woman.
Though she was past her prime, she retained a certain elegance. Her figure was striking—voluptuous and well-proportioned—yet both her body and hands carried a soft roundness, the kind that came with a touch of plushness.
Refined features paired with her gently rounded face gave her a distinctly feminine allure.
Of course, what most accentuated her femininity was her figure. It was almost absurd—so exaggerated that even her loose-fitting robe couldn't contain it. It was as though two ten-jin watermelons hung from her chest.
But what truly drew Chu Feng's attention was the mark on her forehead. It was a birthmark shaped like a fan.
Even though this was merely an image within an illusion, Chu Feng could tell that this birthmark was far from ordinary.
And just as Chu Feng was examining it, the female ghost spoke again: "Chu Feng, my name is the Realm Fan Immortal. I've lived for quite some time. Few people today likely remember me, but if you go to the Seven Realms Sacred Palace and ask, there should still be those who recall."
"As for why I left the Seven Realms Sacred Palace?"
"Let's just say there were certain people I couldn't stand, so I left," the woman said.