Although Yu Liang wasn’t a renowned scholar nor proficient in the four arts of zither, painting, calligraphy and weiqi, it really didn’t take a genius to figure out that she became the lock-on target for the enraged serpent.

Beads of sweats drenched her forehead. What to do ah, what do to! A fair battle between the both of them would only lead to her becoming his mid-day snack and Yu Liang had no intention of dying here. Just as she was pondering over her dire situation, a sharp clang vibrated throughout the pagoda. This was the first time she ever felt such ear piercing noise could sound so beautiful.

Time was up! The signal of the cymbals! Before she could rejoice, the serpent thrashed his tail violently, red eyes seeped with deep hatred as he charged forward with his sharp fangs.

What…what the hell happened to the supposed truce at the signal of the cymbals!

Apparently, the serpent was too angered to care and only wanted to devour the wretched girl who dared to injure him. Yu Liang prepared for a lucky dodge, but braced herself for the incoming pain when those venomous fangs sink into her flesh. After all, how could a mere mortal speed surpass a serpent demon who had cultivated long enough to assumed human features?

The serpent was only a hair breath away from Yu Liang when his body abruptly split in half. Gooey substances mixed with blood spurted onto her body. Chucks of snake meat were stuck in her hair. The smell alone was nauseating, not to mention her current appearance.

But she was in no mood to care about any of that. If she hadn’t moved back that last second, her body would also have split in half along with the serpent. A huge axe was embedded deeply into the ground next to her. The same axe which saved her had ironically also nearly chop her in half.

If she said she wasn’t scared silly, she would have been lying! A small figure charged head first into her embrace, unconcerned of the disgusting stench on her body. “Yu Tian, let me go. I’m very dirty right now.”

Instead of moving away, his small body hugged her tighter as he dug his head deeper into her warmth. The corner of her mouth lifted into a smile. Unable to resist his good will, she squeezed him back while her sharp eyes focused on the bulky ox beast. He was the one who threw the axe.

The ox beast met her stare straight on and grinned, as drips of blood oozed out of his front teeth down his chin. He strolled toward them, bending slightly before his axe and without any effort, extracted his weapon out of the floor. A large hole was left behind on the ground where his axe once landed.

“Little girl, it seems like you owe me a big one! I didn’t intentionally save you since I was throwing it to finish my last opponent, but nonetheless, you ought to repay me, yeah?” He sounded like some self-righteous corrupted bandit, but Yu Liang still nodded her head.

The ox beast, intentional or not had indeed saved her life. More importantly, it might be beneficial for them to be on good terms with him. Looking at his enlarged round belly, it shouldn’t be too hard to repay him for today’s deed.

He guffawed loudly, appeased by my response. “Good, good! Call me Da Niu. I’ll come collect my debt soon.” He strolled away toward the teleportation seal that had appeared in the middle of the pagoda.

Guardian Cao had set it up after the first trial ended and it seemed like this teleportation device was the only method of traveling through the different levels of the pagoda. Unless, of course, you could somehow also poof out of thin air like guardian Cao or that mysterious old man.

As the conclusion of the first trial came to an end, the blood lust that was stirred gradually dissipated and everyone slowly headed toward the seal in the middle to move on to the second level of the pagoda. It was almost eerie how calmness was so easily restored as if three hundred lives weren’t just annihilated.

Ignoring the filth on her body, she retrieved her dagger from the mutilated serpent’s carcass and pulled Yu Tian with her to the teleportation seal guarded by guardian Cao. At least they both made it and became a part of the two hundred survivors out of five hundred candidates.

Her line of vision momentarily clashed with the same young man she was ogling at a while back. Heaven! She had thought with his extraordinary disposition, his facial features must be no less than phenomenal, but never would she had imagined such peerless beauty could have existed in the world.

Clad in vivid red brocade, not a single speck of dust soiled his attire, much less any blood. Although, with his chic red outfit, it might be hard to spot any blood stains. Jet black hair adorned his flawless face, enhancing his majestic aura. He emitted a very domineering demeanor as he stared at her profoundly with mesmerizing dark obsidian eyes.

Yu Liang was only able to gawk foolishly at him. Not even the constant tugging at her side from Yu Tian, were able to bring her out of her trance. It was only after the bright beam of light had transferred them away from the bewitching view to the second level of the pagoda, did she finally snapped out of it.

A bright, scarlet tint of red appeared on her face. She was mortified! Since when did she become like one of those young ladies who only knew how to stupidly blush in front of the man they admire!

In spite of admonishing herself over imitating such foolish behavior, she still wasn’t able to control herself as another hint of red blush crept up on her skin because she suddenly remembered her current appearance. This feeling of humiliating was a new experience for Yu Liang. She suddenly wished to dig a hole big enough on earth to swallow her up and shelter her from the embarrassment.

Small hands touched both sides of her cheeks, pulling her downward. Yu Tian looked at her, his face pouted in dissatisfaction over her abnormal behavior as he trapped her face between his tiny hands. Yu Liang smiled sheepishly, as she lightly rubbed his head in affection before quickly pulling him away to blend into the background. The less attention on them the better.

A lone figure in red stood before the first level of the pagoda. Dignified and composed, while lost in deep thoughts. Guardian Cao waited quietly by the side, unwilling to disturb his tranquil musing.

Huo Wei Hu recalled the young girl from before. She appeared to be no more than twenty, detached from the world, but still full of vigor. Most ladies of her age had long been married in this era they lived in. Could the young boy she was with been her son? His faced darken at that thought before casually dismissing it; He was just as probable to be her younger brother.

He watched her played possum as she hid both herself and that small boy under a large mountain of corpses. Stunned by her behavior, he continued to spectate her.

Those who qualified to be chosen to enter the Divine Chaos Pagoda should all have reached a certain level of cultivation. Yet, he had not sensed an ounce of inner energy from her. Her confrontation with the serpent almost resulted in her demise. It wasn’t until he saw the unique dragon carved dagger she used, did a sneaky suspicion crossed his mind.

His eyes narrowed dangerously. Hmph! This lord would like to see exactly what you are planning to do and the identity of the people behind you! For the time being, he would keep an eye on her before deciding if she needed to be eliminated.

Stepping inside the transportation seal, he suddenly remembered the scarlet red blush that graced her face. The corner of his lips slightly curved indiscernibly that he himself even failed to notice it.