Yu Liang’s finely shaped brows creased as she found herself in a dilemma. Moreover, she was concerned over how Yan Xia managed to figure out their identities when she hadn’t even disclosed such information to Da Niu, the ox who saved her from the previous trial.

Upon witnessing her puzzled expression, the young boy rewarded her with a brilliant smile before lifting up the jade tablet, engraved with her name. Yu Liang was momentarily speechless. These people had actually attached a jaded name tablet to the sets of clothing for contestants to identify one another! Taking a quick glance toward the new set of brocade for Yu Tian, she noticed the same jade tablet, only this time his name was engraved.

There goes her plan for trying to remain as incognito as possible. A helpless smile graced her face before gesturing for Yu Tian to go soak himself in clean water and change into fresher attire.

The both of them could only retired to bed on an empty stomach since Yan Xia destroyed half of their meal and stolen the remaining. Under normal circumstances, she would have dashed toward the kitchen to demonstrate her excellent culinary skills to attract customers. If given the opportunity, cuisines made with such rare ingredients would bring some serious profit and replenish their low funds.

Hell, she could probably even repay Da Niu with some of her delicious signature dishes made from these spiritual ingredients. Killing two birds with one stone! Except now, they were surrounded by enemies on all sides. Her decision was resolute. Better and safer to maintain a low profile among these beasts!

At the first ray of sunrise, all two hundred chosen candidates were immediately summoned to the main hall while young girls delivered one ambrosial lotus bun to each of them. Upon noticing the coveting gaze spiked with a tint of madness from the others, Yu Liang quickly hid both of their share. Her keen eyesight spotted Yan Xia from the other end of the hall. Her eyes opened with incredulity.

Overnight, the old hag’s complexion had greatly improved. Her clear face was now without any impurities, coupled with rosy cheeks and fair skin. This pagoda sure was full of miracles! But why the discrimination against humans? Judging from all the other participants, each and everyone of them were glowing with vigor and life, as if they had all rejuvenated overnight. Only Yu Tian and her had remained unchanged.

She cautiously pulled her brother along with the crowd toward the hidden pathway that had unlocked at the back of majestic kitchen. A few of them daringly snatched some extra ambrosial cuisines along their passage and rapidly stuffed as much as they could into their mouth. Their inflated faces were quite a ridiculous sight, but Yu Liang didn’t even have a moment of reprieve to laugh when she saw the sea creatures.

Inside the dark pathway, only a large pond was present. Within the murky water were monstrous koi fishes endowed with razor sharp teeth and blessed with lightening affinity. Strong electrical currents were surging through their body as their diabolical eyes gleamed at them in raw hunger. It was evident these were sea demons at a high stage of cultivation trapped within the pond as punishment.

“The transportation seal to the third floor of the pagoda is located at the bottom of the pond. All who can make it there will pass” Guardian Cao said indifferently, as if there weren’t any large predators circling around the pond, eagerly awaiting their arrival.

Before an uproar could explode, she had already vanished into thin air, leaving behind a group of flabbergasted contestants.

Splash— one of the members were pushed into the pond by Da Niu. The victim splashed his hands wildly trying to escape, but it was as if an invisible force field was erected that prevented him from returning to land. One could only enter, but not leave!

The monstrous koi fishes besieged him as they formed a circle around the unfortunate man. His complexion turned deathly pale, albeit none of them attacked. As if finally realizing this point, he promptly dived toward the bottom of the pond. A bright beam of familiar light penetrated all the way to the surface. He had successfully advanced to the third floor of the pagoda!

“Ho, Ho, looks like it’s safe to cross! Harmless fishes, eh?” Da Niu howled with laughter as the sound echoed around them.

Waking from their stupor, more of them bravely jumped in, but not everyone was as lucky. The koi fishes viciously gnawed some of them apart, as they feasted upon the limbs of the fallen ones. A twinkle of indecipherable light flashed by Yu Liang’s eyes before it receded. She approached Yan Xia, stopping her right as the old witch was about to jump into the pond while the koi fishes were distracted.

“Yu Liang, get lost from my sight right now!” disgust were brimming from Yan Xia’s eyes as she glared at her.

She spoke in a servile manner, “Lady Yan Xia, I came to apologized for my rude behavior yesterday and to make peace. This is just a small sentiment from me, I hope you can accept.”

Finished speaking, Yu Liang withdrew one of the ambrosial lotus buns and gifted it over to Yan Xia in a docile demeanor. The old witch eyes lit up the moment she saw the tribute. She snatched the ambrosial lotus bun from her hands and her teeth immediately sank down on the food as if she was afraid Yu Liang might suddenly change her mind.

Yu Liang stood there quietly. A dainty smile emerged on her face as she watched Yan Xia with an unfathomable look in her eyes.

Hmph!—without another word after she consumed the ambrosial lotus bun, she turned and jumped into the pond while the koi fishes were still feasting. How was she supposed to know that the moment she hopped in, the electrically charged fishes would suddenly switched targets and aimed straight toward her! Unbeknownst to her, the moment she had finished eating the ambrosial lotus bun, her body was softly glowing with a light sheen.

Yu Liang stared ruthlessly at Yan Xia, not a trace of pity was visible in her deep eyes. She watched as Yan Xia’s slender arms and legs were chewed apart by multiple koi fishes. Only after she had seen the pure anguish on her face, as her muscles and tendons were ripped apart from the body, did she lightly tugged Yu Tian’s forward and jumped together into the mist of danger.

Under the torture of being eaten alive, Yan Xia’s body had regressed back to her natural form, a rooster. The mob of koi cooked their prey with electricity as they enjoyed the roasted chicken for a meal.

Her lips curved into a derisive smile. A chicken, how befitting for the old witch. No wonder she hadn’t directly instigated a full-fledged battle when Yu Liang was a thorn in her eyes. If only Yan Xia wasn’t such a coward, with her level of cultivation she could have easily taken out Yu Liang, but instead, she had made a poor assumption. After all, Yu Liang was a far cry from a human practitioner who diligently cultivates.

The illuminated seal at the pit of the pond was like a beacon, extremely hard to miss. As they expedited toward their destination, an unexpected tail whip from a stray koi knocked against her chest. The released air from her lung suffocated her as water flowed into her mouth. Yu Tian’s eyes widen in terror as he separated from her due to the collision. With the last of her strength, she gave him a push toward the direction of the seal. Her turbulent heart restored its steady heartbeat once she saw the light engulfed her brother’s small frame.

Her head felt heavy as her lids slowly closed and her body began to sink. But before she fully lost consciousness, a warm arm encircled her slim waist and soft, supple lips landed on hers.