Chapter 185: The Second Level, The Bunny Girl Appears
Chu Xiu scrutinized Feng Yao as she confirmed, her expression tinged with pride. "Yes, the foundation of the Great Dao was strengthened, largely thanks to the 36 styles of Zhenwu. My combat power has increased by over 40%. The path of the Dao feels broader, clearer. I can now progress much further."
"Congratulations," Chu Xiu replied, genuinely impressed. Women, he thought, really are formidable.
With farewells to Taisu Saint Bai Susu and others, Chu Xiu and his companions prepared to depart. Before leaving, he checked on Qi Tianhen's condition one last time. Confirming that Qi Tianhen was beyond saving brought him an odd sense of relief.
"Hey, fellow Daoist Qi Tianhen," Chu Xiu sighed, "I warned you about the Saint Son and Saint Daughter of the Endless Sword Domain. You didn't believe me. Do you see now?"
His tone was melancholic. If it weren't for the onlookers, he might have used the "Return to Origin" to grant Qi Tianhen a final peace.
As Chu Xiu and Feng Yao left the small space, having passed the challenge trial, they were qualified to advance. The secret place was becoming busier with each passing day as more cultivators arrived, drawn by the allure of potential rewards.
Five days later, the scene at the first trial space of the Void Giant Tree had grown chaotic. The square buzzed with over a thousand cultivators from the three clans, with frequent clashes and a thick scent of blood permeating the air.
"What's going on?" Ye Hongyu asked a familiar cultivator from the Ye family. The reply left him gaping. "Brother Chu so fierce?"
The young monk from the Ye family explained, "The Holy Son of Taisu has been ruthless. Anyone who provokes him is killed and their storage ring taken for Yuanli crystal refinement. His actions have intensified conflicts between humans and demons. Just today, we've seen over sixty battles."
A purple communication talisman soared through the sky, eventually reaching a man in a black robe surrounded by a dozen bodies. Nearby, a fairy in a white dress watched quietly. The talisman delivered a message before burning to ash.
"More and more want to kill me," Chu Xiu murmured, his voice soft but filled with an unspoken threat.
Feng Yao, looking worried, commented, "You have slain many lately."
"Are you scared?" Chu Xiu asked with a light smirk.
"No, I just worry you might overreach," Feng Yao replied, her tone serious yet supportive.
"We are cultivators; we strike decisively," Chu Xiu said with a grin, revealing a flash of white teeth. "Anyone seeking vengeance will meet their end by my hand."
With his recent kills, Chu Xiu was amassing resources rapidly, not yet ready to advance his realm but certainly preparing.
Stepping into the second level, they were greeted by an unexpected sight. The referee for this level wore a black bunny girl costume, complete with pink bunny hairpins and high heels. Her playful, charming demeanor was at odds with the solemnity of the trials.
Chu Xiu gaped. "I never thought I'd see a bunny girl here... This is... unexpected."
The bunny girl's voice chimed again, outlining the rules of the second space, focused on comprehension and learning rather than combat. Challengers had one month to impress her with their mastery of secret techniques gleaned from the statues surrounding the vast, dark square.
As Chu Xiu processed the surreal scene, he couldn't help but wonder about the incongruity of her appearance in such a grave setting.
"This is unscientific," he muttered, still unable to reconcile the bizarre blend of deadly trials and playful imagery.