[Ding! Congratulations to the host for receiving the master's guidance once, comprehension value +1, triggering the effect of 10 billion times amplification, and the comprehension value has reached its peak.]
[The effect of peak comprehension: the host can now learn anything in seconds.]
Li Taixing couldn't help but open his attribute panel to take a look.
[Host: Li Taixing
System Level: Level 3 (to be promoted to Level 4)
Gender: Male
Age: 18
Realm: Ninth Heaven of Nascent Soul Realm
Identity: Disciple of the Fifth Elder of Xuantian Sect, the Strongest Alchemist
Skills: Tai Chi Sword Technique, Seven Wounds Fist, Supreme Emotion Technique, Telekinesis, Flying, Teleportation, Awakening of the Spiritual Sea, Sky Eye
Special Attributes:
Defense: Undefeated within the Nascent Soul Realm
Dodge: Unmatched evasion in the current realm
Strength: Unparalleled among Nascent Soul cultivators
Pets: Xiong Er, Silly Bird, Vest, Xiaofeng, Xiaozhu
Weapons: Douling Sword
Equipment: Transformation Mask, Hunyuan Pearl, Eternal Lotus Fire, Hunyuan Sky-peeking Mirror, Tai Chi Formation Diagram]
Looking at his stats, Li Taixing thought, 'This equipment seems outdated. If I could get a set of growth-type weapons and armor, I wouldn't have to constantly switch out my equipment.'
At this time, Wang Xuanwu spoke again, "By the way, you'll enter the trial grounds in a few days."
"Trial grounds?" Li Taixing asked curiously.
"Yes, it used to be a restricted area, but now it's sealed and has become the trial grounds for our Xuantian Sect," Wang Xuanwu explained. "From the Nascent Soul Realm to the Divine Transformation Realm, it's best to break through through combat."
[Ding! Congratulations to the host for receiving the master's guidance once again, gaining +1 to physical fitness, triggering the 10 billion times amplification effect, and obtaining the body of chaos.]
[Ding! It has been detected that the Chaos Sky-peeking Mirror matches your physical constitution. Do you wish to consume it for an upgrade?]
"What effect will the upgrade have?" Li Taixing asked, intrigued.
[After the upgrade, the host will be able to ignore the punishments of heaven.]
Li Taixing's eyes lit up. "Alright, do it."
Once the Chaos Sky-peeking Mirror fused with his body, all his fears of potential accidents disappeared. Instantly, he gained the ability to deduce the secrets of heaven and know everything that happened in the past, present, and future.
"Hmm?" Wang Xuanwu suddenly noticed that Li Taixing's physique had transformed once again.
Her brow furrowed. 'How does my disciple's body keep changing like this? Is there a conspiracy here? I'll have to keep an eye on him. If anything suspicious happens, I must act.'
Despite her suspicions, Wang Xuanwu was most alarmed by the fact that Li Taixing's rapid growth did not trigger any divine retribution. Normally, such radical changes would have attracted the attention of heaven, but this time... nothing happened.
Her thoughts raced, overwhelmed by the strangeness of it all. 'This disciple of mine is truly abnormal. I think it's best if I don't pry into his matters too deeply. I'd prefer to live my life in peace, anyway.'
Shrugging off the confusing thoughts, she focused on the feast laid out in front of her.
Meanwhile, Li Taixing had planned to ask more about the trial grounds, but Wang Xuanwu quickly waved him off.
"Don't bother me while I'm eating. Go to Wanhua Mountain and ask Xuerou instead."
"Master, can't you just tell me now?" Li Taixing asked, somewhat helpless.
"Would you even understand if I did? I'm eating; I don't have time for this." Wang Xuanwu's tone was casual, dismissive even.
Li Taixing sighed. His master's mood swings could really catch him off guard.
Without much choice, Li Taixing descended the mountain, deciding to visit Lu Xuerou. 'At least Senior Sister Lu will explain everything clearly.'
Wang Xuanwu watched him leave and muttered to herself, "Although this kid is strong, he's clueless about the trial grounds. If he spends more time with Xuerou, they might even form a team in there."
Her thoughts lingered on how she didn't want Li Taixing to end up like her—isolated and alone. She didn't mind that kind of life, but her disciple deserved better.
---
Li Taixing arrived at Wanhua Mountain and was met with surprised expressions from the female disciples guarding the entrance.
"Junior Brother Li, you're back?" one of them asked, her eyes widening.
"Yes," Li Taixing nodded politely. "Is Senior Sister Lu around?"
"Yes, she's on the mountain. You can go in," they replied, still slightly in shock. They had heard that Li Taixing had been thrown into the Forest of Ferocious Beasts by Wang Xuanwu and didn't expect him to return unscathed.
'They thought I wouldn't make it out alive,' Li Taixing mused, noticing the subtle shift in their gazes.
As he made his way up the mountain, whispers followed him.
"Hey, isn't that Junior Brother Li?"
"Yeah, I heard his master was really tough. She sent him into the Forest of Ferocious Beasts only a few days after he joined."
"Poor guy. It's a miracle he survived."
"Shh, don't talk so loud. What if he hears us?"
Li Taixing, already at the Nascent Soul Realm, couldn't help but overhear them and smirk to himself. 'I can hear you just fine.'
Soon, he reached the top of the mountain, where Lu Xuerou was preparing to refine some elixirs. When she learned that Li Taixing had arrived, she quickly put aside her tasks and came out to greet him.
She had also heard about his dangerous mission into the Forest of Ferocious Beasts and had been genuinely concerned for his safety. However, she trusted Wang Xuanwu's judgment—her master might be reckless, but she never took risks without reason.
Seeing Li Taixing safe and sound, and even appearing more refined, Lu Xuerou couldn't help but think, 'It seems the Fifth Elder has really found a treasure in this disciple.'
"Junior Brother Li, it's good to see you!" Lu Xuerou greeted warmly.
"Hello, Senior Sister Lu," Li Taixing returned her greeting with a respectful bow. "I heard the trial grounds will open soon, but I don't know much about it. I was hoping you could explain it to me."
Lu Xuerou's eyes lit up at his question. "Of course! Come with me."
Together, they entered her alchemy room, where Li Taixing would finally learn more about the mysterious trial grounds.