While the main personality Xin Ci had lost consciousness and Elder Han was still bewildered, the two little ones were discussing some sort of trial.
Could the real Xin Ci still return? What other secrets did this "Xin Ci" who had transformed into a woman hold? These questions swarmed his mind, leaving him utterly perplexed. He could only observe from the sidelines for now.
Feng Jin Yao transformed back into her original phoenix form, her flames extinguishing to reveal a resplendent fiery red tail and markings. She approached Mu Qing Qing and said, "Get on, I will take you to the entrance of Xuan Yang Palace."
"Okay!" Mu Qing Qing chirped, unceremoniously climbing aboard and wrapping her arms around the phoenix's slender neck. She couldn't help but murmur, "So warm, so comfortable~"
"You!" Feng Jin Yao, now in her phoenix form, felt a tickle and turned her head to glare fiercely at Mu Qing Qing.
"Hehe... Sorry, it's my first time riding a phoenix, I'm a bit excited..." *Sigh*, she decided to endure it for now. She still needed this human to leave Feng Yang Mountain.
Afterwards, Feng Jin Yao carried Mu Qing Qing to the mountaintop where she had first appeared. After landing at the entrance of a cave, Mu Qing Qing dismounted. Elder Han and she surveyed the cave. The spiritual energy here was exceptionally dense, as if all the spiritual energy of Feng Yang Mountain had converged in this spot.
"It seems this is the core area of the Xuan Yang Formation," Elder Han speculated.
Feng Jin Yao reverted to her human form and led Mu Qing Qing into the cave. A bright light suddenly appeared within, and as they approached, they saw a miniature palace floating in mid-air. It strongly resembled the castle models Mu Qing Qing had seen on Blue Star before her transmigration. She also noticed that on the ground beneath the miniature palace, strange runes connected to form a spiritual array. All the spiritual energy of Feng Yang Mountain was being drawn into this miniature palace.
Even Elder Han, who was well-traveled and knowledgeable, was not surprised by the formation itself but rather found the miniature palace extraordinary. In his opinion, the palace was at least a Saint Artifact-level divine item. Even before his fall, Saint Artifacts were extremely rare.
"This is Xuan Yang Palace?" Although Mu Qing Qing had learned about it in the original novel's plot, seeing it in reality still filled her with wonder.
"Indeed. Now, I shall open the entrance to Xuan Yang Palace."
"No need, I know how to get in," Mu Qing Qing said, waving her hand to decline. Then, the Star Wheel in her eyes brightened further, and a vortex-like entrance appeared before them.
Feng Jin Yao was once again shocked by this human. From the moment she first met Mu Qing Qing, she had been extremely curious. Why did this human know so much, even knowing her name on their first encounter? It was as if everything was unfolding according to a script she had prepared.
As Mu Qing Qing was about to step into the vortex, Feng Jin Yao's eyes flickered, and she couldn't help but speak. "Wait, you'd best think carefully. If you cannot pass the trial of Xuan Yang Heavenly Venerate, your fate will not be as simple as being trapped in Feng Yang Mountain like me." She wasn't worried about this human; rather, countless people before had failed Xuan Yang Heavenly Venerate's trials and met tragic ends within Xuan Yang Palace. Although she, with her peak King-level strength, had managed to escape Xuan Yang Palace, she had been targeted by the formation and unable to leave Feng Yang Mountain.
Mu Qing Qing did not look back, only offering a confident smile. "Don't worry, since I'm here, I won't fail." She then disappeared into the vortex tunnel.
Within this Xuan Yang Palace, soul power did not seem to be restricted. Here, Elder Han could maintain his soul form indefinitely. Gazing at the vast palace and the immense spiritual energy, Elder Han couldn't help but sigh. "Xuan Yang Palace is truly a Saint Artifact. Xuan Yang Heavenly Venerate was quite a figure. While he might not compare to the experts of the sacred lands in the Central Continent, with this Saint Artifact, no one in the Eastern Continent could truly contend with him. However, how did he perish in this small Feng Yang Mountain?"
"You'll know when we enter the main hall," Mu Qing Qing replied. In truth, she knew the reason for Xuan Yang Heavenly Venerate's demise, but now was not the time to reveal it.
Xuan Yang Palace had a three-tiered structure, with the main hall, Lie Yang Hall, located on the third level. However, to reach the third level, one must first pass the trials of the preceding two levels.
The first level was Shao Yang Hall. Upon entering this hall, all passages to the outside were sealed. Only someone with peak King-level strength could force open a small gap. But for Mu Qing Qing, who was only at peak Earth Realm, she could not leave without completing the trial of this level.
Looking around, Shao Yang Hall was almost empty, with nothing visible. In the center stood a towering ancient tree that seemed to have no end. At this moment, a hoarse and ancient voice echoed through Shao Yang Hall. "Are you a disciple of my Xuan Yang Palace?"
"No," Mu Qing Qing replied instinctively.
"Those who are not disciples of Xuan Yang Palace must pass the trial of the Four Seasons Tree in Shao Yang Hall to enter Ping Yang Hall."
"Wait, if I were a disciple of Xuan Yang Palace, would I not have to undergo the trial?" Mu Qing Qing asked with a hopeful look. Although she wasn't a disciple, she knew their cultivation techniques, perhaps she could slip through.
"Even if you are a disciple of Xuan Yang Palace, you must still undergo the trial."
Mu Qing Qing couldn't help but roll her eyes. What was the point of this? You're playing a masterclass in stating the obvious.
"Defeat the Four Seasons Tree four times, and you will pass."
After the voice disappeared, the colossal tree in the center suddenly turned verdant green, exuding immense vitality. Countless emerald vines, like octopus tentacles, swept towards Mu Qing Qing. Furthermore, the Four Seasons Tree shed many seeds onto the ground. These seeds immediately grew into numerous green figures, each possessing a cultivation level equivalent to Mu Qing Qing's peak Earth Realm. In an instant, they surged towards her like a tidal wave.
Elder Han quickly warned Mu Qing Qing, "These green figures and vines are composed of the Four Seasons Tree's life force and spiritual energy. This means that as long as the Four Seasons Tree is alive, these green figures and vines will be endless." According to Elder Han's observation, the pressure emitted by this Four Seasons Tree was comparable to a peak Heavenly Venerate expert. It was impossible for Mu Qing Qing, with her Earth Realm cultivation, to destroy it. No wonder even the King-level fire phoenix outside had failed to pass.
Just as Elder Han turned to look at Mu Qing Qing, worried for her, he discovered that the young girl showed no panic at all. She merely raised her slender, fair fingers slightly. Ten cross-shaped locks emerged from the ground around the Four Seasons Tree without hesitation. Their sharp tips pierced into a certain branch of the Four Seasons Tree. A faint cracking sound was heard, and then the Four Seasons Tree seemed to lose its vitality.