A brilliant Phoenix phantom immediately appeared, unfolding from behind her.
It actively opened its crimson-gold wings, enveloping her entire person within.
In an instant, the originally terrifying high temperature became gentle and comfortable.
It was like spring sunshine, no longer carrying the slightest sensation of burning pain.
The violent Nanming Li Fire swirling around her also seemed to turn into gentle, flowing water as it circled her.
It was even… a bit warm?
Seeing this, the three elders nearby immediately had looks of excitement flash in their eyes.
This was absolutely the aura of Yuan Feng’s true spirit, the supreme Golden Phoenix of the Primeval Era!
The phantom had appeared; it seemed the Lady was about to awaken.
Feng Xuan asked in a low voice, “Lady, what are your plans next?”
Su Fu smiled, “Now that I have returned, I naturally want to recover my true form as soon as possible.”
“It’s just that after such a long reincarnation, my memories have not yet fully recovered. Lady Nuwa only gave me a decree and guidance, asking me to return to the clan territory…”
She was intentionally vague.
After all, her understanding of the Phoenix Clan’s situation was limited, and “memory loss” was the best strategy.
Upon hearing this, the elders didn’t just lack suspicion; they even took the initiative to say: “No matter, no matter!”
Feng Xuan stated, “It’s already a blessing that you could return! If you recuperate here in the clan grounds, you will eventually recover all your memories and power.”
Next, the three introduced the current clan territory to Su Fu one by one: “This is the Phoenix Terrace, our clan’s meeting place.”
“These are the Tempering Pools, our clan’s cultivation grounds. Different flames correspond to different stages of cultivation.”
“This place is the Nirvana Pool, our clan’s greatest treasure. The flames in the pool are the original fires left behind by the powerful members of our clan during their nirvana throughout the generations. It contains infinite mysteries.”
“This is our clan’s inheritance site. If the Lady can cultivate here, she will surely achieve twice the result with half the effort.”
Su Fu glanced at Chi Yue, who had said this and thought, ‘Not bad, not bad. He’s good-looking and speaks well.’
She said with satisfaction, “It is indeed quite good.”
This place was practically tailor-made for her to “achieve sainthood through the body.”
The Nirvana skill bestowed upon her by the Phoenix was already powerful.
Now that she was cultivating in the Phoenix Clan grounds, she didn’t need to search everywhere for the world’s spiritual fires.
There were multiple types of top-tier flames available for tempering, so she would definitely reach a higher level.
It was essentially a top-tier environment for Nirvana.
“Lady, your residence is the Parasol Palace. Please follow us…”
After the three arranged Su Fu’s residence, they respectfully withdrew.
The room was fully equipped with various items, and there was a very tall and beautiful parasol tree in the courtyard.
But most importantly, this place led directly to the Nirvana Pool.
Su Fu did not hesitate and walked straight over.
She activated her skill and sat in the center of the Nirvana Pool, surrounded by blazing flames.
With every breath, flames flowed through her meridians into her body, tempering her flesh and bones.
‘Phoenix, oh Phoenix…’ She prayed silently, ‘You must protect me. Help me achieve infinite resurrection and fire immunity!’
Time passed bit by bit as she felt the pulse of the flames.
With the help of Nuwa’s Creation Power, she seemed to be able to hear the whispers of the fire and feel its emotions.
She seemed to be able to communicate with the fire and “see” its internal structure.
She even gradually discovered the most essential meaning of fire: burning, purification, and rebirth.
‘So that’s how it is…’
The [Nirvana] skill continued to deepen through this realization, and pain also began to arrive bit by bit.
The so-called “Nirvana” required destruction first, then rebirth.
Without thorough destruction, there could be no true new life.
Su Fu was completely immersed in it and did not see that behind her, the golden Phoenix phantom had become even more solid at some point.
Its originally hollow phoenix eyes glistened with spiritual light, actually revealing a hint of… satisfaction?
At the same time, in the Divine Pantheon.
In the center of the palace, a massive golden phoenix was looking down upon the myriad worlds.
Its gaze pierced through endless time and space, seeing the scene of Su Fu cultivating in the Nirvana Pool.
“…”
A clear and distant voice echoed in the palace.
It had not expected that among the many possibilities, Su Fu would actually choose the Phoenix Clan as her support.
What surprised it even more was that in such a short amount of time, she was actually able to comprehend the true meaning of fire.
‘This talent was truly astonishing. Though she was human… it seemed Lady Nuwa’s words were not false?’
“Perhaps… she really has a destiny with my clan?”
It sighed softly, a trace of complex emotion flashing in its eyes.
“Very well. Since she has a destiny with my clan, what’s the harm in helping her?”
Yuan Feng lightly flapped its wings, and a strand of golden light left the Divine Pantheon.
It would traverse endless time and space to reach the side of the destined person.
This action was bound to succeed because the Phoenix was an auspicious sign, ordained by fate.
This was a blessing of destiny.
***
Meanwhile, in the proctoring room outside the dungeon.
In the projection, Su Fu sat cross-legged in the Nirvana Pool, and the Phoenix phantom behind her became increasingly clear and solid.
“This… what the hell!”
“The Phoenix Clan in the dungeon actually recognized the Nuwa Manifestation behind Su Fu?”
“They even took her skill as the true spirit of the Phoenix Ancestor?”
“Doesn’t this mean… this [The Investiture of the Gods] dungeon is a Civilization Projection of the ‘Chinese Pantheon’?!”
Although everyone had speculated before, only now did the interaction between the Phoenix Clan and Nuwa in the dungeon provide conclusive evidence.
It was confirmed.
This was because Civilization Projection dungeons only replicated “truly existing” civilization history.
Someone exclaimed, “Doesn’t this mean that all the gods appearing in this dungeon truly existed in the Chinese Pantheon?”
Everyone: “!”
‘Terrifying! How many gods have appeared in this dungeon so far?!’
“China actually has so many gods; it’s practically crawling with them…”
“And the territory is vast, with various immortal mountains and islands popping up one after another…”
“That raises the question,” Principal Feng said with a frown, “Su Fu returned to her own Divine Pantheon Dungeon, with the support of a Great Desolation Saint like Lady Nuwa and all sorts of buffs… why is she still being so low-key?”
Calling her low-key was an understatement; she was being cautious to an extreme.
Her current move to enter the Phoenix Clan was arguably her most daring action so far.
The onlookers exchanged glances, a chill running down their spines as they thought deeper into it.
There was only one logical explanation.
“The horror level of this Dungeon far exceeds our understanding.”
“The waters run deep.”
“From the start until now, the other Test Takers have been busy grinding favorability with Anomaly bosses, snatching treasures, and building connections. Yet Su Fu has remained an outsider. She hasn’t helped Jiang Ziya, nor has she sought refuge with King Zhou.”
“It’s as if she’s deliberately avoiding everyone.”
If it were just a simple factional confrontation, given Su Fu’s strength and information, she could have easily coasted to victory by joining either side.
Instead, she chose the most indirect and cautious route, even avoiding the primary Dungeon Anomalies.
What exactly was she afraid of?
Some didn’t understand and asked, “But we haven’t seen how terrifying this Dungeon is yet, have we?”
“The three solutions are already clear: join the Chan Sect to help Xiqi overthrow the Shang Dynasty, join the Sect of Interception to protect the Shang Dynasty, or become a rogue cultivator to fish in troubled waters.”
“This is a very obvious problem-solving approach. Just pick a side and win, right?”
“I feel like she’s being a bit too dramatic… is the Chinese Instance really that difficult?”
“Maybe it’s just a bit hard to fight? After all, there are quite a lot of gods.”
“By the way, what exactly are those Saints planning?”
Even as observing proctors, they were unable to see the full picture of a Dungeon of this level.
To prevent the Anomalies within the Dungeon from noticing, the Exam System restricted the observation of certain dangerous scenes.
Therefore, they couldn’t see the global situation.
They only knew the last key plot point was Yuanshi Tianzun sending Jiang Ziya down the mountain.
As for the other Saints?
They couldn’t even see the Saints themselves, let alone their schemes.
“If this continues… a massive war is bound to break out, right?” someone remarked.
“Does that mean those gods, and even the Saints, will take the field?”
The group looked at each other.
A total melee involving that many gods?
They were starting to feel a sense of anticipation.
“There are many unknowns, but it’s been a long time since we’ve seen such an exciting Dungeon.”
“Which side do you think will win the struggle between the Chan Sect and the Sect of Interception?”
“My guess is that the final showdown will be at the Saint level.”
“I want to see just how strong the Chinese gods really are!”
“I just want to see what the hell Su Fu is up to!”
While the crowd discussed fervently, Master Yan remained calm and composed.
He naturally knew everything that was about to happen in the Dungeon.
‘Did they really think this was just a power struggle between the Chan Sect and the Sect of Interception? Did they think they could survive just by picking a path?’
‘Impossible. Every path was a dead end.’
The essence of the Investiture of the Gods was not about winning or losing; it was about dying to fill the Investiture of the Gods.
Through the list, the souls of countless cultivators would be sealed into divine positions and bound by the Heavenly Court.
From then on, they would have to rely on incense offerings and lose all freedom.
They would have no choice but to follow the orders of Haotian the Great and other high-ranking officials of the Heavenly Court.
It wasn’t about becoming a Celestial Immortal or attaining the Dao; it was another form of shackling.
If one thought they were merely fighting for power, they truly underestimated this Great Tribulation of the Great Desolation.