On the high platform, the smoke had finally cleared.
Su Fu and Yuelun Yuan locked eyes?
No, it wasn’t exactly a mutual gaze.
It was more like one person staring intently while the other was lost in a daze.
Su Fu’s eyes weren’t really focused on Yuelun Yuan at all; instead, they drifted off into the distance, her pupils slightly dilated.
She seemed trapped in some kind of illusion, completely absent-minded.
Cautiously, Yuelun Yuan took a step closer, observing Su Fu’s reactions carefully.
He even raised his hand and waved it in front of her eyes.
Seeing no sign of awareness, he finally exhaled in relief, “It worked.”
“I didn’t expect things to go this smoothly,” he murmured.
This illusion had been prepared long ago.
When he manipulated the water earlier, it wasn’t just to seize the Peach of Immortality; he was using the environment to weave this illusion.
At the very moment of the explosion, taking advantage of the thick smoke, he had completely dragged Su Fu into the illusion.
Soon after, Yuelun Meng and the others, having witnessed the success, also entered the shattered high platform.
“Brother, did we succeed?” Yuelun Meng couldn’t help but ask again.
“Yes, we did.” Yuelun Yuan nodded and praised generously, “You coordinated very well this time. Together, our combined illusion technique reached its peak.”
An illusion can’t just affect part of an area, or it’s easily detected and exposed as an anomaly.
That’s why the illusion extended beyond the high platform, managed by Yuelun Meng.
Their teamwork not only blocked outside interference but also amplified the illusion’s power.
This combo had undoubtedly taken down countless opponents.
Looks like Su Fu isn’t that formidable after all.
Zhou Tianhao stepped forward a few paces and looked at the dazed Su Fu with admiration.
“No wonder it’s the illusion technique of the Yuelun family. Even someone as cunning as her got trapped. From the looks of it, she’s completely lost in her own consciousness and can’t break free.”
“Illusions are truly silent and invisible, leaving no trace. Once caught, you’re at someone’s mercy.”
But thinking about it, it made sense.
Even Gu Yan Feng, a general of the Celestial River, was caught off guard and trapped, let alone Su Fu.
Moreover, she had just fought fiercely against two generals.
Such intense combat would inevitably distract her, making it reasonable for her to fall into the illusion.
Chu Mingyuan glanced at everyone and made a throat-slitting gesture.
“Should we take this chance to finish her off?”
This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
There was no choice; Su Fu was too scheming and crafty.
She had outwitted them before, forcing them into the same boat.
Now, they finally had a chance to get revenge.
Zhou Tianhao agreed enthusiastically, “I think that makes perfect sense. Leaving her alive is a hidden danger. Who knows what tricks she still has? While she’s trapped in the illusion, we should kill her and eliminate her from the exam. That would solve everything.”
But Yuelun Yuan shook his head under everyone’s watchful eyes.
“No, we can’t kill her.”
Not only would he not kill her, he raised his hand and formed a water barrier around Su Fu as a protective shield.
Everyone was stunned.
Was Yuelun Yuan crazy?
Why wouldn’t he take advantage of such a golden opportunity?
What was he thinking?
“Are you serious?” Zhou Tianhao asked incredulously.
“Being able to trap her at all is already a pleasant surprise,” Yuelun Yuan said with unprecedented gravity.
“Su Fu is too crafty. We shouldn’t do anything more or disturb her. Who knows if she might seize some loophole and snap out of it?”
Yuelun Yuan had been bitten by a snake before; now he was wary of ropes.
Though confident in his illusion technique, after being tricked by Su Fu so many times, he had equal respect for her abilities.
So he said, “We can’t give her even the slightest chance. Since she’s trapped, maintaining the status quo is best.”
The others exchanged looks, wondering when Yuelun Yuan had become so cautious.
Su Fu was already trapped; could she possibly escape their grasp?
It wasn’t like she would suddenly explode out and wipe everyone else out.
But Yuelun Yuan was resolute.
Those who hadn’t worked with Su Fu or felt their hearts race for her wouldn’t understand his prudence.
That woman, Su Fu, was truly poisonous.
“In any case, she won’t affect our scoring right now, so no unnecessary moves. Just watch her carefully.”
With that, he turned to look down from the platform.
The cage was set, and the scores lay scattered like treasure.
He smiled and said, “Since Su Fu has trapped the anomaly for us, the priority is to collect the points.”
“More action, more mistakes. Don’t bother with her.”
The others nodded reluctantly.
Though Yuelun Yuan was cautious, his words made sense.
Su Fu’s previous moves were indeed tricky—three generals and the Great Fairy had been toyed with by her, ultimately dying.
They didn’t need to make things harder for themselves.
“True,” Lin Xuanye agreed, “Better to be steady than take risks. Just watch her… that’s the safest method.”
This was an exam after all.
The goal was to score points.
Killing Su Fu wouldn’t earn points, so why waste time and divine power?
Zhou Tianhao lowered his eager hands, “Alright, fine. Let’s stick to the plan.”
A thick white mist spread, boundless and endless.
Su Fu blinked, her expression turning uneasy.
Why was there suddenly a sea of white fog before her?
Who was the shameless sneak attacking her?
She had once seen Yuelun Yuan’s method for setting up environmental illusions to defeat Gu Yan Feng, so she was well prepared for his tricks.
At the explosion’s moment, she had already activated True Sight of Heaven to detect Yuelun Yuan’s repeated tactics and was about to break the illusion when a sudden dizziness overwhelmed her.
When she came to, a thick white mist surrounded her, obscuring everything.
“What’s going on?” Su Fu wondered.
“Could there be other sly devils scheming against me besides Yuelun Yuan?”
Damn it, are there really this many schemers in the exam?
Could she be flipping over in the gutters?
Suddenly, the dense fog ahead sped up, and her heart jumped.
“What’s happening?”
Then, the white mist quickly dispersed, and the world before her changed in an instant.
***
This was no longer the high platform, but another place entirely.
“Yaochi?!”
It definitely was Yaochi.
The pool water rippled with sparkling waves, and rosy clouds pierced the clouds, scattering light over the water and reflecting thousands of shimmering patterns.
Rare plants and exotic flowers swayed in the breeze along the pond’s edge.
She felt this Yaochi was even more like the true Yaochi than before.
Looking up, she faced the vast Ninefold Heavenly Palaces, dazzling with golden splendor, intricately carved beams, and painted rafters.
Closer now, pavilions and towers built along the mountain’s slope connected seamlessly.
Before her stretched a winding jade gallery.
Mysterious celestial vines curled around the pillars, blooming exquisite flowers that danced with the wind.
At the gallery’s end stood a magnificent pavilion, its flying eaves and beam brackets resplendent, tassels dangling.
Clearly extraordinary.
Most importantly, someone was there in the pavilion’s center.
Light gauzy white silk floated in the breeze, faintly revealing the figure beneath.
Even through the veil, she could tell the person wore luxurious gear: a phoenix crown, a cloud-colored robe, a jade belt—each piece shimmering brilliantly, radiating wealth and blinding Su Fu’s poor eyes.
Su Fu was puzzled, ‘Who was this?’
More strangely, she felt that person seemed to be… waiting for her.
Could it be that this person was the one who had dragged her into this white mist?
Hesitating briefly, Su Fu decided to approach and investigate.
Step by step, her heart started beating faster.
An absurd thought flashed in her mind.
“Yaochi Wonderland, a noble woman, Ninefold Heavenly Palaces…”
These elements combined could only mean one thing.
“Could it be… the Queen Mother of the West?”
That thought almost made her knees weak.
No way!
Was the Queen Mother really in this instance?
What about when she pretended to be the Great Fairy and forged the Queen Mother’s decree…?
Su Fu’s vision dimmed, nearly fainting.
She took a deep breath, forcing herself to stay calm.
“Don’t panic. Let’s just see first.”
“Maybe she’s just an ordinary person… no, an ordinary celestial maiden…”
But—how could a simple celestial maiden wear such lavish attire?
Just as she neared the pavilion, the white silk curtain in front suddenly fluttered upward as if opening the way for her.
Her heart skipped a beat.
From the timing of the veil’s rising to the waiting posture of the figure inside, that person was definitely expecting her.
Su Fu thought: ‘No way, did the Queen Mother really come looking for me?’
What had she done to deserve this?
Was it too late to say sorry?
Her heartbeat pounded like a drum, but since she had come this far, she had no choice but to steel herself and move forward.
She reminded herself that although she had forged the decree, she hadn’t done anything truly wrong, right?
Well, she had at least gotten rid of a few pests in Yaochi.
Comforting herself this way, she finally saw the noble woman clearly.
In an instant, Su Fu’s breath caught.
The Queen Mother sat on a jade throne, radiating extraordinary aura and peerless beauty.
Her brows were like distant mountains, her eyes like stars.
The phoenix crown on her head was vivid, the tassels on both sides swayed gently in the breeze.
Layers of gauzy skirts folded like celestial clouds, and a jade belt cinched her waist.
The hem of her skirt was embroidered with pearls and jewels, looking immensely expensive.
Not to mention the jade bracelet on her wrist—so precious, Su Fu’s mind was consumed by that single word: ‘expensive.’
At this moment, she also noticed dozens of celestial maidens standing grandly behind the Queen Mother—some holding feather fans, others carrying glass cups filled with jade dew, and some brandishing long ruyi dusters.
Then the Queen Mother slowly set down her teacup and lifted her eyes to Su Fu with a faint, warm smile.
That smile should feel like basking in spring’s gentle breeze.
But Su Fu grew nervous.
Could the Queen Mother really be here to hold her accountable?
Soon, the Queen Mother’s voice rang out: “Su Fu, you have come.”
Su Fu: “???”
She called her by her real name?
This proved that it wasn’t just the Queen Mother in the instance but the true supreme deity of the Chinese divine system—the Jade Pool’s Golden Mother, Queen Mother of the West herself!
She suddenly realized: “So, I triggered a quest?”
The thought flashed through her mind, just like when she triggered the mission in Taishang Laojun’s Dusai Palace instance.
Then she heard the Queen Mother continue, “Your words about eradicating demons truly pleased me.”
“Today, I grant you the Shen Yan AI divine skills: Qingluan and Cai Feng as your reward.”
The moment the words fell, two beams of light shot toward Su Fu.
At the same time, the Shen Yan AI’s voice echoed:Â Â
[“Congratulations, Test Taker, for receiving the Queen Mother of the West’s granted divine skills: Qingluan and Cai Feng”]
[“Rank: B+”]
[“Effect: Summons Qingluan and Cai Feng to assist in combat. Summon duration relates to the user’s divine power level”]
Su Fu hadn’t expected such a twist—light at the end of the tunnel.
The Queen Mother herself had bestowed divine skills on her! Â
Best of all—
“A B+ skill! That’s a B+ skill!”
The Queen Mother had directly boosted her skill rank to B+!
She quickly expressed her gratitude, “Thank you, Queen Mother, for your gracious gift. I will live up to your expectations and continue to work hard.”
But the Queen Mother’s words implied she had read the contents of the edict Su Fu had forged?
Not only read but found it fitting to the gods’ desires?
So she came personally to reward her? Â
That was incredible.
It seemed to mean Su Fu could actively establish contact with the Chinese gods!
If she hadn’t boldly conveyed the Queen Mother’s decree in the Yaochi instance, the Queen Mother probably wouldn’t have appeared.
But now, because of her initiative, the Queen Mother not only showed up but granted her the divine skills of Qingluan and Cai Feng!
Both were divine beasts under the Queen Mother’s command—high status and strong power.
Being able to summon them clearly showed the Queen Mother’s recognition.
In future Heavenly Palace-like instances, these would be invaluable assets. Who wouldn’t show them respect?
“I’ve hit the jackpot—this is really hitting the jackpot!”
“The Queen Mother sure is generous!”
Su Fu muttered inwardly, amazed.
This was the Queen Mother, the highest-ranking goddess of the Heavenly Palace, ruler of the Peach Orchard, rich in resources, and lavish in her gifts. Â
So generous!
The Queen Mother smiled lightly, “This is what you deserve. No need to thank me. I merely represent all the immortals in expressing gratitude for what you’ve done.” Â
At that moment, she shifted tone.
“However, besides rewarding you, I have one more task for you.”
Su Fu looked up and saw the Queen Mother’s phoenix-like eyes lower slightly, her expression serious.
“Kunlun is a sacred place for the immortals, connected above to the Heavenly Palaces and below to the mortal world. It is the foundation of the Chinese divine system.”
“But now, it is disturbed by anomalies and cannot find peace.”
She sighed softly, a hint of helplessness in her voice.
“By heavenly law, we are restricted and cannot intervene directly.”
“I want you to purge Kunlun, drive away all the evil and anomalies, and restore its purity.”
Su Fu:Â Â “…..”
“Huh?”
“Me? Purge Kunlun?”