Someday, the Chinese civilization will spread across the Interstellar, with Divine Artifacts carrying millennia of wisdom and profound culture shining once more in this era.
That would be true creation and genesis.
And to achieve all this, craftsmen were the indispensable key.
Everything depended on real-world creation.
***
Meanwhile, inside George’s workshop.
Only a small lamp cast a warm halo, enveloping the two in a private space, isolated from the darkness outside.
The outlines of tools and materials appeared faintly in the shadows, and only the dragon head of the Storm Wyvern was clearly visible.
George looked at Theresa, “Sis, we… will definitely be free, right?”
He swallowed hard.
Theresa lowered her eyes, silent for a moment, then nodded firmly: “Mm.”
Cooperating with Su Fu was their bold, pioneering new path.
No matter what, they would break free from the oppressive terms imposed by those clans, reach their goal before graduation, and reclaim their freedom.
***
Olympus Society, President’s Office.
President Fox sat behind a wide desk.
The wall was covered with photos of past society members, each representing a glorious chapter.
“How’s the plan going?” Fox asked.
“Did Su Fu agree?”
Standing before him, Weilin sneered, “Her? She’s still making outrageous demands, wanting us to keep raising conditions.”
Fox didn’t get angry; instead, he relaxed and smiled, “Conditions? Just name whatever. As long as she signs the contract, we’ll agree to anything.”
A meaningful smile curved on his lips.
“After all, this is an interesting gift we specially gave when welcoming Achilles to join. In short, get it done quickly. Sign the agreement quickly.”
“No delays.”
Weilin nodded respectfully, “Understood.”
***
With the team-up settled, Su Fu’s focus shifted to Tao Tao’s transformation.
“We only have three people, which obviously isn’t enough for the team requirement in the dungeon,” she muttered, resting her chin on her hand.
“But who said it has to be a real person? As long as Tao Tao transforms, she counts.”
“Plus George’s Storm Wyvern—cough cough—let’s just call it the White Dragon Horse since it’s got ‘dragon’ in its name.”
With that, the five-person team from Journey to the West was complete, fully capable of challenging the Path to Ling Mountain.
Tao Tao’s transformation depended on two conditions: a Transformation Pill and an Intelligence-Boosting Divine Artifact.
Without the intelligence artifact, Tao Tao was still a bit too small to coordinate as part of the team.
“Let me see what maps I can choose.”
Su Fu opened the Shen Yan Interface and switched to the Chinese map options.
She had already exchanged one A-grade dungeon ticket for five D-grade tickets, and combined with the three she had saved, giving her eight attempts.
“I don’t believe I can’t get what I need from these runs.”
The key was which exam papers might contain these two kinds of Divine Artifacts?
One type obviously involved animal spirits—those dungeons would likely have transformation items.
After all, animal spirits transforming into human form is a common motif in Chinese mythology, and related pills would naturally appear in such dungeons.
The second type were those rich in spiritual herbs and medicines, where the required immortal grass or elixirs might be found directly, hitting the mark in one step.
And then…
Finally, Su Fu selected the eight most fitting dungeons.
Taking a deep breath, she began her runs!
The first dungeon was [Penglai: Bird Demon Uprising].
Upon entering, the scenery suddenly opened up—a blue sea surrounding a misty island full of immortality aura.
The island had pavilions and towers, cranes flying about, dense forests, and Taoist temples nestled among pine trees.
But the peace was quickly shattered by a flock of crow demons charging in.
Five minutes later, Su Fu exited the dungeon, looking regretful.
“Got a bottle of Penglai Immortal Dew, but sadly, not a Transformation Pill.”
She shook her head, “No big deal, keep going.”
The second dungeon was [Kunlun Jade Void: Fox Demon Night Raid].
Familiar Kunlun terrain, towering peaks shrouded in clouds.
Many foxes quietly climbed the mountains, aiming to steal immortal pills…
But in the end, Su Fu only obtained the [Jade Bone Elixir].
Su Fu muttered, “Seriously? You foxes don’t think about transformation, but about having ice-smooth skin and jade-like bones? Ridiculous.”
“No big deal, six more tries left!”
Su Fu pressed on: [Mount Taihua: Monkey Mischief], [Mount Jiuyi: Tortoise and Serpent Struggle]…
She gathered many precious materials, but unfortunately none were the Transformation Pill or Intelligence-Boosting Divine Artifact she needed.
“Hey! I refuse to believe my luck is this bad!”
She ran through four dungeons in a row.
Although none of the [Zhongnanshan: Fox Demon Enchantment] dungeon’s rewards were the specific Transformation or intelligence items she needed, just as Su Fu rolled up her sleeves, ready to start the fifth dungeon, she suddenly paused.
Then, devoutly prayed to the heavens:
“Goddess Nuwa, Jade Emperor, Supreme Lord Laozi…”
“Please bless your follower, grant my wish… I beg you, I beg you…”
After praying for a while, Su Fu took a deep breath.
“This time, it has to work!”
The seventh dungeon was [Qionghua Immortal Pavilion: Hundred Flowers Fairy Transformation].
When Su Fu opened her eyes again, she was in a huge garden in full bloom, where exotic flowers competed in beauty and fragrance filled the air.
But the next moment, the flowers began to mutate!
Su Fu skillfully drew her Golden Cudgel, carving a bloody path toward the central pavilion.
Inside, a fairy dressed in white lay on the ground, barely breathing.
Around her stood a group of already transformed Hundred Flowers Fairies.
The Peony Fairy, tears in her eyes, pleaded, “Please… save the Flower Mistress…”
Su Fu’s eyes lit up.
This was a golden opportunity.
She immediately used [Jingping Ganlu] to revive the white-clad fairy.
The Flower Mistress was immensely grateful, “Thank you, fellow cultivator. I have nothing else but this Hundred Flowers Transformation Pill as a gift for you.”
Su Fu’s eyes widened, ‘Exactly what I needed!’
After exiting the exam paper, her morale soared.
“Got one, just need the intelligence artifact now.”
Sure enough, luck alone wouldn’t cut it; she had to rely on the Chinese Divine Derivation Accord’s divine assistance.
The last dungeon was [Wenchang Palace: Ink Demon Devours Writings].
Wenchang Palace—surely related to Wenchang Dijun.
And who was Wenchang Dijun?
The deity governing achievements and official ranks.
Simply put, the god of scholarly success and enlightenment—very fitting.
Su Fu charged in without hesitation.
Five minutes later, she emerged, satisfied.
“Not bad, I actually got the ‘Wenxin Tonghui Pearl’ gifted by the deity. According to him, it can awaken wisdom in living beings, perfectly meeting the requirements.”
The eight dungeons naturally rewarded her with eight divine skills, mostly auxiliary:
Penglai’s [Immortal Dew Pearl], Kunlun’s [Jade Liquid Alchemy], … Wenchang Palace’s [Ink Charm Writing].
But now, the most important thing was Tao Tao’s transformation.
Tao Tao was still enjoying life, leisurely swaying on a lounge chair.
Seeing Su Fu return, she excitedly rushed into her arms.
“Come on, Tao Tao, try transforming.”
Tao Tao nervously stopped, staying motionless in Su Fu’s palm.
Su Fu then guided divine power to merge the Wenxin Tonghui Pearl and the Transformation Pill into the Peach.
Almost as soon as the guiding ended, a burst of golden light exploded from within it.
Su Fu quickly stepped back.
Within the golden glow, Tao Tao’s form began to rapidly change.
Her limbs lengthened, her body stretched out, and her outline gradually became more human.
When the light faded, a girl stood before Su Fu.
The girl was about 1.5 meters tall, wearing a light peach-colored gauze dress.
Her wide sleeves fluttered, and the skirt’s hem was layered like flower petals.
Her hair was braided and hung over her chest, adorned with delicate little peach blossoms.
Tao Tao’s face was flushed, bright eyes staring at her.
She touched her face in surprise, then looked at Su Fu, her expression one of utter shock.
“Sis… sister!” she stammered, voice clear and crisp.
“I… I look just like you now!”
Su Fu thought, ‘Not exactly the same.’
Tao Tao spun around excitedly, the peach-colored skirt swirling like a blooming flower.
Su Fu grew increasingly fond of her; her Tao Tao was truly adorable.
She asked, “Can you turn back?”
Tao Tao tilted her head, then, almost instinctively, her body blurred, instantly reverting to her original peach form.
Immediately after, another flash of light, and she transformed back into human shape.
“Not bad, not bad.”
Su Fu nodded in satisfaction.
“True quality from Chinese craftsmanship! A genuine masterpiece!”
Thus, Tao Tao had transformed from a Divine Artifact into a Rare Artifact.
“Divine Artifacts” are creations of the gods.
Whether made by gods, supernatural beings, or humans using divine powers, anything created with divine ability is called a “Divine Artifact.”
For example, the luminous pearls and coral trees she produced before.
When professionals use Divine Artifacts to craft further, the results are called “Divine Artifact Items.”
For example, George’s Storm Wyvern.
The key difference is that human processing is involved at this stage, referred to as “tools,” transforming them into Divine Artifact Items.
Beyond all this, once a Divine Artifact or Divine Artifact Item gains independent thought and spirit—that is, thinking ability—it’s called a “Rare Artifact.”
That is, a “Rare” item.
Now, Tao Tao clearly fits into this Rare Artifact category.
“Very good,” Su Fu smiled contentedly, stroking Tao Tao’s soft hair.
“Mission accomplished!”
***
March 1st, early morning.
Su Fu sat on the school bus, gazing out the window at the distant, rolling mountains.
The bus was carrying her and other freshmen to the Tianqiong Path Academy’s exclusive newcomer training grounds, the Jianxia Mountains.
All around her were nervous yet excited classmates, many unable to hold back conversations.
“Can you believe it? We haven’t even sat in a classroom, and the exam is already starting!”
“I’m not ready at all, so nervous!”
“Same here, everyone’s the same.”
“By the way, how’s your team? Have you gathered everyone?”
“Of course, we have. Who knows what kind of teammates we’d get if we waited for assignments?”
“I definitely don’t want to team with those Third Star Ring examinees, ahhh so nervous!”
“Speaking of which, I haven’t even gotten to know anyone! Everyone on this bus must be combat majors, right?”
“So does that mean we’re all going to train in manifestations? Where are the supports?”
“In the next bus,” someone answered.
Su Fu looked out the window again.
The mountains stretched endlessly in overlapping layers.
As the bus neared, clouds swirled between the peaks—she was almost there.
She thought, this place really fits the school’s name.
After all, the mountains are full of ‘paths.’
At that moment, her light brain vibrated.
George had sent several scenic photos to their group chat, accompanied by a long string of exclamation marks, and “Ahhh so nervous!”
The bus began to slow down.
A magnificent mountain gate appeared before them.
All the buses stopped.
The numerous examinees began disembarking, following directions to their respective specialty areas.
Passing through the gate led to a vast plaza, or rather a flat open space.
Su Fu looked around; the mountains encircled the area, forming a natural barrier isolating this region from the outside world.
At the plaza’s center stood a high platform, seemingly reserved for the chief examiners.
Soon, all buses finished unloading and departed in order, leaving only this year’s freshmen on the plaza.
The mechanical voice of the Shen Yan AI echoed in everyone’s ears:
[“Please complete assembly as soon as possible. Repeating, please complete assembly as soon as possible.”]
Su Fu had arrived early, but she noticed a distinct commotion in the crowd.
Through the flowing mass of people, she barely caught sight of a certain figure’s back.
Achilles.
He and many clan heirs stood at the front, surrounded by a “vacuum zone” ring—a circle of freshmen who wanted to approach but dared not.
Just seeing those clan heirs through the gaps in the crowd, she could feel their overwhelming extravagance.
They all carried various Divine Artifacts, reflecting sunlight so dazzling it hurt the eyes.
Another ordinary day of envy and tears.
At that moment, a group of people appeared atop the high platform.
Leading them was a middle-aged man, sturdy and stern, his brows radiating an unspoken authority.
He wore a black uniform, with a name and position badge on his chest.
“Freshmen, I am your chief examiner, Murray.”
His voice was loud enough to carry across the entire plaza without a microphone.
The crowd instantly quieted.
Su Fu glanced behind him at several young men who looked only a few years older than the freshmen.
“Could they be teaching assistants?” she wondered silently.
Murray looked around, ensuring all freshmen were gathered, then announced loudly: “Now, I declare the Tianqiong Path Academy Newborn Joint Entrance Exam officially begins!”