Su Xi's daze was brief; she quickly returned to her senses.
However, before she could continue scanning, she felt white light points appearing beneath her feet. As the light points intensified, a strong pull emanated from them.
"Buzz~"
Accompanied by a buzzing sound, Su Xi found herself outside the Scripture Pavilion, feeling dizzy and bewildered.
o((⊙﹏⊙))o
What just happened?
Quite a few people were already standing outside the Scripture Pavilion, looking at the confused Su Xi.
Some with curiosity.
Some with surprise.
And some with mockery.
Su Xi paid no mind to their gazes, still engrossed in the contents of the book "Tian Fu," unable to extricate herself.
According to the records in Tian Fu, it was a cultivation technique for drawing talismans from ancient times. However, what was perplexing about this technique was that it didn't use yellow paper as a medium. Instead, it utilized the elemental forces between heaven and earth as the origin for drawing talismans. All things in the world could be manipulated at will to draw the required talismans...
Su Xi wasn't fooled by the beautiful imagery described in Tian Fu. She felt the book was too boastful and its ideas were bizarre.
If this book were truly that powerful, why would it have no rank and be casually discarded in the Scripture Pavilion for who knows how many years?
She now regretted wasting so much time on a single book.
Seeing that everyone had gathered, Tang Yifeng spoke, "You have all selected the cultivation techniques you desired from the Scripture Pavilion. To reward your performance, the Sect Master has also specially allowed you to choose a treasure."
"Huh?" Upon hearing that there were rewards, everyone's expression was one of surprise, finding it hard to believe.
The notice they received yesterday had not mentioned anything of the sort.
Despite the unexpected turn of events, everyone remained silent with a tacit understanding. They weren't fools; they wouldn't refuse extra rewards.
Shushan was not one to be taken advantage of. They knew that this trial had significant flaws. Regardless of the reason, Shushan bore the responsibility.
If they didn't show enough sincerity, the other sects would surely be unconvinced, and the relationship between the Five Great Immortal Mountains would become even more superficial.
Tang Yifeng waved his hand, and six small chests quickly appeared before everyone. Each chest was identical, indistinguishable from the outside.
As they watched with confusion, Tang Yifeng explained, "Each of you will choose a chest."
Upon hearing this, everyone began scrutinizing the chests before them, employing all their efforts to discern their contents.
After all, this was a rare opportunity to obtain a treasure, and no one wanted to get something ordinary.
Unfortunately, each chest was covered with formations. Despite their best efforts, they couldn't see what was inside.
Seeing that no one was making a choice, Tang Yifeng did not rush them, merely waiting patiently by the side.
Huan Jie glanced around and, seeing no one stepping forward, arrogantly walked out. He pointed at the chest on the far right and declared, "I want this one."
"Yes," Tang Yifeng gestured, and the chest on the far right flew into Huan Jie's hand.
Huan Jie opened the chest, and a dense surge of spiritual energy erupted, revealing the Sky Spirit Flower within.
The sight of the Sky Spirit Flower made everyone gasp in unison, their faces filled with envy. Many inwardly regretted missing such a great opportunity.
The Sky Spirit Flower was a level four spiritual medicine, and its use in refining pills for forming a Golden Core could increase the success rate by more than half. They hadn't expected Shushan to offer such a precious item, and for a moment, they eagerly anticipated what treasures the other chests held.
Huan Jie looked at the Sky Spirit Flower in his hand and then provocatively glanced at Su Xi.
He had used a secret method to carefully examine all the chests and knew that the remaining items were no match for what he held. Su Xi was destined to be behind him this time.
As expected, the others eagerly chose their chests, but their faces were filled with disappointment.
Although the items in these chests were valuable, they paled in comparison to the Sky Spirit Flower, and thus, no one was particularly happy.
Su Xi quickly made her choice. Looking at the unranked material in her hand, there was no sign of disappointment on her face. This seemingly ordinary refining material was precisely what she needed.
As her strength increased, her "Starry Sky Gun" was becoming increasingly inadequate. Therefore, obtaining this material was perfect for enhancing its power.
Huan Jie looked at the stone, neither entirely iron nor anything else, in Su Xi's hand and couldn't help but laugh, his mockery undisguised. "I never thought that even after embarking on the path of cultivation, you'd still be like a mortal, with a penchant for collecting stones."
Each of the Five Great Immortal Mountains had its own specialty, but none excelled in weapon crafting. Therefore, the refining materials they obtained were essentially useless to them.
Moreover, the refining material in Su Xi's hand was so utterly unremarkable.
Su Xi looked at Huan Jie, who was provoking her, and casually replied, "Because you're not good enough, why assume I'm not either? In my opinion, this stone is far more useful than your flower."
"Oh, really?" Huan Jie's expression conveyed disbelief, his tone laced with an undeniable flippancy.
Anyone could say such pleasantries, but it couldn't change the facts.
Su Xi stared at Huan Jie and gritted her teeth, "Looking at your detestable face, for the first time, I truly wish to kill you."
"What a coincidence, I also wish to kill you," Huan Jie replied with a casual tone, clearly not taking Su Xi's words seriously.
"In a month's time, I challenge you to a life-and-death arena. Do you dare?" Su Xi was never one with a good temper, and being provoked repeatedly had pushed her to the brink.
"Hahaha." Huan Jie burst into laughter upon hearing Su Xi's words.
His cultivation had already reached the late stage of Foundation Establishment, almost at the Great Perfection. With the acquisition of the Sky Spirit Flower, reaching the Golden Core stage was imminent. Yet, Su Xi, a mere novice who had just entered Foundation Establishment, was challenging him.
Was this a death wish, or the arrogance of youth?
Su Xi looked at Huan Jie, who was laughing so hard he could barely stand, and asked seriously once more, "You've laughed for so long, but have you decided whether you dare to accept the challenge?"
"Why wouldn't I dare?" Huan Jie stopped laughing, his killing intent evident.
Since someone was seeking death, he wouldn't refuse. A life-and-death arena was perfect for settling old and new scores, saving him the trouble of finding other methods.
The Tang siblings watched the impulsive Su Xi and hurriedly advised, "Don't be rash. You can resolve things amicably."
In their eyes, Su Xi's bet with Huan Jie was a sure path to death. A life-and-death arena was not a mere competition but a fight with no restrictions, only stopping when one party died.
Even if Huan Jie was detestable, Su Xi didn't need to risk her life.
"I have made up my mind. I am not taking a risk." Su Xi looked at Tang Yifeng beside her and invited, "Senior Brother Tang, would you be willing to act as a witness?"