The verdant green of the full tree faded, and the vines and green figures dissolved into dust.
Elder Han's pupils widened abruptly, rendering him speechless for a moment, and he could only stare at Mu Qingqing with a dumbfounded expression.
He had been about to tell this little girl where the outer core of the Seasonal Tree was, when this little one had already broken it.
And judging by the cross-locks she had prepared beforehand, she seemed to know where the outer core was even before he did.
Mu Qingqing outwardly appeared indifferent, but inwardly, she proudly thought, "This young lady has read the original novel, so of course, she knows where the outer core of the Seasonal Tree is."
Normally, Mu Qingqing would have been unable to inflict any damage on the Seasonal Tree.
But fortunately, she had read the original plot. Besides its inner core, this Seasonal Tree also had an extremely fragile outer core on its surface.
Destroying the outer core could cause the Seasonal Tree to enter a brief state of wilting. Moreover, the test in the Shaoyang Hall only required her to defeat the Seasonal Tree four times, not kill it.
Even if she succeeded once, she still had to defeat the Seasonal Tree three more times using the same method.
However, Elder Han believed that Mu Qingqing's next three attempts would not be so simple.
This was because the outer core of the Seasonal Tree was extremely hidden and small, and it would regenerate in a different location each time it revived, making it extremely difficult to find.
Soon, the Seasonal Tree transformed into the Summer Flame Tree, its entire body and branches turning a fiery red.
A mass of explosive, fiery energy condensed at the tip of the tree. The destructive aura contained within seemed capable of destroying everything.
Just as it was about to unleash it.
With a "poof."
The Summer Flame Tree sputtered like a misfiring gun and extinguished before it could even unleash its attack.
This left the Seasonal Tree somewhat embarrassed.
The reason was that Mu Qingqing had once again taken the lead, using her cross-locks to destroy its outer core.
Subsequently, the Seasonal Tree seemed to have a grudge against Mu Qingqing and stubbornly refused to believe it.
Each time it revived, its outer core was made even smaller and more hidden.
Yet, Mu Qingqing always managed to find and destroy the outer core before it could launch an attack.
Finally, in the fourth instance, before the Winter Frost Tree could even fully transform, its outer core was destroyed by Mu Qingqing.
At this moment, the Seasonal Tree had a thousand unspoken curses it couldn't utter.
Damn it, is this human cheating?
Elder Han, standing nearby, was also dumbfounded.
What in the world is this "Xin Ci," who transformed into a woman, a monster?
Several times, even he hadn't found the outer core, yet this young girl had already destroyed it.
It made him, her master, seem utterly redundant when he wanted to give her some guidance.
Elder Han: Perhaps... I should just return to the crystal space.
Mu Qingqing, having easily defeated the Seasonal Tree four times, hadn't exerted much effort.
The challenge in Shaoyang Hall was considered passed.
A golden scroll suddenly appeared before her, transforming into a spiritual light and flying into Mu Qingqing's mind.
"Shaoyang Hall trial completed. Reward: Spirit-grade top-tier martial skill, Four Seasons Art."
Then, the vortex passage to the second level also appeared before her.
Mu Qingqing didn't have time to examine the Four Seasons Art for now. Stepping into the vortex passage, she arrived at Pingyang Hall on the second level.
Pingyang Hall, except for the absence of the Seasonal Tree, was largely similar to Shaoyang Hall.
Within the spacious hall, a golden orb of light materialized and gradually took on a human form.
"Defeat the opponent before you..."
Spiritual Impact!
Ten Finger Bone Sword!
Judgment Style Five!
Six Yang Profound Blast!!!
Before the voice could finish, Mu Qingqing suddenly erupted, disregarding the drain on her spiritual energy.
She frantically unleashed all her offensive techniques, bombarding the golden figure with relentless attacks.
This display of skill completely stunned Elder Han.
What was this little girl doing!
Before the figure could even fully form its limbs, it was completely scattered by Mu Qingqing's various martial arts techniques.
Even the voice within Pingyang Hall paused for a moment.
After a few seconds, it managed to say, "...Pass."
"Hoo~"
After completely dispersing the golden figure, Mu Qingqing finally caught her breath and calmed down.
She smugly thought to herself, "Little brats, having a guide is indeed amazing."
If this golden figure wasn't defeated the moment it appeared,
it would continuously increase its realm and strength, eventually reaching the Heavenly Venerable level.
At that point, it would be impossible to fight.
In the original plot, the male protagonist Xin Ci had failed to scatter the golden figure immediately.
This caused it to advance to the Half-step King realm, putting him in a precarious situation.
In the end, it was only because male protagonist Xin Ci decisively used secret arts and forbidden techniques that he narrowly managed to defeat it and pass the trial.
Knowing this part of the plot, Mu Qingqing, while the golden figure was at her initial realm, didn't hold back and went all out to disperse it.
"Pingyang Hall trial completed. Reward: Azure Lotus Sword Platform and ten stalks of Sword Wind Grass."
Elder Han's eyes lit up upon hearing this. The Azure Lotus Sword Platform was indeed a good item.
Although it couldn't compare to Xuan Yang Palace, meditating and cultivating on it could deepen one's comprehension of the sword path.
Sword Wind Grass was a spiritual herb that aided in cultivating sword intent.
Both of these rewards were rare treasures in the outside world.
However, Mu Qingqing didn't have time to examine them leisurely. She casually tossed the Azure Lotus Sword Platform and Sword Wind Grass into her spatial ring.
Then, she proceeded through the vortex passage to the final level, Lieyang Hall.
As soon as she stepped into Lieyang Hall, she felt an unbearable wave of heat wash over her.
The bright flames were too dazzling, making it difficult for Mu Qingqing to open her eyes for a moment.
Fortunately, her Star Wheel pupils quickly adapted to the brightness, allowing her to see the scene before her.
In the center of the grand hall, on a crystal white jade lamp, a mass of deep crimson flame was suspended and burning fiercely.
Even though the flame was not large, its aura was extremely violent and perpetual, as if it would never be extinguished.
"This is... the Undying Phoenix Flame!"
Elder Han exclaimed in surprise, looking at the flame.
So, the Heavenly Spiritual Fire of Fengyang Mountain was within this Xuan Yang Palace.
However, in addition to the Undying Phoenix Flame, both Mu Qingqing and Elder Han noticed a withered skeleton remaining not far from the flame.
The fact that its bones could remain near the Undying Phoenix Flame indicated that the power of the skeleton was extremely formidable.
Just then, a spiritual light flew out from the skeleton, transforming into a righteous and heroic man with starry eyebrows and bright eyes.
"I am Xuan Yang Heavenly Venerable, Gu Junming."
"Are you the one who passed the Xuan Yang Palace trial?"
"Are you stupid? If I hadn't passed the trial, how would I be here?" Mu Qingqing retorted unceremoniously.
Elder Han, watching from the side, was dumbfounded. Why was this fellow not playing by the rules?
The residual soul of Xuan Yang Heavenly Venerable had just appeared, and she was already being so impolite to him.
Wait! Elder Han seemed to have realized something.
Based on this young girl's performance in the previous two trials, she wouldn't say anything useless.
Could it be that this Xuan Yang Heavenly Venerable had a problem?
He then immediately looked at the phantom image of Xuan Yang Heavenly Venerable. Even though his soul power had not fully recovered,
Elder Han could still faintly sense something was amiss.
This fellow was not Xuan Yang Heavenly Venerable at all!
Not only that, Elder Han also felt a strange spiritual energy, which was different from the spiritual energy of the Eternal Continent.
This was more like... Ghost Qi!