Chapter Forty-Nine: The Guardian Spirit’s Trial

“More or less. I suppose it didn’t take you long to advance from the Faith level to the Prayer level,” Hua Jing observed, seeing Zhuang Xiaoyuan nod in agreement. She continued, “At the Faith level, you can convert the positive emotions directed at you by other sentient beings—recognition, respect, admiration, love, faith—into divine power within yourself. That’s why the Faith level can be advanced so quickly. But the Prayer level is quite the opposite. Although the recognition from those around you still transforms into divine power, the effect is now extremely subtle, almost negligible. Instead, your own self-recognition, the firmness of your convictions, and confirmation of your goals all contribute to enhancing divine power at the Prayer level.”

“How can one strengthen their convictions?” Zhuang Xiaoyuan asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty. Strengthening conviction sounded straightforward, but in reality, it was an elusive concept without any clear path forward.

“I don’t know,” Hua Jing replied crisply, so succinctly that Zhuang Xiaoyuan almost thought the question must be simple. But those three words made it clear that the answer was anything but.

“You don’t know? How did the seniors make it through the Prayer level?” Zhuang Xiaoyuan asked, momentarily incredulous at Hua Jing’s response.

“That’s just how it is. Everyone’s convictions are different. Humans aren’t puppets; we possess independent thought. So to strengthen your conviction, you must search and explore for yourself. Not everyone has such a goal or conviction. Therefore, aside from firming up your beliefs, there’s another method to rapidly advance at the Prayer level.” After briefly explaining the reason for her uncertainty, Hua Jing raised a finger, indicating another path.

“Another method? Is it hunting fiends to harvest their pure divine power?” Hearing this, Zhuang Xiaoyuan recalled her own leap from the Intermediate Faith level to the Lower Prayer level, bypassing two stages in succession.

“Yes, that counts as a method. Come to think of it, hunting fiends is indeed a quick way to advance. But given its danger and unpredictability, I don’t recommend it. Besides, that’s not the method I meant. The one I’m talking about is something Wen Hui already experienced at the Prayer level. Her rapid progress to the peak of the Prayer level owes not only to her remarkable talent but also to this method. It’s called the Guardian Spirit’s Trial.”

Hua Jing paused, reflecting on Zhuang Xiaoyuan’s mention of hunting fiends. It was indeed a viable method; in the past, some warriors had specialized in hunting fiends to advance. However, fiends often posed the threat of encirclement, and at equal levels, fiends typically outmatched humans. Low-ranking fiends yielded meager gains in divine power. Advancement through this method relied heavily on luck, so given its high risk, Hua Jing had almost overlooked it.

Still, Hua Jing wouldn’t deceive Zhuang Xiaoyuan; she admitted the method could accelerate divine power advancement, but its dangers made it best avoided. As for the Guardian Spirit’s Trial she originally intended to discuss, it was a unique ‘ability’ for humans to tap into their own and their guardian spirit’s potential, strengthening their bond.

“Xiao Hui has already experienced it?” At Hua Jing’s final words, Zhuang Xiaoyuan’s gaze shifted to Wen Hui.

“Hehe, I completed the Guardian Spirit’s Trial and jumped straight from Intermediate Prayer level to Superior Prayer level, even touching the threshold of Descent level,” Wen Hui replied with pride, puffing out her chest. She had relied on the Guardian Spirit’s Trial to break through to the bottleneck near the next rank, which had allowed her to help Zhuang Xiaoyuan escape danger during the prior incident.

Zhuang Xiaoyuan’s gaze swept past Wen Hui, completely ignoring her smug “I’m ahead of you” expression. She continued questioning Hua Jing. With someone like Wen Hui, who bloomed with the slightest encouragement, it was crucial not to let her get too cocky. One must always remind her who was the dominant one—no, no, what nonsense, that’s just the influence of that flamboyant fellow earlier; dominance and submission, I know nothing about such things.

“Jing, what exactly is the Guardian Spirit’s Trial? Is it only possible to undertake it at the Prayer level?”

“The Guardian Spirit’s Trial is actually quite simple. If you communicate with your guardian spirit, you’ll find out how the trial unfolds. Moreover, it’s not limited to the Prayer level; starting from Prayer, you can attempt the trial at every major stage. And the rewards from each trial are never the same—sometimes it’s a boost to divine power, sometimes acquiring a unique combat skill from your guardian spirit, and sometimes even gaining the favor of a second guardian spirit.” Hua Jing narrowed her eyes, a mysterious smile playing on her lips as she delivered a statement that astonished Zhuang Xiaoyuan.

Among these rewards, merely increasing divine power was considered the least valuable. After all, divine power could be cultivated gradually through one’s own effort. In contrast, a guardian spirit’s exclusive combat skill wasn’t something one could simply desire; only those who achieved a certain degree of resonance with their guardian spirit could hope to obtain it, especially at lower levels of cultivation.

As for the favor of a second guardian spirit—such a thing had never been heard of. Yet Hua Jing’s words implied that someone had indeed achieved it.

“But, senior, yesterday I communicated with my guardian spirit for routine cultivation, and I didn’t notice anything different,” Zhuang Xiaoyuan remarked, quickly regaining composure from her astonishment at the rewards Hua Jing described. The previous night, before sleep, she had spent some time cultivating her divine power. Although she had advanced to the Prayer level, her divine power grew only slowly during cultivation; her potential, after all, remained at the lowest tier.

“The Guardian Spirit’s Trial differs from divine power cultivation. In cultivation, you link your spirit to your guardian spirit, guiding its divine power into yourself, transforming it into your own. But the trial requires more than just a connection—you must invest your entire spirit into your guardian spirit. Once your consciousness enters the guardian spirit, the trial begins. Completing this unique trial brings its rewards. However, every trial is different; never has a trial been repeated, so I can’t provide you with any further details,” Hua Jing explained earnestly, shrugging at the end to indicate she could offer no more assistance. Every person’s guardian spirit is unique, and so, too, are their trials—there’s no possibility for reference or imitation.