Chapter Fifteen: Choosing an Opponent for the Trial

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Upon entering the inner world of the Tuo Dragon Mountain River Pearl, Chu Youcai was momentarily stunned by the scene before him. He had expected the trial space, for which he had sacrificed a year of his lifespan, to be as bloody and brutal as before. Yet this time, the sight before him far exceeded his expectations. It seemed that, because his yang energy had increased, the Tuo Dragon Mountain River Pearl was bestowing special favor upon him.

—A new option appeared on the stone tablet.

"Choose your opponent for the trial: Snake Shadow Skull or Red Lady's Soul."

"This trial does not restrict the use of the Tuo Dragon Mountain River Pearl, but it may be used only once per day; if used a second time, it will cost an inch of yang energy."

At this, Chu Youcai felt a flicker of awe at the power of the Tuo Dragon Mountain River Pearl. This cursed treasure could actually reconstruct the abilities of the Snake Shadow Skull and the Red Lady, allowing him to challenge them.

He knew well the combat dynamics of the Loulan world. Two people of equal strength could battle countless times and remain evenly matched, but when facing mortal danger, what mattered was adaptability, willpower, explosive potential—these were the true measures of strength. Enduring life-and-death crises again and again, such qualities would gradually become instinct.

It was in a life-or-death struggle with the Northern Abyss Polar Bear that he had awakened his latent abilities, causing his strength to soar.

The more he faced opponents vastly stronger than himself, the more his potential would be unearthed—especially when the opponent was a mortal enemy.

He remembered countless ancient martial dramas from his previous life, where enlightenment often struck when fighting masters at the brink of life and death. Now, in this space, he could challenge himself endlessly in such trials. How fast would his progress be? To what heights might his strength rise?

Moreover, a year spent in this world amounted to only a few hours in reality.

This realization filled him with a rush of elation.

He glanced at the options and, without hesitation, chose the Snake Shadow Skull.

That monstrous voice of the Snake Shadow Skull had once left him nearly powerless to resist. It was the very weakness he needed to overcome.

Besides, the Snake Shadow Skull was clearly stronger than the Red Lady.

Only by mastering the ability to confront the Snake Shadow Skull would he have the right to slay Lei Yinyang.

Even if he perished in the trial, it was a price worth paying.

His expression grew grave. He would have to be extremely cautious this time—the Snake Shadow Skull was far stronger than he, and he must make full use of the Tuo Dragon Mountain River Pearl's curse.

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Yun Cui Xian watched as Chu Youcai sank into deep slumber, worry flickering across her face.

She had listened to Chu Youcai recount the events of the previous night; though he spoke lightly, she could sense the terror lurking within his tale. Chu Youcai had barely escaped, relying on his ability to guess the monster's true form—but what about next time?

Even with the power to influence souls, he was still, at heart, a mere mortal.

What could she do to help him?

She felt helpless.

Dusk had fallen when, suddenly, a startled cry from the neighboring room rang out—Ju Xue's voice.

Yun Cui Xian hurried over, only to hear Ju Xue's anxious exclamation: "Her head is burning!"

Hong Yu lay unconscious, her face flushed an alarming red. Yun Cui Xian reached out and was shocked to find her forehead hot as a furnace.

"The illness has invaded her!" Yun Cui Xian realized Hong Yu had spent a sleepless night, chilled by the wind, and had been agitated by news of the Red Lady. Her body harbored only a desperate aura, and now, resting in bed, the cold had fully manifested—far worse than ordinary chills.

Yun Cui Xian's heart ached for this lonely girl. She quickly fetched a cold towel to place on Hong Yu's forehead and sent Ju Xue to summon a physician.

Soon, the doctor arrived, but after taking Hong Yu's pulse, he shook his head and prescribed a few decoctions, muttering, "Difficult—very difficult."

Hearing this, Yun Cui Xian and Ju Xue turned pale with worry, utterly at a loss.

Midnight came; Chu Youcai remained unconscious, while Hong Yu's condition worsened—her whole body trembled, and she muttered deliriously, calling out for the Red Lady again and again.

As Hong Yu's life seemed to hang by a thread, Yun Cui Xian nearly despaired. In that moment, she deeply felt her own weakness—utterly unable to help, forced to leave it to fate.

Suddenly, Ju Xue whispered, "Medicine! There's still medicine!"

Yun Cui Xian quickly asked, "What medicine?"

"When my hand was injured, the young master gave me a bottle to use inside and out—it worked quickly! I remember he prepared two doses. We can try it!"

Joy surged in Yun Cui Xian's heart. She returned to her room and found the bottle by the bedside—Chu Youcai had placed it there before sleeping. She hurried to warm the medicine and fed it to Hong Yu.

Shortly after, Hong Yu's fever began to subside, her complexion stabilized, and at last she slipped into peaceful sleep.

Seeing how effective the medicine was, warmth filled Yun Cui Xian's heart. She returned to her room, gazed at the still-sleeping Chu Youcai, and found him both mysterious and comforting. Without his medicine, who knows what might have happened...

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How many secrets does he truly harbor?

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Meanwhile, Chu Youcai was still immersed in frenzied cultivation within the trial space.

He had arrived at an ancient divine island, nearly thousands of miles wide, bordering the sea.

Awakening abruptly, he saw the gruesome corpses of many youths scattered about.

"Why are there so many bodies here?" Chu Youcai walked forward, and soon came upon a temple whose scale resembled a city god shrine. Inside, incense burned thickly. There was only one youth kneeling on a prayer mat, his face filled with utmost devotion. Even as Chu Youcai's footsteps echoed, the youth did not turn, as if oblivious.

Chu Youcai noticed that the youth's clothing matched those of the dead, stirring his curiosity. Were they companions? Did the kneeling youth know his fellows had met such a fate? The area was desolate; what was this boy praying for?

Chu Youcai sensed a sinister aura in the temple, reminiscent of the Snake Shadow Skull. He grew wary, hiding outside and observing intently.

Night deepened.

As midnight approached, and all remained quiet, Chu Youcai grew weary.

Suddenly, a snake shadow shot forth like lightning from beneath the temple, engulfing the kneeling youth. The boy struggled, but had no strength.

Chu Youcai saw the snake's true form—a python thick as an arm. Without hesitation, he unleashed the Tuo Dragon technique, hurling the Tuo Dragon Mountain River Pearl at the snake.

The python shrieked, releasing the youth as blood poured from its body—clearly wounded. Yet it soon bared its fangs and lunged at Chu Youcai.

Chu Youcai's heart skipped a beat; he realized the curse's power was greatly diminished here—less than half its former strength.

He could not escape—the python had already coiled around him, its grip tightening ever more.