Facing an unfamiliar place, Ling Xiao fell into a daze.
He remembered killing the Ancient Ship King, wiping out all the Black Spirits, and then helping Dai Yuling remove the soul-binding effect of the secret scroll.
Before he could react, a white light enveloped him, and then he appeared here.
He initially thought he had been eliminated, but clearly, this was not outside the Moonlight Pagoda; it was an entirely new place.
At the same time, a cold voice echoed in his ears.
“Remaining number: one!”
Senior Sister Yuling was eliminated after all.
Ling Xiao shook his head, no longer dwelling on these matters, and began focusing on the pristine white palace, as it was the only distinctive feature in the barren starry sky.
Suddenly, a voice rang in his mind, urging him to approach.
Ling Xiao hesitated for a moment before walking forward.
Having come this far, what was there to fear?
He had overcome the toughest challenges; at worst, he would just be eliminated.
The palace was beautiful.
The furnishings inside were even more so.
Within the lofty hall stood an elegant woman and a snow-white rabbit.
The woman, barefoot and reclining on the floor, was feeding the rabbit. Seeing Ling Xiao enter, she smiled and waved at him, saying, “Come over, no need to be afraid!”
“May I ask who you are, Senior?”
Though Ling Xiao sensed no malice from the woman, he remained cautious.
“Moonlight Celestial Maiden, well, that’s what others call me. Of course, I have my own name, Chang Ge.”
Thump!
Ling Xiao’s heart skipped a beat.
He hadn’t expected to have the privilege of meeting the founder of the Moonlight Sect, feeling a mix of excitement, thrill, and a hint of fear.
“Greetings, Grandmaster!”
Ling Xiao bowed respectfully.
“That sounds awful. Just call me Celestial Maiden, like everyone else,” Chang Ge said, waving her hand.
“Celestial Maiden, were you the one who summoned me here? What is this place?” Ling Xiao asked.
“It wasn’t me who summoned you. You’re here because you met four conditions:
First: You inherited the dragon soul of the Primordial Hell Dragon.
Second: You killed the Ancient Ship King and the Black Spirits of the Black Spirit Organization.
Third: You were the last one standing.
Fourth: You resolved the incident in the Dragon Land.
It’s been nearly 100,000 years, and you’re the only one to achieve all four, earning you the right to enter the hidden trial ground, also known as the fifth stage.”
Chang Ge answered with a smile.
“You’re not the real Celestial Maiden, are you?” Ling Xiao asked.
“Heh, your perception is sharp. Indeed, what remains in the Moonlight Pagoda is merely a clone of mine. My true self went to battle with the Human King. Even I, this clone, don’t know where she is.”
Chang Ge sighed, “Alas, it’s been too long since anyone came to keep me company.”
At this, Ling Xiao shivered.
Dear sister, you’re indeed beautiful, but I have many things to do. I can’t stay here forever to keep you company.
As if reading his thoughts, Chang Ge smiled and said, “Don’t worry. Opening the fifth stage means my clone’s task is complete. It’s time for me to seek my true self. But before that, let’s get you your rewards.”
“Rewards!”
Ling Xiao loved hearing that word.
“You’ve earned over 10,000 Moonlight Points, a number higher than any disciple before you.”
Chang Ge smiled and continued, “Additionally, reaching the fifth stage sets a new record, so you’ll receive five rewards. Listen carefully!”
“Yes!”
Five rewards!
Ling Xiao was secretly delighted but maintained a respectful expression, listening attentively to Chang Ge.
“First, you can use Moonlight Points to exchange for martial arts below top-tier Jade grade and treasures below divine-grade artifacts, with no limit until your points are exhausted. For reference, others can only exchange points for top-tier Gold-grade martial arts and immortal-grade artifacts.
Second, you can choose one martial art to evolve. I can provide the evolution method, and the required materials can be purchased with Moonlight Points or found on your own.
Third, you’ll receive a ‘Moonlight Token.’ With this token, it’s as if I, the Moonlight Celestial Maiden, am present. Even the Moonlight Sect’s leader must obey your commands.
Fourth, you can make three wishes to me, as long as they’re within my power. The first wish is free; the next two will cost Moonlight Points.
Fifth, you can ask me three questions for free. Don’t worry.”
This is incredible!
Ling Xiao was inwardly astonished.
Normally, disciples participating in the Pagoda Ceremony, regardless of their performance, could only receive the first type of reward, exchanging for Gold-grade martial arts and treasures below immortal-grade artifacts.
But Ling Xiao was different. He received five rewards, including the ability to exchange for Jade-grade martial arts and divine-grade artifacts.
The other four rewards were equally jaw-dropping.
Especially the third reward, the “Moonlight Token.”
Didn’t that mean he, who entered the fifth stage, was deemed the most suitable to inherit the Moonlight Sect by the Celestial Maiden?
No point overthinking. With such a great opportunity, he’d first secure all five rewards.
For the first reward, he needed to clarify the relationship between Moonlight Points and the rewards.
“Top-tier Gold-grade martial arts cost 400 Moonlight Points per set, and immortal-grade artifacts cost 500 points each. You can choose freely!”
“Entry-level Jade-grade martial arts cost 2,000 Moonlight Points per set, and divine-grade artifacts cost 2,500 points each.”
Ling Xiao had no interest in martial arts below top-tier Gold-grade, so he focused on higher tiers within his exchange capacity.
Rare Jade-grade martial arts required 10,000 Moonlight Points.
That meant exchanging for this level would leave him with nothing else.
So, he wouldn’t choose that.
Besides, for him now, rare Jade-grade martial arts were unnecessary. Even if he obtained them, he likely couldn’t cultivate them.
Exchanging for them would be like a moon in the mirror, visible but untouchable, meaningless.
His target was entry-level Jade-grade martial arts.
He’d set this exchange aside for now.
He’d carefully select later and turned to Chang Ge, saying, “If I want to evolve a martial art, how many Moonlight Points would it cost?”
His current issue was that his Hellfire True Essence was incompatible with his body, preventing cultivation. This was a major problem that needed immediate resolution.
“Hmm, let me see.”
Chang Ge closed her eyes, and a beam of light shot from her forehead into Ling Xiao’s body.
A true powerhouse, her mere True Essence could condense into actual moonlight, which seemed capable of probing Ling Xiao’s condition.
The secrets of his Mountain River Martial Soul were likely impossible to hide from this woman.
But perhaps there was no need to hide.
As a warrior from 100,000 years ago, the Moonlight Celestial Maiden likely held only reverence for the Mountain River Martial Soul, not greed.
