"Bi Bidong, a defiled woman like you—which other god would bestow a God Trial upon you besides me?"
"Don't flatter yourself. Everything you possess can only exist by clinging to me!"
Purple light twisted violently within the mirror, its sinister aura nearly materializing as it relentlessly oppressed Bi Bidong's mind.
Her entire body trembled slightly—not from fear, but from extreme fury and humiliation.
"Complete my God Trial, and I shall grant you my Godhood. Remember, this is my grace to you!"
The purple glow in the mirror receded like a tide, leaving only its final icy echo reverberating through the air.
Bi Bidong stood rooted in place, her fingertips pale from clenching, chest heaving violently.
Grace?
She sneered inwardly, complex emotions churning in her eyes.
Since entering Spirit Hall, her life seemed to have been swept along by various "acts of grace."
Yet those so-called blessings ultimately brought only deeper shackles.
Slowly, she raised a hand to touch her cheek. The skin beneath her fingertips remained smooth, yet she could almost feel the scars etched deep into her soul.
Meanwhile, after leaving the inner hall, Su Yu walked with light steps directly toward Hu Liena's room.
"Nana! I'm back!"
He called out cheerfully from outside her door.
Immediately, rustling sounds came from within, followed by the door creaking open.
Hu Liena excitedly rushed out, her red skirt fluttering with her movements, face brimming with joy.
"Brother Su Yu!"
"Hey! Nana!"
Seeing her run toward him, Su Yu smiled and spread his arms wide.
Hu Liena threw herself into his embrace, carrying the unique fragrance of a young maiden.
Su Yu caught her steadily, arms tightening slightly to hold her fully.
The girl's figure was light, carrying a childlike exuberance as she nuzzled against his chest, her voice soft and sweet.
"Brother Su Yu, you're finally back. I've been waiting for you so long."
Su Yu looked down at the fluffy crown of her head, ruffling her hair as he chuckled.
"Didn't I return? I brought you something good."
"What is it?"
Hu Liena immediately lifted her head, sparkling eyes filled with curiosity, like a little fox awaiting a treat.
Su Yu swiped a hand over the Soul Guidance Device at his waist, retrieving a lustrous white jade box. He gently offered it to Hu Liena, a hint of laughter in his eyes.
"Open it and see."
"Okay!"
Hu Liena took the jade box with both hands, her fingertips brushing against the cool jade surface as anticipation stirred within.
Carefully, she lifted the lid. A gentle white light emanated from within, brightening her eyes—
Inside lay a pure white orchid, its petals layered like carved suet jade.
The petal edges shimmered with faint silver radiance, while the center held a touch of deep purple—elegant and untainted by worldly dust.
Even resting silently, it seemed to release a subtle, refreshing fragrance that cleared the mind upon inhalation.
"Such a beautiful flower..."
Hu Liena couldn't help but whisper in admiration, her fingertips hovering above the petals, not daring to touch lest she disturb this pristine beauty.
She looked up at Su Yu, her eyes filled with surprise. "Brother Su Yu, what is this...?"
"This is the Eight-Petaled Fairy Orchid!"
Su Yu explained with a smile, "It's the most gentle and mellow Immortal Herb."
Pointing at the elegant orchid in the jade box, he continued:
"This Immortal Herb is relatively easy to absorb, unlike some others that are too aggressive and harmful to the body."
"But it takes a long time to fully absorb its medicinal effects."
"Its main function is to consolidate your foundation and nourish your vitality. It can gradually remove the accumulated impurities in your Soul Power, making your foundation more solid. And what's more!"
Su Yu changed his tone, a smile in his eyes, "It can also compensate for the slow cultivation speed of Soul Masters!"
"After taking it, the effects can last until you cultivate to the level of a Soul Saint at seventy!"
Hu Liena's eyes widened as she listened, her fingers tightening slightly around the jade box, her face overflowing with delight.
She looked down at the Eight-Petaled Fairy Orchid, its pure white petals emitting a soft glow within the jade box.
Hu Liena tightened her grip on the jade box, and when she raised her head, her eyes sparkled as if filled with starlight:
"Is this really for me?"
"Of course, I prepared it especially for you."
Su Yu nodded with a smile, feeling lighthearted himself seeing her excitement:
"The method to absorb this Immortal Herb is very simple. Just chew and swallow it directly. I'll stand guard here for you, don't worry."
"Mm!"
Hu Liena nodded vigorously, pulling Su Yu's hand as she walked into the room and sat down by the bed.
She carefully took the Eight-Petaled Fairy Orchid out of the jade box. The pure white petals felt cool and smooth against her fingertips.
She chewed the Immortal Herb into small pieces and swallowed it. Instead of the expected bitterness, it had a refreshing sweetness that slid down her throat into her stomach.
Almost the moment the herb entered her throat, a gentle yet enduring warm current spread from her dantian, quickly enveloping Hu Liena's entire body.
She let out a comfortable sigh, closed her eyes, and felt the warm current nourishing her meridians like a fine rain.
Soon after, a faint white mist slowly emerged from her skin, like a thin veil, swirling gently around her body.
Within the mist, faint traces of gray-black impurities could be seen being expelled, slowly dissipating into the air as the mist flowed.
Hu Liena's brows gradually relaxed, and her originally somewhat childish face took on a serene glow under the white mist.
Behind her, the phantom of her Bewitching Fox Soul appeared, its fluffy tail swaying gently as if also enjoying the nourishment of the Immortal Herb.
Su Yu sat cross-legged nearby, vigilantly watching their surroundings. His gaze occasionally fell on Hu Liena, and seeing her breathing steady, he felt reassured.
The room was quiet, with only the faint sound of the flowing white mist and the steady breathing of the two intertwining.
An hour passed quietly. The white mist surrounding Hu Liena gradually faded, finally turning into a wisp of smoke that dissipated into the air.
She slowly opened her eyes, a clear light flashing within them. Feeling the surging Soul Power inside her body, an uncontrollable joy instantly spread across her face.
"Brother Su Yu!"
She stood up abruptly, her voice brimming with excitement. "I... I've broken through!"
She could clearly feel that her Soul Power, which had originally stagnated at the twenty-first rank, had now surged to the twenty-eighth rank—a full leap of seven levels!
The medicinal potency still flowed slowly through her meridians, nourishing every inch of her muscles and bones. Her entire body brimmed with inexhaustible strength.
Hu Liena instinctively channeled her Soul Power, and the Bewitching Fox Soul materialized behind her.
Its pink fur gleamed with a soft radiance, and its fluffy tail swayed gently, appearing far more agile and lively than before.