Originally, he wanted Zhao Xing to lie down and never planned to make Zhao Xing exert himself.

He heard Pavilion Master Du Yun once tell Guest Official Director Du Wen: Zhao Xing is my guest, take good care of him.

You Yitian wouldn't be so blind as to make Zhao Xing exert effort.

"I wasn't beaten by other teammates, but was rather hammered by your mirror image. Hahaha, that's really extraordinary." You Yitian laughed heartily.

Zhao Xing couldn't help but smile upon hearing this. If anyone dares to call You Yitian dumb, he'd be the first to disagree.

Since it's already happened, blaming and getting angry are the worst options. It's better to step back, praise oneself a little, and use this to forge closer ties.

You Yitian is truly wise in his apparent foolishness!

"It's good that Mr. You doesn't blame me."

"Why would I?" You Yitian said nonchalantly, then quietly transmitted a message: "Brother Zhao, are you the Demonized Liu Sino? Rest assured, I will impose a confidentiality order, so you needn't worry."

"I..." Zhao Xing opened his mouth but eventually chose not to explain anything, only bowing to express thanks.

He couldn't shake off the label of madness; the impression caused by mutated mushrooms was too intense, yet he wasn't wrong to say so.

"True demonization means the consciousness becomes akin to plant species, reversing the master-servant relationship to serve plant life, that's truly insane," Zhao Xing pondered.

...

After defeating Zhao Xing's mirror image, the path of the third challenge also came to an end.

An ancient academy appeared before everyone's sight.

It was built upon a mountain, surrounded by Si Shui waters, with strange flowers and exotic plants lining the area, and birds and beasts fleetingly visible in the sky and underground.

"Wow~"

When they arrived at a big river, the water arched up, and a Divine Fire Turtle emerged.

It spoke human words: "All of you have passed the test left by the master and can enter the Daoist Academy to seek opportunity."

"Jump onto my back, I will carry you across the Heavy Water River."

The Divine Fire Turtle gazed over the crowd, causing You Yitian's heart to clench.

This was a Divine Fire Great Turtle, whether scholar or mechanical master, completely impassable.

It was absolutely unclear whether it was a book puppet or a living member of the Demon Race.

"Shall we cross?" You Yitian sought the group's opinion.

"The Divine Fire Turtle is a national treasure of Yueluo Ancient Country, a sacred beast, so there should be no more tests here."

"Indeed, out of respect for the national treasure, its image wouldn't be used malignantly."

Du Qing and Peng Yuan provided their opinions.

"Then let's cross."

This Great Turtle, Zhao Xing had seen in his previous life, later tamed by someone, still hosted tourists for visits at the Heavy Water River.

At the moment, his panel came into play, since it was alive, rather than a spell; the panel's detection revealed its information.

[Divine Fire Turtle]

[Life and Death Dao Domain Realm]

[Age: 993 epochs]

[Remaining lifespan: 7 epochs]

...

[Innate Great Divine Power: Thousand Epoch Turtle Essence]

[Innate Great Divine Power: Divine Fire Escape Realm]

....

"It has lived nearly a thousand epochs." Zhao Xing mused, "The Turtle Clan indeed possesses a long lifespan."

The Human Clan's Origin Realm, the lifespan limit of the Third Realm is no more than 3 epochs, with most not living that long.

In the Tao Domain Realm, comprehending the Life and Death Dao, normally they wouldn't live through more than 10 epochs, with limits up to around 20 epochs.

In the Reincarnation Realm, each life has a limit of 100 epochs but can reincarnate, which counts as a form of longevity; however, the process of reincarnation is full of uncertainties, not every attempt succeeds.

Rumor has it that the God Realm is where everlasting life can be achieved.

This Life and Death Realm Divine Fire Turtle, due to its Innate Great Divine Power, can live a thousand epochs, a feat unachievable by the Human Clan.

However, it's nearing the end of its life, with only 7 epochs left.

"Whoosh whoosh whoosh~"

Everyone jumped on one by one; when it was Zhao Xing's turn, the Divine Fire Turtle gave him an extra look.

Mr. Zhao felt a bit guilty.

Nonetheless, he misunderstood, purely because he was now cultivating the Divine Fire Turtle Transformation Technique, in a budding transformation state, causing him to be glanced at.

It believed Mr. Zhao to be a human-turtle hybrid, hence the extra look.

"Splash~~"

Heavy Water was hard to traverse, each drop like a star, but the old turtle swam effortlessly, very fast.

It raised a barrier, encapsulating everyone, protecting them from the Heavy Water River's influence.

Scholar Du Qing attempted to engage: "Great Divine Fire Turtle, do you have any guidance for us?"

Du Qing looked very much like a player looking for a quest, unwilling to miss a single detail.

"No," said the Divine Fire Turtle, "You are all subjects of Yueluo Country, feel free to seek your opportunity."

Thus Du Qing and Peng Yuan had no choice but to give up.

The journey was silent.

Half a day later, they were close to the other bank.

Just as they were about to land, Zhao Xing suddenly had a jolt, as the Divine Fire Turtle transmitted a message to him!

"Are you an Innate Human Body or an Innate Turtle Body?"

Zhao Xing was startled but soon relaxed a bit: "Answering the senior, I am an Innate Turtle Body."

"Turtle Clan transformation into essence is hard; have you cultivated the Sinong Dao, serving as a Minister of Agriculture Official in the Ancient Country?"

"Senior has keen eyes, indeed I am a Minister of Agriculture Official."

"The master left a 'Spirit Realm' in the back mountain, inside there's a royal-level quality [Illusion Tree]. You may go there and see if it recognizes you. Whether you succeed depends on your luck."

"If you succeed, please bring it here to let me see."

Zhao Xing was stunned; he had never heard of this. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"Senior, is the [Illusion Tree] from the same era as you?"

"Yes, it's been my old friend for long. However, I don't know its current state, as I'm trapped here and cannot visit it."

"Thank you, senior, for the information."

Having crossed the river, Zhao Xing jumped onto the shore with the others, saluting the Divine Fire Turtle.

The Divine Fire Turtle nodded silently and then submerged into the river.

After the Divine Fire Turtle sank into the depths, Zhao Xing became excited: "A royal-level quality Illusion Tree! Cultivating the Divine Turtle Transformation actually brings such benefits?!"

"Yet, the Illusion Tree's lifespan isn't necessarily as long as the old turtle's; I wonder how it's faring now."

A royal-level quality plant species can naturally grow to the Life and Death Dao Domain Realm, with some chance to reach the Reincarnation Realm! Emperor-level quality inevitably reaches the Reincarnation Realm!

Zhao Xing had never heard of a royal-level species being here, this was certainly a pleasant surprise!

"The scholar's resources truly are vast, really a delightful surprise."

"To be friends with the old turtle, the Illusion Tree absolutely cannot be in its juvenile or growing phase. If I can take it with me, I don't even need to nurture it myself!"