The Eastern Continent trials concluded with five hundred selected participants across Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, and Nascent Soul stages. Some celebrated. Others despaired. On the competition platform, Lanzhi rolled up a scroll containing all five hundred names and summoned a large vessel. The ship appeared to be crafted from simple pine wood—elegant but unremarkable, like a merchant vessel that might sail any earthly river. Holding her scroll, Lanzhi smiled at the five hundred spirited cultivators behind her. “Please board with me. We depart for the Central Continent and the second round of trials.” Everyone bowed respectfully. “Thank you, Fairy Lanzhi.” Seraphine eyed the drab ship with obvious distaste, yawning as she leaned against Echo’s shoulder. “Once we reach the Central Continent, I can finally stretch properly. All this lounging around has made me stiff.” Palace Lord doesn’t move, so naturally the disciples stay put, but hearing her complaint, the Luanyang Palace participants quietly stepped back, wiping away tears of frustration. Foundation Establishment-stage cultivators were plentiful as grass—they’d fought tooth and nail for ranking points, every match crucial to their final standing. Listening to their Palace Lord’s casual dismissal nearly shattered their dao hearts…… Siyi turned with a smile. As the only Luanyang Palace elder to compete and qualify, she stood behind Seraphine, noting how only Xue Mengtao and Wen Chunsheng looked relatively fresh among the disciples. Mu Rong was draped over Mengtao’s shoulder, lamenting the trials’ difficulty and wondering why humans couldn’t just sprout wings and soar to victory. “The Central Continent is vast,” Siyi explained gently. “We’re bound for Cloud Beam Province in the western region—quite distant from Luanyang Palace in the east. Even traveling day and night at top speed will take half a month. Rest well aboard ship and avoid trouble. Conserve your energy for the second round.” The disciples straightened, acknowledging her orders seriously. Siyi’s smiling gaze discreetly settled on Wen Chunsheng. Noting his respectful bearing and formal disciple attire, she caught his eye when he raised his head. Surprised, he bowed again. “You only lost two matches in the trials?” she praised. “Your master mentioned your exceptional dedication to cultivation—truly exemplary among our disciples.” Wen Chunsheng bowed deeper. “I am slow-witted with mediocre talent. I can only work harder to barely keep pace with others.” Siyi nodded approvingly before turning away. Nearby, Xue Mengtao lowered her eyes, glancing briefly at Wen Chunsheng before engaging Mu Rong in conversation. On the ship, Lanzhi was checking her roster when she noticed the Luanyang Palace group hadn’t boarded yet. She walked over curiously. “Senior Sister, just a moment.” Seraphine said lazily. As her words ended, a massive shadow fell across the crowd. A magnificent phoenix-shaped vessel descended slowly from Luanyang Palace, hovering overhead. The phoenix ship was twice the size of Lanzhi’s modest craft, gleaming with jewels and gold that literally blocked out the sun. Palace servants in elaborate costumes stood at attention on the deck, waiting silently for their Palace Lord to board. A girl in red robes leaned over the railing, peering down with bright green eyes, waving cheerfully at everyone below. I waved back along with the other disciples. “Senior Sister, I’ll take my own ship—is that acceptable?” Seraphine’s tone was questioning, but her expression clearly said she was boarding her phoenix vessel regardless. Lanzhi replied warmly, “The shared transport is for convenience, but if Junior Sister finds this more suitable, by all means. However, the journey is long and potentially dangerous. Please don’t stray too far from our group so I can assist if we encounter trouble.” Seraphine cupped her hands respectfully. “Thank you, Senior Sister.” Before she could lower them, a clear, gentle voice beside her added, “I’ll protect her.” Seraphine’s eyes curved with pleasure—she’d never tire of hearing those words. Lanzhi blinked in surprise, then smiled at Echo. “Very well. Then I’ll protect you.” Seraphine’s smile faded slightly, one eyebrow rising as her red lips parted. But I spoke first. “Thank you for your concern, but according to my upgrade schedule, in another mmph—” A hand covered my mouth, cutting off my words. I blinked up at Seraphine, our gazes locking. She raised an eyebrow meaningfully. I nodded obediently. One year, I thought, and I’ll have the ability to eliminate you. Though considering Lanzhi’s talent level, if Seraphine was willing to lend me the Brahma Bell and Maple Leaf, plus about a hundred similar protective treasures, I could probably manage it now. This update is available on ⓝovelFire.net Those who can kill now, can’t protect her. Besides artifacts, I also need spiritual energy restoration pills, healing medicines…… I mentally drafted a list titled: “Complete Resource Requirements for Eliminating Early Soul Transformation Cultivators.” Lanzhi looked puzzled by their exchange but smiled pleasantly. Seraphine curled the corners of her mouth and said,“Senior Sister, please proceed.” Lanzhi nodded and smiled, saying,“Thank you.” After Lanzhi departed, Seraphine released Echo’s mouth and gestured to her followers. “Board!” I followed Seraphine up to the phoenix ship, hands clasped behind my back. She claimed the top deck exclusively while I accompanied her to her quarters. Looking back with a soft snort, she pushed open the cultivation chamber door. Multiple barrier arrays surrounded the room, with Spirit-Gathering Arrays centered on a round orb diligently cultivating. Spiritual energy swirled mistily while liquid supplements hung along the walls. The cultivation chamber on the ship was much narrower than those on Phoenix Roost Peak. When Echo stepped inside, the faint chill of snow and ice spread through the confined space, mingling with the ambient spiritual energy. Seraphine shifted uneasily, taking a step forward to put a little more distance between them. “Where did it run off to now?” She frowned, scanning for the Spirit Heart. I smiled, kneeling to lift the meditation cushion. Underneath lay the diamond-shaped stone, a drop of spiritual liquid trembling on its tip. Seraphine looked down—but her gaze landed on Echo instead. At this distance and angle, she could easily stroke Echo’s head, which she proceeded to do. Echo looked up questioningly but smiled anyway. When in doubt, smile. “Your forehead mark faded,” Seraphine observed. “I’ll redraw it later. What pattern would you like?” I considered this seriously as interface panels materialized around us. Sunset over rivers, ancient roads through yellow sand, towering mountains, magnificent evening clouds…… Seraphine inhaled sharply, tapping Echo’s head with one finger—then immediately rubbing the spot gently. “How big do you think your forehead is? Why not just strip naked so I can paint your entire body!” “Hmm?” I tilted my head curiously. “Would you like that?” If Seraphine wanted it, of course it would be fine. Seraphine fell silent. The implications of her words hit belatedly. Her heart hammered as she unconsciously touched her lips, face burning like the floating sunset scenes, painted red with embarrassment. “Be proper!” she snapped, her voice slightly hoarse. I nodded sagely. “Body painting isn’t proper.” Seraphine pressed down on Echo’s head emphatically. I found myself bowing to the air, then looked up at the Spirit Heart—who had burrowed halfway under its cushion—with a gentle smile. Seraphine didn’t see that expression, too busy hiding her flushed face while watching Echo’s elegant fingers carefully extract the trembling stone. “Seraphine, this Spirit Heart has social anxiety.” I explained, holding up the Spirit Heart. “Social anxiety means fear of human interaction. Though it’s not a clinical diagnosis—just a description.” Still red-faced and gorgeous as silk, Seraphine snorted coldly. “Maybe it’s not socially anxious at all. Maybe it’s just fallen in love with that cushion—longing to twine with it, life and death together!” I looked surprised, glancing at her thoughtfully. “Seraphine, I’ve been reading you many romance novels lately. I suppose it makes sense you’d start having thoughts .” But as a thorough system, I can’t ignore any possibility. I addressed the Spirit Heart seriously: “If that’s the case, I support you.” The Spirit Heart leaked a drop of liquid. I chuckled softly. “Do you prefer this ship’s cushion or the one at Phoenix Roost Peak? Are you planning a harem?” Two drops of liquid fell this time. “I question your aesthetic choices,” I continued in my clear voice. “Cushions exist to be sat on. They’ll likely never develop consciousness. You’re a beautiful little Spirit Heart—do you really want to love something like that?” The Spirit Heart released a palmful of liquid before shooting up to smack against the wall, then huddling motionless in the corner in complete dejection. Seraphine bit her lip and tilted her head, letting out a soft, teasing laugh. The more she thought about it, the funnier it became. She whispered, “Idiot,” under her breath. She cast Echo a half-irritated glance, but her gaze—liquid and glimmering—collided with the Echo’s clear, gentle eyes. At some point, Echo had settled herself on the floor, chin propped in both hands as she watched her. Her face, when unsmiling, was cold and untouchable, like something carved from ice—too sacred to profane. But when she smiled, it was as though a glacier melted into spring water, a rainbow shimmering on its surface. I tilted my head slightly, lips curving as I said softly, “Seraphine, you look so pretty when you smile.”