Chapter 81: The Devil's Game

  Sanbao lifted her gaze, taking in the sight of Tang Mingli, Wang Suifeng, and Gu Xiaotu, all bound and unconscious by vines, and her mind raced with thoughts.

  After a moment of contemption, she made her decision.

  "Fine," Sanbao said, her voice calm and decisive. "But..."

  "Don’t worry!" "Wang Yuanying" interrupted with a light ugh.

  "Our conversation just now, they didn’t hear a word of it."

  She spoke softly, "Once I take your blood, they will wake up. And I’ll leave this body, leaving this illusion behind. Your trial will end here."

  She paused, her smile widening slightly as she added, "But remember, in the next trial, be careful. The demon that arranged this trial... it has a formidable background."

  Sanbao’s heart skipped a beat, her eyes fixed on her.

  "Wang Yuanying" continued slowly, "The one who arranged this trial isn’t a demon. It’s a demon lord, a member of the demon race, and his power rivals mine."

  Her eyes narrowed, and a mocking smile tugged at her lips, "But this fellow is so obsessed with pying games with mortals that he hasn’t focused on cultivating for hundreds of years."

  "The demon race? A demon lord?" Sanbao’s heart trembled, and her breath hitched.

  "Yes."

  "Wang Yuanying" smiled and nodded as though casually discussing a trivial matter.

  "If he had focused on cultivation, he would have long ascended from this world, moving on to the higher pnes of the demon world. But he lingers in the mortal realm, indulging in it."

  The terms "demon race," "demon lord," "ascension," "demon world," and "higher pnes" bombarded Sanbao’s mind, filling her with excitement and confusion.

  As if sensing her turmoil, "Wang Yuanying" spoke again, her voice soft but calm.

  "Don’t be too shocked. When you reach a certain level of cultivation, you must leave this world and ascend to higher pnes."

  Hearing these words, Sanbao couldn’t help but recall the high-dimensional being that had given her the *Divine Illumination Sutra* in the crystal cave. She almost blurted out a question about which was higher— the higher pnes or high dimensions— but she suppressed the urge and didn’t speak.

  "We are divine beings, naturally there are demons and immortals," "Wang Yuanying" continued, her tone like that of telling an ancient myth.

  "And...," she intentionally elongated the word, "for this game, the demon lord made a deal with your man, that Tang fellow, and specifically brought you into this trial, one that wasn’t meant for you."

  Sanbao’s heart jolted.

  "Specifically brought me in?" she whispered.

  "Yes."

  "Wang Yuanying" smiled lightly, as though watching a small beast caught in a game.

  "Originally, you had nothing to do with all of this. But because of someone’s selfishness, you were dragged into this game."

  Sanbao clenched her fists tightly.

  "This world is far more vast and grand than you imagine. Those great beings who are focused on their cultivation in deep mountains and forests may not have noticed you yet. But someday, they will."

  "Wang Yuanying" stared at Sanbao, her gaze sharp.

  "If one day, they discover the secret of your blood, if they realize that your blood can help them break through their cultivation barriers and reach higher levels..."

  She paused, a meaningful smile pying on her lips.

  Sanbao felt a chill run down her spine.

  She couldn’t imagine what would happen if the secret of her pure-blooded divine heritage were exposed.

  "So remember," "Wang Yuanying" said, her voice suddenly turning serious. "The power in your blood is enough to drive the entire world mad. You must keep this secret and never let anyone find out!"

  Sanbao nodded silently, making a quiet vow to herself: No matter what, she must keep this secret.

  "Alright, enough talking," "Wang Yuanying" said as she casually held up a few small vials of blood. "Once I have your blood, I’ll retreat and focus on cultivation. Perhaps we will never meet again. This is our first and st meeting. Work hard on your cultivation. I’ll be waiting for you to ascend to the Immortal Realm."

  Her smile widened, the hint of mischief still lingering.

  "With your talent, as long as you work hard, ascending to the Immortal Realm is only a matter of time. When that happens, who knows, maybe you can pick a few men you like as partners for your ascension, ha-ha."

  Sanbao couldn’t help but gnce at the unconscious Tang Mingli and Wang Suifeng, a wave of conflicting emotions stirring in her heart.

  "In the next trial, be bold," "Wang Yuanying" finally added, her tone light.

  "You know now that the demon lord controlling these trials won’t let you die. So, go ahead and take on the challenges. Soon, you’ll pass all his trials, and your strength will rise to the next level."

  With that, she took the vials of blood Sanbao had handed her and snapped her fingers.

  A dazzling light ring appeared behind her, like a portal to an unknown world.

  "Wang Yuanying" walked into it without looking back, her figure slowly fading within the light.

  As she left, the light ring contracted and disappeared into nothingness.

  At the same time, the surrounding scenery began to shift rapidly. Sanbao and the others found themselves back in the dipidated cssroom of the Royal Academy.

  Tang Mingli and Wang Suifeng slowly woke up, finding themselves lying in a dusty, broken-down cssroom. The remnants of tables and chairs y scattered about.

  Sanbao sat quietly beside them, her arms around her knees, staring out of the window, lost in thought.