Chapter 431 174: Meeting Qing Lian Again

This time, Xu Lei's attacks were more steady and assured. Each strike whistled through the air, and the phantoms of his Magical Power staff thundered without end.

The Lotus Drill whistled, more agile and sharp than ever!

Though the Copper Puppet was powerful, it finally revealed an opening under Xu Lei's relentless assault.

Xu Lei seized the opportunity, landing a decisive blow to defeat the Copper Puppet and pass the assessment.

When Xu Lei walked out of the assessment chamber, Zhao Xin and Wu Sheng were both waiting outside.

Zhao Xin pretended to ignore him, but she quietly sent a voice transmission to congratulate him. "Uncle Hui Chi, congratulations! You passed the assessment, too!"

Xu Lei smiled, accepting Zhao Xin's congratulations.

Wu Sheng also stepped forward to congratulate Xu Lei, but his tone held a hint of self-deprecation. "Junior Brother Liao Chen, you truly surprise me. You've only been in the Celestial Palace for ten years and have already passed the assessment, while I…"

He shook his head, as if lamenting the unfairness of fate.

Xu Lei patted Wu Sheng's shoulder encouragingly. "Wu Sheng, everyone's path is different. We all see your hard work and persistence. I believe that as long as you don't give up, you'll pass the assessment one day, too."

Wu Sheng managed a smile, cupped his hands, and departed.

After Wu Sheng left, Xu Lei and Zhao Xin found a quiet corner to talk in private.

Their eyes sparkled with excitement and joy.

"Xin'er, we can finally go to the Second Heaven together." Xu Lei's voice held a trace of uncontainable excitement.

Zhao Xin nodded, a blissful smile on her face. "Yes, Uncle Hui Chi. We've worked hard together for so many years, and it's finally paid off."

Xu Lei took Zhao Xin's hand, his gaze firm. "This is only the beginning. Things will only get better for us. We'll explore the deeper mysteries of the Celestial Palace together."

Zhao Xin squeezed his hand in return, a determined light shining in her eyes. "No matter what lies ahead, I'll be right by your side."

Just as the two were basking in the joy of passing the assessment, Jue Gen unexpectedly walked over.

"Senior Sister Jin Xin, congratulations on passing the assessment," Jue Gen said.

"Jue Gen?" Xu Lei asked.

Jue Gen made a startling announcement. "I'm planning to take the assessment, too. I'll be going to the Second Heaven with you."

Zhao Xin froze.

Xu Lei's brow furrowed slightly.

Sure enough, Jue Gen really did go take the assessment—and he passed!

He strutted out of the assessment chamber triumphantly, announcing that he would be going to the Second Heaven with Zhao Xin.

Zhao Xin was speechless. 'And here I thought going to the Second Heaven would be enough to get rid of this guy.'

A thought struck Xu Lei, and he frowned. 'It seems Jue Gen really did stay on the First Heaven all this time for Xin'er,' he thought. 'He's annoyingly persistent.'

Then, the artificial, mechanical voice of the Ninefold Celestial Treasure Tower rang out again, announcing that Liao Chen, Jin Xin, and Jue Gen had passed the assessment.

All the Cultivators on the First Heaven looked on with envy.

Wu Sheng and the three old men who were playing Pai Gow were all incredibly envious.

Three small boxes descended from the sky, landing in the hands of Xu Lei, Zhao Xin, and Jue Gen, respectively.

Xu Lei opened his box and found a small vial of Spiritual Liquid inside.

He smiled faintly, unsurprised by this reward.

He looked over at Zhao Xin and Jue Gen. They had also opened their boxes, and each contained a small vial of Spiritual Liquid as well.

"Looks like this is the only reward for advancing."

"Well," Xu Lei said, "at least it's somewhat useful for our Cultivation!"

As the three of them were talking, a spiral staircase descended from the sky, slowly coming to rest before them.

The staircase emanated a faint glow; it was clearly the passage to the Second Heaven.

"Let's go," Xu Lei said, taking the first step onto the staircase. Zhao Xin and Jue Gen followed close behind.

As the spiral staircase slowly ascended, everything on the First Heaven grew blurry before finally disappearing from sight.

The three arrived on the Second Heaven. Here, the Spiritual Qi, which took the form of a white mist, was much denser than on the First Heaven, creating a refreshing and invigorating atmosphere.

"So this is the Second Heaven? The Spiritual Qi feels so much denser than down below," Zhao Xin remarked.

"Indeed. The Cultivation environment here is better than on the First Heaven," Xu Lei agreed.

Jue Gen smiled faintly, unsurprised. "That's because the Treasure Tower is designed to nurture talent. The more outstanding you are, the more resources you naturally receive."

Xu Lei, however, was already thinking ahead. 'Although the Spiritual Qi on the Second Heaven is denser,' he mused, 'the corresponding assessment will surely be much more difficult.'

"Let's find a place to stay first, then we can explore the Second Heaven at our own pace," Xu Lei proposed.

Zhao Xin and Jue Gen both agreed, so the trio began searching the Second Heaven for a suitable place to live.

They discovered that the architecture on the Second Heaven was grander than on the First Heaven, and every courtyard was equipped with more advanced Cultivation facilities.

After a bit of searching, the three found a courtyard to their liking.

Xu Lei and Zhao Xin chose adjoining rooms, while Jue Gen picked a room on the opposite side of the courtyard.

"The Cultivation environment here is amazing! I feel like my Cultivation has already improved," Zhao Xin said excitedly after settling in.

She also set up a few simple Defensive Arrays in her room to ensure her safety while she cultivated.

Xu Lei, meanwhile, was contemplating his future Cultivation plans.

'The assessment for the Second Heaven is bound to be more difficult,' he knew. 'I need to be fully prepared.'

'But I have no way to get information right now.'

'Ask Jue Gen? Not a chance.'

Xu Lei never expected that, just as he was worrying about how to learn about the situation on the Third Heaven…

…he would see a familiar face in the opposite courtyard: a beautiful young nun, stretching lazily. It was Qing Lian, his other Dao Companion from the Mortal World.

Qing Lian was still dressed in monastic robes. Her head was shaved, and she looked slender, with the delicate appearance of a young maiden.