While everyone was exhausted, Chu Feng leaned against the edge of the pool.
At the same time, Xiao Wu swam out as if she could read his mind; her body was scalding—she had cultivated to the limit.
Resting her hands on the smooth rock at the pool's edge, she tilted her head toward Chu Feng. "Phew, it's so hot. Next time, could you not use so much force?"
"The Immortal Pool is just that potent; there's nothing I can do."
Chu Feng shrugged helplessly, then stretched and climbed ashore—only to realize he wasn't wearing a stitch, and everything was suddenly on full display.
Xiao Wu couldn't avert her eyes in time; even though she'd seen it coming, this was far more thrilling than under the water.
"Y-you cover up, I-I'm still here!"
She stammered again, squeezing her eyes shut, yet a sliver remained open; she was mortified.
Ignoring her, Chu Feng simply slapped away the excess immortal water and strode straight toward her.
"What are you doing?!"
Xiao Wu yelped, ready to bolt back into the water like a startled rabbit.
But a blinding golden light suddenly unfurled, snatching her gaze back.
Instantly she forgot Chu Feng's antics; her whole attention was on what lay before her.
It was a scroll thin as a cicada's wing yet blazing with heavy gold, slowly unrolling and rising into the air.
Xiao Wu gasped. "What is this?"
"The investiture of the gods list. The time is ripe; let's get your name on it."
As he spoke, Chu Feng donned a celestial robe woven from ambient spirit energy and stepped lightly into the sky.
His immortal bearing stirred the nearby sacred peaks into phoenix-like cries, and vast purple qi rolled in from the east.
Xiao Wu stared wide-eyed at the wondrous scene, a boundless yearning welling up inside her.
Truth be told, neither her hundred-thousand-year cultivation nor her days in Shrek had ever given her the warmth and security she felt at this moment.
Had anyone else offered such power she might have doubted, but everything Chu Feng had shown her lately felt trustworthy.
Besides, she had bathed in the Immortal Pool and already surrendered heart and body to him—what reason could she have to refuse?
High above, Chu Feng extended his hand. "Come, take my hand."
Resolute, Xiao Wu slowly reached out, her body drifting upward from the pool.
A celestial robe draped itself over her, and she wrapped her arms tightly around Chu Feng.
Together they gazed at the investiture scroll; beside Qian Renxue and Bibi Dong's names, Xiao Wu's appeared in elegant golden script.
"I—I'm becoming a god?" she asked, trembling with excitement.
"Not yet. Next you must complete the God Conferment Trial."
The moment he finished, the system in his mind chimed in.
[Congratulations, Host, for preparing to deify the third god.]
[God Conferment Illusion has been opened for the Host.]
[When truth seems false, false may be true.]
[Clear the illusion and ascend to godhood instantly.]
[Though treacherous, the illusion holds great opportunities.]
[Host, please decide: activate now?]
Of course now—there was no better time to waste.
A shimmering vortex opened beside the scroll and sucked Chu Feng and Xiao Wu inside.
Bang~
"Ouch, that hurts!"
Xiao Wu tumbled to the ground, Chu Feng landing right on top—she couldn't bear his weight.
Chu Feng quickly stood, looked around, and pulled her up.
"We're back in the Star Dou Great Forest?"
He knew illusions well; he'd been through them countless times.
Before Xiao Wu could react or ask questions, a streak of flame whistled past her side.
"Don't let them escape!"
It was Spirit Hall's Yan, apparently hunting someone.
A hundred meters away Tang San's figure suddenly appeared.
"Third Brother?"
Xiao Wu was bewildered; she hadn't figured anything out yet.
Then another Xiao Wu showed up, nervously moving to Tang San's side.
Behind them stood nine dark figures—and Yan.
Chu Feng understood at once: this was the famous scene of Spirit Hall chasing Tang San and Xiao Wu, ending in Xiao Wu's sacrifice.
Objectively, Tang San wasn't in fatal danger yet, but judging his character, there was nothing touching here.
Looking at the bigger picture, from this sacrifice onward Xiao Wu was fated to become Tang San's tool; later she did exactly that—a mere vase, resurrected only to be forced into the role of Asura Sword sheath—utterly revolting.
Therefore, Chu Feng believed: sacrificing yourself to save Tang San? Not even a dog would do it.
"Is this real or fake? Can they see me?" Xiao Wu asked, lost.
"They can't, but we seem able to interfere—though we'd better watch first."
Chu Feng was curious; this trial felt different from the last.
"Watch? Is that me over there?"
Looking at herself felt like a mirror, yet these were events she'd never lived; she was full of doubts.
Besides, the current Douluo World had its timeline altered by the spirit energy's descent; she might never experience this.
So this viewing was to see through Tang San—and through another version of herself.
"Your struggle is futile," Yan declared solemnly; the nine Spirit Saints beside him appeared and ringed Tang San and Xiao Wu.
Blood ran down Tang San's arm; Xiao Wu tried to calm him.
Everyone summoned their Spirit Avatar, gathering massive spirit power to crush Tang San once and for all.
Sensing the danger, Tang San first formed a Blue Silver Grass shield—shattered instantly—forcing him and Xiao Wu apart.
He then grew the external Spirit Bone Eight Spider Lances, using the mighty rear spears to boost himself and resist.
But he was long out of strength; assailed from every side, the beating was brutal.
So far so normal; next he would risk all, Xiao Wu would be moved, and the sacrifice would trigger.
The Xiao Wu beside Chu Feng felt the emotional tug and pondered.
At that moment the illusion projected a multiple-choice question before them.
[Option 1: Leave Tang San isolated and let him die miserably.]
[Option 2: Have Xiao Wu slip away and let Tang San die miserably.]
[Option 3: Witness Tang San's true character; Tang San survives.]
"What kind of choices are these? Is Third Brother really that bad?" Xiao Wu asked, utterly confused.
Until she saw Tang San's true colors she couldn't break the chains of her original heart—that was the greatest harm the canon had done her.
"Which do you pick?" Chu Feng said. "I remind you: whether he and you share bonds doesn't matter; what matters is what he's actually done."
"What he's done?"
As she pondered she tapped Option 3—the system's intended correct answer, though she didn't know it; she only wanted to see what would happen next.
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