As the rich healing power flowed into her, Ye Chuxue felt her injuries mending at a startling rate—more than twice as fast as before.

A surge of joy filled her, and she immediately said to Jiao Jiao, "Jiao Jiao, can you speed up my healing? I can’t lose to him!"

Perhaps sensing Jiao Jiao’s reluctance, she quickly added a promise, "Don’t worry, once I’m out of here, I can give you lots of Elixir Pills. I’ll make sure you’re well compensated!"

Hearing this, Jiao Jiao smiled. "Chuxue, you don’t have to promise me anything. I want to help you! You said it yourself, we’re good friends."

With that, it increased the rate of transfer, and even more healing power flowed steadily into Ye Chuxue’s body.

As her recovery quickened, a measure of Ye Chuxue’s confidence began to return.

But Yu Cheng was no slouch. His years of accumulated knowledge, combined with his natural talent for Arrays, allowed his calculation speed to accelerate continuously.

Even Feng Jiuxiao was somewhat surprised. ’This kid’s performance is truly impressive,’ she thought. ’If it weren’t for the girl, I wouldn’t hesitate for a second to pass the inheritance to him!’

A glint appeared in her eyes. ’The little Merfolk’s suggestion was right. I can absolutely choose two inheritors; there’s no need to force myself to pick just one!’

As Feng Jiuxiao considered this, she grew even more delighted. ’If I can complete this mission successfully, perhaps the day the world is remade will actually come!’

Looking back at Ye Chuxue in the Water Mirror, the admiration in Feng Jiuxiao’s eyes deepened.

’And Song Wanning wants to bet against me on human nature?’

’Even now, the girl is still considering Jiao Jiao’s feelings and well-being. She’s nothing like those utterly selfish Cultivators.’

’Finding such a selfless inheritor gives me a better chance of remaking the world in the future.’

’It’s just... the girl’s relationship with Song Wanning is rather complicated. I’m genuinely afraid she’ll die at Song Wanning’s hands.’

’But I don’t want to act against Song Wanning. I even have this strange fondness for her.’

’This is so frustrating!’

Feng Jiuxiao’s brow furrowed tighter. ’This is the first time I’ve ever felt so conflicted.’

...

In the Water Mirror, Ye Chuxue’s physical injuries were steadily improving, but her Divine Soul was mending at a much slower pace. She grew increasingly anxious.

At that moment, Yu Cheng had already completed the final carving. All that remained was to infuse it with Spiritual Energy to complete the trial.

’If he succeeds before I do,’ she thought, ’the inheritance will surely fall into his hands.’

’No, I can’t fail.’

So Ye Chuxue once again pressed Jiao Jiao, "Jiao Jiao, can you go any faster? He’s about to succeed!"

She was so close to success, held back only by her body’s condition, which made her feel all the more resentful.

Jiao Jiao saw the anxiety in her heart. With a solemn expression, it nodded and once again increased the flow of healing power.

But its face grew visibly paler.

But Ye Chuxue still wasn’t satisfied. Frowning, she said instinctively, "Faster!"

Her words carried an unmistakable tone of command.

Jiao Jiao looked uncomfortable for a moment, but it just bit its lip and accelerated the flow again.

At this rate, its face turned deathly pale, and its small form began to look unsteady.

This scene, of course, did not escape the notice of Feng Jiuxiao and the Merfolk.

Feng Jiuxiao couldn’t help but frown. Ye Chuxue’s actions made her a little uncomfortable, but she could understand her desperation. ’She probably doesn’t mean it,’ she rationalized.

The Merfolk, however, was not so forgiving. It pointed at the Water Mirror, stomping in fury as it began to curse loudly.

"This human is despicable! She’s just using Jiao Jiao! She’s gone too far!"

"Jiao Jiao’s body is frail; it can’t possibly withstand this! This human says all the right things, but in reality, she just wants to squeeze every last drop of value out of Jiao Jiao. How is she any different from all those other vile humans?"

"Pah!"

The Merfolk was genuinely furious.

Jiao Jiao clearly saw that woman as a friend, but the woman was just using it, without any regard for its well-being.

"A person like that is worthy of the inheritance?"

"This Senior is completely blind!"

Receiving the Merfolk’s questioning stare, Feng Jiuxiao pressed her lips together. She too felt something was wrong, but to save face, she still said, "The Merfolk have natural healing abilities. It’s fine for the girl to use them a little. I’m sure she knows where to draw the line."

Her words rang hollow, lacking any real conviction.

At the beginning, Feng Jiuxiao wouldn’t have hesitated for a moment, but Ye Chuxue’s recent attitude and actions had truly shaken her conviction.

"Hmph! Who says that just because Merfolk have healing powers, they have to be used? My master has never used them and even saved me!"

The Merfolk, unconvinced by Feng Jiuxiao’s argument, lifted its chin and snorted coldly.

’My master might seem cold and heartless, but she’s actually far kinder than those hypocrites who preach about benevolence and morality!’

’At the very least, she doesn’t spout high-minded platitudes while taking advantage of others.’

’She just slits their throats with her sword.’

"Hmph. Who’s to say what she’ll do in the long run,"

Feng Jiuxiao snorted. ’This little Merfolk is a traitor,’ she thought resentfully. ’How long has it been, and it’s already completely devoted to Song Wanning?’

The conversation between the woman and the Merfolk reached Song Wanning’s ears.

Her gaze was light, yet filled with profound meaning as she stared intently at Ye Chuxue.

’In my past life, all I ever heard was how kind Ye Chuxue was and how wicked I was. They were always comparing me to her.’

But Song Wanning had always firmly believed that human nature was complex. ’Could Ye Chuxue really remain selfless forever?’

’No. The only reason she’s always maintained her "kindness" is because her life has been far too easy!’

’Faced with true desire, human nature will make the choice for her.’

’I, for one, would love to see if Ye Chuxue can hold on to her noble principles and remain the great saint everyone believes her to be.’

...

Yu Cheng set down his carving knife and smiled in satisfaction.

He stood up. The Array Plate flashed with a stream of light—an Eighth-grade Array Plate, a success!

He hadn’t expected to one day complete such a complex and powerful Array. At the same time, his admiration for the master of this inheritance grew even stronger.

If he hadn’t studied the problem-solving methods provided by the inheritance earlier, he never would have finished crafting the Array so quickly.

In the midst of his delight, a Light Gate materialized before him.

It was the passage to the final level.

He lifted his foot and strode inside.

The moment he stepped through, the image in the Water Mirror vanished.

A jolt went through Ye Chuxue’s heart.

’He’s already on the final level?’

’What’s on the final level?’

’Will he receive the inheritance immediately? Or is there another trial waiting?’

The less she knew, the more anxious Ye Chuxue became.

She was tormented, her heart feeling like it was being clawed from the inside.

"Jiao Jiao, faster! Faster!"

’Maybe there’s another trial on the last level,’ she thought desperately. ’Something that will buy me some time.’

All she could do now was recover as quickly as possible and fight for this one last chance.