Divine Emperor of Death

Shirley fumed.

However, she turned around and quickly resumed her search for the black dot in this space.

Her gaze panned slowly on the circular spatial platforms she could get to within a jump, carefully going over each axis.

"It's there!"

Finally, she found it but it had taken her entire fifty seconds for her to find it be present on the northern circular spatial platform in the inner eight-point star. It shocked her because it was at the same platform when she landed in the Upper Realm in the beginning, the least likely place she expected it to appear.

Nonetheless, coincidences aside, she quickly tried to make her way there.

She got to the edge and jumped towards the the northern circular spatial platform in the inner eight-point star. Since she was in the outer eight-point star, she had to move southwest in order to land there but she really didn't want to take this diagonal way because she knew it was going to be tough.

*Whoosh!~*

Severe wind resistance blocked her from making her way to the norther circular spatial platform in the inner eight-point star.

She knew if this was the Upper Realms in the Three-Layered Universe, she would be met with severe spatial storms instead of just wind resistance. Still, this wind resistance was better than traversing diagonally from one outer eight-star point circular spatial platform to another outer eight-star point circular spatial platform.

That would sever her from head to toe, causing her to fail the trial and, in the Three-Layered Universe, possibly or even easily lose her life.

With the wind resistance impeding her, Shirley found it hard to break through, but she still kept on, finally piercing through the wall of wind.

Just as she was about to land on the northern circular spatial platform in the inner eight-point star, she saw the statue appear at the center of the circular spatial platform she previously stood.

"Only a minute break after causing the statue to fall!? Come on…!"

She fumed and protested but didn't let her speed down. As soon as she landed, she raced towards the black dot spiral in the distance.

Unfortunately, it was at the southern end of the circular spatial platform, causing Shirley to clench her teeth. She could sense the statue's undulations brimming with Fire Phoenix undulations, knowing it was going to launch the mini Eternal Pyre Phoenix Conflagration at her yet again.

"There's no cultivator who could spam this technique again and again, dammit!"

Shirley wanted to call out the World Master for cheating, but she didn't dare and screamed out her grievance.

*Screech!~*

An ear-splitting cry of a phoenix echoed in her ears while Shirley was only a few hundred meters away. Her speed was incredible, but she wasn't sure it was enough to reach the spatial node.

Using every bit of her strength in her legs, she fastened her pace and dashed towards the black dot spiral with intense momentum that she wouldn't be able to stop even if a wall suddenly appeared before her.

*BoooM!~*

A burst of white-hot phoenix flames surged into the air.

The circular spatial platform also collapsed since Shirley had landed on it the very first time, and now, it had whitened before the attack landed, further causing it to collapse.

The statue faced Shirley's direction, watching the circular spatial platform crumble and fall down into spatial pieces. It still didn't reveal any kind of sentience, appearing absolutely lifeless.

"…"

Shirley was on her knees, barely stopping herself from shuddering.

She was moments away from being engulfed in flames and burned to ashes, but fortunately, the spatial node's transportation was instantaneous, allowing her to escape the incineration. Barely finding a moment to rest, she stood up to look around.

She saw she was back in the Lower Realms.

Her face wasn't one of delight as she hurriedly looked for the spatial node. Perhaps it was the last spatial node that would allow her to get out of this trial and allow her to pass, or maybe she would lose over having failed to meet a certain condition.

However, Shirley didn't care. She wanted to get out right now as she felt a sense of fear encumber her.

It was similar to how she stood on the ninth step, leaving her absolutely horrified.

'Is… is this the last stage…?'

Shirley moved, walking across before she started to run.

She hovered, quickly trying to spot the last spatial node. However, there were as many as forty-eight circular spatial platforms, leaving her wrapping her arms around herself as she felt scared.

The atmosphere here had just changed to one of absolute coldness, yet the scenery didn't change. This could only mean her life was in danger, as her instincts were warning her to leave as soon as possible.

Nonetheless, using the knowledge she had over the pathways, she continued to jump again and again. The circular spatial platforms were only a hundred meters in diameter, allowing her to easily cross.

But as she saw the colors change, she was careful not to step on them again.

A minute passed, causing Shirley to breathe out cold air as she felt chilled beyond compare.

Five minutes later, her brows started to freeze, and her lips turned pale. She started to feel that her movements were becoming slower, and her perception was lowering as she could not see past four circular spatial platforms anymore.

She wondered if she got tunnel vision from the fear or if it was just the opposite, tunnel vision being induced in her as a part of the trial to produce such fear.

She couldn't see properly but she didn't give up hope, turning solemn as she searched for the spatial node. She remembered the days she spent with Myria, one of fighting for their survival amidst the chaotic world of the Grand Beginnings Continent.

That could not compare to this, but it gave her the same attitude, where one wrong step taken will cause her to end up in a mortuary.

Not giving up hope, she eventually chanced upon the black dot spiral at the highest point.

This time, it was directly opposite to the beginning, as the first spatial node was at the lowest point.

Noticing that the statue was nowhere to be seen, Shirley sighed and extended her hand to the spatial node. However, she stopped halfway, wondering if this was the right choice. Would this lead to winning or losing?

She couldn't tell but with the sense of danger she felt, she felt her survival was of the utmost importance and touched the spatial node.

*Whoosh!~*

Shirley found herself in another space.

"…!"

However, her expression turned unsightly as she saw the stone statue standing right in front of her.

"I screwed up…"

Shirley's smile wasn't amused. She took a step back, turning around to look, but she saw that there were no circular spatial platforms. This circular spatial platform was small, appearing to be a new space.

Had she taken the short stick?

"At ease~"

But suddenly, a melodious voice resounded, and a silhouette stepped out of the stone statue, causing Shirley to shudder.

She initially thought it was the Celestial Transcendent himself. However, there was no way he could be this curvaceous! The outline alone flabbergasted her while a white, sacred aura remained over this being.

"Congratulations, Shirley Davis. You have completed the Ninth Hidden Pagoda's trial."

She heard that melodious voice once again, only now realized that it completely ripped away the fear or the tension she had in her muscles. It was like she was mandated to relax, causing Shirley's eyes to tremble.

"World Master…"

Her voice became respectful and somewhat subtle as she knew even Myria and Davis had to give her the utmost respect.