Don't try to cultivate immortality; mortals live longer than immortals.

"Who are you……"

"Jiang Yaoguang".

Fairy Piaoyao didn't bother to fabricate any identity or alias. After all, they were just two new students who couldn't possibly know her.

However, the expression on her face when she looked at Duan Xuan was extremely complicated.

Because of this little guy, he got his wish and not long ago successfully condensed the best wind-attribute spiritual root, the Wind Feather Heavenly Pivot Pill.

But as a result, he ended up with a mountain of debt.

Nowadays, even if you want to take out an online loan after your credit card is overdue, you can't.

The situation was even worse, and the potential for immortality was in grave danger. Fortunately, there was always a way out, and the Ancestor of the Divine Transformation personally assigned a task.

He concealed his identity, pretending to be a freshman at Shuiyun Daoyun Academy. His next task was to suppress this kid during this wonderful university time.

Goal—become his inner demon!

There's no way around it; Duan Xuan's aptitude is just too outstanding. Without comparison, it's easy to develop doubts.

After all, if you always come in first place, it's so easy. Anyone who isn't stupid would never believe the nonsense that their spiritual root only has fifty points.

The ancestor had good intentions; after all, no one wanted to hand over such a genius to Guixu too early.

Wouldn't it be better to train them ourselves?

But precisely at this early stage, we must not arouse his suspicion.

Fortunately, even if this kid is the chosen one of the plane, how can a new student with his grades in all subjects compare to that of a Golden Core cultivator like myself who has been hiding his identity?

The ancestor has promised that as long as I don't make any mistakes and successfully complete my tasks during my university years, not only will my debts be wiped clean, but I will also receive extremely generous rewards.

Thinking of this, Fairy Piaoyao was overjoyed, and her expression towards Duan Xuan became extremely kind.

"I'm sorry, little brother, but in order to ensure that my senior's loan is not overdue and for the sake of my potential in the Immortal Path, I have no choice but to make things difficult for you from now on."

That look sent chills down Duan Xuan's spine.

Zhou Ran couldn't help but nudge her friend: "Xuanzi, I suspect..."

"What's wrong?"

"This classmate is your mother."

Duan Xuan: "..."

"Think about it, only when a mother looks at her son will she show an expression that is both loving and ready to spank him at any moment."

That makes perfect sense, so Duan Xuan kicked Zhou Ran away.

When you're dealing with a bad friend, you're the kind of person who resorts to force when you can't win an argument.

Anyway, being kicked wouldn't kill him, so Zhou Ran fell directly into the fountain next to him.

The next moment, a heart-wrenching scream reached his ears. The water had only reached Zhou Ran's knees, yet he was struggling desperately as if he were drowning.

The scene, in the eyes of onlookers, was rather comical.

Zhou Ran squatted down, submerged his head in the water, and shouted for help while waving his arms wildly.

Ah, this...

Duan Xuan was stunned.

Is this silly spiritual root so formidable? In front of everyone, he completely fails to grasp the meaning of social death.

I'm ashamed to be associated with them!

Duan Xuan turned around, trying to pretend to be a passerby.

He muttered to himself, "I don't know him, I don't know him..."

Just then.

"Tsk, this kid's lucky!"

"Whether good luck is a blessing or a curse is hard to say."

"That's true. Although he won the lucky prize reserved for freshmen, considering what he's going through right now, I would absolutely, positively not want that kind of luck if it were me..."

"Don't want it +1".

"Don't want it +2".

"Don't want it +10086".

……

A cacophony of voices filled the air; before anyone knew it, the handsome and beautiful upperclassmen had gathered around the fountain, engrossed in a lively discussion.

Not only did they show no intention of saving Zhou Ran, but they also pointed and commented on him as he fell into the water.

Some people even took out peanuts and melon seeds, while others retrieved small stools from their storage equipment. Even more outrageous than the onlookers, in a secluded corner, someone had actually started a gambling game...

The scene... was unbearable to watch!

I freaking...

Is this really the highest institution of learning on Water Cloud Star?

Duan Xuan's face showed an expression of disbelief.

I almost wanted to run out of the school gate to see if I had come to the wrong place.

However, in the end, he restrained his impulse and, through the cacophony of the crowd's discussions, finally understood the whole story.

Well... how should I put it?

All I can say is that the initial intention was indeed good.

But because of the principal's perverse sense of humor, things gradually went astray.

Or rather, a perfectly good reward was turned into a prank.

It turns out that a big prize is awarded to every new student every year.

It's not that you get it just because you have the best grades (highest spiritual root value), it's all about luck.

For example, this time, the reward was triggered by falling into the fountain in front of you.

Isn't that outrageous?

Normal freshmen wouldn't be so confused. Who would think of jumping into the fountain for no reason? So, the chances of getting a reward have always been low.

There has even been a gap for several consecutive years.

Zhou Ran can be said to be extremely lucky, being the first person in nearly five years to win a major prize.

But whether it's a blessing or a curse is hard to say.

Because this reward is called "The Path of Refining the Heart," it can greatly enhance his Dao heart and even his future cultivation of divine consciousness.

However, the hardships one must endure to achieve such an effect are extremely terrifying.

For example, at this moment, on the surface, Zhou Ran has only fallen into the fountain, but his soul has been pulled into the illusion constructed by cyber and immortal paths.

His first challenge was to practice swimming in lava.

And this is just the appetizer!

Next, he will compete in eating ice cream against an ice-attribute behemoth that is over 18 meters tall in an environment of minus 50 degrees Celsius.

If you lose, you will face punishment.

The punishment was simple: he would be taken to a snake pit where there were over five hundred kinds of cute venomous snakes that bit painfully but would never be fatal. All Zhou Ran had to do was spend a pleasant afternoon with them.

These levels aren't too difficult, right?

Anyway, he won't die, and even the damage is fake, since it's an illusion. Zhou Ran's real body is still perfectly fine in the fountain, playing a laughable performance art.

The only downside is that the pain he feels is absolutely real. This illusion is a perfect combination of immortality and technology, achieving 100% virtual reality.

After all, this is to temper one's Dao heart!

Of course, we can't be lenient; we must strive for truth as much as possible.

The principal's actions were well-intentioned.

The game has a total of fifteen levels. After you complete them all, congratulations... there will be no reward!

Because after being tempered by these fifteen trials, you will have gained an iron will, and as for your Dao heart, it will also become incredibly strong.

In the next stage of his training, Zhou Ran will experience the benefits of this hardship... His cultivation will be twice as effective with half the effort, and he will have the courage and confidence to overcome any difficulties or dangers he encounters.

The best part is that all the arduous trials were contained within the illusion, so Zhou Ran was not actually harmed. When he came out of the illusion, he was still in great shape and had a good appetite.

Now only one question remains: do freshmen really want such a big prize?

Unfortunately, this was completely outside the principal's consideration...