"It was Senior Jia who left behind the divine consciousness to test us. As for the content of the test, you have just personally experienced it."

The more Zheng He got beaten, the faster he recovered. After just a few breaths, not only did he feel much better overall, but even the injuries on his face had healed by half, making his features more recognizable.

"The senior mentioned that there are several of us who entered together, and we must all be present during the trial; not one can be missing. Otherwise, this trial, where we get beaten for half an hour every incense stick, will be endless, and no one will be able to leave," Zhou Ren added. "Those two puppets are at the Nascent Soul stage. When we fight, our spiritual power is constrained, leaving us only to take hits. They don't kill us, but they torture us in various ways. The boss originally didn't want to use the communication talisman to call you over to get beaten together, but he was worried about your situation, secondly, Senior Jia promised that only when we are all gathered can we have a chance to pass the trial and leave."

"That's right, it really hurts, and they specifically target my face. I've gotten beaten the most and the worst here." Zhu Qing was almost crying; when a newcomer suddenly asked what was going on, the grievances he had been holding back suddenly expanded infinitely, and he couldn't hold back anymore. Even though he knew that telling Zhang Yiyi probably wouldn't change anything.

"Miss Han, where did you suddenly disappear to earlier?" Zhou Yi took the opportunity during their brief break to ask about Zhang Yiyi.

It was good that she had come; no matter whether Jia Fang would keep his promise and let them go after they had taken enough hits, having one more person meant one more bit of strength. Besides, Zhang Yiyi had shown clear experience in dealing with puppets without spiritual power, and she was much stronger than they were.

"I had some bad luck. I was just in the water when that thing that ambushed us earlier grabbed me." Zhang Yiyi said simply, "I almost lost my life, but luckily, I escaped. Right after I got free, I received Zheng Ge's message, and then I came here, and then..."

There was no need to say anything more about what happened after. Everyone was relieved for her. In their eyes, even though Zhang Yiyi spoke very simply, glossing over the dangerous parts in just one sentence, the peril she faced must have been anything but simple.

"Alright, alright, have you all chatted enough? Do you think this immortal isn't here?" Jia Fang said, somewhat impatient. That little girl had clearly known of his presence the moment she entered, yet she hadn't spoken a word to him until now. That was quite dismissive.

"Little girl, where did you get that ancient jade on you?" After interrupting the others, Jia Fang pointed directly at Zhang Yiyi and asked about the ancient jade that he found increasingly familiar.

"You're Senior Jia, right?" Zhang Yiyi smiled and greeted that wisp of consciousness, asking curiously, "Senior, you've been ascended for thousands of years. Is it fun up there? How is it different from our world? Also, how is Senior Cheng doing now? Are you two still as loving as before?"

"Little girl, why do you have so many questions? Why all these crafty little tricks? Are you trying to get close to this immortal?" Jia Fang scoffed. "You seem quite capable. Once we start again, I'll let Puppet One and Puppet Two give you a proper welcome."

"Sure, I'll listen to you, Senior." Zhang Yiyi didn't mind the intimidation; in fact, she was genuinely curious about what she had just asked.

After all, encountering a wisp of consciousness left by an ascended senior was quite rare, and she suspected that there must be a way to communicate between the consciousness and the main body up there.

"Oh, this little girl is quite bold. With such a pretty little face, you'd better be extra careful later. Otherwise, if you end up beaten to a pulp like them and can't even be recognized by your parents, that would really be..." Jia Fang paused, a voice that had initially held some regret suddenly burst into hearty laughter, "That would be too amusing, haha!"

"Thank you for the reminder, Senior." Zhang Yiyi smiled upon seeing this and asked cheerfully, "But what if your Puppet One and Puppet Two don't beat me to a pulp and leave me unrecognizable?"

At this moment, Jia Fang had temporarily forgotten about the ancient jade. Knowing that the other party was deliberately provoking him, he couldn't possibly let a junior's challenge intimidate him.

"Hehe, if Puppet One and Puppet Two fail to beat you into an unrecognizable state, I can release you ten days or half a month early." Jia Fang believed that his answer was perfectly acceptable.

The initiative was still in his hands. After all, besides him, no one knew how long they would have to stay before being released, whether it would be a month, two months, a year, or even longer. In any case, even if that little girl had good luck and avoided being beaten on her face, it would still only be ten days or half a month at most!

"Senior, your bet lacks sincerity." Zhang Yiyi casually continued the conversation with Jia Fang, "This vague notion of letting us go earlier sounds hollow. Why not just tell us an exact date for our release? If I can avoid getting beaten in the face by Puppet One and Puppet Two, when do you plan to let us go?"

"..."

Seeing his plans exposed, the crafty little girl made Jia Fang furious to the point that he felt like his beard was blowing in the wind.

Oh no, he was just a wisp of consciousness now, so he didn't have a beard to blow.

"Why isn't Senior speaking? Are you afraid to take this bet with me?" Zhang Yiyi pressed on, taking the supposed condition and turning it into a real wager, putting it out in the open without fear of that wisp of consciousness not responding.

After all, even if the other party knew she was provoking him, he would hardly be afraid of this little girl.

"Hmph, you're quite bold, little girl, daring to propose conditions to this immortal. Aren't you afraid that I might take your life?" The consciousness felt unsatisfied and directly threatened.

But Zhang Yiyi wasn't fazed at all, still smiling as she replied, "Senior, you must be joking. You've ascended, so your word must be as good as gold. Since you said you would let us go, you wouldn't make things difficult for our lives. Even if I don't trust myself, I must trust you, Senior."

This flattery wasn't particularly skillful, but it was very effective on that wisp of consciousness.

Indeed, after hearing this, Jia Fang's tone softened a lot, "Hmph, I'll give you some credit for your insight. If you can hold out for half an hour without a single injury on your face, I'll show great mercy and let you go six months later."

"Six months later?" Zhang Yiyi was at a loss whether to laugh or cry.

Forget about the great mercy; if he weren't merciful, would that mean they would be getting beaten for several years here without any hope of getting back?