My Crazy Upgrade System

Pu Ren’s tone was certain. He believed Yi Tianyun would have no problem passing the trial. After all, if he could suppress even the Evil Souls, a simple trial would be no issue.

"I hope you’re right, then," Yi Tianyun said with a smile, not adding anything else.

"You don’t need any luck from me. Your strength speaks for itself. You’ll definitely pass. You’ve mastered the Immortal Fire and you’re a Divine Rune Grandmaster..." Pu Ren said with envy. "I wonder if I’ll ever be able to master the Immortal Fire. If you were a member of the Phoenix Race, the next Clan Leader would undoubtedly be you!"

"Is that a rule?" Yi Tianyun asked, intrigued.

"Yes. The Immortal Fire is the absolute Holy Fire of our Phoenix Race. Any clan member who can wield it automatically becomes a candidate for Clan Leader! As long as their record isn’t abysmal, they are guaranteed to inherit the position." Pu Ren smiled. "That’s how Bai smoothly rose to her position. Of course, her talent is astonishing, and she also knows how to manage the Phoenix Race. She’s the perfect leader for us, someone who can lead the Phoenix Race to glory!"

His eyes shone with admiration; he clearly idolized Bai Shuihuang.

Yi Tianyun nodded. ’It seems Bai Shuihuang’s prestige is quite significant. She must have been building her reputation since she was young.’

"Clan... Clan Leader!" Pu Ren immediately shot up from his chair, his gaze respectfully fixed forward.

Yi Tianyun turned his head and saw Bai Shuihuang approaching from a distance with Shopkeeper Ye and the others in tow. It appeared they had finished discussing the main points.

Pu Ren stood ramrod straight, making Yi Tianyun chuckle inwardly. ’He’s all tensed up. He respects Bai Shuihuang even more than he does Shopkeeper Ye.’

"Pu Ren, don’t be so stiff. Didn’t you used to run around and play with me all the time? We haven’t seen each other in over a year, and look how nervous you’ve become." Bai Shuihuang reached out and patted his shoulder, gesturing for him to relax.

Pu Ren rubbed his nose in embarrassment. "I’m... I’m not..."

How could he not be nervous when he was stuttering?

"I said, don’t be so nervous. Got it?" Bai Shuihuang said, giving him a playful glare.

"Yes, Clan Leader!" Pu Ren’s speech suddenly became fluent, but he remained standing perfectly straight. It seemed he wouldn’t be relaxing anytime soon.

Bai Shuihuang just smiled without saying more. She turned to Yi Tianyun and said, "First, let’s get you a place to stay. Rest for a few days and get your energy back. This trial is no simple matter. Even with the Immortal Fire, it will still be quite difficult."

Yi Tianyun nodded. ’Since a Divine Envoy’s status is on par with an elder’s, the trial is bound to be difficult.’

All that was left was to rest for a few days. He had just finished dealing with the Evil Souls and truly needed some time off to recover fully.

「A few days passed in the blink of an eye.」 Yi Tianyun had conditioned himself back to his peak state. When he emerged, he found Bai Shuihuang playing with Yan’Er, looking extremely happy.

Bai Shuihuang’s beautiful eyes crinkled with laughter, and in that moment, it was hard to believe she was a Clan Leader. When she needed to be, she was a stern leader; when she wasn’t, she was like a beautiful big sister.

This immediately reminded him of Shi Xueyun. When serious, she was every bit the Palace Master. When not, she was like a caring older sister to him.

’Aunt Xueyun...’ A warmth spread through Yi Tianyun’s heart. ’After this is all over, I will definitely marry Shi Xueyun.’

’She’s treated me so well for so many years. No matter what, I have to make her mine. This is my possessiveness talking. I will never let anyone else have Shi Xueyun!’

"Are you all recovered?" Bai Shuihuang asked, standing up.

"Yes. I’m ready for the trial whenever you are," Yi Tianyun replied with a nod.

"Good. Follow me, then." Bai Shuihuang took Yan’Er with her, and they flew toward Phoenix Mountain, with Yi Tianyun following close behind.

"Clan Leader Bai, if you don’t mind my asking, why do you trust me so much? Why are you so supportive of me becoming a Divine Envoy? We had only just met for the first time."

He had wanted to ask this question earlier but never found the right moment.

"It’s simple. You helped the Phoenix Race, you possess the Immortal Fire, and you’re very close with Yan’Er. It’s as simple as that," Bai Shuihuang stated plainly.

"But once I become a Divine Envoy, I’ll be representing the Phoenix Race. Isn’t this decision a bit... rash?" Yi Tianyun found her judgment to be incredibly swift. She had only just learned these things at their first meeting and had immediately made up her mind. It was a remarkably decisive move.

"There’s nothing rash about it. Letting you get away would be the real loss for the Phoenix Race," Bai Shuihuang said with a faint smile. "We of the Phoenix Race have always believed one thing above all else: the Immortal Fire. Whoever possesses the Immortal Fire holds the future of our race and is believed to have a truly upright character. It might sound arbitrary, but it’s a belief I stand by."

"Frankly, it comes down to me having a good feeling about you. That’s enough for me. If I’m wrong, then that’s my responsibility. Simple as that." Bai Shuihuang’s face broke into a beautiful smile as she gently pinched Yan’Er’s cheek. "What do you think of your daddy?"

"Daddy’s great! He gives me lots of flames and lots of Elixir Pills to eat, and he’s super nice to me..." Yan’Er giggled, turning her head to flash a smile at Yi Tianyun.

’Interesting. A very interesting Clan Leader...’ Yi Tianyun shook his head with a helpless smile. ’Well, whatever works. I don’t really have any ulterior motives.’

Soon, they arrived before a great mountain. This was Phoenix Mountain. From a distance, it resembled a phoenix coiled up in rest. In its center, however, was a volcano, from which waves of intense heat constantly billowed.

They landed on the rim. The moment Yi Tianyun touched down, he felt a scorching heat rising from below, but its effect on him was negligible.

Since he possessed a flame of the Supreme Yang, this level of heat had no effect on him. Combined with his high cultivation level, there was no way it could cause him any harm.

He looked down and discovered that the most surprising thing wasn’t the volcano itself, nor the temperature of the lava, but the many Fire Phoenix Trees growing along the volcano’s rim.

Most importantly, countless phoenixes were perched on these Fire Phoenix Trees, coiled up and resting.

"So many phoenixes. Can’t they take on human form?" Yi Tianyun asked, puzzled.

"That’s right. These are the most primitive phoenixes. They have not evolved, but they possess the purest, most ancient Phoenix Essence Blood. Your trial is very simple: get one of these phoenixes to acknowledge you, and you will become a Divine Envoy." Bai Shuihuang smiled. "However, you will also have to withstand the fiery assault of Phoenix Mountain at the same time. You’d best be careful."

"That’s all it takes to become a Divine Envoy?" Yi Tianyun was stunned. He had expected a series of grueling trials, or perhaps being ganged up on by a group of elders. Who would have thought it was simply a matter of gaining the acknowledgment of a Divine Beast?

’Does this mean that by becoming a Divine Envoy, I also get a new pet out of the deal?’