The Phoenix Tribe Elder nodded in agreement. In his youth, he had also entered the Creation Ancient Land and knew that with Jiang Shishi’s Mind State, it would be difficult for her to enter the third level, and she would most likely be eliminated.

Since she was not eliminated, it indicated a significant improvement in Jiang Shishi’s Mind State.

To become a qualified leader, one’s own strength is not enough; one must be calculating and learn to be thick-skinned.

The best at being thick-skinned was the Qiongqi Clan Leader.

"Who is still not out, Jiang Shishi and Su Lian’er?" a Demon Clan Elder counted the numbers, noticing the geniuses from the Phoenix Tribe and the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan had yet to come out.

"That’s not right, there are still two others inside who followed Jiang Shishi," Qin Feng called out. Although he did not know the races and names of Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou, he would certainly never forget their faces.

"Oh, they followed Jiang Shishi?" Jiuying Clan Elder squinted his eyes, sensing a problem.

"Elder Jiang Wei, this is not quite right, is it? We had an early agreement that each tribe can only select one person to enter the Creation Ancient Land, yet your Phoenix Tribe sent in three?"

He was eager to shift the controversy, and according to Qin Feng’s account, the Demon Clan Alliance’s geniuses were eliminated in the first round, and the Phoenix Tribe couldn’t shirk responsibility!

"What does it matter if three people entered?" Elder Jiang Wei sneered, not at all intimidated. In terms of heritage, the Phoenix Tribe was the strongest in the Demon Territory; even Ancient Di Jiang would not dare to control them for the time being.

The Dragon Clan was divided into two groups, one in the Demon Territory and the other in the East Sea, with their heritage split as well. The Dragon Clan in the Demon Territory could not match the Phoenix Tribe when it comes to heritage.

Elder Jiang Wei took the initiative to shoulder the matter, as he couldn’t possibly reveal that Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou were from the Human race or even from the Seek Dao Sect upon further questioning.

Claiming that Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou were from the Phoenix Tribe might prevent conflict, as the Phoenix Tribe always acted domineeringly.

If it were revealed that the two were from the Seek Dao Sect, other tribes looking on would probably wade into the dispute.

If Gan Tian saw her own clan being bullied and called Yun Zhi over, the situation would become even more entertaining.

"The Phoenix Tribe really is domineering," members of the Taozhu Clan, the White Tiger Clan, and other Demon Clan Alliance tribes stepped forward to support the Jiuying Clan.

If they could use this opportunity to severely weaken the Phoenix Tribe, they could gain favor from Ancient Di Jiang.

"The Phoenix Tribe has a large family and business, and it’s fine for them to hide two geniuses and send them in," the Dragon Clan Elder stepped forward to back the Phoenix Tribe.

He had learned that Ao Yue managed to enter the second level with the help from Jiang Shishi and obtained the Spirit Fruit to heal his dark injuries, a favor that should not go unrepaid.

"I think it’s understandable for the Phoenix Tribe to make an exception this time," the Jade Rabbit Clan Elder waved his sleeve and stepped forward.

"My Tengu Clan..."

"My Ba Xia Clan..."

More and more members of the Demon Race started voicing support for the Phoenix Tribe.

Apart from the Demon Clan Alliance members, all the Demon Race geniuses here had received help from the Phoenix Tribe.

Third Senior Sister twitched at the corner of her eyes as she "witnessed" this scene.

What did these two youngsters do in the Secret Realm? Why were these Demon Races behaving as if they were intoxicated, standing on the side of the Phoenix Tribe?

This was not the scene when her master and the others entered the Secret Realm.

...

Lu Yang and his companions were transported by Luo Hong to the third level, which was extremely dim, almost pitch black, and otherwise empty.

Luo Hong took out four grass mats and sent them flying to the ground as if dealing cards.

"Don’t be nervous, sit down. All four of you performed quite well in the first two levels already. Even if you don’t pass the third challenge, your rewards will be much greater than the others," she said.

In the first level evaluation, Lu Yang, Meng Jingzhou, and Jiang Shishi were tied for the first place in history.

The second level evaluation ranked Lu Yang the highest, followed by Meng Jingzhou, then Jiang Shishi, and finally Su Lian’er.

The overall ranking was the same as the second level evaluation.

Lu Yang’s score was the highest in history, followed by Meng Jingzhou as the second highest.

Lu Yang appeared the most relaxed, taking a seat as soon as he was told to.

The four sat down.

"How about it, want to bet on who will have the higher evaluation in the third challenge?" Meng Jingzhou winked at Lu Yang, eager to regain some ground.

"That wouldn’t be good," Lu Yang said with a smile that did not match the sentiment of "not good."

Both of them were not ones to easily admit defeat.

𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

What’s the point of a bet if it’s sure to win?

Meng Jingzhou saw Lu Yang smile and knew he had agreed, so he asked again, "What’s the reward for the winning side?"

"You tell me."

"The losing side must do something for the winning side."

"It’s a deal!"

Neither of them set any conditional limits, such as staying within their capabilities or moral boundaries. They both knew the other’s request would certainly fall within those limits, no need for further discussion.

Luo Hong cleared her throat.

"As a member of the Demon Race, one must never forget history. You should gain experience and lessons from history."

"This third challenge tests your grasp of the ancient history of the Demon Race."

Lu Yang: "..."

Meng Jingzhou: "..."

Damn it, there’s a dirty trick here. This is no competition at all.

Luo Hong, unaware of Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou’s thoughts, continued with the procedure.

"After I ask a question, you may buzz in to answer. A correct answer earns one point, a wrong answer loses one point, and no answer gets no points."

"Considering historical changes, I will ask questions from the perspective of the current-era Demon Race."

"Now, listen to the first question: Which race does a Demon Immortal belong to?"

Jiang Shishi and Su Lian’er were both startled.

Which race does a Demon Immortal belong to? Who knows that?

Many scholars of the Demon Race have studied ancient history and there are numerous speculations about the true form of a Demon Immortal. Should they just guess randomly?

"The Demon Immortal belongs to no race; he is the only Kirin in the world."

Lu Yang answered lazily—it was an easy question.

Meng Jingzhou yawned, utterly bored, already considering what to eat when he got back.

"Correct answer, one point."

Jiang Shishi and Su Lian’er looked uncertainly at Lu Yang. Was that a lucky guess or did he really know the true identity of the Demon Immortal?

Lu Yang thought to himself that this was just the tip of the iceberg; if they wanted to hear the shameful past of the Qilin Immortal, he could talk for three days and nights without stopping.

Luo Hong was quite surprised at the speed of his answer.

The questions of the third level were random; the queries at each test were different, and she was only responsible for judging right and wrong, without revealing the correct answers.

"Second question: Did the Phoenix Ancestor ever force the Demon Immortal to use the Sword Array, and if so, please describe the scenario from an objective and impartial point of view."

Jiang Shishi’s eyes lit up. She might not know about the rest, but how could she not know about the Phoenix Ancestor?

Su Lian’er watched Jiang Shishi enviously. Why couldn’t they ask about something related to the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan?

Jiang Shishi excitedly raised her hand and said, "I know this one. My Phoenix Ancestor once spoke the truth which made the Demon Immortal unable to raise his head, and with a plop, he kneeled on the ground. Under tremendous pressure, the Demon Immortal activated the Sword Array to resist but still ended up defeated and retreated!"

"This is the famous ’A Word Makes the Immortal Kneel’ incident!"

"I guess this must have been before the Demon Immortal attained immortality."

Otherwise, it doesn’t make sense that the Demon Immortal would lose to the Phoenix Ancestor.

"Incorrect answer, lose one point."

"What?!" Jiang Shishi questioned if she had heard wrong. This was a story she heard from her Clan Leader, absolutely reliable. How could it be wrong?

Seeing that no one else was answering, Lu Yang sighed softly and said, "I’m not sure about the specific incident you’re referring to, Elder, but the only thing I can confirm is that on that day the Demon Immortal went home, the Phoenix Ancestor glared at him and asked coldly, ’Who did you go to see?’ "

"Upon hearing this, the Demon Immortal’s face changed drastically. He pulled out the Sword Array, knelt on it with a plop, swore to heaven that he would dare not do it again, and if he erred once more, he would be struck by five thunderbolts."

"Correct answer, add one point."