Divine Phoenix's eyes matched the unwavering gaze of the calm and collected Luke. For Luke in his soul, he felt a slight churning from encountering his first godly spirit face to face.

This was an experience he wouldn't soon forget.

Comparatively, to the very core for Phoenix soul, Luke was akin to a prime ancient god at the peak of their power.

No, perhaps he's even higher than any primordial gods!

The suffocating suppression and yearning only became stronger up close. It was made as clear as day for the Phoenix that an existence like Luke is an impossible anomaly.

Ever since Luke and the girls first arrived here, it was like a great magnet pulled it from its slumber. And for a split second, the Phoenix caught the sight of what it thought to be Luke's other half.

There mere fleeting sight caused great waves for the Phoenix.

Moreover, when it first stared into Luke's eyes, some strange forced pulled it to mark both him and Cang Yue.

And all Spooky did was drop a rudimentary soul mark inside the Phoenix to activate it.

"It's an honor to meet the legendary divine Phoenix likewise senior," Luke said in a respectful tone. Even when Spooky had done something to the Phoenix, it doesn't mean he should be outrageous to the divine bird.

"We humbly greet the Divine Phoenix." Cang Yue also paid her due respect.

Surely if she was on her own, then her nerves would be at an all-time high. But due to holding a warm hand, it gave her the confidence to stand stall.

When Cang Yue had talked, for the first time, the Phoenix soul glanced over to her. Because of its earlier meeting with Spooky, the Phoenix was guided to mark her along with Luke.

Although she didn't find much remarkable about her at first. However, now sensing her up close did she sense something divine in her.

Inside the calm and beautiful Cang Yue held a vibrant, powerful soul. It reminded the Phoenix of a rare type of energy only a few would have in the universe.

But for now, it turned attention back to their meeting, and the soul told them,

"When one would enter into these sacred grounds. They would have an option to face three challenging trials that would correspond to one's true prowess and inherit my legacy. However...I will allow you two to take the trial together for...special rewards. Be warned, choosing this option will significantly raise the difficulty of the trials."

The Phoenix cut right to the chase and spelled it out for them. From the depths of the Phoenix golden eyes, Luke could pick up on a small wisp blue flaring energy.

He could tell this never before opportunity was made possible due to their curse working its magic on the bird.

Yet Luke wasn't so quick to agree.

Not because he thought he couldn't do it but on whether or not a Phoenix bloodline would be worth it for him.

All the while with Cang Yue, she was also contemplating but for different reasons. From the stunning prowess of Luke, she knew she would only be a burden if they were to take the trial together.

She didn't get surprised at the unexpected opportunity and immediately thought of a way where they both could benefit without any severe problems.

'Honestly, it would be better to simply give Cang Yue all the rewards. Our bloodline being blue isn't only for cosmetics, you know? Besides, when you fully connect with her. You'll be able to use a special variant of Phoenix powers; furthermore, you'll raise yourself a few notches in her eyes, with the right words.'

Spooky explained to Luke. Truly Luke wasn't really excited about gaining Phoenix abilities and instead wanted to help out Cang Yue more.

With a full extraordinary Phoenix inheritance and her awakening her soul, her prowess should come close to the likes of Qingyue and Lingxi.

"Luke...I think we should-"

Cang Yue was going to propose her idea until Luke suddenly gave her soft hands a warm squeeze. It forced her to subconsciously stare into Luke's handsomely smiling face.

"Instead of that, how about this? Divine Phoenix can we still take the trial together, but Xureuo can just receive all of the rewards when we complete it."

"Ah?! L-Luke, why would you propose that?!" For her initial reaction, Cang Yue was shocked and confused!

After all, what's the point of recklessly increasing the trial difficulty only for her gain to everything?

But Luke only remained firmed, and inside Luke's fused soul, Spooky eyes flared up in a blue flash!

The wisp inside the Phoenix eyes suddenly flared as well. The Phoenix soul felt as if an existence beyond which it could comprehend was watching over it.

And with the most amount of tact it could muster up, the Phoenix told Luke,

"An odd request, but if that what you wish for, then so be it."

"Luke..."

Cang Yue was going to talk, but Luke suddenly faced her again. He stared into her gorgeous cute face and bright eyes of her saying,

"You can say, this is my thanks for saving us with that talisman. No matter what, you were the one who manages to quickly think of it and even touch Andrea with it."

His sincere words caused warmth in her chest, but still, this was a prime opportunity he shouldn't give up on.

"But I only could use the talisman because of you and Andrea...and-and, it's shameful to admit, but I don't want to be a burden again..." Despite the two only recently meeting each other, Cang Yue knew that Luke prioritized her life with his girlfriends.

The fact he immediately went to pick her up along with Qingyue while leaving Andrea to pick up Lingxi had spoken volumes to her.

Moreover, the quick pace they were growing while on to others may seem weird, felt absolutely natural to her. Cang Yue couldn't pinpoint why herself, but every moment she only feels herself growing more attach.

Still being completely helpless three times in a row weighed in on her mind, and she at least wanted to use this moment to strengthen herself.

"You don't have to be a burden...just, relax." Luke smiled, and this was the cue for Spooky to enter her soul.

This was almost too easy for Spooky, and once she got inside Cang Yue's soul, Spooky noted how different it looks compared to the other girls.

It was all pure white around Spooky. The white here gave off a tranquil atmosphere, and as well it was like Spooky could sense there was life essence here.

Although her soul wasn't in full bloom yet, so everything here felt incomplete.

Raising her finger, Spooky formed a unique, completed soul mark for the girl.

'Zzzt!'

Blue lightning sparkled throughout the white soul, making the colors mix together in a mesmerizing concoction.

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And right in the center of her soul, a blue-mix lightning strand appeared!

'Oh? You're always up for surprising me, huh Luke?' Spooky said to herself, and with a wicked grin, she vanishes from Cang Yue's soul.

At the same time, immediately when Spooky enter Cang Yue's soul, she felt intensely pleasurable shocks run through her mind and body!

"Ah! Ohh!"

She had given Luke a chance and relaxed her body, but she wasn't nearly prepared for the immediate, intense pleasure!

It only took a few seconds for Spooky to create their soul marks to which her soul happily accepted.

"Oh?"

For Luke, he suddenly felt a lot closer to Cang Yue, and his soul burned with an even greater desire for her. Though most of all, Luke felt somewhat in tune with the girl.

Although for Cang Yue, when the soul mark formed, she felt her entire being undergo a significant change.

Everything about her just felt better compared to before, and her desires for Luke burned with an intense fervent passion.

"A-Ahn...Mnh...w-what was that??" Cang Yue was trying hard to stifle her moans of pleasure with a beet-red face.

All at once, it was like she just experienced this heavenly bliss!

Her body and soul craved for more, but her mind didn't want to make herself seem so shameless. Not especially around Luke or the Divine Phoenix spirit!

Luke himself was just finding the embarrassed Cang Yue unbelievable cute and wanted to hear more of her sweet moans. But he knew there was a time and place for that, so with a calming smile Luke said,

"Think of it like a connection that I formed between us. With people I like, my soul has special properties to achieve something like this. Though for it to truly work, the other person has to like me and be willing too."

"Nnh?!"

Luke really wanted to caress the honest scarlet blushing reaction of Cang Yue when he mentions the last part. Cang Yue nearly felt her heart burst out of her chest as her new growing feelings were getting amplify at this moment.

For a girl with little to no experience in actual romantic feelings, she was just as innocent as Qingyue or Lingxi.

To not overwhelm the poor girl, Luke ignited his hand in soul power, making a wave of calmness fall over Cang Yue.

"You see, you won't be a burden with this connection since, together, we can share my Earthen Core prowess!" When saying so, the now more calm Cang Yue felt tremendous power flow inside her!

'Whir!'

The duo gained Luke's iconic blue lightning aura!

Cang Yue's eyes widen in awe as never before in her life, she felt this powerful. It was like she could split the ground apart with one step and tear the sky with a single swipe.

Luke, however, felt weaker than what he used to and had to focus on making sure Cang Yue's body didn't get overloaded or fired.

All the while, the Phoenix was silently observing. Though it did feel shocked for Luke having this incredible prowess, it wasn't too surprised after all it felt from Luke and Spooky.

"Unlike my Spirit Power, which I used up as of now. My soul power has no limit and will only last as long our body stamina can last. I know our time has been short, but I honestly do quite like you, and I would like to help you get stronger if you want it. And don't worry about me, this is a form of training for my soul."

Cang Yue's eyes matched Luke's, and she recalled the long two days they been together.

Ever since their first meeting, they got along so quickly with each other. From their talks, Cang Yue felt more open, free, and shared genuine laughs with him and his girls.

Furthermore, his bold teasing and flirting never once came off as off-putting or gross since Luke would say it in a charismatic smooth way.

And in her heart, Cang Yue knew she couldn't say she disliked it... instead she found herself enjoying it.

Taking a deep sigh and calming her nerves, Cang Yue gained back her signature teasing smirk as she said,

"Fufufu~, my, Luke, you're going quite out the way for me. I guess you're lucky I quite l-like you too. I will humbly meet your expectations you have of me then. Let's complete this trial together!"

Her face was gaining a slight hue of a blush, but she determinedly stared into Luke's eyes.

They both nodded and hand in hand, the two walked towards the Phoenix as Luke said,

"We're ready for the trials!"

"Very well."

'Hua!'

Instantly a red portal appeared a few inches in front of them.

And with no further words, both youths walked right into the portal without the slightest of hesitations.

"Indeed...what will completely change the universe is out of all our grasps..."

….

When stepping through the portal, Luke and Cang Yue were greeted by an endlessly long hall that looked like something out of a burning hell. From both sides of the scorching red walkway, was fiery lava that bubbled with sickening pops.

The temperature here was dramatically burning, far surpassing any heatwaves Luke encounter in his first life.

It was like being next to or dipping into an erupting volcano!

Luckily for the two youths, their fused blue lightning aura protected them from the oppressive heat.

"Luke, before we start, uhm...do you have a way for us to be connected without holding hands-not that there's anything wrong with that! But it would be difficult to fight like this..."

Cang Yue hurriedly explained herself, yet despite giving out the suggestion, she really didn't want to let go of Luke's hand.

"Oh? We can do it like this then."

Luke also didn't want to let go, but he knew this would be for the best.

With a snap of his finger, on their joined hands, a blue lightning chain connected them now. Reluctantly removing his hand with her, their blue lightning aura still remained, and they both still held the same prowess.

"These chains have perfect ranges for us to run around and not have to stay hand holding connected. Ready now?"

Cang Yue nodded to him and when the duo made a single step,

'Swish!'

Immediately a gigantic red-figure rushed out of the lava! With a sickening stomp, the figure only landed inches apart of them, and the duo got to take in its full glory.

This...demon, was enormously towering. It stood at thirty two-meter tall, was entirely covered in magma flames, and even had two vicious eyes at both sides of its head.

At the top of its head as well, there were two long golden horns with a mark shining in between them.

"Geh!"

Immediately when the demon appeared, did it open its fiery mouth to unleash a gigantic fireball at the duo!

"Dodge!"

The two jumped high in the air, narrowly missing the fireball. Though they didn't hear any impacts of the fireball as it was merely absorbed into the walls.

"Earthen Core, eh? Rush him!"

Luke said as he brought his axe. Cang Yue, who had no trouble adapting to her newfound power, brought out a glorious silver short sword.

Matching the duo pace, the demon as well put strength into its leg and rushed to squash their tiny bodies!

Luke and Cang Yue dived down to the demon as both were sure their blue lightning aura would protect them from the fire.

Sword and axe met a gigantic fire fist as they both clashed at insane speeds!

'Bang!'

The flame demon was pushed back for ten steps, and its whole arm felt slightly numb.

Luke and Cang Yue got pushed back the equal number of steps and felt a slight stinging sensation.

Immediately the demon prepared to rush the youths again; however, its eyes widen once five blue lightning binds came blitzing towards it!

'Pa!'

This time, the demon clapped its hand, unleashing a wave of concentrated fire. Only this was to avail when one of the blue lightning binds met the onslaught of fire in an intense collision.

'Bang!'

The whole hall tremble from the fierce clash of powers!

Before the demon could respond, it suddenly felt its body get constraint tightly by Luke's binds.

"Xureuo!"

Faster than any point in her life, Cang Yue gathered up this new soul power to unleash a Martial skill. Her sword shined a dazzling bright silver, and at the tip of her sword was seven small shimmering stars.

It only took her a second, and she rushed forward at blitzing speed!

Like Luke said before, the chains allowed Cang Yue to freely move on her own, having free range to attack.

"Seven Star Arranging Moon!!"

In only two seconds, she flashed in front of the struggling demon faced and violently struck its massive head!

'BOOOM!!'

The demon flew back in a silver light. Like a rocket, it crashed into the group forming a wide crater underneath it.

Cang Yue's attack took off half of its face, but the light in the demon eyes didn't die. However, it didn't get a chance to counter-attack once it saw Luke hovering a few meters above it.

"Lightning Star!!"

From his axe, a shimmering silver star appeared! Because of their shared power, Luke quickly understood the properties behind that martial skill and executed his own form of it.

'Hua!'

'Bang!'

Luke's attack blasted out in a roaring frenzy and splatter the demon head into fiery bits.

Even if they were all the first level of Earthen Core, Luke's soul power still had a significant advantage at the same level.

Landing on the ground in front of Cang Yue, she had a beautiful smile, saying,

"Well, would you look at this? I didn't know we-"

'Swish! Swish! Swish!'

Her praise was caught short as three more flame demons suddenly shot out of the lava! The demons landed a few meters away from them, and the duo could tell these ones were a bit stronger.

"Hm? Hold on to that thought, the fun not over yet..."