All right, after so many failed attempts, Nuo Tao had practically memorized the traps.
At last, she killed the Mimic, picked up the item it dropped, and truly cleared the trial.
Nuo Tao looked as though she had lost the will to live.
"The outcome is decided."
The Thousand Thieves Immortal Lord sounded faintly moved. "Without question, your performance as the Thousand Thieves Gate's representative was more than satisfactory."
At her founding patriarch's praise, a flicker of surprise broke through Nuo Tao's lifeless expression.
"Ah, really?"
"If Gu Chengming weren't here."
Nuo Tao: "..."
The Thousand Thieves Immortal Lord swept his sleeve. "Since victory and defeat have been decided, it is time to bestow your fortune."
He tapped a finger lightly, and two streaks of light descended from the sky, one toward each of them.
Nuo Tao stared at the glowing orb drifting toward her in disbelief. "I get one too?"
The Thousand Thieves Immortal Lord glanced at her and smiled. "Didn't I say your performance as the Thousand Thieves Gate's representative was more than satisfactory?"
Nuo Tao was overjoyed, her earlier gloom swept away. But before she could savor that joy—
"That's enough. You've got your reward, so hurry along." The Thousand Thieves Immortal Lord waved his sleeve without ceremony.
"Huh? Founding patriarch, wait, I still—" Before Nuo Tao could finish, a pitch-black hole suddenly opened beneath her feet.
Whoosh—
The girl vanished in an instant. Even her startled cry was cut short in the void.
The entire space fell quiet.
"Good. No outsiders now." The Thousand Thieves Immortal Lord turned to Gu Chengming. "So, young friend Gu, will you truly not consider it?"
"If you became the Thousand Thieves Gate's representative, where in all the Nine Provinces could you not go?"
Gu Chengming was puzzled. "What about Nuo