The Sea Turtle shrank its entire body into its shell. The whole shell blazed with light, its spikes growing sturdier as their cold gleam intensified.
"Useless." Xu Zimo shook his head slightly.
The instant his massive hand came down, cracking sounds rang out from the turtle shell.
"Argh!" A strange cry came from within the shell as the Sea Turtle shouted, "Stop hitting me, stop hitting me.
"It was supposed to be a test. Are you trying to beat this old turtle to death?"
The shell was clearly unable to withstand it any longer, and fine cracks had already appeared.
Only then did Xu Zimo withdraw his right hand and say flatly, "Does this count as passing?"
"Passed, passed." The Sea Turtle cautiously poked its head out of its shell.
Taking a deep breath, it said in lingering fear, "Are you one of the disciples participating this time? How did the Nine Heavens let a monster like you in?"
Xu Zimo smiled and walked step by step toward the treasure chest.
The treasure chest was entirely forged from gilded gold, with no lock on it.
When Xu Zimo opened it, a beam of light shot straight into the heavens.
Within the beam, a pure white token floated up.
"Taixiao." One character was inscribed on each side of the token. Amid surging spiritual energy, it slowly drifted before Xu Zimo.
Xu Zimo picked up the token in satisfaction and looked at the Sea Turtle. "Do you want to die or live?"
"You can't kill this old turtle. I have an agreement with your Nine Heavens," the old turtle hurriedly shook its head.
"I help you temper your disciples, and you let me dwell here."
"What damn Nine Heavens? Their affairs are none of my concern," Xu Zimo said.
"I do things