Translator: CinderTL
If Liu Wanjun's cultivation had been lower than his, there would have been nothing to discuss. He would have taken the item and... her as well.
An antique from over eight hundred years ago...
Truly intriguing.
Xu Sanyan shook his head slowly. "I'd like to know what's inside before making a decision."
Liu Wanjun replied, "The item I need is of no use to you. I assume you're already aware of my situation. That item is the key to my complete resurrection. I will not give it up, no matter what."
Liu Wanjun's words were crystal clear. That item was as vital to her as her own life. If Xu Sanyan insisted on taking it, she would have to fight for it with her life.
Xu Sanyan remained noncommittal. "How about we first open this formation and then decide?"
"Very well."
Liu Wanjun agreed, and the two entered the stone chamber.
Xu Sanyan asked, "Princess, do you understand formations?"
Liu Wanjun nodded. "I know a little."
Over the past eight hundred years, she had only studied the formation for the Life Borrowing Soul Return Technique, as the Imperial Advisor's manual only contained that one set of formations.
However, this formation was incredibly complex. After all, it involved the reincarnation of the soul, with numerous intricate connections. Dozens of nested formations, large and small, were densely interwoven.
Liu Wanjun, through her keen understanding of principles, had also figured out some things.
Gazing at the milky-white light barrier before her, she slowly channeled her Spiritual Power into it, carefully tracing the array's patterns and identifying the key nodes to unlock.
Time passed slowly in the subterranean darkness. Xu Sanyan had no idea how long it had been, but it must have been quite some time.
Pop!
A crisp sound like a bubble bursting echoed through the chamber. The light barrier vanished, and Liu Wanjun swiftly reached out and grasped an object within, warily eyeing Xu Sanyan.
Xu Sanyan ignored her for the moment, his gaze fixed on the stone table. Three items lay upon it: a sword, a token, and a small booklet.
"These are all yours. I only want this," Liu Wanjun said, clutching a crimson heart in her hand. The heart seemed to be still beating.
Xu Sanyan looked at the pulsating heart with mild curiosity, unsure of its purpose.
"It's useless to you," Liu Wanjun explained.
Xu Sanyan smiled and nodded. "Very well." He stepped forward and pocketed the three items.
Liu Wanjun breathed a sigh of relief and cautiously retreated. With a plop, she plunged into the water and disappeared.
Xu Sanyan narrowed her eyes and followed.
Splash!
Liu Wanjun emerged from the water, the sky already dark.
Suddenly, a figure shot out from the black curtain of night, moving with the speed of a falcon. Its ten fingers lunged directly for Liu Wanjun's neck.
"Hmph!" Liu Wanjun had been prepared. Her form drifted back, narrowly avoiding the attack, and her feet landed on the shore.
The dark figure, missing its target, quickly vanished back into the night, disappearing without a trace. It was Xu Sanyan's Ferocious Demon.
The water exploded again as Xu Sanyan leaped out, standing opposite her. Their eyes met, neither speaking.
Liu Wanjun spoke first. "Why must you be so aggressive, young master? This object is useless to you. You should be satisfied with the three treasures you already took."
Xu Sanyan shook her head. "I'll decide whether it's useless after I've examined it."
This object was vital to Liu Wanjun's life. She would never give it up. Her calm gaze gradually turned cold. "Do you think I'm afraid of you?"
"Heh..."
Her repeated concessions had revealed her lack of confidence. Though Liu Wanjun had lived for over eight hundred years, her cultivation didn't seem particularly high.
Liu Wanjun said no more. She knew that unless she revealed some of her true abilities, this man would never let her go. Her aura shifted, a surge of vibrant Spiritual Power erupting from her, causing her robes to flutter.
Xu Sanyan's eyes narrowed. Foundation Establishment Realm?
How had she broken through to Foundation Establishment?
Most cultivation methods required specific conditions to advance to Foundation Establishment—at least, that's what he knew.
Whether it was the Supreme Truth and Absolute Stillness Sutra he cultivated or the Heart Devouring Yin Art practiced by Emperor Qi.
Even with his cheat, Xu Sanyan still needed to find a Heavenly Earth Treasure to succeed.
But trapped underground and unable to move, how could she possibly search for the necessary item?
Could her cultivation method be unique?
Xu Sanyan couldn't understand, but he stopped dwelling on it. Foundation Establishment Realm was nothing to fear.
"You're digging your own grave!" Liu Wanjun's voice was icy, a stark contrast to her delicate features.
Xu Sanyan's eyes narrowed slightly. A pool of dark ink appeared in the air behind him, blending seamlessly with the night and remaining nearly invisible.
As the ink writhed, a slender, hunched figure slowly emerged. A vertical eye on its forehead fixed on Liu Wanjun, and foul saliva dripped from its jagged fangs.
Liu Wanjun showed no fear. Dozens of dark figures leaped and bounded toward her from the distant night—the zombies linked to her mind.
Eight hundred years ago, she had been a princess, cherished by her father the emperor. Her cultivation method was also quite formidable, and she still remembered several mystical arts. Even in combat, she was confident she could hold her own.
Whoosh!
The Blood Demon's slender form pierced the night, instantly appearing before Liu Wanjun. Its knee-length arms closed in, three dagger-like fingers slicing through the air as they clawed toward her head.
Liu Wanjun snorted coldly. Her exposed skin suddenly turned deathly pale, resembling a corpse that had been dead for ages, devoid of any warmth.
Clang!
The Blood Demon's fingers slammed into her neck, but it was like striking steel. A metallic clang echoed through the air. Liu Wanjun remained completely unharmed.
Xu Sanyan's eyes narrowed. Such resilient flesh! Even his body, nourished by a Heavenly Earth Treasure, wouldn't dare withstand the Blood Demon's strike head-on. But she...
Xu Sanyan examined her closely and realized something was amiss. This wasn't her natural physical strength; it must be a defensive mystical art.
Liu Wanjun ignored the Blood Demon, raising her head to look at Xu Sanyan.
She knew this was just a puppet. Killing the person controlling it was the true solution.
With a sudden shift, Xu Sanyan's palm struck Liu Wanjun's forehead, aiming to kill her instantly.
Liu Wanjun remained unfazed, making no immediate move to activate her Dao Body. Instead, she raised her palm to meet the blow.
Bang!
The two palms met and immediately separated. The immense force of the impact sent both figures staggering backward several steps. Xu Sanyan inwardly marveled. That little bitch has incredible strength! She's facing nearly seventy percent of my power!
He quickly corrected himself. Perhaps "old bitch" would be more fitting.
Liu Wanjun's expression was grim as she stared at Xu Sanyan. From that single exchange, she knew she was at a disadvantage.
Her physical body had been nourished by a formation for eight hundred years, absorbing the essence of countless commoners. While most of this essence was used to sustain her life, a small portion had seeped into her body, enhancing her physical attributes. After centuries of accumulation, this enhancement was not to be underestimated.
When the imperial court had sent envoys to this land, she had fought them all off with her bare body, forcing the court to retreat.
But now...
She had encountered someone with a stronger physical body than her own.
"How about this... I'll add one more thing. Let's call it a draw and end this here?" Liu Wanjun made her final concession. She had already obtained the key item and saw no point in continuing this pointless slaughter.
(End of the Chapter)
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