Encounter

"I do not agree." "Huh? You don't agree?" "That's right. What of it? I simply don't agree." "Oh, I see. Did your backside start itching again right after a spanking?" "..." Li Qingyan looked at him, caught between amusement and exasperation. "Xu Changtian, could you not be so childish? What time do you think it is?!" "..." Xu Yuan said nothing more. Reaching out, he went to grab Li Qingyan's lotus-root forearm beneath her red sleeve, intending to turn her around by force. In Cangyuan, the stat bonuses gained from popping demon crystals vanished once the antidote was obtained. Therefore, if everything went smoothly, the strength he had gained from transforming into an aberrant ghost would most likely plummet back down once that time came. If he didn't seize this chance to reassert his husbandly authority, who knew how long he would have to wait in the future? "Stop!" "I told you to stop!" "Xu Changtian, are you insane—" *Smack!* "..." Her face flushed slightly. Li Qingyan bit her lip and stared at the smiling man before her for several breaths before grinding out four words through clenched teeth: "Villain basking in petty triumph." "Thank you for the compliment." Xu Yuan savored the lingering sensation in his hand for a moment, then withdrew it with a chuckle. "I, Xu Changtian, have never been any sort of modest gentleman. Is this the first time you've gotten to know me, Qingyan?" Seeing his shameless demeanor, Li Qingyan struggled to suppress the anger in her chest. "Xu Changtian, if you have any guts, keep being this arrogant once we're back in the army." "I don't have any," Xu Yuan replied without a shred of shame. "A real man knows when to yield and when to stand tall. Once we're back in the army, I'll listen to whatever you say, Qingyan." Saying this, he leaned close to her exquisite, dashing face and gave her a wink. "Hah..." Li Qingyan let out a laugh of pure exasperation, seized by the urge to curse for the very first time. But after taking a deep breath, the fury in her eyes abruptly dissipated. Looking at him, her voice turned cool and aloof. "Xu Changtian, you've hit me as you wished, and you've taken liberties as you pleased. If you don't intend to take the next step, can we talk about serious business now?" "..." Xu Yuan was taken aback by her sudden composure. How could this woman change faces so quickly? Li Qingyan was completely calm now. Staring at him, her voice softened slightly. "Changtian, stop fooling around. Do you know what it means for you to take four crates of Source Crystal bombs into the Blood Nest?" Xu Yuan fell silent for a moment before asking with a gentle smile, "What does it mean?" Li Qingyan held up three slender fingers in front of him. "First, you should know full well just how powerful these four crates of bombs are. If the Source Crystal bombs completely destroy the so-called 'life origin' within the Blood Nest, do you really think you can survive? "Second, even if you survive, how will you restore your body? "Third, your body has already undergone a complete aberrant ghost transformation. Though your consciousness is still your own, if your body is utterly pulverized, can you be sure that the you after regeneration will still be the you of right now?" With that, Li Qingyan's eyes gleamed sharply as she stared intently into the man's scarlet pupils. In the silence, Xu Yuan suddenly caught her raised jade hand and smiled gently. "Qingyan... I know everything you just said." Of course he knew. According to the information from his past life, temporarily neutralizing the aberrant ghost venom with a demon crystal granted the player a continuous health regeneration buff. Perhaps for game balance, that buff wasn't excessively strong—at least nowhere near the miraculous level of bringing the dead back to life and regrowing flesh on bare bone like he had experienced now. However, if a player died in that state, there was no such thing as reviving. Death meant nothing but a remake—reloading a save file to start over. If that was true in Cangyuan, then in reality, if Xu Changtian died completely even once, he might be entirely transformed into an aberrant ghost from body to soul. Just as Luo Xiran had tried by all means to smash his head earlier. Li Qingyan wrenched her hand free, knitting her willow brows deeply as she glared at him. "If you know, why are you still acting so recklessly?" Xu Yuan glanced at the hand that had been shaken off so roughly, stroked his chin, and countered, "Who told you I planned to take the blast of four crates of Source Crystal bombs head-on?" "Hm?" Li Qingyan was caught off guard by the question. "Um... Your Highness," Bai Muxi, who had remained quiet all this time, spoke up. "Didn't you see it just now? The Young Master possesses a sword technique akin to teleportation." "..." Li Qingyan was speechless. Bai Muxi continued softly and placidly, "Your Highness's judgment was clouded by concern, so it is only natural you didn't think of it." Coming back to her senses without letting her expression waver in the slightest, Li Qingyan glanced back coldly at Bai Muxi. "You think my judgment was clouded by concern for him?" Reading her expression, Bai Muxi curtsied obediently before adding, "Though Your Highness does not say it, Muxi can see how deeply you care for the Young Master. But the Young Master always plans before he acts; Your Highness ought to place some trust in him at times." "..." Hearing Little Bai's words, Xu Yuan chuckled before Li Qingyan could even reply. Apparent persuasion masking a subtle dig, followed by a mild jab to stir up trouble. It flattered him while taking a swipe at Li Qingyan. What a delightfully sweet trace of green tea! If it were Su Jinxuan or Tian—well, those two women around Tianyan would likely fall right into the trap, maybe even fly into a rage. The Big Ice Block would probably stare with innocent eyes and utter some unintentional remark that dealt direct, critical true damage. As for Li Qingyan... Using this level of tea against a master of mind games like her? She wouldn't pay it any mind at all. Just as the thought crossed his mind, Li Qingyan curved her eyes in a knowing smile at Bai Muxi. "The Chief Arbiter is right. Indeed, my concern clouded my judgment." With that, she turned her gaze back to him, her breath scented like orchids. "Changtian, I was so worried about you—you will forgive me, won't you?" "Heh... I'll have to think about that," Xu Yuan replied with a grin. Li Qingyan rolled her eyes at him, not sparing another glance at Bai Muxi, and swept her gaze across the ground. "Let's get out of here first. Don't you find this place disgusting?" Xu Yuan glanced at the thick layer of minced flesh and blood pooling at the bottom of the spherical cavern and put away the four crates of Source Crystal bombs. "You've fought wars for so many years, yet you still find flesh and blood disgusting?" A hint of displeasure surfaced in Li Qingyan's eyes. "Being used to it doesn't mean I can't loathe it." "In that case, let's burn it." A crimson fireball flared to life in Xu Yuan's palm, the surging heat wave seemingly threatening to tear the surrounding space apart. "I can sense remnants of 'life origin' within this flesh." Hearing this, Li Qingyan instinctively looked toward the cavern's entrance, only to see that black death creep had already crawled onto the previously bare cavern walls. "Creep? Are you controlling this creep?" "No." Crimson Source Qi coiled around Xu Yuan as he flew with the two women to the entrance of the tunnel they had come from. He said softly, "I haven't adapted to or mastered all the abilities of a high-tier aberrant ghost yet. But if we don't burn this flesh, it will become nourishment for the Blood Nest again." With those words, the crimson fireball dropped from Xu Yuan's palm. As it fell, the fireball illuminated the surroundings. The instant it struck the surface of the pool of gore, it spread rapidly as though it had hit petroleum, bathing the entire spherical cavern in brilliant firelight. The pool of burning flesh and the crimson flames reflected off the sword gouges on the stone walls, making the cavern look as red as hell itself. Silently, an eerie aroma of roasted meat drifted up into their nostrils. Seeing this, Xu Yuan pinched his nose. He felt a fleeting urge to eat it, but disgust immediately welled up inside him, making him gag slightly. He looked back and said, "Let's go. Roasting that pool of flesh down there actually smells a bit fragrant." "Fragrant?" Li Qingyan's pupils contracted. Turning her face, she looked at Xu Yuan, shock filling her beautiful eyes. "What fragrance?" "Young Master..." Bai Muxi probed cautiously, "doesn't this smell foul?" "..." The air among the three suddenly froze. A second later, Li Qingyan clenched her fists and spun around cleanly, her red robes billowing. Tossing the Blood God Stone jade pendant to Bai Muxi, she said in a cold voice, "Quit dawdling. We're going to find the Blood Nest immediately." With that, she turned on her heel and strode away. Bai Muxi stole a glance at Xu Yuan, who still stood in place. "Young Master?" Suppressing the unease in his heart, Xu Yuan looked back and smiled. "What is it?" Bai Muxi blinked her clear eyes twice. "Are you all right?" "What could be wrong with me?" Xu Yuan also turned around, his tone as leisurely as ever. "Don't worry. I know what I'm doing." "Instead of wasting time comforting her, you'd better focus on finding the Blood Nest," Li Qingyan's ice-cold voice called from deep within the tunnel. "My aberrant ghost commander-in-chief, get over here and lead the way!" Hearing this, Xu Yuan patted Little Bai on the head and pushed off with his foot, darting rapidly in Li Qingyan's direction. The three raced along the tunnel. This time, Bai Muxi was no longer the one leading the way, nor was Xu Yuan the one dragging down their traveling speed. The pitch-black tunnel walls on either side rushed backward. As they sped along, Xu Yuan observed Li Qingyan's flawless profile beside him. Ever since leaving that cavern, this chest-bound princess had kept an icy expression, uttering not a single word. Even low-tier aberrant ghosts along the path that didn't need to be dealt with were slashed into ashes by her fiery blade, as if she were venting her frustration. Was this her way of worrying about him? The suspension bridge effect truly never failed; women always fell for it. Besides, after spending day and night together for nearly half a year, even a dog would develop feelings, let alone a handsome man and a beautiful woman. *Heh... women.* Thinking of such random nonsense, Xu Yuan suddenly felt there really was something wrong with his nonchalant personality. He was on the verge of death—no, on the verge of becoming an aberrant ghost—yet he still had the luxury to dwell on these things. Did this count as being amorous even in death—or rather, ghosthood? In the literal bodily sense. "Does my face have flowers blooming on it that you keep staring at me?" "..." Xu Yuan snapped back to reality. Floating through the air enveloped in crimson Source Qi, he smiled and answered, "No flowers, but you're pretty. So I figured I'd take a few extra looks before my aberrant ghost transformation completes." "..." Li Qingyan fell silent for a moment, sighed, and said in a low voice, "You really are... *Hoo*, I don't want to talk about this with you right now. Have you found the Blood Nest?" "We haven't even exited the tunnel covered in creep yet. It's way too early to pinpoint the Blood Nest," Xu Yuan shook his head and chuckled softly. "Qingyan, since my body has become an aberrant ghost, it's only natural that there would be some sensory differences from humans. We should still have plenty of time right now, so don't rush so much." Li Qingyan replied chillingly, "So undisciplined. If you were one of my soldiers, I'd show you what hell feels like." "Pity, then. I'm your commander-in-chief right now." "Once we return to the military camp, I will thoroughly drill that slack nature out of you." "Then you'd just be forcing us to sleep in separate quarters." Saying so, Xu Yuan looked down at his body, which was brimming with power, and changed the subject with a laugh. "Now I finally understand why aberrant ghosts could run rampant ten thousand years ago. Demon crystals can pass down most of a high-tier aberrant ghost's strength to others, combined with their bodily immortality. For the seniors ten thousand years ago to withstand the aberrant ghosts' invasion and even turn around to wipe them out completely... "The human race back then truly lived in a magnificent, brilliant era." "..." Li Qingyan ignored him, silently picking up her pace. Xu Yuan sped up to match her, continuing with a smile, "Don't you think so, Qingyan? A Soul Condensation powerhouse like me consumed a Transcendent demon crystal and directly gained a Transcendent body. I reckon most of the human traitors back then turned coat for this very reason." "Yours is a special case," Li Qingyan replied, her tone still cold, yet answering nonetheless. "Even if ordinary people become aberrant ghosts, they wouldn't be bestowed high-tier demon crystals. And even if they were given one, they wouldn't know how to wield that power at all. A low-tier cultivator possessing only the body and Source Qi could easily be slain by someone of a lower realm." Pausing briefly, Li Qingyan added, "Furthermore, when high-tier aberrant ghosts are slain, the demon crystals within them most likely fall into the hands of our human powerhouses. There is no such thing as power inheritance under normal circumstances." Xu Yuan's eyes flickered, and he smiled. "You're as sharp as ever, Qingyan." Li Qingyan ignored the praise and merely urged, "Cut the chatter. Have you found it yet?" "I already said it's still early. Being anxious won't help," Xu Yuan said with a smile, hearing the urgency veiled beneath her stern facade. "Nine times out of ten, life doesn't go our way. How could everything possibly remain within our grasp? The more anxious you are, the more it disrupts our plans. My Princess Qingyan surely understands this, doesn't she?" "..." Li Qingyan bit her lip and let out a long exhalation, her tone softening somewhat. "Fine... Have it your way. At worst, I'll just die here with you." "..." Trailing behind them, Bai Muxi was slightly stunned to hear that, blinking her eyes and instinctively wanting to say something. *Wait, if you two die, what about the Underground City?* In the end, Bai Muxi lowered her eyes and kept her mouth shut. Without the Young Master and the princess, her Underground City would have been doomed anyway. Now, at the very least, they had sought a slim chance of survival amidst certain death. Do what man can, and leave the rest to fate. However, after Xu Yuan's verbal therapy, Li Qingyan seemed genuinely to have stopped rushing—at least on the surface, not a trace of it showed. Flying onward in silence for dozens of li, she suddenly glanced sideways at the immense Source Qi Xu Yuan was manipulating with practiced ease. "Changtian, as someone at Soul Condensation, why were you able to adapt so quickly to—" "Adapt to the power of the Transcendent Realm?" Xu Yuan cut in. Thumbing at himself, he spouted without missing a beat, "Because I'm a genius—the kind of genius even more talented than Xu Changge." "..." A strange look flashed through Li Qingyan's phoenix eyes, and she finally couldn't help but burst into a melodious laugh. "You? Compared to Xu Changge? *Pfft—*" "..." Xu Yuan smacked his lips, just about to retort, when he suddenly sensed a lightning-fast, burly figure charging toward Li Qingyan at a speed invisible to the naked eye. Time seemed to freeze. Amidst Li Qingyan's laughter, the sword Qingyu snapped from its sheath. An instantaneous Void-Stepping Slash. Xu Yuan's figure instantly appeared in front of Li Qingyan. Shoving her aside, he had barely brought his sword across his chest— Countless blood-colored mirror facets materialized: Blood-Ink Jade: Circular Dance. And in the very next instant, that burly silhouette had already arrived right before them. A fist imbued with boundless, colossal might raised high, then slammed down violently! *BOOM!!!!!*