Chapter 96: Exodus

With a muffled boom!

Gu Ji'er suddenly regained her senses. Her divine sense swept over, and the auras of those two crocodile-headed pythons were severed, leaving only a human aura—Xu Zhe's—as he walked back unhurriedly.

In an instant, Gu Ji'er's mind reeled from the shock, her eyes wide with disbelief.

Golden Core realm... instantly killing crocodiles?

Those crocodiles possessed strength comparable to that of Nascent Soul cultivators!

Moreover, there were two of them, active within the Yuanyang Golden Mist, and yet they had been slain so casually?

Gu Ji'er felt her millennia-old perceptions of the cultivation world crumbling.

She even wondered for a moment if Xu Zhe was real, or if he was merely a heart demon illusion born when she was on the verge of death, having not been saved.

Since it was an illusion, everything was so dreamlike, so unreal!

Yet during this time, she had verified through various means that her sensations were genuine.

"Gu Ji'er, what are you staring at?"

At this moment, Xu Zhe emerged from the Yuanyang Golden Mist and saw Gu Ji'er standing frozen in place.

He couldn't help but knit his brows and mutter, "It's been so many days, and her injuries haven't fully healed. Could her aptitude be even duller than Qu Hongxiu's?"

"You... you just killed those two crocodile-headed pythons?" Gu Ji'er couldn't restrain herself from asking.

It was human nature: whenever something defies one's understanding arises, even if one knows the truth clearly in their heart, they cannot help but yearn to confirm it once more.

"Oh, right, I shouted at them to clear the way, but they refused, charging forward to bite me instead. Their teeth shattered, so I casually shoved them apart."

Xu Zhe continued, sighing softly, "Unfortunately, I forgot that my recent bodily refinement had brought a substantial boost to my strength, so I momentarily lost control, and that's how they..."

"???"

Gu Ji'er was utterly bewildered.

Teeth shattered? Bodily refinement, uncontrolled strength?

What scene did that describe?

The crocodile-headed pythons charged, but instead of biting him, their teeth broke?

Then, to push them away, he exerted too much force and crushed both to death?

That was her interpretation?

It must be right?

If so, then I must have gone mad, living in a dream!

"Gu Ji'er, stop daydreaming. Hurry and pack your things, then we can leave. Oh, and girls shouldn't be so untidy. Your clothes should be neat; they're slipping off your shoulders."

Xu Zhe swept a glance at her indifferently, reminding her with an expressionless face.

Perhaps because she hadn't changed her clothes in years, the fabric was worn thin and tattered, slipping down over half her shoulders, revealing two large patches of white skin, which was quite unsightly.

"Huh? That's not right. Your clothes weren't this loose originally. Did you not focus on healing your injuries these past few days but instead..."

Suddenly, Xu Zhe detected something wrong and exclaimed in astonishment.

"Ah? No, I didn't. Don't spout nonsense." Gu Ji'er reacted instantly, her face flushing red with shame and anger.

She quickly tugged at her collar, wrapping herself tightly.

Previously, it was merely to verify if it was an illusion by testing her various sensations of pain and comfort. She hadn't expected this fellow to return so early and forget to tidy her appearance.

He wouldn't have noticed, would he?

He wouldn't spread it around, would he?

What would I do if I couldn't face people anymore...

"Oh, good."

Xu Zhe nodded indifferently.

In his heart, he understood everything perfectly.

Sure enough, no matter how much one guarded against the day and night, one couldn't prevent her from developing emotions toward him.

No wonder he hadn't recovered his injury in these past few days; she had been preoccupied with fiddling with her clothes all along, trying to make herself more charming.

Alas, such lowly temptations held no power against Xu Zhe; better to put that thought to rest, woman.

Turning around, I'll write you a rejection letter if you don't give it to me.

"This... are we leaving already?"

Soon, Gu Ji'er, who had come to her senses, reacted belatedly.

She understood: Xu Zhe was taking her out.

"Yes, follow closely behind me, but stay within two meters of me." Xu Zhe nodded.

His gaze drifted to the silent crystal coffin in the palace. After a moment's thought, he decided not to disturb it.

He could sense that the crystal coffin did not wish to leave this place and was unwilling to engage with him.

Moreover, there seemed to be a vague feeling that the reason the crystal coffin did not attack him was the bronze flying sword and seal upon his body.

"Mutual respect among magic treasures?"

Xu Zhe stroked his chin, deep in thought.

Gu Ji'er had already approached him, her expression heavy with burdens, occasionally stealing glances at him, as if somewhat guilty and self-conscious.

Xu Zhe noticed this and inwardly feared the worst; this might be a confession.

"Let's go."

He turned abruptly, a burst of golden light surging from his body into a righteous qi shield of over two meters in radius, enveloping both himself and Gu Ji'er.

With his current physical strength, he had no fear of erosion by the Yuanyang Golden Mist. However, the shield could not be separated to protect only Gu Ji'er while she moved, so he merely expanded its range to include her.

"This... can it withstand the Yuanyang Golden Mist?"

Gu Ji'er inquired curiously.

"Yes!" Xu Zhe's tone was curt, laced with an aloofness that distanced him from thousands of miles.

Then, he stepped into the Yuanyang Golden Mist.

Gu Ji'er bit her lip, took a deep breath, and followed suit.

Under the shield's protection, she watched in awe as the Yuanyang Golden Mist was repelled by the shield, unable to intrude.

"What a formidable spell. Xu Zhe, is this your bloodline innate technique? But I recall you should possess an Azure Dragon bloodline."

Gu Ji'er exclaimed in admiration.

This shield was far more robust and practical than the costly protective garments crafted from rare materials in the Immortal Soldier Pavilion.

"No, I am of pure human bloodline."

Xu Zhe did not turn his head, responding indifferently.

"Human bloodline?"

Gu Ji'er was stunned, about to pursue the question.

Xu Zhe suddenly asked, "By the way, what bloodline do you have?"

"I have an eight-star Chenghuang bloodline and a heavenly-grade wood spirit root, making me adept at alchemy and certain healing arts. In terms from our old online games, I am a professional healer."

As Gu Ji'er spoke, a hint of pride lingered on her face.

Alchemy and healing techniques were highly sought after in any power on the Four Great Continents.

"Chenghuang?"

Xu Zhe was momentarily taken aback and stopped, turning to regard Gu Ji'er.

Chenghuang resembled a fox with horns on its back, and mounting it could extend one's lifespan by two thousand years.

This was a wondrous mythical beast from the Mountain and Sea Classic, appearing fox-like with two horns; riding it once increased lifespan by two millennia.

However, all that was myth and legend; whether it was true remained unverified.

"Would you allow me to ride you?"

Xu Zhe asked Gu Ji'er.

He wished to test whether riding the Chenghuang could truly add two thousand years to one's lifespan.

Although Gu Ji'er only possessed the Chenghuang bloodline, testing it would cost nothing.

Furthermore, if she dismounted and remounted, would it add another two thousand years?

Was this not exploiting a bug?

"You... you scoundrel, what do you take me for?" Gu Ji'er erupted in fury, nearly slapping Xu Zhe.

But recalling that it was Xu Zhe who had risked his life to save her and was so dashing, she only uttered the exclamation in embarrassment, with no intent to strike.

"Very well, I was too presumptuous. Forgive me."

Xu Zhe immediately apologized sincerely.

After all, if he had the Chenghuang bloodline, he would not tolerate others riding upon him.

This was ultimately a conduct that diminished one's dignity; humiliation beneath the crotch could not be endured.

"Never mind that. I... although I do have some favorable impressions of you, such matters..." Gu Ji'er stammered.

"Enough, I understand. Apologies. In the future, I will not make such improper requests. Let's proceed outside."

Xu Zhe nodded solemnly and turned to walk forward once more.

Gu Ji'er was stunned, inwardly seething: You understand nothing.

Then she followed suit again.

Just as they were about to exit the cave, she spotted two crocodile-headed pythons sprawled on the passage side. On their crocodile-like heads, a sizable indentation had sunk in, which upon inspection appeared to be a palm print, directly crushing the skull.

This fellow's bloodline innate technique... Azure Dragon, could it be the Dragon Claw Hand?

Gu Ji'er felt a chill in her chest.

But she quickly recovered.

No, he had said he was human bloodline.

Strange. His sleep chamber clearly bore an Azure Dragon totem, yet how could it be human bloodline?

In a daze, they had already exited the cave.

Xu Zhe suddenly inquired, "By the way, when I arrived earlier, this cave entrance had been sealed by a rock. It must have been someone fearing those Golden Ants would emerge, but on that rock was Wang Jianguo's inscription."

"Ah? What did he write?" Gu Ji'er asked.

"He said Li Chunang had harmed him and believed he wouldn't survive three more days." Xu Zhe gazed into Gu Ji'er's eyes.

"I know this, for the poison pill Li Chunang provided had minimal effect against these Yuanyang Golden Mists, shortening our stay in the Cemetery of Immortal Valley far beyond the original plan. Wang Jianguo complained incessantly along the way, cursing Li Chunang for ruining his trip and such." Gu Ji'er replied.

"So that's it." Xu Zhe nodded in realization.

This explanation was plausible and reasonable; otherwise, with Wang Jianguo's temperament, if truly harmed, he would not have left such uncouth words, at minimum it would be a telegram from Old An.

...

At this time, outside the Cemetery of Immortal Valley.

A group of people were squatting around the exit, with numerous Nascent Soul experts concealed nearby, completely sealing the area.

Lu Yangyun yawned, rose to his feet, approached a large tree, undid his belt, and prepared to relieve himself.

A "Jing Shen" assassin suddenly appeared beside him, offering warm concern: "Lu Tianjiao, urinating?"

"Obvious nonsense. Do you think I'm whipping it out to play?" Lu Yangyun rolled his eyes, irritated.

"Cough, this... you see, we've been on guard here for over thirty days. This bill..."

The assassin cleared his throat and said.

"I've got a membership card. Why are you asking for payment? Oh, right, I haven't transferred the spiritual jade yet. Why the urgency? I'm the foremost literary master of Xikunzhou; can I still refuse your bill?"

Lu Yangyun glared.

"Aiya, I didn't mean it that way. To be frank, your "Lu Clan Five Hundred Poems" has shaken the entire Qing Ci Continent, and you've also written "Journey to the West", "Silver Bottle Plum", "Poking Through the Sky," and other works, which I've read with rapt attention. I am your devoted fan."

The assassin finished, then helplessly added, "But our organization has been pressing us urgently of late, and I had no choice but to come here. Moreover... to speak plainly, you don't want to hear this: the notoriety of the seven forbidden lands in Burial Immortal Valley is well known to you. Although Lu Tianjiao possesses extraordinary talent and formidable strength, before entering the valley he self-destructed his Golden Core and lies gravely injured..."

"Enough, enough, I understand. You think we're wasting time here, right? But I can't help it; it's entrusted to me, understand?"

Lu Yangyun shrugged and then said indifferently, "Besides, my class monitor truly won't fall inside. We dare not belittle him. Why did your side take the Mo family's commission to assassinate him?"

"Sigh!"

At the mention of this, the Jing Shen assassin sighed deeply: "It's quite embarrassing, all our intelligence department's fault, those fellows aren't human. They even claimed your works were plagiarized. Do you think such an intelligence department can be trustworthy?"

"Utter rubbish intelligence department."

Lu Yangyun's face remained calm, speaking with disdain.

"Precisely."

The Jing Shen assassin nodded repeatedly, in deep agreement.

Whoosh!

At this moment, an unusual sound erupted from within the Burial Immortal Valley.

Lu Yangyun and the others' expressions shifted; they turned to look toward the source.

Then they saw, within the Burial Immortal Valley, two figures breaking through the air under a layer of hazy golden mist.