Stranger Danger

“Is that all?” Jiang Yunlai asked doubtfully.

“That is all,” Xuanyuan Xin answered. “But don’t think this will be easy. Xuanyuan Kun and the traitors are hiding inside the Xumi Celestial Mirror, and the Xumi Celestial Mirror is our ultimate treasure. Not only does it contain a world that is disproportionate for its size, it could conceal itself from the rivers of fate and transform into anything and everything.

“The Xumi Celestial Mirror could exist anywhere in the Kunlun Ruins as any item. It could be a blade of grass, a flower, a stone, a drop of water, a speck of sand…”

“That’s like fishing for a needle in the sea.”

Jiang Yunlai’s frown gradually deepened as he listened to Xuanyuan Xin’s description. Assuming that Xuanyuan Xin wasn’t exaggerating, fishing for a needle in the sea perfectly described the search for the Xumi Celestial Mirror in the Kunlun Ruins.

“If it was simple, then I wouldn’t need you, would I?” Xuanyuan Xin replied.

“And how can I trust you not to betray me once I have assisted you in finding the celestials who betrayed you, and you have successfully obtained your vengeance?” Jiang Yunlai asked after a moment of silence.

“You consumed my blood. I am now you, and you are now me. To lie to you is to lie to myself, and why would I do that?” Xuanyuan Xin chuckled.

Jiang Yunlai did not answer, but his soundless scorn need not be said with words.

“A Dao Oath. I want you to swear on a Dao Oath that you will be consumed by the Heavenly Way, exiled by fate, and never to be reborn again should you ever violate your promise to me!”

Jiang Yunlai declared without hesitation, “Besides the conditions you promised me earlier—that you would cure me from my curse and teach me the celestial arts—I also want you to promise that you will never harm me or plot against me.”

“Finally, I want you to leave my body immediately.”

“I did not know that you knew about the Dao Oath.”

Xuanyuan Xin said slowly before her tone abruptly grew harsh. “But what makes you think you have the right to negotiate with me?”

As soon as she said this, a noble, vast, ancient, and terrifying aura descended in Jiang Yunlai’s mental world. He could vaguely see a woman wearing a phoenix robe looking down on him from the pinnacle of the nine heavens. She looked imposing, dignified, and infinitely sacred. Before her, he was as small and pitiful as an ant.

Finally, Xuanyuan Xin revealed to him the true might and terror that was the Kunlun Imperial Princess. Compared to her, he was as tiny as an ant and as ephemeral as a candle flame.

Jiang Yunlai did not submit or compromise, however. Not even a little. After all, he might not be a celestial, but he was still a Sage. A Sage of humanity was a human with a strong, unbreakable Dao heart. If Xuanyuan Xin thought she could scare him into submission with spiritual pressure alone, then she had another thing coming.

More importantly, he was aware that he would lose if he compromised even a little.

He might live, but his defeat—his total, crushing defeat—would be set in stone.

Besides, he did not believe that Xuanyuan Xin would dare to kill him.

As expected, the intimidating spectacle and terrifying pressure receded a dozen or so breaths later. Soon, it was as if nothing had ever happened.

“Bold and unshakeable. You are much better than your ancestor, Jiang Ye.”

Xuanyuan Xin spoke again with a hint of praise and scorn in her voice. “Count yourself lucky. If I wasn’t injured and in need of your help, I would have thrown you into the Prison of Steel Hoes and subjected you to heart-piercing pain, never to be released.”

“Thank you for showing generosity and benevolence, Imperial Princess!”

Jiang Yunlai hid a sigh of relief. It looked like his gamble had succeeded.

“I can agree to all of your conditions except one. You and I have merged into one and are currently inseparable!”

Xuanyuan Xin said slowly, “Besides, I am the descendant of the Queen Mother of the West and the rightful ruler of Kunlun Ruins. Do you know how noble my bloodline is? You should be honored to have it. Also, you’ve sensed the power in my blood, haven’t you? That is the blood of a celestial, a divine being. It is compatible with all arts of the Heavenly Way, and it can assist you in mastering the celestial arts and Magia of Kunlun Ruins, aid you in attaining perfection in your Dao and becoming a celestial, hasten you in your journey to attain Immortality…”

It was as if Xuanyuan Xin’s voice was laced with magic. Jiang Yunlai’s heart began beating faster despite himself. He knew that Xuanyuan Xin hadn’t done anything to him though. It was just his hopeless greed stirring at the fantastical promises.

Ax Xuanyuan Xin said, her blood contained an unbelievable amount of power. He had a strong feeling that, if he could refine all of Xuanyuan Xin’s blood into his own, his strength would climb to unprecedented heights even if it ultimately wasn’t enough for him to become a celestial. He might even be able to arm wrestle the old monsters in the top ten of the Heavenly Champions Ranking.

However, Jiang Yunlai soon forced his greed back into its lid and declared in a firm tone, “Unacceptable. You must leave my body.”

Xuanyuan Xin might be telling the truth when she claimed that her blood was greatly beneficial to him, but what she didn’t mention was that so long as the blood was inside him, she was inside him as well.

To have a celestial inside his body was like having a vicious tiger hiding inside the body of a harmless sheep. He had read novels about a poor, weak protagonist enjoying the benefits of a portable grandpa, but frankly, he could not empathize with them at all. In fact, all he felt was fear and worry. Worry that the tiger was plotting against him, and fear that the tiger would one day eat him whole like the tiger it was.

That was why he could not agree to Xuanyuan Xin’s condition no matter how sweet she put it.

He would never risk his life no matter the temptation.

One must abstain from all temptations and be infinitely careful when plotting with a tiger. Otherwise, they would simply be killed and devoured.

Besides, he did not believe for a second that he and Xuanyuan Xin had become irreversibly inseparable.

“Does my amiability make you think I am a pushover?”

Xuanyuan Xin said slowly, “Is that why you keep trying to push every good term I offer you and challenge my bottom line?”

“I would not dare, imperial princess. This junior simply does not think that he is suitable. Think about it. I am a man, and you a woman. For you to stay inside me is a sort of blasphemy against you, isn’t it?”

Jiang Yunlai explained, “This junior promises that he will find a flawless woman's body for you to inhabit instead.”

“Every word you breathe is insincere, but I must admit you have a way with words.”

Xuanyuan Xin replied, “In that case, why not? Remember what you said, however. If you dare to go back on your word, then I will make you wish that you were dead.”

“This junior would never!” Jiang Yunlai replied with a hint of triumph. “Thank you again for your benevolence and generosity, imperial princess!”

“No need to thank me yet. I’m not finished.”

Xuanyuan Xin continued, “I will leave your body, but not now. Not until you have found me the traitors.”

“Imperial princess—” Jiang Yun paled and tried to speak, but Xuanyuan Xin rudely interrupted him.

“Do not challenge my bottom line again, mortal. Otherwise, I don’t mind killing you and finding myself a new partner!”

Xuanyuan Xin’s voice turned cold and tyrannical. “Do not forget that you are not the only Sage in this space!”

Jiang Yunlai did not say anything.

“You think I cannot or dare not kill you?”

Xuanyuan Xin seemed to know what Jiang Yunlai was thinking even though he was keeping quiet. “It is true I cannot kill you, at least not directly. But indirectly? Hahaha… Have you forgotten where we are? We are in a Nine Nethers Rift.”

“I may not be able to kill you directly, but I can certainly deal you a grievous blow and prevent you from leaving the Nine Nethers Rift. I can keep you here forever and ever, unable to escape and denied from death!”

Jiang Yunlai’s complexion darkened.