Chapter 1744: All Must Die

Zu An pondered for a long time before nodding. "Alright, I can agree to that. However, if I find my companions along the way, I'll reconsider whether to continue helping you."

A flicker of displeasure crossed the beautiful woman's face, but she eventually nodded. "Very well, let's seal it with a hand clasp!"

With that, she raised her fair, delicate hand. Zu An lightly clapped it, marveling at how the skin of this vine demon was even more tender than a human's, which hardly fit his image of an old hag.

The beautiful woman then spoke, "Since we are now partners, let's reintroduce ourselves. My name is Jing Teng. You haven't told me your names yet."

"My name is Zu An, and she is Qiu Honglei." Zu An was about to introduce Wei Suo, but he had already scurried over with a fawning grin.

"My name is Wei Suo, and it's a pleasure to meet you. I never expected there'd be such a beautiful granny." Wei Suo wore an ingratiating smile, rubbing his hands, looking as lewd as possible.

Jing Teng completely ignored him, turning to Zu An. "Then come back with me. This place is too dilapidated. We can pick up Xiao Ying's urn back at my place and leave at daybreak. It's quite dangerous at night in this world."

Hearing her describe the night as dangerous, Zu An decided against traveling through it. "Alright!"

Soon, the group arrived at a dense forest. The trees here were exceptionally thick, and a faint mist hung in the air, preventing even their spiritual senses from reaching far.

From time to time, an eerie cry echoed, and walking through it, one couldn't help but feel a chilling sensation.

This forest also seemed to be a labyrinth. Fortunately, Jing Teng led the way. Many places that appeared to be dead ends suddenly revealed a path. Her tall, graceful figure swayed naturally as she walked, exuding an air of elegance and nobility rather than any hint of flirtatiousness.

Wei Suo's heart itched as he watched her. If she had been the one to drain his Yang energy earlier, he swore he wouldn't have resisted at all. What a pity it was that "Senior Sister" who came!

Qiu Honglei secretly transmitted, "Be careful of a trap."

Zu An nodded, raising his guard, and tentatively asked, "This place seems to be set with a sophisticated formation?"

If Xie Daoyun or Yan Xuehen were here, they might have seen through it, but while he had some knowledge of geomancy, he wasn't proficient in formations.

Jing Teng nodded slightly. "Precisely. It was deliberately set up to deter those with ill intentions."

Zu An was somewhat surprised. "You're also skilled in formations?"

This woman had previously used the Nine-Character Mantra of Daoism, and now she could wield such an intricate formation. She was truly extraordinary.

Jing Teng looked back at him, raising an eyebrow. "Who says a demon can't know these things?"

"That's true," Zu An chuckled, no longer questioning her.

Soon, they arrived before a massive boulder covered in winding, thick vines. Jing Teng didn't hesitate, walking directly towards it.

The vines on the boulder automatically retracted to both sides, revealing a spacious cave entrance.

Zu An and the others silently admired it. The design was truly ingenious; without her leading the way, outsiders would never realize this was a hidden dwelling.

After following her into the cave, the space suddenly opened up. The chilling, eerie feeling from outside vanished, replaced by vibrant life. Even the air seemed to flow with abundant spiritual energy.

Elegant pavilions and waterside structures appeared before them, resembling classical Jiangnan gardens. It was hard to believe they were inside a mountain cave.

Qiu Honglei couldn't help but ask, "This doesn't seem to be the same cave we entered. Where exactly have you brought us?"

She had left markers along the way, but after entering here, she could no longer sense any of them.

Jing Teng glanced at her and said calmly, "Don't worry. This is a blessed land that I opened up for my daily residence and rest. There is no danger."

Zu An was stunned. "You can open up a space?"

"Why not?" A slight curve appeared on Jing Teng's lips, and a hint of pride flashed across her face. She seemed to enjoy seeing his uninitiated reaction.

Zu An was incredibly shocked. This woman's strength was indeed impressive, but she should be far from being able to open up a space.

Even someone as powerful as Zhao Hao might not possess the ability to open up space. While skilled rune masters in the academy and court could create storage bags, those spaces could only hold inanimate objects and couldn't be entered by people. What lay before them could strictly be considered a miniature world.

What level of cultivation had this woman reached to be able to create such a world?

"Don't listen to her bragging," Mi Li's voice suddenly echoed in his mind. "Legend has it that ancient immortals could open blessed lands for their cultivation and seclusion. This woman clearly doesn't have that ability. Most likely, she stumbled upon some immortal's treasure that contains this blessed land."

Zu An was somewhat surprised. "Are there really immortals?"

Mi Li retorted unhappily, "Didn't you see one in the demon race's Summer Secret Realm last time? And you still ask such a question."

Zu An chuckled to himself. It was true. Those secret realms had an ethereal quality that sometimes made him doubt their reality.

"Xiao Ying, take them to the guest rooms," Jing Teng paused. "I need to rest. Don't disturb me unless it's important."

With that, she floated away gracefully, her every movement captivating Wei Suo.

"Yes!" Xiao Ying bowed, then smiled at Zu An and the others. "Please follow me, honored guests."

After settling Wei Suo, she turned to Zu An and Qiu Honglei. "Do the two of you want one room or two?"

Qiu Honglei's face flushed slightly. "Two rooms will be fine, but please make them adjacent."

Zu An chuckled silently, thinking that Qiu Honglei, who used to be a seductive courtesan and was skilled in enchantment as the Saintess of the Demonic Cult, was now acting shy.

Hearing her words, Xiao Ying's eyes lit up, and her smile broadened. "Understood."

Soon, Qiu Honglei was settled, and Zu An was led to the adjacent room. After helping him get everything in order, Xiao Ying's face suddenly turned red, and she whispered, "Young Master, a long night can be lonely by oneself. I can serve you. Don't worry, I won't drain your Yang energy."

Zu An chuckled awkwardly. "No need, thank you for your kind offer, Miss."

Xiao Ying bit her lip, tears welling in her eyes. "Young Master must think I'm promiscuous. Actually, because you were willing to take me back to my home village, I'm so grateful that I wanted to repay you with everything I have."

Zu An quickly helped her up. "It was just a small favor, Miss. You don't need to do this."

"It may be a small favor to you, Young Master, but it's a rebirth for me," Xiao Ying glanced towards the next room, a hint of shyness on her face. "Young Master, you don't have to worry about your female companion. I can be silent."

Zu An: "..."

After much effort and persuasion, he finally managed to send her away. Zu An let out a long sigh. They say it's hard to be a philanderer, but it's even harder to be a true gentleman.

Just then, the Tai'e Sword suddenly emerged from thin air, humming and transforming into a beautiful red silhouette with phoenix eyes and crimson lips, radiating vitality—it was Mi Li.

She looked at Zu An with a teasing expression. "Why didn't you take her up on the offer? This ghost girl is quite pretty. You've played with plenty of fox and snake women, haven't you? Your taste is already so strong, what's one more intimate encounter?"

Zu An was drenched in "sweat." "I'm not that kind of casual person."

Mi Li snorted. "You're someone who isn't human when you get casual. Forget it, I guess your little girlfriend is next door, so you're embarrassed."

Zu An retorted, annoyed, "I actually think your constant surveillance makes me more embarrassed."

Mi Li froze for a moment, then chuckled. "Don't worry, I've lived for countless years. Your romantic escapades are like pets mating in my eyes. They won't cause the slightest ripple."

Zu An: "..."

She said it nicely, but then she insulted him.

Mi Li stretched, her graceful figure fully revealed. "Lying in the sword for too long makes me stiff. I'm claiming this bed tonight, consider it filial piety to your master."

With that, she lay directly on the bed, a look of pleasure on her face. This blessed land had a nourishing effect on her divine soul.

Zu An was stunned. "Then where do I sleep?"

"You can come sleep together?" Mi Li turned on her side, propping her head with one hand. Though she was smiling, her eyes were full of danger.

"Never mind." Zu An thought to himself that this woman was truly wicked, enjoying such teasing games.

"Empress Master, you're so knowledgeable. What do you think of this world?" Zu An figured there was nothing else to do, so he might as well discuss it with her.

"What's there to see? It's just haunted," Mi Li yawned. "However, that girl's Nine-Character Mantra earlier seemed quite interesting. It felt like it contained infinite variables. Logically, it shouldn't be something she at her level could grasp. That girl has many secrets."

"I think so too, and this blessed land," Zu An said, a little troubled. "It's a shame she won't tell me when I ask."

"Your relationship isn't close enough for her to tell you, is it?" Mi Li chuckled. "So, gain her trust as quickly as possible and get all her secrets. There will definitely be unexpected gains."

Zu An retorted, "She was once betrayed. It's not that easy for her to trust people."

"Isn't that your strong suit?" Mi Li said, surprised. "She's a woman, and you've always had a way with women. Handle her, conquer her!"

"Aren't you a woman too? I haven't 'handled' you yet," Zu An rolled his eyes.

Mi Li's expression turned cold. "Oh, daring to plot against your master, indeed someone who deceives their master and destroys their ancestors."

Though her voice was cold, she wasn't angry; she clearly knew he was joking.

"Yes, yes, I'm deceiving my master and destroying my ancestors," Zu An replied distractedly, recalling the excitement on her face earlier. "Empress Master, why do I feel like you're even more invested in these matters than I am?"

He even thought she was a little perverse.

"Of course. I'm so bored in my current state, I have to find something to do," Mi Li said matter-of-factly.

Zu An: "..."

Meanwhile, in a dark place between heaven and earth, belonging neither to the human world nor the Yellow Springs, but rather a junction connecting the two realms.

Upon a colossal throne made of countless white bones, a mass of black mist continuously shifted, while various powerful ghostly entities knelt below.

The ghosts respectfully said, "Guide of the Yellow Springs, esteemed King of Ten Thousand Ghosts, why have you summoned us?"

"I just sensed that woman's aura. Go and bring her back to me. Besides her, anyone who has come into contact with her must die!" An eerie voice emanated from the black mist.