Chapter 556: Rivalry Turns to Hostility

Having been a soul for too long, Mi Li also wished to go shopping like a normal person and explore this new world, rather than being forced to spend most of her time in slumber as she currently was.

Though Zu'an was a little reluctant, Mi Li had helped him so much lately, and he had promised to help her reconstruct her physical body. Now that such a good opportunity presented itself, how could he possibly stop her? He could only watch her soul fly towards Daji.

Mi Li quickly entered Daji's body. Zu'an was about to ask how she felt when he suddenly heard a scream. Mi Li's soul frantically retreated, then stared at Daji's body in horror.

"What happened, Queen Sister?" Zu'an immediately asked, having already noticed that something was clearly wrong.

Mi Li shot him an exasperated glare. "Did you say this woman's soul is missing?"

"Yes," Zu'an answered subconsciously. At least, that's what the system had told him.

Seeing that his expression was not deceptive, a hint of doubt flashed across Mi Li's face. "Strange..."

"What on earth happened?" Zu'an grew anxious. He saw Mi Li's spiritual body flickering erratically, clearly having suffered considerable damage.

Mi Li replied, "Her soul isn't missing; rather, it's sealed by a profound formation... Ugh, I suppose you could also call it missing," she added. "Due to this seal, her three ethereal souls and seven corporeal souls, all but her 'life soul,' cannot return to her body. That's why she appears as a living corpse."

Humans possess three ethereal souls and seven corporeal souls. The three souls are the Heavenly Soul, the Earthly Soul, and the Life Soul. The seven corporeal souls represent human emotions: joy, anger, sorrow, fear, love, hate, and desire.

Zu'an paused, surprised. "Judging by your tone, if the seal on her body is ever removed, she could regain consciousness?"

He was suddenly filled with anticipation. While the current Daji was beautiful, she was merely a body, and it always felt incomplete. If her soul were to return, she would truly become the enchanting fox spirit he knew.

"Don't even think about it," Mi Li snorted. "The sealing array within her is incredibly profound, seemingly attuned to the very essence of the Great Dao. Even in my prime, I couldn't break it, let alone you."

Zu'an, however, didn't seem to mind. "We can take our time. It's still better than thinking she'd forever remain a living corpse. Queen Sister, does this mean you can't possess her body?"

Mi Li rolled her eyes. "With that terrifying grand formation inside her, do you think I'd enter just to have my soul suppressed and scattered?"

Zu'an breathed a sigh of relief and subconsciously replied, "That's good, that's good."

Mi Li's expression turned cold. "What's this? Do you think that if I occupied this woman's body, you'd lose a stunning forbidden plaything? You're so happy now that you know I can't take her over."

Zu'an sighed. "I just can't bear for you to leave. I've grown accustomed to having you by my side."

Mi Li's eyes flickered slightly. After a long silence, she quietly spoke a few words: "I must leave eventually."

Zu'an chuckled. "At least we're still together for now. Just give me some time to prepare myself mentally."

Mi Li pursed her lips and said nothing.

Zu'an quickly asked, "Were you just injured?"

Mi Li nodded, her voice tinged with lingering fear and frustration. "Fortunately, I didn't let my guard down from the very beginning, remaining vigilant. The moment I sensed something was wrong, I immediately fled. Otherwise, my spiritual essence could have truly been scattered by that grand sealing array. Even so, my spiritual essence suffered severe damage, and all my arduous cultivation from the past few days has been wasted."

Zu'an was speechless.

He knew she was injured, but hadn't realized the extent of it. No wonder her tone had been so sharp just now.

"Never mind. I truly need to enter a deep slumber to restore my spiritual essence. I'm afraid I won't be able to help you for quite some time. Do not, under any circumstances, assume that I'll be secretly watching over you and will emerge to help if danger arises. Otherwise, you'll die without even knowing how." Mi Li's tone was unusually solemn.

Zu'an hummed in acknowledgment. "Queen Sister, you've looked after me for so long, and I've faced death multiple times myself now. If I were to still rely on you every time, I might as well just buy a block of tofu and bash my head in."

"Oh, right. Once I reach the capital, I'll make sure to find some medicinal herbs that can restore spiritual essence for you."

"Hmph, once you reach the capital and face that paramount figure of the era, you'll be struggling just to survive. Don't even think about such things." Despite her words, Mi Li's gaze softened. She secretly snorted to herself, thinking, *Given how filial this fellow is, I'll overlook his little dirty thoughts.*

*He spoke so sweetly just now, but don't think I don't know the real reason. He's afraid he'd lose 'double the pleasure' if I possessed Daji's body. Hmph, to even dare to scheme against *my* intentions... he truly is a little pervert.*

Mi Li soon entered a deep slumber. Zu'an put Daji away and began studying the *Taotie Devouring Heaven Art*. According to its description, it was indeed incredibly powerful. He now realized that in the trial, when Wu Geng had effortlessly destroyed everything on Deer Terrace with a flick of his hand, absorbing all matter into his palm, he must have been using the *Taotie Devouring Heaven Art*.

He wondered when he would be able to reach such a level. Zu'an was filled with longing.

Suddenly, his expression turned a little strange. Wu Geng had been in the final trial stage at that time, but his mother, Queen Jiang, had also been present. Her appearance and demeanor were undoubtedly identical to the true Queen Jiang.

Back then, he had been so anxious about the trial's outcome that he hadn't thought about venturing into King Zhou's harem. But if he had truly indulged and sought out Queen Jiang in the harem, would Wu Geng have appeared to stop him, or not?

"What are you thinking about?" Just then, a pleasant voice sounded in his ear.

"I kind of regret not at the time..." Zu'an answered subconsciously, only then noticing Pei Mianman standing beside him, smiling charmingly.

"Regret what?" Pei Mianman asked curiously.

"Nothing." Zu'an's face flushed. How could he possibly say such a thing aloud? He felt ashamed just thinking about it. "Have you already refined the Fu Hao Owl Zun?"

"Yes, I've already established a psychic connection with it." Pei Mianman's jade-like hand opened slightly, and an owl zun, miniaturized countless times, appeared in her palm, slowly rotating.

Zu'an watched, filled with envy—not for the item itself, but for the remarkably cool way she displayed it. "What does this owl zun do?"

Pei Mianman shook her head. "I still know very little. I only vaguely sense that it's connected to the night. Its specific functions will require slow, thorough research and exploration."

Zu'an nodded. Many artifacts required a complete soul-link to unleash their full potential. Pei Mianman had only just refined this owl zun, but given her past experience as Fu Hao, he assumed she would achieve a full integration very soon.

"Oh, right. As I refined the owl zun, a hidden opening appeared on the ground, seemingly leading downwards," Pei Mianman mentioned.

Zu'an walked to where the owl zun had previously stood and saw, as expected, a dark tunnel opening in the ground. The murals on either side of the tunnel seemed somewhat familiar. He suddenly blurted out, "This is Fu Hao's tomb."

"Ah? How do you know that?" Pei Mianman asked curiously.

A hint of wistfulness appeared on Zu'an's face. "Have you forgotten that after you died in the trial, I was the one who built this tomb? The murals on its walls, and even this owl zun, are exactly as I remember them."

Pei Mianman gently held his hand. "Everything is in the past now. I'm still right here by your side."

Zu'an nodded. "Mm, let's head down. I remember the Eastern Yi people's jade cong is among the burial artifacts. We can retrieve it and fulfill our promise to the girl, Jiang Jiang."

"But wouldn't disturbing her rest like this be disrespectful?" Pei Mianman asked with a hint of worry.

Zu'an smiled faintly. "Have you forgotten that you are Fu Hao and I am Wu Ding? We're merely revisiting a familiar place. Even if her spirit watches from the heavens and sees old acquaintances, she'd likely be overjoyed."

Pei Mianman mumbled, "The trial was clearly all fake." Even as she said this, her entire demeanor visibly relaxed.

The two descended the steps, and indeed, everything inside was arranged exactly as he remembered it. It left Zu'an feeling somewhat disoriented, experiencing once more the surreal confusion of Zhuang Zhou's dream.

Following his memories, they easily located the jade cong. They also found the bronze *yan* cauldron that had held Jiang Jiang's skull. During the trial, Zu'an had feared he wouldn't find it later, so he'd specifically ordered Jiang Jiang's skull to be retrieved and placed in this tomb for easy retrieval in the future. He hadn't expected it to actually be here.

Pei Mianman's expression turned a little strange. "It's truly here. Does this mean everything we experienced in the trial was real?"

"Not necessarily as we imagine. With our current understanding, it's perfectly normal to be unable to explain such a coincidence. Don't overthink it." Though Zu'an said this, his gaze drifted to the massive sarcophagus nearby.

Pei Mianman's gaze also moved to the sarcophagus. Suddenly, she said in a low voice, "I want to see who's in the coffin."

Zu'an gently held her hand and shook his head slightly. "There's no need. In my heart, you are my Manman, no one else. Why torment yourself?"

Pei Mianman first froze, then smiled charmingly. "You're right. I am who I am. Why let baseless thoughts corrupt my Dao heart?"

With their minds at ease, they no longer dwelled on wild conjectures. Hand in hand, they departed from Fu Hao's tomb.

"Oh, right. I now know how to leave this secret realm," Pei Mianman said suddenly, as if recalling something.

"How do we leave?" Zu'an immediately asked. They had been in this secret realm for too long and had no idea how Chu Yan and the others were faring outside.

Although Mi Li had confirmed that not much time had passed during the trial, they had spent a considerable period in the secret realm *before* the trial began. What if the flow of time in this secret realm was different from the outside world? If they emerged to find centuries had passed outside, that truly would be cause for tears.

"This owl zun is the core of this secret realm's array. Controlling it allows us to leave at any time," Pei Mianman answered. "However, if the array's core leaves, this secret realm might never be opened again."

Zu'an said in a deep voice, "In that case, let's first give Jiang Jiang her things before we leave. At least let her complete the transcendence of her clansmen."

Both of them were people who kept their promises and were naturally unwilling to break their word. Soon, they exited the gate and arrived at the place where they had previously parted ways with the girl.

"Jiang Jiang?" It was pitch black all around, with nothing visible. Zu'an had no choice but to start calling for her.

In any case, this was Jiang Jiang's territory. Besides, with their many recent adventures and experiences, they were naturally not afraid of attracting any danger.

"She's coming," Pei Mianman said, pointing in a direction.

Zu'an froze. He looked in the direction she indicated, but it was pitch black, and he couldn't see anything. "You can see clearly in this darkness?"

"It must be the Fu Hao Owl Zun. Owls are inherently kings of the night. To me, this darkness is like broad daylight. I have a vague feeling that once I fully master the owl zun in the future, I might be able to conjure darkness out of thin air and draw enemies into it for battle," Pei Mianman said with some excitement.

"This must be some kind of domain ability. By then, even if you encounter someone with higher cultivation, you might still be able to put up a fight," Zu'an exclaimed in admiration.

As the two were chatting, the spectral girl from earlier arrived before them. "Big Brother, Big Sister..."

She had originally skipped closer in excitement, but upon seeing them, her expression suddenly shifted.

However, eager to leave, neither of them noticed the subtle change in her expression. Zu'an handed her the jade cong. "Jiang Jiang, we've successfully retrieved the jade cong you spoke of."

The girl took it, caressing the jade cong, a look of relief and joy spreading across her face. "Thank... thank you."

As she spoke, she placed the jade cong onto her hand. For some unknown reason, streaks of light flashed across its surface. It then gradually etherealized, finally transforming into a jade cong-shaped pattern engraved on her arm.

Zu'an watched in amazement. During the trial, they had learned from the Eastern Yi people that this was their sacred relic. Yet, no matter how they examined it, it appeared to be merely an ordinary jade cong, perhaps a bit more exquisitely crafted than others, but nothing remarkably unusual. However, in Jiang Jiang's hands, it was clearly different.

They weren't the type to covet others' possessions. Just then, Zu'an suddenly remembered something else and handed her the bronze *yan* containing her skull. "Jiang Jiang, this should be your skull..."

He had intended to offer some words of comfort, but when the girl saw the skull lying in the bronze *yan*, her eyes instantly reddened. She gritted her teeth and declared, "Merchants, all of you must die!"

A strong warning flared in Zu'an's mind. He quickly pulled Pei Mianman back. The spot where they had just stood immediately collapsed, clearly impacted by an immense force.

He angrily exclaimed, "Jiang Jiang, are you insane?"

The girl floated into the air, her beautiful hair swaying as if in a phantom breeze. "Merchants must die! Both of you reek of an intensely strong merchant aura. You're definitely true merchants!"

Zu'an was momentarily speechless. He figured it was because he possessed the *Taotie Devouring Heaven Art*, while Pei Mianman carried the Shang Dynasty's great treasures—the Fu Hao Owl Zun and the Heavenly Wisdom Jade. Moreover, they had been the King and Queen of Shang for so long during the trial. It would be difficult *not* to possess a merchant aura.

At that moment, the girl's chilling voice rang out. "So... die!"

She raised her hand and gestured, and suddenly, various rustling sounds emerged from all around. Both Zu'an and Pei Mianman's expressions immediately turned grim. They saw the Kuman Thong surrounding the girl, while countless skeletal warriors marched towards them. Simultaneously, hissing sounds came from the ground, signaling the approach of the strange snakes they had seen earlier in the giant pit.

Zu'an still remembered the trouble those strange snakes had caused them before. He quickly asked Pei Mianman beside him, "Didn't you say we could leave the secret realm? Can we leave now?"

Pei Mianman shook her head, her brows furrowed. "No, that requires a period of quiet communication. These creatures won't give us any time."

No sooner had she spoken than the skeletal warriors swung their blades and charged.

Zu'an drew his Tai'a Sword, stabbing the skull of a nearby skeletal warrior. However, more skeletal warriors immediately charged forward. While they were manageable, the primary concern was the strange snakes slithering across the ground. They ceaselessly spat venom and unexpectedly lunged out to bite.

The skeletal warriors were naturally immune to the strange snakes' venom, but Zu'an and Pei Mianman couldn't risk being bitten by them.

The two were quickly overwhelmed. Suddenly, a black rose blossomed, incomparably beautiful yet radiating an aura of destruction. Within several *zhang* of its bloom, skeletal warriors and strange snakes alike were incinerated to ash.

This was Pei Mianman's combat skill, 'Rose Karma Fire'. She had been injured upon entering the secret realm, and her condition hadn't allowed her to use it like this before. Now, in her full state, its power was truly extraordinary.

Pei Mianman whispered, "I can't keep using this move."

No sooner had she spoken than more strange snakes and skeletal warriors began to gather around them, seemingly endless.

The girl in mid-air frowned slightly, seemingly issuing some command. The surrounding Kuman Thong immediately rushed towards Pei Mianman.

Pei Mianman's expression shifted slightly. She clearly remembered the agony of being controlled by the Kuman Thong. These Kuman Thong also appeared to possess a strong immunity to fire, making them a significant counter to her abilities.

Zu'an quickly moved to her side, swinging his sword to help repel a few Kuman Thong near her. He knew this approach wouldn't work. He considered using the recently learned *Taotie Devouring Heaven Art*, but his surroundings were either inanimate objects or disgusting snakes. Perhaps at higher levels, it could absorb all things, but his current proficiency wasn't sufficient for that.

Suddenly, an idea struck him. The enemies around them were numerous and had weak intelligence. He lacked area-of-effect skills himself, but someone else possessed them.

He swiftly summoned Daji and issued a quick command.

Pei Mianman, standing nearby, watched with wide eyes as an unbelievably beautiful woman suddenly appeared before them. The woman held a jade pipa in her arms and, with a gentle pluck of her slender hand, a melodious rhythm filled the air. Instantly, the previously fierce Kuman Thong, skeletal warriors, and countless strange snakes all ceased their advance.