Chapter 85

Hearing Han Meiyan's words, Zhang He fell silent for a moment, but finally forced himself to ask:

"Forgive me, but may I ask what object the Holy Maiden seeks? I am but a lowly man with little strength— I fear I may be of no help."

"I say you can help, so you can help."

Han Meiyan's languid voice rang out, profoundly alluring, causing Zhang He to oscillate endlessly between sinking and awakening.

Then, she spoke slowly:

"What I seek is the legendary primal blood of the ancient divine beast, the Fire Qilin—'Qilin Blood'."

At these words, Zhang He shook his head vigorously, snapping his consciousness free from the Holy Maiden of Liuyumo Sect's enchantment.

He stared at Han Meiyan in shock and asked:

"Does Qilin Blood truly exist? I thought it was merely a rumor among the martial world."

"Nonsense—if it didn't exist, why would I be here?"

Han Meiyan glanced at Zhang He and explained:

"Whether the ancient divine beast Fire Qilin ever existed is uncertain, but Qilin Blood is unquestionably a 'divine artifact' still present in this world."

"In the northern Da Wu martial world, the Ni family, known as the 'Dominant Blade,' traces its lineage to an ancestor who, by chance, drank Qilin Blood, survived the agony of blood combustion, and passed down the Qilin bloodline to this day, earning the Ni family its mighty reputation in martial cultivation!"

"Moreover, in the Da Xuan martial world, the legendary 'Ultimate Divine Arm' Shangguan Yun's arm was infused with Qilin Blood—it is impervious to blades and spears, immune to fire and water, and endowed with the divine power of the Qilin, granting him terrifying innate talent in palm and fist martial arts."

Hearing this, Zhang He's gaze flickered uncertainly; for a moment, deep longing and greed flashed in his eyes.

He himself possessed an exceptionally strong self-healing constitution, and after cultivating the Immortal Blood Holy Art, he had become extraordinarily difficult to kill.

Many in the martial world were stronger than him, but few could truly end his life.

And Qilin Blood was perfectly suited to him—if he obtained it, he could not only enhance his martial cultivation and gain the mysterious powers bestowed by Qilin Blood, but might even attain immortality, becoming invincible in the world.

At this, Han Meiyan narrowed her eyes slightly and gave Zhang He a meaningful glance, saying coolly:

"It seems you are quite interested in Qilin Blood. I can promise you here: if you help me obtain it, I have no objection to sharing some with you."

At this, Zhang He quickly composed himself, his handsome, aristocratic face breaking into a forced smile as he bowed:

"Holy Maiden, you jest—such a divine artifact is far beyond my humble fortune to possess."

"Then does that mean you refuse to help me?"

"Of course not—I will spare no effort to assist the Holy Maiden in obtaining Qilin Blood. But… where exactly in Fuzhou City is Qilin Blood hidden? How exactly can I aid you?"

"You need not concern yourself with that."

Han Meiyan slowly shook her head and said:

"Once we pass the third trial, I will tell you how to obtain Qilin Blood."

Zhang He's eyes flickered slightly; after a moment's thought, he turned to survey the underground lake and suddenly laughed:

"Such trivial tricks—surely with our strength, entering the top ten is child's play? Even first place is within easy reach."

Yet Han Meiyan shook her head again and said:

"The power behind Fuzhou City is not to be underestimated; the top three are too conspicuous. We only need a middling rank."

Hearing this, Zhang He was unsurprised, and merely nodded slowly:

"I defer entirely to the Holy Maiden's judgment."

…

DONG! DONG! DONG!

Soon after, the grand sound of bells suddenly rang out above the underground lake, spreading far and wide through the darkness.

Then, a deep voice drifted from afar:

"In five breaths, the second trial begins. All honored guests, pay attention to the timing."

Hearing this, Li Yuanling drew a deep breath, rose from her cushion, and watched her surroundings with wary eyes.

Here, almost no one knew her identity as the Princess of Da Li; she must rely entirely on herself.

Yet precisely because of this, she found it thrilling and fitting—perfect for letting loose and showing her full strength.

Across from her, Li Musheng crossed his arms, expression calm, watching Li Yuanling's tense, tightened face, and chuckled:

"I'm not saying this to discourage you, but can you even last a full incense stick's burn?"

"Can you stop talking such gloomy nonsense?"

Li Yuanling shot Li Musheng a glare and snorted:

"My martial cultivation isn't weak—I can easily snatch dozens of jade plaques."

At that moment, the five breaths passed; suddenly, iron wheels roared to life around the lake, their thunderous rumble echoing through the entire underground space.

Immediately, iron gates opened and closed rapidly, stirring the lake's surface into violent ripples.

In an instant, five massive whirlpools erupted in the center of the underground lake.

The whirlpools churned the water ceaselessly, while above the lake's center, a powerful vortex of wind surged upward, pulling all nearby wooden boats toward the lake's heart.

"Stabilize your boats immediately—don't get near that man and woman's vessel!"

The sword-wielding middle-aged man shouted urgently; he and another martial world giant had already quietly steered their boat far from Li Musheng and Li Yuanling.

But now, under the influence of the vortex and undercurrents, their boat was drifting back toward the others', causing him to panic.

He had watched the entire first trial—he knew the two on that boat were no ordinary people, and he had no desire to confront them so soon.

Hearing this, the martial world giant replied and prepared to use his martial qi to stabilize the boat sliding toward the center.

Yet just then, a dark shadow leapt from a nearby boat, razor-sharp claw winds slicing straight for his jade plaque.

With no choice, the martial world giant had to focus his energy and engage the attacker…

Meanwhile, fierce battles erupted across every wooden boat on the underground lake.

In an instant, martial qi churned chaotically throughout the space, the clash of blades and swords mingling with shouts and curses.

Li Yuanling seemed infected by the surrounding battles; her earlier hesitation vanished, replaced by soaring determination.

"Watch the candle flame."

She turned her head to give Li Musheng a special instruction, then stomped her foot.

Her emerald skirt billowed in the wind under the dim yellow candlelight, raising a whistling sound as she leaped toward a wooden boat she had already chosen nearby.

Li Yuanling had noticed long ago that the two men and one woman on the other's boat were not only young but also seemed to possess weak martial arts auras, making them just the soft persimmons she had been looking for.

(End of this chapter)