Chapter 145: Cooperating with Kun Long

"The energy of the Xuanbing Array flows endlessly, drawn from the Primordial Ice Force of heaven and earth, infinite."

Kun Long's voice grew solemn, carrying a hint of urgency.

"Do you think that little Inner Force of yours can hold out for long? Just now, when you released Inner Force to probe the array eye, you were instantly devoured by the cold—did you forget that taste?"

"In less than half a hour, your Inner Force will be exhausted, and you'll end up as a lifelike ice statue, forever trapped in this cursed Place."

Jiang Feng frowned slightly, remaining silent.

"But I can help you."

Kun Long seemed to sense Jiang Feng's wavering, and his tone softened a bit.

"We are now in a symbiotic relationship; if you die, I'm trapped inside you and won't live much longer. Though the cold of this Xuanbing Array cannot injure me, prolonged exposure will cause me to fall into slumber, perhaps even be completely sealed by this Formation Technique's power, with no chance of revival."

"If I help you locate the array eye and break this Xuanbing Array, you can rescue your little lover, and I can escape this damned predicament; for us, it's a win‑win."

Kun Long coaxed gently.

"I know you don't trust me, but now, do you have any other choice? Either trust me and take a gamble, or there's still a sliver of hope?"

Jiang Feng remained silent, and after a long while finally spoke slowly.

"What do you want?"

He knew that Kun Long would never help him for free.

"Very simple."

Kun Long's voice carried a hint of excitement.

"When you rescue Su Xueyan, later, at the right moment, help me lift part of the seal. I also want to feel relieved."

Jiang Feng's brow furrowed even tighter.

Lifting part of the seal is undoubtedly inviting the wolf into the house. Kun Long's power is too terrifying; once it regains some strength, the consequences are unimaginable.

"Rest assured, I won't harm you."

Kun Long seemed to see through his thoughts.

"We are in a symbiotic relationship; if you die, I cannot live either."

"Moreover, do you still have a choice now?"

Kun Long's voice carried a hint of urging.

"Time waits for no one; your Inner Force keeps draining. If you hesitate any longer, even if I want to help, it will be too late!"

"Fine, I accept."

Jiang Feng said solemnly in his heart.

"I will help you lift part of the seal, but you must keep your promise: first help me locate the array eye and break the Xuanbing Array."

"Exhilarating!"

Kun Long's voice let out an excited roar.

As soon as the words fell, Jiang Feng felt an indescribable raging force surge within his body.

Like a dormant volcano erupting suddenly, it instantly engulfed his limbs and bones.

The force was overwhelmingly domineering, bearing a Dragon Might that ruled the world.

Within the golden radiance, faint dragon-shaped silhouettes flickered, swirling around the aura shield, emitting an awe‑inspiring and terrifying aura.

The raging wind and snow around seemed restrained by the force, halting for a moment.

Immediately, an invisible wave of energy radiated from Jiang Feng outward, shaking the swirling snowflakes into scattered drift.

"Kid, do you feel it?"

Kun Long's voice bore a hint of smugness.

"To the northwest, three li away, beneath the highest ice peak, lies the array eye of the Xuanbing Array. Use the power I gave you, charge there, destroy the eye, and the array will naturally collapse!"

Jiang Feng no longer hesitated; the dragon force within merged completely with his Inner Force, becoming a massive power that propelled his body like an arrow released, charging toward the northwest ice peak.

……

Meanwhile, in the Secret Room where the icy altar stood.

Su Xiaonuan carried a bowl of pitch‑black Decoction, slowly walking to the altar's edge.

This bowl of medicine was left by Dantai Li before departing, claimed to numb Su Xueyan's nerves and lessen her suffering during the refinement process.

Although Su Xiaonuan betrayed Su Xueyan, seeing her suffer still made her heart unwilling.

"Sister Xue Yan, have some medicine."

Su Xiaonuan's voice choked as she handed the bowl to Su Xueyan's mouth.

"This medicine can lessen your suffering; I... I don't want to see you in such pain."

Su Xueyan slowly opened her eyes, turned her head aside, her tone thick with sarcasm.

"Do you think I would still believe you? Who knows if this bowl of medicine hides some plot?"

Since learning of Su Xiaonuan's betrayal, she has been utterly disappointed in the girl she once regarded as a little sister, and will never trust any of her words again.

"No, Sister Xue Yan, this medicine truly is for pain relief."

Su Xiaonuan, anxious to the point of tears, hurriedly explained.

"Lord Dantai said the process of refining the Cold Earth Heart Lotus is extremely painful; this medicine can make you temporarily lose consciousness so it won't be so unbearable. I know I have wronged you, but I truly don't want to see you suffer. Please, just drink a little."

"No need."

Su Xueyan's tone remained icy.

"Even if I were to die of pain, I still wouldn't drink what you hand me. Su Xiaonuan, I will never trust you again."

Su Xiaonuan saw Su Xueyan's resolute gaze, and felt a sharp sting in her heart.

She knew Su Xueyan truly hated her to the core.

"Sister Xue Yan, I'm sorry."

Su Xiaonuan bit her teeth, a flash of ruthlessness passing through her eyes.

She knew that saying anything now was useless; she could only force Su Xueyan to drink it.

She set the bowl down, reached out to hold Su Xueyan's Shoulders, and with the other hand lifted the bowl, forcibly pinching Su Xueyan's jaw, bringing the bowl's rim to her Mouth.

"Let go of me! Su Xiaonuan!"

Su Xueyan struggled, trying to push her away.

But the Cold Earth Heart Lotus in her body was suppressed by the altar's Rune, leaving her unable to muster any strength, only to be manipulated by Su Xiaonuan.

The bitter Decoction slowly flowed down Su Xueyan's throat; she desperately tried to spit it out, but Su Xiaonuan held her tightly, making any resistance impossible.

Soon, a bowl of Decoction was forced down.

Su Xiaonuan released her hand, and looking at the hatred in Su Xueyan's eyes, felt as if her heart were being cut by a knife.

She crouched on the Ground, both hands cradling her head, and began Suffering Crying.

"Sister Xue Yan, I'm sorry, I truly did it for your good."

Su Xueyan slowly closed her eyes, no longer giving Su Xiaonuan another glance.

Not long after, the Secret Room's door was pushed open, and Dantai Li stepped in slowly.

She saw Su Xueyan lying quietly on the altar, and nodded with satisfaction.

"Well done."

Su Xiaonuan quickly wiped away her Tears, Standing up, lowered her head and dared not look at her: "Lord Dantai, the Medicine has already been fed."

Dantai Li ignored Su Xiaonuan, walked straight to the altar's edge, her gaze falling on Su Xueyan, a hint of greed flashing in her eyes.

She extended her hand, Fingers emitting a faint blue light, reaching toward Su Xueyan's brow.

"Alright, now we can begin the refinement."

Dantai Li's voice carried a hint of excitement, "Cold Earth Heart Lotus, at last it will belong to me!"

Yet, just as her Fingers were about to touch Su Xueyan's brow…

Her complexion suddenly changed drastically, she jerked her head up, her eyes filled with shock and disbelief.

She could Clarity feel that the Xuanbing Array suddenly erupted with an extremely terrifying force.

That force was overwhelmingly dominant, bearing a majestic Dragon Might, instantly breaking through the Xuanbing Array's energy barrier, spreading toward the altar.

The Xuanbing Array was her arrangement, linked by a thread to her Divine Soul.

This terrifying force struck the Xuanbing Array, causing her Divine Soul to also suffer intense Backlash.

"Puff!"

Dantai Li violently spat out a mouthful of fresh blood.