Chapter 65: You, Kid, Are a Demonic Cultivator?

"This is simple," Wang Zhi laughed. "A Foundation Establishment stage demon snake is entrenched in that dangerous area. I cannot handle it alone, but if we join forces, we will have a chance of victory. When the time comes, you go and retrieve the Cloud Mica Stone, and the demon snake's corpse and inner core will belong to me. How about that?"

Ruan Xing pretended to ponder for a moment before agreeing: "I shall follow the Dao brother's suggestion. May I ask how to address you, Dao brother?"

"Haha, Dao friend is truly a straightforward person. I am Qin Lei. Let's go, we can chat as we walk."

Wang Zhi enthusiastically leaned over to drape his arm around her shoulder. Ruan Xing felt this posture was far too strange and hurriedly broke free; Wang Zhi did not mind.

Well, even the name is fake; what else could be real?

Now Ruan Xing was even more curious about what exactly was in the Cold Mountain Secret Realm that was worth him putting in so much effort.

After paying the entrance fee and receiving the Wooden Tablet, the two passed through the Light Gate and arrived in a dense forest.

Wang Zhi took out a compass to begin identifying the direction, while Ruan Xing quietly sized up the surroundings.

Although it looked very much like the Cold Mountain Secret Realm, Ruan Xing was certain that there was absolutely no such place on the map.

In the Cold Mountain Secret Realm, there was only one upright mountain peak. Although the tree canopy in this dense forest was layered and thick, Ruan Xing could still see the outside through the gaps; in the distance, there were rolling green mountains, making the place under their feet look like a basin.

"Dao friend Qin, why is this place not shown on the map?" Ruan Xing asked, tilting her head with a look of innocence and confusion.

Wang Zhi paused for a moment, then said nonchalantly: "I am not sure about that either. It is probably a new change that has appeared in the Secret Realm over the last thirty years. Once we go out, we can tell the Xuanbing Sect disciples outside and let them update the map."

"I see."

Ruan Xing nodded, applied a Lightness Talisman to her body, and hurried in the direction Wang Zhi had indicated.

The Black Water Lake was calm and waveless. Wang Zhi took out a Water Avoidance Talisman and handed it to Ruan Xing: "That place is inside an underwater cave. Divine Sense cannot be used in the water, and the visibility is not high. Dao friend must follow me closely."

"Rest assured." Ruan Xing applied the Water Avoidance Talisman and jumped into the water.

They soon arrived at the cave, and Wang Zhi took out a Night-luminescent Pearl and walked in front.

Before the underground river, Wang Zhi pointed to the opposite bank and said: "Dao friend, the Cloud Mica Stone is on the opposite bank. I will go over first to lure the demon snake out and bring it to the cave entrance. I will set up an array at the entrance to trap the demon snake. Dao friend, you just need to retrieve the Cloud Mica Stone and then hurry back to help me subdue the demon snake."

"Dao friend, aren't you afraid that after I retrieve the Cloud Mica Stone, I will hide and not come out, waiting for you and the demon snake to both be severely injured before I come out to reap the rewards?"

On that ordinary face of Wang Zhi, his eyes were like clear springs as he looked at Ruan Xing sincerely: "Dao friend is so young yet considers more than I do; I am truly ashamed. However, since I was the one who took the initiative to invite Dao friend here, I should be the one to do the most dangerous part. Moreover, I trust my judgment; Dao friend is not that kind of person."

Ruan Xing seemed deeply moved and said somewhat embarrassedly: "Since Dao brother trusts me so much, I should also trust Dao brother. Why not let me do the dangerous part? I do not have a Night-luminescent Pearl, so I cannot see the situation on the opposite bank clearly, nor do I know the specific location of the Cloud Mica Stone. If I spend a long time searching there and cannot find it, wouldn't that waste time and put Dao brother in more danger? If I go to lure the demon snake away, Dao brother will certainly be able to retrieve the Cloud Mica Stone as quickly as possible and come out to help me. It will not be too late to distribute the spoils after we kill the demon snake."

Wang Zhi was somewhat surprised and tried to persuade her: "The demon snake is at the Foundation Establishment Mid-stage. I only dared to act this way because I have a Binding Array. If you, Dao friend, get injured while luring the demon snake, wouldn't that make me feel guilty?"

"Dao brother, rest assured. Since I proposed it, I have confidence. Who doesn't have a few trump cards?" Ruan Xing said with righteous indignation.

Seeing that Ruan Xing was determined to lure the demon snake, Wang Zhi pondered for a moment and then agreed: "Alright then, Dao friend, do be careful."

This guy actually agreed just like that? Ruan Xing could not guess what he was planning, so she gave a brilliant smile: "Just leave it to me, Dao brother. I'm going."

Ruan Xing mounted her Flying Sword to the area above the underground river. Before she even landed, there was a disturbance in the river. Ruan Xing prepared herself, waiting only for the demon snake to emerge from the water to dump a dozen first-grade Talismans down at once.

However, the massive black snake head broke through the water, but it did not charge at Ruan Xing, who was almost at the opposite bank; instead, it charged at Wang Zhi, who was standing at the cave exit.

Wang Zhi mounted his Flying Sword in a panic and shouted: "Dao friend, what is going on!"

F*** you, I'm the one who wants to ask you what's going on.

Ruan Xing was speechless, but she still cast the Talismans in her hand, attempting to draw the demon snake's aggro back.

The demon snake had thick skin and flesh; the power of the first-grade Talismans was not enough to tear its skin or flesh, but it did leave behind gray-white marks. In pain, the demon snake chased Wang Zhi even more fiercely.

Wang Zhi had no choice but to rush into the cave, shouting loudly: "The plan has changed, act according to the situation! Dao friend, I will lure the demon snake out of the cave first, you go retrieve the Cloud Mica Stone!"

Wang Zhi and the demon snake ran toward the cave entrance together. Ruan Xing did not listen to him; instead, she urged her Flying Sword to follow closely behind and whispered: "Sword, go to the opposite bank and find that stone with the different shape and twist it off."

The Sword silently accepted the order and left.

Ruan Xing chased them to the cave entrance, took out an Earth Escape Talisman, traveled directly through the ground, and appeared behind Wang Zhi.

At that moment, Wang Zhi had just taken out an Array Disk to trap the demon snake.

Wang Zhi turned around and saw Ruan Xing, surprised: "Dao friend, why are you here? Didn't we say you would retrieve the Cloud Mica Stone first and then come over?"

Seeing that Wang Zhi was still acting, Ruan Xing kept a straight face and said: "I thought about it carefully. It is still too dangerous for you, Dao brother, to delay the demon snake alone. It would be better if we subdue the demon snake together first, and it won't be too late to retrieve the Cloud Mica Stone afterward."

"What Dao friend says also makes sense." Wang Zhi nodded in agreement. "My array can only trap the demon snake for a short time. Now that it cannot break free, it is the perfect time for you and me to strike. Dao friend, come over and deal with the demon snake with me."

"Alright." Ruan Xing nodded and walked to Wang Zhi's side, forming Sword Formula hand seals while facing the demon snake, which was pinned down and unable to move under the array.

The next moment, both of their attacks were launched simultaneously.

However, they were not aimed at the demon snake, but at each other.

Two second-grade Talismans met in mid-air, and after a brief entanglement, they released a massive cloud of dust.

Ruan Xing had been prepared and retreated several steps, remaining unaffected.

As the black dust filling the sky dissipated, Wang Zhi lowered the sleeve he had used to shield his face and brushed the dust off his lapels.

Ruan Xing narrowed her eyes; his clothing seemed to be a piece of defensive Dharma clothing.

The array trapping the demon snake seemed to be loosening; the demon snake opened its maw and hissed sharply, frantically lashing its tail against the stone wall.

Wang Zhi looked up, his gaze fixed on Ruan Xing, and he chuckled: "I underestimated you. How did you find out, Dao friend?"

"Because you don't look like a good person." Ruan Xing raised her Sword at him. "Where exactly is this place? What is your goal?"

"Shh, that's a secret. I can't tell you." Wang Zhi took another Array Disk out of his Storage Bag.

Ruan Xing did not know the method or principles of using an Array Disk, but she knew she could not let the other party set up an array so easily. She immediately stepped forward and attacked with Sword Formula hand seals.

The white Dharma Sword was filled with surging Spiritual Power, and the sword light was as if it were tangible.

Wang Zhi was unhurried; with a light leap, Ruan Xing could no longer reach him.

He grabbed a protruding stalactite on the cave ceiling with one hand and waved the Array Disk with the other, his face full of ease: "Wouldn't it be better if you just stayed here obediently?"

"If I stay, who will retrieve the Cloud Mica Stone for you? After you kill me, will you go outside and trick someone else?" Ruan Xing did not stop for a moment. She flew up several times but was dodged by Wang Zhi each time. Wang Zhi's hands were like suction cups, walking on the rock wall as if it were flat ground. Ruan Xing simply formed hand seals with both hands, controlling her Flying Sword to shoot out like a meteor.

It was not that she did not want to go up the rock wall to fight, but there were no footholds on the wall, and she would be very passive if she went up. Do not forget that Wang Zhi still had a third-grade Thunder Fire Talisman in his hand that he had not used yet.

If she got close and took a hit, although the leather armor inscribed with Talismans on her body could barely resist it, she would definitely be severely injured and lose the ability to resist.

Therefore, no matter how she attacked, Ruan Xing carefully controlled the situation to keep Wang Zhi positioned between her and the demon snake, and she did not let herself fall into a position where there was nowhere to hide.

Seeing that Ruan Xing would not take the bait no matter what, Wang Zhi also felt bored. His speed at setting up the Array Disk with one hand was not as fast as Ruan Xing's at dismantling it, so he jumped down and was just about to say something when, suddenly, the earth shook and the mountains swayed.

Wang Zhi's expression changed in horror: "What is the situation?"

"Uh, did I accidentally take out the mica stone?" Ruan Xing steadied herself amidst the swaying, took a breath to recover some Spiritual Power, and scratched her head.

Wang Zhi was a bit bewildered, seemingly stunned, "You are here... and there is another you inside... A cloning technique? Twins? You, who exactly are you?"

"I am a good person." Ruan Xing waved her Sword, happy to let Wang Zhi fill in the blanks himself, "You should think it over carefully. Once she gets the mica stone, she will come out to help me immediately. If you can tell the truth, perhaps there is still a chance for cooperation." Wang Zhi remained silent. The water of the underground river had already risen; the white mucus on the cave floor mixed with the black river water had already submerged their feet. Ruan Xing followed his gaze to her own feet and lifted one to show him her clean shoe, "Looking at what? I didn't use your Water Avoidance Talisman."

She was using her own, and it had not yet expired.

Wang Zhi sighed heavily, "You even discovered that. Are you really a child? Or some old monster who likes to maintain a youthful appearance?"

"Pah! You're the monster." Ruan Xing cursed, then said with some impatience, "Are you going to talk or not?"

Wang Zhi said dejectedly: "All my schemes have been seen through by you, fellow Daoist. Is there any point in struggling further? I will tell you, I only hope you will keep your promise, and we can discard our past grievances and cooperate again."

"We'll see how you perform." Ruan Xing looked at the ground. The water was slowly rising. She did not know when the demon snake would break free, nor what would happen once the water filled the space. She could only wait and see if Wang Zhi would tell the truth under these circumstances.

"Fine. Actually, I found this place because of the legends of the Cold Mountain Secret Realm. Back then, Hanshan Xianjun fell during the Return to Ruins Stage, and the spiritual charm left by his remains formed this Secret Realm. Everyone thinks that the weapon Hanshan Xianjun used during his lifetime, that stone staff which turned into Hanshan Peak, is the foundation of the Secret Realm. But some believe otherwise. They say the true foundation is—"

Ruan Xing was listening intently when suddenly, a delicate, small Dharma Artifact in Wang Zhi's sleeve emitted a black light and darted out, striking Ruan Xing's chest with the full force of Wang Zhi's magic power.

The leather armor Ruan Xing wore under her clothes let out a fragile moan. The faint white light blocked it for only a single breath before shattering like glass. Before Ruan Xing could react, Wang Zhi did not hesitate to drive the Dharma Artifact through Ruan Xing's chest again.

With a gaping hole in her chest, blood poured continuously from Ruan Xing's mouth and nose as she slumped to the ground. The Water Avoidance Talisman lost its effect due to the strike, and the black water flowed through the hole in her chest, carrying away her dark, heavy blood.

"You are... a Foundation Establishment... Demon Cultivator..." As the black water rose higher and higher, Ruan Xing struggled to open her mouth to speak, and the black water rushed in eagerly.

"My apologies." Wang Zhi looked on with pity and calmly put away the Blood-Chilling Thorn he had just used for the sneak attack, "I didn't want to leave the magic aura of a Demon Cultivator here... it's truly troublesome."

Ruan Xing felt her body losing its warmth. The intense pain and the bone-chilling cold of the black water made her tremble all over, and she closed her eyes, gradually losing her strength.

Simulation ended.

Ruan Xing rubbed her chest with lingering fear, as if the strange sensation of the hollow hole still remained there.

No wonder Wang Zhi was like a robotic cat, constantly pulling various Talismans and Array Disks out of his Storage Bag; he carried a Sword, but other than the Sword Control Technique, he had almost never used it.

So he was a Demon Cultivator.

And a Foundation Establishment Demon Cultivator at that! How the hell is one supposed to fight this!

Not a shred of chance to win.

Originally, in that last simulation, Ruan Xing thought that as long as she defended against that third-grade Thunder Fire Talisman, with the demon snake lurking behind, she might still have had a hope of clashing with him.

She hadn't expected that he wasn't at Qi Refining Layer Nine at all.

The magic power fluctuation on him when he finally ambushed her was clearly Foundation Establishment Late Stage. To ambush her while being three minor realms higher—he was truly a Demon Cultivator, insidious and cunning, a piece of trash.

However, the priority of the Ghost Escape of Sword Lai seemed to have something to it. It wasn't discovered by the city protection barrier when entering Yunyang City, it wasn't discovered by the Secret Realm when following her inside, and it wasn't discovered even while traveling the whole way with a Foundation Establishment Late Stage Demon Cultivator.

It really is a tool for dodging tickets... It has saved Ruan Xing quite a lot of entrance fees along the way.

But in reality, the Yin Qi condensed by Sword Lai doesn't even count as Qi Refining stage; at most, he is a mortal in the Acquired Realm. When she was in the Acquired Realm, she could predict the location of Sword Lai's escape technique through Simulation and kill him.

So... could the Nether Ghost Record, which originally belonged to the female lead's golden finger, be a Heaven-grade superior cultivation technique?

She had really struck gold. Although she couldn't cultivate it herself, once she re-refined Sword Lai's Puppet essence, she would let Sword Lai diligently study the Magic Art within it. Then Sword Lai would not just be 'Sword Lai' in name, but a true weapon of mass destruction.

However, the problem right before her eyes was still this Cold Mountain Secret Realm. All her current simulations were only for one day; she didn't know what would happen after a day. If that Demon Cultivator was really good at causing trouble, she might as well not go and just head back home...

Moreover, her Real-scene Simulation only yielded memories; she couldn't bring back anything or any cultivation gained in the simulation. It was a total loss.

Forget it, two more tries! Let's see what this Demon Cultivator is actually up to. If there's a benefit, she would use Text Simulation to fleece him.

Real-scene Simulation started.

One hour later, at the entrance of the Cold Mountain Secret Realm.

Ruan Xing grabbed Wang Zhi, who was searching for a target in the crowd, "Fellow Daoist, you and I are fated!"

A quarter of an hour later, the two appeared by the Black Water Lake. Wang Zhi said: "Fellow Daoist, although I don't know how you saw that I needed help, I must warn you that this place is extremely dangerous, and Divine Sense is difficult to..."

"Stop! I understand, don't worry." Ruan Xing applied a Water Avoidance Talisman and jumped into the water.

Wang Zhi hurriedly followed, "Hey, wait, I haven't finished speaking!"

"Fellow Daoist, go ahead with peace of mind. I will definitely retrieve that Dharma Artifact you lost!"

"Good, our reward..."

"Just give whatever you think is fair, hurry up!"

Wang Zhi had a look of disbelief on his face. Who was scamming whom? Why was she so proactive? She took the bait without him even setting it? Ruan Xing pushed him impatiently, and Wang Zhi blankly led the demon snake away.

But Ruan Xing did not go to the other side of the river; instead, she looked at the flowing underground river and pondered.

Wang Zhi's goal was to open the mechanism on the other side of the river. Once the mechanism was opened, this place would collapse, and the water level would rise.

Would Wang Zhi go to such great lengths just to destroy the landscape of the Cold Mountain Secret Realm? That certainly wasn't it; who would do something without a benefit? So where did this water come from? Although things in the world of Cultivation don't follow science, Ruan Xing felt that water couldn't appear out of thin air. Either the mechanism opened a valve above and the water leaked down, or the mechanism opened a pump below and the water was drawn up.

Regardless of whether it was above or below, the underground river could connect to it, so people should be able to travel through the underground river as well, right?

The two simulation opportunities Ruan Xing had reserved were for this purpose; she planned to go up once and down once.

After checking the duration of the Water Avoidance Talisman, Ruan Xing traveled upstream along the riverbank. When she reached a point where there was no path, she jumped into the river and swam upstream.

In some turbulent sections, Ruan Xing held the Sword hilt and used the Sword Control Technique to provide forward momentum. Although there was some resistance and she would bump into stones in the river if she didn't control it well, she still made steady progress.

Very good.

As for Wang Zhi, who was still staring down the demon snake at the cave entrance.

Who cares what he's doing; let him wait as long as he wants.

Ruan Xing cheered herself on and continued swimming upstream for nearly half an hour. The effect of the Water Avoidance Talisman was almost up before she found a place to land.

She reapplied the Water Avoidance Talisman, feeling that this altitude must have far exceeded the height of the Black Water Lake shore. But it was still pitch black here, and there was a continuous flow of water. The only feeling was that the path was becoming increasingly narrow.

Some gaps were difficult to pass through even for a thin six-year-old child like her.

She didn't know how much time had passed; during this period, Ruan Xing changed the Water Avoidance Talisman twice more. Only when she passed through another gap did she suddenly feel a light in front of her.

Not having seen a light source for a long time made Ruan Xing's eyes unable to adapt for a moment. She closed her eyes to rest for a while before opening them to look around.

The black water was bone-chillingly cold, but Ruan Xing had been using the Water Avoidance Talisman the whole way. The talisman covered her body with a thin film of air, wrapping her up. It kept her body from touching the water, kept her dry, and provided oxygen for breathing, just like a shell-less, compressed oxygen tank. Therefore, Ruan Xing didn't really feel like she was freezing.

Depending on the length of the dive, one Water Avoidance Talisman could last anywhere from forty minutes to an hour and a half.

But now, she was unconsciously circulating her Spiritual Power to resist the cold.

Everything around was a vast expanse of white.

Thanks to felling for the monthly ticket~ Thanks to Jibei Bingxue for the monthly ticket~ 5200 words! Even the update is in the shape of my love for you!

My train of thought was quite smooth today, so I challenged myself to write an extra thousand words; perhaps I can challenge myself to add more updates this month, haha! (End of chapter)