Chapter 90: Ninetieth Chapter: The Decision

Watching the young woman's expression, Zhang Nuo remained silent, his face showing no emotion; it was impossible to tell what he was thinking. After the two of them had been silent for a moment, Zhang Nuo suddenly spoke.

"What if I do not wish to join the Nanxuan Sect?"

Having waited so long, the young woman was somewhat disappointed to hear this, but she did not give up, and a smile gently appeared on her pretty face.

"It is fine if you do not wish to join, Fellow Daoist, but within this vast Trial Ground of the Four Sects, dangers are everywhere. Not to mention the powerful demonic beasts here, even the experts from the various sects are likely not easy to deal with. Did you not just experience the Corpse Refining of the Corpse Refining Sect?"

Upon hearing the words "Corpse Refining," the expression on Zhang Nuo's face could no longer remain calm. He frowned deeply, and two sharp glints shot from the depths of his pupils. The battle he had just fought against the blood-colored humanoid was the most perilous he had ever experienced; he could clearly have dealt it a heavy blow, yet it would heal itself—it was simply an immortal existence.

"The one I fought just now was a Corpse Refining of the Corpse Refining Sect?"

Only now did Zhang Nuo suddenly realize the truth. No wonder the blood-colored humanoid could not be killed; it turned out it was not a person at all, but the corpse of a cultivator!

"You guessed correctly, Fellow Daoist! The Corpse Refining you just fought is called a 'Blood Corpse,' and it belongs to a disciple of the Corpse Refining Sect named Gu Yu. I need not describe its eeriness! Not only that, but within the Corpse Refining Sect, there are many such Corpse Refinings, and every one of them is extremely troublesome. If you do not believe me, you are welcome to try!"

The young woman curled the corners of her lips into a cold smile as she spoke.

"Are you implying that I am afraid?"

Even though he knew she was using a goading tactic, Zhang Nuo did not take the bait and replied with a cold smile of his own.

"I have no such intention. Your divine abilities, Fellow Daoist, are among the best in this Trial Ground of the Four Sects; I would never underestimate you. But with your strength alone, how can you contend against the people of the Four Great Sects? Furthermore, even if you survive the three years in the Trial Ground, what happens when you leave? Will Zuo Mutang let you off?"

This last sentence from the young woman struck a chord with Zhang Nuo. It was one thing to be in the Trial Ground—if he were careful, perhaps nothing major would happen—but once he left the Trial Ground, Zuo Mutang would absolutely not let him go.

Setting aside the matter of killing the "Snake and Scorpion Couple," the mere fact that he had caused Zuo Mutang to lose face before the four Sect Masters was enough for Zuo Mutang to kill him.

Seeing that this tactic was working, the young woman felt secretly pleased. She deliberately looked off into the distance and said with deep meaning:

"Although our Nanxuan Sect is not a famous, major sect, it has stood on the Tianjiang Plain for thousands of years. I believe that with my father's prestige, Zuo Mutang would never dare to trouble you again!"

"Your father?"

This time, Zhang Nuo could no longer hide the surprise in his heart. He looked at the young woman in astonishment and carefully sized her up.

"Hehe! It is all my fault! I have been talking with you for so long, Fellow Daoist, and have yet to introduce myself. My surname is Zhuge, and my given name is Qing! May I ask for your honorable name?"

Seeing that Zhang Nuo was finally moved, Zhuge Qing smiled charmingly, appearing even more alluring.

"I am Zhang Nuo! A mere Loose Cultivator!"

Since the young woman had already given her name, there was no need for Zhang Nuo to hide his. Moreover, his heart was wavering; if he had the protection of a sect like the Nanxuan Sect, even if Zuo Mutang were given extra courage, he would not dare to come seeking revenge.

"For you to possess such divine abilities as a mere Loose Cultivator is truly admirable, Fellow Daoist Zhang. Have you decided whether you will join our Nanxuan Sect?"

The young woman was far more intelligent than Zhang Nuo. Seeing him waver, she immediately pressed him. Zhang Nuo lowered his head slightly and pondered for a moment, analyzing the situation in his mind. Finally, he smiled lightly and said with great sincerity:

"Since you think so highly of me, Fellow Daoist Zhuge, I shall respectfully comply!"

Upon hearing Zhang Nuo's agreement, the young woman was filled with joy. With Zhang Nuo's cultivation, he was among the best of the Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators on the Tianjiang Plain. To say nothing else, in his battle just now against the Blood Corpse, if it had been an ordinary cultivator, they would likely have been lying dead on the spot by now.

With a powerful cultivator added to her own sect in the Trial Ground, the Nanxuan Sect's chances of success in this trial would be higher. As long as she recruited Zhang Nuo to work for her in the Trial Ground, she was confident she could investigate the matters outside later.

By then, if she discovered that Zhang Nuo was harmful to the sect, she could simply kick him out. What could a mere Loose Cultivator do to a massive Nanxuan Sect?

Zhang Nuo was completely unaware of the young woman's calculating mind. For the sake of temporary safety, he had no choice but to join the Nanxuan Sect's ranks.

"By the way! I heard from disciples of other sects that the number of disciples from the Four Great Sects entering the Trial Ground is fixed, with exactly two hundred from each sect! Will my joining violate the rules of the Trial Ground?"

Zhang Nuo suddenly thought of this question and asked with some concern.

"Do not worry, Fellow Daoist. Such a small matter can be handled by my father once we leave the Trial Ground!"

With a faint smile, it was as if Zhuge Qing had not taken the matter to heart at all.

"Good! That is for the best! Now, can you tell me something about the Blood Corpse?"

Nodding slightly, Zhang Nuo stopped asking about that matter and changed the subject to the issue he cared about most. The Blood Corpse from earlier had truly given him a headache. If he could not kill the opponent, how was he supposed to fight?

"Look at me, I was so happy about your joining, Fellow Daoist, that I forgot such an important matter. Although Gu Yu's Blood Corpse is eerie, it is not without a way to break it. As long as you destroy all the 'Blood Guiding Insects' in the Blood Corpse's metal trousers, the Corpse Refining will collapse on its own!"

Hearing this, Zhang Nuo gave a bitter, self-deprecating smile. He had not expected the young woman's answer to be so simple. He had thought of this himself, but the Blood Corpse's metal trousers were no ordinary objects; their toughness would not be easily destroyed. In that case, the young woman's words were as good as saying nothing!

Just as the young woman and Zhang Nuo were talking, several miles away, a man in a black robe stood with a Blood Corpse, his eyes filled with murderous intent!

Beneath the black robe, the man's face looked sinister, and his small eyes were full of rage!

"Zhuge Qing! If it were not for the fact that I have important matters to attend to and do not wish to waste my Spirit Power, do you think I would have fled just now?"

As the black-robed man spoke, the Blood Corpse beside him also let out a low, angry roar!