Chapter 372: The Burial Empress Seeks a Hug, Refuses Immortality, Only Wishes to Wait in the Vast Mortal World for Your Return

The trembling Burial Realm fell silent once more.

The Six Forbidden Seals, though unable to imprison the Burial Realm forever, could certainly maintain its containment for dozens or even hundreds of years.

Though to cultivators, dozens or hundreds of years remained a brief span.

By then, Jun Xiaoyao's cultivation base would likely have reached an utterly terrifying level.

At that point, sweeping through the Burial Realm would be child's play.

So Jun Xiaoyao did not care if the seal lasted too short a time.

As long as he was given time, even if the Burial Realm broke free, he could still suppress all threats.

Those Burial Soil beings who had already fled earlier felt a mix of emotions as the Burial Realm was sealed once more.

Who could have imagined that the Burial Realm, destined to break free, had been sealed again by Jun Xiaoyao alone?

He had accomplished what his father once achieved.

A tiger father produces no dog son—this saying holds true!

"The Young Master's methods leave Li Xin in awe!" Li Xin bowed with clasped fists, truly convinced.

Previously, though Li Xin had agreed, he had harbored some doubts.

Now, all questions had vanished.

"No need for such deference—this Burial Realm was not sealed by me alone, but through the combined strength of all of you." Jun Xiaoyao did not claim all the credit for himself.

With the crisis resolved and the Burial Realm sealed, Jun Xiaoyao had obtained the Nine Wondrous Reincarnation Immortal Grass.

This journey through the Eternally Buried Soil had ended perfectly.

Jun Xiaoyao's goals had all been fulfilled.

Yet Jun Xiaoyao did not plan to depart immediately—he intended to absorb the great opportunity of the Pool of All Life's Reincarnation.

Next, Jun Xiaoyao inquired about the thoughts of Li Xin and the others.

Li Xin intended to continue guarding the Sacred Graves of Ten Thousand Spirits.

Jun Xiaoyao offered no counsel; this was an expression of Li Xin's loyalty.

Moreover, the Burial Realm indeed required a powerful guardian, so any future issues could be swiftly addressed.

Jun Xiaoyao's gaze turned toward the depths of the Burial Realm.

Though Li Xin had not revealed the Burial Realm's secrets to him directly,

Jun Xiaoyao seemed to see his father, the Divine King Jun Wuhuai, single-handedly sweeping through the Burial Realm, battling its greatest terrors.

Jun Xiaoyao was indeed strong now, but only undefeated among his generation.

What Jun Xiaoyao must do next is gradually surpass his peers, even challenging the elders.

"One day, I will enter deep into the Burial Realm and face those great terrors."

"And I will one day uncover the truth behind the creation of the Eternally Buried Soil—and why my father sealed the Burial Realm." Jun Xiaoyao vowed within his heart.

With his current strength, even if he learned the Burial Realm's secrets, he could not aid Jun Wuhuai.

Thus, growing stronger was the only thing Jun Xiaoyao needed to do.

After the Burial Realm was sealed, the Burial Soil beings outside did not depart—they remained immersed in shock.

Lang Huan's face bore a faint self-deprecating smile.

"Princess, what's wrong?" Qin Xian'er noticed and asked with concern.

"Xian'er, I thought I was worthy enough for Young Master Jun. Now I see—I was simply overestimating myself." Lang Huan shook her head with a bitter laugh.

It was unimaginable that Lang Huan, of such exalted status and ranked second on the Burial Soil Beauty List, could speak such words.

Qin Xian'er wished to comfort her, yet realized the truth was indeed as Lang Huan said.

Jun Xiaoyao's excellence left them far behind.

On this side, Jun Xiaoyao prepared to enter the Pool of All Life's Reincarnation to cultivate.

Yet before doing so, he turned toward the Ghost-Masked Female Burial Emperor.

Earlier, the Ghost-Masked Female Burial Emperor had said she wished to speak with him.

Seeing Jun Xiaoyao's gaze, she turned and walked away.

Jun Xiaoyao followed after her.

Li Xin and A Jiu naturally understood and asked nothing.

In a quiet place, the Ghost-Masked Female Burial Emperor halted.

Jun Xiaoyao stopped as well.

"I am deeply puzzled—who are you?" The Ghost-Masked Female Burial Emperor spoke softly, her back turned to Jun Xiaoyao.

Dressed in a black gown, her figure tall and slender, she resembled a mysterious, exquisite black rose.

"Jun Xiaoyao." Jun Xiaoyao spoke slowly, each word deliberate.

"Really?" The Ghost-Masked Female Burial Emperor asked.

"What else could I be?" Jun Xiaoyao replied.

"Since awakening from my slumber, I have been a supreme Burial Emperor, yet fragments of memory remain—were they my past life, or something else?" the Ghost-Masked Female Burial Emperor asked.

Jun Xiaoyao himself did not fully understand the connection between the Ghost-Masked Female Burial Emperor, the earlier Ghost-Masked Girl, and the Ghost-Masked Woman.

But one commonality existed: they all wielded the power of the red spider lily.

And the red spider lily immediately brought Jun Xiaoyao's thoughts to the Other Shore.

Legends spoke of a divine clan in the Other Shore—the Other Shore Clan—a plant-based lineage whose true form was the red spider lily blooming upon the Yellow Springs.

Yet Jun Xiaoyao knew little of the Foreign Lands and could not deduce anything further.

"Karma is entangled, truth and falsehood blurred—I do not know for certain. But I promise you: if I ever uncover the truth, I will come find you." Jun Xiaoyao said.

Since the Ghost-Masked Female Burial Emperor had extended her aid, Jun Xiaoyao would repay her kindness.

If he ever learned the truth behind the Ghost-Masked Girl, he would surely tell her.

"Hmm… but I… have one more… request." The Ghost-Masked Female Burial Emperor suddenly spoke.

Her tone was slightly unnatural, halting—as if her usual cold, detached demeanor had softened.

"What is it?" Jun Xiaoyao's eyes showed confusion.

The Ghost-Masked Female Burial Emperor's tone felt off.

"Could you… embrace me?"

Even as she spoke, she kept her back turned to Jun Xiaoyao.

Yet her trembling voice betrayed her inner unrest.

Jun Xiaoyao was momentarily stunned.

He never imagined the Ghost-Masked Female Burial Emperor would make such a request.

What manner of being was she?

The strongest among the Ten Burial Realms, a noble, icy empress.

The object of both fear and admiration for every man in the Ten Burial Realms.

Such a ruthless, icy empress was now asking for a hug?

The contrast was too endearing.

If any other Burial Soil being witnessed this, they might doubt their own sanity.

Jun Xiaoyao could not help but think the Ghost-Masked Female Burial Emperor was truly an icy tsundere.

"If you're unwilling, then forget it." The Ghost-Masked Female Burial Emperor turned to leave.

"Wait." Jun Xiaoyao spoke.

The Female Burial Emperor halted.

"Your Highness extended aid—I am grateful. This request is but a small thing." Jun Xiaoyao said.

As long as she didn't covet his body, anything was fine.

A hug won't make her pregnant.

Jun Xiaoyao stepped forward, hesitated slightly, then gently wrapped his arms around her waist.

For anyone else, the chance to touch the Female Burial Emperor would have sparked overwhelming excitement—and possibly uncontrolled hands.

But Jun Xiaoyao's expression remained calm, devoid of any excitement.

The Female Burial Emperor's body was cold, like ice.

As Jun Xiaoyao held her, her jade-like form trembled slightly, as if struck by lightning.

A long-forgotten warmth spread through her.

Yet the next moment, Jun Xiaoyao released her.

A strange sense of loss stirred in the Female Burial Emperor's heart.

Yet she still said: "Thank you."

"Hmm. When I learn the truth, I will come find you again." Jun Xiaoyao turned and left without a single glance back.

Long moments passed before the Ghost-Masked Female Burial Emperor let out a soft sigh.

One delicate hand lifted the edge of her ghost mask—beneath it, a corner of her jade complexion had turned crimson.

Even the Ghost-Masked Female Burial Emperor could blush.

"The red spider lily blooms in seven hues of heaven, falls to become immortal after a thousand years—I do not wish to become immortal, I only wish to wait in this vast mortal world for your return…"

The Female Burial Emperor replaced her ghost mask, moved, and vanished without a trace.