Chapter 222: Promise

"I didn't come here of my own accord—this time, my ancestral grandfather personally named me, so I had no choice but to join this trial." Xi Men Mei pursed her lips, answering with a hint of resignation.

"Master Tianchan himself asked Sister to join the trial?" Wang Yu, upon hearing this, was greatly surprised.

"That's right. As you said, if not for my ancestral grandfather's direct order, how would a mere array apprentice risk entering here? Besides, I don't even care about the trial's rewards." After sighing, Xi Men Mei replied.

"If it was Master Tianchan's instruction, then there's truly no choice. By the way, when we encountered Zhu Wuyan of the Demon Sect, it was you who passed by and warned me, wasn't it?" Wang Yu suddenly understood, then remembered something and asked again.

"That person was indeed me."

"Zhu Wuyan is a madman—he's even nicknamed 'The Madman' among the demon cultivators—but his strength is truly the strongest among all the demon sect's true disciples. I once encountered him; just one exchange told me I was no match. Luckily, there was another ally nearby, or I might not have even had a chance to escape." When Nan Gong Mei heard Wang Yu's question, a look of lingering fear crossed her face.

"An ally? Sister means that female demon cultivator who traveled with you?" Wang Yu's mind immediately flashed to a blurred female figure within the blood-red streak.

"Yes, her. She is Shi Nü Bixinxiu of the Joy Palace, an expert in their seduction arts, famed for being unbeatable by any male cultivator of the same realm with just a smile."

"But Zhu Wuyan is certainly no normal man—he's a madman through and through. Even I, a woman, felt a flicker of attraction when I saw her, yet he immediately tried to drain her essence too, forcing her to team up with me." Xi Men Mei smiled sweetly in reply.

"Expert in seduction arts, Shi Nü Bixinxiu, no male cultivator of the same realm can resist her smile?" Wang Yu, upon hearing this, paused, then let out a wry chuckle.

Seduction arts aside, as for beautiful women, he had seen plenty—both in his modern Blue Star and in this cultivation world. Never mind distant examples; even his own wife, Yin Linglong, was an unparalleled beauty.

How beautiful could this Shi Nü Bixinxiu possibly be?

Xi Men Mei seemed to sense what Wang Yu was thinking and reminded him:

"Don't underestimate her seduction arts. I once witnessed her do nothing but speak a single calm sentence—yet two powerful demon disciples immediately turned on each other and died without ever regaining consciousness."

"She kills her own side too?" Wang Yu, upon hearing this, was startled.

"That's why I say she's a madwoman too. Any man she encounters—whether from the Four Sects or the Demon Sect—she kills without hesitation. And no man who sees her can escape her seduction."

"Of course, your willpower is surely unshakable—you're the one who even that madman couldn't touch. But Wang Shidi, you owe me some explanations too." Xi Men Mei replied slowly, but her expression grew peculiar by the end.

"What exactly do you want me to explain?" Wang Yu, confused, asked in return.

"At the very least, explain how you gained such immense strength. When we traveled together last time, your power wasn't nearly this terrifying." Xi Men Mei asked.

"What's there to explain? If Sister wants to know, I'll tell you everything."

"It's been years since we traveled together—I was only at mid-qi-refining then. After years of hard cultivation, I've now reached late-qi-refining."

"You already knew I practiced the ancient breathing method; now I've simply advanced it to a higher level."

"Also, I'm now a certified alchemist and crafted a couple of decent artifacts—that's all." Wang Yu laughed, giving a vague answer.

"Wang Shidi, your answer is far too simple," Xi Men Mei gave him a disapproving look.

"But I really have only done these things." Wang Yu wore a helpless expression.

"Fine, I understand if you don't want to say much. But your sudden surge in strength is good news for me."

"Wang Shidi, would you be willing to accompany me on a journey? When it's done, I'll guarantee you a true disciple spot, and I can even ask my ancestral grandfather to grant you one request within his power." Xi Men Mei suddenly asked with a smile.

"Sister means Master Tianchan himself, the elder patriarch's promise?" Wang Yu, upon hearing this, froze.

"Yes. If you're willing to accompany me to a certain place and ensure my safe return, I can ask my ancestral grandfather to give you a pledge." Xi Men Mei replied with firm certainty.

Wang Yu, upon hearing this, was deeply tempted, his expression shifting between doubt and hope.

The true disciple spot didn't matter much—even without Xi Men Mei's recommendation, his record of killing demon true disciples in the secret realm meant he'd likely become one anyway.

But a promise from a Jin Dan elder? That was something entirely different—it meant access to the highest status and greatest power in this world.

"Are you afraid I'm deceiving you, that I can't truly represent my ancestral grandfather's will?" Xi Men Mei, seeing his expression, let her eyes shimmer, then laughed lightly.

"Not at all. Sister is the direct descendant of the elder patriarch—if you dare say this, you must have some confidence. But with such a high offer, I'm actually afraid." Wang Yu didn't hide his feelings, replying with a bitter smile.

"Afraid?" Xi Men Mei looked puzzled.

"Yes. I'm afraid I'll have the courage to go with you—but not the life to come back." Wang Yu replied frankly.

"Hehe, it seems Wang Shidi thinks the place I'm going is a den of dragons and tigers." Xi Men Mei laughed merrily, her figure trembling with mirth.

"Did I misunderstand?" Wang Yu, seeing this, asked with sudden interest.

"It's not entirely a misunderstanding, but it's nowhere near as dangerous as you imagine—I guarantee it. I asked you to come along only as a precaution, in case we unexpectedly encounter someone like Zhu Wuyan and I'm forced to retreat, delaying my ancestral grandfather's mission." Xi Men Mei's smile vanished, her tone turning serious.

"The place you want me to accompany you to… was it arranged by the elder patriarch himself?" Wang Yu, upon hearing this, was moved.

"Of course. If not for my ancestral grandfather's direct order, why would I be doing anything extra in this secret realm?"

"That place lies within this mountain range. As long as we avoid the demon Foundation Establishment cultivator and the main demon force, your abilities should be more than enough to get me there and back safely."

"This journey is for my ancestral grandfather's sake—that's precisely why I can offer you his promise." Xi Men Mei said earnestly.