Chapter 181: Folded Space

After reaching the sixth rank, third stage, Lu Fang could clearly feel that the righteous qi condensed from extreme yin power had improved by a tier.

His corresponding strength had also increased significantly.

Yet he felt absolutely no sign of breaking through to the next level.

From experience, breaking through minor stages was easier, but breaking through an entire rank was exceedingly difficult; he had never held high hopes, so he felt no great disappointment.

As for Pan, after a month of cultivation, his expression suggested he had gained considerable benefits—but he, too, had not broken through.

"Time is nearly up. Princess Xue, let's go outside."

Pan said softly.

Xue Luo Sha nodded and smiled at Lu Fang. "Lord Wenguan, come along. Your month of cultivation must have been grueling. As we agreed, I'll have someone attend to it immediately upon leaving—I'll send you a message talisman once there's confirmation."

"Thank you."

Lu Fang expressed his gratitude.

…

Upon leaving the snowfield and returning to his quarters, Lu Fang received a message talisman from Xue Luo Sha: the matter of the Liujin Xuanguang Mirror had gone even smoother than he'd expected.

To return to Da Zhou as soon as possible, Lu Fang decided to visit the Liujin Xuanguang Mirror the next day. He held little hope—the Demon Heart had said nothing since its remarks a month prior.

The Demon Heart had heard his conversation with Xue Luo Sha, yet showed no urgency at all—clearly, it had a plan.

That meant everything it had said before was true.

Even a being as powerful as Fa could not erase the Demon Heart, only seal its consciousness; Lu Fang didn't believe it could be easily erased.

Lu Fang now even considered skipping the visit altogether—if the result was inevitable, why not avoid it? It might ease the tension between him and the Demon Heart.

"Demon Heart, do you want me to go to the Liujin Xuanguang Mirror tomorrow?"

He asked inwardly.

No response came for half a day. Just as Lu Fang gave up, the Demon Heart finally spoke: "Of course I don't want you to go—but I respect your decision."

Lu Fang chuckled. "Understood. Then let's go. I know I probably can't erase you, but I really want to try."

"As I said before, I'm not particularly averse to you."

"If someone else had gained a Demon Heart like yours—a source of power—they might be ecstatic. But I can't. I dislike unstable elements in my life. Clearly, you are one."

The Demon Heart sighed. "You're just like Fa."

"Am I really like Fa? In what way?"

Lu Fang pressed.

The Demon Heart: "In every way. Especially your emotional coldness—you and Fa are identical. You'd do anything for your own benefit. You haven't done so yet only because the temptation hasn't been great enough."

Lu Fang smiled. "You're quite perceptive. Not wasted on following me this long—you've got me figured out. I am exactly that kind of person."

"I won't beat around the bush. I don't believe the Liujin Xuanguang Mirror can erase you—but I'm still going to try."

"If you want me to do something for you, say it outright. But only if you offer me sufficient benefit. Otherwise, why shouldn't I reject you?"

"I didn't ask you to parasitize me. Your existence has put me in danger. Tell me—why should I accept you?"

The Demon Heart: "I understand."

Lu Fang no longer dwelled on the matter, changing the subject: "What exactly is Fa? Human? Demon race? Barbarian?"

The Demon Heart smiled bitterly. "He's not human, nor demon, nor barbarian. But he has a human face and body. His true race—I don't know. I've never discussed it with him."

The night passed without incident.

The next morning, early.

Accompanied by Xue Luo Sha, Lu Fang headed toward the palace of the Luo Sha Queen, where the miraculous Liujin Xuanguang Mirror was kept.

Xue Luo Sha sat in a floating flower carriage, smiling. "Yesterday, as soon as I left the snow mountain, I told my mother. When she heard it was you, she agreed immediately."

"How about your Demon Heart? Did it stir at all yesterday?"

"What stir?" Lu Fang raised an eyebrow. "Do you expect it to summon a few beasts after hearing our conversation? This is the Luo Sha Kingdom—not a peril-laden snow mountain."

Xue Luo Sha covered her mouth and giggled. "True. Your Demon Heart probably doesn't have much consciousness."

When Lu Fang spoke of the Demon Heart to Xue Luo Sha, he unconsciously downplayed its consciousness—better to keep such matters low-key.

Not long passed before he and Xue Luo Sha entered a grand hall, where the Luo Sha Queen sat.

Lu Fang bowed and smiled. "Thank you, Your Majesty, for allowing me to use the Liujin Xuanguang Mirror. Simply entering the snow mountain was already more than I deserved—I've kept asking for more."

The Luo Sha Queen chuckled fondly, adjusting Xue Luo Sha's hair. "Lord Wenguan, you overstate it. Please sit."

"The poem you wrote for us—'When Will the Bright Moon Appear?'—is a priceless gift. Your cultivation has advanced too swiftly, stirring inner distractions. You need the Liujin Xuanguang Mirror. If we refused, wouldn't we seem heartless?"

Lu Fang did not sit. He smiled. "If possible, I'd like to use the Liujin Xuanguang Mirror as soon as possible."

The Luo Sha Queen nodded in understanding. "I'll tell you the precautions first, then you may proceed."

Lu Fang frowned. "There are precautions? Will it be dangerous?"

The Luo Sha Queen smiled. "Of course there are precautions. The Liujin Xuanguang Mirror was obtained from the snow mountain. It can indeed cleanse distractions and demonic thoughts—but it is unique."

"Once you enter the Liujin Xuanguang Mirror, do not move. It is a complex folded space."

"Stay still, and your distractions and demonic thoughts will be cleansed. But if you wander or look around…"

"You may become lost within the mirror's space."

Xue Luo Sha, seeing Lu Fang frown, reassured him: "It's not as terrifying as Mother says. Just stay where you entered. I've gone in several times—I've never been trapped."

The Luo Sha Queen nodded with a smile. "Xue'er is right. As long as you don't wander, entering the mirror holds no danger. Since we learned its rules, no one has ever been trapped."

Lu Fang paused, then nodded. "May I see the Liujin Xuanguang Mirror first? I thought it was just like looking into a mirror—I didn't realize I'd be entering a folded space inside it."