With Huo Hangku's loud shout, Luo Xiu instantly remembered who had arrived.
It was indeed the master of the Jade Delight Sect—Mei Ji!
Although Luo Xiu did not have a deep impression of Mei Ji, he vaguely remembered traveling with her while exploring the Ancient God Ruins.
A fragrant breeze suddenly blew in, dispersing the stench in the air and refreshing one's spirit. Mei Ji floated down from the sky, her dress fluttering like a goddess descending to the mortal realm.
After landing, her gaze fell upon Luo Xiu's face, so handsome that even women would grow jealous, and her heart stirred. Such a handsome man... If I could bring him back to the Jade Delight Sect and teach him well, we could walk the path of dual cultivation together. How wonderful would that be?
She then cast an indifferent glance at Huo Hangku before saying to Luo Xiu, "There's a saying that a warrior can be killed, but not insulted. Your actions are a bit excessive."
Luo Xiu waved his hand, signaling Lao Ba to fall back. "You wish to intervene?" he asked.
Mei Ji looked straight at Luo Xiu. "You and I will fight. If you can withstand three of my moves, I will consider it your win."
"If I lose, these people are at your disposal. If you lose, you come with me."
Based on her recent observation, she judged that Luo Xiu's strength was at the Dao Jade Realm at most, so she was quite confident.
Luo Xiu recalled traveling with Mei Ji for a time. She had been quite righteous and diligent back then. Thinking of this, he decided to grant her this favor and nodded in agreement.
"Then I shall do as the Fairy says."
Mei Ji's figure flashed as she soared into the sky.
Luo Xiu followed closely behind her.
"First move."
High in the sky, Mei Ji came to a sudden halt. Her body radiated a bright red light, and the Great Dao Destiny Wheel appeared in the void behind her.
To think she's already reached the Red Emperor Realm in just a few decades, Luo Xiu sighed inwardly.
In the Three Thousand Worlds of the Upper Realm, a Profound Emperor could become the ruler of a region, let alone a Red Emperor. But in his eyes, whether they were a Profound Emperor or a Red Emperor, it made little difference from being in the Dao Jade Realm.
While Luo Xiu was lost in thought, Mei Ji appeared before him. Her eyes were like spring pools, shimmering with a light that stirred the hearts of men.
The moment their eyes met, Luo Xiu felt a fire ignite within him and realized this was some kind of captivation technique. However, he had resisted even Su Shenyun's Mesmerizing Flame Technique, so he naturally wouldn't fall for Mei Ji's charm.
Luo Xiu said, "The first move is over."
He was hit by my captivation technique but is completely unaffected? Mei Ji was slightly astonished. She created some distance between them and threw a punch at Luo Xiu.
The seemingly delicate, jade-like fist carried terrifying power. This punch could shatter mountains and split the earth!
However, Luo Xiu simply extended his hand and caught her fist with ease.
"The second move is over. Now for the third."
Mei Ji's heart hammered in her chest. This young man has been hiding his strength. He's not as simple as he appears. She tried to pull back, but Luo Xiu's hand gripped her fist like an iron pincer, making it impossible to break free.
After struggling for a moment, Mei Ji suddenly sighed.
"So be it. I have lost."
Luo Xiu released her fist and smiled. "It's been a while. You've improved quite a lot."
Hearing this, Mei Ji's fine brows knitted together. "Have we met before?"
Luo Xiu teased, "Have you slept with so many men that you've forgotten?"
Mei Ji's cheeks flushed, but she didn't refute his words. She had always treated men as playthings to advance her cultivation. Along the way, even she had lost count of how many men she had ruined. The moment she laid eyes on Luo Xiu, the thought of taking him as a consort had crossed her mind. After all, a man so young and handsome was a rare find.
"So we really have met before?"
"Alright, I'm just kidding. It's me," Luo Xiu smiled. With that, he gazed at Mei Ji. A green light flashed in his eyes as he transmitted a memory into her mind via his Divine Sense.
In that fleeting memory, Mei Ji saw scenes from the past, and a look of sudden realization dawned on her face.
"So it's... His Majesty, the Azure Emperor." Feeling somewhat embarrassed, her cheeks reddened. "Please forgive my earlier offense."
Luo Xiu joked, "How about we sleep on it as compensation?"
Mei Ji chuckled. "I am but a wilted flower, Your Majesty. I fear I would only tarnish your august self."
Luo Xiu laughed heartily. "I never expected to run into an old acquaintance here."
Mei Ji said curiously, "I heard that His Majesty, the Azure Emperor, died in battle in the Lower Realm, but to think..."
Luo Xiu shook his head. "There is no Azure Emperor anymore, only Asura."
Mei Ji was quiet for a moment, then looked toward the ground. "I suggest Your Majesty spare their lives for the time being."
"Because he was once your husband?" Luo Xiu asked.
"That's not the reason. I have no connection to him anymore. Our meeting in the Boundless Heavens was pure coincidence."
"Then why can't I kill them?" Luo Xiu inquired.
Mei Ji slowly explained, "Over the past few years, I've learned much. Both the Swordfire Divine Sect and the Heavenly Moon Cult answer to one person: Emperor Hao. During the great battle in the Boundless Heavens, Your Majesty's Heaven's Aegis Army was en route to provide support. The reason they mysteriously vanished is that these two powers ambushed them in secret."
Luo Xiu furrowed his brow. "So you're saying..." Heaven's Aegis Army? Luo Xiu had never heard of them before. Hearing about it now from Mei Ji piqued his curiosity.
Mei Ji continued, "My suggestion is to use Huo Hangku and his people as bait to catch a bigger fish. The reward might be far greater."
Luo Xiu was silent for a short while before asking, "Why are you telling me this?"
Mei Ji watched him with a calm expression. "Our Jade Delight Sect has also joined the Three Thousand Alliance. I was even forced to attend to Emperor Hao in his bedchambers on several occasions. But it was simply the way the world was heading, an unavoidable act of self-preservation. However, now that the Azure Emperor has returned to the Three Thousand Worlds... compared to Emperor Hao, I would rather stand with you."
Luo Xiu gave her a long, hard look. "Aren't you afraid I'll lose?"
"My luck with gambles has never been poor. I climbed from being a prostitute in a brothel to my current position by betting on everything."
...
After a moment, Luo Xiu and Mei Ji returned to the ground.
The disciples of both sects looked at them with expectant eyes, desperate to know the outcome. In the ensuing silence, Mei Ji looked at Huo Hangku and said, "I lost."
Hearing her words, Huo Hangku gritted his teeth, his heart filled with resentment.
Just then, Luo Xiu spoke up, "Each of you will leave one hand and all your valuables. Then, scram back to where you came from."
At his words, the crowd stared in shock. A moment later, the members of both sects were clutching their severed wrists and fleeing in a panic. Lao Ba excitedly pounced on the pile of "spoils of war."
Mei Ji walked to Luo Xiu's side and looked at the bloody, severed hands on the ground. "They'll definitely be back for revenge," she remarked.
"That's exactly what I want. Weren't you the one who suggested fishing for a bigger catch?"
"Where do you plan to go next?" Mei Ji asked.
"I'm looking for someone."
"I also came to the Boundless Heavens to seek my fortune, but I have no specific goal," Mei Ji said. "Why don't we travel together?"
Luo Xiu was about to speak when he suddenly frowned and whipped his head around to look at the distant sky.
"What's wrong?"
Luo Xiu's body trembled slightly as azure Spiritual Power uncontrollably seeped from his body.
"Over there... It feels like something is calling to me!"
...
「Boundless Heavens. Inner Area.」
On a scarred and devastated battlefield, Lin Shanshan and Snow Kirin stood back to back, both drenched in blood. Surrounding them was a group of Heavenly Azure War Soldiers clad in Battle Armor. The gazes peering from the slits of their helmets were filled with bloodlust!
Because the Magnetic Key the two of them had seized was medium-grade, they were sent directly into the Inner Area of the Boundless Heavens. But before they could even begin to explore, a group of Heavenly Azure War Soldiers found them by tracking the Divine Sense aura on the key. After a fierce and desperate battle, both women were gravely injured.
"Master... if there's a next life, I still want to be your little sister."
Lin Shanshan looked down at the Green Lotus Petal in her palm. It had already grown quite dim, but her gaze was firm as she said, "I won't let you die."
She suddenly gritted her teeth. A scorching aura erupted from her body.
Snow Kirin's beautiful eyes widened in shock.
"This is... the Blood Burning Technique?"
...