The forest clearing had barely regained its silence when it shattered again.
The moment she confirmed the surroundings were safe, Xie Zhaolin already wanted to leave.
She didn't even spare Elder Chou a glance. She turned around and picked a direction to go. That woman had too many thoughts hidden behind her smile. Now that the danger was gone, there was no need to travel together anymore.
But as soon as she took a step, a streak of rosy light drifted down and blocked her path.
"Why so hasty, Elder Mo?" Elder Chou's voice carried a lazy smile. Her figure flickered and she appeared before Xie Zhaolin again.
"We just fought side by side underground. Even if it was brief, we shared life and death. Now that we're safe, you're this desperate to part ways? That's a bit cold."
Xie Zhaolin stopped. A sharp chill flared in her eyes. As expected, this woman really did latch onto her.
"Elder Mo didn't panic under pressure. You broke illusions, controlled enemies, your means were exceptional. Especially that illusion breaking method, it didn't seem like anything common." Elder Chou didn't wait for a reply, still speaking calmly, neither angry nor pleased. "Thinking about it carefully, with Elder Mo's strength and character, you shouldn't be that unknown within the sect."
Xie Zhaolin let out a cold laugh inside. Here it comes.
"What's that supposed to mean, Elder Chou? Are you doubting my identity?"
Her aura sharpened. The Jingxiao Ribbon still hadn't appeared, but a layer of icy baleful qi was already leaking out. Since she'd been exposed, why leave a hidden danger behind? Better to deal with it now.
The crisis was over. No more need to hold back.
Once the killing intent rose, Xie Zhaolin didn't hesitate.
Her figure blurred, leaving a fading afterimage behind while her true body appeared beside Elder Chou like a ghost.
The Jingxiao Ribbon shot out without warning. This time it wasn't the soft purple glow from before. It exploded with killing intent and baleful qi condensed to its limit, driving straight for Elder Chou's throat.
A single strike meant to kill.
However, right as this fatal blow arrived, Elder Chou didn't dodge at all. She only looked at Xie Zhaolin, her red lips parting slightly as she spoke a soft line.
"You're not Elder Mo, are you?"
Buzz.
The Jingxiao Ribbon froze three inches from Elder Chou's throat. Its trembling body whipped up a gust that stirred her hair.
Xie Zhaolin's pupils shrank sharply. Her killing intent didn't fade. It surged even more violently. Cold baleful qi flooded several meters around them. The temperature of the forest dropped in an instant.
She'd been seen through? Impossible.
Where did she slip? Her technique? Her methods? Or… Zi Ying?
Whatever it was, this woman couldn't be allowed to live.
She had to die.
A ruthless light flashed in Xie Zhaolin's eyes. She was ready to force the Jingxiao Ribbon forward and end her life on the spot when…
"Don't rush." Elder Chou spoke as if she didn't feel the killing intent pouring from Xie Zhaolin. Instead, she even let out a small laugh. There was relief hidden in her tone. "If I wanted to do something to you, I'd have done it underground, or right after we escaped. Why wait until now?"
She paused and met Xie Zhaolin's cold gaze. "I don't mean you harm. In fact, after learning this, it might mean we don't have any real conflict of interest anymore. At least the nasty things going on inside Qingxi Sect won't matter between us, right?"
Xie Zhaolin stared at her, her thoughts racing.
What game was this woman playing?
She forced down the urge to strike immediately. Her voice was hoarse and icy. "What do you want?"
"Simple." Elder Chou spread her hands. "I want to follow you."
"Follow me?" Xie Zhaolin let out a cold laugh. "You think I'll believe that? Elder Chou, put that trick away."
"I know you don't believe me." Elder Chou sighed. "But I'm telling the truth. This Tianxu Mystic Realm is more dangerous than I expected. That thing outside, and that strange trap underground… moving alone, the chance of dying is too high. But you…"
She looked at Xie Zhaolin deeply.
"I don't know who you are or what you want, but your strength and adaptability make you the best partner I can find. Following you means a higher chance of survival, maybe even a chance at real opportunities.
As for entering this mystic realm, it wasn't my wish. My real goal isn't the usual treasures but… finding a chance to break free from the sect's control. And you, your strength, your methods… you showed me a possibility." She gave a bitter smile that was hard to read.
Xie Zhaolin didn't believe a word.
Three parts truth, seven parts lies. She wouldn't accept any of it at face value.
But she didn't refuse. She was weighing options.
Elder Chou seemed to sense her hesitation. She straightened, raised her right hand and said solemnly, "If you still don't trust me, I can swear to the Heavenly Dao. Inside this mystic realm, as long as you don't attack me, I'll never do anything that harms your life or obstructs your actions. Within my ability, I'll even assist you. If I break this vow, let heart demons devour me and let my cultivation never advance again."
A ripple of law fell from above.
A Heavenly Dao Oath.
For cultivators, this was binding.
A vow involving heart demons and the cultivation path was one almost no one dared break.
Xie Zhaolin's gaze flickered. She hadn't expected Elder Chou to swear so heavily. If the vow was real, keeping her would bring more benefit than harm.
Just like she said, since they no longer had sect related conflicts, having a late stage Golden Core formation master at her side would greatly increase the chance of survival in this dangerous mystic realm.
Even she couldn't guarantee she'd escape unscathed. The guardian beast earlier, she could've escaped, but it would've cost her one of her trump cards.
But with Elder Chou's help, it went much more smoothly.
Keeping her would expose some methods and limit her freedom, but the advantages were obvious. Elder Chou could help conceal her identity and abilities, and at crucial moments serve as a distraction. Especially if they encountered members of the Hehuan Sect.
Like Yu Xiaotang.
Like those elders from before.
But… this woman was too deep minded. Even Heavenly Dao oaths had loopholes.
The pros and cons flashed through her mind in an instant.
Xie Zhaolin slowly withdrew her killing intent. She looked at Elder Chou and said coldly, "Remember your vow. If you make one wrong move…"
She didn't finish. She didn't need to. The killing intent in her tone said enough.
Seeing Xie Zhaolin relent, Elder Chou let out a small breath and smiled. "Don't worry. I cherish my life."
Just when the tension between them had begun to ease…
Whoosh whoosh whoosh!
Several sharp sounds came from the dense forest to the side.
A moment later, five figures descended onto the edge of the clearing, spreading out in a faint arc.
They blocked Xie Zhaolin and Elder Chou's escape route.