"Only the brave survive, while the timid starve. I, Su Zimo, wasn't raised to be frightened. So, you've come here to kill me, haven't you? Even if I hand over the Dragon Jade to you, you won't spare me."
Su Zimo looked disdainfully at the Witch Yuxiu, seemingly aware that she was the one responsible for the massacre in the Yu Long Village.
"Indeed, you're quite clever."
"You killed the people of Yu Long Village."
Mu Yunxuan asked coldly.
"That's right. They were too disobedient. If they had revealed Mu Xinyan's burial chamber earlier, the old hag wouldn't have lost patience and killed them."
Yuxiu the Witch admitted openly, her tone arrogant and proud.
Upon hearing this, Su Zimo gasped and asked angrily, "They were innocent. Where are their bodies?"
"In the stomachs of the old hag's demonic beasts. It's too late for you to save them now. The old hag came out this time to take your life, but when she passed by here, she discovered the trace of the Dragon Jade. Unfortunately, she arrived too late. Hand over the Dragon Jade, and the old hag may spare your life."
Yuxiu the Witch finished speaking and struck her skull staff heavily on the ground.
The two gemstones embedded in the skull's eye sockets emitted a dazzling red light, giving them an eerie appearance.
Mu Yunxuan's gaze darkened, and he had already drawn a sword, infusing it with profound energy, causing it to radiate brightly.
"What's this? Holy Lord, our Witch Clan has had a longstanding alliance with the Mu family. Is the Holy Lord really planning to attack the old hag?" Yuxiu the Witch's tone grew heavier, expressing some anger.
"Holy Lord, think it through carefully," Yuxiu the Witch said sternly.
"Hmph! Concealing resentment and using covert means to harm future generations. To think you Witch Clan would be the ones who understand better than anyone the principle of breaking bones rather than betraying beliefs. Isn't that right, Yuxiu the Witch?"
"Now that the Holy Lord has decided to sever all means of sustenance to the Witch Clan, then Lao Ou can only choose to make a move rather than miss the opportunity."
After speaking, the old hag swung her skull staff and swept it forward. A black mist flew towards Su Zimo and Mu Yunxuan. The Dragon Jade had appeared, and she had to obtain it to save her own life, but she was surprised to find that Su Zimo and Mu Yunxuan had beaten her to it.
Mu Yunxuan grabbed Su Zimo with one hand, and the sword in his other hand, infused with sword energy, cleaved the black mist in two, gradually dispersing it.
Seeing the black mist dissipate, Mu Yunxuan didn't relax because the disappearance of the mist didn't mean the danger was gone.
"Yunxuan, let go of me. You deal with this old witch, and I'll handle the other four," Su Zimo said with a stern expression.
"Meng'er, you mustn't!" Mu Yunxuan said coldly.
"Hehe!" The hoarse, chilling laughter was unsettling and carried a mysterious sense of fear. Once again, black mist filled the air, resembling rolling waves in the sea or dark clouds in a raging storm, surging violently.
"If you don't hand over the Dragon Jade today, neither of you will leave."
Upon hearing this, a strong killing intent flashed in Mu Yunxuan's eyes as he swung his sword at the black mist.
Su Zimo cleared a path using her Frosty Ice Whip.
A white light shot out from the dark and oppressive black mist, and Su Zimo found herself engaged in a fight with the four black-clad men.
Mu Yunxuan swiftly flew towards Witch Yuxiu with astonishing speed.
At the same time, Su Zimo's Frosty Ice Whip killed the four black-clad men. The speed was so fast that even Su Zimo herself was surprised. It seemed that the abundant profound energy around her was at her disposal.
The sword in Mu Yunxuan's hand pierced directly towards Witch Yuxiu's heart, but just as the sword approached her body, Witch Yuxiu's figure transformed into black mist and disappeared.
A glint of coldness flashed through Mu Yunxuan's eyes.
"Hehe!" The hoarse, chilling laughter was jarring and carried a sense of mysterious fear.
Mu Yunxuan abruptly turned around.
"Holy Lord, you can't kill me. In this world, no one has appeared who can kill me."
"Is that so? Whether you're human or ghost, everyone has a weakness."
A fierce light flickered in Mu Yunxuan's deep eyes, emitting a faint blue glow.
Witch Yuxiu was astonished upon seeing this, and her hand holding the skull staff trembled.
But it was precisely this subtle movement that revealed the truth to Mu Yunxuan. There was something she feared on her body as well.
Just as Su Zimo was about to turn around to help Mu Yunxuan, she suddenly realized that she was about to ascend.
Not only Su Zimo, but even Mu Yunxuan felt the same.
"Meng'er." Seeing the promotion halo above Su Zimo's head, Mu Yunxuan didn't have time to think too much. He swiftly flew to Su Zimo's side and quickly set up a barrier around the two of them.
At this moment, Su Zimo was immersed in her breakthrough. As the surrounding profound energy continuously surged, there was a force in her dantian that recklessly devoured the abundant profound energy. Su Zimo dared not distract herself because the stimulation of the profound energy inside her was growing stronger. The profound energy within her seemed like an unfilled black hole, no matter how much profound energy there was, it was completely devoured by her.
The aura on Su Zimo's body grew stronger and even the air around her seemed to be expelled. Within a radius of one zhang, a massive halo suddenly formed.
Witch Yuxiu felt an invisible pressure suffocating her, making it impossible for her to get close to Su Zimo and the others.
Although Mu Yunxuan was also undergoing a promotion, he wasn't as shaken as Su Zimo.
Su Zimo could only sense the rapid rotation of the Dragon Jade inside her body, but she could still feel that the profound energy she needed was insufficient! Su Zimo felt ecstatic in her heart. This promotion opportunity was extremely rare, and she had to seize it!
"Ah!" Su Zimo raised her head and let out a loud roar.
Both of them simultaneously opened their eyes.
"Meng'er, this is amazing! First stage of the Holy Profound Realm, it's truly astonishing!"
Mu Yunxuan excitedly embraced Su Zimo. They had actually been able to promote together.
Su Zimo felt her body light and comfortable. A vigorous wave of profound energy fluctuated within her, but she didn't feel uncomfortable at all.
"Meng'er, you just promoted too. How many stages did you advance?"
An excited radiance covered Mu Yunxuan's breathtakingly beautiful face, making it impossible for him to take his eyes off her.
"Meng'er, I was already at the peak of the Holy Profound Realm, and now I've surpassed the peak of the Holy Profound Realm."
"Hehe!" A clear and ethereal laughter filled the entire tomb chamber.
"Ming Yuxiu, you damned old witch, I've finally been waiting for you."
"Ah!" Witch Yuxiu looked around in panic.
A flicker of surprise flashed in Su Zimo's eyes. Wasn't she gone? How could she appear again? And what grudge did she have with this witch?
Su Zimo looked at Ming Yuxiu and then realized that there was no face under the large black hat.
"Mu Xinyan, you despicable person."
Witch Yuxiu's tone was filled with anger, and the skull staff in her hand shook, emitting a faint sound.
"Hmph! You, an old witch who has lived in darkness for so long, must be living worse than death!"
"You're not any better than me."
Witch Yuxiu became even more furious.
Her withered body kept moving back and forth.
"Is that so? Are you really better than me? You killed me, threw my daughter into the Demon Beast Continent, and finally took the position of the witch by the tribe leader's side. But how comfortable are you in that position? Ah?"
Suddenly, Su Zimo's mind flashed with memories of Jian Mo's life.
"You, Mu Xinyan, I've been searching for you for so many years, and you were actually hidden here by your husband. But so what? Even if I can get the Dragon Jade every few days, I can kill you once, and I can kill your daughter again. Moreover, in this life, she's no longer your daughter."
"Hehe! There's no need for you to tell me that. I've been waiting for so long just to lure you here. Do you think you can leave here alive now?"
"Do you still have the ability to do that?"
"Ming Yuxiu sneered, a trace of fear flashing in her heart. She had never doubted Mu Xinyan and Mu Yunxuan's abilities.
"Is it possible to achieve what one desires? Everything has been prepared to kill you. It doesn't matter how long I've waited; what matters is the outcome," said Ming Yuxiu.
Su Zimo and Mu Yunxuan raised their heads, looking around but not seeing any figures. The voice seemed to be coming from the coffin. They turned their gaze towards the crystal coffin, where the person inside remained still.
"You better think about how to save your husband! He defied the heavens, and you should know what his fate will be!" Ming Yuxiu attempted to stir up the pain in Mu Xinyan's heart. They had a deep love for each other when they were alive, and even if one of them died, their love would remain unwavering.
"Everyone has their own fate, and destiny has its own arrangements. My husband and I both have the ability to foresee the future. What do I have to worry about? You should worry about yourself instead!" Mu Xinyan's voice contained a hint of regret but also helplessness.
Before the words could fully sink in, a strong gust of wind swept through, and the crystals around them emitted colorful light.
"Momo, this is the last thing your mother can do for you. From now on, you'll have to rely on yourselves," the voice said.
As soon as the voice fell, Ming Yuxiu seemed to be violently struck and flew straight into the stone wall, her frail body crashing against it.
"Mu Xinyan, you dare to attack me? Do you really think I can't see you? I can do something about you even if I can't see you!" Ming Yuxiu supported herself with the skull staff, her hand gripping it tightly. Black mist enveloped her, resembling ghostly claws climbing up from the depths of hell.
At lightning speed, she thrust the staff toward Mu Xinyan.
Upon seeing this, Su Zimo felt a sense of urgency. She couldn't see the person at all, so how could she help?
"Mother," Su Zimo called without hesitation.
"Momo, don't be afraid. This is the grudge between your mother and her. This time, I won't let her cause trouble for you while she's still alive."
Su Zimo was completely bewildered now. How did things become so complicated? What was happening?
"Mu Xinyan, do you think everything will end if you kill me? You're too naive. Back then, the people of the Witch Clan saved you, and we became good sisters. Now, are you repaying kindness with enmity?" Ming Yuxiu said.
"Ming Yuxiu, how dare you accuse me of repaying kindness with enmity? It's your Witch Clan who did that."
A voice filled with regret and bitterness echoed, "I've seen shameless people, but I've never seen someone as shameless as you. How dare you mention sisterhood to me? Go to hell."
A white light, as fast as lightning, struck Ming Yuxiu's chest, but she didn't even react.
"Ah!" Ming Yuxiu lowered her head, revealing a large hole in her chest. Her heart felt like it was burning, and the searing pain left her speechless.
She weakly and unbelievably sat on the ground, the skull staff falling from her hands as she clutched her chest.
Her hat fell off, and Su Zimo saw a face that was pitch black and almost featureless. If she saw this terrifying visage in the darkness of night, she would surely believe it was a ghost.
In the end, Ming Yuxiu convulsed a few times before falling to the ground, lifeless.
"Mu Yunxuan, take the two blue spirit beads from the staff. They belong to your ancestors from the Mu family, stolen by Ming Yuxiu back then. Keep them with you; they'll be useful to you in the future."
Mu Yunxuan, upon hearing this, wondered about the blue spirit beads. Although he had never heard of them, if they belonged to the Mu family, how could they remain in the hands of an outsider?
Mu Yunxuan used his profound energy to extract the blue spirit beads from the staff. As soon as they touched his hand, the originally red beads turned blue.
"Boom!" Loose stones fell, and the cave began to shake.
Mu Yunxuan swiftly protected Su Zimo.
"Momo, you need to leave this place quickly. It's about to collapse."
"What about you?" Su Zimo asked, fear evident in her voice.
"Silly Momo, the only reason I stayed in this world was just a lingering obsession. Now that my wish has been fulfilled, after you leave, you must help the people of Yulong Village. They exist to protect the Yulong Pearl."
With those words, the surrounding jade orbs gradually dimmed, and the colorful light on the crystals on both sides of the crystal coffin disappeared. The cave shook even more violently.
"Momo, we need to leave quickly."
"But what about her? Her body is still here," Su Zimo couldn't bear the thought of her being buried.
"Momo, it was her choice."
Mu Yunxuan didn't give Su Zimo much time to think. He picked her up and flew out of the cave swiftly.
Su Zimo felt a deep sadness in her heart, her face filled with grief. These things were beyond ordinary human comprehension, not only in the 21st century but even in this fantastical realm, they exceeded her imagination.
At this moment, Mu Yunxuan dared not have any extra thoughts. He just wanted to safely take Su Zimo out.
With one hand, he kept striking away the falling debris, while tightly holding Su Zimo in his other hand.
Finally, they saw the entrance to the cave, the hole on the top of the cave. Mu Yunxuan's eyes flickered with a hint of surprise as he quickly flew out while holding Su Zimo.
Just as they landed, a cool sensation enveloped them. Su Zimo and Mu Yunxuan turned their heads and saw a small waterfall nearby. The flowing water resembled a gentle drizzle, and the cool feeling calmed their hearts.
In the distance, the setting sun appeared blood-red, and dark clouds rolled, as if it was going to rain.
Mu Yunxuan lowered his gaze and looked at the pain on Su Zimo's face, feeling the pain in his heart as well.
"Momo, don't be too saddened. From now on, you still have me."
"Yunxuan, all of this is too unbelievable," Su Zimo shook her head in disbelief.
"Momo, there are many unimaginable things in the world. It's just that we haven't encountered them yet."
Mu Yunxuan held her hand tightly, wanting her to know that no matter how many unimaginable things they encounter, he will always be by her side.
"Let's go!"
"Yes!" The two of them held hands and walked down the mountain.
In the forbidden land of the Witch Clan, a loud bang echoed as Geng Sangyao angrily slammed her hand on the black crystal ball, causing it to emit varying radiance according to her anger.
"Ming Yuxiu, you dare to destroy the clan leader's plan for your own selfishness! You deserve to die! The Yulong Pearl, a treasure with immense power, was taken so easily by Su Zimo. Damn it, all of you deserve to die!"
Her anger twisted and distorted Geng Sangyao's beautiful face, and her crimson dress seemed to shed tears with a strange luster.
"Witch Shiwu," Geng Sangyao called out angrily from outside the door.
A middle-aged woman entered, with a graceful figure and a round face. She was also a beautiful woman.
"The Mu family has cut off all support to our Witch Clan. With the resources provided by the Mu family over the years, we can survive even without them. Mu Xinyin is here, Su Zimo has obtained the Yulong Pearl, and Mu Yunxuan's heart and body are with Su Zimo. Perhaps our plan will not go as smoothly as we imagined."
"Clan leader, please calm down. Everything changes quickly, but it remains the same at its core. The situation may be accelerating, but it cannot change the predestined outcome set by the old clan leader. Even Mo Yuntian, who knows the will of heaven, cannot change it. Clan leader, await good news in tranquility."
Witch Shiwu remained calm, as if the situation had nothing to do with him.
"Seeing the current situation, do you think the clan leader can wait calmly? Immediately gather the ten elders to discuss countermeasures. We must not let Mu Yunxuan and Su Zimo find the answers. Otherwise, you all know the consequences."
"Yes, Clan leader," Witch Shiwu replied and left.
Su Zimo and Mu Yunxuan tried to find the family of the woman by following her description.
They moved quickly, and not far from the village, they finally found the cave the woman had mentioned.
Outside the cave entrance, there was a spacious area with colorful monster flags inserted on both sides. In front of the flags, there was a small altar, covered with incense ash and offerings, just like what Su Zimo had seen in the village.
"Yunxuan, do you think this could be a symbol of a certain ethnic group? It seems like they are worshipping some kind of deity."
"It's very possible..."
"Who's out there?" an old voice rang out.
Su Zimo and Mu Yunxuan exchanged glances and walked towards the cave. Inside the cave, they found a small but well-equipped space.
Inside the cave, there was an old woman and two children. When they saw Su Zimo and Mu Yunxuan, the two children cowered in fear and hid behind the old woman.
"Who are you? How did you find this place?" The old woman stared at Su Zimo's face with sharp eyes, filled with suspicion.
"Please don't be afraid, grandmother! We encountered a woman in distress while passing by," Su Zimo explained.
"It's Cai'er, is she alright?" the old woman asked eagerly.
"Grandmother, rest assured, she's fine. My family took her to the town not far from here for medical treatment. Tomorrow morning, I will have someone bring her back," Su Zimo assured her.
Su Zimo could tell that the old woman cared deeply for the woman named Cai'er.
"Thank goodness, with the protection of the gods, my Cai'er is safe," the old woman said, closing her eyes and murmuring something under her breath.
"Grandmother..."
Suddenly, the old woman opened her cloudy eyes and scrutinized Su Zimo's face.
"You resemble her too much."
Upon hearing that, Su Zimo understood what she meant.
"If you found your way here, it means you have returned. And with your return, my mission is complete," the old woman said calmly, her tone carrying a sense of ancientness.
"What is your relationship with Mu Xinyin?" Su Zimo asked, hoping to find some answers from the guardians of the Yulong Pearl.
"Calculating the time, I have just turned one hundred this year, which means it's the time you should appear," the old woman replied, evading the question.
"Grandmother, can you tell me what exactly has happened?" Su Zimo asked coldly, knowing that the old woman didn't intend to reveal much, but she still wanted to try.
"The answers can only be found by you. I heard movements on the Yunlong Mountain just now, indicating that you have already been to the cave. There's no need for me to say more. Return to me one year from today, and I will tell you what you want to know."
"What's the difference between saying it today or one year later?" Su Zimo couldn't understand why they had to make things so complicated.
"There is a difference because both of you are still not strong enough, and your love has yet to withstand the test," the old woman's words left Su Zimo speechless and filled her heart with resentment. She wasn't going to fight monsters; her cultivation was enough to keep her alive. She only wanted to do some small business, accumulate wealth, and live a comfortable and leisurely life. How did she always end up encountering these strange things when she stepped outside? No, she must remember to check the almanac before going out to avoid being unlucky. She indirectly forgot that she had just obtained a precious treasure...
"As for Witch Ming Yuxiu, she is already dead. However, when we arrived, there was no one in the village. Where did they all go?" Su Zimo remembered Mu Xinyin's instructions. Although she believed there was no connection between them, the mysteriousness of the situation made it difficult for her to accept. Since she had accepted the Yulong Pearl, it meant that she had accepted what was to come.