On one side, a blazing wave of fire charged forward, and on the other, several monsters roared menacingly.
Surrounded on all sides, feeling her frail and endlessly aching body, Emily had given up resisting, her gaze even dimming.
Though her life wasn't in danger, it seemed this secret realm adventure was over.
Yet, there was still one thing unresolved in her heart.
For some reason, a certain figure resurfaced in her mind.
Despite her attempts to forget, she couldn't shake it off.
Just as she was about to be engulfed by the wave of heat, an even more intense blaze burst forth from behind her.
A majestic fire dragon, with flames of authority, surged forward, its gaping maw swallowing several monsters whole.
Though the monsters were slain, the scorching flames quickly approached, threatening to consume Emily's delicate face.
But at the last moment, Emily felt someone grab her collar.
Suddenly, she was lifted off the ground, completely out of control.
"Whoosh, whoosh,"
After spinning twice, she was violently thrown away.
Though she was quickly distanced from the heat wave, the sheer speed left Emily unable to control her fall, and she braced for a harsh landing.
She had no choice but to fully activate her Silent Tide Technique, using up the last bit of her strength.
As she touched the ground, the recoil helped her retreat several feet before she finally came to a stop, still stumbling and rolling twice, her clothes covered in dust.
Being yanked by the collar and thrown would anger any woman.
But Emily felt a surge of emotion.
Because this technique, it was so familiar!
This familiar wrestling move, could it be...
Lifting her head, standing before her was Timothy.
For a moment, Emily's gaze was dazed, her clear eyes shimmering with an unusual light.
It was as if time had returned to the arena in Azure Sea City.
Under the spotlight, with all eyes on them, she and Timothy locked eyes.
Only this time, Timothy had saved her life.
Why did this man always show up just in time!
Even though she had given up on completing Holy Maiden Aeliana's mission, she had coincidentally run into him again.
Twice now, Timothy's appearances had completely changed her views on men.
No, this change was solely towards Timothy.
In Emily's eyes, everyone else was still the same.
Unintentionally, a warmth spread through Emily's heart.
"Hey, you alright?"
At that moment, Timothy waved his hand in front of her stunned eyes.
Realizing her own lapse, Emily, feeling utterly embarrassed, quickly tried to stand despite her injuries.
"So you can stand, that's good."
Seeing her upright, Timothy immediately withdrew his hand.
Emily staggered, nearly falling over, barely managing to stabilize herself.
"Don't you have any sense of chivalry?"
Any other man would have held on in such a situation, considering her delicate state.
Suddenly, Emily's nose tingled, feeling that even a monk wouldn't be as detached as Timothy!
"Chivalry?" Timothy paused, giving Emily a once-over.
Though she was indeed attractive, she paled in comparison to his wife, sparking little interest in him.
"Uselessness of Spiritual Partners!"
"My book, how did it end up with you? Give it back!"
Emily suddenly spotted the "Uselessness of Spiritual Partners" in Timothy's hand, panicked, and immediately tried to snatch it.
Timothy stepped aside, hiding the book behind him.
Emily missed and stumbled, nearly face-planting onto the ground.
Timothy said, "I saved your life, so it's not too much to ask for this book in return, right?"
"No way! This is from Goddess Sylvia..."
Emily's words trailed off as she sensed something amiss.
"Uselessness of Spiritual Partners," although penned by Goddess Sylvia and filled with profound truths, was specifically aimed at women, particularly those who were disciples in spiritual practices.
Why would a man be interested in it?
Could it be!
All the past events quickly flashed through Emily's mind, causing her pupils to dilate.
In an instant, it seemed she understood everything.
His indifference to women, his complete lack of chivalry, his apparent emotional cluelessness around women.
Combined with Timothy's handsome looks and the occasional charming aura he exuded.
Could it be...
"You, you're not gay, are you?" Emily pointed at Timothy, her expression filled with astonishment.
Timothy: "???"
Emily hesitated for a moment but then quickly regained her composure, her voice faltering yet filled with disbelief: "Then, could it be... you have a preference for the same sex?"
"What are you thinking about?" Timothy tapped her head lightly with his hand as if it were a knife: "The reason I want this book is just... yes, I have a friend who wants to take a look."
"Really?" Emily was still somewhat skeptical.
"Of course. Also, I'd like to make a deal with you." Timothy waved "Uselessness of Spiritual Partners" in front of Emily, saying, "My friend doesn't know many words but is very interested in the content of this book. I hope that after you leave the Mystic Realm, you can explain the contents of this book to my friend. In exchange, I can take you to the great hall in the Valley of the Undead."
"I..." Emily hesitated.
She wanted to refuse.
But at this moment, every thought in her heart seemed to urge her to agree.
What was she really doing this for?
To obtain the treasures of the Valley of the Undead?
Clearly not.
To complete the task given by Holy Maiden Aeliana?
But that didn't seem right either.
Her mind a whirl of confusion, Emily finally put everything aside, made up her mind, and nodded.
"If that's the case, then it's a deal."
Timothy nodded in satisfaction: "Deal."
In the sky, the enormous creature had already been slain.
Umbral Tyrant sheathed the Umbra Slash, Sunflare Elder hid the "Hundred Beauties Spring Palace Scroll," and the six of them cautiously headed towards the great hall.
"These people's methods are more bizarre than the next, and they all possess Mystic Core strength. Are you sure you can get past them into the great hall?" Emily asked, somewhat doubtful.
"Don't worry, I have my ways." Timothy smiled slightly.
Breaking into the Valley of the Undead, these jerks indeed had no shame.
Unfortunately, if it really came down to it, his tricks were a bit stronger than theirs.