When Yun Zhen was about to speak, a large hand effortlessly grabbed the collar of her clothes from behind and lifted her up.
Her petite and delicate body was suspended in the air. Seeing that Rong Shuo was about to toss her into the stream, she clung to him like an octopus, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck.
Her slender legs coiled firmly around his waist.
"Big brother, I was wrong." Yun Zhen cried with a pitiful face and quickly added, "There's another way. When I reach the cultivation level of a Spirit Emperor, the bond will be automatically broken."
'Rip—'
The sound of tearing fabric echoed as her collar was ripped open, revealing a small patch of fair, delicate skin on her upper back.
"Get off me!" His deep voice, filled with rage, reverberated through the bottom of the cliff, almost shattering Yun Zhen's eardrums.
If she weren't a powerless mortal, Rong Shuo would have probably shaken her off with his spiritual energy already.
"Big brother, I'll get down right away. Please don't be angry." Seeing his genuine anger, Yun Zhen immediately let go of her act and jumped off him quickly.
After landing steadily, Yun Zhen looked up at Rong Shuo and spoke in a tone of negotiation: "Big brother, I know you definitely don't want to merge Yin and Yang with me, to share pleasure as lovers. Right now, the only solution is to wait until I become a Spirit Emperor. At that point, our life plates will automatically separate."
"A useless person who can't cultivate—how could you possibly become a Spirit Emperor?"
Absurd!
Rong Shuo narrowed his deep eyes, his voice as cold as an icy blade, making one shiver uncontrollably.
He stared at the girl before him. Despite her face being smeared with blood and grime, she exuded an undeniable vitality, particularly in her sparkling eyes, which occasionally revealed a hint of mischief.
She was somewhat different from the women he had encountered before.
Yun Zhen promptly patted her chest in assurance and declared, "There's a seal inside me. Once it's undone, I'll be able to cultivate."
Rong Shuo raised his brow slightly. Indeed, there was a seal within her, and not just any seal—it was an ancient one. This girl seemed to harbor many secrets.
Heterochromatic eyes, an ancient seal...
"That seal of yours cannot be broken without Spirit Emperor-level cultivation," Rong Shuo said.
Yun Zhen put on a docile and agreeable expression, secretly grabbing his slender, well-defined hand and shaking it in a pleading manner. "Big brother, I know you're the best. Please help me unlock the seal. I promise to cultivate diligently and strive to reach Spirit Emperor level as soon as possible!"
Her soft little hand slipped into his palm, and Rong Shuo froze momentarily.
He lowered his gaze to the hands touching each other, feeling an inexplicable sensation he couldn't put into words. Strangely enough, he didn't dislike it.
Soft, warm.
In the dark night, the tips of the man's ears began to turn red, though no one could see.
Rong Shuo said coldly, "Let go."
"Okay, big brother." Yun Zhen obediently released her grip, her demeanor as sweet and compliant as could be.
Seeing this, Rong Shuo nonchalantly placed his hand behind his back.
"I can help you undo part of the seal, but even with it broken, you're still too weak. Anyone could easily crush you to death. For my safety, you'll come back with me."
"No way!"
Yun Zhen immediately refused.
Going back with him meant losing her freedom. Just thinking about the isolation and loneliness made her shudder.
"You don't have a choice!" Rong Shuo cast her a cold, piercing glance.
If Qing Feng and Mo Yu were here to hear Yun Zhen's immediate rejection, they would have scolded her for her foolishness. Following the Emperor Sovereign was an enormous blessing and opportunity!
Yun Zhen's smile vanished instantly, replaced by a serious expression. "I have family. I can't leave them."
Rong Shuo fell silent.
Yun Zhen raised her hand and removed the sash around her waist. Her dirty, bloodstained outer robe fell loosely, revealing a soft pink inner garment.
"What are you doing?" Rong Shuo exclaimed, taking a step back before quickly turning his head.
"If you think me cultivating to Spirit Emperor level is unrealistic, then the best option now is—"
"Shut up!" Rong Shuo scolded.
He knew she was blatantly threatening him.
He could easily force her to comply in countless ways, whether by erasing her memories or turning her into an idiot and confining her somewhere…
"Fine. I'll agree to your terms, but you must reach Spirit Emperor level within three years. If you fail, your freedom will be revoked."
Hearing this, Yun Zhen's lips curled into a triumphant smile.
"Big brother, you truly are a kind-hearted, handsome man," she said cheerfully.
Rong Shuo felt a vein throb on his forehead.
The next morning.
Yun Zhen left the bottom of the cliff—or rather, was driven out.
She recalled how Rong Shuo had spent the entire night helping unlock her seal. Despite only partially breaking it, she could now sense spiritual energy.
She could even use her divine sense to observe her own dantian and sea of consciousness. However, her dantian seemed unusual—it was a small lake instead of the typical landmass others had.
She noticed Rong Shuo frowning in puzzlement after observing her dantian, though he said nothing definitive.
Her lake-like dantian had a peculiar, intricate seal in its center, bound by seven chain-like patterns. Now, one of the chains had snapped.
The path ahead was long and arduous. She would need to explore and uncover the truth herself.
The seal likely had something to do with her mother, Jun Lan.
Jun Lan was shrouded in mystery. According to her grandfather, she possessed exceptional alchemy skills and unfathomable strength.
Dressed in a loose black robe, Yun Zhen had washed her face clean, revealing her delicate and picturesque features. Her bright eyes sparkled with vitality, and her long, slightly curled lashes framed her flawless, creamy skin.
She looked like a girl of fourteen or fifteen.
"Ow..."
Yun Zhen winced, her small face scrunching up in discomfort.
Her entire body was sore and aching, and even the slightest movement was a challenge.
"That damn Rong Shuo! He drove me out right after unlocking my seal. What kind of man lacks such chivalry?" Yun Zhen muttered quietly. "Just wait until I rise to power. Then I'll make you my bed-warming servant!"
Unbeknownst to her, her muttered complaints had reached his ears. Rong Shuo's face darkened, his expression filled with gritted teeth.
Finally, his thin lips parted as he murmured, "Very well."
Yun Zhen had been walking for a long time. Along the way, she encountered several spiritual beasts but managed to evade them without much trouble. When avoidance wasn't an option, she relied on the ancient martial arts she had learned in her past life.
In her previous life, she was a genius who dabbled in everything, though her specialties were eye techniques and metaphysics, followed by ancient martial arts.
Strangely, the beasts she encountered were only second or third rank.
Spiritual beasts were categorized from rank one to nine, followed by Sacred Beasts, which also had nine ranks, and then Divine Beasts, Super Divine Beasts, and so on.
This area was already deep within the Flaming Forest, so why hadn't she encountered any high-rank spiritual beasts?
It was truly peculiar.
Moreover, the entire depths of the Flaming Forest exuded an unusual aura. Narrowing her eyes, Yun Zhen crouched down and picked up a dry branch...