“Great aunt, please spare me! I truly didn’t mean to make things difficult for you. I was forced… I had no choice…”
From a distance, Shiyao watched the man kneeling before Ye Qinghan, confused as to what was going on.
“Keep talking.”
The Frost Edge Sword was too valuable, so Ye Qinghan had already switched to a plain, unremarkable top-tier Immortal-grade flying sword, which now rested lightly on the man’s shoulder.
“My name is Xu Zhanfeng. I’m a cultivator. I was once a close friend of the master of this secret realm. We had planned to ascend to the Immortal Realm together. But the day before our ascension, he betrayed me, and I was imprisoned in this secret realm, reduced to the ghostly form you see before you today.”
“Keep talking.”
“As long as you spare my life, Great Aunt, I’m willing to serve you loyally and obey your every command!”
Ye Qinghan looked him over. He resembled a charred corpse more than a man. Though he still had a face, complete with nose and eyes, no one would ever believe he was alive.
“You’re too ugly. I don’t like that.”
Ugh… Xu Zhanfeng was clearly hurt by that, but his life was more important. He didn’t dare offend the woman in front of him.
It was said only cultivators below the Golden Core Realm could enter this secret realm, but someone like Ye Qinghan… even after being trapped here for thousands of years, this was his first time seeing someone like her.
Still, he didn’t plan to ask how she entered or what her goal was.
As for her supposed early-stage Foundation Establishment Realm cultivation—only an idiot would believe that!
Who had ever seen a Foundation Establishment cultivator like this?
Even though their powers were suppressed inside the realm, she still displayed strength equal to the 15th stage of the Nascent Soul Realm!
A Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator killing a late-stage Nascent Soul Realm in one strike? Xu Zhanfeng would never believe it.
“Uh… whatever condition Great Aunt wants, please just say it! As long as you spare me, I’ll do anything!”
“Is that so? How eager.”
Seeing Ye Qinghan smile, Xu Zhanfeng slowly relaxed a bit and quickly forced a flattering grin, eager to continue.
“Of course! Your words are like an imperial edict. I will obey without question!”
“Do you know this secret realm well?”
The moment she asked that, Xu Zhanfeng lit up inside. There was hope! He might survive!
“Yes, yes! What is Great Aunt looking for?”
Xu Zhanfeng thought—wasn’t this exactly his area of expertise?
He’d been trapped here for thousands of years. Who could know this place better than he did?
“Is there a treasure vault or something like that? Best if it’s money, gold, things like that.”
Ye Qinghan didn’t beat around the bush. She herself didn’t have a strong concept of money, but if it meant her master didn’t have to go out and scavenge for leftovers, then yes—she needed money! Follow the newest chapters on g.com.
“There is, there is! As far as I know, there are still two ferocious beasts guarding Immortal-grade magical treasures and Immortal-grade techniques!”
Xu Zhanfeng got so excited he nearly stood up, but quickly remembered the situation and knelt back down.
“If you’re lying, you know what happens,” Ye Qinghan said with narrowed eyes, tapping his shoulder lightly with the blade.
“I wouldn’t dare! How could I lie to Great Aunt! If I lie, I won’t wait for you to act—I’ll behead myself!”
“If you do well, I might consider taking you out of here.”
Ye Qinghan spoke calmly, her tone indifferent.
Xu Zhanfeng froze. This was a secret realm created by immortals, and this young woman actually claimed she could take him out?
But… who’s to say she wasn’t an immortal herself?
Even if he would be under her control after leaving, it was still far better than being trapped here for eternity!
“Thank you, Great Aunt! Zhanfeng will not disappoint your trust! Just watch!”
Ye Qinghan calmly retracted her sword and flicked her sleeve. The sword case instantly appeared, drawing back the flying sword.
It all happened in an instant—Xu Zhanfeng was dumbfounded.
Shiyao might not recognize it, but he did!
That flash of golden light just now—those swords in the sword case were definitely Immortal swords! And the worst of them… was probably at least top-grade Immortal level!
And those swords were in the hands of such a young girl—and she had ten of them!
Each one top quality, in perfect condition!
At this moment, Xu Zhanfeng believed it. If anyone in the world could truly get him out… it was this girl in front of him.
“Great Aunt, this way please!”
Ye Qinghan waved her hand, motioning for the dazed Shiyao to follow.
Shiyao slowly stood up, nodded, and silently followed behind.
“Great Aunt, this young lady is…?”
Xu Zhanfeng didn’t dare overstep, so he asked just to be sure. If she was someone close to Great Aunt, she must not be offended.
“Sworn little sister.”
Xu Zhanfeng didn’t understand all the nuances, and Ye Qinghan’s cold eyes revealed nothing.
“Greetings, Second Great Aunt! Please just call me Zhanfeng!” Xu Zhanfeng quickly knelt and kowtowed respectfully.
“Uh… no need, no need. Sister… I mean… you really don’t have to be so formal…”
Li Shiyao was dumbfounded. Was this guy really that scared of Sister Qinghan?
She wasn’t very smart, but her cultivation was solid. Xu Zhanfeng’s power—undeniably Nascent Soul Realm—she could feel it. She was definitely no match for him.
But Xu Zhanfeng was actually afraid of Sister Qinghan… What kind of cultivation level did Sister Qinghan have!?
“Lead the way.”
Ye Qinghan had been feeling a little bored without Shiyao talking for so long, but the moment she opened her mouth again, Ye Qinghan was instantly annoyed.
“Yes, yes, Great Aunt, this way! Watch your step, mind the stones. Ah~ it’s a little dark here, I’ll go light the way!”
Xu Zhanfeng really did have a talent for playing the lackey. Ye Qinghan actually liked this feeling. But she was well aware—once he left the secret realm, even if his cultivation was diminished, he’d still be at least above Soul Formation Realm. She might not be able to control him then.
Whether to release him or not, she’d need to think about it more. His side of the story couldn’t be fully trusted.
After walking for a while, Ye Qinghan stopped cold, her expression icy as she stared at Xu Zhanfeng.
“Isn’t this the path I came from? You dare lie to me?”
She had to admit, now the sword case had basically become a trigger.
With a loud thud, the sword case slammed to the ground. Before Xu Zhanfeng could even explain, his knees hit the ground first!
“Pl-pl-please, Great Aunt, let me explain!”
Even he didn’t want to!
His knees reacted faster than his brain!
“The direction is right, really! This path leads to the treasure vault, which has always been hidden just behind the entrance…”
“Is that so?”
Ye Qinghan’s gaze swept over him—Xu Zhanfeng, who hadn’t eaten in a thousand years, nearly pissed himself from fear. It was terrifying!
He considered himself someone who had faced true power before—even fought with semi-immortals—but no one had ever scared him like this…
Yet now, in front of this Great Aunt, his knees refused to obey.
“It’s true! There’s a barrier placed there. If you don’t inspect carefully, you won’t find the hidden path!”
“If I find out you’re lying, or trying to sneak away, you know the consequences, don’t you?”
Ye Qinghan was smiling, but Xu Zhanfeng was so terrified he couldn’t speak. He just slammed his head into the ground—over and over.
Hard. Relentlessly.