Investment Return System, Start by taking Demon Empress as a Disciple

Chapter 165: Trouble Arises

"This little girl looks quite lovely. It's perfect for refining into a corpse puppet. She can serve this old man in daily life. Hahaha, how delightful!"

Among them, the Unity Realm Yin Corpse Sect Elder's eyes shone even brighter when he saw Li Shenruo, and he licked his withered lips.

"We're finished…"

Seeing this, Chi Yun's heart sank instantly. He still had quite a distance to go before reaching Illusory Void Mountain.

There was no time…

"Second Elder, look at all those spatial rings in the cabin. I didn't expect to make a windfall in the Northern Domain. What an unexpected delight!"

Suddenly, a Void Refining Realm expert stared fixedly at the dozens of stacked spatial rings in the corner of the cabin, his expression one of pleasant surprise. Even if these spatial rings contained no heavenly treasures, the dozens of spatial rings and this flying boat alone were already of considerable value.

Having noticed the spatial rings, that expert directly disregarded Li Shenruo and Chi Yun. He moved towards the cabin and casually cut off the power supply to the flying boat. Then, he reached out towards the pile of spatial rings.

"Stop, you can have the flying boat, esteemed seniors, but those rings belong to Senior Chen. You can't touch them!"

Seeing this, Li Shenruo summoned the courage from who knows where and directly unsheathed her sword, pointing it at the Void Refining Realm expert as she shouted.

A Void Refining Realm expert? What kind of existence was that? Not to mention the barren Northern Domain—even in the Eastern Domain, such figures were rare and reclusive old ancestors. Even the Grand Elder of their Holy Mountain hadn't broken through to the Void Refining Realm yet.

However, she still chose to draw her sword. She had her principles—anything from the Holy Mountain, once lost, could be forgotten. But those spatial rings belonged to Senior Chen!

Since she had been entrusted by Senior Chen to deliver those heavenly treasures to the Illusory Void Mountain, she couldn't go back on her word!

"Hahaha, this little girl has quite the temper. Not bad, this old man likes spirited youngsters like her! If we refine her into a corpse puppet and allow her to retain a bit of consciousness, that would be even better!"

Seeing this, the Second Elder of the Fusion Realm laughed in a particularly sinister manner. A mere Seventh Heaven of Profound Sky Realm junior dared to draw her sword against a Void Refining Realm expert?

With such a character and her Holy-Grade aptitude, given enough time, she would likely become a powerful figure in the future! Unfortunately, she had encountered them, and the outcome for this girl would ultimately be turning into a corpse puppet!

That Void Refining Realm expert wasn't about to be intimidated by Li Shenruo. It was as if he hadn't heard her at all. He simply picked up a handful of spatial rings and casually checked whether there were any treasures inside.

But upon a closer look, even someone of his experience couldn't help but suck in a cold breath.

In quick succession, he switched to several more spatial rings to examine. The more he looked, the more delight filled his face.

"It's a windfall, a true fortune! Second Elder, all these spatial rings are filled with heavenly treasures, not a single empty one!"

The Void Refining Realm expert was brimming with excitement as he held a spatial ring and obsequiously extended it to the Fusion Realm Second Elder.

Swish! A streak of sword light flashed past, striking directly at the person's wrist. It seemed as if the aim was to cleave the hands holding the spatial ring.

However, as the sword touched the person's wrist, a metallic friction sound resonated, leaving only a shallow white mark on the wrist.

"Hehe, young lady, even when calamity is upon you, you're still fixated on heavenly treasures. That won't do."

Throughout, the Second Elder paid no attention to Li Shenruo. He casually received the spatial rings, examined them, and wore a satisfied expression. He then turned his head to Li Shenruo, his expression full of mockery.

"Ah… If you have a chance to meet the Pavilion Master, please convey a message on behalf of this old fellow: Tell that I, Chi Yun, have not brought shame upon the Heavenly Dao Pavilion, nor have I embarrassed the Pavilion Master."

Upon seeing that Li Shenruo could face a Void Refining Realm expert without backing down, and even dared to draw her sword against him, Chi Yun shook his head and sighed, a self-deprecating smile on his face.

Growing old, truly growing old.

Having lived for thousands of years, he was now less courageous than a young girl. When danger came, he only dared to run away.

But now, fleeing was clearly not an option.

"Senior?"

Hearing Chi Yun's words, Li Shenruo looked over with a hint of confusion. She saw Chi Yun's entire body rapidly expanding, his blood and spiritual energy reversing.

"Go!"

After a low roar, Chi Yun charged directly at the group of Yin Corpse Sect experts. With his Boundless Realm strength, he naturally couldn't compare to these experts. But if he self-destructed, he might buy Li Shenruo some time.

"Senior!"

Li Shenruo was greatly alarmed by the scene, but once self-destruction began, there was no turning back. She couldn't waste the lifeline Chi Yun had fought for her. Without hesitation, she bit her lip and leaped, attempting to speed toward the direction of Illusory Void Mountain.

"Hehe, I wonder if you're overestimating yourself or underestimating this old man in the Fusion Realm."

However, this scene did not escape the notice of the Yin Corpse Sect members. Instead of panicking, they each revealed a smirk.

"Seal!"

With a wave of the Second Elder's hand, a Soul-Sealing Nail materialized out of thin air and thrust toward Chi Yun, who was charging toward them.

Pshh! A light sound echoed as the Soul-Sealing Nail directly penetrated Chi Yun's Sea of Qi. His reversed spiritual energy instantly stagnated, as if frozen in place.

Especially for a corpse puppet, the Soul-Sealing Nail, formed from soul power, was particularly restraining.

"Young lady, you needn't leave either. Let this old man do a calculation. Today, it's a perfect time to refine a corpse!"

As he spoke, the Second Elder beckoned slightly, conjuring another Soul-Sealing Nail out of thin air. It shot toward Li Shenruo's retreating figure.

Pshh— Accompanied by a light sound, Li Shenruo stared blankly at the ground. She had realized that the Soul-Sealing Nail had pierced her from behind.

In an instant, her strength began to dissipate, her spiritual energy couldn't circulate, and even her blood slowly turned cold.

The scene before her eyes blurred, and Li Shenruo felt exhausted, too tired to keep her eyes open. With a slight beckon, the Second Elder caused both Li Shenruo and Chi Yun to land on the flying boat's deck. Both of them had lost any power to resist.

…

Illusory Void Mountain, Small Pavilion.

Li Yourong, who had been enjoying her meal, suddenly felt a sharp pain in her heart. With her chopsticks held still in her hand, she stood there, her eyes turning red as tears streamed down her cheeks.

"Hmm? Why, crying again because the food is delicious?"

Seeing Li Yourong's expression, the others burst into laughter, thinking she was up to some mischief again.

"Master, Master… Yourong's heart hurts. Senior Sister, it seems something's wrong with my sister. Master, Master, Yourong is in pain..."

Li Yourong gazed at her master, her tears unstoppable, her voice choked with entreaty.

For a moment, everyone present was stunned by her words.

"Rest assured, Yourong, everything is fine."

Chen Daoxuan's smile faded as he wiped away the tears from Li Yourong's face. His expression turned grim, revealing displeasure. Chen Daoxuan, quite fr𝒐m freew𝒆bnov𝒆l.c(o)m

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