The void itself was shattering, making it difficult to breathe.

Li Xuanqi's expression was grave. She formed a series of hand seals, and the Sun Gold Wheel erupted with boundless, profound light, forming a golden sun that shielded her within its radiance.

HUMMMMM...

Ripples spread across the surface of this golden sun, which flickered and swayed like a candle in a storm. Li Xuanqi's face turned pale; it was incredibly difficult for her to hold on.

RUMBLE! BOOM!

The terrifying tide finally passed. Li Xuanqi retracted the brilliance of the Sun Gold Wheel, her exquisite face ashen. The Holy Artifact was powerful, but its Mana consumption was astonishing. She had been battling here for a long time and was on the verge of collapsing. Yet the Big Ao opposite her remained as immovable as a mountain. It was impossibly tough, a nut she simply couldn't crack.

Maybe I should just give up?

She began to harbor thoughts of retreat. She had initially wanted to temper her own path using this Void Ancient Beast, but its power far exceeded her expectations.

Just then, a bright and clear laugh suddenly echoed from afar.

"Hahaha, excellent! Senior Sister Li is truly the Saintess of Mount Shu! To think you could hold your ground against such a beast with only a Golden Core Realm cultivation level! You are truly worthy of your title as the Peerless Heavenly Maiden who single-handedly suppressed the countless prodigies of Nanzhou. How admirable!"

Li Xuanqi whipped her head around. Standing on a distant mountaintop was a refined, elegant, and almost otherworldly handsome young man, his eyes filled with admiration as he looked her way.

Is it him?

She remembered Wang Xiu, of course. The impression he'd left was a deep one. In Vermilion Bird City, he had casually dispelled a world-ending thunderstorm with but a few words, a horrifying display of power. Later on, in the Ancient Forest, she had thought she was ahead of everyone else, ready to sweep up all the Precious Medicines and Spirit Fruits. Instead, she found that countless opportunities had already been snatched away by someone who had arrived first. It wasn't until later that she learned from her elders that this successor of the Sanqing Divination Sect had been able to move about freely on his second day in the Holy Realm!

She had no idea what methods he had used.

In Li Xuanqi's eyes, this handsome youth was utterly enigmatic. His background was unimaginable, no less profound than any prodigy on the Golden Core Ranking. Yet he never put on the airs of a top-tier genius and could chat and laugh with even an ordinary Cultivator. It was as if he could be a close friend to anyone, someone with whom you could talk about anything.

"It's just a pity, Senior Sister Li," Wang Xiu spoke again. "Although you possess god-given talent, this Ancient Beast is far beyond our Realm. It's not something we can contend with. You should retreat quickly, please don't risk your life!"

Li Xuanqi was no stranger to praise or concern. What kind of favored daughter of heaven was she? The suitors flocking to her were like carp crossing a river, as numerous as the hairs on an ox. They could form a line from the peak of Mount Shu all the way to Sanqing's eastern road.

But for some reason, Wang Xiu's respectful yet confident words, paired with his incredibly sincere gaze, seemed to strike a chord deep within her heart, igniting her fighting spirit.

BOOM!

She took a deep breath, and an Elixir appeared in her hand, which she promptly swallowed. Her Mana rapidly replenished her body. Her ample chest heaved as a holy light radiated from her jade-like face and rosy clouds swirled above her head, giving her a celestial aura. Confidence and breathtaking beauty returned to her expression.

"I appreciate your concern, Junior Brother Wang Xiu. But it's just an old turtle. Even if it's a rare specimen from ancient times, how could it possibly trouble me?!"

[Ding!]

[Nearby boasting detected. Congratulations to the Host for acquiring Mana +99!]

Wang Xiu's face filled with amazement. "Could it be that Senior Sister Li can still fight?"

"Hah, just 'still fight'? If I weren't deliberately suppressing my Realm, I could take its turtle head in ten moves!" Li Xuanqi's voice was bright and melodious, like music from the heavens. Her figure flashed, transforming into a sky full of celestial light as she flew toward the Big Ao.

[Ding!]

[Nearby boasting detected. Congratulations to the Host for acquiring Mana +99!]

The Lunar Golden Wheel flew out once more, unleashing countless dense and terrifying blades of light that seemed to slice the very void into a fine net.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

A terrifying shockwave erupted, striking the Big Ao and leaving deep gashes across its body, causing its movements to falter for a moment. But it still wasn't enough to inflict any fundamental damage. The Big Ao retaliated, lifting its pillar-like leg and stirring up a monstrous wave that forced Li Xuanqi back again.

A bitter look appeared on Li Xuanqi's face.

It's over. I got carried away. This Big Ao is too strong; even taking an Elixir won't make me its match! I shouldn't have charged in...

She glanced at Wang Xiu in the distance with an expression of resentful beauty. This Junior Brother Wang Xiu is a walking disaster; his honeyed words are potent enough to make anyone lose their head. I can't listen to him anymore. If I attack again, it'll be catastrophic!

Just then, Wang Xiu sighed with emotion. "Excellent! Truly worthy of Senior Sister Li. To be honest, I started my cultivation late, and I have always looked to you as my goal, Senior Sister. That has given me the motivation I needed to sprint forward with all my might. To see you in person today... I have no more regrets in this life."

Hearing his words, Li Xuanqi's body trembled, and her ears turned crimson.

I... I'm the goal of his sprint?

"But Senior Sister, you've already done more than enough. To fight this Big Ao to such a standstill... you truly deserve your spot at the top of the Golden Core Ranking. You should retreat quickly! Preserving your own safety is what's important!"

Li Xuanqi's body shook as if she were desperately trying to restrain something.

No, I can't! I mustn't get carried away!

"HAAA—"

With a sharp cry, she took a single step into the void, her long, straight legs propelling her hundreds of miles in an instant. Her stunning face was a mask of beautiful madness as a vast power poured forth from her body.

To hell with it! If I die, I die! Junior Brother Wang Xiu looks to me as his goal. Now that he's watching, how can I possibly show any sign of cowardice? If I shrink back, won't I just disappoint him? Fight! I will fight on! I must face this challenge head-on!

"Junior Brother Wang Xiu, the word 'retreat' does not exist in my dictionary! Just watch! Today, I will show this creature what it means to have a death wish!"

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