The two Dao Lemons were indistinguishable, with no discernible differences in quality. Urged on by Master Ping, Luo Xiu picked one at random.

Then, as previously agreed, Luo Xiu snapped the Primordial Divine Vine's Life Vine into two and tossed one half to Master Ping.

"Hahaha… Kid, you're generous! Master Ping likes that!"

"Kid, how about we become Dao Partners from now on?"

Having acquired two ultimate treasures, Master Ping was in an excellent mood.

Luo Xiu was a bit confused. "What do you mean by Dao Partners?"

Master Ping explained, "It means companions on the path of the Dao, just like you and your woman are Daoist Cultivation Partners."

Luo Xiu waved his hand disinterestedly. "Forget it. I don't want to be flying around on a vase."

"Master Ping is talking about Dao Partners, not a mount!"

"Let me tell you, kid, when Master Ping returns to his prime, I'll definitely make you see me in a new light. You'll be glad to be my Dao Partner then!"

Luo Xiu laughed and turned to walk toward the ruins outside the Palace of the King of Law.

"Fine, I'll be waiting for that day."

Through Master Ping's knowledge and experience, Luo Xiu already knew this vase was no simple object; its origins had to be extraordinary. But since Master Ping didn't bring it up, he wouldn't ask. Everyone has their secrets, and a vase was no exception. Besides, what kind of evil intentions could a vase possibly have? Having a Dao Partner like this didn't seem too bad after all.

After wandering around the ruins for a bit, Luo Xiu cleared a space not far from the Palace of the King of Law and buried his piece of the Life Vine.

"Does it need watering?"

"Ignorant!" Master Ping retorted. "Just bury it here. You don't need to do anything else. Then just wait and see what it becomes. If you're lucky, you might even get another Dao Lemon from it in the future."

"…"

* * *

「The Primordial Emperor's training ground.」

Xue Xiao descended from the sky with Xia Chan.

Looking at the training ground, which had been shattered into several large pieces, Xia Chan grew cautious. A terrifying residual power still seemed to linger in the air.

Surveying the surroundings, Xue Xiao said, "It's hard to tell what happened here. It doesn't look like the aftermath of a battle between experts, more like an explosion."

Earlier, the two had been exploring distant ruins when they suddenly heard a series of loud booms coming from this direction. Thinking something must have happened, they rushed over at full speed to investigate. By the time they arrived, however, they found only the dilapidated ruins of the training ground and nothing else. Around the ruins, a vast expanse of empty sand stretched out into the desolate wilderness.

Xia Chan remained vigilant as she slowly stepped onto the training ground. The ancient, broken steles were faintly inscribed with runes that looked like natural patterns, exuding a mysterious Daoist charm. After walking around for a while, she seemed to have an epiphany and sat down cross-legged on the spot.

Seeing this, Xue Xiao revealed a gratified smile and quietly stood guard to protect her.

Miss has been exceptionally talented since childhood, with an extremely high aptitude for comprehension. She must have gained some insight from observing the steles just now.

"Hey!"

Suddenly, a childish shout came from behind a nearby broken wall.

Xue Xiao's heart sank. He followed the sound and saw two petite figures leap out from behind the wall like a pair of little thieves.

It was Dou Dou and Yaya!

Previously, the two girls had also been exploring the Tomb of Civilization far away when they heard the loud noises from this area. They had immediately rushed over to see what the commotion was about. Shortly after they arrived, Xia Chan and Xue Xiao also showed up. The two girls decided to hide and watch, waiting for an opportunity to launch a sneak attack. The moment Xia Chan sat down to meditate, they decided it was time to strike!

Xue Xiao gazed at the two girls and realized they had found treasures. Dou Dou carried a bronze cauldron on her back, its ancient, esoteric patterns exuding an aura of antiquity. Yaya, on the other hand, had a tool resembling a hoe slung over her back.

"Old man, you're dead meat, I'm telling you!" Dou Dou shouted, pointing her black parasol at Xue Xiao. "I'm going to avenge Chen Shuisheng!"

Xue Xiao's expression turned grim. Although they were just two little girls who looked fierce but not too bright, one of them was ranked fourth on the Heaven List, and the other was a formidable Demon Person. Against the two of them, he could barely defend himself and had no chance of winning. Moreover, he had to protect Xia Chan, who was now deep in meditation.

Suddenly, Dou Dou waved her small hand. The bronze cauldron on her back glowed brightly, flew into the air, and hovered upside down, emitting a beam of light that locked onto Xue Xiao.

Instantly, Xue Xiao felt his body become light as he was pulled uncontrollably into the air. He used all his strength but couldn't break free from the beam's restraint! A life-threatening fear began to well up in his heart.

「Elsewhere.」

Dou Dou crossed her arms, looking down with disdain at Xue Xiao as he was slowly pulled into the air. "What will you do now that Dou Dou has brought out her treasure?" she said arrogantly.

Yaya then took the hoe-like tool from her back and brandished it. "You were pretty arrogant before, weren't you? Now, let me see what you're going to do!"

Xue Xiao gritted his teeth and cursed, his survival instincts compelling him to struggle. He was certain that if he were sucked into that cauldron, he would die without a doubt!

Just as he was about to despair, the Void around him suddenly twisted. The next moment, his body evaporated without a trace, reappearing beside Xia Chan as if he had teleported.

The seated Xia Chan opened her eyes and slowly rose to her feet. A spiritual light flashed in her beautiful eyes, and her aura had subtly changed.

Wiping away his cold sweat, Xue Xiao looked at Xia Chan in shock, still filled with lingering fear. "Miss, what you just did was…"

Xia Chan said slowly, "The Daoist charm on these broken steles is truly wondrous. While in meditation, I felt as if I spent years in a marvelous illusion. During that time, I used the Wicked Tenderness Technique as a foundation to create this Taoist art. I call it the Wicked Tenderness Hand."

As she finished speaking, she gently lifted her hand and made a grasping motion in the empty air. Almost at the same instant her fingers curled, a piece of rubble from dozens of meters away appeared in her hand.

Xue Xiao was so shocked he was at a loss for words. This wasn't the common "Telekinesis" that many people could do; it was a direct spatial displacement of that piece of rubble! He had only been able to escape the beam of light because Xia Chan had performed a spatial displacement on him!

"Hmph!"

At that moment, Dou Dou floated into the air before them, looking down proudly at Xia Chan and Xue Xiao.

"Such childish tricks! How dare you show off in front of an expert!"

"Watch me, Dou Dou!"

With a wave of her small hand, the bronze cauldron flew forward and once again emitted a beam of light, instantly locking onto both Xia Chan and Xue Xiao.

"I'll cook you both up in one go today!"

CRACK.

Unexpectedly, a crisp cracking sound came from the bronze cauldron the next moment. The powerful bronze cauldron had actually split!

Instantly, the cauldron's radiance faded. It fell onto the hard ground of the training ground and bounced several times with a series of loud clangs.

Seeing this, Dou Dou's eyes went wide. She glared at Xia Chan and shrieked, "You broke my treasure! Pay up!"

Xia Chan was taken aback, her expression one of utter innocence. She hadn't even had a chance to use her newly created "Wicked Tenderness Hand" before the cauldron suddenly broke. It really had nothing to do with her.

Xue Xiao sneered dismissively. "Tian Jiao, your magical treasure may be powerful, but after being eroded by the long years in the Tomb of Civilization, it's now nothing but useless scrap metal, good for only a few more uses. To think you picked up a piece of junk and were so pleased with yourself. How ridiculous to bring it out and make a fool of yourself!"

Xia Chan turned to leave. "Xue Xiao, let's go."

Even though Dou Dou's magical treasure had failed her at a critical moment, causing her immense embarrassment, Dou Dou and Yaya were themselves very strong. If they stayed and fought to the death, Xia Chan and Xue Xiao would surely be no match for them. But if they were determined to leave, Dou Dou and Yaya couldn't stop them.

"Don't you dare leave!" Dou Dou shouted, about to give chase.

Just then, the entire training ground began to tremble violently. An immense and desolate aura erupted from beneath the ground, instantly enveloping the whole area and forming a Barrier that trapped the four of them inside.

Before they could react, they were all suppressed by an invisible pressure, forced to their knees and unable to move.

"Return my Dao Lemon—!"

"Return my Dao Lemon—!"

An ancient, weathered voice suddenly echoed between heaven and earth.

The four of them felt a stabbing pain in their souls, as if their heads were about to explode. All of them began bleeding from their eyes, ears, noses, and mouths.

Suddenly, Spiritual Energy surged in the center of the training ground, quickly condensing into an aged figure.

"Return my Dao Lemon!" the old figure bellowed.

The four of them shuddered as they were struck by an invisible force, sent flying backward while vomiting blood. Under this immense and desolate pressure, they were utterly powerless to resist, as insignificant as ants.

Dou Dou rolled on the ground in agony, her voice strained. "Grandpa, who are you? Dou Dou didn't take your Dao Lemon."

The aged figure, however, paid her no mind. With a single, light step, the four were slammed by an invisible aura, their bodies flying uncontrollably into the air, where they were once again restrained by that formless power.

"Stealing my Dao Lemon is a crime punishable by death!"

The next moment, a series of popping sounds, like snapping beans, erupted from their bodies as their bones were subjected to intense pressure. If this continued, they would be crushed into pulp!

Yet, in the grasp of this mysterious expert, the four were completely helpless, unable to use any of their skills.

Just as despair set in, a spatial portal suddenly materialized in the Void. A vase flew out and fiercely knocked back the aged figure! It was followed by another figure who leaped out and grabbed Xia Chan, freeing her from her restraints.

After a dizzying spin, Xia Chan groggily opened her eyes. A familiar face appeared in her blurred vision.

"Chen Shuisheng?!"

Luo Xiu landed with her in his arms, setting her down gently.

"Are you okay?"

"Thank… thank you. I'm fine."

Just then, Master Ping's voice rang out from the side. "Kid, is this really the time to be flirting?!"

"If you don't want to die, get far away! That's the Residual Soul of the Primordial Emperor! I, Master Ping, might not be able to handle it!"

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