As the light from the Holy Lotus Jade Pendant around Luo Xiu's neck flickered, a vase flew out from it.

It was none other than Master Ping, who had not been seen for a long time.

Luo Xiu noticed that besides his aura becoming more powerful and full of mysterious Daoist charm, Master Ping's appearance had also changed. Perhaps because it had absorbed the Dao Lemon from the Primordial Divine Vine, the surface of the vase was now adorned with profound Daoist patterns that pulsed with a primordial aura.

"Tai Ah, I didn't expect it to be you!" a voice suddenly called out from The Void, filled with surprise and a hint of wariness.

Master Ping chuckled. "You ignorant little thing, you still think you can mess with my treasure? Just you wait, I'm coming to deal with you right now!"

He then turned to Luo Xiu. "Kid, take your new flame and get far away from here. Master Ping is about to unleash his divine might!"

Luo Xiu scowled. "You crafty old bastard, I've seen right through you today. You only show up when there's a real treasure involved. Let's get one thing straight: I get half of that skull!"

"Scram, scram, scram, enough of your nonsense! Let me take care of it first! Now hurry up and get your girl to safety!"

Without another word, Luo Xiu swept Mu Xueyan into his arms and ran straight for the cave entrance. Held in his embrace, Mu Xueyan looked resistant but only struggled symbolically for a moment. The strength and breadth of his arms gave her a profound sense of security. Her cheeks grew hot as she recalled Master Ping's words.

A short while later, Luo Xiu carried Mu Xueyan out of the cave, arriving on a flat ledge that jutted out over the cliff. Beyond the ledge, in the chasm below, was a river of roiling lava. A deafening boom suddenly erupted from the cave, mixed with the angry curses of Master Ping and the Crystal Skull.

Luo Xiu stretched out a hand and released the River Demon Pagoda.

Mu Xueyan looked at the palm-sized golden pagoda and exclaimed in surprise, "Isn't that the Treasure of Mountain Calming from Pagoda Mountain? How did it end up in your hands?"

Little Pouch chuckled. "Sister-in-law, you're mistaken. It's not that I fell into Big Brother's hands, but that I realized following him was my best shot at a future."

"Back in the day, that idiot Wu Chaozu fed me nothing but poultry and livestock. How could that compare to following Big Brother? Now I get to eat Demon Beasts every day!"

Luo Xiu glared at Little Pouch. "Enough of your chatter, and stop with the nonsense. She is not your sister-in-law."

"Hehe, Big Brother, Sister-in-law, it's dangerous outside. You should hurry into my body. I'll create a private space for you two."

"..."

On the highest level of the pagoda's inner space, Luo Xiu flopped to the ground and let out a long sigh. "You know, that was really close. I didn't expect to scare off those riffraff from the Upper Realm just like that. It seems fate wasn't ready for us to die yet."

Mu Xueyan stood beside him, puzzled. "From how you acted... with your strength, wouldn't killing those people from the Upper Realm have been as easy as turning your hand? Why did you need to scare them?"

Luo Xiu smiled, momentarily at a loss for how to explain. He ended up saying, "Actually, I'm not a fan of fighting and killing."

Hearing this, Mu Xueyan's expression grew strange. She murmured, "If you say so."

But in truth, Luo Xiu had been bluffing. With his strength, he could have easily wiped out those nobodies from the Swordfire Divine Sect. However, Huo Hangku was, after all, a Tao Jade Two expert. To kill an expert like that, Luo Xiu would have had to use his cultivation. But the moment he did, his illness would flare up. He didn't know how many more times his body could withstand such an episode. Each flare-up was more severe than the last, and the unspeakable pain was like hovering on the brink of Ghost Gate Pass. That was why Luo Xiu had tried to intimidate Huo Hangku instead of actually wanting to use his cultivation. The result far exceeded his expectations—the title of Azure Emperor was truly intimidating, scaring Huo Hangku so badly he practically groveled.

Meanwhile, Master Ping and the Crystal Skull had launched into an earth-shattering battle. A yellow and a gray streak of light shot through the sky above the mountains, like torches being waved rapidly in the dark, forming two highly irregular arcs of light. Each collision of the lights unleashed terrifying power. The mountains below shattered and collapsed in the aftermath, creating a scene akin to doomsday. It was the most simplistic and brutal form of combat, but also the most thrilling and spectacular.

Luo Xiu watched the battle from within the pagoda, sighing in admiration. After his seclusion absorbing the Dao Lemon, Master Ping really is on another level.

With that thought, Luo Xiu looked away, his gaze falling on Mu Xueyan. Her pained expression reminded him that the beautiful Palace Master was in a terrible state.

"Palace Master Mu, you still have Aura of the Dead in your body. Take this Elixir first, then follow my instructions to channel your Qi and force it out."

Mu Xueyan nodded softly.

"First, take off your clothes," Luo Xiu said.

Mu Xueyan stiffened for a moment but still nodded softly. "Alright."

A short while later, after taking the Elixir Luo Xiu gave her, Mu Xueyan followed his instructions and removed her tattered outer robe and skirt. She was left wearing only a simple white tube top and a pair of safety shorts. Though she appeared calm and composed, her heart hammered in her chest as she slowly sat down cross-legged in front of Luo Xiu.

Luo Xiu also sat cross-legged and placed his palms against hers. He couldn't help but quietly appreciate her fiery, voluptuous figure, sighing to himself. Hips wider than her shoulders... endless delight.

Mu Xueyan's expression remained cool as she stared at him. "Have you had your fill of looking? Weren't you going to teach this Palace Master how to channel Qi to expel the Aura of the Dead?"

She couldn't help but remember the embarrassing things that had happened the last time Luo Xiu treated her... A faint blush crept onto her cool, beautiful face.

Luo Xiu coughed softly, tearing his gaze away. He adopted a serious tone and said, "First exhale, then slowly inhale. Pay close attention to how I channel my Qi."

"The liver Qi flows, vigorous, clear, and long; the six viscera align, giving birth to three lights."

"The heart's essence, focused and unwavering; harmonizing above with the three burners, below with the jade nectar."

"The mystic fluid flows like a cloud, dispelling all scents; it cleanses tooth and hair, refining the five directions."

"..."

A moment later, as the last of the Aura of the Dead was expelled from her body, Mu Xueyan couldn't help but praise, "The Ghost Valley Heart Method is truly remarkable."

Luo Xiu slowly withdrew his hands and let out a long breath. Suddenly, he called out, "Little Pouch!"

"Here, Big Brother!"

"Hand over your secret stash of Dao Yuan."

"Big Brother, I'm not sure that's appropriate..."

"Hmm?"

"Haha, of course, it's no problem at all! It's my honor that Sister-in-law requires Dao Yuan!"

Mu Xueyan's face flushed. "Don't talk nonsense. I'm not your sister-in-law."

BANG!

Just then, a loud crash echoed from outside the pagoda. A moment later, Master Ping appeared inside.

Luo Xiu stared at Master Ping in surprise. That broken vase can actually enter the pagoda without Little Pouch's permission? But then he remembered how Master Ping could freely enter and exit the Holy Lotus Jade Pendant, and it no longer seemed so strange.

"Did you take care of the skull?"

Master Ping said angrily, "I'm out there risking my life for treasure, and you're in here hitting on girls!"

Luo Xiu looked innocent. "I was not."

"That thing has been suppressed by my Dao Technique," Master Ping said. "But I can't destroy its consciousness just yet, so I need your help."

"What do you need me to do?" Luo Xiu asked.

"Hit it with your strongest attack. One shot should be enough to finish it."

"Aren't you supposed to be all-powerful? You really can't handle it?" Luo Xiu asked.

Master Ping replied, "Let me tell you, that abomination is the inner core of an Ancient God, transformed after its death. Its level is no lower than mine—it might even be higher! It's a divine object of the same caliber as your Eye of the Reaper.

"We're lucky it has only just developed a consciousness and lacks a suitable Taoist Body. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to handle it.

"If you obtain it, you'll have a limitless supply of the Aura of the Dead. You could even use it to forge a Second Dantian and achieve true dual cultivation within a single body."

Luo Xiu was instantly tempted. "Then what are we waiting for? Let's go get it!"

"But you'd better be careful, kid. It's a tricky one.

"Of course, with your strength, it probably won't be a problem. My only worry is that your illness will flare up.

"To be on the safe side, you should just use the Indestructible Divine Flame to burn it to death."

"..."

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