Luo Xiu glanced back at Zuo Qianhuang before suddenly shaking off his hand and flying toward the lightning barrier ahead.

Zuo Qianhuang gritted his teeth and cursed, "What a fool with a death wish!"

"Even I don't dare to approach the lightning barrier recklessly. You're just throwing your life away going over there!"

At that moment, all the mercenaries were looking at Luo Xiu as if he were a moron.

"Forget it, Mercenary Leader. If these arrogant fools want to court death, just let them."

"These self-important young people... they're probably unable to resist the temptation of the Thunderpython Stone."

"..."

Zuo Qianhuang shook his head helplessly and then turned to Ai Kun. "Senior Ai, is this kid your War Slave?"

Upon hearing this, Ai Kun's gaze turned icy, and a terrifying aura emanated from him.

"Zuo Qianhuang, choose your words carefully... This is my boss!"

His words made Zuo Qianhuang's eyes widen in shock.

"Your... your boss?"

For a moment, he thought he had misheard. Ai Kun was an Emperor Realm Expert, while Luo Xiu was just a human youth in the Mahayana Realm. How could he possibly be Ai Kun's boss?

Then Ai Kun added, "If it weren't for my boss this time, how long would it have taken worthless rabble like you to find the Thunderpython Stone?"

His tone deepened as he continued, "Furthermore, from the very beginning, I never intended to share the Thunderpython Stone with scum like you."

"You're lucky my boss is righteous and abides by the code of the martial world. That's the only reason he lit the Blaze Light Talisman to notify you to come here."

Hearing Ai Kun's words, everyone fell silent, their faces burning with humiliation.

Suddenly, a strange sound came from up ahead.

Everyone's expression sharpened, and they quickly shifted their gaze.

They saw Luo Xiu walking on air toward the lightning barrier, as leisurely as if he were strolling through a courtyard.

Incredibly, the fierce lightning striking him left him completely unharmed.

"What... what is happening?"

"Could he have a magical treasure that protects him from lightning?"

"No!" an old man suddenly spoke up. "Based on my years of research... this young man must have a Thunder Path Physique!"

Hearing this, everyone's eyes widened in astonishment.

"A Thunder Path Physique... Does such a legendary physique really exist?"

"What is this young man's background?"

"He must be a core disciple receiving special training from some major sect!"

"..."

While everyone was speculating, they saw Luo Xiu gather his Spiritual Power into a sword and cleave through the lightning barrier with a single strike.

Ai Kun hurried after him, shouting, "Boss, wait for me!"

Zuo Qianhuang and the others exchanged a glance and followed closely.

Only after getting close to the Thunderpython Stone did Luo Xiu realize why so many people coveted it. The aura of the Thunder Path contained within the stone was powerful beyond his imagination. It even contained traces of Divine Skills.

For these loose cultivators, the Thunderpython Stone was undoubtedly an opportunity to turn their lives around.

But at this moment, Luo Xiu was more concerned about Luo Qingxian than the stone.

Previously, when Luo Qingxian approached the lightning barrier, Luo Xiu had seen that she wasn't struck by lightning and turned to ash, but was devoured instead. He had assumed she used some method to pass through the barrier to get directly to the Thunderpython Stone.

But now, Luo Xiu could sense no trace of Luo Qingxian here; she had vanished into thin air.

While Luo Xiu was lost in thought, the Thunderpython Stone in front of him suddenly trembled, transforming into a stone the size of an egg and flying toward him. Luo Xiu instinctively reached out and caught it.

He truly hadn't expected the Thunderpython Stone to come to him on its own, as if it feared he wouldn't want it.

This very scene was witnessed by Zuo Qianhuang and the others as they caught up. Seeing Luo Xiu holding the Thunderpython Stone, everyone's heart burned with desire, hoping he would once again uphold the code of the martial world.

But remembering Luo Xiu's extraordinary background, and how even an Emperor Realm Expert like Ai Kun was his underling, no one dared to speak up.

Ultimately, it was Zuo Qianhuang who mustered the courage. "Young Master, now that you have the treasure, we should retreat quickly. We can divide the supreme treasure equally after we get out!"

But Luo Xiu ignored him. Instead, he frowned at the spot where the Thunderpython Stone had been. Only then did he notice a tiny spatial rift, only a finger's width wide and half a meter long.

Suddenly, Hua Muyan's voice transmitted into Luo Xiu's mind. Master, Yan'er can sense a residual aura of Construct Wood near that spatial rift. Do you think that girl used the power of Construct Wood to cross over?

Luo Xiu asked, "Can you enlarge it?"

"I can."

Without another word, Luo Xiu raised his right hand. A flower vine emerged from his wrist, rapidly extending toward the spatial rift. In just a moment, the tiny rift was widened enough for a person to pass through.

"Master, hurry! Yan'er can't hold on much longer!"

Luo Xiu dared not hesitate and flashed through.

Ai Kun followed close behind, crying out, "Boss, don't leave me behind!"

Zuo Qianhuang and the group of mercenaries were left dumbfounded, looking at one another in bewilderment.

In the silence, someone asked, "Mercenary Leader, did they... did they just run off?"

Zuo Qianhuang clenched his fists, his body trembling. He suddenly threw back his head and let out a long howl.

After passing through the spatial rift, Luo Xiu found himself standing above a lake.

Not far away, Luo Qingxian was half-kneeling on the lake's surface, panting. Her pretty face was pale, and her body was covered in numerous wounds. Upon seeing Luo Xiu, Luo Qingxian's eyes widened in surprise.

"It's you?"

Luo Xiu looked around and smiled. "Miss, there's no need to be nervous. I mean no harm. By the way, where are we?"

Luo Qingxian didn't answer, instead watching him warily.

Just then, Ai Kun burst out laughing. "Boss, I know where we are! This is the Jialan Realm! I've been here before!"

"I never expected the Thunderpython Stone was suppressing a spatial rift leading directly to the Jialan Realm!"

"Heaven is truly on our side."

"Boss, this makes things much easier for us."

Hearing Ai Kun's words, Luo Xiu gave Luo Qingxian a deep look. He suddenly understood. Luo Qingxian's goal from the beginning was likely not the Thunderpython Stone, but the spatial rift it suppressed. She had intended to use that rift to come directly to the Jialan Realm.

And the reason she came here was most likely for Luo Xian.

Luo Qingxian asked, "From the sound of it, you planned to come to the Jialan Realm too?"

Luo Xiu walked toward her. "You're injured. Let me treat your wounds first."

"Stay back!" Luo Qingxian stood up, her eyes fixed on Luo Xiu with caution.

Luo Xiu held up his hands. "Relax, I truly mean no harm. And in your current state, you wouldn't be able to resist even if I did."

Luo Qingxian fell silent.

Luo Xiu walked up to her and offered her an Elixir.

"Were your injuries from being struck by the lightning back there?"

Luo Qingxian nodded but didn't reach for the Elixir.

"Thank you, but I can heal myself."

With that, she turned and left, soaring into the sky like a startled swan and vanishing in an instant.

Ai Kun walked up to Luo Xiu's side. "Sigh, that girl is too aloof."

"Hehe, Boss, I was injured earlier too... maybe you could also..."

Luo Xiu placed a hand on Ai Kun's shoulder, quietly infusing a thread of Fortune-Forming Power into him.

Feeling that vast vitality, Ai Kun gave Luo Xiu a deep look. He suddenly asked, "Boss... you're the Azure Emperor, aren't you?"

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