A butterfly?
A black butterfly that passed straight through rock, like an escape technique yet not one?
After discovering where Dragonfly Aunt had been attacked, Wang Jixuan had already been on edge.
In that split second, Wang Jixuan transmitted a shout as his hands rapidly formed Sword Finger seals.
"Enemy attack! Eject now!"
Peony and Black Shell were clearly stunned for a moment.
None of the sensors and radar systems they carried had detected any sign of an enemy.
Suddenly!
A Pitch Black Butterfly flew out from the rock wall above, fluttering its wings and scattering extremely faint Light Spots through the pitch-black surroundings.
It seemed to be about to cling to Wang Jixuan's shuttle.
In that instant;
The two shuttles silently began to collapse inward and deform.
Without another word, Wang Jixuan gripped his left wrist tightly with his right hand, then thrust his left Sword Finger forward.
Great Evolution Heart Sword!
A transparent Sword Light swept toward the Pitch Black Butterfly!
Explosions erupted beneath the three seats in the two shuttles, launching them upward as the cabin doors blew open on their own.
The Pitch Black Butterfly apparently had not expected Wang Jixuan's counterattack to arrive so swiftly and fiercely. Its body was struck by the Sword Light and hurled aside, while the surrounding light warped.
The shuttles' deformation halted for an instant!
Wang Jixuan, Peony, and Black Shell were ejected from the cabins, their backs slamming hard against the ceiling of the passage.
The Pitch Black Butterfly had already transformed into a young human woman. Looking somewhat disheveled, she knelt on one knee, raised a hand toward the shuttle ahead, black light blooming from her eyes as she clenched her fist hard.
The shuttle let out several explosive cracks, as though a giant iron hand had crushed it into a twisted soda can.
The firelight from the explosion illuminated the young woman's appearance.
Her hair was disheveled, and her pale face looked genuinely frightening in the deep, dark Underground Passage.
Wang Jixuan landed steadily. Two compact flashlights popped out from X Armor's shoulders, illuminating the passage ahead and behind as brightly as day. A long sword rippling like autumn water had appeared in his hand.
Hit by the strong light, the woman instinctively shut her eyes.
A dark figure had already flown over Wang Jixuan's head. Its slender body spun rapidly through the air along the axis between head and feet, the twin ponytails behind its helmet whirling like a cyclone.
Peony charged forward!
She blasted the young woman with her right fist, while the Annihilation Cannon in her left palm completed its rapid charge.
Wang Jixuan's sword trembled, a flash of Sword Light brewing upon its blade. It looked as though he were about to unleash sword qi, but what bloomed instead were ripples upon ripples.
Buddhist Scripture Suppresses Demons!
First, the young woman had not expected herself to be exposed so early, causing her ambush to fail.
Second, she had never anticipated that her opponents' assault would be so ferocious.
She crossed her arms in an X before her body as faint black light bloomed around her, forcibly taking Peony's incoming right punch. The sudden chanting threw her mind into chaos, making it difficult for her to focus as her body became sluggish.
Bang!
With a muffled impact, the black light scattered like sparks.
The young woman was flung backward like a comet, her back smashing brutally into the stone wall. She lowered her head and spat out blood as pitch-black light wrapped around her.
Wang Jixuan's sword vibrated, and the chanting grew ever more urgent.
Peony rushed forward, running along the curved stone wall. Her clenched left hand looked ready to throw a punch, but her fingers opened, revealing the Annihilation Cannon in her palm pressed against the young woman's forehead.
Point-blank shot!
Buzz!
The young woman violently snapped her head to the side.
A pale purple beam erupted.
The black light gathered before her neutralized most of the energy, but the skin over her right ear and the upper part of that ear melted away entirely.
"Aah—"
The woman let out a shriek, and pitch-black ripples spread outward.
Wang Jixuan and Black Shell were struck as though by a heavy blow!
Peony had already leaned back and leaped away, landing gracefully and precisely to Wang Jixuan's left-front. Her left-hand Annihilation Cannon entered cooldown, while her right palm began charging.
One side of the woman's ear and hair had melted away, making her look truly horrifying.
Yet she calmly stared at Wang Jixuan, as though she felt no pain. The ruined skin and even her hair were recovering at an astonishing speed.
Black Shell, who had been watching the battle, had now completed a maximum-energy charge for his Annihilation Cannon.
He did not hurry. Instead, he silently searched for the best opportunity to launch a sneak attack.
Besides, according to Black Shell's understanding, this was the moment when both sides ought to exchange a few words—greetings, insults, or perhaps probing for information.
Sure enough.
Before Wang Jixuan could speak, the woman asked first.
"You're not a Psionicist?"
"You aren't a Psionicist either?" Wang Jixuan's voice was clear and relaxed, as though an army of a thousand stood behind him.
The woman tilted her head slightly, a faint smile curling her lips. "Oh? How could you tell?"
"Your soul is unstable."
Wang Jixuan said calmly:
"I merely used a small method, and cracks appeared between your body and soul.
"This body should only belong to a B-Class Psionicist. Her physical enhancement is not particularly strong, yet there is now psionic power within her comparable to an S-Class Psionicist, while her organs and body have both suffered damage.
"So you are... a Spiritual Practitioner's avatar?"
The woman said thoughtfully, "Those three warned me before. They said that a troublesome and despicable fellow would come looking for trouble soon. You really are troublesome. You saw through my identity at a glance."
Wang Jixuan: ...
The six Spiritual Practitioners truly could communicate with one another.
But shouldn't the Fourth Spiritual Practitioner have told her? Why had she said "those three"?
Did she mean the three beneath the Psionic Capital?
"So," Wang Jixuan said calmly, "you showed yourself personally just to ambush us? Or do you not even have a few subordinates you can trust?"
The woman suddenly smiled, very gently. "Human, you are quite interesting. Every word you say is an attempt to extract information from me, but I do not wish to follow your rhythm of conversation... How about becoming my subordinate? You may name your conditions."
"That depends on the price you offer."
"Name anything you want," the woman said as she slowly paced. "I have not notified Xing Tian that I found your trail, so you need not worry for now. Those three said that Old Sophie was activated by you? Are you Old Sophie's student?"
"Old Sophie?"
"By the designation you humans gave her, she is the Fourth Spiritual Practitioner. I should be Number Five."
The woman's voice grew lighter, her pale chin lifting slightly.
That pride flowed outward from her very bones.
The woman said, "You need not bother trying to kill this body. It is merely a vessel that lets me come out for some fresh air. My power exceeds your imagination... Have you decided on your conditions?"
"Tell me what you can offer first."
Wang Jixuan responded aloud while rapidly calculating in his heart.
Their shuttles had all been destroyed by the woman.
That was the only reason she was so confident.
As long as this Spiritual Practitioner gave the order, they would be Hunted without end.
Wang Jixuan had considered many possibilities before, but he truly had not expected Number Five, the Spiritual Practitioner who should have been the final boss, to casually wander around whenever she pleased. Dragonfly Aunt had most likely been taken directly by Number Five.
Xing Tian, that old schemer, was already troublesome enough;
Yet Number Five was no less formidable!
A text message popped up before Wang Jixuan.
[Black Shell: Stall for as long as possible. You can agree on the surface. We're at a serious disadvantage right now.]
Then the woman murmured:
"What can I give you?
"My civilization surpasses Human Civilization. This is practically what you call a Dimensional Strike. I can give you all kinds of things.
"If you desire power and authority, you can help me restore my strength. Then I will build a kingdom for you and make you the ruler of all spirit slaves. You can use spirit slaves to rule part of this planet.
"Note that I said part of it.
"Old Sophie, the Fourth Spiritual Practitioner, is spineless, cowardly, incapable of accomplishing anything, and fond of presenting herself as a moderate liberal.
"You should already know that among the six of us, there are three powerful old fellows. They are already helping the Six Elders establish a planetary ruling system, and their power is recovering far faster than mine.
"So, in terms of authority, I can promise you one-sixth of the land and oceans.
"How about it?"
Wang Jixuan smiled freely. "That is not what I seek."
"Then what is it? Human Primitive Civilization should still be at the stage where people pursue a society of people ruling people. Power can satisfy most of your desires."
"Individual advancement?" Wang Jixuan's voice carried a trace of uncertainty.
The woman suddenly laughed. "You crave power? You are more advanced than they are. They always believe power exists to serve authority, but that is not true. The real joy lies in gaining great strength yourself and understanding the essence of this universe. I am beginning to appreciate you."
Wang Jixuan's heart skipped a beat.
This Number Five was definitely much harder to deal with than the Fourth Spiritual Practitioner.
Her personal pursuits, even her personality, matched Wang Jixuan's understanding of those cultivation maniacs more closely.
Of course, he himself had once been one.
After thinking carefully, the woman said frankly:
"The reason I want you as my subordinate is because you possess a Power System entirely different from ours. I can sense it. You are very interesting. The psionic power within you keeps circulating according to some pattern, and every circulation makes it purer.
"This may allow me to possess even greater power.
"I have always longed to reach the pinnacle of power. The sudden attack by the Blade Beasts and the destruction of my civilization prevented me from continuing my personal pursuit.
"So, I cannot promise that I can help you achieve individual advancement, because I do not wish to damage this peculiar psionic pattern within you.
"Once I have thoroughly studied you, I can make you the highest-ranking spirit slave. If you make contributions to me, or if we remain together for over ten thousand Earth years, I can seize the Core Circuits of other Spiritual Practitioners for you and elevate you into a true Spiritual Practitioner.
"On the condition that you let me study you."
Wang Jixuan shook his head. "I do not crave your power."
"Why?"
"My own is enough," Wang Jixuan said with a smile. "And for certain reasons, I cannot let you study me either. The powerful existence behind me is very wary of that."
"Oh, all right."
The woman was visibly somewhat disappointed as she watched Wang Jixuan.
"So, does that mean negotiations have broken down?"
"Not exactly... You are interesting too. If possible, I would also like to speak with you more. At the very least, you are far more candid than that hypocritical Fourth Spiritual Practitioner who is full of lies."
"Is that so?" The woman smiled happily. "That old fellow is hypocritical and arrogant, and he has no real ability whatsoever. You know, once every civilization reaches a certain stage, there will always be bastards who cling to their seniority, throw their weight around, block others from advancing, and smugly call themselves respected elders... It is disgusting."
Wang Jixuan: ...
He really could not respond to that.
The area-of-effect attack on the Cultivation World was too powerful.
He asked directly, "Is there any way to get you to come back with me?"
"Me, go back, with you?"
"Yes," Wang Jixuan answered frankly. "I have had enough of the Fourth Spiritual Practitioner's endless deception. If you come back with me, I will destroy that fellow directly."
The woman thought carefully. "This counts as a provocation from a lower civilization... Though I have no sense of collective honor, how you treat the Fourth Spiritual Practitioner now is how you may treat me in the future."
"That is different. I admire your straightforward personality."
"I also admire your ability to think," the woman said with a smile. "Without realizing it, you have begun to take control of our negotiation."
"What difference does it make who leads? Let me formally introduce myself first."
Wang Jixuan stepped in front of Peony, opened his helmet visor, and said solemnly:
"My name is Wang Zheng. My true name is Mu Liang. I am the Spokesperson of a certain High-Tier Civilization, different from Spiritual Practitioners, Blade Beasts, and Earth humans.
"I was originally an Earth human, so I hate the Blade Beasts. On that point, we are alike.
"The reason I gained power is because a certain High-Tier Civilization discovered humanity suffering here and sent me to help eliminate the Blade Beasts and guide humanity back onto the right path. For me, this is a trial.
"In the war against the Blade Beasts, I came to fully understand that if I fought alone, I would eventually only be surrounded and killed by them.
"So now, I am more inclined to seek partners.
"Commander Fu Jian of the D5 Comprehensive War Zone is currently my closest partner. If possible, I would like the Spiritual Practitioners to join our camp as well.
"We will counterattack the Blade Beasts and reclaim the planet. Then I will provide some assistance to help you completely conquer the Blade Beasts."
The woman considered it carefully.
Her current appearance held no meaning. This was a spirit slave whose body she had possessed.
Perhaps Wang Jixuan's gaze was too frank and sincere, but the woman actually began to hesitate.
She said, "Frankly speaking, you truly tempt me.—I mean, your abilities tempt me. Do not misunderstand and think I have designs on you."
Wang Jixuan was puzzled. "We are discussing power. Why would you associate it with such a low-level matter?"
"Sorry," the woman said, her gaze unexpectedly carrying a hint of apology. "That was presumptuous of me, but I really was disgusted by it. The spirit slave I selected before, the one called Xing Tian, actually wanted to mate with me decades ago to achieve his own advancement. He even believed that as long as I had relations with him, I would become his spiritual dependent... It disgusted me terribly!"
Wang Jixuan: ...
Black Shell: ...
Fu Jian, watching remotely: ...
Peony muttered softly, "Then he probably likes reading popular Golden Age novels."
"However," the woman said with a smile, "though Xing Tian is a little disgusting, his ability is quite good. You want to cooperate with me rather than become my spirit slave, so I will need to test you."
"A test?"
"You still do not know the location of my Stone Slab Wall, do you?"
The woman said:
"I won't reveal your whereabouts."
"Find me next. No matter how you do it, as long as you make it before me, even if you're gravely wounded and on the verge of death, I'll accept your proposal for cooperation."
"I know you're being so polite while talking to me largely because you're afraid I'll immediately send people to hunt you down."
"That was my original intention as well. Otherwise, I wouldn't have destroyed your means of transportation right away. But now, I've realized this arrangement could be quite interesting."
"The most interesting part is that you're very proud deep down, yet because of your current circumstances, you have no choice but to prove your abilities to me..."
She blinked lightly and sniffed the air.
"I've already memorized your scent. When you come looking for me, if you try to run, I'll have Xing Tian and the envoys sent by those three old geezers hunt you down."
Bang!
Her body was enveloped in black light, transforming into the Pitch Black Butterfly. With a gentle flutter of her wings, she vanished in a flash.
But her voice still drifted through the passage.
"I like your assessment of Old Sophie."
Wang Jixuan hurriedly asked, "How is my scout now?"
"Mai Qingting? She's a promising candidate. I was just planning to turn her into my spirit slave. Is she one of yours? Then I'll speed up the transformation... You'd better come find me quickly. Death is possible during the process."
The voice vanished completely.
Wang Jixuan and Black Shell stared at each other.
What... do we do now?
Before you continue