Cooperation, Entering the Secret Realm

"Hello, young master. This humble woman is Huangfu Ruiyao. Thank you for saving my life. May I know your honorable name?"

"Oh, no need to be so polite. My name is Lin Yuanqi!"

When traveling outside, it was only natural to use a false name. There was no harm in being cautious.

"So it is Young Master Lin. Your talent is truly exceptional, and you are handsome and dashing as well. That map just now recorded a route to a Secret Realm where treasures can be obtained. Only those level 50 and below, with no more than three people, can enter the Secret Realm. The risks are indeed considerable, but the profits are great! As they say, wealth is sought amid danger. If Young Master Lin is willing, we can cooperate. Once we succeed, Young Master may take the larger share of the treasures."

As she spoke, Huangfu Ruiyao showed the map to Zhuang Xingyu. After all, taking away the divine artifact would require the Huangfu Family's unique secret technique. She did not think she needed to fear Zhuang Xingyu learning the route. Since they were going to cooperate, she naturally had to show some sincerity.

"Oh? With such great benefits, why doesn't Miss Huangfu do it alone? Even if there are some difficulties along the way, you could complete it with your own family, couldn't you? After all, we are both young. Miss Huangfu is not weak, so there is still hope that you could protect that map and leave." Zhuang Xingyu probed.

"Ah, although my family and I could handle this matter ourselves, Young Master Lin saved this little woman's life, and I am deeply grateful. This is the perfect opportunity to repay you. Besides, Young Master saw the map as well. As they say, those who see it get a share!" Huangfu Ruiyao continued to deceive him.

Seeing that Zhuang Xingyu remained unmoved, Huangfu Ruiyao continued to tempt him. "As far as I know, the treasures there are far from ordinary. There are even several Ten Thousand Year Spirit Bones inside! Although Young Master is extraordinarily talented and can become one of the continent's greatest Titled Douluo without them, you could use them to strengthen your family! I only wish to repay your kindness, so please give this little woman a chance to repay you!"

Upon hearing that there were several Ten Thousand Year Spirit Bones, Zhuang Xingyu considered his own trump cards. Even if this woman harbored ill intentions and something unexpected happened along the way, he would still be able to retreat unscathed.

So he agreed. "Since Miss Huangfu has extended such a sincere invitation, refusing any further would be disrespectful. I'll take this deal!"

"Good! In that case, let us set off at once!" Huangfu Ruiyao could hardly wait.

"Fine, but you should take back these Gold Soul Coins and gold items."

Seeing Zhuang Xingyu's resolute attitude, Huangfu Ruiyao no longer insisted. She thought she would take them back for now, then secretly leave the money for Zhuang Xingyu when she returned to her family. After all, this money had originally been meant to find the Treasure Map. Now that the Treasure Map had been found, giving the money to Zhuang Xingyu would also repay his kindness.

Huangfu Ruiyao then began climbing the cliff face. Activating a Spirit Bone skill, her speed instantly rose to another level.

She then turned to glance at Zhuang Xingyu. "Young Master Lin, let's move quickly!"

She did this to display some of her strength, preventing Zhuang Xingyu from trying to seize the divine artifact once he saw it. She did not wish to become enemies with Zhuang Xingyu. No matter what, he had saved her life.

How could Zhuang Xingyu fail to see through her little scheme? He did not expose her, merely smiled faintly, and activated the Eight Meridians Divine Wings as he flew up.

That's right, you did not see wrong. They were the Eight Meridians Divine Wings!

After the Chaos Bead fused with its lost origin, it not only pushed back the Yin Yang Law, but also evolved the External Soul Bone, the Eight Meridians Divine Spear, into the Eight Meridians Divine Wings!

Just like Tang San's evolution in the original story.

"It is actually an External Soul Bone in a fully fused state!" Huangfu Ruiyao exclaimed.

"I never expected that Young Master Lin possessed not only extraordinary talent, but such incredible luck as well!"

Zhuang Xingyu glanced at Huangfu Ruiyao. Before she could react, he shot into the sky, leaving only gusts of wind and his voice behind. "Hurry up and climb! I'll wait for you at the top of the cliff!"

"You... you! So what if you're lucky!" Huangfu Ruiyao angrily waved her fists.

Yet she forgot that she was still climbing. Fortunately, she reacted quickly and nearly fell.

Huangfu Ruiyao finally climbed up. She turned to look in the direction where Huangfu He and the others had died, suppressing the thought of searching for their bodies. Nearly a day had already passed. With so many soul beasts in Sunset Forest, there was probably not even a scrap left by now. It would be bad if she encountered that Titled Douluo again.

She silently swore in her heart, I'm sorry, Xiao He, Xiao Biao... It was my fault. I will definitely avenge you!

The two concealed their auras and proceeded cautiously, quickly following the route marked on the Treasure Map.

Perhaps because of Dugu Bo's pursuit yesterday, the nearby soul beasts had been frightened. The two did not encounter any soul beasts over ten thousand years old along the way, and they reached their destination without incident: a river.

"This is the place! Let's quickly search for the entrance to the Secret Realm." Zhuang Xingyu surveyed the surroundings.

Just then, the Treasure Map suddenly contracted and changed shape, becoming a key. It slashed through the air, and the nearby space rippled like water, forming a doorway.

The two hurried inside. The scene along the way was the same as the Chaos Bead's teleportation: their vision blurred, colorful particles flashed around them, and it felt as though they were walking through a vacuum.

"We've finally reached the Secret Realm!" Huangfu Ruiyao looked at the beautiful scenery around her, visibly excited.

This Secret Realm was not very large. The spatial walls surrounding it could be seen, while a magnificent golden palace stood in the center! Flowers bloomed everywhere, their exotic fragrance filling the air. Some were species that had gone extinct on the continent, further showing that this Secret Realm was far from ordinary.

Huangfu Ruiyao then said seriously, "Young Master Lin, if we wish to enter the palace, we will have to overcome many difficulties. One person's strength alone will not be enough, but with the strength of the two of us, as long as we unite and cooperate, we will definitely obtain the treasures."

Suddenly, a halo spread from the palace in all directions. Wherever it enveloped flowers and grass, blades of grass and petals automatically fell away, gathering into streams of sword shadows that swept toward the two of them. Their power was roughly at the peak of Soul Emperor level.

Huangfu Ruiyao was not surprised by this. "Young Master Lin, do not worry. They are not at Soul Saint level, so their power has not undergone a qualitative change. As long as we join forces and give it our all, our chances of victory are still great." She clenched her silver teeth and charged forward first.

"A bit of a challenge. A fine whetstone!" This time, Zhuang Xingyu did not intend to use his second martial soul or Spirit Bones. He wanted a fierce, satisfying battle—one that would properly temper him.

Zhuang Xingyu quickly activated Martial Soul Possession. A Primordial Aura surged forth as he threw a heavy punch at the sword shadows. Sword intent flickered all around him, continuously tempering Zhuang Xingyu's body and combat skills.

"First Soul Skill, Extreme Atom Breath!" Powerful high-energy ions gathered from the Extreme Yin Yang Leopard's entire body before erupting from its mouth. They collided fiercely with the sword shadows.

On Huangfu Ruiyao's side, she also activated her Spirit Bone skills with all her might. She unleashed her fourth soul skill seven or eight times without regard for the cost, temporarily displaying Soul Emperor-level Combat Power. However, it was like a castle in the air, impossible to sustain.

"Lightning Five Consecutive Strikes!" Zhuang Xingyu hurriedly unleashed his fourth soul skill. A bolt of lightning tore through the sky—that was the first strike.

There would only be a few minor original additions, just a few extra characters.