Supernatural Ability Hard to Hide Its Benefits

"So that's how it is. Fellow Daoist Situ has quite the scheme in mind!"

Chen Ming didn't fully believe what Situ Yuelan had said.

Still, Chen Ming didn't press further—after all, no one easily reveals their true hand.

Situ Yuelan continued, "I never expected my calculations to fall short of heaven's will. Both Ling Yangzi and the Golden Light Divine Lord died by your hand."

"All my schemes have come to nothing."

Hearing this, Chen Ming's expression stiffened. "The Golden Light Divine Lord has already been refined into my supernatural ability. The Spirit Tree in the temple has merged with Yinyin. Neither can be reversed. Does Fellow Daoist Situ have anything to say?"

Situ Yuelan said flatly, "What else can be done? The boat has already sailed. If I still intended to seize them from you, I wouldn't be sitting here talking with you peacefully right now."

"But my schemes became your wedding clothes—you owe me some compensation!"

Chen Ming neither agreed nor replied.

Situ Yuelan smiled. "Don't refuse so quickly. Helping me recover my strength benefits you too!"

"Forget those two pink-clothed disciples of the Chayi Sect. Xie Yurou was one of Fairy Caiyi's seven Contemplation Realm disciples. Fairy Caiyi put considerable effort into helping her reach that realm. You killed her—she won't let this go!"

"Meet soldiers with generals, dam water with earth—that's all there is to it. If Fairy Caiyi really comes, can Fellow Daoist Situ hold her off?" Chen Ming asked.

"With my current realm and strength fallen, I can't block a Spirit Condensation Realm cultivator. But fleeing is no obstacle. Would Fellow Daoist Xuan Mingzi be willing to abandon Cuiping Mountain and escape with me?"

Situ Yuelan took another sip of tea and quietly watched Chen Ming.

Chen Ming knew she was provoking him. He calculated in his mind—abandoning Cuiping Mountain wasn't impossible.

After all, he had already refined the Grotto-Heaven Dojo. Song Yu, Wang Xiu, and Qing Ling—just a few people.

The only pity was the spiritual energy on Cuiping Mountain and those spiritual items that hadn't yet matured.

"This Situ Yuelan claims to have fallen from the Spirit Condensation Realm. It does seem somewhat genuine. Her current strength is still considerable among the Contemplation Realm."

"Her saying this to me—she must have significant obstacles. She definitely wants something. Otherwise, why would she be so polite, dragging this out for so long?"

"Even if there's some entanglement between her and Qing Ling, it shouldn't warrant this!"

Chen Ming pondered Situ Yuelan's purpose and intentions.

"Fellow Daoist Situ, what exactly do you want? No need to beat around the bush with me—it's tiresome!"

Chen Ming said bluntly.

Situ Yuelan chuckled lightly. "Fellow Daoist Xuan Mingzi is a straightforward man. I do have something I need your help with!"

"I was injured before and forced to abandon my physical body. It fell into the Vast Mountain Range and transformed into three hundred spiritual items. I had planned to seize the spiritual energy of the Golden Light Divine Lord and Ling Yangzi to recover some strength, then go find it."

"But now you've turned them both into your nourishment. If I scheme further, it'll cost time and effort—too unbearable. So I'd like to ask you to help me retrieve my body."

"After that, we'll be even. How about it?"

Seeing that Chen Ming seemed impatient, Situ Yuelan finally stated her request.

Earlier, she had put on an air of formidable strength and mysterious profundity, hoping to intimidate Chen Ming and gain leverage.

But Chen Ming wasn't buying it at all.

When Situ Yuelan abandoned her flesh, her divine soul was also damaged, and she fled in haste.

The bronze mirror she now inhabited was originally just an ordinary object. It only showed its supernatural qualities later, after she took residence and infused it with Yin Cold Qi.

When Situ Yuelan awoke from the bronze mirror, she was already tightly bound to it and couldn't easily abandon it.

This region was actually quite remote. Encountering two Contemplation Realm cultivators was already rare.

If Chen Ming simply left, Situ Yuelan couldn't stop him. Recovering her strength would take who knows how long, and many other variables might arise.

Situ Yuelan sensed something faintly and dared not wait any longer. That's why she revealed herself to negotiate with Chen Ming.

Chen Ming smiled. "What are you saying, Fellow Daoist Situ? How could I have known your schemes? If I obtained the opportunity—the Spirit Tree and the Golden Light Divine Flame—that's my karmic fortune!"

"If my strength had been even slightly weaker, would Fellow Daoist Situ have appeared peacefully to sit and talk with me? I'd probably be long dead and gone!"

Chen Ming's blunt words pierced through the veil of pretense, leaving Situ Yuelan momentarily speechless.

"Alright. Since you have a request of me, show some sincerity. Don't spout nonsense to fool me. The last one who didn't know his place—the Golden Light Divine Lord—has already become this Golden Light Divine Flame in my hand!"

As he spoke, a Golden Light Divine Flame suddenly rose in Chen Ming's hand, flickering unsteadily.

Then, within the flickering flame, a trace of azure light coiled around it.

The Azure Wood Life and Death Gas and the Golden Light Divine Flame—two supernatural abilities intertwining—actually produced an effect that could break through illusions.

"What do you mean by this, Fellow Daoist?!"

Situ Yuelan cried out in alarm, quickly rising and stepping back.

The stone table, stone stools, and the tea cups dissolved bit by bit. The beautiful scenery in the courtyard turned into desolation.

Situ Yuelan gripped the bronze mirror that continuously emitted Yin Cold Qi. "Are you trying to fall out with me?"

The bronze mirror in her hand gathered dense Yin Cold Qi, as if some supernatural ability was being nurtured.

The aura around Situ Yuelan also climbed steadily, pressing down on Chen Ming inch by inch.

"Oh, so this is the aura of the Spirit Condensation Realm?"

Chen Ming felt the pressure bearing down on him but did not retreat.

He had already seen through Situ Yuelan's true nature—the oppressive force of the Spirit Condensation Realm was nothing but an empty shell, a paper tiger, good only for scaring people.

If her strength truly far exceeded the Contemplation Realm, why would she skulk in the shadows plotting endlessly, and waste so many words when facing Chen Ming?

"Break!"

Chen Ming moved his Spiritual Sense, and smoke rose behind him. The swarm hidden within the smoke let out a piercing shriek, instantly shattering Situ Yuelan's Aura.

Situ Yuelan's expression turned grave. Knowing that Chen Ming had seen through her true strength, she dared not put on airs any longer and called out, "Fellow Daoist, wait. I was too hasty earlier and spoke rashly."

"Setting that aside, the matter of the Chayi Sect still needs resolution. If we join forces, our chances will be much better!"

"I wasn't lying about wanting your help to retrieve my body. If you're willing to assist me, there will be rewards!"

Seeing Situ Yuelan flustered, Chen Ming did not press her too hard. He withdrew his Supernatural Ability and Aura.

"If you had spoken plainly and come straight to the point from the start, wouldn't that have been better? All those pointless tricks and pretenses—truly meaningless!" Chen Ming said flatly.

Situ Yuelan cursed inwardly. If she hadn't used those tricks, how else would she have tested the measure of his strength?

Coming straight to the point from the start—that would be the act of a fool!

Situ Yuelan forced a smile back onto her face and asked, "Since Fellow Daoist is willing to help, what kind of reward would you like?"