Exploration

"What's the next step? Find a way to escape, of course!"

Xu Yuan chuckled and replied, then stood up and glanced at his princess's beautiful and alluring curves, clicking his tongue in amazement.

Why does this Black Death Armor feel even rougher than when I'm not wearing it?

No wonder this woman said that not binding her chest would affect the morale of the troops.

"The way you look at me makes me feel really insecure."

Meeting the scrutinizing gaze of that person, Li Qingyan sighed softly:

"As a leader, the most basic thing is to make your subordinates see you and immediately turn all their worries into trust in you."

Xu Yuan coughed lightly and chuckled softly:

"With such a beautiful view before him, it's only natural that the princess's future husband couldn't help but daydream about the future."

"Dreaming about the future?"

Li Qingyan gave Xu Yuan a strange look with her crimson phoenix eyes, then burst out laughing:

"I feel that you, my consort, are not just daydreaming about the future, but rather intending to overdraw your future right here in this Underground Palace."

Xu Yuan's lips twitched.

Li Qingyan, holding the hilt of her sword, walked up to Xu Yuan, her phoenix eyes smiling.

Xu Yuan wondered what the other party wanted to do.

Li Qingyan suddenly released her grip, and the knife and its sheath fell to the ground with a "thud." She then slightly rose to his height on tiptoe, leaned down, and breathed Ru Lan into his ear, her voice gentle and husky:

"As I just said, whatever the Prince Consort wishes to do, I will do it. If the Prince Consort wants to live for the moment, he can borrow his future from me, which is not out of the question."

Speaking of this,

Li Qingyan's beautiful eyes curved into a smile, her two delicate hands gently hooking around his neck. She leaned back slightly, her full breasts standing tall, her slender waist swaying gently, and her glistening, full red lips parted slightly.

"So, Your Highness, would you like to give it a try? Wouldn't it be a shame to die here like this?"

"."

Xu Yuan stared at her without saying a word.

The heroic spirit in her eyes transformed into captivating charm at this moment, but unfortunately, what was hidden beneath her misty red eyes was not emotion, but extreme calmness.

After a while,

"Smack!"

Xu Yuan gently pushed Li Qingyan's hand away, his voice calm:

"What time is it? You're still trying to seduce me."

"Haha."

Glancing at her hand that had been shoved away, Li Qingyan tilted her head, revealing a perfectly timed look of surprise. "Really... you don't want it?"

Xu Yuan stared at her:

"You want to remind me, but why do you have to do it this way?"

Upon hearing this, Li Qingyan finally smiled genuinely.

"Since I have to obey my husband completely now, this is the only way."

As she spoke, a sly glint appeared in her phoenix eyes:

"However, I was serious about what I just said, Commander-in-Chief."

"That's enough."

Xu Yuan rolled his eyes at her. "I know what I'm doing."

Li Qingyan took a step back, straightened up, and asked again:

So what do we do next?

Xu Yuan pointed to his armor:

"Don't rush. Your cultivation level is high enough that you can't sense it. The Source Qi absorbed by this Black Death Armor is a bit too much for me. I need to adapt and deal with it first."

After saying that,

Xu Yuan closed his eyes, sensing the drain on his Qi from the Black Death Armor Source Qi. He then took out the Clear Speech Sword and casually swung it a couple of times to adjust to the amplification the new black armor brought to his body.

Yes, the increase.

In terms of quality, this plain Black Death Armor is far inferior to his Blood Jade Glazed Robe.

However, the Blood Jade Glazed Robe focuses more on defense and can resonate with the Blood Origin Heart-Fall Technique. Wearing it will significantly increase the speed of the circulation of Source Qi within the body, whether in combat or cultivation.

This Black Death Armor was designed entirely for combat.

Xu Yuan recalled that in Cangyuan, the increase in vegetation armor was comprehensive.

At this moment, Xu Yuan also began to experience this increase.

After being nourished by his Source Qi, the Black Death Fungal Mat increased his speed by at least 20% compared to before.

Thinking of this,

Xu Yuan smiled slightly without realizing it, but then sighed.

This increase in strength is mostly due to his current Prime Minister's Mansion level, which is practically zero compared to the Beaker Princess beside him.

Unless she continues to peel away the Black Death Fungal Mat from the inner wall of the tunnel, allowing it to solidify.

However, his immediate priority is to address the speed at which the Black Death Armor is devouring his Source Qi. Even a level 90 basic item is still level 90, which is far beyond what a lowly Soul Condensation trash like him can withstand.

While pondering,

Li Qingyan seemed to realize this as well, and her slightly concerned voice came over:

"Changtian, with your cultivation level, can you hold on?"

Xu Yuan composed himself, turned around, and smiled slightly:

"Don't worry, of course you can."

As he spoke,

Under Li Qingyan's watchful gaze, Xu Yuan calmly took out a Qi Source Pill from his Sumeru Ring and swallowed it, then took out a Source Crystal the size of a goose egg.

Under Xu Yuan's deliberate guidance, the Black Death Fungal Mat that had been attached to his arm immediately seemed to come alive and spiraled upwards to cover the Source Crystal in his palm.

The next moment,

"Click--"

A series of subtle, crisp cracking sounds came from inside the Black Death Fungal Mat as the Source Crystal, the size of a goose egg, was ground into powder and quietly transported to his body as nutrients.

After doing these,

Xu Yuan raised his eyes and smiled:

"Problems that can be solved with money aren't really problems."

"."

Li Qingyan couldn't help but chuckle upon hearing this, then rolled her eyes at him, slightly speechless. "What a character."

Xu Yuan didn't mind, looked at the passageways on both sides, and whispered his instructions:

"Qingyan, although we now have the Black Death Armor, we must not be careless. This armor only prevents those high-ranking Strange Ghost from detecting us with the Black Death Fungal Mat. If they get close, they will still be able to identify us."

Li Qingyan pondered for a moment, glanced at Xu Yuan, and still chose to remind him:

"My lord, these Strange Ghost seem to be naturally able to block the senses of the Will Soul; they can only be detected through sight and hearing."

"I know that."

This information wasn't obtained through Cangyuan, but from Old Man Luo.

As someone who had experienced the Strange Ghost catastrophe ten thousand years ago, Old Man Luo was naturally Strange Ghost since Xu Yuan had lived with him for so long. When they had nothing to do, Old Man Luo told him a lot of information about the Strange Ghost.

One of its features is that it cannot be detected by the Will Soul.

Moreover, he had personally experienced the Strange Ghost's ability to block out the Will Soul when that low-level Strange Ghost attacked.

After a moment's pause, Xu Yuan pointed in the opposite direction from which the vibration was coming, indicating that they should talk as they walked:

"The Barbarian King's territory is probably already a disaster zone; we need to go in the opposite direction. Also, detecting the Strange Ghost ' movements isn't just about sight and sound; we can also use Source Qi."

Li Qingyan followed beside Xu Yuan, carrying a sword; her figure was both heroic and alluring due to the close-fitting armor she wore.

"Source Qi? Directly dissipate Source Qi?"

"Of course not. If you disperse your Source Qi, you can sense them, but the Strange Ghost can also smell you."

Xu Yuan shook his head, searched through his Sumeru Ring, and took out a piece of paper covered with writing. He casually handed it to Li Qingyan: "This is a special way of using Source Qi. The old ghost residing in the Soul Ring gave it to me."

"."

Li Qingyan hesitated for a moment before taking the book and looking down at the Secret Method recorded on it.

Xu Yuan glanced at her solemn face, then turned to examine the dark passageway.

In the game Cangyuan, this Dead Silence Underground Palace is a dungeon with some maze-like features; if it were to become reality, it would undoubtedly be a thousand times more complex.

To escape, the first step is to determine their location within this Dead Silence Underground Palace.

Xu Yuan didn't have a perfect plan for determining the location.

We could only keep walking down this road, hoping to see some "landmark buildings".

In silence, the two had been gone for a quarter of an hour.

The passageway remained the same, the Black Death Fungal Mat growing on its inner walls swaying gently with the convection winds, showing no sign of ending.

Xu Yuan withdrew his gaze and looked at Li Qingyan beside him, noticing that she had already put away the paper door. He chuckled softly:

"There's no need to rush this Secret Method. We won't be able to get out of this Underground Palace anytime soon, so you can take your time."

"I've already learned it."

"?"

Xu Yuan's eyes froze.

Wow, these geniuses learn things so fast?

Li Qingyan handed the paper door back to Xu Yuan, leaned slightly closer, tilted her head, and chuckled softly as she repeated:

"I have already learned it, is the Prince Consort surprised?"

"."

After a moment of silence, Xu Yuan casually took it, turned his face away, and remained expressionless.

"It only took you fifteen minutes to learn, what's there to be proud of? I learned it after just one look. But anyway, it's good that you've learned it."

"Haha."

Li Qingyan softly, staring at him without saying a word.

Xu Yuan smacked his lips and coughed lightly:

"My cultivation level is relatively weak."

"Your cultivation level is relatively weak?" Li Qingyan tilted his head.

"."

Taking a deep breath, Xu Yuan glared at the woman:

"My cultivation is weak, and my detection range and duration are not as good as yours, Qingyan. I'll leave the guard duty to you during this time."

Li Qingyan smiled and bowed to Xu Yuan.

"Qingyan obeys the order and will certainly protect you."

Xu Yuan opened his mouth, but the words he wanted to say turned into a soft sigh.

Ignoring the princess's quirky humor, Xu Yuan continued his soft instructions:

"Strange Ghost can live forever, but immortality comes at a price."

Li Qingyan faithfully played the role of a subordinate's straight man:

"Cost?"

"Lost their minds."

Xu Yuan said directly, "You should have noticed this when you went out to investigate earlier, right? Most of the Strange Ghost in this Underground Palace are just mindless wild beasts."

Upon hearing this, Li Qingyan's smile vanished, and her voice instantly turned cold:

"The ones I encountered just now were all low-level Strange Ghost; I don't know any high-level Strange Ghost."

"Same."

Xu Yuan was straightforward and direct. "Over ten thousand years, even Strange Ghost transformed from a saint would lose its intelligence."

Li Qingyan's chest trembled slightly, and her furrowed brows relaxed.

At the same level of cultivation, the difference between those with and without intelligence is like heaven and earth.

Xu Yuan discerned the woman's thoughts, glanced at her full and slender hips, and said with a smile:

"Those high-ranking Strange Ghost can assimilate people. If you, Qingyan, become Strange Ghost due to carelessness, it would be better for me to mortgage my future here first."

Li Qingyan covered her mouth and chuckled, half-jokingly saying:

"Your Highness is worried about me, but if I were transformed, I shouldn't immediately turn into the monster I was just now, right?"

"Probably not, so maybe we can take advantage of it while it's still hot."

"?"

Li Qingyan's phoenix eyes froze for a moment, feeling both amused and annoyed.

And the next moment,

Xu Yuan reached out and put his arm around her slender waist, glancing sideways as he softly chuckled:

"Don't worry, even if you've been transformed, I have a way to bring you back."

Li Qingyan glanced at the other person's groping hands:

"With your Soul Condensation cultivation level, Prince Consort?"

"What did I just say? Don't question what I said."

Xu Yuan's eyes narrowed, and with a "smack," he struck her firm, round buttocks, saying, "This is punishment; don't let it happen again."

"."

Li Qingyan bit her lip, exhaled, and stared at him with her crimson eyes, as red as ruby, her pupils curving into two dangerous crescents.

"Alright, this won't happen again. But after you've punished me, could you please not use so much force? If a high-level Strange Ghost attacks suddenly, getting too close to me might cause injury."

"So stingy."

After a moment of eye contact, Xu Yuan withdrew his hand and said instead:

"The Strange Ghost being deepest inside the Underground Palace is an exception; it differs from the other Strange Ghost in this Underground Palace and possesses a high level of intelligence."

"Why?" Li Qingyan, her voice tinged with doubt.

How would I know?

Xu Yuan asked bluntly, but after a moment's thought, he speculated, "I think its ability to retain sentience after ten thousand years is related to the location where it slept."

In Cangyuan, the Strange Ghost boss sleeps in a place resembling an altar.

I didn't know why at the time, but now I can relate it to what Old Man Luo had told him before.

The Strange Ghost in this Dead Silence Underground Palace are likely a small remnant that escaped the siege by powerful human warriors years ago and are now hiding deep underground, barely clinging to life.

Thinking of this,

Xu Yuan suddenly grinned:

"Of course, he should be hunting down that Barbarian King by now, and I remember there were some treasures in the place where it slept."

Li Qingyan's eyes narrowed slightly.

"Your Highness, do you wish to go to the place where it sleeps?"

"It depends on the situation. If we can find something we can get our hands on, that would be ideal, but for now, we'd better find a way out first."

Xu Yuan did not deny it, but he was not blinded by greed either.

If it were Lou Ji or Sword Saint Uncle by his side, he would definitely clear this dungeon completely and take all the treasures that could be obtained.

Unfortunately, Li Qingyan was by his side, so the best option was to escape and call for backup.

"In that case, let's speed things up a bit."

Li Qingyan kept their agreement and offered her advice softly.

Xu Yuan thought for a moment and nodded in agreement, "This Underground Palace seems to be very large. At our current pace, we won't find anything in ten days."

Upon hearing this, Li Qingyan bent down and picked up Princess Xu Yuan in his arms.

"Changtian, relax."

"." Xu Yuan.

As the Source Qi flowed into his body, Xu Yuan sighed inwardly, reached out and hooked his arm around her jade-like neck, thus allowing the princess to do as she pleased.

Well, it's not like this is my first time here.

However, being carried in a princess carry is something else entirely.

As I pondered, the wind whistled past my ears, and the passageways on both sides rushed past at an almost invisible speed.

During this time, he also seemed to see a few low-level Strange Ghost lying dormant on the fungal carpet, but before these Strange Ghost could make a move, Li Qingyan had already swept past them.

This Underground Palace was truly enormous; so enormous that the two of them flew along without encountering any high-ranking Strange Ghost.

I don't know how much time passed,

Xu Yuan suddenly felt the wind beside his ears stop, and when he opened his eyes, his pupils contracted slightly.

The passageway had come to an end, and the two stood beside a massive cliff. A fierce gust of wind howled past, and below them lay a dark, endless abyss.

With the help of the Source Qi that Li Qingyan injected into his body, Xu Yuan could vaguely see the scene in the darkness.

Beneath the abyss,

It is a massive underground city!