Rescuing Emperor Tang (III)

"I merely lent you a little support. You woke so quickly thanks to your own firm resolve and the Buzhou Suppression Divine Art. Though that art came from the Body Refining Altar, it is an exceptionally subtle and rare method for stabilizing the soul. Practice it well, young friend, and it will surely prove invaluable in the future," the girl surnamed Li said to Shen Luo with a smile, though her voice was a deep, resonant male voice.

"You're not Fellow Daoist Li! Who are you?" At the sound of that voice, Shen Luo's expression changed abruptly. He stared warily at the girl and demanded in a low voice.

The girl surnamed Li did not answer his question. Instead, she touched the gray-white ropes binding Emperor Tang with a finger as pale as a white scallion.

A layer of white light appeared over the ropes. As though coming alive, they writhed on their own and released Emperor Tang's soul.

Freed from his restraints, Emperor Tang fell from the wooden frame. The girl surnamed Li was about to catch him when a figure flashed past, and his soul vanished into thin air. Shen Luo had snatched him away and swept to the other side of the altar.

"You still haven't answered me. Who exactly are you, and why have you come here?" Shen Luo stared at the girl surnamed Li and asked in a low voice, a layer of crimson light gathering around his hand.

"You must be Shen Luo, young friend? Duke Cheng and Huangmu Adept have spoken of you to me many times. I am Yuan Tiangang, not an enemy. His Majesty's Divine Soul was abducted, and I had no other recourse but to borrow Princess Shu's body. Using the resonance between her bloodline and our emperor's, I transported