Tie Qingyao's spirits lifted. Forcing down the searing pain in her sea of consciousness, she spoke first, her voice clear:
"There are great demons here. Be careful, fellow Daoist! We are from the Nine Netherworlds Iron Household. Four Transformed Great Demons have surrounded this place, and monsters from the Crystal Mo Tribe are prowling outside!"
She raised a hand and pointed at the Bone Claw Plain beneath her feet, her tone certain. "There is a fortuitous opportunity down below. If you are willing to help, fellow Daoist, our Iron Household swears on our clan's reputation that we will share it with you and keep you safe from harm!"
As her words fell, the azure-robed monk stopped walking.
He pressed his palms together, his gaze passing through layer upon layer of water curtains to settle on Tie Qingyao's face.
His eyes held neither the compassion of the Buddhist Sect nor the wariness an ordinary cultivator would show upon seeing a siege by the Demon Race. They were as still as dead water.
Tie Zhan's heart jolted. Instantly understanding Tie Qingyao's intent, he spoke in a deep voice as well:
"I am Tie Zhan, a Nascent Soul Peak cultivator on the Heavenly Gang Ranking! We have three Nascent Soul cultivators from the Iron Household here, three fourth-tier grand formations, and the Primordial Magnetism Cauldron's inexhaustible restorative power! If you lend us a righteous hand, fellow Daoist, the Iron Household will repay you. These are no empty words!"
He paused, then said each word distinctly, "We will certainly find a way to help you break through to late immortality!"
Seeing this, Tie Qingyao spoke even faster, urgency in her voice. "Master, please hear me out. The Bone Claw Plain may look perilous, but a great fortuitous opportunity is buried beneath it. These are