The underground space was in ruins.
Having regained his true colors, Han Shouke completely dropped the pretense. With one arm around his charming dao companion, he pointed at Zhao Shiyong, who was unconscious under his control, with the other hand. The blue Law Power in his palm was gathered but not released, giving the impression that if Chen Shuangbai made any rash move, Zhao Shiyong would die on the spot.
He looked at Chen Shuangbai and said softly, "You're very smart, and you also have a lot of courage and skill."
"I initially thought that you, a mere outer disciple, wouldn't be able to handle this situation at Wind Howling Ford, but I never expected... you handled it so cleanly and decisively."
"In that respect, you certainly have something to be proud of."
Chen Shuangbai revealed a hint of anger, looked at the two, and shouted sharply, "You dare kill a disciple of the Profound Firmament Sect?"
"You think you're some Rogue Cultivator?"
In this cultivation world, Rogue Cultivator are like duckweed, without any foundation, drifting back and forth between good and evil, completely at their own mercy.
Rogue Cultivator kills a direct descendant of a major sect, there is only one outcome—he will be hunted down with nowhere to go, and suffer even more devastating retribution.
Han Shouke laughed and said, "Under normal circumstances, I would be trying to avoid disciples of major sects like you, but things are different now!"
Chen Shuangbai saw the burning ambition in this person's eyes, the most primal and original aspiration of a cultivator embarking on the path of cultivation—to become stronger!
Han Shouke's gaze fell upon the central stone pillar. Due to the numerous battles and the severe injuries sustained by the Mushroom Demon, it could no longer maintain the hazy poisonous mist. A surging spiritual energy seemed to be gradually spreading in all directions.
Chen Shuangbai knew that this was a pure spiritual energy that could only be found in the Higher Vehicle heavenly materials and earthly treasures.
" Foundation Establishment!"
"If I can Foundation Establishment, I will be completely transformed and become a superior cultivator in one fell swoop!"
"By then, let alone a disciple of a major sect, even if I kill a dozen or so direct descendants of major sects like the two of you, what can they do to me?"
He's right.
Foundation Establishment is the first and most difficult hurdle a cultivator faces when embarking on the path of cultivation.
It requires the convergence of multiple factors, including favorable timing, location, and human relationships, to successfully Foundation Establishment and thus become what lower-level cultivators call upper-level cultivators.
The benefits are numerous.
Aside from the obvious surge in strength, Foundation Establishment cultivators can also establish sects or Aristocratic Clan, occupying spiritual mountains and spiritual mansions. As long as this golden word is spoken, countless lower-level cultivators would gladly give up their entire fortunes to serve as slaves.
A thoughtful expression appeared on Chen Shuangbai, but it quickly turned cold again. She crossed her arms and spoke with a hint of arrogance, " Foundation Establishment? Bah! You're just a mere Rogue Cultivator. Do you really think you're qualified to be at the Foundation Establishment stage?"
"You?!"
Such blatant insults enraged Lady Yun, but Han Shouke forcibly restrained her, smiling as he looked at Chen Shuangbai and said:
"Don't embarrass yourself with such a clumsy attempt at provocation, Fellow Daoist Chen."
His palm surged with Law Power, and he effortlessly lifted Zhao Shiyong, who was lying unconscious on the ground, into the air. His gaze, however, remained fixed on Chen Shuangbai, and he sneered, "I'll only give you one choice."
"Go and retrieve that heavenly materials and earthly treasures, hand it over to me, and I might spare your lives."
Chen Shuangbai resolutely refused.
"Impossible!"
Han Shouke continued, "Then I will kill him first, then you. After that, I will personally retrieve the treasure, and then I will refine it here in seclusion. Once I successfully Foundation Establishment and become a superior cultivator, you can bury your bones here. That way, your lives will not have been in vain."
"Heh, you really think you can kill me?"
A hint of hesitation flashed in Chen Shuangbai, but she quickly suppressed it and said this.
Han Shouke saw it clearly, thinking to himself that he was Dao Fruit a pampered child raised in a major sect. He lost his composure as soon as he was frightened. It seemed that he really was here to gain experience, and most of the things he did before were probably taught to him by someone.
Now that they've come to this place, greed has taken hold, and with no one to guide them, their cowardice has been exposed.
We need to put some pressure on this disciple of the Jade Spring Sect.
The fake smile on Han Shouke's face vanished completely, and the hand gripping Zhao Shiyong's neck tightened slightly. A look of pain immediately appeared on Zhao Shiyong's face, who was still unconscious.
"It seems that Commander Chen wants to force me to take action now?"
"You fought Fang Mo of Heart-Eroding Stronghold Dock for a long time, and your Law Power must have been mostly depleted. Even if you have that small flag Law Treasure that can teleport, can it be faster than me, a Great Perfection of Qi Refining?"
Han Shouke's eyes were like those of a venomous snake, his forked tongue flicking out at Chen Shuangbai, his expression menacing.
A conflicted expression appeared on Chen Shuangbai's face, which, in Han Shouke's view, clearly indicated that she was struggling with her decision.
He knew he needed to give it another push.
"Don't worry, once that treasure falls into my hands, I will keep my promise and release you two... Don't worry about my revenge either. By then, I will be Foundation Establishment cultivator, how could I stoop to the level of a junior like you... Don't you agree?"
Chen Shuangbai seemed to finally be moved by these words, gritted her teeth, and made the difficult decision.
"I'll go get it, but you must promise to let us leave after you get it! Otherwise, I'll destroy that treasure even if it costs me my life!"
Chen Shuangbai's voice was dry, tinged with reluctance and humiliation, her eyes wide as she awaited Han Shouke's promise.
"Don't worry, I, Han, keep my word."
"You can leave once you have the treasure."
"After all, I don't want to be hunted down to the ends of the earth by the Jade Spring Sect and the Profound Firmament Sect, do I?"
Han Shouke smiled with satisfaction, making such a confident promise, a hint of smugness flashing in his eyes.
He was right.
These disciples, pampered by their sects, appear glamorous on the surface, but when faced with unexpected situations, they often panic, requiring further pressure...
Hey! Who knows if that Mushroom Demon has any other bloodline Divine Ability? Let this "disciple" of Jade Spring pave the way for me!
Once he obtained that treasure, how could he possibly leave these two alive, creating future trouble for himself?
Eliminating the root of the problem is the survival Principle in the world of Rogue Cultivator.
A Han Shouke's eyes, but he smiled broadly.
Chen Shuangbai seemed to believe him, and rode the Flowing Cloud Flying Pouch towards the lake atop the central stone pillar, but flew very slowly and cautiously.
Han Shouke and Lady Yun also kept a close eye on him, while vigilantly observing their surroundings.
After Chen Shuangbai had flown about halfway, he suddenly stopped, turned around, and with a smile on his face, looked at Han Shouke and Lady Yun, his previous hesitation gone.
Lady Yun, somewhat confused, urged, "Continue!"
Chen Shuangbai laughed and said, "Now I can finally confirm that you don't have any other tricks up your sleeve."
Pfft! Pfft!
Lady Yun lowered her head and looked at the hand that had passed through her chest and was holding the still-fluttering heart. Everything went black before her eyes, and she lost all consciousness.