"If you want to see it, I can show you my weapon," Zhou Hong said with a smile.
"No, you possessing such a powerful demonic artifact will easily attract covetous eyes. It's best not to expose it casually," Fairy Tian Xuan quickly stopped him.
"Don't worry about that. No one can snatch it, because only I can wield it," Zhou Hong said, immediately releasing the eight giant puppets.
"What is this?"
"These are giant puppets. These eight giant puppets, under my command, can form a sword formation. It is precisely because of this sword formation that they possess such immense power. Even if someone steals my puppets, they will be useless."
"I see."
"Fairy Tian Xuan, it's a pleasure to see you today. Won't you invite me to your family's residence?" Zhou Hong boldly asked.
"Let's not. I don't think it's safe," Fairy Tian Xuan directly refused.
Zhou Hong was a bit dejected, wondering if his attempts at wooing were failing so badly now.
"Don't misunderstand me. I'm genuinely worried about something happening to you."
"Why do you say that?"
"Because... I have some secrets," a hint of an indescribable expression flashed in Fairy Tian Xuan's eyes, a mixture of sadness, bitterness, and perhaps a touch of unwillingness.
"What secrets? Can you tell me more details?"
"Let's forget it. We are just strangers who met by chance. There's no need for you to get entangled in my affairs," she shook her head.
Zhou Hong said, "If I'm not mistaken, it must be related to the Immortal Emperor of the Nine Paths Immortal Kingdom, right?"
"Heh, is there any need to guess? The most powerful entity in the Nine Paths Immortal Kingdom is the Immortal Emperor. If it weren't related to him, how could anyone else possibly harm me?"
"It's alright, just tell me directly," Zhou Hong pressed.
"Forget it. If you really get involved, the Nine Paths Immortal Emperor will most likely come looking for you. Although you claim you're not afraid of him, when it comes to this matter, it's hard to say you won't end up in a life-or-death struggle."
"Life-or-death struggle?" Zhou Hong didn't fully understand, yet he felt he grasped a part of it.
"Fairy Tian Xuan, I hate it when people only say half the story. Just tell me directly."
"Alas, in fact, I don't even know what to say, because it's all just my speculation."
"Then tell me your speculation."
Fairy Tian Xuan nodded and said, "I always feel that the Nine Paths Immortal Emperor has done something to me. Every so often, he summons me to his palace and makes me take a type of immortal medicine in front of him. This has been going on for thousands of years."
"Why would he do that?" Zhou Hong also found it very strange. Forcing her to take immortal medicine regularly, was he treating her as a potential daughter-in-law? But that didn't seem necessary.
"I don't know. He told me not to tell anyone about this matter, otherwise, whoever knew would face certain death. I didn't want to tell you, but you kept insisting. I'm truly afraid that by telling you, you will face the threat of death."
"Heh, I'm not afraid," Zhou Hong chuckled, though inwardly he wasn't as dismissive as he appeared. If the Nine Paths Immortal Emperor were to suddenly attack from afar at this moment, Zhou Hong would definitely be terrified.
"I told you this because I considered that you are not from this region, but from the Demon Realm. Even if they wanted to kill you, it wouldn't be that easy. This matter has been weighing on my heart for thousands of years, and no one else has ever known. It's been a heavy burden. Telling you today has brought me some relief."
Zhou Hong nodded.
"Your suspicion is not wrong. Such a secretive matter must have some unspeakable purpose. Making you take immortal medicine at regular intervals is truly perplexing."
"Yes, that's why I suspect he's done something to me. Originally, I thought perhaps he liked me, but then he greatly approved of his son, Tian Qiong, pursuing me. So I'm utterly baffled and don't know if you can help me analyze it."
Zhou Hong frowned deeply, communicating with his grandfather in his mind.
"Grandfather, you are knowledgeable. What do you think this is about?"
"Don't. I'm not as formidable as you think. When I was alive, I was merely a ninth-rank Immortal King, weaker than Fairy Tian Xuan here. What extensive knowledge could I possess?" Zhou Hong's grandfather said with shame.
"Oh." Zhou Hong was also helpless; after all, his grandfather hadn't reached the Immortal Emperor level during his lifetime.
At this moment, Zhou Hong's grandfather continued, "Although I cannot know for sure, let me offer my speculation. I once read in an ancient text about an extraordinary immortal medicine called 'Human Essence.'"
"What does that mean?"
"Herbs on the ground can become immortal medicines. Birds and various animals in the sky can also become a type of immortal medicine. However, the most potent immortal medicine in the world is not herbs or birds, but people. Because humans are more advanced than these things. However, under normal circumstances, humans cannot be used as medicine, unless, through certain cultivation methods, it might be possible to cultivate a person into a... supreme immortal medicine. Of course, this is just a wild tale; almost no one believes it to be true."
"Grandfather, I believe it's true. I think the Nine Paths Immortal Emperor has found a secret method for cultivating humans into immortal medicine, and Fairy Tian Xuan is the target person being cultivated."
"Heh, if you think so, then so be it. I'm just stating my opinion."
"Zhou Hong, what are you thinking about?" Fairy Tian Xuan interrupted Zhou Hong's contemplation.
"Oh, I was thinking about what the Nine Paths Immortal Emperor has done to you."
"Have you figured it out yet?"
Zhou Hong shook his head and said, "No."
"Indeed, it's not that easy to figure out what he's up to," Fairy Tian Xuan smiled with a hint of disappointment.
The reason Zhou Hong didn't reveal his speculation was that it was merely a guess, and also, he didn't want to alert the enemy.
In his mind, Zhou Hong's grandfather said, "Hurry and leave this place of trouble. This Fairy Tian Xuan is an ill-fated person and might bring you bad luck. Quickly return to the Demon Realm. The most important thing now is to break through to the Demon Emperor realm. Once you become a Demon Emperor, combined with the puppet sword formation, your strength will increase significantly."
Zhou Hong nodded; indeed, the rational course of action was to leave. If he truly interfered with the Nine Paths Immortal Emperor's plans, he would certainly not let him off.
"Fairy Tian Xuan, it has been a pleasure meeting you today. If I have time another day, I will visit you again."
"You're leaving already?" Fairy Tian Xuan asked bitterly. Just moments ago, he had talked about visiting her home, and now, upon learning about the Nine Paths Immortal Emperor's secret, he was preparing to leave. She felt a sense of loss.
How could Zhou Hong not see the disappointment on her face? However, he knew which was more important. Moreover, even if Zhou Hong had the intention to help, he currently lacked the ability, and it might even bring about his own destruction.