Mingyue, having benefited from the Soul-Bewitching Pearl, resorted to her old trick.
Sensing the danger posed by the Demon Master Diao Shou, she intended to incapacitate him as she had the Five Elements Demon Venerables.
However, Diao Shou remained unharmed when the Soul-Bewitching Pearl exploded.
There was no sign of him being dazed, which left Mingyue utterly bewildered.
"Hahaha! Using the Nascent Dimension Technique to detonate the Soul-Bewitching Pearl of the Purple Gold Clam.
I understand now, this is how you dealt with the Five Elements Demon Venerables.
You first dazed them, then killed them, right?
But you've miscalculated; the Soul-Bewitching Pearl is useless against me.
This is because the Soul-Bewitching Pearl targets the soul, and I, have no soul.
Little girl, I must say.
You are quick-witted and exceptionally intelligent.
You don't adhere to the rules of spellcasting, you are indeed a talent.
I admire you. Are you interested in cultivating the demonic path with me?
Know this, cultivating demonic arts is the shortcut to ascension.
It requires no lengthy arduous training, nor does it have so many rules and restrictions. It is freedom itself.
If you are willing, with your aptitude.
I guarantee, within two hundred years.
You will surpass me and become the second most powerful person in the Moonflower Realm."
Mingyue's Soul-Bewitching Pearl had no effect on Diao Shou.
He stood there, laughing heartily at Mingyue's astonished face.
He highly praised Mingyue's method of detonating the Soul-Bewitching Pearl.
He even tried to entice Mingyue to cultivate the demonic path, elaborating on its many benefits.
"Really? Cultivating demonic arts has so many advantages?
If that's the case, I'm truly interested.
But, why with my excellent aptitude.
Am I only second, not first?
Also, why do you have no soul? Aren't you afraid of the Soul-Bewitching Pearl?"
Mingyue stood within the golden lotus, her expression initially one of inquiry.
It instantly shifted to one of longing, the speed of the change catching even Diao Shou off guard.
"Little girl, your expression changes so quickly.
Are you stalling for time again, plotting some mischief?
But let me tell you, it's all in vain.
It doesn't matter if I tell you, because the number one person in the Moonflower Realm is insurmountable.
As for why I have no soul, that is confidential.
You're asking about this, are you thinking of how to deal with me?
Don't waste your efforts, my patience is limited.
Now answer me, where is the exotic treasure?
If you speak the truth, I will spare your life.
I will take you as my disciple and teach you supreme demonic arts.
If you continue to beat around the bush and evade the question.
Then I will show you my methods."
Seeing Mingyue's demeanor, Diao Shou knew this girl was being disingenuous again.
Thus, he refused to mention anything about his lack of a divine soul.
He grew impatient, and with a thought,
The massive black hand formed from demonic energy grew even larger.
Instead of attacking the golden lotus, it directly grasped it.
Then it lifted it into the air and shook it violently.
"Ahhh! Let me down!
You have no martial ethics! If you have the guts, break the golden lotus and catch me.
Why are you cheating and lifting me into the air? What are you doing?"
Inside the golden lotus, Mingyue was like a dice in a cup.
She tumbled uncontrollably within the golden lotus as the demonic energy hand shook, making her dizzy.
"Do you know? There is a mysterious river in the Moonflower Realm called the Underworld River.
Although it exists, few people know its location.
The water in that river can corrode all things, including souls.
Coincidentally, I am one of the few who knows the location of the Underworld River.
Tell me, what would happen if I threw you and this golden lotus.
Into the depths of the Underworld River?
I will count to three. If you still don't speak.
Then you will go to the Underworld River and have both your soul and body vanish into nothingness!
One!
Two!"
Diao Shou leisurely placed his hands behind his back,
Confidently watching Mingyue in the golden lotus, waiting for her to beg for mercy.
And then reveal the whereabouts of the exotic treasure. However, as soon as he uttered the word "two,"
A dragon's roar echoed, and a hundred-zhang silver dragon suddenly appeared in the sky.
It opened its massive maw and spewed a stream of silver-white dragon breath towards the giant hand holding the golden lotus.
The black hand, upon contact with the dragon's breath, melted away like ice and snow under a scorching sun.
Deprived of its restraint, the golden lotus plummeted from a great height.
Mingyue inside cried out in alarm. She was now thousands of feet in the air.
If she fell, the golden lotus might be fine, but she could be reduced to a pulp.
However, the golden lotus quickly stabilized. It turned out the silver dragon.
Had coiled its massive body around the falling golden lotus and gently lowered it back to the ground.
All this happened too suddenly and too quickly, completed in an instant.
Demon Master Diao Shou hadn't even reacted before the golden lotus had safely landed.
Then, he felt a surge of spiritual power behind him, and his body was locked on.
"You scared her. Damn you!"
A chilling voice sounded from behind him. Before Diao Shou could turn around,
Sharp sword energy enveloped him, and his body was then torn apart by the sword energy.
A rain of blood fell. Diao Shou didn't even know who had killed him.
The one who unleashed the silver dragon and sword energy was, without a doubt, Ji Shiyou.
Mingyue had initially not wanted to awaken everyone from the effects of the Soul-Bewitching Pearl.
Because then she wouldn't be able to escape. Who knew Diao Shou would be so troublesome.
She was completely unable to deal with him. After learning that the Soul-Bewitching Pearl was ineffective against Diao Shou.
She secretly released the Pear Blossom Fragrance, hoping to wake everyone up.
In the face of death, she couldn't care about anything else. Survival was paramount.
"Ji Shiyou, couldn't you have been faster?
You scared me to death! Are you doing this on purpose?"
Seeing Ji Shiyou dispatch Diao Shou with a single sword strike, Mingyue retracted the golden lotus.
She ran over angrily and questioned him. Ji Shiyou looked wronged.
After waking up, he was somewhat dazed.
Because he found that not only had his dislocated body recovered.
His soul, injured from using Soul Burning, was also completely fine.
Moreover, it had become more solidified and powerful.
In addition, his cultivation seemed to have increased significantly.
He lay on the ground with his eyes closed, thinking he was dreaming.
But then he heard Mingyue's shout and suddenly opened his eyes.
Seeing Mingyue in danger, he immediately summoned the Reflecting Moon Sword and the Soul Devouring Whip.
He first manifested the silver dragon to rescue Mingyue, then sword-slashed Diao Shou.
Without any delay, Mingyue blamed him, making him feel very wronged.
"Looking at your wronged expression, I forgive you!
Squat down. Why are you so tall when there's nothing to do?"
Seeing Ji Shiyou's aggrieved appearance, Mingyue couldn't continue her scolding.
Ji Shiyou's current demeanor, in her eyes, was quite cute.
However, she still put on a stern face, tilted her head up, and said fiercely.
Ji Shiyou didn't understand why Mingyue wanted him to squat down, but he obediently crouched.
"Look, your hair is messy, and your face is so dirty it looks like a little calico cat!
You don't look like a senior disciple of the Golden Crow Palace at all! Let me tidy you up."
Mingyue used her sleeve to wipe the dust from Ji Shiyou's face.
Then she helped him gather his loose hair on top of his head.
She slyly thought to herself that Ji Shiyou had saved her life just now.
Her wiping his face and tying his hair was considered repayment for saving her life.
They were even, and their debt was settled!
Ji Shiyou was unaware of Mingyue's thoughts. He felt the warmth of Mingyue's fingers.
He looked like he was enjoying it, his body almost floating.
"This golden crown is lent to you for now, not given to you.
You have to return it to me, understand?"
She took out the golden crown from her embrace and Mingyue stated it seriously.
After speaking, she was about to place the golden crown on Ji Shiyou's head.
"I don't want the golden crown, I want that."
Ji Shiyou pushed away the golden crown and pointed at Mingyue's head.