"What is this situation?"
Although the other half of her face was also exquisitely beautiful, it was clearly disturbing. Especially since the woman in the stone coffin was Li Xuan's sister, Li Yao. How could Li Xuan tolerate this?
Yang Xiao, standing before Qin Guang, immediately said with a wry smile, "Young Master Li Xuan, to be perfectly frank, this other half of the face belongs to Shen Tu, the goddess of that Meng Nai He. About a year ago, Shen Tu, for some unknown reason, broke free from her suppression and arrived before the Empress's coffin. Through a secret technique, she attempted to seize control of the Empress's consciousness."
"Fortunately, we discovered it in time and managed to interrupt and slay her. We thought everything was settled, but unexpectedly, half a month ago, the Empress's aura began to change. And this half-face appeared at that time. Furthermore, the spiritual energy in the Ghost Realm is too thin to sustain the Empress. Therefore, during this period, a suction force began to emerge within the Empress's body."
Li Xuan understood. No wonder the spiritual energy from the vast continent was continuously pouring into the Ghost Realm. However, Li Xuan's brow furrowed. Shen Tu actually wanted to possess Li Yao's body. With this thought, Li Xuan's gaze shifted to Qin Guang.
Qin Guang's face fell. After all, Qin Guang had personally promised Li Xuan to suppress Shen Tu. But unexpectedly, such a thing had happened. Even without the presence of the powerful individuals behind Li Xuan, the matter of Shen Tu attempting to possess the Empress's body was a grave offense.
As the one guarding Shen Tu, Qin Guang could not escape responsibility.
"Never mind, this cannot be entirely blamed on you." Under Qin Guang's uneasy gaze, Li Xuan suddenly spoke, "Is there a way to resolve Yao'er's current predicament?"
"There is a way, but it is rather troublesome," Qin Guang said urgently.
Li Xuan glanced at Yang Xiao, then turned to Qin Guang and said, "Speak."
"Although due to Shen Tu, the Empress's consciousness has not fully awakened, based on the previous situation, her consciousness has gained some ability for self-discernment. In essence, the two consciousnesses currently within the Empress's body are vying for control of her form."
Qin Guang paused and continued, "The first method is to use external force to help the Empress resist or even suppress Shen Tu's consciousness. However, this method only treats the symptoms, not the root cause. The second method is to enter the Empress's body with one's divine sense and devour Shen Tu's consciousness."
"These two methods don't seem that difficult," Li Xuan said with a slight frown upon hearing Qin Guang's words. According to Qin Guang, these methods were not difficult. And if Qin Guang's strength was lacking, there was still Yang Xiao. Li Xuan had long noticed Yang Xiao's profound aura, indicating he had surpassed the Shi Yuan realm.
Qin Guang hesitated and glanced at Yang Xiao. Seeing that the latter remained silent, he continued, "Yang Xiao, the Protector, has already tried the first method. However, the Empress resisted Protector Yang Xiao's power, leading to its failure. As for the second method, our divine senses are unable to enter the Empress's Sea of Consciousness. Even Protector Yang Xiao's divine sense only has illusory form. To enter another's Sea of Consciousness, one needs at least the You Shen level. More importantly, the individual must not resist."
Li Xuan finally understood. So Yang Xiao was also at a loss. However, Li Xuan was quite surprised by the methods Qin Guang mentioned, as he seemed to meet the requirements.
"Actually, if Young Master Li Xuan hadn't come here, we would have soon sent someone to find you. After all, the Empress's consciousness can now respond, and you, Young Master Li Xuan, would face no resistance from her," Yang Xiao, who had been silent, finally spoke. His gaze shifted from Li Yao to Li Xuan.
Li Xuan nodded slightly and said, "Let's proceed with the second method. My divine sense will enter Yao'er's body."
Yang Xiao nodded, but looked at Li Xuan with some hesitation. "Given the Empress's current condition, we only have one month. Although the Empress will not resist Young Master Li Xuan, one's divine sense entering her body requires reaching the You Shen level."
Li Xuan smiled. With a thought, his divine sense was released.
"You Shen!"
As Li Xuan's divine sense emanated, Yang Xiao's pupils contracted sharply. He had initially assumed Li Xuan only had a powerful backing, but he hadn't expected Li Xuan's divine sense to be so potent. Yang Xiao recalled that when Li Xuan first arrived in the Ghost Realm, he was only at the Wu Huang realm. Now, he was at the peak of the Wu Shen realm.
"Young Master Li Xuan's talent is truly unmatched by anyone we've ever seen. With this, we have enough time," Yang Xiao said with emotion.
Initially, if Li Xuan hadn't reached the You Shen level, Yang Xiao would have had to use a secret technique to enhance him, at the cost of depleting his own divine sense. But now that Li Xuan himself possessed You Shen level divine sense, even higher than his own, Yang Xiao wouldn't need to exhaust himself.
Li Xuan smiled and said, "Let's begin."
Although there was still time, Li Xuan did not want Li Yao to continue suffering the erosion of Shen Tu's consciousness. Yang Xiao and Qin Guang both nodded, their gazes falling upon Li Yao.
As if hearing the conversation between Li Xuan and Yang Xiao, a look of ferocity began to appear on Li Yao's face, specifically on the half that belonged to Shen Tu.
"If you come out willingly, I can spare your life," Li Xuan said.
However, after a minute passed, Li Yao's figure remained motionless. Seeing this, Li Xuan sighed and, with a thought, his divine sense enveloped Li Yao.
The next moment, Li Xuan's divine sense materialized and merged into Li Yao's body. In an instant, Li Xuan's divine sense appeared within Li Yao's Sea of Consciousness.
What met his gaze was a Sea of Consciousness divided in two. To Li Xuan's left, a scarlet tide surged like a full moon. To his right, clear waters rippled like the sea. The two were in conflict, neither able to advance further. Li Xuan's divine sense looked towards the center of the sea, where Li Yao's figure slowly appeared.
"Brother."
Li Yao smiled faintly, a call echoing into Li Xuan's consciousness.
Li Xuan felt a surge of emotion but knew this was not the time for reunion. After nodding to Li Yao's consciousness, his gaze immediately turned towards the scarlet side.
Concurrently, a colossal face filled with malevolence emerged within the scarlet tide. This colossal face was none other than Shen Tu in her transformed state.
"You have finally arrived!"
Shen Tu's consciousness looked at Li Xuan with a ferocious expression, her voice filled with killing intent, causing the scarlet tide to churn with immense waves.
Li Xuan's conscious form sighed and said, "If you are targeting me, there was no need for all this. You should know the consequences of your actions."
"I intended to possess her body and become the Ghost Empress, but that fool Yang Xiao thwarted most of it. Even so, I am now one with her. Killing me is killing her. Can you bring yourself to do it?" Shen Tu's consciousness cackled.
"Brother, she is telling the truth," Li Yao's consciousness transmitted to Li Xuan's.
Li Xuan frowned slightly, but then smiled. "Do you think I truly have no recourse?"
Shen Tu's consciousness hesitated for a moment, then roared, "I will be waiting!"
Li Xuan's conscious form sighed again and, with a thought, a grinding stone slowly appeared.
"Thus, you shall depart."