C9 Beauty for Treasures

Upon witnessing the scene, Lu Chen wasn't the least bit astonished. Instead, a hint of pleasure crossed his face as he spoke.

During their three-day venture into the Roaring Forest, Xiaohei's actions had become a reliable indicator of discovering either a rare treasure or a freshly matured spiritual herb. This time, however, Xiaohei's reaction was significantly more intense than any previous encounters with treasures.

Despite Xiaohei's diminutive size, the creature was exceptionally perceptive. After three days of bonding, it had grown to roughly understand Lu Chen's speech. It nodded vigorously and pointed in a direction with its tiny paw.

"Due north?"

Lu Chen's brow furrowed. He had already penetrated to the deepest fringes of the Roaring Forest over the past three days. Venturing further could mean facing Demonic Beasts with the prowess of a Grade Five Spirit Disciple or higher.

Demonic Beasts inherently possessed greater strength than humans of equivalent levels. Lu Chen was confident that with his full strength, the outskirts posed no significant danger. But the thought of delving into the heart of the Roaring Forest gave him pause.

He wavered momentarily, then chided himself, "One does not catch tiger cubs without entering the tiger's den. Cultivation is inherently an act of defiance against the natural order. It seems my rebirth has dulled my edge!"

Exactly!

Cultivation was always meant to challenge the heavens. When had he become so cautious? Continuing this way, over time, it could even become a mental barrier, hindering any further advancement in his strength!

With this realization, Lu Chen's hesitation vanished. He tucked Xiaohei into his clothing and strode toward the inner reaches of the Roaring Forest.

In that moment, Lu Chen's silhouette seemed to merge with that of the formidable Grade Nine Spirit Emperor from his past life.

Meanwhile, deep within the Roaring Forest, a heated argument was unfolding near a waterfall.

The waterfall itself wasn't large, but it generated a dense mist at its base. The water, as it cascaded down, lifted a delicate veil of mist into the air.

The freshly fallen mist appeared as if it were being boiled, emitting a soft bubbling sound.

On either bank at the foot of the waterfall stood two striking women. The one on the left exuded an enchanting allure, her eyes brimming with vitality, her skin pale and delicate. Clad in a fiery red gown that showcased her slender legs, her slightest movement stirred the air, giving rise to a flurry of snow-white petals.

Indeed, it was as the old saying goes: "A renowned beauty can captivate a nation and win the heart of a king, often to his delight."

The woman opposite her had skin even fairer and more delicate than the previous one, her features as finely drawn and enchanting as a painting. Yet her pretty face was devoid of expression, exuding an icy allure. Clad in a white, understated gown, a long sword was fastened at her waist, and a purple-gold floral emblem adorned her chest, giving her an air of clean, refined elegance.

Truly, perfection is achieved not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away!

At that moment, the two women stood on opposite banks of the waterfall, their gazes locked as if engaged in a silent contest of wills. The spiritual energy emanating from them revealed they were both Grade Nine Spirit Disciples, on the cusp of ascending to the Spirit Transforming Stage.

"Giggle~"

"Dear Xiangxue, why don't you let me have the Water Flame Fruit? Its potent nature is too much for most to handle. I fear you might not resist the urge to go off and seduce men once you've tasted it, and where would that leave the reputation of our Ice Saintess?"

The seductive woman on the left spoke first, her hand lightly covering her lips as she cast a playful look at the stoic woman across from her.

"Xiangxue's actions are for our elders to judge, not for you, Sister Meixin, to fret over. Besides, there's likely more than one Water Flame Fruit hidden within the waterfall. Don't you think it's a bit greedy to want them all for yourself?"

Ling Xiangxue, the woman of ethereal beauty on the right, stood her ground, her head shaking in disapproval while her hand rested casually on the hilt of her sword.

"Oh, Little Sister Xiangxue, you've certainly come into your own. It seems you've changed quite a bit since Marquis Pingnan's demise!"

Wu Meixin laughed softly, seemingly undeterred by Ling Xiangxue's implied threat.

"Silence!"

The mention of Marquis Pingnan ignited a spark of anger in Ling Xiangxue's eyes. With a graceful point of her toe, she sprang towards Wu Meixin, and without a moment's hesitation, she drew her sword from its sheath.

"Whoosh!"

"Radiant Sunburst!"

As the sword was drawn, a blinding white light burst forth, engulfing everything within a dozen meters in its brilliance.

In the next instant, a petite figure darted from the dazzling light, lunging fiercely at Wu Meixin with her sword.

Ling Xiangxue had made her move!

"Hehehe, did I touch a nerve, dear sister? Did my words stir your anger?"

"Dragon Carp Soaring Wave!"

Wu Meixin was ready. A streak of green light flashed at her waist, and her flexible sword coiled around Ling Xiangxue's blade, its tip slashing viciously towards her.

Their exchange was lightning-fast, clashing over ten times in the blink of an eye.

"Green Jade Sword!"

Ling Xiangxue exclaimed, spinning in mid-air. She lightly tapped the water with her right foot, gracefully landing back on the shore.

"Hehe."

Wu Meixin laughed softly, taunting,

"I was well aware of the sheer force of your swordsmanship. Only a sword embodying the ultimate yin and softness could penetrate your defenses. This Green Jade Sword, borrowed from Young Master Peng, was chosen specifically to counter you."

"Oh, and I almost forgot to mention – the blade is coated with Poison Young Master's Three Water Centipede venom. In less than three days, you'll be nothing but a husk, no longer a contender for the title of Saintess."

"You!"

A chill flashed in Ling Xiangxue's eyes. She was about to strike once more when a sudden wave of dizziness forced her to plunge her sword into the earth to steady herself.

Three Water Centipede Poison?

Despair washed over Ling Xiangxue, her aura heavy with sorrow. As Wu Meixin drew closer, Ling Xiangxue's eyes began to glisten with unshed tears.

Her country had fallen, her family was lost, and now she, her last hope, was on the brink of ruin.

With these thoughts, Ling Xiangxue closed her eyes in utter hopelessness.

But as she surrendered to despair, the once turbulent waterfall began to still, eventually becoming indistinguishable from any ordinary cascade.

"Who's there!?"

Wu Meixin's voice, laced with panic, shattered the silence.

"Hmm?"

Ling Xiangxue's eyelids fluttered open to see Wu Meixin had halted her advance, her gaze fixed darkly on the waterfall.

Ling Xiangxue followed her gaze and, upon discovering the cause, her eyes twinkled with amusement as she exclaimed:

"Ha! Sister Meixin, see those ripples? Looks like someone's snatched the Water Flame Fruit!"

"Shut it! Better worry about yourself, you little tramp!"

Wu Meixin had already dismissed Ling Xiangxue from her concerns. To her, a Saintess on the brink of ruin was far less valuable than the Water Flame Fruit.

With those words, Wu Meixin's fiery red skirt swirled dramatically as she strode off, her snow-white legs carrying her swiftly out of sight.

Some time after Wu Meixin had vanished, a figure burst forth from the cascade of the small waterfall.

Gasping for breath, the figure collapsed onto the ground, clutching four cherry-sized, pale blue fruits. Mimicking Lu Chen, he lay there, heaving for air against his chest.

"Thank goodness that girl hasn't mastered transforming her spiritual energy. Otherwise, my Shadow Stealth Technique from my past life would've been easily detected!"

The one sprawled on the ground was none other than Lu Chen himself. He had arrived before Ling Xiangxue and Wu Meixin's confrontation. Knowing both women were formidable Grade Nine Spirit Disciples, he wisely chose to bide his time. It wasn't until they clashed that he seized the chance to claim the Water Flame Fruit.

"I never expected your concealment skills to be so formidable, managing to deceive even Wu Meixin!"

"But this works out perfectly. Hand over half of your Water Flame Fruits—I need them for a detox!"

As Lu Chen lay there, catching his breath, the voice of a familiar, attractive woman reached his ears.