"Will you... help ?"
The calm voice sounded like an ordinary old man asking a simple question.
But...
Seeing the mangled pile of flesh and blood beside them, the tallic tang of blood still hanging in the air, no one could utter a word.
Should they agree?
'What if he asks for a bone next? Or an internal organ? Or even… our manhood? Would we give it to him?'
If he asked for one or two bones, they could probably endure it with their strength. But what if he wanted all of them? How could they possibly give them? And if he really wanted their manhood, were they supposed to just cut it off and hand it over?
For a man, was living without *that* truly better than death?
But what if they refused?
Looking at Shi Kun's corpse on the ground, no one felt they had the courage to say no.
The group exchanged glances, the atmosphere growing incredibly awkward.
A cold glint flashed in Qin Mutian's eyes as he suddenly sneered, "Zheng Tian, aren't the people from your Guiyuan Sect supposed to be powerful? Don't you always boast about being the strongest force in the Qin Kingdom? How co you and your fellow disciples are all silent now?"
Zheng Tian shot him a look filled with contempt and disgust. "Even if we're afraid to speak, we would never push our own people out to die."
"You…"
Qin Mutian's face flushed then paled, but he didn't know how to refute the claim.
Or rather, he couldn't refute it at all!
Seeing the disdainful, strange looks from the Guiyuan Sect mbers, and even how the experts from his own Royal Family were deliberately keeping their distance—as if afraid he'd push them out to die—Qin Mutian was so furious he could barely breathe.
His cold, venomous gaze swept over the crowd before finally landing on Hong Yu. Qin Mutian said with a mocking tone, "Hong Yu, you're the Royal Guest Scholar my third sister invited to help the Royal Family. The lives of everyone from our Royal Family are on the line, yet instead of quickly finding a way to get us out of this predicant, you're just standing there in a daze? What kind of Royal Guest Scholar are you?"
Hong Yu: "…"
Zheng Tian: "…"
Everyone: "…"
Even the few Royal Family experts who usually followed Qin Mutian's lead were staring at him with stunned disbelief.
Under everyone's strange gazes, Qin Mutian's expression turned extrely ugly.
He finally rembered that on the very first day they entered the Celestial Essence Secret Realm, he had already forced Hong Yu to leave the Royal Family's group!
Although he was still a Royal Guest Scholar.
But to put it bluntly, Hong Yu was rely a guest scholar, not a soldier or servant who had sworn loyalty to the Kingdom. Why should he listen to him?
Qin Mutian suddenly recalled the phrase Zheng Tian always used to taunt him—'So what if you're the Crown Prince? I'm not part of your Royal Family. Do whatever the hell you want, why should I give you any face?'
Humiliated and enraged, Qin Mutian roared, "What's with those looks? Are you looking to die?"
"Who the hell are you telling to die?"
Zheng Tian exploded with rage.
The Guiyuan Sect experts behind him all took a step forward, glaring furiously at Qin Mutian.
Qin Mutian's knees went weak. Forget facing so many experts from the Guiyuan Sect; even facing Zheng Tian alone was enough to make his legs tremble.
Just then, the Martial Arts True Soul in the sky lost its patience. "So… none of you are willing to help , is that it?"
"In that case, then go…"
The Martial Arts True Soul spoke very slowly, as if narrating from instinct, but every word carried a chilling intent that made one's heart pound.
It looked like it was about to go on a rampage.
Hong Yu sighed softly. "Senior, please wait!"
"Hm?"
The Martial Arts True Soul looked at Hong Yu.
The Hong Yu of today was no longer the broke loser from Shishui City, nor the naive disciple from the Cyan Nether Sword Sect. He had now truly matured and embarked upon the Martial Dao.
Both his Star River Spirit Bone and Cyan Eyes made his Spiritual Power and temperant exceptionally steady and strong.
At a ti like this, not even a Primordial Core Realm expert could hope to make Hong Yu's spirit yield.
But upon seeing the Martial Arts True Soul's eyes, which revealed an ancient, worldly weariness, Hong Yu suddenly felt himself on the verge of sinking into them. Fortunately, at the critical mont, a clear stream flowed from his Star River Spirit Bone. He bit his tongue, using the sharp pain to regain his senses after a mont of distraction.
"Senior, this junior knows that your heart is filled with unwillingness and that you have regrets from before your death. However, you are a great figure, Senior, while we are but insignificant juniors, like ants. If you want our help, we can naturally agree, but you must tell us how we can help you, shouldn't you?"
Hong Yu said loudly.
As expected...
Hearing Hong Yu's words, the Martial Arts True Soul showed a look of confusion, then nodded its massive head. "You're right. I should tell you…"
Then, the Martial Arts True Soul began its long tale.
In truth, the Martial Arts True Soul was just a manifestation of a dying obsession. It didn't retain many mories, only the one that brought it the most regret.
It turned out that this expert was nad Young Master Celestial Beast when he was alive.
He rose to fa 1,300 years ago, creating the powerful Dragon Fla Beast Technique and becoming renowned throughout the Xiahuang Ancient Kingdom. At the ti, he was a famously powerful young expert.
However, he perished here during an expedition. Before he died, he used his imnse power to create the Celestial Essence Secret Realm, intending it to be his tomb. Unexpectedly, a sliver of obsession and unwillingness caused this Martial Arts True Soul to remain.
Its complete awakening happened to coincide with its encounter with Hong Yu and the others.
It was hard to say whether they were lucky or unlucky!
It looked at Hong Yu and the others. "The help I need from you is simple. You just need to bring my remains back to the Xiahuang Ancient Kingdom so I can be buried in my holand."
"Senior, where are your remains?"
Hong Yu asked.
The Martial Arts True Soul's gaze flickered as it said indifferently, "My remains are buried beneath the Championship Platform. However, I laid an Array back then. Only the person who becos champion of the platform can excavate it and retrieve my bones. As for everyone else…"
A cold, fierce light suddenly emanated from the Martial Arts True Soul. "They will all be buried with !"
GASP!
Everyone sucked in a breath of cold air.
Hong Yu's sword-like brows furrowed as well.
'According to the Martial Arts True Soul, doesn't this an that only one of us will make it out of here alive?'
Fortunately, the Martial Arts True Soul added nonchalantly, "But rest assured, I am not one to kill the innocent wantonly."
Everyone's eyes twitched. '…My ass. You just killed Shi Kun without even blinking, and now you say you don't kill the innocent?'
But they didn't dare say this out loud, instead forcing smiles and nodding.
The Martial Arts True Soul continued, "These are the Demon Bone Spirit Plates I just finished Refining. There are thirty in total. I will scatter them throughout this Desolate Beast Forest. You have three months to find a Demon Bone Spirit Plate and head to the Championship Platform. Anyone who possesses a Demon Bone Spirit Plate and reaches the Championship Platform will be spared."
"Furthermore, the one among you who ultimately becos champion will receive my Secret Skill, the Dragon Fla Beast Technique. Hehehe, this is an Earth-level Secret Technique!"
As Young Master Celestial Beast spoke, his aura suddenly turned cold. "Of course, those who fail to obtain a Demon Bone Spirit Plate and reach the Championship Platform... I will take that as a sign you are unwilling to help . In that case, you can all be buried with !"
"…"
Gazing at the Martial Arts True Soul, which was ferocious one mont and calm the next, everyone was at a loss for whether to laugh or cry.
At the sa ti, thirty sharp glints of light shot out from Young Master Celestial Beast's mouth, streaking in all directions. Once they had all vanished from sight, Young Master Celestial Beast said coldly, "Go on, start snatching! Hehehe, little ones, see you in three months!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Young Master Celestial Beast's Martial Arts True Soul abruptly dissipated.
It had vanished without a trace!
"Dammit, we have to find them!"
"We have to get a Demon Bone Spirit Plate, or we'll die here."
"I'm not about to be buried with this old fossil who's been dead for thousands of years…"
The experts scattered, chasing after the Demon Bone Spirit Plates.
Qin Mutian shot Hong Yu a fierce glare. "You got lucky this ti." With that, he led his people away.
Zheng Tian looked at Hong Yu with a sharp expression. "I hope you make it to the Championship Platform alive. When you do, I'll personally crush you into a pulp."
"I'm afraid you don't have the strength to do that!"
Hong Yu replied, neither servile nor overbearing.
"Hmph!"
Zheng Tian turned and left.
The three experts cloaked in black robes stood to the side, silently staring at Hong Yu. They simultaneously raised their hands and made a throat-slitting gesture, then let out a series of cold, piercing laughs before turning to leave.
They all went off in pursuit of the Demon Bone Spirit Plates, their only lifeline.
Only after everyone had left did Hong Yu take a deep breath. Behind him, a small, fluffy, black-and-white beast stood up on its hind legs. With its paws clasped behind its back, it slowly and unsteadily waddled over. It tilted its furry chin up slightly, its jewel-like eyes twinkling like stars as it sought praise.
"You got one?"
"Huhu!"
The Little Beast was Huhu. It nodded, opening its chubby paw to reveal a Demon Bone Spirit Plate resting inside.
Hong Yu took the Demon Bone Spirit Plate, weighing it in his hand. He ruffled Huhu's head and laughed heartily. "I wonder what expressions Zheng Tian and Qin Mutian would have if they knew I got a Demon Bone Spirit Plate without even moving a muscle?"
"Huhu!"
Little Beast Huhu waved its paws in protest and pointed at its own mouth.
Hong Yu slapped his forehead, completely exasperated. "When did you learn to ask for rewards, you little devil?"
"Huhu!"
The Little Beast pointed to the spot between Hong Yu's eyebrows.
Within that spot was the Profound Celestial Tower.
Hong Yu was furious. "Little One, damn you! Look how you've corrupted Huhu!"
Inside the Profound Celestial Tower…
Little One was slowly puffing on a Smoking Pipe, a smug look on his face that seed to say, 'You don't like it? Co and get .'
"I'm just teaching the little guy the ways of the world!"
After a pause, Little One sat up straight and urged, "Hong Yu, give a little sothing too. I have a very important piece of information for you, sothing that concerns your very life!"
Hong Yu froze. "What information?"
"One hundred thousand Gold Coins!" Little One said.
Hong Yu pursed his lips. "Ten thousand. Take it or leave it!"
"You... you're too ruthless…"
Seeing that Hong Yu was about to ignore him, Little One could only say dejectedly, "Fine, fine, ten thousand it is. I'll tell you. That Martial Arts True Soul just now was lying. And he's pulled so tricks on the path you'll take to the Championship Platform."
"Pulled so tricks?"
Hong Yu was taken aback.
Little One nodded. "Yup. Look behind you. His tricks are already starting to take effect!"
"Hm?"
Hong Yu turned around in confusion. The mont he saw it, his face turned green with rage…
"That bastard! He's trying to get killed!"
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