The air froze, as if dancing on the tip of a knife, hearts pounding to a halt, yet tautly strung, ready to snap.
Perhaps words were needed to declare their stance, to fortify their unyielding souls. Otherwise, their numbers, standing there foolishly in silence, erect and rigid like subordinates of the figure in the black cloak, was far too lacking in backbone.
But before they could express themselves, the figure in the black cloak made a move. She possessed a unique aura, a "conversing with learned scholars, mingling with no uneducated folk" grace that even her fierce, demonic nature couldn't conceal. Casually, she brushed the sleeve of her robe, which bore no crease, with the back of her hand.
Was there dust on it?
No, how could such evidently high-grade composite fabric be stained by the dust of those ghost cultivators? Thus, her action wasn't dusting off any grime; she was dusting off their trembling hearts!
She then softly asked, "You all followed me here with the aim of obtaining the Dragon's Eye?"
"..."
Silence met silence.
If they said yes, would their fate be the same as that soft-fisted ghost cultivator who was left with nothing but ashes?
Ru Lan stiffened her slender neck, her eyebrows twitching rigidly. She appeared quite resolute, but a gulp echoed in her throat.
While it was true that might could not bend one's will, yet if there was not even a sliver of a chance to win... She would keep a stern face and hold her ground. By remaining silent, she could at least appear less cowardly.
Lu Ziyin's heart leaped into his throat, his entire body tensed like a drawn bowstring.
Indeed, he was what Ru Lan called a "coward." He knew himself well. Recalling the destructive technique that had left the area barren not long ago, he hadn't even harbored thoughts of the "Dragon's Eye" within the "Dragon Island Secret Realm." Even if he had, those thoughts were now swiftly and decisively abandoned.
However, in this clear division of friend and foe, denying it outright would be surrendering to the demons without a fight!
He... had to persist for a while longer, at least not be the first to "kneel"!
Yan Tianjiao's sharp brows, extending to his temples, were tightly knit. He wasn't originally interested in the "Dragon's Eye," but there was an old saying among his people: since they were already here, and the "Dragon's Eye" was within sight, it was a treasure so rare and coveted by all that he naturally had no reason to let the demons possess it.
Though his intentions were somewhat insidious, he maintained an aloof and cold expression, remaining silent. He was like a still water with hidden currents, revealing nothing, for despite his pride, he understood that those with vastly different levels of power had no right to be arrogant openly.
But this didn't prevent him from being arrogant in private.
Excluding these three, Cheng Hong was always imbued with a Buddha-like nature, regardless of the situation. It was impossible to discern from his sculpted face whether it expressed anger or sorrow.
Dan Ya maintained his usual gentle and handsome appearance, though his lips were pale and his cheeks tinged with a sickly hue, adding a touch of frailty. He blended into the crowd, neither drawing attention nor being easily overlooked.
Amongst them all, Liu Jiang Fusheng could be considered the most striking and eye-catching presence. Not only was his appearance peerlessly beautiful, alluring, and yet ethereal and noble, but he was also the most calm and composed person among them all.
However, they failed to notice that the figure in the black cloak, whether in speech or demeanor, had been intentionally or unintentionally overlooking him.
A soft, pale white light fell upon Liu Jiang Fusheng's robes, transforming a lightly colored garment into a resplendent battle attire. He didn't look at the figure in the black cloak but instead tilted his head, gazing at the remnant soul of the True Dragon coiled upon the glazed tower, and said, "I do indeed need the Dragon's Eye."
Of these people, he was the only one who dared to answer so frankly.
Ru Lan and Lu Ziyin immediately looked at him with the admiration one reserves for a hero.
They had almost forgotten how this person had, during the "Minor Competition" among the eight peaks, acted with unparalleled dominance, killing gods and buddhas alike. He was truly a formidable character.
Gu Junshi's gaze lingered in the air for a long time before she turned her eyes to Liu Jiang Fusheng.
She said lightly, "Are you planning to compete with me for it?"
Liu Jiang Fusheng scoffed at her words. He also turned his gaze, meeting hers. His eyes were innocent, but his words were laced with sarcasm, "Am I the one competing with you? You arrived first, but clearly, you haven't gained the recognition of the True Dragon's remnant soul. If it doesn't wish to give it to you, then you'll have to snatch it from it first."
Gu Junshi listened to his steady words, each one like a blade. His way of handling enemies, unhurried and emanating an icy, aloof aura, was a natural disposition that discouraged any closeness. It was entirely different from his usual sweet yet not cloying, soft yet not clingy, well-behaved demeanor in front of her.
This was the first time she stood as his opponent. She was no longer his wife, nor the person he loved. He saw her as an obstacle, an enemy. The cold blade he bared towards her was constantly probing for her vulnerabilities, ready to strike a fatal blow.
If one only looked at his outward appearance, even she couldn't fathom how deadly he truly was.
She thought, this is... quite thrilling.
Recognition without familiarity... it is good.
Cheng Hong scrutinized the figure in the black cloak. This person was so meticulously covered that not a single flaw was visible, making it impossible even for him to discern if she was Gu Junshi.
However, one thing he was certain of was that "if you are truly a demon, then the Dragon's Eye must not fall into your hands."
Cheng Hong clasped his hands, his serene divine demeanor as pure as the moon and snow, his words echoing like a struck bronze bell.
At this moment, Dan Ya's eyes flashed. After observing for a moment, he suddenly asked, "Have you seen the Ghost Infant?"
He was filled with confusion. Why hadn't the Ghost Infant appeared yet?
The Ghost Infant's malevolent, red-eyed appearance, as if possessed, was deeply imprinted in his mind.
He had followed stealthily in the shadows earlier and saw this figure in the black cloak conversing with the Ghost Infant as if they were acquaintances. He didn't know the content of their conversation, but the congruous atmosphere, coupled with the evident respect the Ghost Infant showed her, made it entirely possible that if this person was a demon, then the Ghost Infant's descent into demonhood under her (his) seduction was not impossible.
But why did she save him?
Did she feign weakness to absorb his demonic energy, using the excuse of investigating its source, perhaps to gain his trust?
But with such formidable cultivation, to speak with a hint of weakness, she could practically walk sideways in this "Dragon Island Secret Realm." Why would she resort to such underhanded schemes?
Therefore, Dan Ya couldn't figure out what she was doing all this for.
Gu Junshi ignored what Cheng Hong and Dan Ya had said. She shifted to a more comfortable stance and affirmed his speculative, probing words: "You are right. The remnant soul of the True Dragon that resides here, the person it awaits with kindred eyes is not me."
The True Dragon God was of the light attribute, which, like Liu Jiang Fusheng's immortal sword, possessed a fastidious nature, favoring only those it deemed pleasing. Others, like her or the Ghost Infant, were completely beneath its notice.
They favored Liu Jiang Fusheng, whose "face had been kissed by the Heavenly Way," glowing with brilliance. Speaking of which, Gu Junshi could now somewhat understand the Ghost Infant's resentment and anger at the world's unfairness.
She was ruthless. Had he not been the Dragon Protagonist, had he not been her convenient husband, she might have long ago killed him to end all troubles, saving herself the competition.
Indeed, as soon as Liu Jiang Fusheng emerged, the True Dragon's remnant soul's consciousness, like a gazer in a field of weeds, zeroed in on the exceptionally beautiful peony. Its terrifyingly large eyes suddenly lit up.
This was entirely different from its previously unenthusiastic and somewhat wary reaction to Gu Junshi. The difference was obvious at a glance: she was the weeds, and he was the flower.
The light guarded by the True Dragon's remnant soul rapidly circled Liu Jiang Fusheng. It reacted, as if injected with chicken blood, its color gradually changing from pale moonlight white to a radiant milky white sunlight. It suddenly gained strength.
It eagerly surged towards Liu Jiang Fusheng, its impatience stunning everyone present.
Dan Ya had witnessed a similar scene years ago. This time, he wasn't as shocked or surprised as the others, but it was still an unwelcome sight. A sourness rose in his throat, and he curled his lips indifferently.
Sooner or later, he would seize an opportunity to kill and steal.
The True Dragon's remnant soul descended from above. Its vast, white, translucent dragon body almost filled the entire high tower, waiting for the "Dragon's Eye" to find its rightful owner.
Everyone held their breath, waiting for the moment of "settling the dust," but...
Yes, sometimes "accidents" arrived faster than "results."
At the very last second, as the "Dragon's Eye" was about to fall into Liu Jiang Fusheng's embrace, it was abruptly blocked by a vertical barrier of black light.
...This was like Bai Niangzi and Xu Guanren being separated by Fahai. No matter how much they longed for each other, no matter how much they reached out, they couldn't touch.
This scene stunned not only the "True Dragon's remnant soul" but even Ru Lan, who was merely watching the spectacle, forgot to be cautious. She jumped out and shouted angrily, "You, you have no shame! The True Dragon's soul has already chosen Junior Brother Liu Jiang, haven't you seen that their union is the most fitting? Do you really intend to snatch it? Don't you know that a forcefully twisted melon is not sweet?"
Lu Ziyin heard only Ru Lan's impassioned tirade echoing in the vast tower. Cold sweat broke out on his forehead, and he quickly tugged at this verbose little firecracker.
After her rant, the little firecracker's face grew paler, and the sweat on her forehead flowed more than Lu Ziyin's. She felt as though she was going to be destroyed by her own mouth.
But the figure in the black cloak might truly be a master. Masters' hearts were always broader than ordinary people's. Even if she was moody or a ruthless killer...
She didn't burn Ru Lan into a pile of ashes. Instead, with a tone that infuriated people to death, as if saying "I have no shame, what can you do about it," she said, "I indeed didn't plan to compete fairly with you from the start."
Liu Jiang Fusheng's gaze swept towards her. His wide sleeves fluttered, and the spiritual energy around him dissipated like cold mist. This was the sound of the battle horn being blown.
"I will not yield the Dragon's Eye to you."
Gu Junshi didn't know what he was insisting on. She narrowed her eyes, her tone somewhat cold, "Why? You should know that even with your most powerful sword technique, you cannot defeat me. While the Dragon's Eye is indeed rare and precious, is it rarer than your life?"
Liu Jiang Fusheng's eyes were like deep pools under the moon, with demons in their depths, stirring up clouds and rain. The words in his heart would not be told to a stranger.
No one understood that while the "Dragon's Eye" might be a rare treasure or an immortal-grade artifact to any cultivator in the cultivation world, it was the only divine object Liu Jiang Fusheng could find to prolong the life of his mortal wife.
He didn't know how many such treasures were left behind by true immortals and true gods in the cultivation world, and how many of these treasures possessed the efficacy to extend the lifespan of mortals. He might wait for the next miracle, but he feared his Junshi might not live to see it.
He had blocked her path to Buddhist cultivation, destroyed her path to eternal life. Thus, he would compensate her with another.
Even if it meant paving the way with his own flesh and bones...
Some might think Liu Jiang Fusheng was insane. He could have both their long lives and futures simply by letting go.
Liu Jiang Fusheng also thought he might have long gone mad.
Whether his feelings for Gu Junshi were more love or more hate, he only knew that he had been driven to madness by her.
With a beautiful, pure, glazed appearance like Kunwu jade, his interior was already rotten, dark, and unbearable. Because of her, he had become abnormal, and she should repay him.
She must live by his side, and if she died, she could only die in his embrace.
To ask him to let go – absolutely, impossible!
Gu Junshi seemed to understand his answer from his eyes. She remained silent for a while before saying, "If you insist on this... then so be it."
She could let him have other things. She had never deigned to fight or snatch for his possessions before, not out of pride or morals, but because she was willing to "spoil" him according to the script she had initially set. Even if he wanted something he couldn't obtain, she would fight and snatch it for him.
This, this is about to start fighting?!
Ru Lan and Lu Ziyin's hearts trembled.
Yan Tianjiao's melancholic, deep phoenix eyes narrowed. The young man suppressed the rising sense of indignation and jealousy in his heart. Wasn't the "Dragon's Eye" blind? With so many people standing here, it chose Liu Jiang Fusheng without a second thought!
Cheng Hong had no desire for fame or fortune, but Dan Ya's worldly ambitions were great.
At this moment, seeing his "Dragon's Eye" intercepted by Gu Junshi, the "True Dragon's remnant soul" felt its dragon might offended. No matter how dull it was, it became enraged. It gradually shrank its ethereal, sky-encompassing dragon body, but it became more condensed.
It broke through the frosty mist at the top of the tower, raised its head, and flicked its tail. With a surge, it began to move. It circled down the pillars from above, its body ablaze with brilliance, like myriad golden rays flashing on the dragon's body, as if the True Dragon had reappeared.
Liu Jiang Fusheng saw the "True Dragon's remnant soul" display its divine might and, as he had predicted, make a move against the figure in the black cloak. The brilliance in his eyes shone brightly.
He had long since secretly calculated everything. How could the True Dragon God associate with demons? The more the figure in the black cloak insisted, the more easily it would be provoked. He knew that with their current strength, they were no match for her (him), but with the addition of the "True Dragon's remnant soul," the outcome might not be the same.