"I've never seen the outside world, and I don't want to die so soon," the Azure Dragon's voice was laced with despair. It truly did not want to die.
Listening to its words, Chu Lingwei felt no reaction in her heart. Since arriving on the Xuanyuan Continent, she had seen too many people who did not want to die.
"Can you save me?" the Azure Dragon pleaded softly, its voice growing weaker.
"I cannot save you."
Chu Lingwei said expressionlessly.
"Yes, as long as you wish it, you can surely save me," the Azure Dragon's voice was anxious. "As long as you sign a contract with me, you can save me."
"Are you asking me to share half of my life with you?" Chu Lingwei chuckled lightly, her eyes playfully fixed on the small Azure Dragon.
If it were not the core of the illusion array, she might have already slain it.
"However, I will also give you half of my life. My lifespan is much longer than that of human cultivators. It can definitely help you reach the pinnacle of the spiritual cultivation path," the Azure Dragon's voice was full of certainty. "As long as you are willing, I can give you my infinite lifespan."
"But I don't want it at all."
Chu Lingwei laughed. It had revealed its true colors so quickly, which made her a little disappointed.
"What did you say?"
"I said, I don't want such a long lifespan; it's meaningless," Chu Lingwei looked down at the Azure Dragon from above. "If you continue to speak, I might accidentally kill you."
"How did you discover it?" the Azure Dragon's voice changed, becoming sharp and despairing.
"What a useless eye of the array."
Chu Lingwei smiled at the Azure Dragon, finding it the most useless array core she had ever encountered.
"You..." the Azure Dragon roared in anger, that this woman dared to insult it.
Chu Lingwei's eyes narrowed, and the Ice Jade Frost Sword in her hand pierced directly towards the Azure Dragon's vulnerable spot.
The scene flashed, and Chu Lingwei reappeared on the platform. Wuming's eyes flickered with worry, and when he saw her return, a smile appeared in his eyes. "I thought you wouldn't come back."
"This was all an illusion array set up by it," Chu Lingwei looked at the Azure Dragon before her. Its body was slowly disappearing, turning into wisps of smoke that floated into the air.
"Yes, you were pulled into its illusion array. If you couldn't break free yourself, you might never have escaped," Wuming stood up. The Azure Dragon's body dissipated, and they reappeared before the restriction.
Chu Lingwei looked at this familiar place, her eyes flashing. "What do you think is inside?"
Wuming remained silent, his gaze fixed on the restriction.
"I'll need Fellow Daoist Chu to block those spirit beasts while I open this restriction."
"Who are you?" From his words, Chu Lingwei sensed that he likely knew what was inside.
"I will not harm you," Wuming said without turning back. He closed his eyes, his hands moving swiftly, forming hand seals.
Chu Lingwei was amused and exasperated. How could he be so sure she would help him?
At that moment, the spirit beasts that had rushed over upon hearing the news arrived before Chu Lingwei. This time, she did not block them but watched them charge towards Wuming.
He had refused to reveal his identity to her, and she wanted to see who this person truly was.
Wuming seemed oblivious to the threat behind him, continuously chanting incantations.
Just as the spirit beasts were about to reach Wuming, Chu Lingwei acted, swatting them away.
Wuming's movements paused slightly before resuming rapidly. A smile touched his lips.
"Fellow Daoist Chu, stay here. I'll be out soon." As Chu Lingwei battled the spirit beasts, Wuming's voice echoed in her ears. When she turned, she saw that Wuming had already entered the restriction alone.
"Wuming, you are a scoundrel."
Betrayed, Chu Lingwei channeled her spiritual energy towards Wuming, but it struck the restriction and bounced back.
"Weiwei, can you hear my voice?"
At that moment, Fengming's tearful voice entered Chu Lingwei's mind.
"Fengming?"
Moments ago, she had been unable to communicate with her spatial realm, yet now she could?
Chu Lingwei became vigilant. Was this an illusion, or could she truly communicate with her spatial realm?
Upon hearing Chu Lingwei's voice, Fengming rejoiced and quickly shouted, "Weiwei, how are you? Why didn't you enter the space with us?"
"I'm fine," Chu Lingwei replied softly.
"Weiwei, why can't we get out? We couldn't contact you earlier," the Illusion Cat's voice came through. Ever since they entered the spatial realm, they couldn't contact Weiwei, which had terrified them.
"I don't know either."
Chu Lingwei cautiously scanned her surroundings. The spirit beasts that had been fighting her had vanished the moment Wuming entered the restriction.
"How can you not know?" the Illusion Cat's voice came again, filled with urgency. "Weiwei, we'll come out to help you."
"No need, just stay put. I'll let you out when I'm safe." Chu Lingwei was unsure if she was lucid.
"Weiwei, I sense your spiritual energy is very unstable. Are you in an illusion?" the Illusion Cat frowned. Why did she feel that Weiwei was holding back now?
"Yes, I am currently in an illusion."
Chu Lingwei played along, "I can't leave right now."
"Weiwei, every illusion array has an eye. If you find the eye, you can surely escape." The Illusion Cat tried to leave the spatial realm but couldn't.
Chu Lingwei snorted, "I know."
Saying this, she directly cut off all communication with the spatial realm, not wanting them to disturb her state of mind.
Everything here was exactly as she had seen it in the Spirit Realm. She and Wuming had jumped from the cave and spent several hours. Were these hours real, or had they entered the illusion array long ago? She couldn't be sure.
Now, she had to clarify this matter.
Chu Lingwei glanced at the location of the restriction, summoned her flying artifact, and flew east. This was where she had arrived upon entering the Spirit Realm.
She traveled for two consecutive days, and everything was exactly as she remembered.
Such an illusion array was too formidable. She believed that even the Illusion Cat would be helpless here.
"Senior Sister."
Just as Chu Lingwei was returning, Ye Xuan appeared before her, his eyes filled with excitement. "Senior Sister, I've been looking for you for a long time without success."
"What were you looking for me for?"
"Senior Sister, we are both disciples of the Cultivation Academy, and you are the personal disciple of the Dean. I must protect you." Ye Xuan stepped closer to Chu Lingwei, his gaze firm and clear, devoid of any pretense.
"No need, I can protect myself." Chu Lingwei frowned slightly. This was not Ye Xuan.