Seeing that the Titan Divine Ape had been appeased and was no longer moving, Su Xi secretly signaled to Xu Qingning, deciding to skirt around from the side.
Xu Qingning was quite displeased with Su Xi's actions. It had been so easy for her, while Xu Qingning had suffered so much with the books. However, she didn't make things difficult.
Now, her rationality told her that she still needed to break through the second level first.
The Titan Divine Ape watched Su Xi and Xu Qingning leave its side but had no intention of stopping them.
At this moment, its eyes were only on the bananas in front of it. Other matters were not within its consideration. It had only recently become single, and much of its intelligence had not yet developed.
Su Xi and Xu Qingning soon reached the barrier between the second and third levels and were forced to stop.
"How do we get in here?" Su Xi couldn't help but ask, looking at the sturdy barrier before her.
The barrier in front of them looked uncomplicated, but it was fraught with hidden dangers.
A single misstep could lead to their death and the ruin of their cultivation.
She was only here to help and didn't need to risk her own safety.
Moreover, this formation seemed unstable. If she acted rashly, not only would she fail to find a way to break it, but it would also cause the formation to collapse.
Seeing Su Xi staring at her from the side, Xu Qingning had already guessed her thoughts, but she didn't dwell on it at the moment. Her goal was to bring Su Xi to the end, so naturally, she wouldn't let her die.
She took out a jade pendant from her person and placed it in an inconspicuous indentation near the barrier, beginning to chant a spell that ordinary people could not understand.
Instantly, the screen rippled like water.
"Crack!"
A soft sound like breaking glass echoed, and the ripples gradually expanded, soon revealing an opening large enough for a person to walk through.
"Let's go," Xu Qingning said to Su Xi, seeing that the passage had appeared, and stepped in first.
They had already wasted too much time and couldn't afford to delay any longer.
Su Xi glanced around, confirmed there was no danger, and followed her in.
As soon as they stepped into the space of the third level, Su Xi's face showed confusion.
She had originally thought that reaching the third level would bring greater danger and more terrifying sights. However, now that she was in the third level, she only saw a scene of peace and tranquility. All her previous conjectures had not materialized.
Peach blossoms bloomed everywhere, scattering in the wind. The entire air was filled with a faint scent of peach blossoms.
Sweet and beautiful.
"So beautiful."
Xu Qingning also did not expect to encounter such beautiful scenery and couldn't help but sigh.
No woman dislikes flowers, and these pink and tender peach blossoms were even more irresistibly alluring.
Although Su Xi had a more tomboyish personality, she naturally liked everything before her.
"Welcome to my humble abode, two young ladies." Just as Su Xi and Xu Qingning were enjoying the scene, a gentle male voice suddenly came from the depths of the peach blossoms.
The man's voice was very pleasant, making one feel inexplicably at ease.
As the two wondered who was speaking, a man in white, with an ethereal aura, walked out from among the peach blossoms.
He held a paper fan in his hand and wore a smile that transcended the mortal world. With just one glance, it was impossible to forget his magnificent appearance.
"Who are you?" Although the man before them was extremely handsome, Su Xi did not let down her guard.
Beauty was not as important as life.
Anyone who could appear at this time was not simple.
Hearing Su Xi's question, the man smiled gently, "I am the spirit of this peach blossom forest."
"Spirit?" Su Xi was silent for a moment, then a look of realization dawned on her face.
Spirits were creatures unique to this world, different from demonic beasts or other beings. They were born from the heavens and the earth.
Like clouds, wind, and rain, they represented no faction and existed beyond the three realms, outside the five elements.
"Why is a spirit like you appearing here?" Xu Qingning looked at Mo Li, her peach blossom eyes flickering.
Those from Xianling Mountain cultivated the art of spirit possession, so they felt an unparalleled joy towards such spiritual beings born of heaven and earth.
Spirits, as spiritual beings of heaven and earth, could gain unknown abilities from them if some story beyond friendship were to unfold.
Then, their connection with heaven and earth would deepen, bringing them closer to the legendary Great Dao.
She had initially only wanted to lure Su Xi into her trap, but she hadn't expected such a great benefit to arise.
Mo Li belonged to her; she had already decided to have this spirit.
Seeing the infatuated look on Xu Qingning's face, Su Xi couldn't help but take a few steps back, fearing she might catch a case of brain damage, for which there would be no medicine.
"I don't know. I've been here since I gained sentience," Mo Li said, looking at Xu Qingning with a frown, which made him even more endearing.
Seeing this, Xu Qingning couldn't help but lick her lips, forcefully suppressing the heat within her, and said comfortingly, "Don't worry. Since we're here, you can leave with us."
As she spoke, Xu Qingning's hands reached out towards Mo Li, ready to offer him some comfort.
Spirits were naturally pure and easily trusted people. Therefore, Xu Qingning was very confident in her methods. She was sure she could lure Mo Li away, deceiving him for his wealth and body.
Su Xi, seeing Xu Qingning's actions, knew exactly what she was thinking. She couldn't help but give her a disdainful look but didn't expose her.
After all, her goal today wasn't the spirit, and whatever Xu Qingning wanted to do was none of her business. It wasn't her style to meddle.
Besides, she felt that a spirit appearing here definitely wouldn't be simple; it certainly wasn't as pure as the legends claimed.
"No," Mo Li dodged instantly just as Xu Qingning was about to touch him.
Then, like a frightened little rabbit, Mo Li rushed towards Su Xi, seeking refuge.
"Sister, I'm scared," Mo Li said with a tearful expression, making him even more pitiable.
Looking at Mo Li rushing towards her, Su Xi felt no emotion. As Mo Li got close, she warned, "If you come any closer, don't blame me for being rude."
Hearing Su Xi's words, Mo Li dared not move.
This was because he sensed a faint killing intent emanating from Su Xi, and knew she wasn't joking. If he continued to approach, he would truly be attacked.
Xu Qingning was ignored by Mo Li, and her face turned gloomy.
Why did this spirit dare to like that woman, Su Xi?
Anyone she fancied, no one, not even the Jade Emperor, could snatch away!
Her expression changed several times, but Xu Qingning maintained a superficial pleasantness. She looked at the spirit and said, "Don't be scared. I have no ill intentions."
To obtain the spirit's power, she needed Mo Li to be willing.
Otherwise, even if she got Mo Li, her power would be halved. She wanted all of it, not a discounted energy.
Mo Li heard Xu Qingning's words and nodded, half-believing, half-doubting.
Su Xi didn't have the time to concern herself with Xu Qingning's attempts to trick a child. She directly asked, "Tell me, how do we leave the barrier of the third level?"
The reason she had followed Xu Qingning in was not to save anyone, but because there was a clue to the sacred artifact mentioned by Xu Ge within.
Since there was a clue, she naturally couldn't miss it.
Hearing Su Xi's question, Mo Li shook his head and said blankly, "I don't know."