Soul-Slaying Maiden: Master Of Ancient Divine Weapons

The Plain Maiden turned around.

Her faceless visage was indescribably eerie.

Even in the broad daylight amidst such an enchanting landscape, it was an abrupt and horrifying sight.

Han Zhan's heart skipped a beat. He instinctively prepared to strike, but he quickly held back because it was daytime.

What was the Plain Maiden's strength like during the day?

If she were even stronger than Clan Chief Jiang Huai and the others, wouldn't he be overestimating his own abilities?

The only thing Han Zhan could be grateful for was that the effects of the Mixed Essence Pill in his body had not yet fully worn off.

He was still in a state of physical immunity.

"Do I look beautiful?" The Plain Maiden persisted in asking, as though waiting for Han Zhan's response.

Han Zhan dared not answer, fearing that if he answered incorrectly, the bizarre faceless visage before him might split open, transforming into a gaping bloody mouth to devour him.

The image of such a scenario involuntarily surfaced in his mind.

"Heheheh!" The Plain Maiden's laughter echoed in his ears. "You're an amusing outsider. What strange thoughts fill your mind—I've never encountered anything like them before."

As she spoke, she conjured an image beside her. It was exactly the monstrous figure Han Zhan had just imagined, with the face splitting open.

"You're far more interesting than Shennong. When he came to Plains of Du Guang, all I could see in his mind were countless herbs and endless pill recipes. How dull."

The Plain Maiden could read others' memories?

Han Zhan was shocked at first but quickly realized.

"Is this an illusion?" Han Zhan asked reflexively, only to see the faceless maiden shake her head.

"No, it's not an illusion. What you see before you is real. I've been trapped here for countless ages; a face and features no longer hold meaning for me."

"Although meaningless, my features weren't erased by choice. They were devoured by the Void during that great catastrophe. Shennong saved me, leaving me here to await someone who could unravel the mysteries."

So that's how it was.

Scenes from the visions Han Zhan had seen the previous day quickly resurfaced in his mind.

In those visions, besides the Sage Shennong, there were several other figures radiating dazzling brilliance. One of them must have been the Plain Maiden.

Realizing this, Han Zhan became even more respectful, sincerely so.

They were heroes who protected this world, and whether they perished or not, they deserved profound respect.

"I humbly request the Plain Maiden's guidance."

"Very well," the Plain Maiden nodded and then took out a guqin. "My test is simple. I've always loved music, but being trapped here for so long, I've not heard anything interesting. Play a tune on this guqin, and if I'm satisfied, you'll pass."

Han Zhan: "?"

This completely broke all conventions.

This was supposed to be the Sacred Heart of Hundred Herbs World, and yet the test was to play music? Wasn't this too much of a stretch?

It was hard to imagine—if not Han Zhan but another person had come, even one proficient in medicine, with unmatched skill, they might reach here after braving the Thorn River, only to be utterly stumped when handed a guqin larger than themselves.

But Han Zhan was different.

As a spiritual contract holder of both the Shennong Cauldron and the Fuxi Guqin, playing music was as natural to him as eating and drinking water.

Without hesitation, he accepted the guqin from the Plain Maiden, sat cross-legged, placed the instrument across his knees, and began plucking the strings.

The numerous compositions of the Fuxi Guqin might not produce tangible effects in this world, but they remained complete pieces of music.

Han Zhan played with fluid precision, showing no signs of inexperience.

Though the Plain Maiden's face lacked features, her posture—resting her head on her hand and sitting sideways to listen intently—clearly expressed her satisfaction with his performance.

Time passed, second by second.

It was unclear how much time had passed when the Plain Maiden suddenly let out a soft sigh, waking from her slumber. She stretched lazily.

"It's been so long since I've slept so comfortably."

"You've done well. To play such music, you must not be a dull person. You pass."

The Plain Maiden then conjured a pill formula from her hands. This formula looked identical to the two Han Zhan had previously seen—another of Shennong's creations.

Now, three of the four formulas were in his possession.

However, Han Zhan suddenly realized a crucial problem, and his initial joy vanished.

Taking the formula, the words "Five Dragon Pill" stood out. Following them were lines upon lines of required ingredients, all essential for crafting the Five Dragon Pill.

As Han Zhan frowned in thought, the Plain Maiden chuckled lightly beside him. "By our agreement, you would need to collect these ingredients yourself before asking for my help to refine the Five Dragon Pill. But I'm quite satisfied with your music earlier. I even sensed the resonance of another divine artifact in your melody."

Her tone turned meaningful.

"You are a chosen one of destiny. Such trivial trials can be omitted." With that, she produced a pill the size of a fist from her hands.

This pill bore five distinct colors, evenly distributed across its surface, resembling a vibrant, multicolored ball.

The Five Dragon Pill!

Seeing Han Zhan stunned, the Plain Maiden explained, "I made it casually during my idle moments."

Unbelievable! This wasn't just bending the rules—this was outright defiance of them. Skipping the entire crafting process to obtain the pill directly?

Han Zhan quickly collected himself and respectfully accepted it with a bow.

"Activate the Five Dragon Pill, and Dragon Qi will nourish the World Tree. You will see the Heavenly Ladder. Heavenly Palace holds no danger, only truth. Go now, chosen one."

As the Plain Maiden spoke, her body began to fade.

The last remnants of her existence in this world dissipated completely with Han Zhan's arrival.

Her will was fulfilled.

"Protect this world for us."

At that moment, Han Zhan looked up and finally saw the Plain Maiden's true appearance—a woman of unparalleled beauty, like an immortal goddess.

In her final moments, she left only beauty for the world.

The Plain Maiden departed, as an immortal should.

Han Zhan bowed deeply once more toward the spot where she had vanished.

The Plain Maiden and Shennong were both great heroes of this world. Without them, there would be no present or future for it.

Straightening up, Han Zhan's gaze grew resolute.

Following the Plain Maiden's instructions, he activated the Five Dragon Pill. It radiated an intense, dazzling light, splitting into five distinct beams that transformed into five massive dragons soaring skyward.

The dragons intertwined, forming a ladder that reached the heavens.

A surge of vast Dragon Qi descended, and soon a tiny sapling emerged from the earth.

Absorbing the Dragon Qi, it grew rapidly, forming a towering World Tree—the Heavenly Ladder to the Heavenly Palace.

Han Zhan looked away, stepping onto the ladder.

One step, then another, ascending toward the Heavenly Palace Palace, where all truths and mysteries awaited.

———

In Deep Blue City, at the Guardian Organization's reception center, a phone rang.

A frantic voice came through the line.

"I—I saw them. I saw the Insect Race."

"Alright, sir, please remain calm. Provide the exact location, and the Guardians will dispatch a team immediately."

"Dispatch a team? Hahaha! Dispatch—no, there's no need to dispatch."

"They've already arrived."

"Hello? Sir? What did you say? Hello? Sir!"

*Static Noises*

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