Supreme Emptiness

The intense battle between Ren Guhong and Wu Manyue left them completely unaware.

The two were rapidly conversing through voice transmission.

"Wu Manyue, did you lie to me?"

"Didn't you say the Blood Corpse described in the notes was at the Jiedan Eighth Layer?"

"Now it's already at the Ninth Layer of Core Formation!"

Ren Guhong painfully threw out one precious Thunder Talisman after another, exchanged with his merits.

Wu Manyue, equally distressed, unleashed one Fire Attribute Magical Treasure after another, saying:

"What good would lying to you do me?"

"Most likely, this Blood Corpse used the Dragon Heart Blood Lotus to enhance its strength."

Ren Guhong knew he couldn't blame Wu Manyue.

After all, over two hundred years had passed; who could guarantee what changes had occurred inside?

He frowned and said, "We really shouldn't have listened to you and abandoned Junior Brother Jiang just now."

"We should've brought him along."

"With him sharing the attacks, it would've been a bit easier for us."

"We could even have had him lure away the Blood Corpse."

Throwing out Thunder Talisman after Thunder Talisman was truly painful for him.

Yet this Blood Corpse had boundless strength and thick skin.

Immune to spells, unafraid of blades or spears.

Only fearful of these pure Yang items of the world.

Wu Manyue also felt a twinge of regret:

"That kid has countless tricks up his sleeve; maybe he really could've handled the Blood Corpse."

"But it's too late to say anything now."

"Let's both stop holding back and use our trump cards quickly—to kill the Blood Corpse and snatch the Dragon Heart Blood Lotus."

"Otherwise, if that kid figures it out and catches up to split the Dragon Heart Blood Lotus, will you give it to him or not?"

Hearing this.

Ren Guhong agonizingly took out a long blade wrapped in lightning.

Wu Manyue also unwillingly retrieved a hairpin, black flames flowing within it.

At the same time.

Jiang Fan silently rounded a corner.

Sure enough, he spotted a small chamber about three meters wide.

This was already the end of the tunnel.

The three walls were incredibly damp.

From the ceiling of the chamber, water dripped periodically.

Pooling on the ground into a small puddle about half a meter in diameter.

"Such rich Spiritual Energy."

Jiang Fan immediately sensed that the dripping water was abnormally brimming with Spiritual Energy.

This pool of water was enough for a Martial Artist at the Early Stage of Core Formation to break through one level.

However.

The Spiritual Liquid in this puddle was very likely consumed by the Blood Corpse.

Making it unsuitable for consumption.

Suddenly.

He noticed a palm-sized green lotus leaf floating in the puddle.

Beside the leaf stood a solitary lotus pod.

The ten lotus holes were connected, vaguely forming the outline of a dragon.

From each hole emitted intermittent blood-red light.

Though blood-red in color, it didn't give off a sinister or terrifying feeling.

On the contrary, it made his blood churn and gave him an inexplicable warmth.

Jiang Fan's eyes lit up.

"This must be what Ren Guhong and Wu Manyue are looking for."

How could he hesitate?

He immediately and expertly took out a sharp jade tool.

For such heavenly treasures, touching directly with one's hands was often inadvisable.

When in doubt, it's always better to handle it with caution.

To avoid damaging the Spiritual Objects, which would be a grave loss.

He swiftly pried out the lotus seeds, carefully placing each into a jade bottle.

One.

Two.

Three.

…

Seven.

Eight.

Nine.

Just as he packed the ninth seed.

A pained howl suddenly cut off.

The Blood Corpse collapsed with a crash.

It had been slain!

Two rapid wind-breaking sounds approached swiftly.

Jiang Fan regretfully glanced at the final lotus seed.

Without hesitation, he finished packing up the items.

He silently flew his sword over their heads, slipping away.

"The Dragon Heart Blood Lotus!"

"There really is a Dragon Heart Blood Lotus, we've struck it rich… wait!"

"Why is there only one lotus seed left?"

Ren Guhong's excited face instantly froze.

Wu Manyue's expression also changed: "Could the Blood Corpse have eaten it?"

Thinking of how the Blood Corpse's strength increased to the Ninth Layer of Core Formation.

Both of their faces turned grim.

"Damn this Blood Corpse!"

"Wasting the Dragon Heart Blood Lotus!"

"If I had five lotus seeds, I could break through the bottleneck of the Ninth Layer and reach Ninth Layer Perfection of Core Formation."

Ren Guhong stomped on the ground in frustration.

Wu Manyue bit her silver teeth in frustration, muttering, "With two seeds, I could've broken through from Jiedan Eighth Layer."

"But this single seed—it's simply not enough!"

The two had spent immense effort, using up numerous talismans and magical artifacts.

Even resorting to expensive trump cards.

And in the end, only one seed!

Ren Guhong sighed heavily, annoyed: "Just one remaining—what good is it?"

That's what he said.

But the way he looked at the lotus seed was burning with desire.

This seed, for a Martial Artist at the middle stage of Core Formation, could completely help break through a layer.

Its value was self-evident.

Not only could it recoup this trip's losses, but they could also profit greatly.

The only problem was—how to divide it?

Wu Manyue's charming eyes turned as she sighed softly:

"This time, it's all thanks to Brother Ren; otherwise, I might've been killed by the Blood Corpse."

"How could I possibly fight you for it?"

"This lotus seed, I'll let Brother Ren have it."

Ren Guhong pondered briefly and replied, "Alright, I'll sell it later, and we'll split it evenly."

"I can't let you suffer a loss either."

Wu Manyue smiled sweetly: "I'll follow Brother Ren's arrangements."

Ren Guhong immediately pulled out a jade magic artifact and carefully separated the lotus seed.

But the moment it was extracted.

A flash of sharpness appeared in Wu Manyue's eyes.

Suddenly, she flicked her sleeve.

A streak of green light shot toward Ren Guhong's back.

Unexpectedly.

Ren Guhong reflexively blocked it.

In his hand, as if prepared beforehand, was a turtle-patterned magic artifact.

The green light entered the artifact and was sealed within.

Looking closely, it was a writhing green venomous snake.

"Junior Sister Wu, playing this kind of trick on me isn't very kind, is it?"

Ren Guhong turned around with a half-smile:

"There's a rumor that those who team up with you either perish or end up paying a heavy price."

"I guess I believe it now."

Wu Manyue's beautiful face shifted slightly.

In a flash, she regained her coquettish demeanor, smiling enchantingly:

"Brother Ren, I was just joking with you."

Ren Guhong's face turned cold.

With a squeeze of his palm on the turtle-patterned artifact.

The small snake inside shattered into pulp.

He said frostily: "Considering you provided the intel, I'll spare your life!"

"Otherwise, in a place like this, no one would know if I killed you!"

Wu Manyue's smile stiffened.

Her heart was filled with resentment.

This trip was a complete waste!

That damn Blood Corpse.

That wretched Blood Corpse!

That detestable Blood Corpse!!

It was all the Blood Corpse's fault for ruining the Dragon Heart Blood Lotus!!!

Fuming, on the way back.

She viciously kicked the Blood Corpse's groin.

Crack—

It wasn't an egg that broke.

It was someone nearby clenching their legs involuntarily, causing a stone to fall from the wall and make a noise.

"Who's there?"

Wu Manyue's gaze turned cold, staring toward the sound.

Ren Guhong squinted his eyes: "Junior Brother Jiang?"

Jiang Fan flew his sword back toward the cafeteria, then walked back on foot.

Pretending to have just arrived.

"It's me."

"Brother Ren, Senior Sister Wu, did you find anything inside?"

Ren Guhong shook his head: "No, it's all eaten by the Blood Corpse."

Is that so?

Jiang Fan feigned disbelief: "Let me take a look myself."

He left footprints heading inside but returned shortly after.

Furiously stabbing the Blood Corpse's body repeatedly with his sword.

Seeing this, Wu Manyue's gloomy mood lifted a bit, chuckling:

"You little rascal, even you have times when you're at a loss?"

"Looks like this trip wasn't so unprofitable for me after all."

Watching this usually triumphant rascal now look so aggrieved, her mood brightened considerably.

No amount of money can buy Jiang Fan's misfortune.

Hahaha!

Jiang Fan sheathed his sword, speaking seriously: "Brother Ren, Senior Sister Wu."

"Did the Blood Corpse really finish all the lotus seeds, leaving not a single one?"

Ren Guhong scratched his nose.

Suddenly, he felt a slight pang of guilt.

This new Junior Brother, freshly joined the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, already witnessing the treachery of human hearts.

Getting his first hard lesson in worldly cruelty.

Truly pitiful.