In the inner reaches of the Death Demon Forest, a secluded valley was currently packed with members of the Demon Race!
Yuan Shu had thought that Zhai Shuo was just a minor leader among the demons, as no high-ranking manager would personally hunt for prey.
She never expected him to be the son of the Demon King, known among the demons as the Eldest Prince.
This time, Zhai Shuo had brought a total of thirty thousand demons, disguised as ordinary cultivators, who quietly infiltrated the Death Demon Forest from all directions.
If it weren't for the discovery of Ji Yunzhao's disappearance, which accidentally exposed the demons' tracks.
The Luoxian Sect would probably still be kept in the dark, completely unaware of the demons' operation in the Death Demon Forest.
Speaking of which, the credit actually belonged to Yuan Shu for killing Ji Yunzhao.
At this moment, Zhai Shuo's grand eight-bearer palanquin was parked on a high hillside.
He sat upright on the palanquin, coldly watching a group of his demonic subordinates digging and searching in a hollow ahead.
From time to time, someone would come forward to report the progress.
Your Highness, we haven't found it yet.
Your Highness, not yet...
Your Highness, no...
With each report from his subordinates, Zhai Shuo's expression grew darker, clearly on the verge of erupting in anger.
Yuan Shu sat on the carrying pole of the palanquin, pricking up her ears to listen.
Soon, another demonic subordinate came forward, kneeling to salute, Your Highness, a stone stele has been discovered ahead!
Zhai Shuo's expression changed slightly, and he quickly pointed his hand, Go look!
Quickly, the carrying pole beneath Yuan Shu's bottom was lifted, carrying both her and Zhai Shuo to the place where the subordinate had reported finding the stele.
It was indeed a stone stele. By the time they arrived, the demonic subordinates had already excavated its entirety.
But it was merely a stone stele, and a tombstone at that.
The material of the stele was ordinary. Clearly, the owner of the tomb was also ordinary, not the answer Zhai Shuo was looking for.
Bang!
The subordinate who delivered the message was blasted several meters away by a wave of Zhai Shuo's hand.
Trash! You can't even find a location!
Please calm your anger, Your Highness! This subordinate will have the men speed up the search immediately!
An older demon, who had been following Zhai Shuo ever since receiving him, jumped in fright and hurriedly knelt down to kowtow.
Then, under Zhai Shuo's irritated gaze, he trotted off.
Pfft.
A soft chuckle sounded rather abrupt in the silent atmosphere.
What are you laughing at?
Zhai Shuo shot a cold glance at Yuan Shu, his eyes revealing his displeasure.
Was she mocking him?
A lowly captive, mocking the man who held her life and death in his hands?
Yuan Shu's lips curled up slightly. She turned her head to look at him, slowly twirling a piece of sapphire bamboo whistle in her palm. Her tone was unhurried, yet her words were astonishing.
Is there an ancient dark-attribute secret realm hidden in this place?
There was a moment of dead silence at the scene.
As soon as these words came out, not only did Zhai Shuo's gaze turn toward her, but even several capable demonic subordinates who were in the know also looked up at her.
You know about it?
Zhai Shuo stood up from the palanquin, staring down at Yuan Shu from above. Emotions surged in his dark red eyes, faintly revealing killing intent.
Yuan Shu turned her head and grinned, Second Senior Brother, don't be so tense. We can talk things out nicely, why glare at me so fiercely?
Zhai Shuo looked at her for a moment, confirming that Yuan Shu was still just a lowly Qi Condensation cultivator who couldn't possibly escape his grasp, and slowly relaxed.
How did you know?
I guessed. Yuan Shu pointed to the plants on both sides. The existence of a dark element secret realm has the greatest impact on the growth of surrounding biological vegetation.
These are all evidence of the presence of dark elements. Combined with the demons coming here in such a massive mobilization, there is probably nothing else but a massive amount of hidden treasures.
And as for an entity possessing a massive amount of treasures, other than a secret realm left behind from ancient times, I can't think of anything else for the moment.
Yuan Shu spread her hands, Looking at how these spirit plants are tainted by dark elements, this secret realm has existed for quite a long time, right?
After Yuan Shu finished speaking, she turned her head to look at Zhai Shuo.
Zhai Shuo said nothing, only lowering his eyes to look at her. His sharp gaze seemed to pierce through Yuan Shu's expression to see into her heart.
An ordinary female cultivator at the Qi Condensation stage probably wouldn't have even come into contact with what a secret realm was.
Yet Yuan Shu pointed out the treasure secret realm they were looking for at a single glance?
It was a good thing he had captured this person.
Otherwise, if she had returned to Qingyun Peak, she might have tipped them off, causing all his efforts to fall short!
By saying all this, I'm afraid you don't just want to simply show off your intelligence, do you?
Zhai Shuo raised his hand, lightly tapping his fingertips twice, and spoke in a faint tone.
Yuan Shu smiled, Of course not!
Second Senior Brother, I can help you find the entrance to the secret realm. However, after opening the secret realm, take me inside to have a look, how about it?
Yuan Shu's expression was calm, and her fingers twirling the sapphire bamboo whistle were nimble and casual, looking entirely relaxed.
Zhai Shuo really couldn't figure out where she got the confidence to think she had the right to negotiate terms with him.
A captive held in the palm of his hand?
It was only because he found her somewhat interesting that he didn't have her tied up like those other disciples from Qingyun Peak.
And now, she was actually negotiating terms with him?
What if I say no?
Hearing this, Yuan Shu shrugged and said nothing.
Obviously, if Zhai Shuo did not agree, she would also choose to keep her mouth shut.
Zhai Shuo leaned forward, grabbed Yuan Shu's jaw, and with a slight exertion of force, pulled her over. You have a lot of nerve, actually daring to negotiate terms with me?
Yuan Shu's expression remained unchanged, nor did she dodge his hand. Tilting her small face up, she asked calmly, My nerve is a bit big, so, does Second Senior Brother agree?
The atmosphere became weirdly oppressive and tense.
Many demons around them gasped when they heard Yuan Shu dare to speak to the Eldest Prince like this.
She truly was a newborn calf unafraid of a tiger; this little female disciple from Qingyun Peak didn't know the sinister nature of the Eldest Prince.
If the Eldest Prince were to fly into a rage, it wouldn't be anything new for him to throw someone into a snake pit, dislocate their joints, and let them endure the biting of venomous snakes and insects for a full one hundred and eighty days before breathing their last!
Such audacity, actually daring to negotiate terms with the Eldest Prince?
Zhai Shuo was somewhat annoyed, feeling that his authority had been provoked.
Previously, when Yuan Shu made a few out-of-line requests, he treated it like teasing a puppy and just granted them.
But what about now?
A captive, daring to threaten him?
However, his men had been searching this place for several days already.
Although he knew that the ancient dark element secret realm must be here, he didn't know its exact location.
They had searched for days and it was still a futile effort.
If they delayed any longer, he was afraid...
The Luoxian Sect would definitely notice!
Zhai Shuo narrowed his eyes slightly, a dangerous look appearing on his expressionless face, and he let go of Yuan Shu's face.
You'd better be telling the truth!
As long as Second Senior Brother does what he says and doesn't go back on his word, that's fine. Yuan Shu smiled brightly, not frightened by him in the slightest.
Zhai Shuo snorted lightly, Go find it!
Watching Yuan Shu stand up with a smile, Zhai Shuo's gaze flickered as he stared at her.
Are the people of Qingyun Peak all this foolish?
Does she not know that her little life is still in his hands?
Even if he took her into the secret realm, so what?
