Chapter 518 - 525: Song Wanning’s Request

’Where in the world did this woman learn so many tricks? She keeps testing my limits, one after another. And right now, I really can’t do anything to her. Instead, I’m the one getting battered and bruised.’

’It’s absolutely infuriating!’

However, in the next instant, the Space Fragment runes were upon him again. Mu Zixu had no choice but to brace himself and deal with them.

Unfortunately, the power within his body was in complete disarray. The moment he tried to circulate his energy, his meridians throbbed with a searing pain.

He gritted his teeth and fought back. Just as he managed to dodge the runes, the Netherworld King and his companions activated another Array to attack him, causing even more Yin Qi to bore into his body.

The situation instantly took a turn for the worse.

Mu Zixu’s expression finally changed.

’If this continues, I’ll definitely fall into qi deviation.’

’It’s not worth it for the Red Lotus Karmic Fire!’

’But... this isn’t just about the Red Lotus Karmic Fire anymore. It’s a matter of my own face and dignity.’

While Mu Zixu was lost in thought, Song Wanning summoned another bolt of Divine Thunder and sent it crashing down on him.

This time, Mu Zixu took the full brunt of the attack. He failed to evade it and was completely engulfed by the Divine Thunder.

"PFFT—"

Mu Zixu spat out several mouthfuls of fresh blood. The Immortal Qi in his body was thrown into complete chaos, and he could no longer control it.

’This is bad!!!’

Mu Zixu’s heart sank. After bracing himself and enduring the Divine Thunder, he vanished from sight the very moment it dissipated.

But before he left, his venomous gaze fell on Song Wanning, like a sinister snake ready to strike at any moment.

Mu Zixu’s departure was abrupt, leaving behind a scene of utter devastation and the ruined Eighteen Layers of Hell.

As soon as he was gone, Song Wanning’s expression turned listless, and she immediately coughed up a mouthful of blood.

"PFFT—"

Her face turned deathly pale. Her spiritual power was almost completely depleted. If Mu Zixu had hesitated for even a moment longer, she wouldn’t have been able to hold on.

’Thank goodness, thank goodness...’

Song Wanning leaned against a nearby pillar and wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth, but her eyes were astonishingly bright.

She had succeeded in thwarting Mu Zixu, and even though she’d paid a considerable price, she was still overjoyed.

The Netherworld King and the others were also covered in wounds. They looked utterly wretched, and as if completely drained of strength, they staggered and leaned against the pillars.

Their eyes were filled with disbelief.

’They had actually managed to drive away an Immortal?’

They exchanged a glance, and each saw the shock in the other’s eyes.

Then, with a shared understanding, they all turned to look at Song Wanning.

’Who would have thought this young friend’s techniques were so unconventional?’

Thanks to her help, they had been able to use the Array to inject Yin Qi into Mu Zixu’s body.

After a long while, they all finally managed to catch their breath.

Some color returned to Song Wanning’s face, but her spiritual power was almost exhausted. It was impossible to recover fully in a short time; it would take at least a full day and night.

"Young friend, what is your name?"

The Netherworld King took the initiative to walk over to Song Wanning, a friendly smile in his eyes.

His originally stern face had softened into an amiable expression.

"This junior is Song Wanning. It is an honor to meet you, Seniors."

Song Wanning stood up straight and bowed politely.

Her composed and dignified demeanor earned her looks of appreciation from the Mahayana cultivators.

’Someone with such abilities must either have an extraordinary background or a boundless future.’

"Hahaha, the younger generation is truly formidable."

The Netherworld King’s eyes were also filled with gratitude. Even though her Cultivation was lower than theirs, Song Wanning had proven her strength and earned their respect.

"Young friend, you are not from our Netherworld, are you?"

’If such an outstanding junior were from the Netherworld, it’s impossible that I would have never heard of her.’

’And since Mu Zixu knows her, she most likely comes from the Immortal Realm.’

"That’s right, I am not from the Netherworld."

Song Wanning didn’t hide the truth. She nodded, a hint of apology on her face.

"I followed Mu Zixu and accidentally entered the Netherworld. I hope you Seniors can forgive my intrusion."

As the saying goes, you don’t hit a smiling face. Song Wanning was still hoping to obtain the Red Lotus Karmic Fire, so her attitude was exceptionally sincere.

This made the Netherworld King and the others like her even more.

"It’s alright. You are not like him. We can all see that."

The Netherworld King smiled. "When Mu Zixu arrived, he immediately tried to forcibly take the Red Lotus Karmic Fire and even injured many Ghost Cultivators. He was going too far."

But Song Wanning, regardless of her motives for dealing with Mu Zixu, had helped them.

They would remember this favor.

Seeing her chance, Song Wanning sheepishly brought up her own request.

"Senior, I actually came for the Red Lotus Karmic Fire as well. But this junior is willing to trade for it with treasures. I would never try to take it by force."

As she spoke, she took out several treasures she had obtained from the Huo Family and placed them directly in front of the cultivators.

This direct action took the Netherworld King and the others by surprise.

They exchanged a glance, then looked at the treasures Song Wanning had brought out.

Every single one was of immense value; if taken outside, they would be madly fought over by Cultivators.

’She truly didn’t seem to be trying to take advantage of them.’

The Netherworld King and the others didn’t speak, falling into silence.

Seeing this, Song Wanning decided to press her advantage, her expression remaining extremely sincere.

"As you must have all seen, there is a life-and-death feud between Mu Zixu and me. As an Immortal, it would be effortless for him to kill me..."

"This junior is only making such a presumptuous request in order to protect my own life. Please, Seniors, do not be offended."

’The Red Lotus Karmic Fire has an owner, so snatching it by force wouldn’t work.’

’Although Song Wanning wasn’t exactly a saint, she still had some basic morals...’

’If it were an ownerless object, she would have just snatched it...’

’She might have even been more ruthless than Mu Zixu.’

"This..."

Hearing her words, a trace of hesitation flickered across the Netherworld King’s face.

’The Red Lotus Karmic Fire is the Netherworld’s ultimate treasure. It can’t be given away so easily.’

’But Song Wanning’s sparkling eyes, her sincere attitude, and her earlier assistance all seemed to put them on the spot.’

The Netherworld King hesitated, then walked aside to confer with the other powerful cultivators.

Seeing this, Song Wanning felt a surge of confidence and stood by to wait.

’If the Netherworld King was unwilling, he would have rejected her outright just now.’

’The fact that they were discussing it meant there was a chance!’

Sure enough, after a minute of discussion, a smile returned to the Netherworld King’s face.

"Wanning, the Red Lotus Karmic Fire is the Netherworld’s ultimate treasure. No treasure, no matter how precious, can be traded for it."

"However, I can give you a seed of the fire. As long as you nurture it well, it will quickly grow."

"We won’t take these treasures either. We old folks were able to survive thanks to your help."

"Consider this fire seed a thank-you gift. Please accept it."

The Netherworld King was never one to take advantage of others; they wouldn’t accept Song Wanning’s things.

"Really?"

Song Wanning hadn’t expected such a pleasant surprise. A flash of delight lit up her eyes.

"Thank you, Seniors!"

She gave them a sincere bow, graciously accepting their goodwill.