Chapter 55: Forcing the Issue Through Overwhelming Force

The Corpse-Artifact Swamp.

Jiang Xuan followed Sister Hua deeper into the expanse.

To be able to head straight to the point right after arriving was an efficiency far beyond Jiang Xuan's expectations.

However, as they plunged deeper into the swamp, Jiang Xuan found the environment increasingly agonizing.

Breathing and water pressure were minor concerns, but the corrosive and toxic nature of the swamp made it progressively harder for him to suppress the surging power of the Golden Crow bloodline within him.

While the Thousand Faces Art was formidable, it was hardly meant for such extreme environments!

"Sister Hua, are we almost there? I'm running out of air."

"So soon? That shouldn't be the case. Still, the artifact crypt is right ahead. Can you still hold on?"

Given that Jiang Xuan possessed the cultivation base of a tier-three great demon, Sister Hua was truly puzzled as to why he was struggling so much.

"Sister Hua, what are you saying? When we first crossed paths, I had already been down here for quite a while!"

Hesitating for less than a second, Jiang Xuan improvised brilliantly, his tone tinged with a hint of grievance.

"Hehe, my fault, it's my fault."

"Though the way you used the word 'crossed paths' is really quite charming!"

Sister Hua grew bashful again, her short legs trying to cover her mouth as she giggled, a sight that appeared somewhat comical in Jiang Xuan's eyes.

"Of course, I am a highly educated intellectual."

"What's a highly educated intellectual?"

"Uh, never mind."

"By the way, why is it called an artifact crypt? Aren't magical artifacts inanimate to begin with?"

With the magical artifact close at hand, Jiang Xuan had no choice but to grit his teeth...

Suddenly, deep within the gloomy swamp, green lights pierced through from all directions, striking Jiang Xuan with absolute precision!

Jiang Xuan felt a chill run down his spine, and his soul trembled to its very core!

"Who's there? Show yourselves!"

"To think someone could sneak into our Corpse-Artifact Swamp—you clearly aren't ordinary!"

"Hmph! Since you're here, don't even think about leaving!"

"Could it be some honored guest from another sect, coming to settle scores with us crocodile demons?"

Within the swamp, the viscous liquid churned endlessly, waves upon waves rolling even in the depths below.

At that moment, Sister Hua widened her eyes, staring at Jiang Xuan with an expression of utter disbelief.

This was because, just a moment ago, she had distinctly sensed a flash of unusual aura emanating from within Jiang Xuan's body!

All the crocodile demons instantly raised their guard as if facing a formidable enemy, and precisely because of this—

"Everyone! Don't get excited! Calm down!"

"Kid! Are you perhaps from some other sect?"

"Hmph, I bet this brat is just disguised! I don't recall ever seeing him around before!"

"Sister Hua! You've brought a wolf right into the fold!"

Before long, a dozen crocodile demons surrounded Jiang Xuan and Sister Hua.

Standing before them, Jiang Xuan instantly became a mere nobody!

A glance around revealed that every single one of them possessed a cultivation base above the tier-three great demon level!

Even Sister Hua wore a solemn expression, her gaze locked onto Jiang Xuan with deep gravity.

"Everyone! There's no need to get worked up! If he were from another sect, how could they possibly send just a tier-three little demon?"

"It must have been this!"

As her voice trailed off, a spatial ring materialized before everyone's eyes.

Jiang Xuan immediately and carefully retrieved a piece of beast meat from it. The rich aroma of the meat instantly drifted outward, capturing the attention of the demons!

"Oh? So you were holding out on us! And it looks quite fresh!"

"Kid, you sure know how to hide things. Keeping good stuff like this to yourself isn't very neighborly!"

"So it was just the smell of meat, I thought it was something else!"

"In that case, then..."

The dozen crocodile demons exchanged glances, and in an instant, the atmosphere shifted drastically!

Acting as if they had lost their minds, the crocodile demons lunged forward to tear into the large piece of meat!

"Stop right this instant!"

"This meat belongs to Jiang Xuan! Let me see who dares to touch it!"

A powerful wave of energy blasted the dozen crocodile demons backward, leaving them utterly dumbfounded.

However, upon recognizing the culprit behind the attack, the demons' anger vanished in an instant.

As a tier-nine great demon, Sister Hua's word was law.

Even though the fatty meat was right before their eyes, they stood there like mice facing a cat, not daring to take even a single step forward.

Sister Hua turned back with a beaming smile, gazing at Jiang Xuan with doting eyes.

"Oh, Jiang Xuan, it was Sister Hua's fault just now. I actually thought you were sent by some rival sect!"

"Don't worry, with Sister Hua around, no one dares to eat your meat!"

Grinning broadly, Sister Hua edged closer, rubbing her body against Jiang Xuan.

Faced with Sister Hua's unwelcome advances, Jiang Xuan had no choice but to endure it with a submissive smile.

"Sister Hua, it's fine. Everyone just needs to calm down!"

"We can just share this piece of meat with everyone. Food is always more enjoyable when shared!"

With that, Jiang Xuan flicked his tail forward, pushing the large chunk of meat right in front of the crocodile demons.

Though he wore a smiling face on the outside, Jiang Xuan was terrified on the inside.

Are you kidding me? He had almost paid a visit to the King of Hell!

Besides, living off a woman required profound strategy.

Sister Hua's blatant favoritism was bound to provoke public resentment.

Jiang Xuan had no idea how long he would be stuck here, and cozying up to just Sister Hua simply wouldn't cut it.

There would always be times when this protector wasn't by his side, right?

"You lot, hurry up and divide it! Look at how kind-hearted Jiang Xuan is! He has food and shares it with everyone!"

"Yeah, yeah, this brother Jiang Xuan is a solid guy!"

"Hehe, I never took this little brother for such a generous fellow! From now on, I've got your back!"

"You? The guy already has Sister Hua, does he need you?"

"Exactly! To have Sister Hua as a cultivation partner, Jiang Xuan, you've hit the jackpot!"

"Sister Hua reached tier-nine great demon in less than two years! She'll be able to help you out a lot in the future!"

Hit what jackpot?

The sweeter things were now, the more bitter the hatred would be when they eventually turned on each other!

Jiang Xuan plastered a smile on his face while cursing inwardly.

"Alright, as long as you all know it. From now on, Jiang Xuan is under my protection! You'd better all show him some respect!"

"In a few days, we might even have little ones, so you all better take good care of our children!"

What the hell!

Jiang Xuan felt as though he had been struck by lightning!

This was terrible, terrible—would she end up forcing herself on him one of these days?!

Was he actually going to be pinned down and taken advantage of?!

"Hahaha, of course! Sister Hua has always treated us well!"

"Yeah, it's been ages since we had any little crocodile demons. I can't wait, Sister Hua!"

"Jiang Xuan, you'd better put some effort into it! Try to churn out a few dozen in one go!"

"Oh my, how embarrassing! Hurry up and finish eating, then get lost, all of you!"

Sister Hua shyly sidled up to Jiang Xuan, burying her massive head beneath his neck.

Watching the group of crocodile demons chuckle amongst themselves as they began devouring the meat, Jiang Xuan turned his head away with a blank expression.

"Um, Sister Hua, I'm running out of air. I'd like to go up and catch my breath."

At that moment, a horde of mythical beasts stampeded through Jiang Xuan's mind...

"Oh, right, you should head up quickly. It wouldn't do if you ended up suffocating!"

"Choosing a magical artifact isn't urgent. Once you've caught your breath, we can take our time picking one."

"Right, sure, okay, absolutely..."

Jiang Xuan responded mechanically, floating upward on his own accord.

If they weren't underwater, Sister Hua might have actually been able to see his crocodile tears!