Chapter 67 Sister Hua Is Still the Best

This is far too dangerous. Is that brat Jiang Xuan ever coming out, or could he actually be dead already? Let's wait a bit longer; he shouldn't be lying to us. The ten-day deadline had arrived. The Empress and the Demon Lord were hiding in the bushes, consumed with tension. The miasma and toxic fog surrounding the Corpse-Artifact Swamp were already making them physically unwell, not to mention the constant need to watch out for any of those sudden alligator fiends! Over this period, they had learned a great deal about the Corpse-Artifact Swamp from various prey they encountered. There were actual spirit-fiends dwelling in this place! Both the Empress and the Demon Lord found it utterly unimaginable how Jiang Xuan could possibly dare to come to such a place just to snatch a magic artifact. We really should retreat a bit further back. If he can make it out, this little bit of distance won't matter. But if he can't make it out, he better not drag the two of us down with him! Feeling the rotten and nauseating aura, the Demon Lord did not find it terribly uncomfortable, yet the sheer number of terrifying overlords within the Corpse-Artifact Swamp naturally made his courage falter. Then let us fall back somewhat. I only hope Jiang Xuan is not dead yet. If he has perished, I truly do not know if I can bear to stay with this family any longer... The Empress's words were brutally realistic, but she could hardly be blamed. Everyone has their own destiny, and ferocious beasts are no different. To the Empress and the Demon Lord, underlings like Xiao Cui were, when all was said and done, mere baggage. Even if they could eventually amount to a considerable force, the benefits the Empress and her peer provided to their subordinates were far greater; the sacrifices on both sides were hardly proportional. Who died? Even if the two of you croaked, I would still be kicking! No, wait, Empress, I am your Dao companion after all. If I die, you'll be living as a widow! What on earth? A familiar voice exploded within their minds. The next moment, both the Empress and the Demon Lord stiffened completely, not even daring to twitch a single strand of hair! Right before their eyes, a massive swarm of gigantic alligators broke the water's surface and crawled up onto the shores of the Corpse-Artifact Swamp! At a rough glance, there had to be thirty or forty of them! Among them were several eighth- and ninth-rank grand fiends, and their overall might was terrifying enough to instantly freeze one's blood. You fat bird, you actually aren't dead yet? Did you manage to get the artifact? Though I suppose there can hardly be any artifact better than this venerable self's Demon-Nourishing technique, right? Regaining his wits, the Demon Lord attempted to draw upon a shred of spiritual power to execute a sound-transmission spell. This was mostly because the group of alligators near the front bank were playing among themselves, their spiritual energies constantly colliding, which prevented his subtle magic from being easily detected.

The situation unfolded exactly as the Demon Lord had anticipated. Once he cast the sound-transmission spell, the herd of alligators indeed showed no reaction whatsoever. The situation has changed. You two head back and come rendezvous with me in three days. In three days, do not wait here; set up an offensive array fifty miles to the west and wait for me there. At that moment, Jiang Xuan was lounging on the riverbank in complete leisure. His large head rested upon Sister Hua's body; although it felt a bit lumpy, it was quite cozy nonetheless. Sister Hua squinted her eyes, happily basking in the scarce sunlight. The canopy of the Corpse-Artifact Swamp blocked out the sky, and sunlight only managed to filter through for a brief period every day during the hour of the monkey. Therefore, at this time of day, the majority of their alligator clan would crawl ashore to sun themselves. What is happening? Why aren't you leaving all of a sudden? And what does setting up an offensive array mean? Could there be some danger? the Empress asked worriedly, having long since cast aside Jiang Xuan's earlier teasing. When I seize their artifact and they discover it, they will naturally give chase. The two of you must prepare in advance. You can start acting today, heading fifty miles west to set up the array— Jiang Xuan, this venerable self and this white bird simply cannot manage such a feat! Hm? What is the meaning of this? Hearing this, Jiang Xuan immediately raised his head, a surge of anger rising in his heart. What did "cannot manage it" supposed to mean? He had risked his life coming into this den of dragons and tigers, wasn't it all for the sake of this family? And now the Demon Lord was actually claiming they couldn't do it? Were they planning to abandon him and wash their hands of the matter? What do you mean? Now that you have the *Desolation Annihilation*, you don't need my artifacts anymore, so you're planning to drop me and walk away, is that it? What about the Empress? Is that your thought as well? We are Dao companion soul-mates after all, even if it's just in name for now, sooner or later— Little Xuanxuan, what is wrong? Are you feeling uncomfortable somewhere? Perhaps sensing Jiang Xuan's abnormality, Sister Hua turned her head and repeatedly showered him with concern. Nothing's wrong, Sister Hua, I was just shifting my posture. With that, Jiang Xuan rolled over and changed his position. There is more sunlight on my side, slide a bit closer over here. There's no need, Sister Hua, I'm getting an even tan right here. Humph, why are you sitting so far away from me then! Ah? No, well, um, I'm coming! Though he was cursing Sister Hua's entire lineage in his heart, Jiang Xuan still crawled over with a grin plastered across his face. In his mind, the Empress's voice rang out once again.

Who is your Dao companion soul-mate! Stop talking nonsense! Besides, the situation is not as you imagine; our recent predicament has also been extremely difficult. Coming here today cost the two of us unimaginable toil and hardship. Giving an annoyed huff, the Empress explained helplessly. She then recounted the whole affair of how they had offended the Water-Embracing Sect previously. Calling it merely offending the Water-Embracing Sect was putting it lightly; with old grudges and new hatreds combined, their entire little family was now being targeted by every single sect across the Sea-Crossing Realm! By the time they merely traveled from Gorgeous Valley to the Corpse-Artifact Swamp, they had already exhausted every ounce of their strength, living through a literal survival game. So that's how it is. You two truly are... Children of Destiny! I almost didn't get to see you guys anymore. Fine, fine, then the two of you hurry back. Don't come in three days; I will come looking for you when I'm done here. Right, where did you say your hiding spot was again? Having figured out the current state of affairs, Jiang Xuan stopped pressing the issue. Relying on others is worse than relying on oneself; it seemed whether he could survive this would still depend entirely on his own fate. The place is called Gorgeous Valley, located to the south, about a thousand miles away from here. That far... Damn it all... Go back safely, and don't worry about me. Whether we meet again will depend on fate. Jiang Xuan had already sorted out his own predicament. Outside, major sects had all dispatched disciples to search for the Empress and the others, with the Hundred-Beasts Sect, the Tyrannical Sect, and the Water-Embracing Sect being the most fanatical among them. Even if he could shake off the pursuit of the alligators, he would inevitably run into disciples from other sects. Thinking of this, Jiang Xuan could not help feeling a pang of sorrow... The Empress and the Demon Lord were still rambling on about something, but Jiang Xuan had already closed the group chat and ignored them entirely. Closing his eyes, Jiang Xuan felt that his heart was full of bitterness, yet he could only digest it all by himself. Little Xuanxuan, why are you unhappy? What is the matter? Sister Hua, you're still the best. I really like you so much! Oh my, when did your mouth become so sweet? You're making me blush! I am speaking straight from the depths of my heart, every word is the absolute truth! Jiang Xuan grinned and chuckled. Chiefly because this time, he wasn't joking at all. From his birth in this world until now, Sister Hua was probably the only one who had truly treated him well without any conditions attached...