The look on the pretty woman's face as she spoke was not merely spirited; the way she looked at Zong Shou was intensely fervent, as if Zong Shou already belonged entirely to her. "If you agree, I might not be able to help you seize the Demon King position of Qiantianshan. However, until you become a Martial Ancestor of the Sixth Meridian of the Earth Wheel, whoever dares to kill you, I will kill them!" Yin Yang grew even more wary, pondering, "Cauldron Fetus?

Miss, where does this come from? The Profound Water Demonic Sect, or perhaps the Primordial Demon Temple? Or maybe it's the Vicious Demon Sect of Tan Mountain—" "It is the Seven Spirits Sect of Tan Mountain, the Vicious Demon Sect you speak of!" The woman lifted her chin proudly, glaring fiercely at Yin Yang, clearly displeased by the word "demon" that had crossed his lips.

"I do not change my name nor alter my surname. Zhao Yanran, the chief disciple of the Seven Spirits Sect, has descended the mountain under my Master's orders to seek a Fetal Source!" Yin Yang gave a wry smile, his gaze chilling and devoid of warmth. "So, Miss Yanran intends to cultivate your sect's Profound Demon Fetal Nurturing Art to seek a breakthrough to the Celestial Realm in one go?

I heard that this method of your sect has always resulted in either death or grievous injury. Even if the individual carrying the Fetal Origin survives, their cultivation is completely abolished. This is almost without exception—" "Naturally!

It is recorded in the ancestral scriptures. The life-and-death odds between the one planting the seed and the Cauldron Fetal Origin are seven to three. However, up until now, only one Cauldron has successfully survived in our sect.

Are there many similar methods in the world that are not this way? But where else do you have a choice now?" Saying this, Zhao Yanran slanted a look at Zong Shou. "If you accept my Fetal Seed, your dual-meridian constitution can be suppressed until the Martial Ancestor stage!

Your martial arts and spirit techniques will advance by leaps and bounds. If you refuse, I will kill you right now. My Fetal Seed was refined from twelve Illusion Flame Lotus seeds that my Master personally retrieved from three thousand zhang underground.

They naturally contain pure Illusion Flame Malevolent Power. Once planted, you can open seven meridians within half a year. The choice is entirely yours!" Chu Xue frowned slightly, feeling an icy chill creep over her.

This Zhao Yanran seemed to possess no pity for the lives of others, treating them as commonplace. The way she spoke of killing was terrifyingly indifferent. Recalling the warriors who perished in the wolf pack earlier, realizing it was merely an act to stage a scene, she shivered more intensely, unconsciously taking a step closer to Zong Shou.

She did not fear killing, but she was truly apprehensive of the woman before her. After all, this was someone known to emerge from the infamous Demonic Sect; both her temperament and methods were frighteningly strange. Just as the chilling sensation seemed to penetrate her very bones, Zong Shou clapped her shoulder.

Chu Xue instantly felt a warmth spread through her body, realizing she had unconsciously fallen under the woman's mental influence. She then watched the youth beside her, whose expression was neither warm nor cold, say, "Choose me as your Cauldron? Miss Yanran, have you truly thought this through?

Aren't you afraid that all your years of arduous cultivation will be usurped by me later?" Zhao Yanran let out a cold sneer upon hearing this. "Whether it is the path of martial cultivation or the cultivation of soul techniques, it all hinges on the word 'fearlessness.' Seven for me, three for you, it's life or death. Why so much hesitation?

If I win, naturally it's best; if I lose, it doesn't matter. Zong Shou, you are the most talented person I have seen in these sixteen years, yet you are hampered by your bloodline, making achievement in this life difficult. If I cannot even defeat a cripple like you, then I deserve it!

In short, the more outstanding you become, the happier I, Zhao Yanran, will be!" "The more outstanding, the happier? Heh heh, the Fetal Origin refined from Illusion Flame Lotus seeds—to be honest, I am quite tempted." Zong Shou smiled faintly, and the next second, his face turned stern. "Now that we've said enough, get lost!" The temptation was genuine.

The Illusion Flame Lotus was indeed a superb treasure. Rushing into the Secret Martial Master realm in one go was a massive lure. Even without outside interference, he was ninety-nine percent certain he could successfully reverse the backlash onto the Fetal Master.

However, once the Profound Demon Fetal Nurturing Art and the Illusion Flame Lotus were used, his future path would be firmly locked down. As far as he knew, this Fetal Seed thing conflicted, more or less, with his Yuan Devouring technique. More importantly, he was utterly disgusted by this woman's fanaticism.

That slightly arrogant demeanor, that tone of absolute control, everything about her made him uncomfortable— Chu Xue secretly rejoiced, her hand resting on her sword, watching Zhao Yanran with vigilance. The claw she wore on her left hand was slightly spread. Zhao Yanran, however, was visibly stunned, looking at Zong Shou with disbelief, unable to accept that her proposal had been rejected.

After a moment of hesitation, Zhao Yanran did not immediately attack, but frowned. "Why refuse? Considering the ruthlessness you displayed when killing that Soul Master, you shouldn't have refused.

Is my condition not enough? Or are you perhaps timid in nature? No, if that were the case, you should have agreed more readily—" Zong Shou let out a cold laugh and didn't bother to explain.

A fight was unavoidable today anyway. His gaze lingered deeply on the woman's wound. The medicine he prepared was not strongly toxic, but it possessed potent permeability.

Once contaminated, it was like a persistent ulcer, extremely difficult to purge. Even a Innate Martial Master should have felt its effects after this quarter of an hour. Even if only Yin Yang, as an Eighth-Rank Secret Martial Master, had a slim qualification to contend with Zhao Yanran, they still held a sliver of a chance today.

The probability of victory was perhaps nine-to-one, with Zhao Yanran holding the nine, and the three of them holding the one. Zhao Yanran muttered to herself for a moment, her expression gradually calming down. Instead of attacking, she smiled sweetly.

"Whether you agree or not, wait until you hear me play a piece of music first—" She actually took out several dongxiao (end-blown flutes) of different styles and materials from her waist. Then, as if struggling to choose, she examined them with intense seriousness, letting her gaze drift between the flutes. "Which one should I choose?" Zong Shou's eyebrows rose slightly; he could tell she was indeed an expert in musical theory.

The same flute piece played on different xiao would yield varying nuances. Iron flutes were weighty, bamboo flutes ethereal, jade flutes crisp—each had its own character. And as far as he knew, the so-called Seven Spirits Sect of Tan Mountain had always inherited several musical secret techniques capable of harming people through sound.

A flicker of thought crossed his mind, and he guessed the woman's intention. Zong Shou glanced down beneath him and laughed, "If Miss Yanran cannot find a suitable xiao, I happen to have one here. I guarantee it will satisfy you!" Su Chuxue started slightly, wondering when they had acquired such an item.

She and Yin Yang were wholly dedicated to advancing in martial arts. As for the Young Master himself, he had never touched such things. A moment later, she finally recovered her senses, realizing something, her cheeks instantly flushed red as she silently cursed Zong Shou in her heart for being utterly vulgar.

Zhao Yanran noticed nothing, taking only a moment to select a jade xiao. With immense focus, she placed the blowing hole to her lips. The sound of the flute began with a clear, cold ethereality, yet it was broken like dangling threads, faint and weak, yet continuous.

Yin Yang and Chu Xue listened with caution. However, after only a moment, they unconsciously became lost in the music one after another. Gradually, the sound became mournful, instinctively stirring feelings of sorrow.

Zong Shou was the weakest of the three, yet he maintained a calm smile. A black cloud-patterned flying dagger in his sleeve remained subtly visible. He had expected that he would not be affected by the flute music.

But a moment later, memories in his mind suddenly flooded forth, and before he could fully guard against it, his spirit was immersed within them. PS: Three consecutive updates are not easy, I ask everyone to add more strength to the recommendation votes. Thank you for taking the time to click.

The success of this book, Kaikai, depends entirely on the support of the book friends! C