Clear with a Touch of Foolishness

Hu Jinyu, I know you're anxious, but don't rush.

Li Chenshuang shrugged with a smile. You're afraid Xu Mu likes me and dumps you, right?

Bullshit! Xu Mu said he doesn't like your type!

Hu Jinyu said coldly.

Ah, naive. If you had any brains, you wouldn't be this brainless.

Li Chenshuang puffed out her chest. Can you trust what men say? They like big ones—it's in their nature, understand?

I like a normal figure, like Sister Empress.

Xu Mu said seriously. Li Chenshuang, I treat you as a friend. Don't you stir up trouble between Sister Empress and me.

Affection points are important, sure.

But people are even more important.

For now, if Hu Jinyu and Li Chenshuang have a conflict, I'll stand by Hu Jinyu without a second thought.

Not to mention that Hu Jinyu truly risked her life to help me.

But Li Chenshuang's filial piety score in the negative is worlds apart from Hu Jinyu's.

Affection +15

Hu Jinyu glanced at Li Chenshuang dismissively. Hear that?

So naive. You can tell she's never been burned—her eyes are clear but stupid.

Li Chenshuang shrugged. How about this: each of us offers one, and we see which one Xu Mu picks?

You're a proper lady—why so vulgar?

Xu Mu pointed at Li Chenshuang. Say one more word, and you leave right now. You're out of the loop for what comes next.

He wore a righteous expression, because he knew this scenario could never happen.

If it were possible, he wouldn't have said a word.

Li Chenshuang stuck out her tongue and fell silent.

Shameless. You've disgraced the entire Nine Li tribe.

Hu Jinyu gave Li Chenshuang a contemptuous look.

Though she was an enemy, she still respected the bravery of the Nine Li tribe.

Who would have thought one of their tribe could become such a leader?

Alright, Old Chen, what news did you gather?

Xu Mu turned to Chen Xuan.

Chen Xuan took a deep breath and revealed everything he had learned.

It turned out Li Chenshuang was right—the third layer wasn't so simple.

According to the original formation for the third layer, the final stage had nine spaces.

Each space had a guardian like that old man.

They were all corpses, but controlled by their own parasites.

These parasites had fought alongside them for a century and knew their combat methods inside out.

They could even surpass the control of Shadow Puppet Worms.

However, experts from the inner realm had emerged and devoured the remaining warriors.

Only that old man's parasite was clever enough to hide, escaping mortal danger.

Those inner realm experts took the treasures and returned.

From time to time, they sent people in to study the internal formations.

But their experts seemed to know nothing about the formations—they hadn't managed to leave that place after all this time.

As for the old man, he used his parasite to control a few more realm-breaking corpses as guards.

I see.

Xu Mu nodded after hearing Chen Xuan. So only that old man counts as the real guard.

That's right. I met him, and his strength is far greater than that man in black attire.

Chen Xuan sighed helplessly. These injuries on me—he gave them to me.

I didn't realize you were so unfathomable too. You survived facing the real guard.

Li Chenshuang looked at Chen Xuan with some admiration.

It seemed that Xu Mu wasn't the only formidable one—the expert he brought was equally powerful.

I can only do my best to stay alive. But if we kept fighting, I would definitely die.

Chen Xuan smiled bitterly. However, I persuaded him. It's clear he wants revenge but lacks the ability. I promised him that one day I would go to the inner realm and avenge his friends—that's when he let me go.

Xu Mu smiled. As expected of a main character—he really does get special treatment.

By the way, today I reached that air wall. That should be the connection point between the outer and inner realms, right?

Xu Mu turned his eyes to Li Chenshuang.

Exactly. That air wall is called the Two Realm Barrier. Only masters above fifth-stage realm-breaking can break through it with brute force.

Li Chenshuang explained.

Fifth-stage realm-breaking.

Xu Mu murmured.

Remember, the peak of cultivation is realm-breaking.

But realm-breaking is different from the Transcendence Realm.

The Transcendence Realm is still the same old progression.

From early to mid, then late to perfect.

But entering realm-breaking is an entirely different path of cultivation.

This stage is, in simple terms, breaking human limits. It has nine stages.

It is said that after ninth-stage realm-breaking, one can ascend to immortality.

But not to mention ninth-stage—even experts at sixth or seventh stage are rare as hen's teeth.

From reading Ye Chen's story before, Xu Mu knew the later stages.

By that time, Ye Chen had reached fourth-stage realm-breaking and joined the ranks of top experts.

After all, he could fight above his level.

Besides brute force, there must be another way, right?

Xu Mu asked with a smile.

Of course. Using Boundary Fire can temporarily clear the barrier.

Li Chenshuang explained. Very few people know about this matter.

It's a crystal ball, isn't it?

Xu Mu gestured with his hand.

Right. Back during the Valley of Ten Thousand Clans incident, I heard that Wang Hun of the Eternal Life Institute used Boundary Fire, trying to do something—but it was taken by a redeemed person.

Li Chenshuang shook her head slightly. I consulted the ancestor, but he didn't tell me. I think Boundary Fire has other uses besides this. Otherwise, why would so many powerhouse cultivators risk their lives to snatch such a thing?

Upon hearing this, Xu Mu nodded silently, realizing that what he had obtained was indeed a treasure.

But since this item was so important, he certainly couldn't tell anyone for now.

His main focus now was to find out exactly what this thing could do.

Alright, since I've gotten the information, I'll be going now.

Li Chenshuang smiled and pulled out her phone. Xu Mu, let's exchange contact info—keep in touch from now on.

Hu Jinyu interjected, Xu Mu, earlier that janitor told you to keep your distance from the Nine Li tribe. I think he had a point.

Li Chenshuang heard this, nodded with a smile, and said, Fine, we won't exchange contacts then. Looks like those things I promised you are off the table. I come and go as I please—finding me won't be so easy.

Hu Jinyu narrowed her eyes at this. Xu Mu, add her. I hate people who are unreliable. Better not give her an excuse to back out.

Xu Mu nodded, pulled out his phone, and exchanged contact info with Li Chenshuang.

With that, Li Chenshuang left.

Xu Mu, along with Chen Xuan and Hu Jinyu, descended the mountain together.

Mu, that old man also told me one more thing.

Chen Xuan suddenly said.