"Team one-two-one split—the two half-step Dao Comprehension experts each take one side."
Narrowing her eyes, Su Min carefully sensed the changes in the surroundings. With the Black Tortoise's mark, she had already pinpointed their locations.
The other side seemed to have Black Tortoise tokens as well, but they lacked the mark. Thus, their perception of this place wasn't as thorough as hers. Currently, each of the four held a token, allowing them to move freely within this area.
The two half-step Dao Comprehension experts were each scouting one side, while the two mid-stage Soul Transformation monks stuck together. This distribution wasn't entirely unreasonable.
Even now, if Su Min faced two mid-stage Soul Transformation experts, she wouldn't be able to determine the outcome quickly. As for the two half-step Dao Comprehension monks teaming up?
They could easily tie her down. This was practically a guaranteed kill scenario. But little did they know, coiled around Su Min's arm was the Dragon Emperor's daughter. This made their arrangement laughable—it was practically handing Su Min an opportunity.
"First, help me kill Liao Jie."
Su Min spoke to the dragoness wrapped around her arm. Right now, the entire secret realm was like a snowbound mountain villa—the exit wouldn't open for another ten years. There was no such thing as "alerting the enemy" here. If they wanted to leave, they'd have to wait a decade.
Moreover, the Black Tortoise's trial for the Northern Water's Profound Origin was also inside. If she didn't deal with them now, they might ambush her while she was undergoing the trial, which would be a major problem.
"The few sixth-tier pills from before aren't enough. I want a seventh-tier one."
Ao Xue's voice emerged from Su Min's sleeve, causing the latter's lips to twitch.
This woman had some nerve. Right now, Su Min couldn't even refine seventh-tier pills—no one on the entire continent likely could.
"Can it be a future payment?"
"Sure. I have high hopes for you."
Ao Xue didn't seem bothered by the idea of antagonizing Future Maitreya Mountain. The reason was simple: they had allied themselves with those Fallen Ones.
And if such creatures existed in the ocean, there were undoubtedly even more on land. After all, when it came to greed, humans were second to none. Once this information was made public, Future Maitreya Mountain would become as despised as roadside flies.
As for retaliation?
That was a joke.
They'd be lucky to survive the backlash—history had shown that "Buddha-slaying" campaigns weren't uncommon. Thus, Ao Xue felt no psychological burden about killing Liao Jie. As long as Su Min could pay the price, she was willing to act.
As for the seventh-tier pill?
Right now, it was just an IOU.
But that didn't matter to her.
Given Su Min's current trajectory, reaching seventh-tier was only a matter of time. Besides, with everyone trapped here, she wasn't in a hurry.
"Then let's do it. Liao Jie, you've been a thorn in my side for too long."
Su Min smirked coldly.
Within the Black Tortoise's miniature world, there were numerous mechanisms and rare materials growing throughout. While searching for Su Min, the four were also gathering these treasures. After all, with their Black Tortoise tokens, they could traverse the various sub-realms freely. Su Min didn't know what they'd found, but turning those materials into actual combat power would require alchemy.
So she wasn't too concerned. What she needed was an opportunity. She had higher authority here, but that didn't make her invincible. And the three groups were staying close to each other. Two mid-stage Soul Transformation monks and two half-step Dao Comprehension experts ganging up on a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator?
It was downright shameless.
But they were doing it anyway.
Naturally, Su Min was waiting—waiting for them to slip up.
Sure enough, within a week, her chance came.
Liao Jie had opened the door to a small sub-realm and entered without hesitation.
This sub-realm had one peculiar feature:
The door could be closed—but not with a token.
Only the Black Tortoise's mark could do it.
It was a special privilege reserved for the mark's holder.
But Liao Jie had not only entered—he was completely unaware of this mechanism. This gave Su Min the perfect opportunity. Killing a half-step Dao Comprehension expert would be a devastating blow even to the wealthy and powerful Buddhist sects. Even if they had true Dao Comprehension experts, this loss would be significant.
"Heh heh..."
Looking at the closed sub-realm, Su Min grinned mischievously. Now it was time for the classic "close the door and beat the dog" strategy. She was going to make him regret everything. On the other side, Liao Jie remained blissfully unaware. He was busy happily collecting materials.
"As expected of the Black Tortoise's miniature world—famed for longevity. The resources here are abundant. Three Divine Transformation Fruits already? You can never have too many of these."
Carefully storing the fruits in his spatial ring, Liao Jie felt pleased.
These were invaluable.
Though his sect currently lacked a sixth-tier alchemist, that wasn't a major issue. They had an elder who hadn't yet reincarnated—a peak Unity-stage expert in his prime, and a seventh-tier alchemist to boot. Once he returned, these materials would be put to good use. Divine Transformation Pills were crucial for nurturing the next generation. The only slight regret was that the only known sixth-tier alchemist was now their enemy. But just as he was gathering materials, he suddenly froze. Instinctively, he spun around and lashed out with a palm strike.
BOOM!
A deafening explosion erupted as a massive sword slammed into his hand. A terrifying force infused with the power of the five elements surged into his body. In that instant, Liao Jie understood why his disciples had been unable to withstand even a single strike from Su Min. The destructive power of the Five Elements Holy Body was no joke. Every one of Su Min's attacks carried this effect—even if you blocked it, the damage would still seep through.
"You've finally shown yourself!!!"
Rather than anger, Liao Jie's voice carried a hint of relief. The pressure had been immense. Su Min was slippery as an eel, a high-tier alchemist, and her soul power even surpassed his. Tracking her down had been like trying to grasp smoke. They'd been stuck in this underwater hellhole for so long—now, she'd finally revealed herself. Though the five-element destructive energy was fearsome, to him, it was manageable.
If Su Min had reached the Soul Transformation stage, he'd have been in trouble. If she'd also obtained the Northern Water's Profound Origin, he'd have turned tail and fled. But alas, such a genius was about to die by his hand.
"What are you thinking about?"
Seeing the pity in Liao Jie's expression, Su Min had no idea what was going through his mind.
"Just a dead—urk—"
But before he could finish his lament, something was wrong. Because at that moment, a massive golden tail emerged from Su Min's sleeve. With a single swipe, Liao Jie was sent flying, blood spraying from his mouth.
"What the hell is in your sleeve?!"
Stabilizing himself with great effort, Liao Jie stared at Su Min in horror. All he'd seen was a flash of light before he was sent flying. This wasn't Su Min's power—nor did it belong to the Golden Crow. That pure physical force wasn't the Golden Crow's style. They were famed for fire control, not brute strength.
ROAR!!!
Su Min didn't waste time explaining. Because in the next instant, a golden light shot out from her sleeve, exploding midair. A resplendent Five-Clawed Golden Dragon materialized before shrinking rapidly into an armored young woman.
"The Dragon Emperor?!"
Liao Jie's face paled. He never expected the dragon clan to side with Su Min. In the Weak Waters, the Golden Crows couldn't offer her much help—they'd be like drowned chickens here.
"Future Maitreya Mountain colludes with fallen monsters? Are you trying to make yourselves enemies of the world?"
Ao Xue's voice was icy as she stared down at Luo Jie.
His face turned ashen.
He knew what this meant.
Future Maitreya Mountain's reputation was already shaky. If this got out, they'd be in even deeper trouble. Their alliance with the Black Serpent had one purpose: to kill Su Min.
If she died, the secret would be safe—dead men told no tales. But now, the Dragon Emperor had witnessed everything. That changed everything. Though she was only at late-stage Soul Transformation, even if Liao Jie reached true Dao Comprehension, he might not be her match. The combat prowess of divine beast royalty was terrifying—no weaker than top-tier human special physiques.
"Get over here!!!"
In desperation, Liao Jie crushed a jade talisman. If the Black Serpent arrived, the two Soul Transformation monks could hold off Su Min while they teamed up to kill the dragoness. He knew the Black Serpent wouldn't refuse—the Dragon Emperor's flesh was a supreme tonic for him.
"You didn't actually think I'd let you call for backup, did you?"
Seeing Liao Jie's move, Su Min smirked.
If those two joined forces, she'd have to be cautious. One was the founder of a top-tier sect, the other an ancient monster from who-knows-how-long ago. Who knew what trump cards they had?
But separated?
Ao Xue was 100% confident she could kill Jie. And with Su Min assisting—especially with Xie Yingying's Lunar Sovereign Essence Blood—she could confidently say, "The advantage is mine."
"Are you dragons declaring war on us?"
Sure enough, Liao Jie soon realized his message hadn't gotten through. The three sub-realms they'd entered were close. At their cultivation level, reinforcements should've arrived instantly. But there was no response—something was blocking it.
In that moment, Liao Jie's body trembled. What had his senior brother seen that made him so determined to kill Su Min?
He hadn't understood before, but now, it might already be too late. If he died here, Future Maitreya Mountain wouldn't be able to send another expert of his caliber. His senior brother couldn't leave seclusion, and while they had six or seven other Soul Transformation elders, none could kill Su Min now. And once Su Min left here, she'd undoubtedly reach the Soul Transformation stage. This would spell disaster for Future Maitreya Mountain—and the future they'd been waiting for would never come.
"Amitabha. Today, as the saying goes, 'If I do not enter hell, who will?' Even if my body perishes and my Dao vanishes, I must eliminate the one who blocks our future."
Suddenly, Liao Jie clasped his hands together.
A radiant Buddhist light erupted from his body.
"Get back! This bald donkey's going all out!"
Ao Xue's expression changed as she shouted at Su Min.
But when she turned, Su Min was already gone. For a moment, Ao Xue wasn't sure whether to be impressed by Su Min's quick reflexes or annoyed at the blatant teammate abandonment.
"Well, at least I can fight without holding back now."
With Su Min vanished, Ao Xue summoned a violet-gold dragon spear.
Brilliant light enveloped her as she charged at Liao Jie.
BOOM!!!
A deafening collision echoed through the sub-realm. The Five-Clawed Golden Dragon's physical prowess was legendary, and Future Maitreya Mountain's techniques were equally formidable. In the sky, a golden Buddha clashed with an ancient dragon.
"As expected of someone half a step into Dao Comprehension. Good thing I'm cautious."
From a distance, Su Min watched the battle with awe. She couldn't have withstood those impacts. This was the most spectacular fight she'd ever witnessed. The moment she sensed Liao Jie's overwhelming killing intent, she'd bolted. Not exactly teammate abandonment—she hadn't gone far. With her current soul power, she could completely mask her presence from Liao Jie's senses.
RUMBLE—
But then Su Min's expression changed.
The golden Buddha figure was rapidly expanding.
"Shit! He's detonating his origin source! A Dao Comprehension expert's self-destruction could level this entire sub-realm!!!"
Su Min's heart raced.
Powerful cultivators all had origin energy—like Yao Xian'er had used to withstand her Demon-Slaying Thunder.
Liao Jie's origin might not match Yao Xian'er's, but it was definitely at the Dao Comprehension level. A self-destruction at that level would flatten this entire space. Even Ao Xue looked horrified. Su Min's plan had backfired—trapping Liao Jie here had also trapped them. Outside, they could've just fled, rendering his explosion pointless.
But in this enclosed space?
It was like setting off a grenade in a closet.
"No choice."
The next moment, a very special aura rose from Su Min's body. Then, she formed seals with her hands, and the chaos of yin and yang reappeared.
[Yin Seal. Yang Seal. Twin Polar Karma Seal of Yin and Yang—SEAL!!!]
The twin seals materialized on Liao Jie's forehead without warning. This was the same technique that had even sealed Yao Xian'er.
Liao Jie had no chance.
In an instant, his self-destruction was interrupted—his cultivation plummeting to mid-stage Soul Transformation.
He stared at Su Min in disbelief.
How could she wield both Taiyin and Taiyang—two diametrically opposed forces?
In that moment, he felt utter despair.
They'd already overestimated Su Min, but it still wasn't enough.
Not that it mattered anymore.
Because at that moment, a delicate hand pierced his abdomen, crushing his Nascent Soul.
His corpse plummeted from the sky, lifeless.
Ao Xue stared at Su Min with equal shock.
When Su Min unleashed that power, even she had felt a terrifying pressure.
That technique could've sealed her too.
But Su Min's aura was already fading—she'd expended all her energy to seal Liao Jie.
The borrowed power had no foundation and couldn't be sustained. Plus, after reaching late-stage Nascent Soul, her output efficiency had increased.
"Whew. That was close."
Ignoring Ao Xue's stunned gaze, Su Min flew over to retrieve Liao Jie's corpse.
After taking his spatial ring, she incinerated the body to ashes.
"The herbs inside are mine. Do you want the rest?"
She'd seen him stash three Divine Transformation Fruits earlier—perfect for another batch of Divine Transformation Pills. The rest didn't matter much to her as an alchemist.
"Keep it all. His belongings are of no use to me."
Ao Xue gave Su Min a deep look, her mind still reeling from what she'd just witnessed. That fleeting aura—though incomplete, it reminded her of something from her inherited memories. But the impression was too brief to place.
"The other three have regrouped and are retreating, trying to hide from us."
Su Min reopened the sub-realm door after a few minutes. But the trio had likely sensed Luo Jie's death and chosen to lay low. Without a precise lock on their location, hunting them down would be tricky.
"Those two bald donkeys are doomed. With their leader dead, the Black Serpent won't spare them. Right now, they don't know I'm here—so if they still think they can kill you, it means half-step Dao Comprehension isn't enough."
"Serves them right."
Su Min's eyes narrowed. Devouring two Soul Transformation monks would likely push the Black Serpent temporarily into true Dao Comprehension—the only way he'd stand a chance against her now. Hell, the monks might even willingly offer themselves up. Never underestimate the "devotion" of fanatics—especially from the radical Future Maitreya Mountain. Religious zealots were the easiest to cultivate, after all.
"Since we can't locate them, let's focus on improving ourselves."
With that, Su Min led Ao Xue away—toward a very special place. Meanwhile, in a hidden cave, the two monks were seething with grief and rage. The jade slip in their hands had shattered. This slip was used for communication and life-status confirmation—its destruction meant their second senior brother had fallen. A half-step Dao Comprehension expert, killed by a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator.
It sounded like a bad joke.
But the evidence was undeniable.
"How is this possible?!"
While the monks mourned, the Black Serpent was shaken. In his incomplete state, Luo Jie had been slightly stronger than him in a direct fight. If even he hadn't been a match for that woman, what did that mean for him?
Moreover, she seemed to have a way to track them—otherwise, why strike now?
His gaze shifted to the two remaining monks. With their strongest dead, perhaps...
But before he could speak, the two monks exchanged a glance and turned to him.
"If you devour us both, can you kill her?"
"..."
For a moment, the Black Serpent's heart trembled. As someone who clung to life at all costs, he couldn't comprehend their mindset. But if they were volunteering...
"I won't reach perfection, but I should temporarily regain my Dao Comprehension-level strength. Killing her shouldn't be a problem."
He wasn't lying.
Trapped here, hiding wouldn't last forever.
Su Min would eventually hunt him down.
At this point, it was do or die.
"Amitabha. The Buddha once cut his flesh to feed an eagle. Today, we offer ourselves to eliminate the one who obstructs our future."
"Heh."
In an instant, the Black Serpent reverted to his true form and swallowed the two monks whole. Then, shifting back to human form, he sat cross-legged to digest his meal. Meanwhile, at the secret realm's core, Su Min and Ao Xue stood before a massive blood pool.
"Black Tortoise's blood? Excellent—this can temper the body."
Ao Xue's eyes gleamed with excitement. Before Su Min could react, the dragoness stripped off her clothes and plunged in.
"So big... and so impatient?"
Su Min's lips twitched as she watched Ao Xue sink into the pool. Her own proportions were average, but these divine beasts were all unfairly blessed—and gravity-defying.
"Get in. This will benefit you even more."
After urging Su Min, Ao Xue slit her wrist, letting violet-gold blood drip into the pool.
Instantly, the blood began boiling.
Su Min's eye twitched.
"Dragon Mystic Body Tempering. This will greatly benefit us both."
Ao Xue floated on her back, her entire body trembling as the blood's energy coursed through her.
Seeing this, Su Min hesitated no longer.
Stripping off her clothes, she jumped in—and nearly leaped right back out. The moment she entered, it felt like her skin was being flayed alive.
"Your physique is strong, but it can't compare to us divine beasts. Since the Black Tortoise left this pool for its successor, it means the inheritance requires body tempering."
Ao Xue swam over, wrapping her arms around Su Min from behind to force her deeper into the pool.
"Hssss—"
Su Min sucked in a sharp breath, too overwhelmed by the pain to appreciate the softness pressed against her back.
Her flesh and bones felt like they were being melted and reforged.