The mermaid, seeing the surprise on Su Xi's face, felt quite proud at that moment.
Now, her task was to deal with this group of people.
Her flame was a mutated form of the Earth Core Flame. Although not a celestial flame, it possessed the power of one.
Even though Su Xi possessed the True Sun Flame, her mutated异火 (yi huo - strange fire) was not something to be trifled with.
"Go," the mermaid commanded, waving her hand. Instantly, countless water droplets rained down on Su Xi.
No matter what Su Xi intended to do, she would suffer if she came into contact with her flame.
First, she would deal with Su Xi, then she would find the rest and devour them all.
Su Xi watched the raindrops falling around her and immediately a cluster of flames erupted.
As this flame appeared, Su Xi's form began to change within it.
???
The mermaid, witnessing Su Xi's actions, showed a multitude of questions in her eyes.
What was this person doing?
Knowing that the True Sun Flame was ineffective, why was she resorting to such methods?
Su Xi paid no mind to the mermaid's thoughts, calmly activating the formation within her heart.
Her intention was to resolve the problem quickly.
Although her flame couldn't defeat the mermaid's flame, it could temporarily block it.
This brief moment of obstruction was enough for her to accomplish many things.
With this, she felt she had gained the upper hand.
"Mecha, deploy!" Su Xi shouted, and her entire body erupted with blinding light.
Following the light, a set of pink armor appeared on her.
The mermaid, seeing Su Xi clad in what looked like a pile of scrap metal, showed a flicker of curiosity.
What was the use of wearing this?
Even though she didn't understand its purpose, the mermaid felt no worry.
She held an absolute advantage. Even if Su Xi wore this pile of scrap metal, it would be useless.
Furthermore, if she could refine this scrap metal, she would become even more formidable.
At that point, Su Xi, even if she were a reincarnated deity, would surely not survive.
Su Xi was oblivious to the mermaid's thoughts. After donning the armor, she charged towards the mermaid.
The mermaid, seeing Su Xi making yet another futile effort, wore a look of helplessness.
Why couldn't these people just accept their fate? They were clearly powerless, yet they insisted on doing these things.
Were they not tired?
While the mermaid pondered Su Xi's persistence, Su Xi did not cease her actions. She landed a punch on the ice wall before her.
Just as the mermaid believed Su Xi was making another pointless effort, she suddenly saw a crack appear in the ice wall.
Though the crack was not large, it was undeniably present.
???
How could this be?
The mermaid was taken aback, unable to comprehend what had happened.
However, a more pressing concern was to ensure the ice wall remained intact.
If the ice wall were breached, she would be no match for Su Xi.
She poured all her strength and magic power into the ice wall, attempting to reinforce its defenses.
Despite her timely reinforcement, it proved futile.
Su Xi, witnessing this, did not falter. She continued to strike the ice wall before her.
*Boom.*
With a shattering sound, the ice wall quickly crumbled.
After destroying the ice wall, Su Xi gazed intently at the scene.
"Now, what other methods do you have?" Su Xi had initially hesitated to use this approach, but it was clear that without it, she couldn't break through the ice wall.
And if she couldn't break the ice wall, she wouldn't be able to solve the problem.
After all, mechas in this world were subject to severe limitations. Once their energy was depleted, it would take an unknown amount of effort to recharge them.
The mermaid stared at the mecha, her disbelief palpable.
This unassuming pile of scrap metal was so powerful?
She refused to believe it, and would not believe it.
Her flames had not only failed to defeat this scrap metal, but they hadn't even left a scratch on it.
Strange.
The mermaid found it utterly incomprehensible.
She had lived in this place for tens of thousands of years and had never encountered anything so bizarre.
While the mermaid was still pondering what had happened, she suddenly realized Su Xi had charged directly at her. A barrage of attacks rained down upon her.
Previously, she could have used her flames to block them. But now that it was proven ineffective against Su Xi, she would not continue down that path.
Facing Su Xi's onslaught, she could only dodge for the time being.
Su Xi knew that a single blow wouldn't defeat the mermaid, so she began to seek alternative methods.
Dense fist shadows began to lash out at the mermaid.
The immense power, coupled with the relentless stream of fist shadows, unleashed a formidable force.
Trapped within the flurry of blows, the mermaid could only resort to defense.
However, her greatest reliance was now rendered useless. Facing Su Xi's attacks, she was overwhelmed.
"What should I do?"
The mermaid's mind raced for a solution, but ultimately, she could only watch helplessly as the fists landed upon her.
*Boom.*
As the fists struck her, an immense force enveloped her, causing her body to cave in.
This was only because of her unique constitution; otherwise, Su Xi's power would have pulverized the mermaid into dust.
"Huh, I never imagined you mermaid would be so resilient. Now, let's see just how powerful you truly are." With that, Su Xi continued to unleash a torrent of blows upon the mermaid.
*Bang bang bang!*
The sound of flesh meeting flesh echoed through the cave, creating a visceral impact.
It only fueled Su Xi's excitement further.
The accumulated frustrations within her heart now erupted with full force.
"Stop hitting me! I have something to tell you. If you kill me, you won't be able to obtain the Earth Core Crystal," the mermaid gasped, struggling to speak.
She couldn't bear it any longer; if the beating continued, her life would be forfeit.
"What did you say?" Su Xi looked at the mermaid.
If she recalled correctly, she hadn't mentioned anything about seeking the Earth Core Crystal. How did the mermaid know? Could there be something she was unaware of?
Seeing the change in Su Xi's expression, the mermaid immediately understood her thoughts and hastily replied, "Don't worry, I haven't done anything. It's just that anyone who comes to this place is after the Earth Core Crystal, aren't they?"
This place was intensely hot, and fraught with various dangers.
If it weren't for the crystal, who would go through such trouble?
Su Xi, seeing the situation, quickly regained her composure and looked at the mermaid before her. "Do you think you have the leverage to negotiate with me now?"
If she displeased Su Xi, she couldn't blame her for being ruthless.
Hearing Su Xi's threat, the mermaid flinched and dared not speak further.
"The energy of the Earth Core Crystal has accumulated to its peak. Anyone who approaches it now will be harmed by the energy. To obtain the Earth Core Crystal at this moment, it is necessary to perform a blood sacrifice."
"Blood sacrifice?" Su Xi looked at the mermaid and asked, "What can be used for a blood sacrifice?"
She had no idea what a blood sacrifice entailed.
If a blood sacrifice truly required a sacrificial offering, what kind of offering would be suitable?
The mermaid glanced at Su Xi and said mysteriously, "This blood sacrifice is no ordinary one. The flesh and blood of a Great Ascension stage cultivator are required to break the seal of the Earth Core Crystal."
"What?"
Su Xi looked at the mermaid, scrutinizing her.
This was the first time she had heard of such a strange offering. She strongly suspected the mermaid was deceiving her.
The mermaid flicked her tail, looking quite wronged. "I swear, I'm not joking. This is absolutely true. Without the incantation, even with the offering, it would be utterly useless."
Hearing the mermaid's earnest words, Su Xi rubbed her nose. "In that case, why haven't you told me the incantation?"
The mermaid pointed behind Su Xi. "I want to leave here first. Once I'm safe, I will tell you the incantation."
This was her only chance of survival, and she had to cherish it.
Otherwise, if she missed this opportunity, there would be no other way.
Su Xi frowned upon hearing the mermaid's words. "Are you still trying to negotiate with me?"
The mermaid did not back down, but retorted unflinchingly, "Yes, I am negotiating with you. My goal is to survive."
She was certain that since Su Xi wanted the Earth Core Crystal, she would have to agree to her terms.
Su Xi was silent for a moment, then suddenly let out a laugh.
"What are you laughing at?" The mermaid looked at Su Xi, not understanding her intentions.
It was a simple 'yes' or 'no' question, why the sudden laughter?
Su Xi looked at the mermaid and said, "It seems you're unaware of a technique called soul-searching. Since you won't speak, I'll have to do it myself."
Though it might be arduous, it was far better than being threatened.
With this thought, Su Xi suddenly reached out and grabbed the mermaid.
"What do you want to do?"
The mermaid struggled in Su Xi's grasp, clearly unfamiliar with the method Su Xi spoke of.
As a creature that had grown up in this place, her knowledge was limited to what she could perceive.
Su Xi ignored the mermaid's cries and, with a firm grip, directly extracted her divine sense.