Mo Li looked at Su Xi with a heartbroken expression, his gaze filled with determination. In his heart, he was ready to sacrifice himself for his beloved at any moment.
However, Su Xi completely disregarded Mo Li's plea, even showing disdain.
It was too hypocritical for these two to engage in such affectionate displays when death was imminent. If they hadn't committed so many wicked deeds in the past, they wouldn't have found themselves in this predicament, nor would they need to perform such a dramatic act of deep affection now.
This was a brutal fantasy world, not a variety show on Mango TV. All outcomes depended on strength, not on one's ability to move others.
Therefore, she had no intention of giving them a chance for a heart-wrenching scene.
Raising the sword in her hand, she unhesitatingly swung it at Mo Li, intending to help him start anew.
"Pfft."
Under the attack of the Meteor God Sword, Mo Li's body instantly disintegrated piece by piece, scattering into countless specks of light.
The pitiable always have their detestable aspects.
Although Su Xi sympathized with Mo Li's fate, she did not want to leave any future troubles for herself. She was incapable of repaying kindness with enmity.
After all, even if she spared Mo Li's life due to soft-heartedness, he might harbor resentment towards her due to Lan Ling's death.
If he were to scheme against her, she could not guarantee she would be able to leave this place alive.
When it came to a matter of life and death, regret would be too late.
Every adult must pay the price for their choices.
Witnessing Mo Li being killed beside her, Lan Ling, terrified, sat down on the ground and stammered at Su Xi, "Don't kill me, I can tell you a secret."
"A secret?" Su Xi looked at Lan Ling, waiting for her to elaborate.
She knew that the Blue Spirit race particularly enjoyed collecting valuable items, and now she wanted to see what secret Lan Ling had.
Seeing Su Xi halt her movements, Lan Ling breathed a sigh of relief, wiped the sweat from her brow, and said, "I can tell you, but you have to promise not to attack me."
"Hahaha." Su Xi let out a cold laugh, her gaze sharp as a sword as she looked at Lan Ling, saying coldly, "Do you think you are in a position to negotiate with me?"
"If you don't tell me, then I don't want to know."
She wasn't a walking encyclopedia of the martial world, so it was fine if she didn't know some secrets.
However, there was only one life, and some opportunities, once missed, were gone forever.
Seeing the indifferent expression on Su Xi's face, Lan Ling knew that her patience was running thin. If she insisted on Su Xi's promise, her own life would truly be in danger.
Therefore, Lan Ling dared not play coy. She quickly said, "There is a great treasure hidden within this secret realm. If you can obtain it, your strength will surely soar to new heights."
No one disliked becoming stronger, so Lan Ling believed Su Xi would definitely spare her once she knew this secret.
However, Lan Ling had expected to see curiosity on Su Xi's face. To her surprise, she saw nothing but a completely indifferent expression.
It was as if she were discussing the weather, completely unconcerned.
"You don't believe what I'm saying?" Lan Ling looked at Su Xi, voicing her confusion.
She couldn't believe anyone would not want to become stronger. Humans were greedy, and Su Xi was certainly no exception. It must be that Su Xi was a good actress, which was why she wasn't showing any reaction.
Su Xi smiled helplessly at Lan Ling's shocked expression, "Do you take me for a fool?"
Even if there was a treasure in this place, it must be fraught with danger or have many restrictions, which was why these people couldn't obtain it.
Otherwise, Lan Ling, having been here for so long, wouldn't be waiting for her to arrive; she would have already acquired the treasure.
She yearned for strength, not for death.
Naturally, she wouldn't embark on a path of no return for a mere treasure.
Seeing Su Xi's distrust, Lan Ling knew she hadn't taken the bait. After a flicker of emotions across her face, she revealed a secret she had hidden for many years, "I know where the treasure is, and you won't face any danger."
Sensing the growing killing intent on Su Xi's face, Lan Ling realized something and quickly explained, "It's not that I don't want to use it, but it's a treasure of your human race, and we elves cannot use it."
Upon hearing Lan Ling's words, Su Xi believed her a little more.
Although this was a world of cultivation, special races like elves had many limitations. There were indeed many things they couldn't use.
Moreover, she had never heard of elves using magical treasures or weapons.
Lan Ling's statement seemed plausible.
"Take me to see it. If there's any deception, don't blame me for being rude." After some thought, Su Xi decided to trust Lan Ling.
"Okay, I'll take you there immediately." Seeing Su Xi agree, Lan Ling replied cooperatively.
All that mattered was survival. Now, no matter what Su Xi said, she would agree without hesitation.
As Lan Ling prepared to turn and leave, she spotted Xu Qingning not far away and hesitantly asked, "What about her?"
If she remembered correctly, Xu Qingning had come with Su Xi.
Now that Su Xi's companion was injured, would she seek revenge later?
Hearing Lan Ling's question, Su Xi followed her gaze.
Xu Qingning lay on the ground, half of her skin already turning woody. If Su Xi hadn't timely broken the formation, Xu Qingning would have already become a standing peach tree.
After a moment's thought, Su Xi said, "Since she's not dead yet, of course, we have to bring her along. We're in the same team, so no one can be left behind."
She would need Xu Qingning's help later, so she couldn't leave her.
"Huh?" Lan Ling was stunned by Su Xi's words.
Did Su Xi mean for her to carry this tree?
Did Su Xi know that she was just a young girl, and carrying such a large tree would be unseemly?
╮(╯▽╰)╭
Seeing Lan Ling's shock, Su Xi's expression darkened, and she asked in a low, eerie voice, "What, are you unwilling?"
"Of course not." Lan Ling shook her head like a rattle drum, quickly walked over, pulled Xu Qingning up from the ground, and slung her over her back.
Because her entire body had woodified, Xu Qingning had become very heavy. The mana-less Lan Ling almost coughed up blood.
But under Su Xi's watchful gaze, she dared not complain. She could only grit her teeth and persevere, sweat pouring down her face.
Su Xi's expression remained largely unchanged by the scene before her.
The reason she was bringing Xu Qingning was not to save her, but because she was certain the journey ahead would not be peaceful, and with Xu Qingning by her side, she would have an extra helper.
Xu Qingning, jolted by the bumpy ride, also woke up.
Opening her eyes and finding herself turned into a wooden person, she couldn't help but exclaim, "What happened to me?"
Her emotions were still consumed by the encounter with the scumbag, so her words carried a murderous rage.
She had initially thought it was all a dream, but she hadn't expected it to be real. Her innocence, her future, had all been taken away.
Su Xi looked at the awakened Xu Qingning and said, "Everything that happened to you is because of the elf you desired earlier. If you want to know why, ask her."
"I'm going to kill him." Upon hearing this, Xu Qingning's eyes blazed, and she rolled up her sleeves, ready to strike.
However, Mo Li was nowhere in sight. Furthermore, she was shocked to find that she couldn't move her entire body at all.
What was going on?