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Yuan Linning was inwardly ashamed and furious once more.
No one had rebuked her like this since she’d proven her Dao and become an Emperor.
Su Yi was rebuking her as if she were an ignorant junior; his tone was full of exasperation and disappointment.
But for some inexplicable reason, Yuan Linning did as she was told.
Whoosh!
She directed her Dao Sword, cleaving into a tiny bug hidden deep within the massive swarm. It was only the size of a copper coin, and it wasn’t at all eye-catching.
However, it was covered in golden Dao Markings, and its eyes flashed with intelligence far beyond the other Netherworld Corpse Worms.
This was the Netherworld Corpse Worm King.
Only one in every hundred thousand Netherworld Corpse Worms born was a king.
When it sensed the sword qi streaking toward it, the Netherworld Corpse Worm King’s eyes shone with disdain.
It made no attempt to dodge. Instead, other worms leaped in front of it, blocking the blow with their bodies until its power dissipated completely.
Meanwhile, the Star-Refining Sky Ghost came back to its senses and charged explosively at Yuan Linning. This terrifying evil spirit was obviously on high alert, and it wanted to end this battle as quickly as possible.
When Su Yi saw this, he couldn’t help but facepalm. For a moment, he was speechless.
Although he didn’t say anything, a look of shame appeared on Yuan Linning’s face. She’d just let a perfect opportunity slip through her fingers. It really was
 far too embarrassing.
“Let me do it,” sighed Su Yi.
Before his voice had even finished echoing through the air, he stepped forward.
Whoosh!
His arrival alarmed the swarm of Netherworld Corpse Worms, which descended upon him like a massive, blood-colored windstorm. They charged, quick and forceful as lightning.
It was enough to terrify even someone watching from a distance.
But Su Yi barely seemed to notice. He waved his sleeves, and

Boom—!!!
Sword qi swept forth, like the galaxy pouring down from the nine heavens. It burst with inestimably radiant divine firelight.
Its light instantly illuminated the entire overcast landscape.
The windstorm formed of countless, densely-packed worms split down the center.
The Netherworld Corpse Worms had no time to dodge before the divine firelight incinerated them.
Meanwhile, Su Yi’s tall, upright figure charged into the fray. He stretched out his hand and grabbed.
Millions of Netherworld Corpse Worms exploded, their bodies reduced to ash.
Moments prior, layers of worms had thoroughly protected the Netherworld Corpse Worm King. But now, it was beside itself with fright. It beat its wings like mad as it turned and attempted to flee.
But it was one step too late.
The majestic worm who, moments prior, had disdained even an Empress like Yuan Linning, found itself captured from a distance and pulled uncontrollably into Su Yi’s palm.
Then, Su Yi flicked his fingertip and

Splurt!
The Netherworld Corpse Worm King’s soul was destroyed. All that remained was its coin-sized shell, which Su Yi put away.
This was a rare divine material; it could be used to temper Imperial Realm Dao Weapons.
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The Netherworld Corpse King’s death instantly threw the army of Netherworld Corpse Worms into disarray. They were like flies without a head, and they were nowhere near as threatening.
Not far away, Yuan Linning, who was locked in combat with the Star-Refining Sky Ghost, watched this play out. Despite herself, her heart shook.
Only now did she realize that the one who’d rebuked her “stupidity”, the one who’d descended upon the battlefield like a god, was Su Yi of all people! The mysterious young man who’d defeated her while still in the Spiritual Incarnation Realm!
“I’ll leave the Star-Refining Sky Ghost to you. Once you’ve killed it, its Blood Spirit Pearl goes to me,” said Su Yi. With that, he turned and left the battlefield.
“....”
And here she’d been grateful that Su Yi had intervened on her behalf.
This demand left her feeling stifled. So, he saved me because he was after the spoils

Yuan Linning took a deep breath, but she dared not give the matter any further thought. She simply attacked with all her might.



Off in the distance, Su Yi sat and relaxed, sipping wine as he watched Yuan Linning fight the Star-Refining Sky Ghost.
Just as he expected, with his guidance, Yuan Linning knew how to handle her opponent, and she’d already firmly seized the advantage. Before long, she cut the ghost down on the spot, destroying it in body and soul.
As for Yuan Linning? Although she’d exhausted much of her strength, and although she looked a bit pale, she was mostly uninjured.
“Fellow Daoist, many thanks for your assistance. Here is the Blood Spirit Pearl.” Yuan Linning approached shortly after, head lowered, and passed a blood-red pearl the size of a goose egg to Su Yi.
Su Yi naturally wouldn’t refuse it. He accepted it, held it up to his eyes, and examined it.
Yuan Linning looked a bit conflicted. No matter Su Yi’s intentions, he had, after all, saved her from otherwise certain death. He’d effectively saved her life.
“Alas, this Blood Spirit Pearl has only about nine thousand years of maturity, and its Laws of Blood are incomplete. It’s no more useful to me than chicken ribs,” sighed Su Yi, a bit disappointed.
A true, top-quality Blood Spirit Pearl contained the complete Laws of Blood. That was a truly rare and precious treasure.
This pearl was merely ordinary. How could it possibly interest Su Yi?
He tossed it back to Yuan Linning. “You can keep it.”
With that, he turned and left.
Yuan Linning was stunned; she hadn’t expected this at all. He just got his hands on it, only to toss it back to me?
More importantly, Blood Spirit Pearls were unbelievably useful to Profound Illumination Emperors trying to refine their avatars of will.
And in Yuan Linning’s eyes, this particular pearl’s quality wasn’t shoddy at all. In the outside world, Profound Illumination Emperors would have fought over it!
Yet a Spiritual Revolution Realm cultivator like Su Yi had just compared it to chicken ribs. He’d tossed it back to her contemptuously, without the slightest reluctance

This left Yuan Linning a little dumbfounded.
Am I
 really too stupid? Why can’t I understand what that guy is doing? Yuan Linning felt a bit stifled.
But then, she dared not give the matter any further thought. She looked around a bit nervously. Netherworld Corpse Worms flew throughout the surrounding area, and the plains were boundlessly vast and shrouded in mist.
There was no way to tell which way was which.
This was Yuan Linning’s first time exploring the City of the Wrongfully Dead. Although she could tell based on the nine blood-red yao stars hanging overhead that she was in the Blood Star Plains, she realized that
 that was all she knew. She was lost

She had no idea which way she should go!
Yuan Linning pursed her lips, then gnashed her teeth and shot into the distance.
Hm?
Su Yi had only just set off on his own when his eyebrows shot up. He could sense that Yuan Linning was following him.
“If you want to thank me, there’s no need for that. I simply saved you in passing,” said Su Yi without so much as turning his head to look at her. His tone was casual but tepid.
Yuan Linning’s steps slowed when she was about thirty feet behind Su Yi. “Fellow Daoist Su, for you, rescuing me was perhaps as easy as turning over your hand, but to me, it was an enormous act of benevolence. You saved my life.”
“Enough,” said Su Yi. “You’ve already thanked me. Is there anything else?”
“Uh
” Yuan Linning’s expression was suddenly unnatural, and she looked hesitant.
Su Yi froze, realizing that there was something off about her behavior. He promptly stopped in his tracks, turned to look at her, and asked probingly, “You
 don’t tell me you want to travel together?”
Yuan Linning was a lofty and esteemed Empress, but in the face of Su Yi’s gaze, she bashfully lowered her head and muttered, “To tell the truth, Fellow Daoist, I
 I’m lost
”
When she said the word “lost”, her cheeks heated up.
“....” Su Yi barely repressed the urge to laugh. This woman acts as cold and aloof as an iceberg, and she has early-stage Profound Illumination cultivation. How could she be this muddle-headed?
As if unable to bear the awkwardness, Yuan Linning stammered an explanation. “When we entered the City of the Wrongfully Dead, Martial Uncle Lu gave me a map depicting the city’s various forbidden grounds. He told me to head straight to the Dark Capital.
“But I looked, and there are more than ten danger zones between the Blood Star Plains and the Dark Capital. There’s no clearly defined path, either, so I’m not quite sure how to get there
”
Her voice trailed off, and she hung her head so low that her chin pressed into her ample chest.
Seeing her so overcome with bashfulness, Su Yi finally could no longer suppress the urge to laugh.
But since he hadn’t responded to her request, Yuan Linning said softly, “If
 if you think it would be inappropriate, forget it. There’s no harm in traveling on my own.”
She said that, but she sounded a bit despondent.
Su Yi suppressed his amusement and said, “I’m headed to the Dark Capital too, but before that, I plan to visit the Little Necropolis. If that doesn’t bother you, you can travel with me.”
Yuan Linning was obviously surprised and delighted. She looked up, her beautiful eyes shining. “I naturally don’t mind.”
Su Yi nodded, then turned and continued ahead without another word. Yuan Linning hurried after him.
One led the way through the dim landscape, and the other followed. Just like that, they proceeded through the Blood Star Plains.
She wasn’t sure why, as she’d only just overcome a fierce struggle that could have ended in her death, and she was still in one of the City of the Wrongfully Dead’s danger zones, but as she watched Su Yi’s back, Yuan Linning didn’t feel the least bit nervous.
On the contrary, she felt indescribably calm.
So what if he’s in the Spiritual Revolution Realm? Senior Yun Songzi sees him as the Night Watchman’s old friend, and Ancestor Mo Wuhen sees him as someone too illustrious to offend.
And given that he instructed me to use the Flying Nightmare Incantation earlier, he definitely knows ‘the Classic of Nightmares and Comprehending the Profound’ like the back of his hand

Going by raw strength, I’m afraid I’m no match for him even after condensing a Profound Dao Law

Yuan Linning thought back to how Su Yi had killed his way through the swarm of Netherworld Corpse Worms, killing their king with understated ease. Even now, she couldn’t help but sigh with amazement.
The opportunity to travel alongside this mysterious and transcendent young man made her feel like she’d profited from her disaster.
After all, before they entered the City of the Wrongfully Dead, the Jade Sword Empress, Feng Yuzhi, had wanted to invite Young Lord Su to travel with them.
And the night prior, her Martial Uncle Lu Changming tried to invite Su Yi, only for Su Yi to refuse!
The more she thought about it, the more she rejoiced.
Enough time to brew a cup of tea passed before Su Yi suddenly issued a warning. “If we continue another thirty miles, we’ll reach the Cliffs of Overwhelming Sorrow. When we get there, act in accordance with my orders.”
The Cliffs of Overwhelming Sorrow!
Yuan Linning’s heart shook.
They said that danger lurked on every corner of the City of the Wrongfully Dead, but that not even Emperors could cross the Cliffs of Overwhelming Sorrow!
They were one of the most dangerous forbidden zones in the City of the Wrongfully Dead!