"I never expected this to be the Martial Universe!"
Zhou Yi was pleasantly surprised. It was both unexpected and yet within reason.
According to the information he had obtained, this place was the Tianyan Mountain Range, located at the junction of Yan City and two nearby cities.
This mountain range was vast, spanning nearly half of Tiandu Prefecture. Calling it the number one mountain range in Tiandu Prefecture was no exaggeration.
The Tianyan Mountain Range covered an immense area and was home to countless ferocious demonic beasts. Under normal circumstances, only professional adventurer teams that specialized in hunting these beasts dared to venture deep into the mountains.
However, after the news of the ancient tomb mansion spread, the powerful allure of a Nirvana Realm expert's tomb led to a surge of activity in the area.
The so-called danger was immediately overshadowed by greed.
Now that the tomb had been opened, Lin Langtian and other strong individuals had already entered.
Those remaining outside either didn't dare enter or had ulterior motives.
"A tomb of a Nirvana Realm expert holds no value for me, but there should be a great beauty inside!"
Zhou Yi's thoughts stirred.
Based on his estimation, the Nirvana Realm was equivalent to the Dou Ancestor level.
With a single step, Zhou Yi entered the tomb mansion.
Inside the tomb mansion, the greatest treasure was undoubtedly the Nirvana Heart left behind by its master, a Nirvana Realm expert.
While Lin Langtian and the others were still lingering around the outer area, one person had already made his way directly to the tomb's core chamber where the Nirvana Heart was kept.
It was an exceptionally stunning woman with an enchanting figure.
She stood atop a green lotus, her face partially veiled by a sheer silk covering. Yet, her crystal-clear eyes were so dazzling that they seemed to dim the surrounding world.
She wore a light-colored plain dress, her eyebrows arched like emerald feathers, her skin as fair as snow, her waist slender and graceful. Though her face was concealed, the clarity in her eyes made the heavens and earth seem to fade in comparison.
Such a woman, with such an unparalleled temperament and beauty, was a rarity in the world.
She was none other than Ling Qingzhu, the successor of the Nine Heavens Supreme Purity Palace, one of the eight great super sects of the Eastern Xuan Region.
Just like in the original story, Ling Qingzhu found the Nirvana Heart but was caught in the schemes of the tomb's master, falling victim to an aphrodisiac poison.
Originally, she had intended to forcibly extract Lin Dong's Yang energy to neutralize the poison. However, the remnant soul of the tomb's master appeared, thwarting her plan and intensifying her predicament.
Ling Qingzhu was now too weak to forcibly take Lin Dong's Yang energy.
Lin Dong's eyes turned red. The thought of Ling Qingzhu trying to rob him of his Yang energy, coupled with the effects of the poison, caused his suppressed fury to explode. He charged straight at her.
Just as Lin Dong rushed forward, Zhou Yi effortlessly arrived at the tomb's core chamber, witnessing the scene unfold before him.
What followed was clearly not something an average person should be watching.
"Lin Dong, oh Lin Dong, this woman is no ordinary person. She's too deep for you to handle. Leave her to me!"
Zhou Yi extended his hand and pinched the back of Lin Dong's neck just as he was about to reach Ying Qingzhu, lifting him effortlessly.
"Huh?"
Lin Dong briefly regained his senses, looking bewildered.
Who am I?
Where am I?
What was I about to do?
Oh, right.
I was poisoned. I need to deal with that wicked woman.
Zhou Yi casually infused divine power into Lin Dong, instantly neutralizing the aphrodisiac poison. Without waiting for Lin Dong to react, he tossed him outside.
At this moment, Ling Qingzhu had completely lost her rationality, her Pure Yin energy rampaging within her body. She instinctively lunged into Zhou Yi's embrace.
Zhou Yi observed the female protagonist of Martial Universe closely.
Even though her face was partially veiled, the faintly visible contours of her features revealed an almost flawless visage.
One couldn't help but feel the urge to tear away that silk veil and behold the stunning beauty beneath, a face capable of making even the most vibrant flowers seem dull in comparison.
"Give it to me!"
Ling Qingzhu's breath was fragrant, her voice alluring.
Zhou Yi's mind wavered for a moment. He reached out and gently removed the veil from her face, revealing an ethereal, breathtakingly beautiful countenance, her cheeks flushed with an intoxicating crimson hue.
"What a beautiful woman."
Zhou Yi murmured in admiration. Up close, he could finally appreciate the full extent of her stunning allure—those clear, deep eyes like tranquil pools, her simple yet elegant dress accentuating a nearly perfect figure.
Such a woman was like a celestial maiden fallen into the mortal world, possessing an unparalleled beauty that was both mesmerizing and untouchable.
A beauty meant only to be admired from afar, never to be defiled.
But Zhou Yi enjoyed painting on a blank canvas, creating a masterpiece that belonged solely to him, making it even more exquisite.
Besides, Zhou Yi had always been one to cherish beauty—how could he bear to reject such a willing offering?
She had taken the initiative.
If he remained unmoved, wouldn't that be letting her down?
Holding her in his arms, Zhou Yi carried her onto her treasure, the Green Lotus. A faint green glow enveloped them, isolating them from the outside world. What happened within remained unseen.
…
Outside the stone hall.
Lin Dong, now free of the aphrodisiac poison, recalled the overwhelming aura Zhou Yi had exuded with just a casual gesture. His heart trembled in shock.
"What kind of cultivation level does this senior possess? He's unbelievably powerful!"
Lin Dong was awed. He considered going inside to offer his gratitude, but remembering that Zhou Yi had thrown him out, it was clear that the senior did not wish to be disturbed.
If he insisted on entering, he might only annoy the man.
If he angered Zhou Yi and got swatted to death, that would be a pointless end.
"My god, what kind of existence is this? He feels even more terrifying than my old man!"
The voice of Xiao Diao, hiding within the stone talisman, trembled in Lin Dong's mind. Xiao Diao had once been formidable himself, and his father was an immensely powerful Samsara Realm expert.
Yet, Zhou Yi's presence felt even more unfathomable.
With just one glance, Zhou Yi had seen through his existence.
Fortunately, Zhou Yi had no interest in him.
In reality, Zhou Yi's Dou Saint-level cultivation was roughly equivalent to the Samsara Realm in Martial Universe.
However, Zhou Yi's true strength far exceeded mere cultivation rankings.
Xiao Diao's father might have been a Samsara Realm expert, akin to a Dou Saint, but in terms of battle prowess, he was leagues apart from Zhou Yi.
"Hmm?"
Suddenly, Lin Dong heard strange noises from within the stone hall.
Ling Qingzhu's voice, once domineering, now carried a distinctly different tone.
It sounded as though she was being disciplined.
With a whip.
And she was crying pitifully.
"Kid, are you jealous? Regretful? You almost had the chance to discipline that woman yourself, but the senior got there first!"
Xiao Diao teased.
"Jealous my ass! That woman may be stunning, but she's way out of my league, and I don't want anything to do with her!"
Lin Dong cursed, then sat down cross-legged at the stone hall entrance, recovering his Yuan Power while standing guard.
Zhou Yi had saved his life. Though he likely didn't care for thanks, Lin Dong felt he should at least do something.
Keeping watch to prevent interruptions was the least he could do.
"Good lad, you understand the way of things."
Zhou Yi, holding Ling Qingzhu's delicate figure in his arms, appreciated Lin Dong's gesture.
Perhaps he should take him as a disciple.
One hour later.
Zhou Yi emerged from the stone hall, carrying the unconscious Ling Qingzhu in his arms.
"I am Lin Dong. Greetings, Senior! Thank you for saving my life!"
Sensing movement, Lin Dong quickly stepped forward to express his gratitude.
But the moment he saw Zhou Yi's face, he was utterly stunned.
Holy—
So young.
So handsome.
Wait, no—that wasn't right.
This senior must have reached an unfathomable level of mastery, allowing him to remain eternally youthful.
As for the breathtaking beauty in Zhou Yi's arms—unparalleled in grace yet seemingly burdened by deep sorrow—Lin Dong dared not steal a second glance. He quickly lowered his head in respect.
"You seem promising. Would you like to become my disciple?"
Zhou Yi, holding Ling Qingzhu's soft and delicate form, got straight to the point as he looked at Lin Dong.
Consider it a form of compensation.
Ling Qingzhu.
So tender.
He was quite satisfied.
Lin Dong froze.
"Kid, hurry up and accept! What are you waiting for?!"
A voice erupted in his mind—Xiao Diao was practically screaming, more anxious than Lin Dong himself.
Snapping back to reality, Lin Dong recalled everything Xiao Diao had told him before—Zhou Yi was an existence beyond his comprehension, an unfathomable powerhouse.
Not to mention, Zhou Yi had just saved his life. If he could form a connection with such a figure, it would be an immense stroke of fortune.
"Disciple Lin Dong greets Master!"
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