The surrounding darkness slowly dissipated, and all the scenery gradually vanished. Situ Jingyan exuded boundless power, mixed with his powerful internal energy, and struck directly at the core of the Heavenly Illusion Array.
After a blinding flash of light, all illusions vanished, leaving only a real island of fire. There were no fragrant grasses or fallen petals, no green hills or clear waters; all that met the eye was a metallic sheen.
Upon seeing the entire Fire Island, Shen Qianmo's eyes widened in surprise. Fire Island possessed so many rare metals; if used to forge weapons, how many divine weapons could be created?
"The Blood Demon Lord truly lives up to his reputation." Not far from them, a man in flowing white robes strolled over.
His features were as soft as jade. Perhaps he was not as alluring as Situ Jingyan, nor as refined as Situ Jinghao, but he possessed an extremely gentle power that made him seem to be bathed in the luster of white jade, exuding an ethereal aura.
His face was slightly pale, clearly indicating that he had also been injured when Situ Jingyan forcibly broke the formation. However, there were probably very few people in the world who could withstand a full-force attack from Situ Jingyan and still move freely and chat with ease.
Situ Jingyan glanced at the newcomer, then gave a cold snort, his eyes filled with arrogance.
"Qianmo had no idea that Fire Island was already in the hands of Seven Absolutes Manor!" Shen Qianmo supported Situ Jingyan, her lips curling into a cold smile as she spoke indifferently.
Situ Jingyan just used the ninth level of the Enchanting Blood Illusion to break the formation, but he was also temporarily exhausted due to excessive internal energy consumption.
When the man in white heard Shen Qianmo's words, the gentle expression on his face, which had always been as warm as jade, finally changed. He looked up at Shen Qianmo with three parts admiration and seven parts interest in his eyes.
Seeing this, Situ Jingyan glanced at the man in white with great displeasure.
How dare he look at his woman like that in front of him?! Does he have a death wish?! Even though he had used up some of his inner strength using the Blood Demon Illusion, killing this white-robed man was still more than enough! If it weren't for the protection of the Mysterious Heaven Formation, how could this white-robed man still be standing here looking at his Mo'er?!
"Miss! Please save Sister Hongmei!" Just as the three of them were looking at each other and sizing each other up, Qianqian's crying interrupted their thoughts.
"How is Hongmei?!" Situ Jingyan's tone was cold, but the concern in his eyes was obvious. The four guards had been with him for many years. Although they were subordinates and masters, in his heart, they were also his family.
"It's all my fault. If I hadn't been so careless, Sister Hongmei wouldn't have been so badly injured while trying to save me." Qianqian said, tears streaming down her face, blaming herself.
Shen Qianmo raised her eyebrows slightly. Hongmei saved Qianqian?! But didn't Hongmei hate Qianqian?! Why would she risk her life to save Qianqian?! She looked at Hongmei, whose face was pale with concern.
"Hmph! All you do is cry and whine, what good is it?!" Hongmei glanced at Qianqian, making no attempt to hide the disgust in her eyes, a cold smile playing on her lips as she mercilessly mocked her.
"Hongmei, you're badly injured, don't speak." Qingsong said anxiously when he saw Hongmei cough up blood again because speaking aggravated her breathing.
Shen Qianmo finally understood. Hongmei was also a rather eccentric woman.
Because she herself has lost her innocence, she especially wants to protect those who are innocent. Yet, on the surface, she's utterly sarcastic. This woman...
"I have some medicine for my injuries here." A gentle, jade-like voice came from behind, and a pair of slender, white jade-like hands were extended in front of Shen Qianmo, with a hint of tenderness in his eyes.
Shen Qianmo glanced at the newcomer with surprise. If she wasn't mistaken, this man in white should be Xuan Lou, the young master of Seven Absolutes Manor. But wasn't he just about to kill them? Why is he now offering them medicine?!
"Thank you." Shen Qianmo took the medicine, gave Hongmei one pill, and then had Qingsong and Shengge treat her wounds.
"Aren't you afraid there might be something wrong with the medicine?" Raising an eyebrow, a hint of interest flashed in his eyes, but the corners of his mouth remained as gentle as jade as he asked calmly.
Shen Qianmo smiled faintly and said calmly, "There's no need for this."
Indeed. Hongmei was severely injured, and it was obvious at a glance that she had not only suffered internal injuries but also exacerbated by the deadly poison in the formation. Without an antidote, even if they could control her internal injuries, they would not be able to save her.
If the man in white wanted Hongmei dead, there was absolutely no need to take out the medicine. He could simply watch coldly.
"Hmph!" Situ Jingyan stood coldly between Shen Qianmo and the man in white, raising an eyebrow and a wicked smile playing on his lips. He asked with a hint of arrogance, "Are you the young master of Seven Absolutes Manor?!"
"Xuanlou. It's an honor to meet you two. But I wonder how this young lady discerned Xuanlou's identity?" The man in white smiled gently, as if he wasn't the one who had just tried to take their lives.
"Mysterious Iron Token." Shen Qianmo coldly uttered three words.
The Mysterious Iron Token. Legend has it that whoever possesses the Mysterious Iron Token will rule the world.
The Xuan Tie Token is the symbol of the Seven Absolutes Manor. It is also the token that the Seven Absolutes Manor promised to give to the leader of the martial arts alliance. Whoever obtains the Xuan Tie Token can command the Seven Absolutes Manor.
The Seven Absolutes Manor is the very place where all the divine weapons are manufactured. Not only are the weapons of the Seven Absolutes Manor incredibly sharp, but they are also numerous. If one truly wants to conquer the world, having these weapons would undoubtedly be like adding wings to a tiger.
She had heard the old palace master of the Demon Palace mention the Xuan Tie Token before. When she saw the Xuan Tie Fire Lotus Token on Xuan Lou's waist and the metal scattered all over the fire island, she guessed Xuan Lou's identity.
Xuan Lou raised an eyebrow slightly and looked Shen Qianmo over again. He had originally thought that this woman had only won the favor of the Enchanting Blood Lord because of her unparalleled beauty, but he had not expected her to be such a discerning woman.
"You actually know the Xuan Tie Token?! I'm curious about your background." Xuan Lou said calmly.
"She is my woman. You don't need to know her background!" Situ Jingyan said coldly. He didn't like the way Xuan Lou looked at Shen Qianmo, so gentle and full of interest. He was all too familiar with that look; it was the look of a man who was attracted to a woman.
Shen Qianmo simply smiled upon hearing Situ Jingyan's words. She hadn't really cared about telling him anyway; since Jingyan didn't want her to say it, she wouldn't.
"I wonder what brings the Blood Demon Lord to Fire Island?!" Xuan Lou's tone was indifferent, showing no anger at Situ Jingyan's forceful manner, remaining as gentle and elegant as ever.
Shen Qianmo frowned slightly. This young master of Seven Absolutes Manor was no ordinary person. The fact that Fire Island had been able to ensure that no martial artist could return alive for so many years suggested that it relied on more than just these incredibly powerful formations.
Now, Xuanlou seems to be intentionally letting them go. But is it really just because they broke those two deadly formations? Or is there another reason?
"Get the fire fruit. Save people." Situ Jingyan's answer was straightforward. To those he didn't know well, Situ Jingyan always appeared cold and aloof.
Xuan Lou wasn't particularly surprised by Situ Jingyan's words, but simply smiled gently, "So you came for the Fire Fruit."
"Then, I wonder if the Master of the Manor would be so kind as to..." Seeing that Xuan Lou seemed to have no intention of being their enemy, Shen Qianmo softened her tone and spoke politely.
"It's just a fire fruit." Xuan Lou's tone was indifferent, as if the fire fruit was not some rare and precious medicinal material, but just an ordinary fruit.
"However, you must also do me a favor." Xuan Lou's face was full of confidence, with a gentle and elegant demeanor, as if he was certain that Situ Jingyan and Shen Qianmo would agree.
A smile appeared on Shen Qianmo's lips. Just as I thought.
So he needed their help too. No wonder he suddenly changed his attitude, no wonder he abandoned the attack. But what help could they possibly offer him?! I can't figure it out.
"What favor?!" Situ Jingyan frowned unhappily. He didn't like the feeling of being forced into a transaction, but for Situ Jinghao's life, he was willing to endure it.
If it were truly necessary to seize it by force, it wouldn't be impossible, but the danger involved would be immense. Moreover, Hongmei is currently injured and it's not advisable for her to break ties with Xuanlou.