"I will grant you ten moves."
"So that when you lose to me, you won't have any excuses about it being our fault," Ao Ruhai said, looking at Lin Yun with smug satisfaction. In his eyes, this young man's abilities weren't all that impressive. Although it was no small feat for Lin Yun to have found his way here, that alone wasn't enough to change anything. To take this bone, one had to possess immense power. And for now, it seemed this boy was not yet qualified.
Hearing Ao Ruhai's overconfident words, Lin Yun naturally had no objections. For him, the more foolishly his opponent acted, the greater his own chances of victory. Ao Ruhai looking down on him was exactly what he had hoped for. If this man had treated him with caution, taking the bone would have been a truly difficult task.
Just as Ao Ruhai was wondering how Lin Yun would try to curry favor with him next, he saw the boy directly pull out the God-Slaying Bow.
To Ao Ruhai, this item was initially of no value or threat. "You brat, you think you can defeat me just by pulling out some random treasure?" His tone was still quite contemptuous; he even thought Lin Yun was intentionally trying to insult him.
But Lin Yun had no intention of wasting words on him. He slowly raised the God-Slaying Bow in his hands.
"Since we are in a sea of consciousness," he said, "this is a perfect opportunity for me."
A terrifying amount of Yuan Qi began to pour ceaselessly into the divine weapon.
Ao Ruhai hadn't paid it any mind before, but when he sensed this power, he immediately realized he had gravely underestimated the boy. He had been expecting Lin Yun to fail spectacularly here, but he never imagined the kid was actually a formidable expert.
But before Ao Ruhai could do anything, Lin Yun's arrow was already loosed. He knew there was no need to waste time here; ending things quickly was for the best. And the power of this arrow was far from simple.
Ao Ruhai had originally planned to put on a show, to maintain the facade of a transcendent master. But when he saw Lin Yun's attack, his demeanor changed completely. Using some unknown secret art, he avoided the attack.
Then, a fawning smile spread across his face. "Young man, we can talk things out! Why must we resort to violence?"
Seeing the two-faced Ao Ruhai, even Lin Yun couldn't help but sigh. Could this man really be called a guardian? He had abandoned his post far too easily.
"You should know that I have come here to take this Dragon Spine. I must go to the Nether River Dragon Palace," Lin Yun said, not beating around the bush.
Ao Ruhai nodded. "I know, I know. Anyone who finds their way to this place is surely trying to get to the Nether River Dragon Palace. But I must remind you, there is a reason that place has been sealed for so many years."
Lin Yun's gaze remained firm. He didn't care where he had to go, even if it was a mountain of knives and a sea of fire. For him, the only way was to brace himself and charge forward. Though the matter was not easy, he didn't let it weigh on his mind.
"No matter what is in the Nether River Dragon Palace, I will break through!"
Seeing Lin Yun's unwavering attitude, Ao Ruhai no longer insisted. He knew that no matter what he said, Lin Yun would not be swayed. "Since you have made your decision, I will not try to persuade you further. But before you go, I can grant you one more opportunity."
As he spoke, Ao Ruhai pointed with two fingers. A stream of light shot towards Lin Yun at incredible speed. Although Lin Yun tried his best to avoid it, at such a close distance, it was impossible. After a moment, he felt as if some new knowledge had been added to his mind.
"Young one, strive hard!" Ao Ruhai said, patting Lin Yun's shoulder. Then, his form completely dissipated.
When Lin Yun came to his senses, all the illusions around him had vanished. He was now tightly gripping the Dragon Spine.
Beside him, Chi Limei stared at the young man, dumbfounded. He had thought Lin Yun would have to spend a considerable amount of time on this matter. Who would have thought the entire process would be so effortless? Does this brat even know what he's doing?
With the Dragon Spine in hand, Lin Yun turned to leave without a backward glance. Chi Limei, however, stood where he was, feeling a sense of desolation. He had thought this would be a troublesome affair, but everything had proceeded so naturally, as if it were all fated to happen.
Just as Lin Yun was about to leave, Chi Limei called out to him. His gaze toward Lin Yun no longer held its previous hostility.
"I truly didn't expect it. You have some real skill, boy. The Dragon Spine is yours." After guarding it for so many years, perhaps he had developed a special emotional attachment to this place. "Before you go, I have a favor to ask of you."
Seeing Chi Limei's serious expression, Lin Yun immediately grew wary. This old man doesn't have some scheme to harm me, does he?
Chi Limei was utterly exasperated. He had thought his conversation with Lin Yun would be smooth. He never expected the boy to still appear so reluctant.
"Rest assured, I am not asking you to do anything troublesome. It is just… to deliver a message for me. If he is still alive." Chi Limei looked at Lin Yun, his expression complex.
Seeing his look, Lin Yun knew there was a story here. "If that's all, then there is no problem."
Chi Limei glared at Lin Yun, truly not understanding how such a person could be so highly regarded.
"In the future, if you go to the Boundless Sea, go to Starsea City and help me find a woman named Hailan. Tell her… I never betrayed her."
Mm, smells like gossip. Lin Yun didn't think to ask for more details. He just asked, "Is that all?"
Chi Limei nodded. "That is enough. You may go."
Lin Yun nodded and turned to walk out of the cave. As he left, the old man's weak voice drifted from behind him.
"The Nether River Dragon Palace may hold what you seek. But it also holds secrets that are enough to subvert this world."
Lin Yun didn't look back. He just left, resolute and determined.
Qin Xiyan's complexion had improved considerably. Seeing Lin Yun return successfully, she also breathed a sigh of relief.
Xiao Bai, meanwhile, leaped onto his shoulder, chattering incessantly. Having been together for so long, Lin Yun could roughly understand him. He just hadn't expected that in what felt like such a short time for him, seven days had actually passed outside.
He looked back toward the Dragon-Seeking Abyss. He couldn't imagine what would have happened if he had wasted any more time…