Chapter Eighteen: The Ancient Spirit-Seer Clan

Lin Mengyao smacked her lips and said, "You’re so dense. If you die, what will I use to trade for my things?"

"So you think I’m dense too! Haha!" Mo Xuan did not deny it, simply laughing out loud.

"This is the Heart of Convergence Illusion. Its essence is not three separate regions, but this 'Heart of Coexistence.' I really don't understand how you even cultivate illusion arts—you can’t even control your own domain. It's lucky you ran into me; anyone else wouldn't care if you lived or died! Hurry up and come with me, otherwise..."

"Thank you, but I believe I can give it a try." Although Mo Xuan knew it was dangerous, he also knew what was before him was a rare treasure. If he could only control it, "I..."

Before he could finish his sentence, Lin Mengyao slapped him across the face. "You really are an idiot. Once the Heart of Coexistence takes form, even powerhouses at the Heaven-Three Realm would give it a wide berth. Do you even realize that?"

"Even the Heaven-Three Realm can't handle it? Then why!" Mo Xuan was stunned. He looked at the object before him, wondering why he possessed such power.

"Sigh... let's get out of here first, then I'll explain!" Lin Mengyao had no intention of letting Mo Xuan throw his life away. Ignoring his protests, she pulled him out directly.

Mo Xuan didn't know exactly what it was, but he followed her out of that place. Besides the two of them, Lan Bing was waiting nearby. Seeing Mo Xuan wake up, she rushed over and embraced him. "You scared me to death! I thought you were never going to wake up!"

Standing beside Mengyao was a white-haired woman, youthful in appearance and dressed in simple, elegant snow-white robes. Mo Xuan didn't know who she was, but it was clear she was no mere mortal; her strength was unfathomable.

However, his attention turned to Lin Mengyao, who had been keeping her eyes closed. As Mo Xuan woke, she slowly opened them, though her face was noticeably pale. Mo Xuan realized this must be due to the excessive exertion of forcibly entering his illusion.

Mengyao, however, acted as if nothing had happened, smiling as she said, "There, he's fine now."

Yet, seeing Lan Bing’s reaction, Mengyao looked slightly displeased. "Is all this excitement necessary?"

Lan Bing realized her lapse and immediately let go. "Ha, I lost my composure."

After exchanging a few words, the others departed, including Lan Bing. As she left, she added one more thing: "Rest well, don’t be too impatient."

Afterward, Lin Mengyao sent the white-haired woman away as well. She seemed to treat the woman with great respect; she must be an important figure in her family.

"Cough, cough. Ask whatever you want, and I'll tell you! But you must keep the matter of the Heart of Coexistence a secret, or it will bring disaster upon you," Lin Mengyao said with great seriousness.

"How were you able to enter that place?" This was Mo Xuan's greatest doubt, as she had seemed intent on avoiding the subject earlier.

"Don't worry about that. I’ll reveal a little bit more: this concerns the Spirit-Calling Ancient Clan. Perhaps you are one, too. The Spirit-Calling Ancient Clan is a very peculiar race, and the Heart of Coexistence is their clan's supreme treasure. I don't know why it ended up with you, but regardless, you must keep it secret, or it could bring calamity just as it did to them... Don't look at me like that; we aren't them. Just keep it a secret." Lin Mengyao didn't know much more, so that was all she could say.

Still, she had revealed the core reason, if not the whole story.

"I believe you!"

Mo Xuan thought to himself that if he could achieve such powerful effects at his current level of cultivation, then if he were to reach the pinnacle, wouldn't he be defying the heavens? It was only natural that such a powerful ability would be coveted.

One thing Mo Xuan could now confirm: his mother was very likely connected to this Spirit-Calling Ancient Clan.

"Don't make me sound so noble; we have no interest in such things!"

Mo Xuan didn't know the background of people like Lin Mengyao, but it was likely quite formidable. Yet, she hadn't moved to kill him over this, which was something not everyone could do—especially in the Hongmeng Continent, where strength was everything and most would fight to the death to seize such a treasure. Just like the thirteen desperadoes he had encountered earlier; even knowing Lin Mengyao’s impressive background, they hadn't backed down, still trying to fight to the death.

Thinking about it, did this explain the Mo family? The mysterious man he had encountered at the start, his father's disappearance—perhaps they were all related to this.

The goal might have been to protect this power. And since the Heart of Coexistence was in his hands, his mother must have been part of the Spirit-Calling Ancient Clan.

Mo Xuan only had a few fragmented memories and two words—"Xuan Yi"—and nothing else. He didn't even know her full name.

Perhaps he would face such crises in the future. Although he didn't know what the Heart of Coexistence represented, he knew the day would come sooner or later. He could only keep moving forward.

When he saved Lan Bing last time, he hadn't used his full strength due to his injuries. He hoped those three at that level wouldn't have been able to sense it.

However, it was better to be safe than sorry. Just because she didn't know didn't mean those around her wouldn't, or that the forces behind her wouldn't. Therefore, it would be best not to use the "Zero Domain" casually in the future.

The replica "Zero Domain" he was making for Lan Bing was nearly finished. Although it lacked the essence of the true Zero Domain, its power was still considerable—at least thirty percent of the original's strength. He felt that should be enough; besides, Lan Bing didn't know the true extent of his own full power.

He had done his best. Creating a more powerful imitation would take a great deal of time, and it was only ten percent short of what she had asked for. It shouldn't be a problem; after all, even she wouldn't dare take a hit from his actual Zero Domain, so thirty percent should be sufficient for her to gain an edge.

He didn't hide this from her and told her the truth: it was only thirty percent.

Lan Bing was skeptical. "Really, only thirty percent?"

"To be precise, a little over thirty percent."

Lan Bing didn't blame him. "Thirty percent is fine too. Hehe, I'll take it."

Mo Xuan had one more important thing to discuss.

Lan Bing was feeling a bit tired, but she knew she had no reason to refuse. Besides, Mo Xuan’s primordial spirit was very similar to her own. She agreed, waving her hand. "Tomorrow night, I'll teach you!"

She hurried off to study the scroll Mo Xuan had given her, but she was secretly smiling. "This guy is too honest. I asked for forty percent just to push him; I didn't expect him to actually produce it. Thirty percent is plenty powerful!"

Mo Xuan was naturally happy with the result.

He had prepared a series of plans. The assassins sent by the Chen family had nearly killed Lan Bing. Although his relationship with her was purely transactional, their actions were too bullying. No matter what, he had to teach them a lesson; he couldn't afford to suffer more losses. He would seize the first opportunity to hit them hard.

Without his illusion arts, he might not even be able to defeat someone at his own level; at most, he could only coordinate to temporarily control his opponents. To counterattack, he and Lan Bing would have to act together.

Lan Bing was a thief by nature. While not as sharp as an assassin, her speed was top-tier. If they joined forces, they could even take down someone at the eleventh level of the Earth-Mystic Realm. He needed to discuss it with her.

But before that, he had to find out the exact location of those three Chen family assassins. Mo Xuan wasn't a cold-blooded person, but this time was different. It was Lan Bing. Truth be told, without her, Mo Xuan wouldn't have made such progress; he might have been wiped out by an illusion while practicing his sealing arts.

This time, he truly had the intent to kill.

Just as Mo Xuan was planning to go out at night to scout for information, he was intercepted halfway by Lin Mengyao. She was calm, as if she had known his route all along.

Because it was dark, Mo Xuan thought he had been discovered and exchanged a few blows with her.

"It's me, it's me!"

"How did you know I would pass through here? What exactly do you want?" Mo Xuan was getting scared. Lin Mengyao was always appearing out of nowhere, and she seemed to know things he hadn't told anyone. Did she have some ulterior motive?

"Nothing much, just a guess. With your personality, you wouldn't be willing to be bullied, and she is clearly important to you. But you're still too dense. They managed to infiltrate this deep so easily—can't you guess the reason? If you go now, without Ice Sister's protection, aren't you just throwing your life away? Even if your illusion arts are powerful, that thing has weaknesses. You don't really think you can come and go as you please just because you have it, do you?"

Mengyao’s words truly cleared up Mo Xuan's thoughts.

He had thought he could just go and scout the situation, not considering that he might not be able to escape. He had also suspected a traitor, which was why he hadn't told anyone else.

However, after her reminder, his sense of false security was shattered. He hadn't realized he was about to commit another grave mistake.

Seeing that Mo Xuan was leaning toward retreating, Lin Mengyao continued, "I have the location of those three assassins and their defensive layout. If you can trade something for it, I can give it to you."

"I told you before, she's not under my control!"

"No, no, no. There is something I want in your mines. You can't use it anyway, so you might as well give it to me. If that doesn't work, you can come with me."

Mo Xuan felt it was a fair trade. Those mines hadn't yielded anything good since they were discovered, but if she said there was something, maybe there really was. If it were a genuine treasure, he would be the one losing out. So, they agreed to go together in seven days, but he would only let her take half.

"Half!" Mo Xuan replied calmly.

"What? I saved your life, and you're still haggling with me?" Lin Mengyao had thought he would agree immediately; she hadn't expected him to only offer half.

"That is our property. I cannot give it all to you. Even if we can't get it now, we might in the future. You saved my life, and I am grateful; I will find a way to repay you, so please understand. Of course, if you insist on taking it by force, I have no way to stop you now."

Mo Xuan spoke subtly, but his expression showed no sign of backing down. The implication was clear: if she forced it now, he would surely come to collect the debt later.

Lin Mengyao didn't intend to take it by force, and she understood his meaning. Most importantly, she didn't have the heart or the desire to do so, which made her somewhat angry. "What kind of person do you take me for? Fine, half is half."