Chapter 231: Chapter 184: Forcibly Facing the Death Penalty

Yan Qing had never linked Black Wolf and Pharmacist’s Wish together before.

Although both were Third-Turn Messengers and used long spears as weapons, there was a huge difference between them that Yan Qing couldn’t ignore: their physiques.

Even when bathing, if there was white mist concealing it, the Pharmacist’s Wish in pajamas was undoubtedly a voluptuous violent domina, while Black Wolf looked like a heavily armored warrior with a raspy voice with no discernible curves.

This wasn’t the internet, so no matter how Yan Qing felt, he wouldn’t believe that the rugged Black Wolf was actually a beautiful and sexy fallen Commandery Princess inside, it sounded like a light novel’s title.

Actually, Yan Qing should have recognized her earlier, but he had not seen Pharmacist’s Wish fighting at full strength. At An Guo Temple she only showed a bit of her skills, and Yan Qing wasn’t present during the ambush against Shang Xuanwen in Jiangnan City. Otherwise, with Pharmacist’s Wish’s uniquely personal fighting style, the accomplices in the Thief’s House would immediately tell her disguise apart.

Thinking carefully, when Pharmacist’s Wish donned armor, her figure wasn’t much different from Black Wolf’s. However, she probably padded her shoulders and thighs to conceal her curves, making it impossible to associate the two at first glance.

But once the Life-Saving Pill appeared, even Yan Qing, no matter how slow-witted he was, realized she was Black Wolf.

Actually, the Life-Saving Pill couldn’t prove anything, because she could have gotten it from somewhere else, or maybe Black Wolf sold it to her... But once he looked for evidence with the answer in mind, Yan Qing naturally noticed the clues he had previously ignored.

For instance, both Pharmacist’s Wish and Black Wolf had tokens for retaliating accumulated injuries; both had Fierce Tiger Arm Armor gifted by Yan Qing; they were of similar height, and they had never been seen together... The most important thing was that Pharmacist’s Wish seemed to have already recognized Rabbit Heroine’s brother as him, which was why she opened her heart to Rabbit Heroine last night.

Thinking back now, Pharmacist’s Wish recognized Yan Qing’s alternate persona usage too accurately. She was also looking for evidence with the answer, though it was unknown how she figured it out.

...

...

Standing outside the demarcation line of the rear forest, Pharmacist’s Wish suddenly recalled an important question.

"What about Si Wuxie’s spirit beast? The rear forest is the deepest part of this Secret Realm, the spirit beast should be here."

"I thought you two had already forgotten about this matter." Blood Phase snorted and pointed at Corpse King’s shoulder, "It’s right there."

As Pharmacist’s Wish looked in that direction, she immediately understood why Si Wuxie’s spirit beast could coexist in the Secret Realm without being attacked by the Corpse King.

Because it was a Corpse Bone Bird, with withered wings, a bird body of white bones, and only a flicker of green flame swaying in its eye sockets. Compared to Corpse King, it was simply too inconspicuous, almost undetectable unless specifically pointed out.

This type of bird is not uncommon, they even exist in Corpse Bone Forest, not even at the level of a First-Turn Demon Fiend; its ecological role is akin to cows, sheep, chickens, and ducks within the Secret Realm, playing an ornamental environment role. However, cows, sheep, chickens, and ducks can be eaten, while Corpse Bone Birds exude a decaying stench and make grating noises, unqualified even as pets.

Pharmacist’s Wish never imagined that Si Wuxie’s spirit beast could be this, likening it to everyone choosing cats and dogs as pets while Si Wuxie chose to rear cockroaches.

But cats and dogs couldn’t survive in Corpse Bone Forest; Corpse Bone Bird is indeed the only choice. Its existence is integral to Corpse Bone Forest’s environmental biology, hence the Corpse King naturally wouldn’t attack it; but due to its history as Si Wuxie’s spirit beast, even though Si Wuxie has passed, it becomes an external entity within Corpse Bone Forest, forcibly preventing the Secret Realm from automatically resetting.

In this Secret Realm, the Corpse Bone Bird is the most insignificant creature, yet crucial to the transmission of Foundation Establishment legacy. Even after a hundred years, Si Wuxie’s innovative thinking in Demonic Foundation Establishment still leaves people in awe.

"What would happen if it was killed?" Rabbit Heroine asked.

"It’s best not to try." Prajna smiled wryly, "Did you see any treasure chest?" 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

Hearing this, Pharmacist’s Wish and Rabbit Heroine looked around, naturally not seeing the chest guarded by the Demon King, but they were not surprised: "Perhaps it’s hidden further inside. Without defeating the Corpse King, what use is there in finding the chest? Just to be killed by the Corpse King?"

Regardless of whether the demon is defeated, the chest can still be opened; otherwise, how could Si Wuxie place the legacy within it? However, if one forcefully opens the chest before defeating the demon, they will find the chest lid unusually heavy. No matter who attempts this, it takes ten breaths to open the chest; meanwhile, the demon bypassed will concentrate their attacks on you.

Within ten breaths, one cannot move, dodge, or block, only endure attacks. If someone could accomplish this, why wouldn’t they defeat the demon before opening the chest? Is it because they enjoy being beaten?

Si Wuxie certainly wasn’t battered whilst hiding his legacy back in those days; otherwise, it would be too absurd. He must have employed stealth-like methods. It’s known that this realm spans Third-Turn and Fourth-Turn; as long as Si Wuxie was present, Corpse Bone Forest produced Fourth-Turn Demon Fiends. Even Foundation Establishment Messengers had to be extremely cautious; otherwise, Si Wuxie’s legacy would have long been seized by other Foundations Establishment.

"I searched inside once and didn’t find the treasure chest." Blood Phase said lightly.

Pharmacist’s Wish froze and immediately realized the gravity of the situation: "Then where is Si Wuxie’s legacy?"

Without a chest, even if they defeated Corpse King, they wouldn’t find the legacy!

"I don’t know, but we believe it has something to do with this Corpse Bone Bird," Beiyou said, "For sure, before Si Wuxie’s death, he hid the last treasure chest away. Only by defeating the Corpse King might the Corpse Bone Bird guide us to its location... perhaps it won’t guide at all, but by then, having defeated the Corpse King, we’ll have all the time to dig three feet under Corpse Bone Forest."

"But there’s also the possibility that there’s simply no legacy." Prajna said,"Si Wuxie laid two generous legacies earlier, luring us into fighting desperately here, only to ultimately find out it’s a farce... No doubt, underground he would burst into laughter at his final joke."

Rabbit Heroine nodded: "Indeed, if I were dying, I’d play like this too, maybe even leave a note in the chest, saying ’The journey’s scenery is the best reward’. "

"After all this nonsense, are we going in or not!?" Blood Phase asked coldly.

The five exchanged glances, then crossed the demarcation line together!

"Held hostage... Held hostage!" Corpse King awakened. With its loud roar, a Corpse Bone Bird on its shoulder soared skyward.

Yan Qing glanced at Corpse King Dragon Roaming’s health and karma bars, thinking the three Great Guardians truly contributed much.

"Corpse King Dragon Roaming, Health: 28%, Karma: 25%"

Among this, Karma was locked at 25%, even with Rabbit Heroine and Prajna’s combined ferocious assault, it couldn’t be reduced at all. Its health was only at 28%, evidently not due to Si Wuxie’s kind mercy maiming it to this state, but rather the three Great Guardians risking their lives for the last five days to deplete its state to this level, truly one step short of victory.

Even without resorting to Storm Time, the five quickly reduced its health to 25%. At this point, Corpse King’s head suddenly turned, alternating glances between Prajna and Rabbit Heroine, finally focusing on Rabbit Heroine.

"Held hostage, today I Dragon Roaming am determined to eliminate a great scourge in Jianghu, take my Dragon-Slaying Seal!"

With that, it raised its right hand to summon black thunder, once again descending the Dragon-Slaying Seal, targeting Rabbit Heroine!

Before entering, they discussed possible scenarios; the worst being Corpse King realizing two individuals carrying Buddhist Sect tokens were present, directly dropping two Dragon-Slaying Seals, prompting them to flee immediately; Secondly, Corpse King choosing between Prajna and Rabbit Heroine to unleash the Dragon-Slaying Seal. In this scenario, everyone must face a true trial.

The five gathered around Rabbit Heroine, stood immobile to avoid inadvertently dodging the attack. They looked up as Dragon-Slaying Seal descended, wrapped in stormy dragon mist and lightning. The closer it drew, the more terrifying its power became, filling their vision with the overwhelming black dragon palm, as though the entire sky collapsed upon them!

Yan Qing mused how this animation truly had an impressive presentation, indeed fitting for a hard difficulty boss mechanism. Hard difficulty mechanisms don’t test players’ skills, but their ability to recognize patterns; correct handling leads to success, so Dragon-Slaying Seal descends so slowly, providing ample time for players’ pig brains to comprehend.

But for those in reality, the slower the Dragon-Slaying Seal, the more immense the pressure upon them.

Blood Phase’s teeth chattered, yet his left hand firmly grasped Beiyou’s shoulder; Beiyou also held onto Prajna’s arm, yet closed his eyes; Prajna lowered his head, avoiding the sky above, and recited the Diamond Sutra.

The fearless might only be Rabbit Heroine, and perhaps Pharmacist’s Wish having consumed the Life-Saving Pill...

Suddenly, Pharmacist’s Wish embraced Rabbit Heroine from behind, whispering with barely discernible tremor in her voice, "I’ll protect you."

Boom!

The Dragon-Slaying Seal crashed down, the fearsome black dragon roared as it hit the earth, engulfing the five on Shu Dao Mountain!