"This item should go to you, Fellow Daoist."

"Thank you, Fellow Daoist." Seeing his serious expression, he ceased joking and was about to retrieve the Spirit Flower, when suddenly a Spirit Light flew from the side, forcing Li Zhirui to use a Defense Divine Ability.

"This Ten Thousand Lights Radiant Spirit Flower is not a Spiritual Object you can covet. Turn around and leave now, and I'll spare your lives." Along with a cold and aloof voice, an Earth Immortal cultivator appeared before the two of them.

He gazed at the Spirit Flower with obsession, not even acknowledging Li Zhirui and Fu Chengguang.

This was only natural, as in the eyes of outsiders, they were merely two somewhat powerful Human Immortal cultivators. Who could have guessed that their true realms had even surpassed the limits of the Ten Thousand Rivers Realm? 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Given his status as an Earth Immortal, he naturally wouldn't care about two Human Immortals, nor consider them a threat.

"Hmm?"

When he snapped back to his senses and noticed the two hadn't left, his expression darkened, looking at them with disdain and disgust as if they were filthy. He said in a cold voice, "Why haven't you left yet?"

"Get lost!"

Saying this, he waved a hand to summon a fierce wind, intending to sweep the two of them away.

But after the whirlwind of sand and stones, Li Zhirui and Fu Chengguang stood firm, seemingly unaffected and unharmed.

"Interesting! No wonder you don't want to leave; it seems you fancy yourself strong enough to challenge me?"

Li Zhirui was unfazed by his attitude. Instead, he seized the opportunity to ask what had piqued his curiosity: "May I ask, what effect does this Ten Thousand Lights Radiant Spirit Flower have? Why isn't it recorded in many ancient manuscripts?"

"Hmph! What's the point in knowing so much!"

With that, he impatiently launched an attack at them, with two icicles shooting towards their vital points.

"Alas! Why bother?"

Fu Chengguang shook his head and sighed, though his hands did not slow in their movements.

A flash of Thunder Light appeared, and at the moment it made contact with the icicles, a crack was heard, shattering them into pieces that scattered across the world.

"Hmm?!"

The Earth Immortal snapped his head up, shocked and astonished at the two of them. Though he hadn't exerted his full strength, it should never have been something Human Immortal cultivators could withstand.

Let alone not just withstanding, but completely shattering the attack while seeming utterly unbothered.

"You aren't Human Immortal cultivators!"

Fu Chengguang didn't respond, continuing to cast Divine Powers to attack, though his strikes weren't ruthless, clearly not intent on killing, but rather to capture him alive.

"Scoundrel! You're courting death!"

The Earth Immortal clearly sensed this too, becoming furious, like a volcano erupting violently, assailing them with overwhelming force.

He lifted his head to the sky, seeing it densely packed with weapons made from Profound Ice, which descended upon them at his command.

It was evident he intended to claim their lives.

Unfortunately, he underestimated Fu Chengguang's cultivation and power, as without any grand gestures, a Thunder Pool appeared above, and the moment Profound Ice entered it, it was crushed by the furious thunder, incapable of causing any harm.

As for Li Zhirui, he appeared beside the Ten Thousand Lights Radiant Spirit Flower in an instant and swiftly stored it away, moving so quickly that the Earth Immortal couldn't react.

By the time he realized the Spirit Flower was gone, Li Zhirui had already left.

Yet, rather than feeling rage over the Spirit Flower being taken, he was more terrified by not noticing an additional presence around him sooner!

He couldn't bear to think of the miserable fate that would have befallen him if they'd attacked instead.

After this series of encounters, the Earth Immortal realized that these two were not to be trifled with, and if he persisted, it would only result in his own loss!

He even considered abandoning the fight and fleeing.

But he hesitated, as fleeing in defeat would be humiliating, something he found hard to accept, so he lingered, hoping perhaps they were just bluffing?

However, this thought didn't last, and he began to regret it!

For he was stunned to discover he truly wasn't a match for Fu Chengguang, nor was it that the other had used some explosive Secret Technique; rather, Fu Chengguang hadn't even taken it seriously!

"Damn it!"

By rights, he should retreat at that point— though it would dent his pride, at least it wouldn't lead to more severe consequences.

But when he tried to withdraw, Fu Chengguang wasn't having it!

Fight when you want, retreat when you want? Wasn't that underestimating him too much!

So as the Earth Immortal attempted to escape, he discovered it was too late, as he was already deep in the struggle, unable to extricate himself.

"Rest assured, as long as you behave, we won't take your life." Li Zhirui approached the subdued Earth Immortal, binding him securely with a Starlight Vine, and smiled soothingly.

But instead of calming him, this only heightened his struggle, frantically attempting to break free.

Unfortunately for him, not only was his body restrained, but his Dantian and Sea of Consciousness were sealed, leaving him as powerless as a mere mortal.

"Might I ask if you can now answer my question from earlier?" Li Zhirui ignored his thrashing and inquired with a smile.

But at this moment, the Earth Immortal was lost in his thoughts.

He couldn't comprehend how he, a dignified Earth Immortal, could be so easily defeated by two Human Immortal cultivators and even end up a captive!

"Ah!"

The Starlight Vine suddenly sprouted countless tiny sharp thorns, stabbing painfully into his flesh, quickly pulling his mind back as he let out a cry of agony.

"I hope, sir, that you cooperate; we won't take your life."

Li Zhirui probed again about the Ten Thousand Lights Radiant Spirit Flower's use.

"It's a rare and obscure Spiritual Object, so isn't recorded in typical manuscripts, but its properties are invaluable to Alchemists! It acts as an adhesive for the essence of most Spiritual Objects, reducing conflicting properties."

They had no need to doubt his truthfulness, as in his current situation, he had only one choice: honesty!

Unless he did not wish to gain his freedom back.

"Congratulations, Fellow Daoist." Fu Chengguang expressed happiness for Li Zhirui obtaining such a useful Spiritual Object.

"It's thanks to you, Fellow Daoist; otherwise, I might have missed this precious Spirit Flower for Alchemists."

Afterwards, they did not spare the Earth Immortal but instead found his Storage Magical Treasure and had him open it.

Anger and humiliation!

Such were his feelings at that moment.

He longed to shout out, challenging them to a decisive battle— win or lose!

Even if his spirit dispersed and he perished in defeat, it would be better than enduring such humiliation.

Crash—

A large trove of Spiritual Objects tumbled from the Storage Magical Treasure, varying in grade but abundant and diverse, consisting of all sorts of Spiritual Objects.

However, what Li Zhirui and Fu Chengguang valued most were the Jade Slips!

This Earth Immortal truly matched his status, having collected numerous manuscripts and Methods, many of high grade, beneficial for their study and understanding the Ten Thousand Rivers Realm's civilization and cultivation systems.

Sorting and storing these Spiritual Objects alone took them an hour, while the Earth Immortal could only watch helplessly, seemingly forgotten, with indignation and fury in his heart, his eyes burning as he glared at the two.