The two fought side by side, together slaying the Sun Erosion.

Cui Zhen suffered the backlash of [Yin Yang Reversal], disabling the unity of his two avatars; beyond failing in Harmonization, his realm even regressed. Such injuries would take at least some time to recover.

Xie Xuanyi wouldn’t make a move at such a time...

If one were to kill Cui Zhen, the best opportunity would be to wait for his advancement!

If Cui Zhen successfully achieves Harmonization, then the two could have a peak duel, a fair fight!

If the Harmonization fails...

A mere Yin God poses no threat to Xie Xuanyi. Naturally, there’s no need to bother.

"You seem to know me quite well."

Xie Xuanyi didn’t deny this.

He refused Chu Lin’s proposal largely for this reason—

With Xie Xuanyi’s current strength, killing the weakened Cui Zhen would be too easy, as simple as blowing off dust...

But if he truly did so, he would be considered inferior.

Xie Xuanyi has always had a "clear Dao Heart," never stooping to strike down the weaker.

If he truly ambushes Cui Zhen, it would certainly tarnish his Sword Heart.

When ascending to the realm of Heavenly People in the future, a clear Heart Lake will inevitably give rise to a Heart Nightmare.

He is already the only Great Harmony Cultivator in a thousand years.

Is there a need to strike against a Yin God?

Is this out of fear of Cui Zhen, worried that the latter would surpass him?

"I hope you succeed in Harmonization."

Xie Xuanyi looked into Cui Zhen’s eyes, calmly speaking: "When the time comes, I’ll take your life."

"...Alright."

Cui Zhen grinned: "I will achieve Harmonization."

"First, you need to survive."

Xie Xuanyi stood up, said: "With the Sun Erosion dead, both realms will learn of your existence... This Snow Mountain isn’t very safe. While you can stay here for a few days, if you tarry longer, the Heavenly Phoenix Palace will soon find this place. Constant running isn’t a solution."

This Snow Mountain is buried among countless others.

Because it’s ordinary.

That’s why Cui Zhen chose it as his "lair."

In fact, Cui Zhen has several such "lairs," but substantially they’re all the same. He can only hide here like a hibernating mole; though the injuries from the confrontation with the Sun Erosion can be repaired by the Undying Spring, it ultimately requires time.

Time... is currently the scarcest thing for him.

At most a month, the Heavenly Phoenix Palace will find this place. He will certainly retreat before then, but with the first clue, a second will quickly follow... Cui Zhen understands those people’s methods well; the core heritage of the Heavenly Phoenix Palace relates to the [Power of the Sky Vault]. In this Holy Land, very few with a divination ability can thread the clues, quickly finding the second Snow Mountain, the third... His meticulously prepared lairs over ten years will be discovered and smashed one by one.

"..."

Cui Zhen squinted his eyes, falling silent, seemingly pondering something.

He knows Xie Xuanyi makes sense.

Constant flight isn’t a solution.

In the end, one must face it squarely, and have a showdown.

"Good luck."

Xie Xuanyi spoke no more, stood up, ready to leave the campfire and the Snow Mountain.

There are very few such figures in the world.

Two realms, all major factions, wishing for his death.

Cui Zhen... happens to be such a figure.

When the news spreads, both Demon Country and Human Race will strive to eliminate him; everyone hopes that this former first Venerable of the Demon Country can "die" yet again.

And people will again drink his blood.

"Xie Xuanyi—"

Just as Xie Xuanyi was about to leave, Cui Zhen suddenly spoke.

This shout halted Xie Xuanyi’s steps.

The young Sword Cultivator slightly frowned and turned back.

The handsome Great Demon looked up and smiled: "If I’m not mistaken, you’re not planning to return to Great Chu... After killing the Sun Erosion, you wish to stay in the Demon Country, right?"

"..."

Xie Xuanyi certainly wouldn’t answer this question.

He stared expressionlessly at the handsome Great Demon.

"Let’s make a deal."

Cui Zhen spoke earnestly: "During your stay in the Demon Country, help me resolve some trouble. I need... six months."

"Heh..."

Hearing this, Xie Xuanyi almost laughed aloud.

He shook his head, extended two fingers, pointed at his temple, and asked, "Are you crazy?"

Does Cui Zhen rely on him for protection?

"No..."

Cui Zhen also shook his head.

With utmost seriousness, he continued: "Since you wish to stay in the Demon Country, you’ll face the same problems as I."

In the Demon Country, there are no fewer who wish to kill Xie Xuanyi than those against Cui Zhen.

"This is why I want to keep my distance from you."

Xie Xuanyi coldly said: "With the Sun Erosion dead... only a few in the Demon Country can threaten me."

It’s unfortunate.

Those few all want Cui Zhen dead.

"It actually makes no difference."

Cui Zhen softly laughed: "Believe it or not... Though I’m badly injured, there are only those few who can kill me in the entire Demon Country..."

Xie Xuanyi fell silent.

He vaguely guessed Cui Zhen’s true intentions.

"I mentioned earlier, this is a transaction."

Cui Zhen’s voice was hoarse: "You still have the Undying Spring, don’t you... From our few encounters, you don’t seem fully aware of its wonders... If I’m not mistaken, you have a near withered [Boundary Stele] from a thousand years ago..."

In their first encounter.

Cui Zhen used [Nether Feather], yet couldn’t kill Xie Xuanyi... A suspicion arose.

Later, more and more information about Xie Xuanyi emerged.

He’s already aware that Xie Xuanyi’s Divine Sea intensity far surpasses the same realm.

Eventually, when both were trapped in the [Great Erosion] Grotto Heaven, Xie Xuanyi was smelted for days, unharmed, with a Divine Sea as firm as a fortification; even the eighth layer Yang God Sun Eater Venerable couldn’t do anything to him. Witnessing this, Cui Zhen was fully convinced; in Xie Xuanyi’s Heart Lake, there must be a [Boundary Stele] with Rule Power anchoring the Divine Sea.

"How would you propose the transaction?"

Xie Xuanyi stopped, speaking with interest.

"I’ll teach you how to use the Undying Spring to repair the [Boundary Stele]."

Cui Zhen seriously said: "In exchange, you guard me through [Yin Yang Reversal] for half a year... After six months, we part ways, settling our Cause and Effect."

"..."

Xie Xuanyi rubbed his chin, not responding immediately.

This transaction.

Xie Xuanyi was indeed quite tempted.

Having cultivated this far.

The world’s vast majority of magical treasures, divine skills, creations... have lost appeal to Xie Xuanyi.

He has already achieved successful Harmonization.

Once the Primordial Sea recovers, crossing two realms for battle poses no problem.

This six months, solidifying his realm could potentially reach the Fifth Heaven.

But what Cui Zhen offers are the repair techniques of [Primordial Swallowing Sacred Realm] and Secret Techniques concerning [Undying Spring].

If not coming from Cui Zhen.

Xie Xuanyi would dismiss it outright, considering it deceit without exception.

Yet, indeed... Mo Zhen is a renowned Undying Spring Master after a millennium.

"If you don’t agree, it’s fine."

Cui Zhen stared intently at the black-clad figure about to leave the barrier, feigning nonchalance with a calm smile: "For me, surviving mere half a year... isn’t that big of a deal. It’s simply changing more shelters, more effort but, troublesome as it is, survival isn’t impossible."

"I need one more thing."

After a moment of thought, Xie Xuanyi suddenly spoke.

Hearing this.

The heavy stone on Cui Zhen’s chest finally settled, his expression relaxed: "What do you want?"

Xie Xuanyi slowly tilted his head.

"I want to borrow ’it’ for six months..."

He extended two fingers, pointing towards Ye Ling not far away.

"?"

Cui Zhen hesitated, a gleam of sternness flashing in his eyes, yet moments later, he realized Xie Xuanyi wasn’t referring to Ye Ling herself.

But rather the [Longevity Lamp] suspended above Ye Ling’s head.