563: Chapter 73 Someone who didn't know better would think...

Seeing that Zeng Shushu deliberately changed the subject to ease the awkwardness, Meng Li didn't mind.

When Tian Linger heard Zeng Shushu's words, she instantly remembered something and summoned Mei San Niang out.

Meng Li was suddenly astonished: "Senior Sister, who is she?"

Tian Linger truthfully replied: "Her name is Mei San Niang, and she is the guardian of the Illusionary Realm of the Dead Spirit Abyss."

Then, she recounted her entire experience in the Illusionary Realm of the Dead Spirit, the matter concerning Feng Sha Yan, and how Mei San Niang used the Illusionary Realm to guide Meng Li.

Lu Xueqi, Zeng Shushu, Lin Jingyu, and Kuong A Xiang listened with great amazement.

Meng Li also showed surprise on his face.

Finally, Tian Linger said with an unfriendly tone: "Simply put, the reason Seventh Junior Brother fought the Blackwater Xuan Snake was all because of her scheming."

Upon hearing this, Mei San Niang felt a wave of embarrassment and guilt, but she still spoke up in defense with a hint of grievance: "Young Lord, this servant is indeed at fault in this matter. However, this servant was merely acting according to the instructions left behind by the Master back then. Moreover, I didn't know that Young Lord could successfully pass through the Illusionary Realm of the Dead Spirit before, nor did I expect this Immortal Master Meng to be your Junior Brother."

By normal logic, what Mei San Niang said was not wrong.

Therefore, Zeng Shushu, Lin Jingyu, and Kuong A Xiang all nodded secretly.

But because the safety of her beloved was involved, Tian Linger disregarded logic and completely ignored the defense, instead asking Meng Li: "Junior Brother, she harmed you and nearly put you in danger. How do you intend to deal with her? Just say the word, I will restrain her, and she absolutely cannot resist."

Meng Li did not answer immediately, but looked at Mei San Niang and asked: "What is your Cultivation?"

Mei San Niang shook her head: "This servant does not know."

Afterward, she further explained: "The Cultivation Technique this servant practices was bestowed by the Master back then, named the 'Spirit Devouring Internal Alchemy Method'."

"This method is aimed at cultivating the body, nurturing the spirit, and strengthening the soul; it has no Realm divisions."

"Is that so?" Meng Li raised an eyebrow, then said: "Then let's spar a few moves."

"This..." Mei San Niang looked hesitant and turned to Tian Linger.

Tian Linger said without hesitation: "What Junior Brother means is what I mean. Do exactly as he says."

Mei San Niang immediately complied and said to Meng Li: "Then this servant will be impolite."

With that, she leaped up and attacked Meng Li.

Meng Li retreated to evade, transforming into a streak of light and flying toward the sky above the Ruthless Sea surface.

Seeing this, Mei San Niang also turned into a streak of light and followed.

In a short while, the two clashed in the air at an extremely fast speed.

Among Tian Linger, Lu Xueqi, and the others, only Lu Xueqi could vaguely make out some of the movements; the rest only saw two streaks of light exchanging blows and dodging back and forth.

Seeing this, Zeng Shushu exclaimed in surprise: "Judging by this display, Mei San Niang's strength is definitely comparable to the Shangqing Realm, and not just newly entered—at least Middle Stage or higher."

Saying this, he turned to Tian Linger and asked: "Junior Sister Tian, with your Cultivation, can that Spirit Binding Technique really restrain her?"

Tian Linger nodded confidently: "Of course, this Spirit Binding Technique specifically counters Yin Spirits."

As she spoke, she immediately activated the Spirit Binding Technique and beckoned toward Mei San Niang: "Come back."

Mei San Niang, who was mid-battle, immediately turned into a streak of light and flew back, landing in front of Tian Linger.

"Young Lord, why did you suddenly recall this servant?" Mei San Niang asked doubtfully.

Tian Linger naturally wouldn't say it was to show off. She coughed lightly and replied solemnly: "Junior Brother said that just a few moves were enough."

At this moment, Meng Li also returned.

Tian Linger immediately asked: "Junior Brother, what was the result?"

Meng Li replied: "Comparable to the Late Stage of the Taiqing Realm."

Immediately afterward, he said to Mei San Niang: "The matter of misleading me earlier is dropped. In the future, serve my Senior Sister well."

Mei San Niang immediately responded: "This servant understands. Thank you, Immortal Master, for your magnanimity."

Seeing this, Tian Linger gave up the idea of pursuing the matter further.

When Zeng Shushu saw this, he felt a pang of envy and couldn't help but say: "Having a Late Stage Shangqing Realm expert providing close protection, Junior Sister Tian, your treatment is second to none."

"Also, Meng Li subdued the ancient exotic beast, the Blackwater Xuan Snake. None of us gained anything. If we didn't know this underground palace was built by the Black-Hearted Old Man, I would have thought this was a treasure trove specially set up by heaven to deliver Opportunities to you two."

Hearing this, Mei San Niang glanced sideways at Meng Li, the corners of her lips curving slightly upward.

Tian Linger chuckled: "I was lucky. Junior Brother subdued the Blackwater Xuan Snake based on sheer hard power."

Meng Li looked toward the Blackwater Xuan Snake coiled up by the sea and changed the subject: "Speaking of the Blackwater Xuan Snake, when I first encountered it, I didn't intend to subdue it. After all, our purpose here was to investigate and stop the one who broke the Seal from obtaining the Heavenly Book and releasing other evil creatures to cause harm."

"So, initially, I didn't fight it; instead, I searched here for the person who broke the Seal and the entrance to the next level."

"But strangely, both objectives yielded no results."

"This led me to two conjectures: One, although the person who broke the Seal did so, they haven't arrived here due to some unknown reason, and the next level doesn't exist at all. Two, the entrance to the next level is in this sea, and the person who broke the Seal has already entered using some method."

"City Lord Wei mentioned that the lowest level of the underground palace is the Dripping Blood Cave. This situation doesn't match that."

"Therefore, the first conjecture should be invalid."

"As for the second conjecture..."

"If the entrance to the next level is in the sea, our group cannot bypass the Blackwater Xuan Snake if we want to enter."

"The Blackwater Xuan Snake possesses the ability to control water; wherever there is water, it is its home field. If we truly entered the sea and faced it, I wouldn't be confident in protecting all of you."

"Therefore, I moved to subdue it."

Lu Xueqi, Zeng Shushu, and the others finally understood.

Originally, they still had some doubts: Meng Li had the Cultivation of the Taiqing Realm, and judging by how he subdued the Blackwater Xuan Snake just now, if he wanted to leave, the beast couldn't stop him. Even if he accidentally fell for Mei San Niang's trick, it wouldn't be a big problem for him to turn back. Why did it take so long?

It turned out there was such a hidden complexity.

For a moment, the group felt a bit embarrassed.

After all, they had been dragging things down.

Immediately after, Meng Li changed the topic: "Now that the problem is solved, let's go into the sea and look for the entrance to the next level."

"What about this Blackwater Xuan Snake?" Zeng Shushu asked.

Meng Li said: "I will communicate with it and see if it can shrink its body."

With that, he flew to the front of the Blackwater Xuan Snake and used the Spirit Communication Technique to converse with it.

In a short while, the Blackwater Xuan Snake hissed, and a layer of black light emanated from its entire body. Its massive form began to shrink at a speed visible to the naked eye.

When it became the size of an ordinary young snake, Meng Li took out a storage bag capable of holding living creatures from his storage ring and sealed it inside with a hand Seal.

Then, he flew back, took out several round beads shimmering with water light, and handed them to Lu Xueqi, Zeng Shushu, and Kuong A Xiang, while briefly explaining: "These are 'Water Repelling Pearls.' Hold them and input your magic power to form a layer of water-repelling magical light around your body, allowing you to move freely underwater."

"The magical light requires magic power to maintain, so use it judiciously. Once your magic power cannot sustain it, you must return to the shore promptly."

"You have so many Magic Treasures," Zeng Shushu remarked with emotion, reaching out to take a Water Repelling Pearl.

Then, Lu Xueqi and Kuong A Xiang each took one.

As for Tian Linger and Lin Jingyu...

They already possessed Water Repelling Pearls that Meng Li had given them previously, which they kept in their storage rings, so they took them out directly without needing Meng Li to provide extra ones.

Afterward, Tian Linger used the Spirit Binding Technique to absorb Mei San Niang into her body.

With all preparations complete, the group leaped into the sea.