Chapter 218: Innate Glutton for Imperfections
As the thought crossed his mind, even Zhou Tong himself found it hard to believe.
When he had battled against Fire Charm Clan Saintess Huo Xin’er, in order to withstand her power, he had employed the Life-and-Death Binding Rope.
After settling their conflict, he did not immediately undo the chain, never expecting what would later happen.
Information transmitted through the binding indicated that Huo Xin’er’s condition was dire, possibly on the brink of a lethal crisis!
What could possibly reduce a Sage to such a state!
“What a nuisance.”
Zhou Tong sucked in a deep breath, speaking with obvious irritation.
At his current level, he could instantly destroy the Life-and-Death Binding Rope, severing the bond.
However, Huo Xin’er had once signed a pact with him, which could serve him later. If he could save her, perhaps it wouldn’t hurt to do so.
In the next moment, Zhou Tong emitted an Imperial Level Spiritual Power, aiming to trace her whereabouts, but found nothing.
“Is she not on the second level then?”
Zhou Tong, startled, followed the Life-and-Death Binding Rope, finally discovering her trace.
However, the sight shocked him.
He saw the woman’s aura directly beneath an Imperial Weapon, clearly being subdued by it.
“Phew!”
Despite thinking the timing poor, Zhou Tong couldn’t resist laughing.
Could it be that the woman had detected the presence of the Imperial Weapon and attempted to seize it first?
That was truly a case of biting off more than she could chew!
A mere Sage dared to touch an Imperial Weapon barehanded, revealing a distinct lack of understanding for higher powers.
Had it not been for the fact that the weapon was in a partial state and its deity asleep, she would have already turned to ash!
“Hmm, it looks like there is someone beneath the Imperial Weapon, and this aura seems familiar.”
The Senior Apprentice Sister also noticed the anomaly. “Isn’t this the Shopkeeper from the Intelligence Mall? Why is he being pressed down there?”
Upon hearing this, Zhou Tong suddenly understood everything; it all made sense now.
It seemed the other party had prior intelligence!
In theory, the Imperial Weapon should only appear when all eight supreme items are gathered, yet Huo Xin’er forced her way in. Was she a genius at exploiting loopholes?
Was her previous life perhaps an eel?
“Junior Apprentice Brother, should we also go and fight for the Imperial Weapon?”
The voice of the Shi Jie interrupted Zhou Tong’s thoughts.
“There’s no need. It’s too dangerous. We should merely watch and wait,” Zhou Tong said disinterestedly. In his opinion, none of these people could possibly claim the Imperial Weapon; joining now would be akin to committing suicide.
They needed to wait, to find the right moment to act.
“Save… save me.”
The moment Zhou Tong resolved to step back, an annoying voice resounded in his mind—none other than Huo Xin’er, who had somehow retained a sliver of consciousness and was instinctively seeking his help.
Unsurprisingly, Zhou Tong outright refused.
“What can I do? Before an Imperial Weapon, all creatures are as ants. I have no desire to risk my life alongside yours.”
Upon hearing this, tears began to stream down Huo Xin’er’s face. Even as a Sage, one reacts similarly in the face of death.
“I don’t care. You signed the Heavenly Dao Covenant with me, and you also took my underwear—you have a responsibility to me!”
“Cough, cough!”
Zhou Tong coughed violently, but the comment sparked an idea.
“How did I forget this? I can use the Equal Exchange Technique,” he muttered, pulling out a piece of Spiritual Stone and arranging a formation with it.
This secret art was indeed remarkable. When the exchanged item possessed consciousness, as long as it recognized the value equivalence, the exchange would be successful.
So, trading a Sage for a piece of Spiritual Stone was also theoretically possible.
However, the other party rejected this outright!
“Am I that worthless!”
Huo Xin’er burst into louder sobs.
“Fine, go ahead and die. I’ll leave you alone.”
“No! I am a Sage, and also a manifestation of the Law—if I let myself be degraded, the Heavenly Dao will abandon me!”
Upon hearing this, Zhou Tong finally understood.
The woman spoke the truth. Within a Sage’s body lies the Heavenly Dao’s fortune, and in the Fire Authority resides the Heavenly Dao’s Law. If they perceived themselves as degraded, calamity might strike.
Without another option, Zhou Tong conjured a ninth-grade Spirit Talisman, exchanging it to save her.
“Waaaah…”
The once high and mighty Saintess Huo Xin’er now sobbed pitifully.
“I’ve been traded for a ninth-grade Spirit Talisman—how unfair!”
Zhou Tong immediately bristled; surviving beneath an Imperial Weapon was already a miracle, yet she still dared to play high and mighty?
“Silence! Do you want me to put you back inside?”
As soon as the words were spoken, she immediately quieted.
Sealed by the Emperor’s Law, Fire Heart had the Emperor Laws wrapped around her. This restricted most of her power, leaving her with only standard Semi-Sage capabilities. Zhou Tong could now easily control her.
“Where are your people? Could they all have perished under the hands of the Imperial Weapon?”
After a brief glance, Zhou Tong asked, his expression growing grim.
“No, I found them to be a burden, so I sent them back to reality.”
“Impossible?”
Even Zhou Tong found it hard to believe.
The rules in this secluded mountainside secret realm were incredibly firm; even Sages wouldn’t be able to escape.
“Ah… It must have been the overwhelming aura of the Imperial Weapon. A spatial rift formed around it, and I was lucky enough to find it, hence…”
Upon hearing this, Zhou Tong was left speechless.
There was nothing to do but acknowledge her uncanny knack for exploiting opportunities—an innate body for finding imperfections, though occasionally at the cost of her own well-being.
“Enough. Since you’ve been saved, stop bothering our private world.”
Zhou Tong spoke disdainfully, preparing to send her off.
Suddenly, a booming sound erupted—the Imperial Weapon had emitted a shocking wave, turning all nearby into dust.
“AAAHHH!”
Huo Xin’er screamed like a frightened cat and trembled, hiding behind Zhou Tong.
“Please, don’t leave me. I’m scared, I will do anything!”
Seeing this, the Senior Apprentice Sister stared wide-eyed, already preparing to act.
How could a Sage possibly be so timid?
Zhou Tong sighed; this should not have been an act. No matter how authority-aware or sentient, fear can be hard to conquer after a traumatic experience, making it difficult to achieve great enlightenment.
“You only think of yourself. We have no obligation to protect you. Go away!”
Zhou Tong spoke with finality.
“Don’t send me away. I can help you obtain the Imperial Weapon!”
Huo Xin’er offered a condition too appealing for Zhou Tong to reject.
“Nonsense!”
“It’s true. I found a weakness in the Imperial Weapon. If utilized properly, there’s a chance to subdue it!”
Upon hearing this, Zhou Tong hesitated and stopped.
