Chapter 32: Two Conditions

After three days of relentless fighting, it became clear that neither Chu Xiaotian nor the girl, Mu Qingcheng, could defeat the other. 

"Let's stop," Chu Xiaotian sighed, looking towards the equally exhausted girl lying across from him.

"I'll stop, but you must promise not to tell anyone you've seen my face. Also, you must agree to two things," Mu Qingcheng said, understanding that killing Chu Xiaotian was impossible. His talent made her heart flutter; he had grown too fast, reaching the fourth realm of Lingyuan in just three days.

"Agreed," Chu Xiaotian immediately responded, eager to end their confrontation.

"The first condition: You must join me in completing a mission. After that, we go our separate ways, as if we've never met," Mu Qingcheng stated her first condition, to which Chu Xiaotian agreed without hesitation.

"The second condition: During our mission, you must cook roast meat for me daily. It has to satisfy me, or all agreements are null and void," she added. Hearing this, Chu Xiaotian, although surprised, agreed.

"As long as you don't attack me again," Chu Xiaotian acquiesced to all her conditions and set his own, leading to a mutual agreement. Facing such a formidable being, both Chu Xiaotian and Mu Qingcheng felt relieved to cease their fight.

As night fell again, Chu Xiaotian hunted a beast to ease the tension between them. Seeing that Mu Qingcheng had finally stopped her attacks, he sighed in relief.

Eventually, Chu Xiaotian learned the girl's name: Mu Qingcheng, a name befitting her stunning beauty. Though still somewhat childish, her perfect face could make any woman jealous and any man enamored.

"What mission do you need help with?" Chu Xiaotian asked, now that their relationship had improved slightly, though they were far from friends.

"I need you to accompany me to the core layer to retrieve an item," Mu Qingcheng replied coldly, wanting to prepare him mentally.

"The core layer? Are you kidding? Even the deans of the seven major martial academies dare not enter there lightly," Chu Xiaotian exclaimed in shock, aware of the core layer's dangers.

"So, you want to fight me again?" Mu Qingcheng's expression turned icy at his response, and the temperature around them seemed to drop.

Faced with her cold demeanor and determined eyes, Chu Xiaotian eventually agreed to enter the core layer with her. It wasn't out of fear; he knew they were evenly matched. He could leave if he really wanted to, but he agreed for two reasons: her captivating beauty moved him, and he felt compelled to fulfill his promises.

"Hmph," Mu Qingcheng's expression softened slightly, though she remained aloof and proud.

The next day, as the first rays of sunlight touched the Yao Feng Forest, two figures swiftly navigated through it. Chu Xiaotian, lost in thought, was unaware of Mu Qingcheng's gaze on him. His robust physique and deep, bright eyes shone in the sunlight, making him look even more vibrant. His ordinary black robe couldn't hide his unique aura, which was attractive and desirable.

Mu Qingcheng's face flushed slightly as she observed him, her heartbeat quickening. When Chu Xiaotian turned to look at her, she quickly averted her gaze and continued leading the way.

"Are we there?" Chu Xiaotian asked, noticing that Mu Qingcheng had stopped. Ahead was darkness, an eerie and foreboding area that seemed to swallow the light, evoking an inexplicable sense of dread.

The core area was shrouded in a mist that spiritual power couldn't penetrate, making it even more mysterious and terrifying. Chu Xiaotian swallowed hard and looked at Mu Qingcheng, who also seemed uneasy.

"Really going in there?" he asked.

"Let's go," she said, determined, and stepped into the core area. Chu Xiaotian followed.

Upon entering, they were enveloped in darkness, as if the world had turned black, plunging them into panic. The fear of the unknown was terrifying, even for the strongest warriors.

Suddenly, a green light illuminated the area, casting a surreal glow on their surroundings and adding to the eerie atmosphere.

"A spirit weapon?" Chu Xiaotian noticed that Mu Qingcheng had taken out an object resembling an oil lamp, emitting a soft green light without being lit by any flame. Clearly, it was a spirit weapon, powered by spiritual energy.