The Arch-Enemy Must Not Become a Wife

"Lastly, these demonic creatures transformed from immortal corpses are fundamentally different from ordinary cultivators of the latter realms. They don’t even adhere to the same cultivation system. Whether they belong to a particular realm is hard to say."

After finishing, the old fish made up his mind and said, "If my benefactor truly has the heart, I can personally take you to see that lake. If there’s no opportunity, we can retrace our steps without taking unnecessary risks."

Chu Xuan thought for a moment, "Actually, having a clue is already a gain in itself. I’m not in that much of a hurry. We can come back for it when we’re stronger in the future."

"Of course, going to take a look first is also good. If there’s no opportunity, we’ll retreat. Together with my senior sister, I have the confidence to escape."

With Chu Xuan advancing into the fourth realm, he could further loosen the suppression on the Master of the Ghost Market in the Six Souls Banner.

At the moment, it could perfectly unleash the power of the sixth realm, capable of maintaining "maximum power output" at all times without issues.

However, to let it exert the strength of the seventh realm, the suppression must be relaxed to an almost null degree, which would be too risky.

Chu Xuan mused that with the Six Souls Banner, the Seven Kill Monument, and the old ghost of the sixth realm, he had three trump cards. Just a glance at the situation should be enough to flee if anything seems amiss.

It’s a pity they don’t know this evil creature’s "true name," or else Chu Xuan would try using the Six Souls Banner to curse it.

Qin Mengyao, on the other hand, was even more confident than Chu Xuan. "Of course, we should go take a look, but old sir, you need not follow us. Just show us the way or send a small fish without intelligence to lead us."

"Otherwise, if anything dangerous happens, we’ll have to protect you, which would be troublesome."

Although this is beneficial for both parties, the old fish showed a troubled expression in its humanized eyes.

Chu Xuan also shook his head and said, "Senior sister, the old fish is after that opportunity. It’s not right if you don’t let it go."

Qin Mengyao slightly frowned, "Opportunity, opportunity, what if the opportunity has arrived? Who says you must lead the way to find the chance for transformation?"

"By the way," she remembered something, "you’ve been staying here for so many years. Besides the Divine Command, haven’t you collected any treasures? Among them, isn’t there a spiritual object that could help you break through?"

The old fish nodded, then shook his head, "The old man did collect some odd things, but there aren’t many that can truly be considered treasures."

"There are some medicinal pills among them, but most have lost their efficacy. Only a few are well-preserved, and their effects are unknown, so I dare not take them rashly."

"In the last few centuries, I risked my life taking some to break through, gaining some benefits, but still unable to transform."

Saying this, the old fish suddenly remembered something, "Oh right, there’s a black flat box that I just can’t seem to open. Could you two help me with it?"

"If there’s something good inside, I’ll split it with you half and half."

Qin Mengyao raised an eyebrow, "That’s simple, bring it over. I’ll hack open any box for you."

The old fish quickly said, "Absolutely not. I’ve had this box for a long time and studied it for many years. It’s painted with phoenixes and must be protected by an ancient restriction. Violent force might destroy what’s inside."

"Otherwise, with some extremely sharp shards in this ancient battlefield, the old man wouldn’t still be unable to open it."

Hearing this, Chu Xuan was intrigued. "So how do you think it could be opened?"

The old fish pondered, "It may require a master adept in arrays and restrictions to open it. Anyway, let me fetch it for you to see."

Wagging his tail, the old fish dove into the depths of the palace and soon returned, carrying a palm-sized ancient flat box on its head.

Upon seeing this object, Chu Xuan felt the phoenix patterns engraved on its surface seem familiar, clapping his hands and laughing, "Old sir, perhaps your opportunity has arrived!"

The old fish was momentarily stunned, then showed an excited expression, "Please, my benefactor, explain. Could the opportunity be inside this box?"

Chu Xuan did not answer directly, reaching out to take the flat box. He then parted the surrounding spiritual water, tapped his belt, and took out a faintly glowing crimson feather.

Upon seeing this feather, exuding a dangerous aura, the old fish’s eyes widened as it shouted excitedly, "Is this a true phoenix feather?!"

Chu Xuan nodded, "Indeed it is."

He placed the phoenix feather, gifted by a demon sage, atop the flat box. His right hand activated his magical power, causing the feather to emit a ring of red light.

Simultaneously, the engraved phoenix patterns on the black flat box also responded, lighting up with golden red lines.

Yet under the expectant gazes of the three, nothing happened. The feather and box glowed for quite a while, but once the power ceased, they dimmed together, leaving the box still unopened.

This left both Chu Xuan and the old fish confused, while Qin Mengyao couldn’t help but chuckle. Chu Xuan felt especially embarrassed.

Despite his disappointment, the old fish turned to console Chu Xuan, "Perhaps it’s truly a treasure of the phoenix clan. But to open it, we’ll need the original owner of the feather to help."

"May I trouble my benefactor to take this flat box outside? My hope for the latter half of my life rests with you."

Chu Xuan, however, was not one to easily give up. "Wait. Let me try once more."

This time, he abandoned the simplistic method, directly placing the phoenix feather in his hair. Then he activated the Intelligent Stone Monkey’s Transformation, transforming into a Five Virtues True Phoenix, draped in multicolored feather and surrounded by crimson flames, with an awe-inspiring presence.

Terrified, the old fish backed away repeatedly. The silver-scaled flying fish in the palace sensed the destruction aura from the phoenix and fled. Some even became paralyzed, dropping to the ground.

Qin Mengyao also watched in amazement, stepping back a few paces as the phoenix spat golden-red "world-igniting fire" towards the hovering black flat box.

Though it seemed reckless, Chu Xuan carefully controlled the intensity. The fire didn’t hit the box outright but slowly surrounded it, testing bit by bit.

As soon as the world-igniting fire touched the box, the phoenix restriction on the flat box emitted a brilliant glow. The box clicked open by itself.

Inside was a pill emitting a faint white luminescence, with an alluring fragrance whose origin was unknown.

Chu Xuan finally let out a sigh of relief, withdrawing the flames and returning to human form.

Excitedly shaking, the old fish looked at the pill, its long gray whiskers twitching with joy.

Chu Xuan smiled as he handed the pill to the old fish, "Does this resonate with you, could it be your chance?"

With tears in its eyes, the old fish nodded repeatedly, "Yes, it’s the one. Though I don’t know what this pill is, I have a strong premonition that consuming it will allow me to transform, and even break through to the fourth realm in one go."

Qin Mengyao seemed very pleased, "If not for my suggestion, you two wouldn’t have thought of this angle."

"Alright, tell us the route. Then you can slowly consume and meditate. Consider us settled."

Yet faced with the long-awaited opportunity, the old fish hesitated, "But earlier I promised to split half of it with you."

"Oh, stop dawdling," Qin Mengyao said impatiently.

Chu Xuan cast a somewhat skeptical look her way but also added, "How can one pill be split? You should take your time using it."

The old fish shook its head repeatedly, setting aside the enticing white spirit pill, saying, "Please wait," then disappeared into the palace depths again.

Soon after, the old fish returned, dragging a golden, shimmering net in its teeth with a pile of tattered objects.

"Excuse my humble offerings. I’ve spent more than half a life scouring the battlefield to collect these items. Most are just worthless things, so please have no disdain. Each of you take one item; consider it a small token of my gratitude."

Though he said "worthless", Chu Xuan could tell from the old fish’s gaze how much he cherished them.

Even Qin Mengyao’s view of him changed, shaking her head and saying, "If everyone in the world had even three or four parts of your goodness, it would be a peaceful era."