A Refreshing Deal

Jin Qing looked at Xu Xian strangely and asked a question of her own, "You're quite frank, aren't you? You actually dare to say that out loud?"

Xu Xian shrugged indifferently. "It’s nothing. I have plenty of tricks, and this is just one of them. Besides, I don't believe you didn't notice."

Jin Qing did not deny it. There was indeed a mysterious veil over Bai Mang's body.

He was difficult to see through. Even with her cultivation level, peering at him from a short distance felt like looking at a moon in the water or a flower in a mirror. He was visible, but what she saw felt more like a mere shadow.

She couldn't quite explain that feeling herself.

"Fair enough."

"So, can you answer me now?" Xu Xian pressed.

A glint of mischief flickered in Jin Qing’s eyes. "I can tell you, but you can't expect me to work for free, can you?"

Xu Xian raised an eyebrow. "Let's hear it."

Jin Qing got straight to the point, stating her condition. "Translate two more primordial demon arts for me, and I’ll tell you."

Ha...

That was it?

Xu Xian wanted to laugh. Forget two; he could do ten. However, he still feigned a difficult expression, haggling, "At most one more. Take it or leave it."

Jin Qing knit her brows slightly but was very decisive. "Fine. Give it to me within a month."

After all, this wasn't some huge secret. If Bai Mang spent enough time and effort, he could eventually find the answer from other heavenly demons. She might as well take the advantage while she could.

Moreover, now that things were out in the open, it would be impossible for him to run. In a moment, she would activate a formation. Even if Xu Xian was proficient in formations, the greater demon king stage experts from the Ten Great Demon God Palaces hiding in the shadows wouldn't let him leave unscathed.

Xu Xian chuckled. "Deal!"

Jin Qing gestured with her eyes toward a tuft of colorless weeds growing in a crack in the floor. "There, do you see that?"

Xu Xian followed her gaze, his brow furrowing tightly. "Grass?"

Jin Qing narrowed her eyes. "The demon race has a demon art called the Thousand-Mile Demon Inquiry. As long as you are within a thousand miles of me, and as long as there are flowers, grass, or even trees around you, I can use them to see your presence. These plants act like eyes. Unless you can turn invisible or fly high into the sky—very high."

She added smugly, "It’s not just me; ordinary greater demon kings can do it too, though their range is smaller—about a hundred miles."

Jin Qing had not only explained how she did it but also helpfully told Xu Xian how to counter it: turn invisible, or fly into the sky.

However, true invisibility theoretically didn't exist.

Currently, the so-called invisibility techniques in Fanzhou were merely concealment spells. They used powerful cultivation and divine sense to deceive the opponent's eyes, making them unable to see the caster.

In essence, the caster was still visible, but the brain was being tricked by the interference of powerful mental energy. Obviously, this didn't work on plants, nor did it work on experts with stronger mental power than the caster.

To avoid it, one's only options were to fly into the sky or use a fire to burn all the plants until the land was barren.

Xu Xian realized the truth, lowering his eyes. "I see."

He had been wondering why his Pupil of Insight and Immortal King's Cloak couldn't hide his form. Hearing her explanation, it was clear and logical.

Jin Qing gave him a sudden warning. "You’d better not think about running. If you do, even I won't be able to protect you. After all, you took the stone table left behind by the Demon Lord."

Xu Xian rolled his eyes and said something seemingly random, "I've changed my mind."

"Hmm?"

"Go ahead and assign me some servants."

"What for?"

Xu Xian stared deathly at the trees and flowers, saying viciously, "I'm going to have them dig up every single one of these flowers and blades of grass."

Jin Qing burst out laughing. "Hehe."

Finding him a bit childish, she stood up and said calmly, "As you wish. As long as you don't step out of this estate, you can do whatever you want."

Xu Xian rubbed the bridge of his nose and grumbled, "So I'm under house arrest now? You're discarding the tool quite quickly after it’s served its purpose, aren't you?"

Jin Qing wagged her finger, denying it. "No, no, no. This isn't house arrest; this is protection. As long as you stay here obediently, you’ll stay alive."

Xu Xian spread his hands. "Whatever you say."

Jin Qing turned to leave. "I'm going!"

Xu Xian clicked his tongue in annoyance.

A moment later, a formation surged up, enveloping the entire estate.

Purple light swirled in Xu Xian's eyes as the Little Book flew out and back, complaining, "That old woman is quite ruthless. This great formation is something even an eighth-stage great ascension expert couldn't cut through."

Xu Xian narrowed his eyes, looking toward the edge of the pool. He responded mentally, "It's fine. Didn't a corner of the Nether Pool get enclosed within the formation? If we jump in and dive deep, we can still escape."

Little Book scoffed, "Then you’d better actually dare to jump in first."

Xu Xian twitched his nose and said confidently, "Sooner or later."

If all else failed, he could secretly manifest two swords and have the Little Book strike with all its might to cut a gap. That would work too.

However, those were matters for later. The urgent task was to condense nether fire as soon as possible and forge a container using the Shadow Soul Stones.

This wasn't just for digging stones; it was for making his escape.

The young man stood up and walked toward the tallest building in the estate. As the saying went: the higher you stand, the farther you see, and the faster you can run.

On the way, he didn't forget to chat with the Little Book.

"By the way, how heavy was that table? Can you estimate it?"

Little Book said excitedly, "Of course! A chunk that size... I'd estimate it's at least two hundred thousand tons."

Xu Xian was also pleased. "Then aren't we only short about seven hundred thousand tons?"

"Mm-hm. If we can get four more pieces like that, it'll be enough."

"You're certainly ambitious."

"It’s not a crime to dream."

Xu Xian rubbed his chin and muttered, "Actually, you know, I could totally earn the full one million tons just by translating these primordial demon arts. I'll charge a fee—one hundred thousand tons per book. I'm still short seventy million right now, so translating eight hundred books would be enough."

Little Book's eyes lit up as it realized the potential. "You're right! That's actually true!"

Xu Xian said sagely, "As they say, knowledge changes fate. Those words are absolutely correct."

Little Book didn't argue; it surprisingly agreed.

They had thought about robbing, digging, and even stealing, but they hadn't considered earning it through knowledge.

Little Book said proudly, "I really am the best."

Xu Xian retorted, "What does this have to do with you?"

Little Book looked at him with disdain. "Without me, you wouldn't even be able to read the words."

Xu Xian was annoyed and shot back, "Without me, you’d still be an egg!"

Little Book was left speechless. "Er..."

Finding itself out-argued, it quickly changed the subject. "But then again, Master, do you really plan to translate for them? These people aren't simple, and their ambitions aren't small. What if they learn them and use them to attack the Wendao Sword Sect in the future?"

Xu Xian gave a cold snort. "Do you think I'm stupid? Why would I hand a knife to my enemy?"

Little Book tilted its head. "Then, Master, you mean...?"

Xu Xian grinned mischievously, a glint of cunning flashing in his eyes as he said wickedly, "What do you think?"

Little Book felt a chill run down its spine. It had a feeling that some people were about to be very unlucky.

Beyond unlucky!

If things went wrong, people might actually die from those translations.