Jasmine furrowed her delicate brows, her jet-black eyes narrowing into two razor-sharp blades that seemed capable of slicing through the very soul of anyone who dared hold her gaze for too long.
"Hmph. This princess will admit that you are quite capable for recognizing the Absolute God-Slaying Poison, but you are not qualified to know what happened to this princess." Her voice came out icy, laden with an arrogance so natural it seemed to be part of her very breathing.
Ren Zu raised an eyebrow, the movement subtle yet filled with genuine interest. He tilted his head slightly, like someone observing a curious enigma.
"Qualified?" he replied, his voice calm, almost amused. "What exactly do you mean by qualifications, Miss Jasmine?"
"If you know what a Realm King is… then perhaps I will explain the details." Her lips curved into a cold, superior smile.
Ren Zu let out a soft sigh, closing his eyes for a brief moment. When he opened them again, there was something different in them—a depth that seemed to swallow the surrounding green light.
"You're underestimating me, Jasmine." He took a step forward, slow and deliberate. "Realm King? I know very well who they are… Well, if you know as well, then you must be from the Realm of the Gods…?"
The silence that followed was suffocating.
Her red hair completely stopped swaying. Even the faint fragrance of the Pearl seemed to dissipate for an instant.
"…" Jasmine opened her mouth, but no sound came out.
"I remember hearing some rumors about someone who was poisoned by the Absolute God-Slaying Poison, someone from the Star God Realm—which, coincidentally, is a Royal Realm ruled by a king you just happened to mention…" Ren Zu didn't stop; he continued casually: "Putting all these pieces together, if I'm correct… you must be the Heavenly Slaughter Star God?"
Her black eyes dilated to their limit.
He tilted his head slightly, a small, almost melancholic smile curving his perfect lips.
"I heard… that you were poisoned during the search for the Evil God's Immortal Blood."
The impact was like a thunderbolt.
Jasmine instinctively retreated through the air, floating several meters back in a single fluid motion. Her small fists trembled—not from anger, but from a shock so violent it seemed to have shaken even the foundation of her spirit.
"You… how… how do you know that?"
She stared at him as if she were seeing a ghost.
Ren Zu didn't answer immediately.
He simply watched her for a few more seconds, letting the silence do the work.
Then, with the same unshakable calm, he spoke:
"I also come from the Realm of the Gods. To be more specific, I stayed there for just over a year under the training of my medical master, which allowed me to hear a great deal of information—including about the incident that spread years ago. Who would have imagined that you would fall onto this small planet and cross paths precisely with the one who held the other half of the Sky Poison Pearl, the only thing capable of neutralizing your poison. Was it a fleeting twist of fate…?"
Jasmine furrowed her delicate brows even further, her black eyes narrowing in a mixture of irritation and something bordering on resignation.
"…Hmph. Since you already know all of this, spare me the trouble of explaining it later." She finally said, before her expression turned far more serious and she continued: "Right now, I am still recovering from the God-Slaying Poison, and it will take some time to completely rid myself of it. After I recover, I planned to gather the necessary materials and reconstruct my body. But given my current situation, I can only depend on someone else… Previously, my disciple had been assigned that task. However, considering his condition and the entire situation… he will no longer be able to fulfill our agreement."
"What I offered in exchange back then was the Evil God's Immortal Blood…"
"Three hundred years ago, someone discovered an ancient book while exploring a dangerous ruin from the Ancient Era. There was an inscription: 'In the Primordial Era there existed a true god also known as the 'Evil God.' He was the last god who remained after the fall of the Divine Era. His fall marked the true end of the Divine Era. And during the Evil God's downfall, he left behind a drop of immortal blood that embodied the source of his power…'
"If someone could obtain that drop of immortal blood and fuse it into their body, their Profound Veins would be capable of generating the power of the Evil God!"
"Many people quickly learned of this message; the words 'Power of a True God' were irresistibly seductive to everyone. Thus, countless people began frantically searching for the Evil God's blood. But for centuries, no one succeeded—until a few years ago, when someone finally discovered the site of the Evil God's fall. Consequently, innumerable people rushed to that place in hopes of finding the Evil God's remains. Inadvertently, the legendary 'Evil God's Immortal Blood' was found, and it caused everyone to fight over it… But in the end, it fell into my hands…"
"Only after I obtained that Evil God's blood was I able to discover that the power hidden within it was completely different from my expectations. There was no trace of destructive power at all! If someone were to inject it into themselves, it would forcibly change the structure and attributes of their Profound Veins and even erase all the strength built up in their old set of Profound Veins! Everything would have to start from zero! That was all! Afterward, the Profound Strength would still have to be trained little by little by that person!"
"But that doesn't change the fact that it is something extremely valuable that originally belonged to this princess. Therefore, as someone who took and absorbed it without permission, you owe me this favor…"
Ren Zu watched her in silence for a moment, his deep black eyes reflecting the emerald light of the surroundings like bottomless wells. He didn't seem the least bit shaken by her revelation; on the contrary, there was an almost supernatural tranquility in his expression, as though he had already anticipated everything.
"I already know the value of the Evil God's Immortal Blood—I didn't need such a detailed explanation." He spoke slowly, his voice low and measured, without any trace of arrogance or forced humility. "Especially because… the only drawback—the need to completely destroy and rebuild the Profound Veins—was entirely eliminated when I absorbed it…"
"…" A flash of astonishment appeared in the depths of Jasmine's pupils when she recalled having noticed that detail during the process of integrating the legacy into the young man. She could never have borne the price of having all her current power erased just to use that drop of the Evil God's blood; that was exactly why she had given it to Yun Che in exchange for those conditions years ago. And he… he had to go through the entire process of destruction and reconstruction.
But the young man standing before her eyes did not.
He didn't have to pay any price at all. It was as though he were the true heir of the Evil God, as though the Divine Legacy had simply returned to its rightful owner. That was the only logic her mind could find to explain such an absurdity!
Then, her lips curved into a small, almost reluctant smile, yet carrying a trace of approval she couldn't hide.
"…Hmph. Precisely because you received that benefit… it's only fair that you help me with my goal, right?"
She crossed her delicate arms over her chest, the gauze dress rippling softly as she tried to regain her usual arrogant posture.
Ren Zu gave a faint smile—calm and unhurried.
"I have no problem helping you, Jasmine." He paused briefly, his black eyes still locked on hers: "As for the favor of saving your disciple's life… how about we cancel it out with the favor I owe you for unintentionally taking your legacy?"
Jasmine raised an eyebrow, surprised by the direct proposal.
"Unintentionally… stolen?"
Ren Zu shrugged, the gesture elegant and carefree.
"In practice, that's what happened. The legacy came to me on its own and began the integration. I didn't force anything… but still, I ended up taking something that was yours…" He opened his hands, as though offering complete transparency: "So, we cancel both favors. You don't owe me anything for saving your disciple, and I don't owe you anything for the legacy. A fair deal, right?"
He tilted his head slightly before continuing, in a calm tone:
"If I hadn't arrived in time, your disciple would have died and, very likely, you would have suffered the same fate. In terms of value, I believe the lives of both of you weigh more than a Divine Legacy that merely grants stronger-than-normal Profound Veins and a few additional benefits… don't you agree?" His lips curved into a faint smile: "Fortunately, I didn't lose my profound strength because of it. If I had, I would have been… quite irritated. But as you yourself said, I ended up benefiting more than most. Still, I think it fits perfectly as repayment for saving both your lives…"
He raised a finger, as though adding an important detail.
"Add to that the fact that two other Divine Legacies belonging to your disciple were also drawn to me. Not to mention the other half of the Sky Poison Pearl… and the [Samsara Mirror], which I immediately recognized as a treasure of the Illusory Demon Royal Family—which, following that line of reasoning, would make it rightfully mine. Oh, and we can also say that the half of the Pearl was already mine from the moment it chose me. I was already its master. Therefore, those two treasures were mine from the beginning, while your disciple's Divine Legacies simply… chose me…"
He let out a small, theatrical sigh.
"Which, in a way, makes me the victim here, don't you think? Even though I benefited, that doesn't change the fact. Demanding compensation from the victim for something that wasn't their fault… is rather dishonorable, you know?"
"Now that we've set that line of reasoning aside… let's try to forget this tragic past. Since you need my help and I will gladly provide it, the least I expect is not to be charged or treated as guilty when I'm the victim in this situation. What do you say?"
Jasmine stared at him for long seconds, her black eyes scrutinizing every feature of his face. Finally, she let out a soft huff—more resigned than irritated—and uncrossed her arms.
"…Fine. I accept…"
Ren Zu smiled faintly—a small, subtle smile, yet so perfect it seemed to illuminate the infinite green around them. The curve of his lips was delicate, almost ethereal, and the calm glow in his black eyes reflected the emerald light like stars mirrored in a nocturnal lake.
Jasmine blinked once. Then again.
For a brief, almost imperceptible instant, she became lost.
Her small, perfect face flushed violently, a rosy hue rising across her jade-pale cheeks all the way to her ears. Her black eyes, which moments earlier had cut like blades, became glazed and unfocused. Her breathing faltered for a fraction of a second. That man… was too beautiful. Beautiful in a way that bordered on the absurd, like a sublime painting come to life, as though the heavens had decided to concentrate all possible beauty into a single being and then casually tossed him into the mortal world.
She blinked again, forcing herself back to reality.
"Hmph!"
The huff came out louder than intended, almost like an irritated squeak. She abruptly turned her face to the side, her red hair whipping through the air as she tried to hide the blush still burning on her cheeks.
Ren Zu tilted his head slightly, the smile never leaving his lips.
"Since we're going to work together and I've already discovered your identity… should I call you by your real name, princess… or Jasmine?" The question came out calm, almost gentle, yet carrying genuine curiosity.
Jasmine huffed again, crossing her arms more tightly as though that could shield her from the embarrassment.
"Call me whatever you want. It makes no difference to this princess."
Ren Zu remained silent for a moment, as though seriously considering his options. Then, in a thoughtful and slightly playful tone, he murmured:
"Tong'er… would that be too intimate?"
Jasmine's eyes widened to their limit.
For a single, dangerous instant, the image of Ren Zu overlapped with the memory of her older brother. The soft voice, the affectionate tone, the nickname only he used… everything blended together. Her heart gave a violent leap in her chest, and a hot, painful wave of old emotions flooded her pupils, making them tremble.
But then the image returned to the present.
The beautiful immortal before her, with his ink-black hair cascading over his shoulders, eyes deep as starry abysses…
She felt dizzy.
A sweet, dangerous dizziness that made her blink rapidly to dispel the sensation.
"Hmph! You… you are not qualified to call me that!" Her voice came out louder than intended, almost an indignant shout. The blush on her cheeks intensified, now impossible to hide.
Ren Zu shrugged, the gesture elegant and unconcerned.
"Alright. Then I'll keep calling you Jasmine." He changed the subject naturally, as though the previous moment had never happened: "Since we've talked about this and I've decided to help you, I'll do everything I can to obtain the items needed to reconstruct your body. In the meantime… focus on purifying the poison. You already know what you need, don't you?"
Jasmine huffed again, trying to regain her composure.
"Of course I know. Don't underestimate me." She raised her chin, recovering part of her arrogance: "I need: one stalk of the Netherworld Udumbara Flower, three Profound Beast Cores no lower than the Tyrant Profound Realm, and at least thirty-five kilograms of Purple Veined Divine Crystals."
Ren Zu nodded, showing no sign of surprise.
"I know." He smiled faintly: "I'm not called the best physician between heaven and earth for nothing. It won't be difficult to obtain those items either…"
Jasmine stared at him for a moment, her black eyes studying him with a mixture of distrust and… reluctant curiosity.
"…Do you really think you can get all of that?"
Ren Zu raised an eyebrow, his tone almost playful.
"Two years. That's the time I'm giving myself to gather everything. By then… you should be able to completely purify the poison, right?"
Jasmine remained silent for a few seconds. Then, with a final huff—more resigned than irritated—she nodded.
"…Two years, then."
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