dāng rán ， cǐ shí cǐ kè ， lín xuān kě bù huì yán jiū ， xiǎng nòng qīng chǔ zhè cán fú jiū jìng yǒu hé shén miào zài lǐ tou ， yě yào děng dào le líng jiè yǐ hòu 。
当然，此时此刻，林轩可不会研究，想弄清楚这残符究竟有何神妙在里头，也要等到了灵界以后。
Of course, Lin Xuan wouldn't bother to study the mysterious power within this broken talisman at that moment. He would have to wait until he arrived in the Spirit Realm.
nǎo hǎi zhōng niàn tou zhuǎn guò ， cǐ wù yě yǐn méi yú tā de yī yòu zhī zhōng 。
脑海中念头转过，此物也隐没于他的衣柚之中。
With his thoughts turning over, the object disappeared into his robe.
suí hòu lín xuān shǒu zhǎng yī fān ， lìng wài yī jiàn bǎo wù xiǎn xiàn chū lái 。
随后林轩手掌一翻，另外一件宝物显现出来。
Then, Lin Xuan flipped his palm and another treasure appeared.
lóng yǎn dà xiǎo ， biǎo miàn huā wén bān bó ， bú yòng shuō ， zì rán shì nà lì fèi dān le 。
龙眼大小，表面花纹斑驳，不用说，自然是那粒废丹了。
It was roughly the size of a dragon's eye, with a mottled surface pattern. Naturally, it was that waste pill.
duì yú bié rén lái shuō ， liàn fèi de dān yào zì rán sī háo yòng chǔ yě wú ， zhè shì xiū xiān jiè de cháng shí ， lèi sì yú tiān dì fǎ zé yì bān de dōng xī ， yě nán guài wàng tíng lóu huì bù zài yì 。
对于别人来说，炼废的丹药自然丝毫用处也无，这是修仙界的常识，类似于天地法则一般的东西，也难怪望亭楼会不在意。
For others, the waste pills were utterly useless in refining essence. This was common knowledge in the cultivation world, like an unbreakable law, so it wasn't surprising that Wangting Tower didn't care about them.
rán ér zì jǐ bù tóng 。
然而自己不同。
However, Lin Xuan was different. The blue Star Sea had the ability to turn waste into treasure, and thanks to this, a mere ordinary person without a spirit root could embark on the path of cultivation.
lán sè xīng hǎi yǒu zhe biàn fèi wèi bǎo de nì tiān shén tōng ， zhèng shì kào zhe cǐ wù ， zì jǐ yī méi yǒu líng gēn de pǔ tōng rén ， cái tà shàng le xiū xiān zhī lù 。
蓝色星海有着变废为宝的逆天神通，正是靠着此物，自己一没有灵根的普通人，才踏上了修仙之路。
Waste pills could be refined using the Star Sea whenever he had free time.
fèi dān ， zhǐ yào děng dào kòng xián ， zì rán kě yǐ yòng xīng hǎi jiāng qí tí chún chū lái 。
废丹，只要等到空闲，自然可以用星海将其提纯出来。
Thinking of that, Lin Xuan's heart burned with anticipation. What kind of miraculous power would an immortal's pill have?
niàn jí zhì cǐ ， lín xuān xīn zhōng huǒ rè yǐ jí ， xiān rén liàn zhì de dān yào ， jiū jìng huì yǒu zěn yàng bù kě sī yì de yào lì 。
念及至此，林轩心中火热以极，仙人炼制的丹药，究竟会有怎样不可思议的药力。
"This treasure hunt was fraught with danger and difficulty, but to finally obtain three treasures left behind by an immortal is indeed worth it. According to my calculations, the Gate of Devils will close in just three days. I must find Fairy Ruyan as soon as possible and sneak into the Spirit Realm together," Lin Xuan murmured to himself before transforming into a streak of lightning that flew back down the passage.
“ zhè cì xún bǎo zhī lǚ ， suī lì jīng jiān nán xiǎn zǔ ， dàn zuì zhōng néng dé dào xiān rén suǒ liú xià lái de sān jiàn bǎo wù ， yě suàn shì wù yǒu suǒ zhí le ， suàn suàn shí jiān ， xiū luó zhī mén zhǐ shèng xià sān tiān jiù huì guān bì ， bì xū jǐn kuài zhǎo dào rú yān xiān zi ， rán hòu yì qǐ tōu dù dào líng jiè qù 。” lín xuān nán nán zì yǔ ， suí hòu huà wèi yī dào jīng hóng ， fēi xiàng le lái shí de tōng dào zhī zhōng 。
“这次寻宝之旅，虽历经艰难险阻，但最终能得到仙人所留下来的三件宝物，也算是物有所值了，算算时间，修罗之门只剩下三天就会关闭，必须尽快找到如嫣仙子，然后一起偷渡到灵界去。”林轩喃喃自语，随后化为一道惊虹，飞向了来时的通道之中。
In his soul space, Dayu Sword faced off against its shadowy counterpart.
hún niàn kōng jiān ， yuē bo jiàn yǔ nà xū yǐng zhèng yáo yáo duì zhì 。
魂念空间，曰卜剑与那虚影正遥遥对峙。
"What did you say? Nine Heavens Immortal Female, what is that thing?"
“ nǐ shuō shén me ， jiǔ tiān xuán nǚ ， nà shì shén me dōng xī ？”
“你说什么，九天玄女，那是什么东西？”
"Thing?" The shadow turned its head and wore an odd expression. Then it laughed loudly: "You brat, not bad! You really suit my taste. That scumbag Nine Heavens Immortal Female was actually called a 'thing' by you. She's one of the three immortals who came down from the Celestial Realm."
“ dōng xī ？” xū yǐng zhuǎn guò tóu lú ， liǎn shàng mǎn shì gǔ guài zhī sè ， suí hòu jìng hā hā hā de chàng kuài dà xiào qǐ lái le ：“ nǐ zhè xiǎo zi ， bù cuò bù cuò ， hěn hé lǎo fū wèi kǒu de ， jiǔ tiān xuán nǚ nà jiàn bì ， jū rán bèi nǐ chēng wéi dōng xī ， tā kě shì dāng nián cóng xiān jiè xià lái de sān rén zhī yī 。”
“东西？”虚影转过头颅，脸上满是古怪之色，随后竟哈哈哈的畅快大笑起来了：“你这小子，不错不错，很合老夫胃口的，九天玄女那贱婢，居然被你称为东西，她可是当年从仙界下来的三人之一。”
"What? One of the Three True Immortals? Could this place be where she left behind treasures?" Tian Xiaojian widened his eyes, a glimmer of desire flashing in his gaze.
“ shén me ， sān wèi zhēn xiān zhī yī ， nán dào zhè yí jì ， jiù shì cǐ nǚ liú xià lái dì ” lǐ miàn zhēn yǒu xiān rén de bǎo wù ？” tián xiǎo jiàn dèng dà yǎn zhū de kāi kǒu le ， móu dǐ shēn chū ， shǎn guò yī sī kě wàng zhī sè 。
“什么，三位真仙之一，难道这遗迹，就是此女留下来地”里面真有仙人的宝物？”田小剑瞪大眼珠的开口了，眸底伸出，闪过一丝渴望之色。
"Indeed, Nine Heavens Immortal Female did leave some things behind. This ruin's restrictions are one such thing, and it was left by her just before her death through secret techniques," the shadow continued.
“ bù cuò ， dāng nián jiǔ tiān xuán nǚ shì liú xià le yī xiē dōng xī ， jiù shì zhè fèi xū jìn zhì ， yě shì tā lín sǐ yǐ qián ， qiáng xíng yòng mì shù liú xià yī lǚ shén niàn “……”，“ shén niàn ？”
“不错，当年九天玄女是留下了一些东西，就是这废墟禁制，也是她临死以前，强行用秘术留下一缕神念“……”，“神念？”
"Gods, so there is something from an immortal here?" Tian Xiaojian's pupils constricted. Unlike the soul essence or spirit soul, a godly consciousness didn't contain any memories; it could only follow commands set in advance.
tián xiǎo jiàn tóng kǒng wēi suō ， shén niàn bù tóng yú yuán shén hún pò ， shàng miàn kě méi yǒu jì yì shén me ， zhǐ shì néng gòu àn zhào zhǔ rén de yì zhì ， qù zuò yī xiē yǐ jīng tí qián shè dìng hǎo le de shì 。
田小剑瞳孔微缩，神念不同于元神魂魄，上面可没有记忆什么，只是能够按照主人的意志，去做一些已经提前设定好了的事。
A single thread of godly consciousness could create such a massive ruin and complex restrictions, which left Tian Xiaojian amazed. However, considering that the other party wasn't a cultivator but a True Immortal, he felt relieved.
yī lǚ shén niàn ， néng gòu nòng chū nà me dà guī mó de fèi xū ， hái yǒu rú cǐ fán fù de jìn zhì ， tián xiǎo jiàn xīn jīng bù yǐ ， bù guò xiǎng xiǎng ， duì fāng běn bú shì xiū xiān zhě ， ér shì zhēn xiān yī jí de rén wù ， bù yóu de yòu wèi zhī shì rán le 。
一缕神念，能够弄出那么大规模的废墟，还有如此繁复的禁制，田小剑心惊不已，不过想想，对方本不是修仙者，而是真仙一级的人物，不由得又为之释然了。
"Young man, Nine Heavens Immortal Female did leave some treasures that would be useful for you cultivators, but there's no need to envy her. Just cooperate with me, and you can gain even greater benefits," the shadow turned its head again, returning to the previous topic.
“ xiǎo zi ， jiǔ tiān xuán nǚ shì liú xià le yī xiē bǎo wù ， duì nǐ men zhè yàng de xiū xiān zhě yě dà yǒu yòng tú ， dàn nǐ gēn běn bù yòng xiàn mù ， zhǐ yào nǐ yǔ běn zūn hé zuò ， wán quán kě yǐ dé dào gèng dà de hǎo chù 。” xū yǐng zhuǎn guò tóu lú ， yòu jiāng huà tí huí dào gāng cái suǒ shuō de shàng miàn le 。
“小子，九天玄女是留下了一些宝物，对你们这样的修仙者也大有用途，但你根本不用羡慕，只要你与本尊合作，完全可以得到更大的好处。”虚影转过头颅，又将话题回到刚才所说的上面了。
"Humph, what do I have to pay?"
“ hēng ， nà wǒ xū yào fù chū shén me ？”
“哼，那我需要付出什么？”
Tian Xiaojian was a very clever person; he wouldn't be easily led by the other party. He knew that there were no free lunches in heaven or earth.
tián xiǎo jiàn shì hé děng cōng míng de rén wù ， gēn běn bú huì bèi duì fāng qiān zhe bí zi zǒu ， yī fēn nǔ lì ， yī fēn shōu huò ” tā cái bú huì shǎ shǎ de bèi duì fāng suǒ yòu huò 。
田小剑是何等聪明的人物，根本不会被对方牵着鼻子走，一分努力，一分收获”他才不会傻傻的被对方所诱惑。
"You don’t need to pay anything."
“ nǐ bù yòng fù chū 。”
“你不用付出。”
"What?" Tian Xiaojian froze, his face showing complete disbelief. He wasn't stupid; how could something like this happen?
“ shén me ？” tián xiǎo jiàn yī dāi ， suí hòu liǎn shàng lù chū wán quán bù xìn de biǎo qíng lái ， zì jǐ yòu bù shǎ ， tiān shàng bù kě néng huì diào xiàn bǐng a ！
“什么？”田小剑一呆，随后脸上露出完全不信的表情来，自己又不傻，天上不可能会掉馅饼啊！
"I don’t want to waste time on you. Do you think I’m deceiving you? No, in my past life, although I was the Grand Commander of the Demon Clan, now I am but a fraction of one percent of my original essence. My spirit power is insufficient for possession; my only choice is to coexist with you successfully," the shadow said.
“ xiǎo zi ， wǒ bù xiǎng xū yǔ wēi yí ， nǐ yǐ wéi běn zūn zài qī piàn nǐ me ， cuò le ， wǒ xī rì ” suī shì mó zú dà tǒng lǐng ， dàn rú jīn ” zhǐ shèng xià bǎi wàn fēn zhī yī de jīng hún ér yǐ ， zhè diǎn yuán shén zhī lì ， gēn běn jiù bù kě néng duó shě ， wǒ wéi yī de xuǎn zé ， shì yǔ nǐ chéng gōng gòng shēng tǐ 。”
“小子，我不想虚与委蛇，你以为本尊在欺骗你么，错了，我昔日”虽是魔族大统领，但如今”只剩下百万分之一的精魂而已，这点元神之力，根本就不可能夺舍，我唯一的选择，是与你成功共生体。”
"Coexistence?" Tian Xiaojian's brows twitched as he appeared thoughtful.
“ gòng shēng tǐ ？” tián xiǎo jiàn tīng dào cǐ chù ， méi shāo wēi dòng ， liǎn shàng lù chū le ruò yǒu suǒ sī zhī sè 。
“共生体？”田小剑听到此处，眉梢微动，脸上露出了若有所思之色。
Coexistence was something he had heard about before. Essentially, it meant signing a blood pact where one would die if the other perished—this was the strictest of celestial laws.
gòng shēng tǐ ， tā dǎo shì tīng shuō guò ， jiǎn dān de jiǎng ， jiù xiāng dāng yú liǎng rén qiān dìng tóng shēng gòng sǐ de xuè qì ， yī fāng yǔn luò ， lìng wài yī fāng ， yě jué bù kě néng dú huó ， zhè shì zuì wèi yán lì de tiān dì fǎ zé 。
共生体，他倒是听说过，简单的讲，就相当于两人签订同生共死的血契，一方陨落，另外一方，也绝不可能独活，这是最为严厉的天地法则。
If that were true, the other party indeed didn't seem malicious, but why would they want to do this? Tian Xiaojian's cautious nature wouldn’t allow him to agree without resolving his doubts first.
jiǎ ruò shì rú cǐ ， duì fāng dào què shí bù xiàng yǒu è yì ， dàn tā wèi hé yào rú cǐ ， bù nòng qīng chǔ xīn zhōng de yí huò ， yǐ tián xiǎo jiàn xiǎo xīn jǐn shèn de xìng gé ， shì jué bú huì qīng yì dā yìng de 。
假若是如此，对方倒确实不像有恶意，但他为何要如此，不弄清楚心中的疑惑，以田小剑小心谨慎的性格，是绝不会轻易答应的。
"Doing so will greatly benefit me. But what about you? Is it just to leave this confined space?" Tian Xiaojian’s eyes flashed as he spoke.
“ zhè me zuò ， duì wǒ yǒu mò dà de hǎo chù ， dàn nǐ yòu shì wèi le shén me ， nán dào jǐn jǐn shì lí kāi zhè fēng bì de kōng jiān me ？” tián xiǎo jiàn de mù guāng shǎn dòng de kāi kǒu le 。
“这么做，对我有莫大的好处，但你又是为了什么，难道仅仅是离开这封闭的空间么？”田小剑的目光闪动的开口了。
"You can say that, but not entirely. Leaving here is only a trivial reason," the shadow sighed, revealing a sense of melancholy. He had been alone in this small place for millions of years; the thought was unbearable.
“ kě yǐ zhè yàng shuō ， dàn què bù quán shì ， lí kāi zhè lǐ ， zhǐ shì qí zhōng wēi bù zú dào de yí gè lǐ yóu ér yǐ 。” xū yǐng tàn le kǒu qì ， yán yǔ zhī zhōng tòu chū jǐ fēn luò jì ， yí gè rén gū líng líng de zài zhè xiá xiǎo zhī dì dài le jǐ bǎi wàn nián ， nà zī wèi ér ， jué duì shēng bù rú sǐ 。
“可以这样说，但却不全是，离开这里，只是其中微不足道的一个理由而已。”虚影叹了口气，言语之中透出几分落寂，一个人孤零零的在这狭小之地待了几百万年，那滋味儿，绝对生不如死。
"Why? Friend, no more beating around the bush." Tian Xiaojian’s tone lacked respect; he knew that despite his past greatness, the other party was merely a fragment of its former self now.
“ nà shì wèi hé ， dào yǒu jiù bú yào zài dōu quān zi le 。” tián xiǎo jiàn de yǔ qì bìng méi yǒu gōng jìng zhī yì ， duì fāng xī rì zài liǎo bù qǐ ， rú jīn yě jǐn jǐn shì yī lǚ fēn hún ér yǐ 。
“那是为何，道友就不要再兜圈子了。”田小剑的语气并没有恭敬之意，对方昔日再了不起，如今也仅仅是一缕分魂而已。
"Assisted by me, you have the True Demon Body. With effort over tens of thousands of years, your ascension to immortality is possible. As your coexistence partner, I will also gain great benefits during this process. When you ascend to the Celestial Realm, my spirit essence will be as strong as before, and it might even be possible for me to resurrect and become the Grand Commander of the Demon Clan again," the shadow's eyes flashed with excitement.
“ yǒu le wǒ de fǔ zuǒ ， dào yǒu yòu shēn jù yǒu zhēn mó zhī tǐ ， zhǐ yào jīng guò shù wàn nián de nǔ lì ， nǐ dù jié chéng xiān yě shì dà yǒu kě néng dì ， ér zuò wèi nǐ de gòng shēng tǐ ， zhěng gè guò chéng zhōng ， wǒ yě huì dé dào mò dà de hǎo chù ， dāng nǐ jǔ xiá fēi shēng de yī kè ， wǒ yuán shén yě huì qiáng dà rú xī ， nà shí hòu zhòng sù qū tǐ ， zài cì chéng wéi mó zú dà tǒng lǐng yě shì kě néng dì 。” xū yǐng shuō dào cǐ chù ， yǎn zhōng yě bù yóu de shǎn guò yī sī xīng * fèn zhī sè 。
“有了我的辅佐，道友又身具有真魔之体，只要经过数万年的努力，你渡劫成仙也是大有可能地，而做为你的共生体，整个过程中，我也会得到莫大的好处，当你举霞飞升的一刻，我元神也会强大如昔，那时候重塑躯体，再次成为魔族大统领也是可能地。”虚影说到此处，眼中也不由得闪过一丝兴*奋之色。
His secret technique was aimed at this goal; although the hope was faint, he could now see a chance of success.
dāng nián tā shī zhǎn mì shù de mù dì jiù zài yú cǐ le ， suī rán xī wàng miǎo máng ， dàn rú jīn jū rán zhēn de kě yǐ kàn jiàn chéng gōng de xī wàng 。
当年他施展秘术的目的就在于此了，虽然希望渺茫，但如今居然真的可以看见成功的希望。
"You are saying that this is mutually beneficial. You help me achieve immortality, and in return, you can resurrect when the time comes?"
“ nǐ shì shuō ， zhè jiàn shì qíng shì hé zé liǎng lì ， nǐ zhù wǒ chéng xiān ， ér dào nà yī kè ， nǐ yě kě yǐ chóng xīn fù huó ？”
“你是说，这件事情是合则两利，你助我成仙，而到那一刻，你也可以重新复活？”
Tian Xiaojian swallowed hard as he spoke, his eyes flashing. Both parties had benefits, so there must be truth to what the other said.
tián xiǎo jiàn tūn le yī kǒu tuò mò ， mù guāng shǎn dòng de shuō ， shuāng fāng dōu yǒu hǎo chù ， cái yǒu hé zuò de jī pī ， duì fāng zhè fān huà xì xì pǐn lái ， què rán bù xiàng yǒu jiǎ de 。
田小剑吞了一口唾沫，目光闪动的说，双方都有好处，才有合作的基砒，对方这番话细细品来，确然不像有假的。
"Correct. Signing a coexistence pact means helping myself," the shadow nodded openly.
“ bù cuò ， qiān dìng le gòng shēng zhī qì ， wǒ bāng nǐ ， yě jiù shì bāng zì jǐ 。” xū yǐng diǎn le diǎn tóu ， tǎn bái wú bǐ de kāi kǒu 。
“不错，签订了共生之契，我帮你，也就是帮自己。”虚影点了点头，坦白无比的开口。
"Is it really without any harm? Why did you choose me after all these years? I should not be the only cultivator in this soul space," Tian Xiaojian asked his last question.
“ nán dào shuō ， jiù zhēn de méi yǒu yì diǎn hài chù ， nǐ wèi hé yào xuǎn wǒ ， zhè me duō nián guò qù le ， wǒ yīng gāi bú shì lái dào zhè hún niàn kōng jiān wéi yī de xiū xiān zhě 。” tián xiǎo jiàn wèn chū xīn zhōng zuì hòu yí gè yí huò 。
“难道说，就真的没有一点害处，你为何要选我，这么多年过去了，我应该不是来到这魂念空间唯一的修仙者。”田小剑问出心中最后一个疑惑。
"You are correct; there were other cultivators who came before you, and more than one. But in my eyes, they didn’t meet the requirements. First, as the Grand Commander of the Demon Clan, only cultivators can sign a coexistence pact with me. Second, do you think immortality is easy? Even with my assistance, I have no strength now; I can only provide knowledge and experience. The treasures left behind by me are beyond your current capabilities to retrieve. The path to immortality is full of obstacles. If your talent or character isn’t up to par, there’s no hope for you at all. Do you think I would choose you? Once the blood pact is signed, if you perish, so will this Grand Commander from this world,"
“ nǐ suǒ yán bù cuò ， zài nǐ zhī qián ， què shí yǒu qí tā xiū xiān kàn lái guò ， ér qiě bù zhǐ yí gè ， dàn zài wǒ yǎn zhōng ， tā men gēn běn jiù bù fú hé yāo qiú ， yī lái ， wǒ shì mó zú dà tǒng lǐng ， zhǐ yǒu xiū mó zhě cái néng yǔ wǒ qiān dìng gòng shēng qì yuē de ， èr lái ， xiǎo zi ， nǐ yǐ wéi chéng xiān shì nà me róng yì me ， jiù suàn yǒu wǒ fǔ zuǒ ， kě wǒ xiàn zài sī háo lì liàng yě wú ， zhǐ néng wèi nǐ tí gōng zhī shí yǔ jīng yàn de bāng zhù ， jiù suàn xī rì wǒ liú xià lái de nà xiē bǎo wù ， xiàn zài de nǐ ， yě gēn běn méi yǒu bàn fǎ qǔ chū lái de ， xiān dào zhī lù duō kǎn kě ， rú guǒ nǐ de zī zhì huò zhě xīn xìng bù xíng ， gēn běn lián yī sī chéng xiān de xī wàng yě wú ， nǐ yǐ wéi wǒ huì jiāng nǐ xuǎn zhōng me ， yí dàn qiān dìng xuè qì ， nǐ mò luò ， běn tǒng lǐng tóng yàng huì cóng zhè ge shì jiè yān xiāo yún sàn de 。”
“你所言不错，在你之前，确实有其他修仙看来过，而且不止一个，但在我眼中，他们根本就不符合要求，一来，我是魔族大统领，只有修魔者才能与我签订共生契约的，二来，小子，你以为成仙是那么容易么，就算有我辅佐，可我现在丝毫力量也无，只能为你提供知识与经验的帮助，就算昔日我留下来的那些宝物，现在的你，也根本没有办法取出来的，仙道之路多坎坷，如果你的资质或者心性不行，根本连一丝成仙的希望也无，你以为我会将你选中么，一旦签订血契，你陌落，本统领同样会从这个世界烟消云散的。”
"So you mean that I meet your requirements."
“ zhè me shuō ， wǒ fú hé nǐ de yāo qiú 。”
“这么说，我符合你的要求。”
"Indeed, with your True Demon Body and satisfactory character, as long as you work hard, one day you will ascend to the Celestial Realm,"
Of course, Lin Xuan wouldn't bother to study the mysterious power within this broken talisman at that moment. He would have to wait until he arrived in the Spirit Realm.
With his thoughts turning over, the object disappeared into his robe.
Then, Lin Xuan flipped his palm and another treasure appeared.
It was roughly the size of a dragon's eye, with a mottled surface pattern. Naturally, it was that waste pill.
For others, the waste pills were utterly useless in refining essence. This was common knowledge in the cultivation world, like an unbreakable law, so it wasn't surprising that Wangting Tower didn't care about them.
However, Lin Xuan was different. The blue Star Sea had the ability to turn waste into treasure, and thanks to this, a mere ordinary person without a spirit root could embark on the path of cultivation.
Waste pills could be refined using the Star Sea whenever he had free time.
Thinking of that, Lin Xuan's heart burned with anticipation. What kind of miraculous power would an immortal's pill have?
"This treasure hunt was fraught with danger and difficulty, but to finally obtain three treasures left behind by an immortal is indeed worth it. According to my calculations, the Gate of Devils will close in just three days. I must find Fairy Ruyan as soon as possible and sneak into the Spirit Realm together," Lin Xuan murmured to himself before transforming into a streak of lightning that flew back down the passage.
In his soul space, Dayu Sword faced off against its shadowy counterpart.
"What did you say? Nine Heavens Immortal Female, what is that thing?"
"Thing?" The shadow turned its head and wore an odd expression. Then it laughed loudly: "You brat, not bad! You really suit my taste. That scumbag Nine Heavens Immortal Female was actually called a 'thing' by you. She's one of the three immortals who came down from the Celestial Realm."
"What? One of the Three True Immortals? Could this place be where she left behind treasures?" Tian Xiaojian widened his eyes, a glimmer of desire flashing in his gaze.
"Indeed, Nine Heavens Immortal Female did leave some things behind. This ruin's restrictions are one such thing, and it was left by her just before her death through secret techniques," the shadow continued.
"Gods, so there is something from an immortal here?" Tian Xiaojian's pupils constricted. Unlike the soul essence or spirit soul, a godly consciousness didn't contain any memories; it could only follow commands set in advance.
A single thread of godly consciousness could create such a massive ruin and complex restrictions, which left Tian Xiaojian amazed. However, considering that the other party wasn't a cultivator but a True Immortal, he felt relieved.
"Young man, Nine Heavens Immortal Female did leave some treasures that would be useful for you cultivators, but there's no need to envy her. Just cooperate with me, and you can gain even greater benefits," the shadow turned its head again, returning to the previous topic.
"Humph, what do I have to pay?"
Tian Xiaojian was a very clever person; he wouldn't be easily led by the other party. He knew that there were no free lunches in heaven or earth.
"You don’t need to pay anything."
"What?" Tian Xiaojian froze, his face showing complete disbelief. He wasn't stupid; how could something like this happen?
"I don’t want to waste time on you. Do you think I’m deceiving you? No, in my past life, although I was the Grand Commander of the Demon Clan, now I am but a fraction of one percent of my original essence. My spirit power is insufficient for possession; my only choice is to coexist with you successfully," the shadow said.
"Coexistence?" Tian Xiaojian's brows twitched as he appeared thoughtful.
Coexistence was something he had heard about before. Essentially, it meant signing a blood pact where one would die if the other perished—this was the strictest of celestial laws.
If that were true, the other party indeed didn't seem malicious, but why would they want to do this? Tian Xiaojian's cautious nature wouldn’t allow him to agree without resolving his doubts first.
"Doing so will greatly benefit me. But what about you? Is it just to leave this confined space?" Tian Xiaojian’s eyes flashed as he spoke.
"You can say that, but not entirely. Leaving here is only a trivial reason," the shadow sighed, revealing a sense of melancholy. He had been alone in this small place for millions of years; the thought was unbearable.
"Why? Friend, no more beating around the bush." Tian Xiaojian’s tone lacked respect; he knew that despite his past greatness, the other party was merely a fragment of its former self now.
"Assisted by me, you have the True Demon Body. With effort over tens of thousands of years, your ascension to immortality is possible. As your coexistence partner, I will also gain great benefits during this process. When you ascend to the Celestial Realm, my spirit essence will be as strong as before, and it might even be possible for me to resurrect and become the Grand Commander of the Demon Clan again," the shadow's eyes flashed with excitement.
His secret technique was aimed at this goal; although the hope was faint, he could now see a chance of success.
"You are saying that this is mutually beneficial. You help me achieve immortality, and in return, you can resurrect when the time comes?"
Tian Xiaojian swallowed hard as he spoke, his eyes flashing. Both parties had benefits, so there must be truth to what the other said.
"Correct. Signing a coexistence pact means helping myself," the shadow nodded openly.
"Is it really without any harm? Why did you choose me after all these years? I should not be the only cultivator in this soul space," Tian Xiaojian asked his last question.
"You are correct; there were other cultivators who came before you, and more than one. But in my eyes, they didn’t meet the requirements. First, as the Grand Commander of the Demon Clan, only cultivators can sign a coexistence pact with me. Second, do you think immortality is easy? Even with my assistance, I have no strength now; I can only provide knowledge and experience. The treasures left behind by me are beyond your current capabilities to retrieve. The path to immortality is full of obstacles. If your talent or character isn’t up to par, there’s no hope for you at all. Do you think I would choose you? Once the blood pact is signed, if you perish, so will this Grand Commander from this world,"
"So you mean that I meet your requirements."
"Indeed, with your True Demon Body and satisfactory character, as long as you work hard, one day you will ascend to the Celestial Realm,"