Chapter 1004: Feng Yu Jin, Please Cooperate with the Operation

Near the Ninth Dragon Vein, Mo Mo walked resolutely towards Gu Yin Cliff.

What appeared to be a solitary and monotonous journey was, in reality, her constant endurance of an incessant clamor in her mind.

"My dear girl, why are you so stubborn? There are many ways to solve problems. You don't necessarily have to face danger alone. You could easily wander through the Yunlun Mountain Range, helping Xu Xiaoshou by eliminating potential threats. Wouldn't that suffice? What kind of place is Gu Yin Cliff? I've told you already, it's the eye of the storm, the center of a whirlpool. At your current cultivation level, going there would be suicide!"

Mo Mo ignored him, quickening her pace.

After entering the Yunlun Mountain Range, she separated from the people of the First Heavenly Pavilion. When she first received news of Xu Xiaoshou from the leaderboard, she had long wanted to reunite with everyone. However, every time she considered acting, the voice in her mind would emerge to stop her.

After three or five such instances, a rare treasure descended upon the Yunlun Mountain Range. She didn't acquire anything valuable but instead obtained a peculiar voice-recording orb. Inside, there was no fortuitous encounter, only a message from the Demon Emperor Black Dragon.

At that moment, Mo Mo didn't understand what specific action it referred to; she merely asked offhandedly, not even expecting an answer. Yet, the voice in her mind, bored, casually provided a reply. Consequently, she received answers such as "the Saint Emperor's scheme," "Eight Venerables as the mastermind," "Xu Xiaoshou being a crucial link," and "we don't need to pay attention to them."

How could Mo Mo ignore this answer once she had it? The last few times she wanted to return to the First Heavenly Pavilion, Feng Yujin stopped her. She had assumed it was simply his habit of being free-spirited, so she let him be, allowing him more free time. Who would have thought there were such intricate reasons behind it?

She recalled the scene at the Heavenly Sang Spirit Palace during the struggle for supremacy, when Xu Xiaoshou fought; and how Feng Yujin manipulated her at the Heavenly Xuan Gate to attack Mu Zixi and Xu Xiaoshou, yet Xu Xiaoshou held no grudges. She remembered Xu Xiaoshou's starkly contrasting optimistic personality during their journey together to the Eastern Heavenly King City. The guidance from an optimistic, goal-oriented person, imparted through immersion, is immensely beneficial to someone lost and without direction.

Furthermore…

Mo Mo's thoughts drifted, and her hand unconsciously touched the white bracelet on her wrist. This was refined by Xu Xiaoshou using a sealing stone, intended to better seal the demonic beast, Feng Yujin. Of course, its original function was now obsolete, but the sentiment remained.

"We're all friends!"

Mo Mo could still vaguely recall Xu Xiaoshou's words from back then. Friends... How fortunate? As a host for a demonic beast, not even fully human, she was still fortunate enough to have someone willing to be her friend after knowing the truth. Even setting everything else aside, just these two words alone were enough reason for her to face danger alone and help Xu Xiaoshou, weren't they? It was the Saint Emperor's scheme, and he was only at the Grandmaster Realm...

"Little girl!" As she pondered, Feng Yujin's helpless voice echoed in her mind again: "What are friends? Friends are for sharing good times, but when disaster strikes, they scatter. These rotten things, if they really face danger, you'd be lucky if they didn't stab you in the back. Don't be so naive. Listen to this Emperor's advice: let's continue exploring this Yunlun Mountain Range. Such beautiful scenery, such magnificent landscapes! You're not enjoying them, and this Emperor wants to see more. Why must we return to Xu Xiaoshou's side? That's too dangerous!"

Mo Mo remained unmoved, her steps still light, and she calmly said, "You've become very noisy."

*I'm noisy...*

Feng Yujin froze for a full three breaths. He had indeed noticed this problem with himself. But the bigger problem was that the host he chose was too quiet! This girl was truly a representative of a Zen-like recluse, content with nothing and devoid of desires. If no one spoke to her, she could remain silent for an entire lifetime. Feng Yujin also didn't want to become like this; it was beneath his dignity. But perhaps due to residing in her for too long and their spiritual connection, the two either became synchronized or complementary. Unfortunately, Feng Yujin felt he had become the one needing to compensate for the other.

"Stop right there!" He suddenly unleashed the authority of the Sealed Heaven Saint Emperor, roaring fiercely, intending to stop Mo Mo from going to Gu Yin Cliff.

Mo Mo's steps remained steady. She simply pressed the voice-recording orb, and the voice of the Demon Emperor Black Dragon emanated from it.

After a moment of silence, Feng Yujin suddenly erupted in rage. But just like every impotent outburst before, at most, he could briefly seize control of Mo Mo's body to do things that twisted her will. After all, sealing attributes were hard to find, and he couldn't kill Mo Mo. And excessive behavior would only push their relationship back to freezing point. Once it was over, Mo Mo would still act according to her own will, while he would have to sweet-talk the "old lady" to mend their relationship after his impulsive, angry actions.

"Sigh..." Feng Yujin let out a long sigh. A dignified Saint Emperor, reduced to this state? Luckily, no outsiders knew... After this repeated cycle, he no longer enjoyed these meaningless outbursts.

"Little girl, listen to this Emperor's advice. On Void Island, the Demon Emperor Black Dragon couldn't actually control me. Didn't you hear? The message it left even had to include the word 'please.' This Emperor is too powerful! As long as we don't return to places with forbidden spell barriers, with your current power and this Emperor's strength, we can walk sideways across the five regions as long as no half-saints appear. So, why go to Gu Yin Cliff?"

Mo Mo calmly replied, "Inside and outside the Eight Palaces, you already promised Eight Venerables to protect Xu Xiaoshou. One must keep their word. Have you forgotten the guarantee you made yourself?"

"Of course, this Emperor keeps his word!" Feng Yujin fumed. "But what a great opportunity this is! You've naturally separated from him. We can use this chance to clear obstacles for him outside Gu Yin Cliff. Isn't that another form of protection? Do you understand what it means to contribute silently?"

Mo Mo paused, remaining silent, and simply pressed the voice-recording orb with her hand. This dry, bland, emotionless voice instantly provoked someone's anger again.

"To hell with you, Demon Emperor Black Dragon!" Feng Yujin cursed, "Mo Mo! Now, immediately! Crush it for this Emperor!"

"I won't."

"If you don't crush it, do you believe this Emperor will seize your body and then crush it?!"

"If you dare, I won't speak to you again."

"Oh, hehe!" Feng Yujin was amused by her stubbornness. "Do you really think this Emperor needs you to grant him the favor of talking and chatting?"

Mo Mo remained silent. She had no other leverage to restrain this volatile Sealed Heaven Saint Emperor. But when a person isn't even afraid of death, what concern is there for junior-senior relationships, respect, or being respected?

Mo Mo pressed the voice-recording orb again.

"Aaaahhh—"

A frenzied, grating roar instantly resounded in her mind, enough to cause a breakdown, but Mo Mo was long accustomed to it, her composure as calm as an ancient well.

"Do you want to live?! Try pressing it again?!"

"Go on, try it again if you dare?"

"Aaaahhh—"

With a *bang*, gray sealing energy burst forth from Mo Mo. The next second, Feng Yujin took control of her body, raising the voice-recording orb high, ready to exert force.

"Go on, try crushing it if you dare?" Mo Mo's calm voice suddenly appeared in his mind.

Feng Yujin froze instantly. Although the voice sounded no different from before, devoid of emotion, Feng Yujin, knowing Mo Mo's character well, could discern the suppressed fury beneath the calm tone. In a flash, countless thoughts raced through Feng Yujin's mind. For instance, in the days to come, he would be forever alone, amusing himself in someone's mind, receiving not a single response. Or how, no matter how much he tried to salvage the situation afterward, he would be unable to compensate for the consequence of crushing the orb now, even if it meant becoming a mere sycophant.

*But...*

"Would this Emperor fear such things?" Feng Yujin sneered, while also having a second thought. Yet, the two little figures wrestling in his mind decided the victor in an instant.

The sealing energy retracted into her body. Feng Yujin retreated back into her mind, returning control of the body, and sneered, "A mere voice-recording orb. This Emperor can crush it if he wishes, or keep it if he wishes. Today... I'll give you face."

Mo Mo solemnly retrieved the orb, lowering her head to gently wipe away the scratches on it, and calmly stated, "You've broken our three-point agreement again. You came out without my permission."

"Er!" Feng Yujin was silenced. Soon, a slightly ingratiating yet proud voice, trying to hide its ingratiation, emerged in her mind: "Don't be like that, surely? This time, you were toying with me using the voice-recording orb. This Emperor hates the Demon Emperor Black Dragon's voice most of all, so wanting to crush it is understandable. I promise I won't touch the voice-recording orb again to compensate for this incident. See, no outsider saw your abnormality, did they? Let's just drop it!"

Feng Yujin spoke with absolute authority, like an overbearing sect master, waving his hand to settle the matter.

"..." Mo Mo remained silent.

"Speak!" Feng Yujin suddenly yelled.

"..." Still silent.

"It's just a broken orb, are you crazy? Why won't you speak? Do you find it amusing to let someone babble in your mind without responding? Mo Mo, listen well: if this Emperor had a second option, I would kill you directly and jump into another person's body. Then you'd die a brutal death, your body torn to pieces! This Emperor would even scatter your ashes into the Lianjiang River in your village! Ha, how amusing. Does this Emperor need to fawn over you? Fine, don't talk then!"

Mo Mo remained silent, cherishing the voice-recording orb, now with a few more cracks, as if it were a treasure, and quickened her pace towards Gu Yin Cliff.

"Someone!" A startled voice suddenly exclaimed in her mind.

Mo Mo kept moving without stopping.

"There really is someone, to your left, next to that large black rock, two Tai Xu, trespassers! May this Emperor be struck by lightning and die a horrible death if I'm lying!" Feng Yujin, somewhat vexed by his previous actions, even resorted to making vows.

Mo Mo finally stopped, holding her bronze censer, and turned to look. She had actually seen two people watching her earlier, but because Feng Yujin was the one who pointed it out, she didn't want to turn back. But now, she couldn't avoid turning, because a hint of... hostility... suddenly emanated from those two individuals?

"Someone from the First Heavenly Pavilion?"

The two uninvited guests: the one wearing an orange mask, who was Heavenly Human Five Decays, held a portrait, gazing from afar, and spoke to confirm.

*Looking for me...* Mo Mo, unfazed, nodded and said, "I am. Esteemed seniors, how may I help you?"

"Hahaha, seniors? You're killing me, Mo Mo. Didn't this Emperor imbue you with power from his recovered strength? With your current ability, once your domain opens and you release this Emperor, you'll be unrivaled below the half-saint realm. You don't need to respect them; just treat them as equals." Feng Yujin furiously asserted his presence in her mind.

Mo Mo ignored him. Across from them, Heavenly Human Five Decays and Meng Po of the Soup of Oblivion exchanged glances. The latter immediately looked away, while the former still held a hint of surprise in his eyes.

"Isn't this a bit too coincidental? The person we were looking for just appeared on the path?"

Heavenly Human Five Decays quickly walked up to her and curiously asked, "You're from the First Heavenly Pavilion, do you know Mu Xiaogong?"

"Mo Mo, this person is strange. Don't stare at him. Do you see your luck energy? It's contaminated... Oh, you can't see it. Never mind. This person's physique is a bit special... Leave, just leave directly, don't mind him!" Feng Yujin's words suddenly became more frequent, and he spoke with some apprehension in her mind.

Mo Mo paid no attention, nodding in response to the unknown trespasser in front of her: "Yes, she's my friend."

"Aaaahhh! This Emperor told you to leave!"

Feng Yujin was both frantic from being ignored and repulsed by the strangeness. He feared getting into another major trouble before his power fully recovered, and roared wildly in her mind: "Your luck energy is abnormal now, and your body is in trouble. This precious body cannot be harmed... See? You're sweating! Your skirt, your beloved skirt is dirty... Wait, dirty? Filth? Bad luck?"

Feng Yujin seemed to realize something and shouted: "Mo Mo, leave! This is the 'Body of Decay,' just like your 'Body of Sealing.' Both are extremely rare, among the Five Absolute Physiques. But he's even worse; he brings the Five Decays of Heaven and Man to those around him. Hurry, leave, don't talk to him... How has he survived until now?"

Heavenly Human Five Decays had no idea there was another yelling consciousness present. Upon receiving Mo Mo's affirmative reply, his eyes lit up beneath the mask.

"Meng Po," he said, turning his head.

Meng Po of the Soup of Oblivion didn't wait for instructions; understanding immediately, she pulled out a talisman.

"Space-Time Anomaly!"

The talisman sliced through the void, dissolving invisibly, and then the surrounding space was pulled away, entering another world. At this moment, the Yunlun Mountain Range's Cloud Realm world power also erased the scene of the three individuals from view.

"Spatial power! This talisman has spatial power too!" Feng Yujin was greatly startled. To randomly encounter someone with spatial power, and it was directed at Mo Mo... If Mo Mo was gone, how would he find another host?

"Speak!" Feng Yujin immediately shouted, "Talk to me! Spatial power isn't invincible. This Emperor will now teach you three ways to break this 'Space-Time Anomaly.' Listen carefully, the first is..."