Chapter 523: 幽冥少女

Zu An was speechless.

He finally couldn't help himself. "Empress, you can't keep targeting her just because you're jealous of her large chest, can you?" He continued, "All this time, you've seemed to have no patience with Pei Mianman, urging me on several times. This time, you even want to kill her."

Mi Li scoffed, "A joke! As if I would be jealous of her!"

"Aren't you?" Zu An rolled his eyes.

"Of course not! Although..." Mi Li's tone suddenly softened. "Although her chest is a bit... larger than mine, do you really think I'm the type to be jealous of talent or ability?"

Zu An simply chuckled in response.

Mi Li snorted, apparently having collected herself. "You just tried it yourself. The only way to make those Kuman Thong leave is by shattering the skeletons they possess. Since this 'big-chested girl' is now possessed, she'll have to be dealt with in the same manner."

Zu An didn't reply. Instead, he kept trying to circle behind Pei Mianman with his sword, aiming for the Kuman Thong on her neck.

Unfortunately, Pei Mianman's movements were too agile, giving him no opportunity to get behind her. Even when she occasionally couldn't dodge, the Kuman Thong's body was impervious to blades, stones, water, and fire, easily shrugging off several strikes from the Tai'a Sword.

Zu An, however, was constantly holding back, afraid of hurting Pei Mianman, and as a result, he nearly got injured by her several times.

Mi Li's displeased voice sounded again: "While this 'big-chested girl's' black flames don't cause you much harm, she is, after all, a sixth-grade cultivator. Her martial skills and combat experience naturally far exceed yours, a novice. You could barely manage with your mishmash of abilities before, but now you're unwilling to hurt her, and your opponent can attack without restraint. At this rate, it won't be long before you face a bitter defeat."

"Of course I know all that, but how can I possibly hurt her!" Zu An retorted, equally enraged. "If you don't have any constructive advice, then just shut up."

Mi Li fell silent.

After a moment, Zu An noticed he hadn't gained any rage points and couldn't help but ask curiously, "You're not angry?"

"Why should I be angry?" Mi Li's voice was remarkably calm.

"Weren't you just shouting about killing Big Manman?" Zu An pressed.

Mi Li said coldly, "I was merely testing if you possessed the potential to become a true overlord. Regrettably, you do not. You cannot sever all emotional ties, nor can you sacrifice others for your own gain."

Zu An responded, "Even with immense power and the highest status, what's the point if it means severing all emotional ties and sacrificing those you love?"

Mi Li let out a deep sigh, as if some past memory had been stirred within her. "I don't know whether to call you naive or wise. Many beings with far greater cultivation and status than yours fail to see this very point."

Zu An mumbled, "Being called 'wise' can also be an insult, you know."

He then asked, "Given that you know I don't possess the aura of an overlord, why don't you seem particularly disappointed?"

Mi Li's expression was a half-smile. "I don't need to rely on you to conquer the world, so why would I be disappointed? On the contrary, in our current situation, I'd prefer you to always maintain a kind and simple heart. You're unwilling to harm this 'big-chested girl' even when your life is on the line, so I imagine you won't betray me in the future."

"You sound like you have paranoid delusions," Zu An grumbled. "I recall you testing me before, too."

"There's no harm in trying more," Mi Li said, her lips curving slightly upward, clearly in a good mood. "I'm quite bored all day anyway."

"I don't think you're very clever either," Zu An couldn't help but retort. "Such tests might not reveal my true feelings. What if I was deliberately putting on an act for you? You've been deceived once before; I can't believe that after so many years, you still trust people so easily."

Mi Li was momentarily stunned. She had never considered that possibility, and hearing him say it, she did feel a bit foolish.

At that moment, Zu An's voice finally grew anxious. "You've conducted your tests; now can you please tell me how to save Big Manman?"

By then, Pei Mianman's offensive had become even more ferocious. Coupled with the siege from other skeleton warriors controlled by Kuman Thong, Zu An, despite his Sunflower Phantoms movement technique, had sustained several injuries.

Mi Li shook her head. "Although I was testing you just now, I wasn't lying. Aside from killing her, I truly don't know any other method."

Zu An felt a sudden chill, as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over him. He touched the pendant around his neck, recalling Pei Mianman's gentle smiles and laughter throughout their journey. He gritted his teeth firmly. "There has to be a way. I *have* to save her."

Just then, a series of melodious and clear songs suddenly echoed from the distance. The voice sounded like an oriole leaving its valley, crisp, tender, and captivating, clearly belonging to a young maiden.

However, in such a bizarre and gloomy environment, it was truly unimaginable that a normal young girl would be present.

Furthermore, the singing seemed to blend with an unsettling sensation. To Zu An, it sounded remarkably like the song of a siren from certain games in his past life—beautiful yet dangerous.

The skeleton warriors, and even Pei Mianman, who had been attacking Zu An, abruptly ceased their movements. The Kuman Thong on their backs tilted their heads, listening intently to the enchanting melody. Their previously fierce expressions gradually softened, until their lips curved upwards, forming the innocent smiles of ordinary infants.

"Giggle, giggle."

A group of Kuman Thong giggled as they leaped off their hosts, then scrambled on all fours towards the direction of the singing.

The headless skeleton warriors instantly lost their cohesion, crumbling and falling to the ground, once again dissolving into lifeless white bones.

Pei Mianman's body also went limp, and she toppled sideways.

Zu An quickly rushed over and caught her. "Manman, how are you feeling?"

Pei Mianman slowly opened her eyes, a flicker of excitement crossing her face when she saw Zu An. "Ah Zu, are you alright?"

"How could anything happen to me?" Zu An offered a faint smile, reaching out to gently wipe away the tear stains from the corner of her eyes.

"I'm so sorry," Pei Mianman apologized profusely, her expression filled with deep remorse. "I couldn't control my body just now and could only watch as I kept attacking you."

"That's not your fault; the Kuman Thong controlled you," Zu An said, gazing at the retreating figures of the Kuman Thong. His doubts grew increasingly stronger.

"Why did they suddenly leave?" Pei Mianman asked, still shaken.

"It must have been because of that song," Zu An said, his expression turning grave. "To be able to control those Kuman Thong... could a boss be about to appear?"

Just then, the Kuman Thong's giggling laughter became distinct once more, clearly indicating they were approaching.

The two instinctively took a step back, their faces wary as they gazed forward.

They saw the Kuman Thong swarming around a petite figure, either hugging its legs or crawling around it.

The two finally made out the figure's appearance: a beautiful girl of about ten years old, clad in a woven grass skirt that barely covered her, exposing large expanses of her skin.

"This girl is dressed so boldly," Pei Mianman murmured, her face flushing slightly. Even she, who was usually quite daring, gasped in astonishment at such revealing attire. Seldom did even courtesans from brothels wear so little.

The strangest thing, however, was that there wasn't a hint of impropriety about her. It was perplexing how she achieved that.

Zu An frowned slightly. "This must be the attire of primitive tribes from ancient times. Back then, the textile industry wasn't as developed as it is now, so clothing merely needed to provide basic cover."

"Primitive tribe? Then she must be..." Pei Mianman gasped in surprise.

"That's right, I've been dead for many, many years," the girl said, pursing her lips into a smile that was utterly chilling given her words.

Zu An secretly whispered to Mi Li, "Empress, you might even have to call this little girl 'Grandma'."

"Bah!" Mi Li spat in disdain.

Rage points from Mi Li +111!

"If I'm not mistaken, she's from the Yin-Shang period," Zu An added. "She's countless years older than you, so calling her 'Grandma' would actually be an understatement."

Zu An then stepped forward and cupped his hands to the girl. "Thank you, young lady, for your timely assistance."