"I never thought that I would actually kill her."
"I was running out of time, and on top of that, I couldn't go against my father's wishes. That's how I ended up where I am today."
"I originally thought that since Miao Miao had already merged with my soul, I could rely on her soul's power to extend my life first."
"At the same time, I would search for other ways to cure myself. As long as I found one, I would have Master Yin Ren separate Miao Miao from my soul and restore her freedom." Princess Xiao Xiao said.
"And if you couldn't find one?"
"You would just keep her lying inside your soul forever, until her soul completely merged with yours?" Chu Feng asked.
Princess Xiao Xiao didn't respond. Instead, she deactivated the formation and handed the box containing Xian Miao Miao's physical body to Chu Feng.
"Master Yin Ren has a way to separate Miao Miao from my body. My illness has nothing to do with her. If you want to restore her freedom, I will cooperate," Princess Xiao Xiao said to Chu Feng.
Chu Feng took the box containing Xian Miao Miao's physical body.
As a precaution, he didn't put it into his Universe Bag but instead tucked it into his robes.
"As long as Miao Miao is safe, I will help you find a cure," Chu Feng said.
"Thank you."
Princess Xiao Xiao bowed to Chu Feng.
Yet what Chu Feng felt from that bow was strangeness.
Princess Xiao Xiao must be feeling terrible inside as well.
If Master Yin Ren's words were true, and she really hadn't killed Xian Miao Miao because of Chu Feng, then Chu Feng surely held a certain place in her heart.
But in Chu Feng's heart, Princess Xiao Xiao and Xian Miao Miao were worlds apart.
Anyone who so clearly felt Chu Feng's uneven treatment wouldn't feel good about it, would they?
Crack—
Crack—
But suddenly, the Spirit Realm Compass that was absorbing the barrier power of this place began to crack.
"Get over here."
Sensing danger, Chu Feng grabbed Princess Xiao Xiao and pulled her to his side. Using the power of the Heavenly Master's Horsetail Whip, he shielded her as well.
Boom—
The next moment, the compass shattered.
The barrier power that had been drawn into the compass not only burst free but surged toward Chu Feng and Princess Xiao Xiao once more.
The barrier power here had become even more violent.
Fortunately, they had the power of the Heavenly Master's Horsetail Whip. Otherwise, they would have undoubtedly been attacked.
"This… how did this happen?"
Seeing the compass shatter, Princess Xiao Xiao panicked.
"Besides the formation inside this compass, did Master Yin Ren tell you any other method to subdue the barrier power here?" Chu Feng asked.
"He said that the formation inside this compass would be enough to subduce the barrier power here."
"There was no other method."
"I'm sorry, Chu Feng. I've put you in danger."
Princess Xiao Xiao looked at Chu Feng, her eyes reddening from the urgency.
She felt that they were trapped here, and that continuing to wait would only mean waiting for death.
But if it weren't for her, Chu Feng wouldn't be trapped here either.
Chu Feng knew that Princess Xiao Xiao was no fragile person. The reason she was so pessimistic and full of guilt was because she understood just how dangerous this place was.
"Here, hold onto this for now."
"Also, stay inside and don't move."
Chu Feng took out the box containing Xian Miao Miao's physical body once more, handed it to Princess Xiao Xiao, and then turned to walk outside.
"Chu Feng, what are you doing? Don't go out there! The barrier power is extremely violent—it will kill you!"
Seeing this, Princess Xiao Xiao grabbed hold of Chu Feng.
"Based on my observation, to take this stone, one must earn the stone's recognition. The method of recognition is to withstand the barrier power of this place."
"If the formation you used earlier had been powerful enough to absorb all the barrier power here, that would have been a solution. But that formation was clearly not strong enough."
"Now, if we want to leave this place, someone must endure the barrier power here."
"And obviously, between the two of us, I'm better suited."
As Chu Feng spoke, he shook off Princess Xiao Xiao's arm and walked straight out.
Without the protection of the Heavenly Master's Horsetail Whip, the barrier power surged into Chu Feng's body like a tidal wave.
And though Chu Feng clenched his teeth, pain still spread across his face.
Not only that, Chu Feng's skin quickly began to melt away, his flesh and blood evaporating.
"Chu Feng!!!"
Seeing this, Princess Xiao Xiao tried to rush out.
"Stay put."
"No matter what, don't come out."
Chu Feng shouted.
"Then come back quickly! At this rate, you'll be refined to nothing!" Princess Xiao Xiao urged.
"Stop talking. If we want to leave this place, this is the only way."
Chu Feng endured the force. He knew this was the only method to escape. Otherwise, they would remain trapped here forever.
But the barrier power of this place was far too ferocious. Chu Feng not only suffered the agony of his body being destroyed, but his mind was also tormented.
In the blink of an eye, the situation had become dire.
Chu Feng felt that he had entered an extremely dangerous state.
His consciousness was beginning to blur. If he didn't earn the barrier power's recognition soon, he could very likely die here.
Sensing the danger, Chu Feng wanted to move, to retreat to the protection of the Heavenly Master's Horsetail Whip first and recover before thinking of another plan.
But he found that his body was far too weak. He couldn't move at all.
Most importantly, he didn't even have the strength to speak. There was no way to ask Princess Xiao Xiao to lend him a hand.
"Am I… going to die here?"
Chu Feng felt his consciousness growing dimmer and dimmer. As his awareness faded, he sensed a chilling aura.
It was the feeling of approaching death.