At that moment, when Jiang Xuan noticed a figure about to emerge from where the formation had broken, he hurriedly hid himself in a bush.
Just kidding. That system just told him the overall level of monster beasts outside the barrier.
In Jiang Xuan’s eyes, only a Martial Emperor or at least a Martial King level beast could break through the formation left by Nangong Liu Yun.
Now, Jiang Xuan was praying fervently that the terrifying monster beast wouldn’t spot him. After all, as a low-ranking martial artist, there was no way he saw any bright future here.
Just as Jiang Xuan was crouching in the bushes with rapt attention, the figure finally emerged fully.
The woman had deep purple hair and shimmering silver eyes. Clad in luxurious attire, she looked like a dashing heroine.
Jiang Xuan was completely stunned; his heart raced.
“This is strange. She’s not a monster beast but a human woman? Wait, isn’t that even more dangerous for me? Exposed like this, I’ll be in a whole new kind of trouble.”
Thinking of the dangers that might arise from revealing his identity, Jiang Xuan quickly grabbed some makeup from his system storage space.
He hastily applied it to his face. Soon, Jiang Xuan transformed into a perfectly ordinary young man.
Just then, the woman turned her gaze towards an unusually noisy patch of bushes.
“Which coward, scurrying about, show your face and duel with me, heroine!”
After hearing those words, Jiang Xuan’s eyes lit up instantly. His heart leaped in joy.
“What? I’ve encountered a heroine? Oh, this is great! I love heroines like this! When recruiting members for the Xuantian Pavilion, they were always my first choice. Mainly because such heroines are not only loyal but can also be easily swayed.
If this heroine came here, it’s clear her strength is incredible. As long as I can latch onto her leg, getting out safely shouldn’t be too hard.
With the formation shattered here, staying put is risky. Looks like my only option is to follow this heroine!”
Having made up his mind, Jiang Xuan immediately jumped out of the bushes and, with a mix of joy and sorrow, said:
“Maiden, I have been trapped here for so long. Finally, someone has come to rescue me. Maiden, please take me away. I am willing to serve you as a slave!”
After Jiang Xuan spoke, the woman with purple hair slightly furrowed her brows.
She took a moment to inspect Jiang Xuan’s unremarkable face before saying, “You’re too ugly. I won’t save you.”
Jiang Xuan: “????”
This was the first time anyone had called Jiang Xuan ugly, which actually gave him a little secret joy. Because this meant his makeup was finally trustworthy.
He thought secretly to himself,
“It seems this heroine is quite vain about looks. With her being a beauty, I can’t expose myself again. Otherwise, things would go from dire to disastrous.
I don’t need to reveal myself. Plenty of ways to manipulate these heroines.”
Outwardly, Jiang Xuan seemed to well up with emotion and said with faltering voice:
“Maiden… ah… I thought I met a true heroine. But I guess it was all for naught.
Born in an era of chaos, I spent my early life on the run. My mother fell during the battles while protecting me. My father humbled himself, begging the elites for my sustenance. Eventually, unable to bear disgrace, he left me.
Yet, before passing, he urged me to strive for survival. He said my mother used to be a heroine herself. Meeting her was the greatest luck of his life.
He believes as long as I live on, one day, I will meet a genuine heroine. And I kept hoping for such an encounter.
So, when I heard you were a heroine, joy swelled up inside me like never before.
Even I thought you might be the heroine I’ve been waiting for.
Unfortunately, it seems my plain looks repelled you.”
Jiang Xuan fell silent, then turned ready to leave.
Suddenly, a chilling voice rang behind him.
“Enough fuss. Although you’re ugly, you deserve some sympathy. If you want to leave, follow me. This heroine will help you once.”
Jiang Xuan: “!!!”
Hearing those words, he felt overjoyed.
“Yes! Finally got a grip on this heroine. Looks like she has a bit of humanity after all. Nearly lost her sympathy because of my plain appearance, but managed to win her over.”
Outwardly, Jiang Xuan looked extremely grateful.
“Woosh! Thank you, Maiden. I know I’m ugly, and offering myself would likely displease you. But rest assured, I’m aware of my looks. Leaving with you, I will work as your slave, ready to repay your kindness to the fullest.”
“Your intentions are noted, but I don’t expect such a repayment. I just happened upon this place, seeing it was enclosed by a barrier.
Thinking there might be some powerful legacy, I stumbled upon here, and maybe fate brought us together.”
Holding her eyes closed in silence for a moment, she opened them to say, “Let’s go. It seems all that’s left here is you.”
“Yes, Maiden. Once I accidentally came in here and got stuck until you found me.”
“I’m called Ming Yue. What name should I address you by?”
“Ming Yue, sir. I am Xiao Xuan Jiang, and I look forward to your guidance.”
“Snort. I only promised to help get you out, not to keep you around.”
“No offense taken. For you to help me out is already an immense kindness.”
…
Confident there was nothing good left within the barrier, Ming Yue left immediately, with Jiang Xuan hurriedly trailing behind.
Exiting, Jiang Xuan was shocked by the sheer number of twisted monsters outside.
Many of these beasts were as powerful as the Wind Demon Evil Tiger he once encountered.
As the beasts pounced toward Jiang Xuan almost instantly, they were flung back by an overwhelming aura.
“He’s under my protection. Who dares move!”
With just a hint of her aura leaking out, all the creatures immediately backed off and scattered.
Jiang Xuan secretly gave a thumbs-up. Now, he knew for sure: he’d landed a real ally.
During their journey, Ming Yue asked, “I’ve taken you out of the barrier. What do you plan next?”
“Well… Could I stay by your side for a while? Yes?
I…. I cook really well… I can serve as your attendant to repay you…”
While Jiang Xuan stated this outwardly, he secretly thought,
“Having a heroine protect me means security. Plus, without needing to use my looks, I can still cultivate whenever free time arises, so this is safe!”
But then, pausing: “Wait, where’s she headed next? If it’s near the barrier, staying with her might be unsafe.
Liu Yun will be back soon. If she encounters Liu Yun, that could be awkward.”
Before Jiang Xuan could fully organize his thoughts, Ming Yue replied:
“Good cooking? Alright, I’ll taste your skills later. If they impress me, then I’ll allow you to stay.”
“By the way, let me show you my base camp first.”
Though puzzled by the term “base camp,” Jiang Xuan didn’t refuse the hospitality and accompanied her.
Arriving at a lavishly decorated castle, his thoughts churned.
“Impossible? Could this heroine be somebody important?”
Jolting at two humanoid monsters guarding the entrance, reality hit him.
Activating the system scan on the woman in front of him, he was completely stunned.
Ming Yue
– Species: Dark Spirit Phoenix
– Current Rank: Martial Emperor (Phoenix King)
– Background: Daughter of the Dark Spirit Phoenix Clan
– Bloodline: Ancient Dark Phoenix Lineage
– Current Affinity: Maxed out
System Tip: “Boost affinity faster for host protection.”
Realizing who Ming Yue was, Jiang Xuan felt a surge of hopelessness.
Initially thinking he’d run into a kind-hearted heroine, Ming Yue turned out to be a phoenix king—what a twist!
It was incomprehensible—why would a phoenix king pretend to be human? Wasn’t this an extremely specialized form of fetishism?
It initially bewildered Jiang Xuan so much he didn’t consider scanning or question Ming Yue’s identity, thinking his luck had turned.
Only when looking back did he realize how naive he had been.
One lucky thing was, his true self remained hidden from her.
Fortunately, if she knew his real face, Ming Yue might not have been so forgiving.
