# Chapter 251: Mo Li's Decision
As soon as Ling Yuefeng left, Ling Jie dashed over to Yun Che in a single stride. "Boss! How about we team up! Even though this is my first time here, my old man told me plenty about this place. There's a lot that can be put to use, I promise I won't hold the boss back!"
Though his mouth said "won't hold back," his true intention was clearly to protect Yun Che. After all, given Yun Che's current state, traveling alone would be far too dangerous.
Yun Che was naturally touched by Ling Jie's concern, but he waved his hand in refusal. "No need. Since this is a training experience, it's better to go solo. Especially you, Xiao Jie. Though your talent is good, and your sword intent and sword heart are top-notch, you've always been within Tian Jian Villa. What you lack most is this kind of solitary experience facing danger. If you traveled with me, it would greatly diminish the effectiveness of this training."
"But, but..."
"No buts." Yun Che reached up and pinched his chin. "You personally agreed to be my little brother. What, are you going to disobey my first decision?"
"Uh..." Ling Jie, being simple-minded and not quick to argue, was stumped by Yun Che's words. After struggling for a long time, he could only say, "Alright then. Boss, you absolutely must be careful. What my old man said earlier wasn't just to scare you all."
"Don't worry. I'm not the type to die easily. Besides, I'm wearing a Dragon Scale Armor." Yun Che pinched the edge of his clothing, revealing a patch of dragon scales reflecting cold, icy light. As the reward for first place in the ranking battle, despite their extreme reluctance, Tian Jian Villa had no choice but to grit their teeth and endure the pain of handing over this Heavenly Xuan Armor, which originally belonged to them, to Qin Wushang. Qin Wushang had given him this Dragon Scale Armor yesterday, and he wore it directly today.
The Dragon Scale Armor was only a thin layer. Wearing it, it was neither cold nor heavy, and it would automatically adjust to fit the wearer's body shape. This armor was truly a life-saving tool. As he expected, when he revealed the Dragon Scale Armor, more than a dozen gazes filled with greed and envy shot toward him from around.
Ling Jie turned to Ling Yun and said, "Big brother, my boss said it's best for me to act alone, so I won't go with you. I'm off now... Boss, you must be careful. Otherwise, my beautiful princess sister-in-law will be all alone... Aah! Here I go!"
Ling Jie summoned his Tianyang Sword, puffed out his chest, mustered his courage, and walked forward alone. Ling Yun nodded to Yun Che, his gaze seemingly casually glancing at Xia Qingyue's position. After taking a few steps forward, he finally took a light breath and walked up to Xia Qingyue, saying courteously, "Fairy Xia, how about we travel together? I came here three years ago and am somewhat familiar with this place. It's full of dangers. If we travel together, we can not only handle any danger but also reach further places. If we discover any treasures, you can have first pick. What do you say?"
Not far away, Fen Juecheng and Xiao Kuangyu both showed strange expressions. They had also entered the Heavenly Pool Secret Realm three years ago. Back then, Ling Yun had gone ahead alone, not giving anyone a chance to travel with him. But now, he was actively inviting someone to accompany him, and his words carried a pleading tone.
What his intentions were, anyone who wasn't an idiot could clearly see.
"Thank you for your kind offer, Young Villa Master Ling, but Qingyue has decided to travel alone." Faced with Ling Yun's invitation, Xia Qingyue refused directly without any hesitation.
The number of people Ling Yun had actively invited among the younger generation could be counted on one hand, and being refused was a complete first. Ling Yun's expression didn't change, and he didn't insist further. He nodded and said, "In that case, Fairy Xia must be careful."
With that, Ling Yun also left alone, his figure quickly disappearing into the heavy falling snow.
Even Ling Yun was refused. Xiao Kuangyu, who had been eager to try, gritted his teeth, struggled for a long time, and finally chose to give up. As for the others, not a single one dared to try. Even someone like Xiao Kuanglei, son of Xiao Sect's Sect Master, couldn't muster the courage to speak to Xia Qingyue. With the strength she had displayed in the ranking battle, she could easily surpass them by a full level. These disciples of major sects were all superior and unrestrained in the outside world. But before Xia Qingyue, they all felt utterly unable to hold their heads high.
Not to mention anything else, just in terms of strength alone, they were not qualified to travel with Xia Qingyue.
Yun Che, alone, swept his gaze around, didn't greet anyone, casually chose a direction, and walked forward unhurriedly.
"Sister Xia, we're off. You must be careful." Shui Wushuang and Wu Xuexin greeted each other and left together. Xia Qingyue nodded, watching them leave. Then her gaze casually glanced in the direction Yun Che had gone, a hint of complex emotion flashing in her eyes. Afterward, she walked north alone.
The entire world was covered in flying snow. The only thing that could be used to distinguish directions were the towering ice peaks. Yun Che walked forward continuously. Even with his profound strength protecting him, he shivered repeatedly from the cold.
"This place is nothing but ice and snow. As for the so-called 'Heavenly Pool,' there's not even a shadow of it. How could there be any natural treasures in a place like this? Even if there were, they'd have long been buried by the snow and ice... Hoo, so cold."
Yun Che walked for over half an hour and still saw nothing but the boundless snow plains and flying snow. There was no gain at all. This was completely different from what he had imagined — a place full of exotic flowers and rare herbs, piles of strange stones and spiritual jade, a scene with towering mountains, steep ridges, and dense forests. Moreover, after walking for so long, he hadn't even seen the shadow of a single profound beast!
This wasn't searching for rare treasures; it was pure suffering!
"This small world's existence is very strange," Mo Li said thoughtfully.
"Strange?"
"This small world was indeed artificially created, and at an extremely high level of power. It should have existed for a very long time. It's not strange for it to give rise to some low-to-mid-level natural treasures. What's strange is that such a small world shouldn't appear in a place like this, because it's not something that can be created by the power of this plane."
"It might have been left behind by some powerful figure from long, long ago," Yun Che said casually. He wasn't the least bit interested in the origins of this Heavenly River Secret Realm. Walking unhurriedly, he suddenly asked, "Mo Li, how many people are following me?"
"Four," Mo Li replied.
"Four?" Yun Che was startled. This number didn't match what he had guessed.
"Your side will never lack enemies who want to kill you. Don't you want to think about why?" Mo Li said coldly.
"No! These people can hardly be called enemies." Yun Che wagged his finger and sneered. "They're just a bunch of stepping stones looking for death!"
"Among these four, three should be here to kill you. The other one doesn't seem to be; instead, they might be here to save you," Mo Li said.
"Oh? To save me? Who is it?"
"You'll know in a little while."
Yun Che's pace gradually slowed. He lowered his head and pondered for a moment, then said, "Mo Li, in a little while, help me kill someone."
"Fine!"
Mo Li agreed so readily that Yun Che was stunned. Every time Mo Li made a move, it would cause the poison in her body to spread. So unless it was a life-or-death moment and the enemy was absolutely someone Yun Che couldn't handle, she would never act. But this time, as soon as he opened his mouth, she directly agreed. This made Yun Che's heart pound, and he said weakly, "Uh... Don't you have any other... additional conditions?"
"Of course I do!" Mo Li's voice gradually turned cold and hard: "You know your current physical condition best. This small world is also a perfect place to kill without any lingering consequences. You know best who might kill you here. But you still dared to come, completely because of my existence! The person you want me to kill, I have no choice but to kill, otherwise you will die, and you'll drag me to my death as well."
"I remember you once said that you absolutely didn't want to become dependent on my power. But it seems you've completely forgotten those words. When doing many things, and when assessing your own abilities, you factor in my power. When my power can be used, throughout the entire Tian Xuan Continent, you can't encounter any true danger. This kind of subconscious mental dependence will greatly hinder your growth..." Every word Mo Li spoke was extremely serious, her tone like a grandmaster who had weathered countless storms and experiences, lecturing a junior disciple.
Yun Che partially agreed with Mo Li's words. For example, this time, he didn't want to give up the chance to explore the Heavenly Pool Secret Realm. And if it weren't for Mo Li's existence, he absolutely wouldn't have entered here in his current physical state. Fen Juecheng was secondary; the key was that he also sensed killing intent from Mu Tianbei's body.
Mu Tianbei, as the current Fort Master of Tianqiang Leihuo Fort, was definitely no weaker than Qin Wushang.
"I'll kill one last person for you. Then, for a very long time afterward, I will seal my profound strength and focus on detoxifying with the Heavenly Poison Pearl. From now on, everything will depend solely on you. Don't think about relying on me anymore," Mo Li said coldly.
"...Don't you think that's a bit absolute?" Yun Che's heart stirred. "What if I encounter a life-threatening danger I can't handle? If I die, you'll perish too. Aren't you afraid..."
"Hmph! I've been attached to the Heavenly Poison Pearl for so long, and I've suffered poison outbreaks several times from forcefully using my power. Up to now, the poison in my body hasn't been dispelled much compared to when I first met you! Instead of suffering poison outbreaks time and again with no hope of recovery, it would be better to just die and be done with it!" Mo Li said grumpily.
Yun Che opened his mouth, thought for a moment, and slowly nodded. "Alright, I understand. And, I quite agree with this decision of yours."
Just then, within the endless wind and snow ahead, two blurry figures suddenly appeared. As Yun Che walked forward unhurriedly, these two figures became clearer and clearer in his vision.
When he recognized the two people, Yun Che stopped in his tracks, showing a look of pleasant surprise like meeting companions in danger, and trotted forward to greet them. "Isn't this Young Sect Leader Fen and old friend Juecheng? What are you two doing here? To meet in this vast Heavenly Pool Secret Realm — who would dare say this isn't a wonderful fate ordained by heaven!!"
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