Divine Emperor of Death

Shirley and Dewzai didn't turn back.

They looked at each other as though preparing themselves for death before they stepped forward together, heading into the heart of a vast, enchanted forest that had many crystal mounds consisting of three High-Level Immortal Crystal Cores at the very least.

The colossal pillar of magnificence in front of them shined the light through this forest, making it appear like daytime but with a fantastical hue that made this land wondrous.

As they headed deeper, they started coming across pathways adorned in grass.

These pathways led them to somewhere but they sure didn't cross it as there were Mid-Level Immortal Emperor Crystal Beasts lying in wait.

The both of them hid behind a tree and looked at each other.

"Think you can deal with it?"

"No way." Dewzai shook her head. "You think I'm capable enough to take down Mid-Level Immortal Emperor Crystal Beasts while I merely am a Level One Immortal King? You're crazy…"

"…"

Shirley went silent.

She didn't expose herself as lacking prowess, so she began to think of another way.

"Then our lack of cultivation is also a sweet spot for us as it allows us to behave like ants unworthy of attention as long as we conceal ourselves and act like we're part of nature."

"How…?"

Dewzai was not sure if she understood Shirley's words and asked hesitantly.

"Let's try going through the crystal mounds…"

"You're serious?" Dewzai raised her brows.

On the other hand, Shirley smirked, "You hide your own aura with the dense aura of heaven and earth energy around you. Don't tell me you had no experience traversing the world?"

"…"

Dewzai threw her glance elsewhere.

"You're such a spoiled Fox Empress. No wonder you did that~"

"You-!"

Shirley walked away from the tree, causing Dewzai to hurriedly close her mouth. She stamped her feet and reluctantly followed Shirley's lead. As soon as they were near a crystal mound, they carved it open and mined their way slowly to the other side, doing it multiple times.

While they were at it, they also collected some Vein Cores but not much in case the absence of these items caused the crystal beasts to act strange. They equally divided the cores in order to maintain their cooperation.

One time, there was a crystal beast right in front of them when they broke open the last layer of crystal leading outside, but fortunately, Shirley hadn't moved the crystal layer away, managing to escape a disaster.

Each time they intruded inside a crystal mound, they closed in on the colossal tree, their hearts fueled with expectations of what they would find there.

Hours later, they finally made it to the colossal tree.

They were pretty much out of energy from all the mining, but by this time, Dewzai had eyed Shirley with a strange look, seemingly having noticed something.

However, she didn't say anything at this moment, continuing on with what they initially planned to get to the base of the colossal tree and finally did it after braving numerous dangers.

Fortunately, the Devilish Flame Fox Clan was adept in illusory concealment arts, and as an Emperor-Tier Fey, Dewzai was able to conceal herself better, even without much training. Shirley also learned that Dewzai preferred to attack straight ahead rather than from a concealed point.

"Woah…"

Shirley's jaw dropped ever so lightly as she saw the massive roots of the tree spread in all directions, intertwining with the land. It was not just a collection of roots but a sprawling network of crystalline formations and organic matter. The roots themselves are a fusion of wood and crystal, pulsating with a soft, ethereal light each passing moment, creating a vibrant hue of a bright world.

However, the tree wasn't the only thing presence as there were various types of flora, thriving in the rich and fertile crystal land as though it was the perfect soil for them.

"Incredible… even Immortal Emperor Grade Herbs that require a specific land effortlessly grows here…"

"This is a pure, neutral ground, after all…" Dewzai also commented, appearing mesmerized.

"…!"

But the two of them abruptly shuddered as they felt a few gazes on them. It only grew in magnitude when they looked above.

The tens of Empyrean Stage Crystal Beasts above glared at them, causing Shirley and Dewzai to keep their hands ready on the Escape Talisman. However, no matter how they waited, those Empyrean Stage Crystal Beasts didn't descend.

"…?"

"What's going on?"

It made them confused, so Shirley started walking around, intending to find a shelter or a way inside this colossal tree amidst the network of crystal roots.

However, she eventually chanced upon a small structure.

It was no more than fifty centimeters tall, about the height of a knee, but it held a strange air around it, and there was a monument by its side. Novel Fire - novelfire.net

[Ninth Hidden Pagoda]

[A certain amount of energy from various energy sources readily available across the Crystal World is required to access the Pagoda. However, the amount of energy required to access the Pagoda also depends on the individual.]

"…"

Shirley and Dewzai looked at each other after reading the monument.

"Let's see how many I require." Shirley bent down.

"Wait."

Dewzai stopped her, also bending down and reaching out her hand.

"Let's touch it together."

"…"

Shirley only thought for a moment before she touched this small pagoda that was called the Ninth Hidden Pagoda.

[Cleared the ninth step— requires 1,000 crystal units]

[Requires only one person with enough energy sources to be present in order to activate]

Shirley's brows narrowed.

How much was a thousand crystal units?

She couldn't help but take out the nine High-Level Immortal Crystal Vein Cores and the fifty High-Level Vein Fragments she collected on the way with the help of Dewzai since she couldn't use her energy much and had to rely on Dewzai.

She now touched the Hidden Pagoda again.

[Cleared the ninth step— requires 1,000 crystal units]

[Need 50 more crystal units]

[Requires only one person with enough energy sources to be present in order to activate]

'Oh, so a High-Level immortal Crystal Vein Source constitutes around a hundred crystal units while the same level Vein Fragment constitutes one crystal unit each…'

Shirley quickly pulled back the Vein Sources, but she lost the Vein Fragments as they were pulled away by Dewzai, who also investigated how many crystal units she held.

"What is the meaning of this?"

Shirley stood up and retreated, glaring at Dewzai. Dewzai shrugged in response, "The Hidden Pagoda only needs one person. Obediently leave the Vein Cores here, Shirley. On the account of our cooperation, I'll let you leave alive."

"A fair competition doesn't sound good to you, huh?" Shirley's lips curled.

"This Hidden Pagoda isn't fair." Dewzai didn't seem amused, "It should've let the two of us go inside if it was the case. Besides, we both need to collect ten thousand hundred and twenty five crystal units. I don't think we have enough to go around here if all we can do is mine in a concealed manner."

Her gaze turned cold. Nine spiraling balls of flames emerged behind her back, each one emanating a burning hot terror inside Shirley's heart.

However, Shirley appeared indifferent to the terror of the Devilish Flame Fox's flames. Instead, she was confused over the amount Dewzai needed and eventually managed to come up with the reason why Dewzai needed so much happened to be because she had only reached the eighth step while she herself had reached the ninth step.

She felt lucky but, at the same time, lamented that she didn't remain in the crystal mounds for a while to obtain one more High-Level Immortal Crystal Vein Core!

Otherwise, she would've entered the Ninth Hidden Pagoda by now!

"I know you can't use your prowess for some reason, so take advantage of my benevolence while you can. I owe you one for taking me here." Dewzai's eyes were full of warning.

"No, thank you, Dewzai. If you insist on getting rid of me, let's fight."

Shirley raised her hand in response. "Then die!~" Dewzai attacked at the same time.

The nine balls of spiraling dark flames shot toward Shirley.

Shirley's expression sank as she knew her acts were exposed and had no effect on Dewzai. She hurriedly raised a talisman and activated it.

*Bang!~*