Refining the Mountains and Rivers

The reason for this was simple. If she truly wanted to harm Qin Yu, she could have easily done so. She did not need to waste too much effort.

Oh…there was one thing that he did not understand. Through their conversation, the woman in front of Qin Yu was not the same person as the woman in the Shadow of the Sun and Moon.

There was something more to this.

However, Qin Yu decided not to probe further. Sometimes, the less he knew, the better.

He organized his thoughts and bowed towards the woman, "So it was Senior who helped me out before. I am very thankful!"

The woman scoffed, "And that is why you disregarded my warnings and barged in here to ruin the plans we constructed for so many years?"

Um…

Qin Yu was put in a spot and he did not know what to reply. He felt misunderstood. How would he have known that he ruined their plans?

Furthermore, what was the plan? He did not witness anything.

Unexpectedly, the woman knew what he was thinking. This might be because of her powers as a Ruler or her own intuition. She sneered, "Do you feel wronged? Do you think you are right? Do you think that you would have arrived here safely if not for the seal the woman left in your body?"

Suddenly, she sensed something and she stared at Qin Yu. Frowning slightly, she asked, "You learned the five Divine Ways?"

She had changed the topic so suddenly but Qin Yu nodded in confirmation.

She ought to have realized that he was a genius. There were five Divine Ways, five precious treasures that every cultivator would drool over. Qin Yu got all of them and this opened up his path for a bright future.

Who did she say was blind? The woman made the right choice by choosing him. Qin Yu was filled with pride as he thought about this. Yet, he still did not know the full picture.

The woman smirked slightly as something piqued her interest. She slowly muttered, "It has been so many years since someone actually dared to learn all five Divine Ways by himself. Furthermore, you actually met the prerequisites to learn all of them. This must be destiny…Qin Yu, you chose this path. You must rely on yourself to grow even stronger!"

What was this sudden change?

Qin Yu's expression froze. Her words did not make sense to him. What in the world was she talking about? Was there a drawback to learning the five Divine Ways? Was he in danger?

A Ruler's judgment could not be wrong. Qin Yu sighed deeply and anxiously asked, "Is there something wrong with the five Divine Ways? Senior, please guide me!"

The woman snapped, "You spoiled my plans and you want me to guide you? Dream on!" She coughed before continuing, "Anyway, there is not much guidance I can give you. You already learnt the five Divine Ways. You can't turn back time to fix your problems. That is unless you destroy your own cultivation and become an ordinary person."

She glanced at him, "So? What do you think? If you are willing to do so but are afraid to destroy your own cultivation, I can give you a helping hand."

Qin Yu shook his head furiously and denied. He would be mad to destroy his own cultivation. Whatever problems he had now, he would resolve them in the future. With this thought, he decided to change the topic. Hesitantly, he asked, "I was ignorant and foolish to have spoiled your plans and I fully regret it. Is there any way to make up for it?"

"You are already here. How are you going to make up for it?" The woman rubbed her forehead in exasperation. She felt helpless but furious and she lamented, "I waited here for so many years to give the West Desolate and Mysterious Clan a surprise. I can't believe you were the one who arrived here in the end.

"Men can't defy nature and we can't prevent things that are bound to happen. The heavens refuse to give in; why can't they let me win for once?"

She tilted her head up and her eyes burned with rage. It looked like she was quarelling with the heavens…did she lose her mind from staying in this palace for too long?

Smack!

Qin Yu received a strong blow to his head. If not for his tough physical body, his vision would have blurred and the world would have spun before his eyes.

Somehow he had not seen how the woman struck him, and this made him fearful. How was she able to tell what he was thinking? Could Rulers read minds?

"I can't read your mind but I can guess what you are thinking. It isn't that hard." The woman leaned backwards and a chair appeared out of the blue. She sat down comfortably as she sighed, "The plan has been ruined. I can explain it to you if you want to hear. After all, you are somewhat considered to be in the same boat as me."

Qin Yu was respectful and he listened attentively. He was willing to listen to whatever she had to explain.

The woman raised her eyebrows. This brat was so thick-skinned. Her eyes swept across Qin Yu and she said, "Bounded Zero Place is a trap for the West Desolate and Mysterious Clan. It was originally a way to teach them a lesson and make up for the mistake in the past. But I never imagined that you would come here today."

This explanation was way too vague. What trap and lesson? Furthermore, Qin Yu came here and was blamed even though he did not do anything?

The woman's eyes darkened and she said, "I have awakened and the trap has already been set in motion. It cannot be used again. Tell me how you came in."

Qin Yu explained everything from the beginning till the end. He told her about his alliance with the six True Saints to massacre the two clans.

Although he did not go into detail, his brief explanation also took a while.

The woman scoffed, "So everyone from the two clans has been killed? I can't believe that they were beaten up so pathetically by you weaklings."

Qin Yu was at a loss for words.

Don't get angry!

The Ruler called him a weakling. How shameful!

He hesitated for a moment before he asked, "Senior, what is this trap you were talking about?"

The woman casually answered, "It is me."

She pointed ahead, "Do you see the Inextinguishable Flame there? I hid something inside there that the two clans would discover. However, the moment they tried to take it, I would be awakened and ambush them."

Qin Yu's eyes brightened. So the dangerous thing that Stone Pagoda and Fire Spirit warned him about was this woman. Since he and the woman could be considered to be amicable with each other, could he use this to his advantage? If she agreed, the Inextinguishable Flame would be his!

The more he thought about this, the more excited he was. He breathed in deeply and was just about to make his request when the woman stopped him, "Don't tell me you desire the Inextinguishable Flame too?"

Qin Yu replied, "Senior, please allow me."

The woman smiled slightly and surveyed Qin Yu, "The Inextinguishable Flame is very powerful. Do you think you can take it?"

She did not shut him out!

Qin Yu quickly triggered the furnace and revealed it in his hand, "I have this item with me and it will be able to absorb the flame."

The woman's eyes brightened, "Mm, this furnace is not bad." She sat upright and took a closer look at it, "It can even evolve with the flame. Interesting.

"I think I know why you want the Inextinguishable Flame already. Although you spoiled my plans and you are pretty sloppy, since that woman chose you, I will help you too…"

"Thank you Senior!" Qin Yu beamed.

The woman chuckled slightly, "Wait till I finish speaking."

She pointed to herself, "I think you know this already, but I am not her. How do I explain this…hmm. I am an independent consciousness and I have my own will until the trap is activated. However, once it is, I will not be myself again. Everything before me will be my target and my objective will be to destroy all living things."

The woman laughed, "Don't assume that things will be okay since we are on talking terms. Once activated, I will kill you mercilessly as well."

Although the woman's face was still blurry, Qin Yu could tell that she was very beautiful from her laugh. This was insignificant now but Qin Yu felt a penetrating coldness from her that pierced his skin.