Chapter 119: I Don't Want to Touch It

Xuanyuan Tunhan analyzed the situation and concluded that finding Yi Tianling and Su Yun'er was the key; only by locating them could they find a way out.

Ning Xianyu pondered this and agreed with his assessment. After all, Yi Tianling was the male protagonist, and the hallmark of a male protagonist was his possession of "cheat codes." This space was well-concealed, and since he had managed to enter, he must have a way to leave.

Suddenly, the system spoke up: "I remember now. According to the original plot of the book, Yi Tianling did indeed come here."

Ning Xianyu really wanted to thank her: "If you knew, why didn't you say so earlier?"

The system felt embarrassed: "Well, since the plot line went off the rails, I haven't paid much attention to the original events. I just recalled that Yi Tianling did come here, specifically to retrieve a stone."

Another stone? Ning Xianyu felt it was absurd. Was this book called *Story of the Stone*? Everything seemed to revolve around stones. "What kind of stone?" she asked, assuming it must be another prop for the protagonist to gain an advantage.

The system replied: "It is said to be a piece of the Heaven-Mending Stone. Absorbing it can increase one's cultivation level."

"A Heaven-Mending Stone again?" Ning Xianyu thought to herself, noting she already possessed one. Just how many of these stones were there?

Hearing their conversation, Xuanyuan Tunhan’s expression turned stern. So, there was a fragment of the Heaven-Mending Stone here. No wonder the restrictions in this space had been maintained so well and even strengthened—it was because of that stone. If he took the stone, the restrictions here would likely loosen significantly. However, he had use for the stone himself; it could not fall into Yi Tianling’s hands.

"Yi Tianling is the protagonist, so he’s probably off getting the stone with his lady love right now. Sigh, such is the disparity in fate." He had a system, and so did she, yet he was out there using cheats while she was being hunted everywhere. "Oh, God of Fate, are you asleep? I’m suffering so much I can’t even sleep."

The system offered a dry laugh, hoping to avoid being blamed for incompetence once again.

As they descended further, the temperature began to rise significantly. It was clear the environment outside had changed. Frightened, Ning Xianyu grabbed the Great Demon Lord’s arm and carefully scanned their surroundings. Xuanyuan Tunhan allowed her to hold on, keeping a sharp eye on their environment. After a while, they came to a stop.

The vines gradually parted, revealing their surroundings. They were in a massive underground cavern. Above them hung stalactites, and they stood on a high platform overlooking what appeared to be an underground lake. However, the water was red and bubbling. Upon smelling the air, she detected the scent of sulfur. Ning Xianyu wondered if they had been dumped into the mouth of an underground volcano.

Xuanyuan Tunhan rose and surveyed the area. Fearful of being left alone, Ning Xianyu hurried after him. They walked around and discovered there was only one exit: directly above them. But to get out, they would have to break through the vines. The exit was now completely sealed; escaping would not be simple. If they still possessed their spiritual power, these vines would be nothing, but with their current restricted state, breaking through the vines was nearly impossible.

Suddenly, a vine reached down, curled up, and transformed into the shape of an old woman. The woman looked kind and spirited, and she was very familiar.

"Grandmother?" Ning Xianyu was stunned. It turned out this old woman was also a manifestation of the ancient trees. Thinking back to how she had eaten chicken, Ning Xianyu finally understood: everyone in the town was a transformed vine. She had wondered where those mortals came from; it turned out there were no people at all—they were all ancient trees. No wonder everyone there ate meat.

The old woman smiled at her: "I am here to deliver a message. Just stay here honestly. This Earth-Heart Spring can nourish your bodies and purify your souls; feel free to enjoy it."

Ning Xianyu was furious: "Who wants to enjoy this? We want to go up and leave this place!" If the spring was so good, why didn't the vines use it themselves?

The old woman remained smiling: "Little human, can you not handle being locked up for even this long?"

Ning Xianyu shouted: "You try being forced into confinement and see—" She stopped, remembering that these ancient trees had been forcibly trapped here for countless years. The trees themselves could not leave either.

The old woman continued to smile, but her eyes looked sinister. "Little one, I know better than you what it feels like to be locked up. Day after day, year after year, looking at the same sky, feeling the same land, and the same spring water—it is truly boring." As she spoke, a cold aura emanated from her, and the vines around her danced wildly, threatening to spread toward them.

Ning Xianyu jumped back in fright: "I didn't lock you up! Don't take it out on me!" She was innocent, wasn't she?

The old woman suddenly changed her expression, returning to her previous smiling look: "Look at me, chatting so happily that I forgot my business. Rest up. We will let you go up for some fresh air in five hundred years." She retreated toward the ceiling, but after a few steps, she added: "I forgot to tell you, I’m afraid you might starve, so we will send food every day." With that, she turned back into vines and vanished into the cavern ceiling.

Xuanyuan Tunhan said nothing, merely watching her leave. Ning Xianyu tugged at his sleeve, waiting for him to take the lead. They couldn't just stay trapped here forever, could they?

Xuanyuan Tunhan went to inspect the geothermal spring water and beckoned her over. Ning Xianyu obediently approached and squatted down: "What is it?"

He grabbed her hand and pulled her closer, his tone cold but his voice as seductive as ever: "Touch it."

"Touch it?" Ning Xianyu looked at him, her gaze drifting downward. Because of the earlier struggle, the Great Demon Lord’s robes were open, revealing his solid, exposed chest—a truly tempting sight. "What a treat," she thought.

Ning Xianyu swallowed hard and pulled her hand back in a panic: "I won't touch it." She turned her head away, blushing. *The Great Demon Lord is such a perverted lecher, trying to seduce me even now.* She was a decent person; she wouldn't be swayed by his looks.

Xuanyuan Tunhan broke into a cold sweat. Was this woman an idiot? How could he possibly want her to touch *him*?

"I told you to touch the spring water." He grabbed her hand again and thrust it toward the water.

Terrified, Ning Xianyu leaped up and struggled: "No, no, I won't touch it!" The Great Demon Lord was a psychopath, forcing her to touch bubbling spring water; she would have to be insane to do it.

The system chimed in: "You rejected him much more sincerely this time." She had clearly been playing hard to get, wanting to take the opportunity to touch him, yet acting all righteous now.