42: Annihilate the remnant soul of the Demon Saint

"Young Miss, you don't need to worry. I'm fine. I was just testing this remnant Soul just now."

Ji Mo quickly reassured her.

Now, Ji Mo knew that he could only ask the two 'big shots' in his Soul for help.

Although he couldn't make them appear directly from his Soul, his Soul was currently under threat. He figured that even a slight move from either of them would be enough to resolve the current predicament.

Ji Mo immediately communicated with the little sword through his mind.

However, the little sword was very arrogant and completely ignored his call.

In desperation, Ji Mo could only turn to his 'boss'—the Hegemonic Heaven Refining Art—for help.

As expected of the 'boss,' it was quite caring towards its 'subordinate.'

Although there was no reply, a golden light instantly enveloped the little sword, and the little sword shot out like a meteor, hovering in front of Ji Mo and Shangguan Yanran.

The little sword showed no fluctuations in its Qi, yet in an instant, a Sword Light flashed like lightning and then disappeared without a trace.

But in that very moment, the originally ferocious Demon Soul shattered like broken glass, turning into dust.

As the Demon Soul vanished into thin air, the dark and oppressive Soul space, which had been like Hell, began to undergo earth-shattering changes.

The thick, inky black mist gradually dispersed like receding tide waters.

A soft and warm glow, like the dawn's first light, slowly emanated from the depths of the Soul space.

Shangguan Yanran's Soul, like a seedling receiving timely rain after a long drought, began to burst with vitality. Her originally dim Soul power gradually became bright and full.

Seeing this, Ji Mo secretly breathed a sigh of relief, understanding that the operation had largely succeeded.

He slowly withdrew from Shangguan Yanran's Soul space.

Gently opening his eyes, what greeted him was Shangguan Yanran's gaze, filled with gratitude and adoration.

The two looked at each other quietly, for a moment, forgetting to speak.

This scene made Shangguan Batian, the imposing City Lord standing by, as anxious as an ant on a hot pan, scratching his ears and cheeks impatiently.

"What happened already?! You two, say something!"

Shangguan Batian finally couldn't hold back and asked loudly, agitated.

"Fortunately, I did not fail in my mission. The Demon Soul has been successfully eradicated."

Ji Mo was the first to regain his composure and answered Shangguan Batian's question.

"But why hasn't my daughter's face recovered yet?" Hearing this, Shangguan Yanran was greatly alarmed, and her hands subconsciously and quickly touched her face.

What her fingertips touched was still that desperate, steel-like hair, sharp as an awl.

"Father, didn't you say that as long as the Demon Soul was eradicated, I would recover as before?

Why is it like this now? Will my face never regain its appearance?"

Shangguan Yanran's voice was full of heartbreaking sorrow, as if she had instantly fallen from the clouds to the bottom of a valley.

It was no wonder she was so desperate; such a drastic emotional swing, from great hope to deep despair, was most likely to stir one's heart.

She had thought that after enduring hardships, she would finally see the light at the end of the tunnel, but even after the Demon Soul was destroyed, her appearance still hadn't recovered.

"This... Father didn't expect this either. It must be the lingering evil energy of the demon saint at work. Father will help you expel it now."

Shangguan Batian hurriedly stepped forward, placing his hands firmly on Shangguan Yanran's back.

However, after only a moment, his expression turned very ugly, and he slowly released his hands.

"Daughter, don't rush. This demon saint's energy has deeply fused with you. Father can only help you peel it away gradually.

It absolutely cannot be forcefully expelled all at once, otherwise, it will cause you great harm."

"No, I don't want to live like this monstrous appearance anymore!"

This time, Shangguan Yanran completely collapsed, her emotions almost out of control.

"Young Miss Yanran, don't worry. Let me try."

Ji Mo's voice was steady and powerful, like a ray of hope, instantly rekindling life in Shangguan Yanran's almost dead heart.

Ji Mo didn't hesitate at all. A brilliant golden light flew out from his body, covering Shangguan Yanran's face like a soft veil.

As Ji Mo expected, as long as it was energy not consciously controlled, the furnace fragments could refine it.

A moment later, Ji Mo slowly withdrew all the furnace fragments.

A peerless face capable of toppling nations was revealed before everyone without reservation.

Although Ji Mo had seen Shangguan Yanran's transformed body in the Soul space, witnessing her true face at this moment still deeply shocked him.

"Daughter, you're back! Daughter, your appearance has finally recovered!"

Shangguan Batian's voice trembled with excitement. With a wave of his hand, a mirror as clear as water appeared before Shangguan Yanran.

Shangguan Yanran looked at herself in the mirror, her eyes red, tears streaming down her face. She choked with emotion, unable to speak for a moment.

She slowly turned her head, her gaze falling upon Ji Mo in front of her.

Her eyes seemed to be gazing at the love of her life.

It was this handsome and extraordinary man who had twice saved her from the abyss of despair.

Immediately after, Shangguan Yanran made a move that left her father dumbfounded.

She rushed forward fiercely, hugging Ji Mo tightly, burying her head deep in Ji Mo's chest, and burst into tears.

It was as if she wanted to vent all the grievances she had suffered over the past two years.

Shangguan Batian's face instantly flushed crimson.

His eyes seemed to spit fire as he stared intently at Ji Mo.

Ji Mo smiled helplessly, then made a rather provocative gesture—gently wrapping his arms around the beauty in his embrace.

Completely ignoring Shangguan Batian, he softly comforted the sadly weeping Shangguan Yanran in his arms.

In Ji Mo's eyes, Shangguan Yanran was so beautiful and charming,

She was like the white moonlight in his heart, that Heavenly Immortal-like 'Fairy Liu,' exuding captivating Immortal Qi.

How could Ji Mo let go? Shangguan Batian was clearly a complete doting father, so there was no need to care about him.

After about half a cup of tea, the Fairy in Ji Mo's arms gradually stopped crying.

She slowly raised her reddened eyes, looking at Ji Mo with a slight shyness.

Then, as if realizing something, she quickly let go of Ji Mo and turned to Shangguan Batian, saying:

"Father, please entertain Young Master Ji first. Daughter will go tidy up her appearance."

With that, like a young girl experiencing her first love, she hurried out.

Shangguan Batian watched his daughter's retreating figure and shouted, "Daughter, I'm taking this boy to Father's grand hall!"

After saying that, he grabbed Ji Mo and left.

"Boy, you're really arrogant! How dare you flirt with my daughter right in front of me." Shangguan Batian said with a dangerous smile, a hint of displeasure in his tone.

"Lord City Lord, you've truly wronged me.

You were there too. Young Miss Yanran was clearly crying tears of joy, and I merely comforted her accordingly." Ji Mo explained with a helpless expression.

"Hmph, boy, I don't care about those twists and turns.

I only saw my daughter being hugged and embraced by you. You tell me, how should this matter be resolved!"

Shangguan Batian saw that Ji Mo was still unhurried, and continued,

"You wouldn't be thinking of taking advantage and then just walking away, pretending nothing happened, would you?"

Ji Mo's face instantly darkened, and he said helplessly:

"Lord City Lord, what you're saying makes it sound like I did something improper to Young Miss Yanran."

"I don't care about all that. You've seen it, my precious daughter's heart is probably completely tied to you. You must give me an explanation today."

Shangguan Batian said relentlessly.

"Lord City Lord, to be honest, I am not yet twenty years old, and my heart is completely devoted to Cultivation.

Regarding romantic affairs, although I don't resist them, I prefer everything to happen naturally. Moreover, the path of Cultivation I have chosen is destined to be full of thorns and dangers.

I don't want to bring trouble to myself and those around me due to too many entanglements.

At least until I establish a firm foothold on this continent, will I have the mind to consider marrying and having children." Ji Mo said with a firm expression.

"What a ambitious young man! I agree with your statement.

But regarding my daughter, you must personally explain it clearly to her.

Also, you absolutely must not let my daughter down, otherwise, I will not easily forgive you!"

Shangguan Batian warned solemnly.

"Furthermore, you truly helped me a great deal this time. I owe you a favor.

Speak, what reward do you want?" Shangguan Batian changed the subject, speaking generously.

Ji Mo was waiting for this very sentence. He didn't decline and said directly:

"Lord City Lord is generous! I need Spirit Stones, Spiritual Plants, Cultivation Techniques, Martial Skills, and Yao Beast corpses. I want all of these."

"You're quite impolite, young man! I can give you one hundred thousand low-grade Spirit Stones.

As for Cultivation Techniques, I won't give you any.

Firstly, I don't have any Cultivation Techniques suitable for your Physical Body Cultivation here.

I can tell your Physical Body is powerful, but you lack suitable offensive Martial Skills.

However, the entire continent is extremely lacking in Physical Body Martial Skills, and ordinary fist and foot techniques are not as effective as the sword in your hand.

Secondly, you already have a Sword Technique, and being too greedy will only be counterproductive.

However, I can prepare five thousand Yao Beast corpses for you, and also some Spiritual Plants."

Shangguan Batian said after a moment of thought.

Ji Mo was overjoyed in his heart, secretly pondering:

"To be honest, I didn't really know what exactly to ask for, so I could only make an extravagant request first to see what the other party could offer.

I didn't expect the reward to be much more generous than I had anticipated."

Just then, Shangguan Yanran appeared at the doorway.

She was dressed in a white gown, her exposed skin as white as snow, and her hair was styled elegantly and beautifully.

Occasionally, a few strands of hair fell upon her Heavenly Immortal-like face, adding a touch of softness.

Looking at her tall figure, about 1.7 meters tall, with a curvy physique, she was like a Fairy stepping out of a painting, making Ji Mo's heart stir.

"Young Master Ji." Shangguan Yanran gently parted her red lips and bowed gracefully.

Seeing this, Shangguan Batian directly said to Ji Mo:

"Boy, I'll go prepare your reward. You can talk to Yanran properly." With that, he turned and left.

Ji Mo looked at the peerless beauty before him.

For a moment, a thought flashed through his mind: he truly wanted to fall into decadence right then and there, to stay here and spend his life with her.

But in an instant, he remembered Xue'er, who deeply cared for him in the Peerless Sect, and that he still had to pursue the distant end of the Immortal Path.

Ji Mo firmed his inner conviction and said to Shangguan Yanran:

"Young Miss Yanran, let's go for a walk."