Undying Life

Chapter 204: Transformation of Water and Fire

"Nian Youyou? A combination of wildness and vulnerability, how could these two qualities exist in one woman? If it weren't for seeing Nian Youyou, hardly anyone would believe that these two qualities could merge so perfectly."

"Yoyo, these are the distinguished guests I invited, as I mentioned to you earlier. Take a look and see if you recognize them," King Ju Lu said.

Nian Youyou nodded, her attitude not submissive, as if she were on equal footing with King Ju Lu. Of course, for a spiritual being of an artifact, and not even King Ju Lu's artifact, it was understandable that Nian Youyou wasn't overly respectful.

Nian Youyou took small, measured steps and walked slowly to the left. She looked at Crown Prince Han Jue and smiled faintly. "This is the Crown Prince of the Grand Light Empire, Han Jue, unparalleled in intelligence, and the first of the Grand Light. And these two gentlemen beside him are Crown Prince Han Jue's left and right aides."

As she spoke, Nian Youyou squinted her eyes into crescent shapes, but they remained watery, causing the left and right aides to nod continuously, while Crown Prince Han Jue smiled faintly.

Seeing Crown Prince Han Jue's expression, Nian Youyou smiled back and walked towards Princess Qianyou's side. That smile seemed like a stroke of genius, as even though Crown Prince Han Jue realized it was an illusion spell, he couldn't help but be fooled, his eyes flashing with fleeting desire.

Approaching, Nian Youyou greeted Princess Qianyou and Zhongshan respectfully. "Yoyo greets the First Princess of Daluo, and the loyal and brave A-Da and A-Er."

A-Da and A-Er nodded immediately, while Princess Qianyou smiled faintly.

"Everyone's names, Yoyo has heard King Ju Lu mention them before. Is this the renowned Zhongshan of the Kaiyang Sect, recommended by the elder of the Seven Stars Pavilion?" Nian Youyou seemed suddenly interested in Zhongshan and turned her gaze towards him once again.

Hearing Nian Youyou's words, Zhongshan's expression tightened, and the chopsticks in his hand seemed to almost shatter from the pressure.

"Yoyo, that's a memorable name." Zhongshan nodded immediately.

Receiving Zhongshan's acknowledgment, Nian Youyou's eyes suddenly sparkled. But her gaze didn't linger on Zhongshan; instead, it slowly moved to the painting of the 'Golden Sands' from earlier.

Watching Nian Youyou walk away, Zhongshan felt a mixture of emotions. The Zhongshan of the Kaiyang Sect? How did she know about him being from the Kaiyang Sect? Was it what King Ju Lu said? Clearly not, as King Ju Lu's attitude and expression just now indicated that he had no prior knowledge of Zhongshan's background. When he came out of Tianlang Island last time and went to the Daluo Empire with Elder Zixun, it wasn't possible either. At that time, he was nothing more than an insignificant existence and couldn't have drawn anyone's attention, not to mention that he hadn't even told General Tie Xue his name.

What was going on? The Kaiyang Sect? Did she know about the Kaiyang Sect? Did she investigate him? No, she said, 'Is this the Zhongshan from the Kaiyang Sect recommended by the elder of the Seven Stars Pavilion?' indicating that she expected him to be the Zhongshan from the Kaiyang Sect but wasn't sure, and she wanted to confirm it because of his name.

Did she investigate him? She just didn't recognize him, and it seemed like there was some unclear relationship or grudge between them?

Coming to this conclusion, Zhongshan was extremely puzzled. He didn't know Nian Youyou, so how did she recognize him? Tianlang Island, the Grand Majing Empire was where he acquired his power. Did she also know about that? Thinking of this, a cold sweat broke out on Zhongshan's forehead, and he turned his head slightly to look at Princess Qianyou.

Princess Qianyou also looked puzzled.

"Everyone, this is Nian Youyou, the spiritual being of the 'Golden Sands' artifact. As you all saw, as the alchemist who created this painting said, Nian Youyou is just one step away from becoming a real person. To gain Nian Youyou's recognition, one must complete the final step. From now on, Nian Youyou will acknowledge whoever completes this step as her master and will belong to them," King Ju Lu said.

"Oh? Transforming into a real person?" Crown Prince Han Jue exclaimed in surprise.

Seeing the expression of Crown Prince Han Jue, King Ju Lu smiled slightly and said, "Indeed, the transformation into a real person, and that remarkable individual also mentioned that this painting is not solely his achievement but also involves the help of the heavens. Once Nian Youyou transforms into a person, she will possess the body of a Qian Ding."

"Qian Ding? The leader of the Nine Cauldrons?" Princess Qianyou squinted her eyes.

"Yes," King Ju Lu nodded, a hint of desire appearing in his eyes at the same time.

"How do we complete the final step?" Crown Prince Han Jue immediately asked. Just now, he merely liked the idea, but upon hearing 'Qian Ding,' he immediately showed a determined expression.

Princess Qianyou also looked at King Ju Lu. She knew King Ju Lu wouldn't lie at this moment. The body of a Qian Ding? What is a Qian Ding? Zhongshan had searched for information over the years. For women, the best physique was the Nine Cauldrons. Within Qian, Kun, Li, Kan, Zhen, Dui, and Xun, the body of the Nine Cauldrons could not only cultivate to a height that others could not reach in their own attributes but more importantly, their partners in Dao Cultivation, Ding Lian Golden Pills. The 'Ding' refers to the woman, and the 'Dan' refers to the partner in Dao Cultivation. Because of their physique, their partners could cultivate several times faster during dual cultivation. They could even improve their physique because of it. Here, the partner in Dao Cultivation might not necessarily be a man. Even if it was a woman, they could cultivate several times faster together. This was the absurdity of the body of the Nine Cauldrons. But the body of the Nine Cauldrons was rare, so rare that even in the Grand Luo Empire, there were not many to be found.

"This step has yet to be completed by anyone. Let Yoyo explain it," King Ju Lu pointed to Nian Youyou.

At this moment, Nian Youyou also took down the painting and gently waved her hand. Suddenly, a large amount of water-like substance appeared in the blank canvas, seeming both real and illusory.

She gently laid the painting flat on the ground, placing it in the middle of the hall. From a distance, the water in the painting seemed like a square pool, rippling with clear waves.

"Yoyo comes from this painting, bound by the painting. She can only come out for two hours each day before being pulled back into the painting, imprisoned by it. The person who created the painting said that only by destroying this painting can Yoyo be completely freed. But if destroyed by ordinary means, Yoyo will also dissipate along with this painting," Nian Youyou said with a bitter expression.

With each smile and frown, she displayed utmost tenderness, and in the hall, everyone felt a sense of protection towards her.

"Ordinary means won't work, so is there a special method?" Crown Prince Han Jue asked.

"Yes, when the painting falls to the ground, it becomes a pool of water. As long as this pool of water is used to burn the painting, Yoyo will be freed. Whoever uses this pool of water to ignite the painting and burn it will become Yoyo's master from then on. She will willingly serve them like an ox or horse," Nian Youyou said.

Burn the painting with a pool of water? All the previously enthusiastic people suddenly felt a shock. Burn the painting with water? Use water to start a fire? Isn't that a myth?

Water and fire are fundamentally opposing elements. How can you make water ignite? Isn't this storytelling?

"King Ju Lu, is what Nian Youyou said true?" Princess Qianyou frowned and asked.

"Yes, that's what the remarkable individual said. If anyone present really uses this pool of water in the painting to burn the painting and takes Yoyo away on the spot, I will never interfere," King Ju Lu said confidently.

With King Ju Lu's affirmation, everyone looked at Nian Youyou again.

"Miss Nian Youyou, what kind of water is this?" Crown Prince Han Jue got up and looked at the pool of water.

"This is the purest water, without any impurities. It's even purer than the water evaporated from rivers," Nian Youyou immediately looked at Crown Prince Han Jue with a hopeful expression, as if she hoped he could free her from her imprisonment.

"Let's discuss this," Crown Prince Han Jue said.

"Thank you, Your Highness," Nian Youyou said softly and vulnerably.

Crown Prince Han Jue immediately went to find the two people he had brought with him, and the three of them had a discussion, continuously explaining in the meantime.

On this side, Princess Qianyou looked at Zhongshan.

"Sir, water can turn into ice when cold, into water when warm, and into mist when hot. Water is ultimately water. Without adding anything, it's impossible for it to burn like oil. Water and fire are opposites. Among the Five Elements, water and fire are the most incompatible. Unless some special flames or bodies of water are involved, it's impossible to break this rule. Do you agree with what I said?" Princess Qianyou looked at Zhongshan, her brows furrowed. Obviously, this was impossible. If water could burn, it would go against nature and the laws of heaven.

Seeing Princess Qianyou's expression, Zhongshan looked slightly strange, with an indescribable taste in his expression.

Seeing Zhongshan's expression, Princess Qianyou was slightly stunned, then widened her eyes and looked at Zhongshan. "Sir, could it be that you..."

Zhongshan nodded, a hint of strangeness flashing in his eyes. Indeed, in this upper-class society, it was still a competition of intellect and wisdom. Those with high cultivation and excellent aptitude could only be regarded as brutes.

Seeing Zhongshan nod, Princess Qianyou was initially incredulous, very incredulous. Could Zhongshan really make water burn? Make water ignite into fire? How is that possible? Zhongshan had only reached the Innate stage a little over ten years ago, meaning he was only about two hundred years old. Could it be that he had 'inadvertently' discovered it before?

Looking at Zhongshan, Princess Qianyou sighed and said, "Then this woman belongs to you, sir." At the same time, she gave Zhongshan a fierce look.

Seeing Princess Qianyou's expression, Zhongshan closed his eyes and nodded, naturally understanding what Princess Qianyou meant.

"Miss Nian Youyou, I have a solution," Crown Prince Han Jue suddenly spoke up from nearby.

"Huh?" Everyone in the hall looked at Crown Prince Han Jue together. You have a solution? Zhongshan also looked at Crown Prince Han Jue in surprise. Could this prince and his two attendants really have thought of a solution?

King Ju Lu lightly tapped his wine glass in his hand, a hint of surprise and disbelief flashing in his eyes. He furrowed his brows slightly, as if he didn't want him to have a solution.

"Oh? Really?" Nian Youyou's face lit up with surprise.

"Yes, as long as I throw something into this pool of water, it will ignite," Crown Prince Han Jue said confidently.

"What is it?" Nian Youyou stared at Crown Prince Han Jue with wide eyes, filled with anticipation.

"Oil. As long as oil is thrown in and a small flame is applied, flames will rise, and the painting will be destroyed in an instant," Crown Prince Han Jue said confidently, while one of his attendants behind him rubbed his beard in satisfaction. This method should be his idea.

"But may I ask Crown Prince Han Jue, is it the oil that burns or the water? And what did the water do?" Nian Youyou immediately shook her head. Obviously, she had already thought of this method.

Throwing oil into water may cause it to burn, but only the oil burns, while the water evaporates. How can you say the water is burning? Now, to ignite the water, to burn the water into fire, isn't it turning water into vapor?