Chapter 976: Huddling for Warmth

Do you need me to help you detoxify the Dan Du?

What I really want is for you to come closer so I can drain you dry and recover from my current weakened state!

Jin Zu's inner voice roared furiously, nearly driven to madness by Xu Xiaoshou's words.

For a brief moment, she felt that the other person had seen through her intentions.

Yet, due to her confidence in her own cultivation method, Gào Wú Tiān Shū, Jin Zu didn't believe Xu Xiaoshou could detect her true thoughts.

After all, the most powerful ability of Gào Wú Tiān Shū was its capacity to subtly alter an enemy's mind, like a saint's will, to achieve her desired outcomes.

Jin Zu had used this technique to express a strong plea for help, thereby "enchanting" Xu Xiaoshou into approaching.

The fact that he had come close was already a sign of the technique's success.

In Jin Zu's eyes, Xu Xiaoshou's offer to use spiritual medicine to detoxify the Dan Du was more likely a coincidence than anything else.

Are you a Wang Zuo Lian Dan Shi?

Jin Zu kept her inner emotions in check, her eyes filled with a watery sorrow now mixed with surprise and reverence, making her even more pitiable.

"Under enchantment, passive value: 1."

The "Jīngshén Juéxǐng" attached to Phantom Extinction Finger triggered once again, and the information panel flashed into view.

Demoness!

Xu Xiaoshou cursed inwardly.

Even in her weakened state, this demoness could still enchant him with her every move, affecting his mind and lowering his guard.

Without "Jīngshén Juéxǐng," Xu Xiaoshou had no idea how many times he would have fallen for it by now.

But like her, he didn't show his true feelings. Instead, he played along, grinning like a fool, and chuckled, "Yes, I'm a Wang Zuo Lian Dan Shi, fourth rank at that!"

Still under control, it seems. Earlier must have just been a coincidence... Jin Zu thought to herself, while also surprised by Xu Xiaoshou's additional identity.

A Wang Zuo Lian Dan Shi—that wasn't detailed in the bounty notice.

From this angle, this secondary identity could provide Xu Xiaoshou with tremendous support.

If this weren't in the deep sea and were normal circumstances, killing him would require breaking through layers of protectors.

But now, things were different!

Here in the underwater depths, Xu Xiaoshou was alone, making it the perfect opportunity for the hunt.

Jin Zu casually glanced at the spiritual medicine in Xu Xiaoshou's hand, then quickly looked away, saying pitifully, "But we're deep underwater, with the forbidden barrier isolating us. How can you give me your spiritual medicine?"

I have my ways... Xu Xiaoshou almost blurted it out, but after regaining his senses, he clamped his mouth shut and changed to a puzzled tone: "You're right, that's a problem. What should we do?"

Throw the question back and see what she's really after!

Xu Xiaoshou started biting his tongue to use the pain to ward off any sudden strengthening of her enchantment, preventing a brief loss of control that could mean death when dealing with such a demoness.

How about this!

Jin Zu's eyes lit up as if she'd just thought of something. "I have a way, but I need you to come a bit closer. We're too far apart right now."

She shyly crossed her jade-like legs and stepped forward slightly, extending her hands in front of her chest. Her tattered clothing slipped down, revealing glimpses of her figure through the hazy water bubble, making it all the more tantalizing.

"Gulp."

Xu Xiaoshou swallowed hard, trying to turn his head away.

But while his head turned, his eyes remained fixed, and his feet unconsciously stepped forward.

"Under temptation, passive value: 1."

"Under threat, passive value: 1."

Threat?

Xu Xiaoshou snapped to attention.

This demoness's power was far too strong!

Even within the forbidden barrier, she could exert such influence?

And for the information panel to warn of a threat...

That meant, after taking that step forward, he had entered her attack range!

Xu Xiaoshou instinctively wanted to retreat.

But by then, Jin Zu had dropped all pretense.

She kicked back with her jade leg, using a special technique that created a recoil, propelling her water bubble forward a few feet.

Now they were nearly face-to-face, less than a zhang apart.

"Under sneak attack, passive value: 1."

The information panel jumped abruptly.

Xu Xiaoshou's pupils contracted as he realized he had underestimated her—this demoness was even more terrifying and unpredictable than he thought.

"Disappear..."

He silently invoked his ultimate trump card to save himself.

But before he could finish the incantation, Jin Zu covered her mouth and giggled:

"Little brother, why resist me so much?

"Come closer, won't you? The deep sea is so cold—why not warm up against me?"

With a boom, Xu Xiaoshou's mind went blank.

Only then did he realize that her mental attacks went far beyond what she had shown; her mastery of seduction and enchantment was exquisite, every smile and gesture captivating.

The "Disappear Technique" failed to activate in time.

"Jīngshén Juéxǐng" did dispel the enchantment immediately, but it still caused a momentary delay.

In that split second, Jin Zu seized the opportunity.

Her face twisted into a sinister, demonic expression, her lips curling as she uttered clearly:

"Suǐ Xī Shù!"

Even separated by the water bubble,

The distance was only half a zhang.

Jin Zu hollowed her cheeks and pursed her red lips, unleashing a terrifying suction.

"Sizzle."

Spiritual energy and vital blood were instantly drawn out from Xu Xiaoshou's pores.

The powerful pull from the demoness's mouth was even more intense than the water bubble's drain!

Xu Xiaoshou couldn't resist at all.

He felt his body sway uncontrollably, like being tugged by a fierce wind.

Yet, thanks to his "Toughness," he didn't budge forward even a step, no matter how strong the wind.

At that moment, Xu Xiaoshou's formidable combat instincts kicked in.

Without hesitation, Jin Zu let herself be carried by the momentum. The terrifying suction of "Suǐ Xī Shù" pushed her water bubble toward Xu Xiaoshou in reverse.

This was risky.

As described in the bounty notice, Xu Xiaoshou's combat strength rivaled Zhǎn Dào, and he had a Wang Zuo body.

Getting too close in her weakened state could get her killed in an instant.

But Jin Zu couldn't wait any longer—she just needed one good suck!

"Suǐ Xī Shù" was already powerful, and with the gap in their realms, one pull would let her, at the Tài Xū level, devour a Zōng Shī's spiritual energy, vital blood, and all life force completely!

"Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle!"

The closer the distance, the stronger the suction.

Blood oozed from Xu Xiaoshou's pores, passed through the water bubble, and flowed into Jin Zu's red lips, nourishing her body.

Jin Zu's wilted state recovered visibly.

Meanwhile, Xu Xiaoshou, full of vitality, withered in the blink of an eye, his body turning gaunt and shriveled.

"Under drain, passive value: 1."

"Under drain, passive value: 1."

The information panel flashed rapidly.

Xu Xiaoshou watched as massive amounts of spiritual energy and vital blood slipped away, yet he stood frozen, seemingly helpless.

In reality, "Jīngshén Juéxǐng" had only triggered once, freeing him from the demoness's enchantment.

That meant, in his current state, Xu Xiaoshou was fully aware of the dire situation and capable of counterattacking.

He was certain the demoness had no idea.

She probably still thought he was under her illusion, unable to resist as she drained his life energy until he was a dried husk.

In that instant when "Suǐ Xī Shù" erupted, seventy percent of the spiritual energy in his Qi Sea vanished!

Xu Xiaoshou knew this was an unbridgeable gap due to their realm difference.

But he had "Shēng Shēng Bù Xī," "Yuán Qì Mǎn Mǎn," and "Zhuǎn Huà."

As life energy drained, these Wang Zuo-level passive skills activated wildly, restoring his vitality to over seventy percent of its peak.

At this rate, he could hold out for about...

Seven seconds!

This "Suǐ Xī Shù" is quite strong... but if you think you can drain me, you've picked the wrong target! Xu Xiaoshou chuckled inwardly once he realized her ability couldn't kill him.

Seven seconds was more than enough time.

In fact, when Xu Xiaoshou knew she had mental guiding and control powers yet still approached, it wasn't due to lust—it was to probe the danger.

Though this demoness was unfamiliar, her powers were strange and her realm impressive, likely one of those blasted down from Gūyīn Yá by the Water Ghost.

And after the Water Ghost's hint, Xu Xiaoshou knew most on Gūyīn Yá were after him, wanting him dead.

Better to strike first than wait to be killed!

With the deep-sea forbidden barrier suppressing nearly ninety-nine percent of his power, if he didn't dare face this minor threat, how could he handle the swarm of assassins later?

With that in mind, Xu Xiaoshou had stepped into her trap step by step to see her moves.

But after all this buildup and twists, was this all the mighty Tài Xū had—a single "Suǐ Xī Shù" that he could almost completely counter?

I overestimated you... Xu Xiaoshou stopped hiding his thoughts, a mocking smile on his lips.

One breath.

Two breaths.

Three breaths...

Time ticked on as Jin Zu greedily sucked away.

It was like Mu Zixi absorbing life force—addictive after the first taste, impossible to stop.

After three breaths, Jin Zu suddenly snapped out of it.

Something's wrong!

How does Xu Xiaoshou have so much spiritual energy? Isn't he only at the Zōng Shī realm?

Through the closely pressed water bubbles, Jin Zu could now see the sarcastic look on Xu Xiaoshou's face.

He's... laughing?

How is that possible?

He's not under Gào Wú Tiān Shū's control?!

As Jin Zu panicked, the seemingly immobilized Xu Xiaoshou suddenly tilted his neck and asked softly, "Had enough?"

Jin Zu's scalp tingled: "!!!"

Every hair on her body stood on end as she realized Xu Xiaoshou was truly free.

And with her so close, she was in real danger!

"Retreat!"

Without a second thought, Jin Zu tried to pull back.

But as soon as she lifted her foot, Xu Xiaoshou smiled and said, "Since you wanted to suck, don't retreat now. You've come all this way—it's rude to leave without saying goodbye."

With that, Xu Xiaoshou raised his hands and unleashed the full force of "Hūxī Zhī Fǎ," no longer holding back its devouring power.

"Swoosh!"

He inhaled through his nose, and his pores expanded.

With a boom, vast water elements from outside the bubble, his own leaking spiritual energy and vital blood, the demoness's body, and even her internal spiritual energy and life force—all were sucked into Xu Xiaoshou's body.

"Pfft!"

The backlash from the clashing suction forces struck Jin Zu hard, making her spit blood.

"Suǐ Xī Shù" was forcibly interrupted, her body pinned against the water bubble's wall by the pull, and her life energy draining rapidly. All of this terrified Jin Zu.

"Impossible!"

She couldn't believe it: "How can you still use spiritual techniques under the forbidden barrier?"

"Under doubt, passive value: 1."

"Under fear, passive value: 1."

Xu Xiaoshou smiled: "If you can, why can't I? Is that fair?"

Without more words, he pushed "Hūxī Zhī Fǎ" to its limit.

Careful not to burst the water bubble, he reclaimed everything he had lost—and took everything from her body!

Jin Zu's condition plummeted again.

Now, she couldn't even retreat; she could only make a last-ditch effort, pulling something from her chest.

"Thump, thump!"

"Thump, thump!"

The sound of a heartbeat suddenly echoed.

Xu Xiaoshou's eyes sharpened as he saw it was a heart.

He was startled.

Had this demoness panicked so much that she ripped out her own heart?

But focusing, he realized it was just a heart-shaped object, not hers.

The black heart had dark red chambers and a fanged maw in the center!

"What is that?"

Xu Xiaoshou sensed it might threaten him.

Then, Jin Zu opened her red lips and spat essence blood onto the black heart, shouting:

"Suǐ Xī Zhī Xīn, activate!"

"Thump, thump, thump..."

The heartbeat intensified.

After absorbing the blood, the "Suǐ Xī Zhī Xīn" glowed crimson, and from its fanged maw erupted a suction even stronger than "Suǐ Xī Shù"—stronger than Xu Xiaoshou's "Hūxī Zhī Fǎ"!

"Urgh!"

Xu Xiaoshou's passive skills were interrupted, and he grunted in pain.

He could no longer draw in any energy.

Instead, the tide turned—his own power drained faster, being absorbed by her.

"Ah..."

Gripping the "Suǐ Xī Zhī Xīn" and reclaiming Xu Xiaoshou's potent life force, Jin Zu let out an extremely seductive moan of satisfaction.

Now fully relaxed, she tilted her head and laughed:

"Little brother, you're impressive, but trying to out-suck me?

"Hmph, you're still too weak!"