Stepping on the Demoness to become the strongest

After everyone passed through the narrow mountain path, the strategic conquest of the mysterious realm finally entered the final stage.

Although the Iron Corpses moved swiftly, they couldn't actually fly, so to get through this kind of mountain path, they had to proceed one by one.

Then, they lined up only to be knocked down the mountain by Yan Yu with the Huang Tingjian.

Seeing his casual, leisurely and composed manner, the people behind him suddenly had a strange illusion—as if these Iron Corpses were not immensely strong and impervious to swords and spears, but rather walking bowling pins, one after another.

Only the girls of the Zhenhai Team remembered the words Yan Yu had mentioned earlier:

No matter how the mysterious realm is designed, in the end, it's inanimate; there's always a way to deal with it...

"All set," Liu Longtao said after he finished refining the core of the mysterious realm, "I'll send everyone out."

"Sister Zhao, please retract the hairpin," Yan Yu nodded.

Zhao Yuanzhen gestured with her hand, and the White Bone Heart-locking Hairpin, which she had already refined, suddenly flew back to her side from afar—at the same time, the freed Bronze Corpses also began to howl pitifully in the distance.

But the enemy no longer had the chance for revenge because, with Liu Longtao activating the core of the mysterious realm, everyone was transported out, back to the side of Heaven Pool.

Looking carefully, goodness! The temporary camp haphazardly set up around the entrance to the mysterious realm had now been fortified with thick tactical walls, transforming into a long-term military base.

The base's exterior walls were complete with machine-gun turrets and sniper watchtowers; drones patrolled back and forth in the sky, ceaselessly monitoring the surroundings of the base—a clear sign that the imperial court was indeed furious over the Goryeo cultivators' sudden attack on the mysterious realm within its borders.

Fully armed soldiers quickly came over, and after confirming the identities of Liu Longtao and the others, they escorted the medical team carrying the core of the mysterious realm away first.

"Are you still planning to go to the hot springs?" Ye Jun said with a smile, "Just in case, we've already booked the inn for a week." Your adventure continues at empire

The girls quickly exchanged glances, and Chen Lingyun asked with a laugh:

"Since it's already booked, it would indeed be a waste not to use it, right, Yan Yu, what do you think?"

"Let's go, let's go," Yan Yu said helplessly.

After all, the last time they had been enjoying the hot springs when they were abruptly pulled away to the barracks to prepare for battle. Now that the matter was concluded, if he found an excuse to prevent their relaxation, he figured that grudge would last a lifetime.

Yan Yu, having lived two lifetimes, was very clear about this: men mostly care about the end result, and the process isn't that important to them; but for women, it's the complete opposite. Even if the result is good, if the process upsets them... just wait and see!

"Alright, I'll contact the inn," Ye Jun said, taking out her phone again.

————————

Back in town, the girls decided to stroll around nearby, buy some snacks, and calm their nerves that had been frightened by the zombies, so Yan Yu went back to the inn alone.

The hot spring pools here were communal, so guests had to wear swimsuits to enter. But Ye Jun was indeed superb in handling matters, having reserved the entire second floor of the inn, ensuring that other than the Zhenhai Team, no other guests would come over.

Yan Yu comfortably lounged half-submerged in the pool, beginning to organize his thoughts.

In his previous life, since not a single word had leaked out about the Changbai Mountain mysterious realm, it must have been tightly sealed by the orders of the Lu Country.

Although zombies had clear combat advantages, Lu Country still strictly prohibited the existence of corpse cultivation; reasons for this were a subject of much debate in the previous life, especially compared to the treatment of Necromancers who manipulated ghosts, it inevitably seemed quite hypocritical.

But Yan Yu could guess why. After all, many spirits didn't exactly look human, and tampering with corpses was considered "against social norms and customs", so to avoid affecting the general public's perception of cultivators, the authorities decided to put a blanket ban in place from a governance perspective.

Of course, this was unique to Lu Country alone.

For example, in Southeast Asia where witchcraft culture thrives, they had no such taboo against corpse cultivation. Their Transcendent system included a profession called "Wizard", specifically referring to those who practice "binding spirits" or "refining corpses" and other dark arts.

Similarly, the Spirit Communicators system in Siberia also had a profession called "Necromancer", which specialized in controlling zombies and ghosts.

Some things you might deem too evil and ban, yet this doesn't stop your enemies from learning them, and after they've mastered them, they come and use them against you... That's just the way things are.

Lounging lazily at the edge of the hot tub, Yan Yu felt the heat of the spring water expanding through his limbs, and suddenly a vague drowsiness enveloped him.

The Changbai Mountain mysterious realm being sealed meant that the gains within could not be taken out and distributed, thus both teams on this mission had essentially come away empty-handed.

But for Yan Yu, that wasn't quite the case.

Lu Country's strict prohibition of corpse cultivation meant that domestic cultivators generally lacked experience in dealing with it. When the corpse-controlling Transcendents from other countries grew in strength, and they went to battlefields to face the zombies they command—it was a dreadful thought, foreseeing how brutal it would be.

Some things just can't be remembered through spoken or written words. Once they've personally fought with zombies, the girls should have a rough understanding of how to deal with such enemies, and then this trip won't have been in vain...

Yan Yu slowly closed his eyes, but then he heard a faint chatter coming from a distance:

"Yes, it's so disgusting..."

"But why is Sister Zhao so powerful? We couldn't even make a dent in it."

"Ha ha ha ha, of course, it's because I'm very strong!"

"Sister Zhao, isn't that just stating the obvious?"

"It must be another trick learned from the captain."

The outside door swung open, and the girls wearing swimsuits walked in. Due to the steamy mist rising inside the room, they didn't notice Yan Yu in the pool. They were chatting and laughing without a care.

Yan Yu squinted at them. According to the cliché in light novels, he should have held his breath and dived under the water, pretending he wasn't there—but on second thought, why should I do that?

I was here first, right? If anyone should leave, it's you guys!

The girls were all quite slender, so Yan Yu didn't let his gaze wander too much; he was just observing the style and colors of their swimsuits.

Chen Lingyun wore a light blue one-piece swimsuit that had a strapless sleeveless top, showcasing her beautiful shoulders and collarbone. The wavy hem of a flounce skirt accentuating her sweet and delicate temperament, while cleverly concealing any figure flaws.

Her hair was twisted up behind her head and secured with a clip, carefully enclosed in a tight transparent swim cap, presumably to avoid getting it dirty in the hot spring later.

Next to her walked Su Yunjin, also in a one-piece dress-style swimsuit, but hers was an elegant pale green without the specific flounce hemline, looking fresh and clean.

She carried a plastic bag in her hand, which seemed to contain various bottles and jars—Yan Yu suddenly remembered that in his previous life, Chen Lingyun would never use the provided toiletries in any hotel she stayed at; she always brought her own, stating that she wasn't comfortable with "off-brand" products.

Hmm, but the showers are outside, so the bag probably doesn't contain her shampoo and body wash.

Leading the pack was Lin Ning, wearing a pure white bikini with no noteworthy details to describe. Her figure was more pronounced than both Chen Lingyun and Su Yunjin's, probably because she exercised regularly. You could see her muscles on her arms and calves, but they were subtle, not compromising the overall softness and slimness of her form.

As for Zhao Yuanzhen, who lagged behind, her figure was a leap up to a whole new realm; she wasn't competing in the same 'A' or 'B' league as her companions. As a notorious Demonic Sect Enchantress from her past life, her assets were naturally impressive.

Yet her swimsuit was tightly wrapped around her—indicating she hadn't fully assimilated into modern society's aesthetics, holding onto the modesty and conservatism characteristic of ancient women.

Lin Ning was the first to rush to the edge of the pool, dipping her foot to test the water, she exclaimed:

"Yikes, it's so hot! Much hotter than last time!"

"If you stand barefoot on the cold tiles, of course, the water will feel hot," Su Yunjin chuckled from behind.

"That makes sense." Lin Ning sat at the edge of the pool, submerging her legs into the water. As her body gradually adjusted to the temperature, it didn't seem so unbearable anymore.

Yan Yu watched her lazily, noticing that Lin Ning's gaze hadn't drifted to the side to where he was—she was leisurely swishing her legs through the water, enjoying herself.

Su Yunjin placed her plastic bag on a bench nearby and asked everyone:

"Would you like something to drink?"

It could get quite muggy in the indoor hot spring, making one thirsty after staying for a long time, so she had thoughtfully brought beverages from the hotel lobby.

Chen Lingyun: "Green Tea."

Lin Ning: "I want Coke!"

Zhao Yuanzhen: "Assam milk tea."

Yan Yu: "Give me a bottle of mineral water."

The girls: ?

Almost in an instant, everyone's gaze turned towards Yan Yu.

Then their expressions changed dramatically.