Gathering the last of her strength, Shangguan Ruolin offered her Golden Core to Shu Han.

Without the protection of her Golden Core, the cold on her grew even more severe. Her lips turned pale from the freezing chill. She stuttered, "While I still have the strength, I'm giving you the Golden Core. Leave quickly. My senses are growing stronger..."

However, Shu Han didn't accept her Golden Core, instead returning it to her. "No. The cold hasn't left you. I'll need all my strength to escape later and won't have time to protect you. Without the Golden Core, you'll inevitably freeze to death from the cold."

"Fool... if she captures us, we're both dead. We might as well fight."

Shu Han shook his head, "No since she can enter the Immaculate Realm, she must have found a way to suppress her cultivation. She probably isn't as formidable as in her prime. This means we still have a slim chance of survival! Protect yourself, and trust me."

With that, he stored the weak Shangguan Ruolin into his jade pendant, followed by the lunar rabbit, instructing it, "Take good care of Linlin and help her fight off the cold! There'll be more of the ginseng's legs for you to eat in the future!"

The rabbit's eyes sparkled, nodding so rapidly that it seemed to create afterimages.

Shu Han bowed to the old ginseng, "Senior, I really don't have time to linger here. Farewell."

He was about to activate his ark and depart when the old ginseng hurriedly called out, "Hey! Wait! There are a few herbs in the formula I don't have. Leave their seeds!"

Trouble!

Shu Han rummaged through his storage bag, preparing to toss the required ingredients for the Clear Bright Spiritual Eye Potion to the old ginseng. Suddenly, a strong wave of magic power radiated from the periphery of the Earth Goddess's Divine Glow. Something seemed to break into the divine light, causing ripples.

So soon!

A chill ran from Shu Han's head to toe. It's been less than two hours, right? Weren't they supposed to have half a day?

He had been mistaken. The half-day was just an estimate from Daoist Xiao. He underestimated Shangguan Ruotong's obsession with her sister. Upon receiving the message, Shangguan Ruotong rushed at full speed to the Earth Goddess's medicinal garden.

What to do? She's so close now; how can he escape her clutches?

At that moment, the old ginseng drawled, "Ah! What an interesting big fish! She's at the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage and has the aura of a pseudo-core."

Suddenly, Shu Han looked intently at the old ginseng.

The ginseng hesitated, stepping back, "What's that look in your eye? I'm a plant!"

"What are you thinking? Want the herbs? Let's negotiate another deal."

The ginseng made a face, "Why do I feel like you're trying to pull a fast one on me?"

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"Do you want them or not? Without these ingredients, all your previous investments are wasted!"

The old ginseng babbled angrily, "You cheeky brat! Such cunning for one so young. Clearly, it's one set of techniques, yet you split it into three to scheme against me at every step. Alright, what do you want now? Out with it!"

"I'm not looking for anything this time. As the senior has sensed, someone else is coming here. I'd like to request the senior's help in dealing with this person. She doesn't possess the Clear Bright Spiritual Eye technique. With senior's divine powers, we should be able to handle her."

"Oh, just that?"The old ginseng took a deep breath, "Easy enough. This newcomer's cultivation isn't shallow, at the pseudo-core stage. But I can handle her. Even if a Golden Core cultivator were to arrive, they'd kneel before me!"

Shu Han felt greatly relieved, "I'll have to rely on senior then. And afterward, could Senior manipulate the Earth Goddess Divine Glow to open a path for me? I don't want to expend too much magic power resisting the divine light when leaving."

The old ginseng waved his hand and laughed, "No problem. As long as you're not asking for any items, it's all good."

Shu Han glanced towards the source of the disturbances, thinking, given the old ginseng's tone, he should be able to suppress Shangguan Ruotong. Once that mad woman is trapped in an illusion, he could use the Eight-Direction Evil-Breaking Sword to permanently eliminate the threat.

At this moment, Daoist Xiao, who hadn't been completely drained by the old ginseng, staggered out of his cloud boat. He clutched his chest, gasping for breath, and mumbled in confusion, "Why did I lose so much of my essence...? Wasn't I the president of the Golden Silkworm Association...? Why am I back here...?"

He glared at Shu Han and roared, "It was you, wasn't it? I'll kill you!"

Kill me?

Shu Han swiftly thrust his Eight-Direction Evil-Breaking Sword, its tip pressing against the man's throat. Overwhelming sword energy swirled around, causing him to tremble in fear. He wanted to beg for mercy, but couldn't utter a word. He dropped to his knees, mumbling and trembling.

Shu Han took out the storage bags from the man and Che Hanyan, tossing the man to the old ginseng. "Senior, you hadn't finished with him earlier. Better to see things through."

The old ginseng grabbed Daoist Xiao, revealing his roots, and burrowed into him. "Smart move, kid! There's also a pseudo-core cultivator coming. After absorbing these two, my roots will be fully restored. The bountiful harvest today began with meeting you."

Shu Han ignored the unprincipled old ginseng, focusing intently on the direction from which Shangguan Ruotong was approaching.

Within the Earth Goddess Divine Glow, he and Che Hanyan had spent over two hours to reach the core area. However, Shu Han could sense Shangguan Ruotong's rapid approach. Within moments, she was closing in on the core.

By now, Shu Han could visually identify her silhouette. Moreover, he could feel Shangguan Ruotong's gaze on him.

"Come! Let's see if you have the same abilities in the Immaculate Realm as before!"

Through the Clear Bright Spiritual Eye, he saw a hint of a contemptuous smile on Shangguan Ruotong's face. Countless needles flew out from her body, her magic treasure, the Phoenix Feather Falling Flower Needle.

The needles circled around her, creating a storm that dispersed the Earth Goddess Divine Glow, allowing her to move swiftly. Within moments, she stood before Shu Han.

Shangguan Ruotong was the spitting image of her sister. Seeing her, Shu Han momentarily lost focus.

With a satisfied smile, Shangguan Ruotong said, "Young Master Shu, long time no see since Floating Mountain Town. Where did you hide my sister? Hiding won't help. We've always shared a connection since childhood."

She touched her chest, "I can sense her, she's near you."

Shu Han laughed, "If you wish to harm Linlin, you'll have to kill me first!"

Shangguan Ruotong's face turned pale, "What did you call her? Linlin? How dare you!"

Anger rarely seen on her face flared up. The surging aura made Shu Han feel pressure on his chest. She shouted, "Who do you think you are to address my sister like that?"

Shu Han scoffed, "You want to kill her, yet you care about how others address her?"

"Insolent!" Shangguan Ruotong's eyes reddened as she glared at Shu Han, "Our sisterly matters are none of a stranger concern! I found you despicable from the moment I laid eyes on you."

"A stranger? Despicable?"

Shu Han laughed loudly, "Don't be so distant. If we ever leave the Immaculate Realm, perhaps I'll be your brother-in-law!"