Su Xi walked up to the bathtub and looked inside, noticing many small fish swimming around.
These golden fish were constantly moving in the water, seemingly unaware of any danger. What truly surprised Su Xi was that each of these golden fish had a human face. Their mouths opened and closed as if communicating. As Su Xi leaned closer, she saw that these golden fish were looking at her, a sinister smile on their faces. Faced with this scene, Su Xi felt a chill run down her spine, as if something terrible was watching her, and her scalp tingled. Such terrifying things existed even in the Underworld.
As Su Xi pondered what these fish with human faces could be, she heard an extremely seductive voice from the water, "Fated one, we have finally waited for you. Do you wish to know the past, future, and present?"
"Who is it?" Su Xi looked around, unsure who was speaking to her. After a quick glance, Su Xi focused her attention on the bathtub-like pool before her. Could it be these numerous fish with human faces speaking?
"Of course, it's us," a group of fish swam towards Su Xi, looking at her with a hint of disdain. They were so obvious, yet someone couldn't see them. Was their eyesight poor?
"What do you mean by that?" Su Xi suppressed her inner fear, looking at the fish with human faces before her, awaiting their next words. These fish looked like ordinary goldfish, but the extraordinary part was their ability to speak human language, which was truly unsettling. And watching their mouths open and close made her deeply uncomfortable.
"We are merfolk, responsible for guarding the Sansheng Stone and waiting for its fated ones," the fish with human faces replied in unison. Although there were countless fish in the pool, their answers were all the same, as if only one fish was speaking. The amplified voice created an even more sinister lure.
"What are your conditions?" Su Xi knew there was no such thing as a free lunch, so if she wanted these fish to help her, she would undoubtedly have to pay a price. After all, knowing the past and predicting the future was indeed very attractive.
"Hehehe," the fish chuckled upon hearing Su Xi's question, a smile appearing on their lips. "We have no other requests. For now, all you need to do is wash your feet in the water."
"???" Upon hearing the merfolk's answer, Su Xi's face became a picture of disbelief as she stared at the merfolk in the pool. What a strange perversion! These creatures had such a demand? The thought of those lecherous bald men in old movies hugging feet filled Su Xi with speechlessness. Were these fish the reincarnation of some bald weirdos who died? Otherwise, how could they make such a strange request?
Feeling a strong sense of discomfort, Su Xi unhesitatingly refused, "Thank you for your offer, but I can choose to tell you that I refuse." Being able to predict things would be great, of course. But if not, Su Xi wouldn't care. For her, the more important matter at hand was to resolve the current problem. Otherwise, she had no interest in understanding other issues.
Hearing that Su Xi had rejected their request, the merfolk became flustered. Someone actually refused their demand? Were they serious? In all these years, Su Xi was the only one who could ignore their temptation. However, seeing Su Xi about to leave, the merfolk anxiously shouted, "Stop, don't go yet. We have something to tell you."
"What?" Su Xi looked at the fish in the pool, waiting for their next words. Even though she had refused, what more could these fish want to say? But since it wouldn't cost her anything, listening wouldn't hurt. Moreover, Su Xi still wanted to obtain some information she desired from these bizarre merfolk.
Seeing that Su Xi had stopped, the merfolk hurriedly said, "You don't need to pay any price now. You can directly use the Sansheng Stone."
??? Upon hearing the merfolk's words, Su Xi found it unbelievable. Were these merfolk really not joking? Why did they suddenly change the conditions? She could use the Sansheng Stone without paying any price. And these merfolk were so eager, clearly not having any good intentions. If she wasn't careful, she might encounter some strange situation.
"Why are you in such a hurry?" Su Xi was not swayed by the offer, but posed a question from her soul. Nothing falls from the sky except stones; there are no free lunches. These merfolk were so enthusiastic, there must be something fishy. Su Xi wouldn't be fooled so easily and end up like this for nothing. She found it quite exasperating. Did these merfolk really take her for some mindless ghost?
The fish swam around upon hearing Su Xi's question, forming a circle and beginning to discuss. Bubbles continuously rose from the water. After a period of discussion, they came to an answer and stopped talking. The merfolk looked up at Su Xi and said, "It's been a long time since anyone used the Sansheng Stone. If no one uses it, we, as its symbiotic spirits, will be consumed as energy."
"So, as long as you can activate the Sansheng Stone, we can live." Su Xi nodded upon hearing the merfolk's words. She was quite aware of the need for rare treasures to constantly absorb energy. It made sense that these merfolk were so eager now. However, even though she understood their situation somewhat, Su Xi didn't relax. Instead, she looked at the merfolk in the pool and suddenly asked, "You mean, you are symbiotic spirits?"
"Yes," the merfolk replied. Upon hearing their answer, Su Xi smiled. "In that case, you can't blame me." Legendary symbiotic spirits possessed immense power, far exceeding that of spirit stones. With so many symbiotic spirits present, it was akin to finding a spiritual vein. She had originally not intended to deal with these merfolk, but now she wouldn't give up easily.
"What do you want to do?" Seeing the smile on Su Xi's face, the merfolk immediately sensed danger and tried to struggle away. However, the pool was not large, and under Su Xi's pursuit, their struggles were useless. They were completely caught. All the merfolk struggled in Su Xi's hands, trying to break free, but to no avail. Su Xi smiled as she looked at the numerous symbiotic spirits in her hands. With these, her foundation for future revenge would be even stronger. In the future interstellar world, while other things might not be precious, energy was extremely valuable. Whoever possessed energy could become a hegemon.
However, before Su Xi could do anything else, she suddenly felt the burning stick on her body emitting a scorching energy, seemingly eager to act. Immediately after, she felt the Judge's Brush on her person move on its own and begin to devour all the merfolk in Su Xi's hands.
??? Seeing this scene, Su Xi felt utterly helpless. What was going on? The symbiotic spirits she had worked so hard to obtain were gone? Even if the Judge's Brush needed this energy, it should have left some for her. Although her heart was complicated, thinking that the consumption was by her own item made her feel a little better. As long as the resources didn't go to outsiders, it was acceptable.
Having received the energy supply, the Judge's Brush glowed with an even more intense emerald light. A powerful aura began to emanate outwards. As if realizing that its act of seizing was inappropriate, it didn't stand idle. It flew out of Su Xi's hand, began to spin continuously, and slid across the Sansheng Stone before them. With its movements, the ordinary Sansheng Stone suddenly emitted a bright light, and then scenes began to emerge within it.
Su Xi leaned closer, wanting to see what was in the Sansheng Stone. But when she approached the Sansheng Stone, expecting to see the scene she desired, she found she could see nothing, only a foggy expanse.
??? Su Xi couldn't understand what was happening. As she tried to look at the Judge's Brush, she felt a powerful force emerge from the Sansheng Stone. Then, before Su Xi could make any other move, she was directly sucked into it and quickly disappeared without a trace.
Su Xi felt as if she had fallen into a black hole, with darkness all around, accompanied by a strong dizziness that constantly assaulted her brain. This intense feeling made Su Xi want to vomit. It was like the thrill of riding a roller coaster and then bungee jumping. Fortunately, her willpower was strong, and she managed to suppress the urge to vomit. Just as she felt she was getting used to this sensation, she suddenly saw a point of light ahead. As these lights appeared, Su Xi felt a sense of relief. Before she could even enjoy this feeling of relief, Su Xi felt as if a mountain was pressing down on her chest, making it difficult to breathe.
??? Su Xi looked at the somewhat familiar surroundings, feeling completely bewildered. What was going on? Why was she in this place when she hadn't left?
Gui Lao looked at the bewildered Su Xi and smiled, "I have waited here for you for so long, and you have finally come. Since you are here now, hand over the item." He had been trapped here for so many years and no longer wished to stay. The sooner he left this godforsaken place, the sooner he could enact his revenge.
"Give me the antidote," Su Xi did not let her guard down against Gui Lao. For her, there were still problems to be resolved on her person. Gui Lao was stunned by Su Xi's words, "Are you negotiating terms with me?" In his eyes, Su Xi was merely an ant he could crush with a flick of his finger. Negotiating with him was simply laughable.
Su Xi looked at Gui Lao, unyieldingly stating, "I know you are very powerful, but I also know you desperately want the Sarira." "If you don't give me the antidote, I guarantee you won't get the Sarira." Su Xi was very confident. She might not be able to defeat Gui Lao, but she could definitely destroy the Sarira before Gui Lao killed her. At worst, it would be a mutual destruction; neither of them would care.