He Lan Tianxia

Everyone was overjoyed to learn that the princess had obtained the treasure, and they immediately caught several wild rabbits to roast and celebrate. After their meal, Murong Junlan decided to strike while the iron was hot and obtain the Black Overlord Flower that very night. To ensure the operation was successful, everyone was assigned a task: Jiang He was responsible for the front of the mountain, Luo Xie for the back, Ling Yi for scouting the terrain and the movements of the Black Overlord Flower demons, and Murong Junlan and the woman were responsible for retrieving the flower. Everything was ready, and they awaited midnight.

Black Tyrant has disappeared. While ordering a search, Black Tyrant Ancestor is also making plans. Tonight, her target is the Crimson Spirit Pearl. She intends to capture the woman alive at the Flower Heart Pavilion and retrieve the pearl from her womb. The most troublesome person right now is Murong Junlan, who is always thwarting her plans. However, if they dare to return to the Flower Heart Pavilion, she will show no mercy. She refuses to believe that her Desolate Moonlit Soul-Binding Array cannot bewitch this mortal who is less than a hundred years old. Black Tyrant Ancestor has decided to activate the Desolate Moonlit Soul-Binding Array at midnight, the time of extreme Yin.

Silence! An eerie silence!

At midnight, the entire Black Tyrant Cave was shrouded in an eerie, hazy atmosphere. The natural Black Tyrant Flower, like a flower demon, emitted an eerie glow, twinkling like stars, giving people a sense of fantasy.

"So beautiful!" the woman exclaimed in amazement. In the 21st century, this would definitely be a magical nighttime wonderland illuminated by lights. In the 21st century, lights are used to create this effect, but the Black Overlord's Cave is entirely natural, without any artificial lighting.

"Your Highness, what do you think is inside the flower's heart?" the woman asked with a curious expression.

"This is where we're going tonight." It's fraught with danger inside. Murong Junlan looked at the woman with affection and asked with concern, "My dear consort, are you afraid?"

"Don't worry, I feel completely at ease with you by my side." The woman smiled knowingly at Murong Junlan, who couldn't resist gently pressing a kiss to her forehead. He reminded her, "I'm not omnipotent; I've lost you several times. Do you still trust me?"

"I believed it the moment I decided to stay."

Hearing the woman's words, Murong Junlan was suddenly overwhelmed with emotion. He hugged her tightly and rested his head against hers, seemingly unsure how to express his feelings. Finally, he kissed her forehead, then looked towards the Flower Heart Pavilion and softly said, "Soon. Once we get the Black Tyrant Flower tonight, we'll have a good rest." With that, Murong Junlan picked her up and ran towards the Flower Heart Pavilion.

A thick plume of smoke billowed out from the Flower Heart Pavilion. Murong Junlan was already prepared. He leaped into the air and unleashed a protective barrier, tightly enveloping the two people, before continuing his rapid advance.

Tonight, the Flower Heart Pavilion was filled with an extremely strong yin energy. Upon entering the flower heart, a pungent, overpowering fragrance filled the air, which Murong Junlan knew would surely bewitch one's mind. Suddenly, sharp black mist, like arrows, shot out from both sides of the flower heart. Within the mist floated multicolored black domino flowers, extremely alluring.

"Don't look." Murong Junlan reached out to cover the woman's eyes, but she pushed his hand away. She then swiftly drew a thin rope and lashed it into the black violet bush. With a thud, the black violets fell to the ground, leaving behind a scene of devastation.

Strange? He had felt a little dizzy just now, yet his Yan'er hadn't been bewitched. It was very likely due to the power of the Crimson Spirit Pearl. Murong Junlan was overjoyed. He continued forward with the woman. There was still no one inside, not even a single flower demon. However, in the middle was a pool of water, clear in color, but with a faint black mist swirling on its surface. Suspended in the mist was a cup shaped like a domino flower, with shimmering, pearly liquid flowing within it, like water, like pearls.

The two walked around the pool but found nothing amiss. So, Murong Junlan took the woman's hand and led her inside. It was pitch black inside, unlike the bright light here, but Murong Junlan still wanted to go in and find out what was going on.

"I want to go in and take a look. Are you scared?" Murong Junlan asked, worried that the woman might be afraid.

"What's there to be afraid of? It's just a flower, and besides, Your Highness is here." The woman finished speaking and walked forward.

"Better safe than sorry." Murong Junlan immediately stepped in front of the woman.

“Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.”

"What's that sound?" The woman shrank back and moved closer to Murong Junlan. Murong Junlan smiled slightly, put his hand in front of the woman, and continued walking forward.

“Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.”

Another terrifying sound rang out.

"Black Overlord, come out if you dare. What kind of underhanded tricks are you playing?" Murong Junlan kept his eyes and ears open.

“Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.”

Suddenly, Murong Junlan reached out and forcefully slashed at the stone wall, creating a streak of flint. He then slashed several more streaks, and somehow produced a small piece of wood. The wood was lit, and the inside suddenly became brightly lit.

"Wow, how beautiful!" the woman exclaimed.

Looking up, Murong Junlan was secretly amazed. This natural flower-shaped pavilion was a spacious eight or nine hundred square meters, its interior walls inlaid with colorful, varied, and sized rock paintings of hibiscus flowers. The reliefs were vivid and lifelike, and a light mist seemed to wisp across the paintings, with mountain air rising, streams flowing, and the sounds of birdsong and fragrant flowers filling the air. Wait a minute, wasn't it pitch black? How come I can see so clearly all of a sudden?

Unbeknownst to them, the moment Murong Junlan lit the wooden stick, a light began to slowly spread from the darkness, becoming clearer and clearer.

The woman reached out and touched the image; the cool, refreshing touch was invigorating. She lamented, "This is the most realistic rock painting I've ever seen. If only I had a camera."

"What the hell is a camera?" Murong Junlan was completely confused.

“It seems that this Black Overlord Cave is a rare treasure.” The woman seemed to have forgotten that she was still in danger. She suddenly had a whimsical idea and said, “Your Highness, remember this place. When I bring people from the 21st century here for tourism next time, I’m sure I can make a lot of money.”

"Making money? My goodness, we're in deep trouble right now, what are you thinking?" Murong Junlan said helplessly. His beloved concubine was sometimes just so adorably clueless.

"My dear consort, this is no place to have fun. You might faint if you're not careful." Murong Junlan didn't dare leave the woman's side for even a moment.

Then the woman took out a thin rope from her body and spun it around twice, which went very smoothly.

"It's alright, let's keep going." With that, the woman turned and ran, startling Murong Junlan, who quickly gave chase. He then realized his princess had been bewitched again. He muttered "idiot" under his breath and snatched the woman's thin rope, trying to pull her into his arms. However, the woman was no longer the same; she possessed the power of the Crimson Spirit Pearl, and Murong Junlan couldn't budge her despite several attempts. Murong Junlan struck the back of the woman's neck, intending to knock her unconscious, but the woman turned and lashed out with a fierce blow. If he blocked it, his beloved princess would surely be injured; in a split second, he took the blow head-on.

"Thump." Murong Junlan fell heavily to the ground. Before he could even understand what was happening, the woman who had just snatched back the rope swept it across him.

"Yan'er!" Murong Junlan called out loudly.

"Black Tyrant, you won't escape today." Before she finished speaking, the woman swung her thin rope at her again.

"...?" Murong Junlan. He regretted bringing the woman along. After all, she had only been learning martial arts for a short time and had a weak foundation. He had thought she was protected by the Crimson Spirit Pearl, but he never expected that the poison she had been poisoned by was even more severe than last time.

Murong Junlan sprang to his feet, moving with lightning speed to the woman's side. He steadied her with one hand behind her back, and with the other, snatched the thin rope. Since she was bewitched, he didn't need to indulge her. Did she think he was some kind of tyrant? At this moment, she was no longer able to distinguish between men and women. No, he had to get out of there; the bewitching atmosphere was too strong. Murong Junlan had just taken a step when he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his right shoulder. Turning his head, he saw the woman biting there.

"Yan'er, look up, it's me."

"Black Tyrant, I'm going to bite you to death."

"Oh dear, you didn't bite Black Tyrant to death, you bit me!" Murong Junlan carried the woman away, but when they were almost at the pool, he suddenly stopped.

What was happening? Suddenly, all the rock paintings on the stone wall seemed to converge on them, followed by tens of thousands of blood vessels bursting from their bodies, intertwining like a net – a truly horrifying sight! Murong Junlan felt a surge of panic. He hadn't expected the Black Tyrant Ancestor to use this blood-sucking technique. He was desperate; he only had one chance to fight. Murong Junlan tightened the rope halfway, unleashing a powerful attack in all directions, spinning in a large circle. Then, he scooped up the woman still biting his shoulder, spun her around several times, and propelled her upwards.

They landed again beside the shimmering, pinkish-black Tyrannosaurus Rex cup in the pool. Strangely, a delicate, lustrous Tyrannosaurus Rex flower suddenly emerged from the cup, appearing even more charming in the water.

Could this be the Black Tyrant Flower they were looking for? Murong Junlan hesitated. He had encountered the strange phenomena in the Black Tyrant Cave more than once, and he dared not act rashly. Strangely, the rock paintings inside did not follow, as if there was an invisible barrier here.

The blood was so thin that the bleeding had stopped, but the woman was still biting his shoulder and wouldn't let go.

"Yan'er. Look carefully, it's me." Murong cupped the woman's face and shook it vigorously. The woman suddenly became impatient and slapped Murong Junlan across the face.

With a crisp "snap," it made a very clear sound.

"Ha... the Black Tyrant Flower in front of you is the antidote." The voice of the Black Tyrant Ancestor suddenly rang out from inside the cave.

"Why should I trust you?"

"You may not believe it, but the poison from this philandering inner chamber is the most potent poison in the Desolate Moon and Withered Flower Poison Palace in the Black Overlord's Cave. She may appear unharmed, but in reality, she is already terminally ill. Your queen will bleed from all seven orifices and die from poisoning in half an hour."

Upon hearing this, Murong Junlan swiftly pressed several acupoints on the woman to slow down blood flow. The Black Tyrant Ancestor chuckled softly, "It's useless; the venom has already spread throughout her body."

"What exactly do you want?" Murong Junlan looked at the woman with a worried expression, but spoke to the Black Tyrant Ancestor.

"I want our Crimson Spirit Pearl back," Black Tyrant said coldly.

"What if my beloved concubine accidentally eats your Crimson Spirit Pearl?"

"Then there's only one way out: death."

With a "smack," Murong Junlan knocked the woman unconscious. Black Tyrant Ancestor was stunned, and before she could react, Murong Junlan had already rushed in and stopped her in a flash. It was too fast; she didn't even have a chance to catch her breath.

"Give me the antidote right now." Murong Junlan gripped the throat of Black Tyrant's ancestor with one hand. Because of the force, Black Tyrant's face turned red, and he couldn't speak.

"No...I'm not lying to you, it's...it's the antidote." Black Tyrant Ancestor managed to squeeze out a few words with great difficulty.

"You know the consequences of lying to me." Murong Junlan loosened his grip, then tightened it again.

"..." Black Tyrant Ancestor almost breathed her last. She shook her hand vigorously, which made Murong Junlan look on with suspicion. He then loosened his grip.

"but……"

"Speak!" As expected, there was a backup plan. Murong was losing patience. Half an hour had already passed. This Black Tyrant ancestor was very cunning. Should he believe him or not? Murong Junlan hesitated, unable to make a decision.

"However, if you use it to save your queen, you won't be able to save anyone else," Black Tyrant Ancestor added.

"Don't worry, I'll catch you and stew you." Murong Junlan lifted Black Tyrant Ancestor up with one hand, and Black Tyrant Ancestor's heart jumped into his throat.

"Take it out and try it yourself first." Murong Junlan dared not be careless. If even the Black Tyrant Ancestor was fine after eating it, he would let his Yan'er eat it.

Murong Junlan picked up the Black Tyrant Ancestor, whose hand trembled as it reached for the shimmering Black Tyrant Flower. With a hiss, water splashed everywhere. Murong Junlan waved his robe to block the splash, worried that the water might be contaminated.

"You eat first," Murong Junlan commanded, looking at the Black Tyrant Flower in the Black Tyrant Ancestor's hand.

"This is fratricide," Black Tyrant tried to find a reason.

"Enough with the nonsense." Murong Junlan kicked Black Tyrant Ancestor's leg, and with a crack, Black Tyrant Ancestor knelt on the ground. At this moment, Murong Junlan's heart was burning with anxiety. If what Black Tyrant Ancestor said was true, then his Yan'er was in imminent danger.

"Eat." Murong Junlan pushed out a palm, the force of which directly forced a petal into the Black Tyrant Ancestor's mouth, directly into his throat.

"Cough cough cough." Black Tyrant Ancestor choked and her face turned black, but she didn't dare to spit it out and swallowed it down.

Murong Junlan swiftly struck the Black Tyrant Ancestor's pressure points twice, snatched the Black Tyrant Flower, and tossed it aside. He helped the woman leaning against him up again, and looking at her face, he wondered if it was just his imagination or something else, but her complexion did seem a bit darker. Murong Junlan looked left and right like an ant on a hot pan, and finally gritted his teeth, grabbed one in each hand, and ran towards the cave entrance. He wanted to find Ling Yi to discuss things, but when he was almost at the entrance, a loud "bang" suddenly came from behind him, followed by a thick cloud of black smoke. Murong Junlan swayed and actually fainted.

Black Tyrant Ancestor got up from the ground, clapped his hands, and then waved his hand toward the dark inner cave. Dozens of Black Tyrant Flower Demons filed out and stood on both sides.

"Hmph, you're not capable enough to leave my Flower Heart Pavilion." The Black Tyrant Ancestor took the Black Tyrant Flower from Murong Junlan's hand and put it back into the shimmering water.

"Tie these two up." Black Tyrant Ancestor rubbed his leg, which had been kicked by Murong Junlan, and then asked, "Has Black Tyrant returned?"

"Reporting to our ancestors, not yet." The flower fairies bound the two of them tightly.

"Let's look again."

"Yes."

Just as the Black Tyrant Ancestor was about to return to his throne to rest, a flower fairy rushed in and shouted, "Ancestor, something terrible has happened! A horse has come outside!"

"What's there to panic about when a horse comes?" Black Tyrant Ancestor said impatiently.

“There’s another snake coming soon,” the flower fairy added.

"Bring them in." The Black Tyrant Ancestor picked up a cup and took a sip of the tea offered by the Flower Fairy.

"There are two more people." Black Tyrant Ancestor smashed the cup on the ground with a bang and said irritably, "Why didn't you report them all at once?"

“They appeared one after another,” the flower fairy said, feeling aggrieved.

"Capture all the powerful ones, and bring in all the small fry and crab generals."

"Yes, Ancestor." The group of flower fairies went out, but soon came back in, complaining, "Ancestor, those people are all exceptionally skilled."

"You've only humiliated yourselves and boosted the morale of others. You can't even handle this small matter. You bunch of bastards." After saying this, the Black Tyrant Ancestor walked out of the cave.

As soon as Black Tyrant Ancestor stepped out of the cave, a spray of water mist hit her. Startled, she felt dizzy and her body began to sway. Just as she stretched out her hands to expel a wisp of black mist, a snake's mouth snapped open, and Black Tyrant Ancestor cried out and fell backward. At that moment, a horse flew in from the cave entrance, charging straight inside. Then, Jiang He and Luo Xie followed, one on each side, charging into the cave.

Bound hand and foot, Murong Junlan suddenly opened his eyes. He snapped the ropes in a flash, grabbed the woman, and leaped onto the Fiery Red Hare. As they passed the pool, he grabbed the shimmering Black Overlord Flower and fought his way out. Once outside the Flower Heart Pavilion, Murong Junlan immediately took out a jade bottle and put the Black Overlord Flower inside.

"Withdraw!" Murong Junlan shouted at the group. He had only come to collect a flower and had no intention of having any further conflict with Black Tyrant and his gang. The group immediately put away their weapons and prepared to retreat.

Suddenly, Murong Junlan tightened the reins, bringing the horse to a complete stop. He glanced back at the Black Tyrant Ancestor, still dazed from the venomous snake mist, slashed his left arm with his short sword, drawing blood, and with a flick of his right hand, threw a package at the Black Tyrant Ancestor. He then looked down at the woman in his arms who seemed unharmed, spurred the horse, and the Red Hare burst forth from the Black Tyrant's cave.

At this moment, Black Tyrant Ancestor slowly raised her head. She picked up the package on her body, sniffed it, and looked at the departing figure with complicated eyes. A dark and ambiguous smile appeared on the corner of her mouth.