Next Time, I Want You to Strip Completely

Jiang Chen said, "You must answer three questions from me and offer up your cultivation method as a sacrifice."

Su Xiaoxiao looked puzzled. "Senior, even if you are immensely powerful, the mere remnants of my humble cultivation method might not meet your standards."

Jiang Chen pretended to be magnanimous. "I'm merely giving you a chance because I have taken a liking to you. Do you have any objections?"

Su Xiaoxiao quickly replied, "Of course not. Please ask your questions, Senior."

Jiang Chen considered for a moment before asking, "Do you have a lover?"

Su Xiaoxiao was taken aback. She never imagined that the terrifying foreign demon would inquire about her personal matters. However, this question was relatively easy to answer and didn't put her under too much pressure.

Su Xiaoxiao responded, "I am sixteen and have not yet engaged in a relationship."

Jiang Chen was quite pleased and continued, "Do you have someone you like?"

Su Xiaoxiao's face flushed slightly. After a moment's hesitation, she answered, "There is a senior brother whose demeanor is quite exceptional. I… I have feelings for him."

Jiang Chen in the command cabin became incensed upon seeing Su Xiaoxiao's hesitation and her shy expression. It was clear that this senior brother was a rival. He fumed, "Which pretty boy is daring enough to steal my spotlight? With such charm and numerous admirers, anyone who dares to compete with me will be dealt with harshly!"

Jiang Chen was furious.

At this point, Su Xiaoxiao retrieved a scroll from her sleeve and offered it with both hands. "This is a copy of the Seven Star Sword Technique, the method I am currently practicing. Please accept it, Senior."

After placing the scroll down, Su Xiaoxiao asked, "Can you now answer my questions?"

Jiang Chen, snapping out of his anger, said, "I came to this world only to find someone fated to be my partner."

This answer was vague and ambiguous, a perfect trap.

Indeed, Su Xiaoxiao was unsatisfied and asked, "Your answer does not resolve my doubts. What is the purpose of finding this fated person?"

Jiang Chen said, "I have already found one such person, the one conducting the sacrifice. If you truly wish to investigate my affairs, you should engage with him more. For now, the sacrifice is complete."

As soon as the "demon's" voice fell, the entire command cabin fell silent, and all the lights went out—another of Jiang Chen's tricks.

Su Xiaoxiao stepped out, deep in thought.

Jiang Chen, pretending to be unaware, asked, "How did it go? Did the ritual work? Did the demon manifest?"

Su Xiaoxiao looked at Jiang Chen with a strange expression and thought, "No wonder he is the one presiding over the sacrifice. He must be the fated person the demon is searching for. But what is his significance? Why would the demon be interested in him?"

Jiang Chen, noticing Su Xiaoxiao's peculiar expression, continued to act innocent. "Why so quiet? What happened?"

Su Xiaoxiao collected her thoughts and, with a serious expression, said, "The demon comes from another world and is likely malevolent. I didn't expect him to be such a pervert!"

"A pervert?" Jiang Chen smirked internally and asked, "How so?"

"He…" Su Xiaoxiao was about to complain but realized there was no need to discuss this with the current person. She huffed, "Let's leave first."

Jiang Chen followed Su Xiaoxiao, even more intrigued. "Come on, tell me. I'm just a pure and innocent young man who wouldn't lie."

Su Xiaoxiao shot him an annoyed look. "Why should I tell you?"

Seeing Su Xiaoxiao storm away, Jiang Chen felt a pang of annoyance. "This little beauty actually has a bit of a temper. Just wait—you can't escape from the clutches of this 'demon.' Hmph."

Outside the mech, as the lights went out, the village shaman, thinking the divine manifestation was over, stood up cautiously. Seeing Jiang Chen and Su Xiaoxiao, he approached excitedly. "The demon has truly manifested. Did you receive the demon's will?"

Su Xiaoxiao replied gravely, "Shaman, whether this demon is friend or foe is still unclear. There's no need to worship him just yet."

The shaman's face changed with alarm. "What do you mean?"

"He comes from another realm, not from our world's deities or demons. His power is formidable. There are legends of the ancient demon, Xingtian, whose head was severed yet continued to fight. Though this demon's head is severed, it still retains its soul. His strength may not reach Xingtian's level, but it's close," Su Xiaoxiao explained seriously.

Jiang Chen, overhearing the mention of "Xingtian," was startled.

Xingtian was a figure from Earth's mythology. How did this world also know of him? Could it be a coincidence?

Regrettably, Zhang Dazhuang, the local buffoon, only knew trivial matters about the village and lacked knowledge of ancient legends, leaving Jiang Chen puzzled.

The shaman continued, "And those eyes—like daylight, so bright. There's a legend about the Candle Dragon whose eyes create day and night, commanding the seasons. This demon is not far from that."

"The Candle Dragon?" Jiang Chen was once again surprised. This name also appeared in Earth's legends.

It seemed that this sacrificial ritual was quite foolish and absurd.

In ancient times on Earth, with technology being underdeveloped and many natural phenomena unexplained by science, ancient people were superstitious. Records from the Shang Dynasty oracle bones were filled with sacrificial rites, and during the Zhou Dynasty, there were even instances of lords offering a vassal as a sacrifice to Heaven to show sincerity.

The sacrificial practices in this world were perhaps even more elaborate than those of ancient humans. Was there a connection?

It was puzzling, very puzzling!

The more Jiang Chen thought about it, the stranger it seemed. From the gigantic red star in the sky, he was certain that this world was not the same as Earth. Earth had no such celestial body, only a much smaller moon and sun. Was it a coincidence that the name Xingtian appeared here, or was it just another coincidence that other legendary stories matched?

Earth's technology was clearly primitive. Why could he, an Earthling, control a mech?

Despite Earth and this world being distinct, why were there so many similar myths and legends about deities and demons?

What was the connection between Earth, this ancient cultivation world, and the cosmic forces behind the mechs?

And what was his connection to all this?

At this moment, Jiang Chen's mind was completely in disarray.

Su Xiaoxiao, looking grave, said, "This matter is serious and filled with doubts. But don't worry, after the anomaly, we in Yushan have dispatched many disciples to search for the remains of the great demon and also sent people to the imperial palace to inquire about the situation. We should have answers soon."

Jiang Chen couldn't help but ask, "Why go to the imperial palace?"

Su Xiaoxiao replied as if it were obvious, "The demon's remains fell from the Celestial Realm. Only the current emperor knows about events in the Celestial Realm, so we must inquire there."

Jiang Chen questioned, "Only the emperor knows? Aren't your cultivation sects in contact with the Celestial Realm, since many of your people have ascended?"

"Are you…" Su Xiaoxiao looked at Jiang Chen in surprise. To her, this question seemed as strange as asking why people need water; it seemed like a nonsensical question.

The village shaman, pointing to the gigantic red star in the sky, explained, "Though the Celestial Realm is close to the mortal world, they are two entirely different realms, constrained by the laws of heaven and earth. The mortal world and the Celestial Realm are nearly impossible to connect; only the emperor can manage it."

The shaman continued earnestly, "The emperor is the Son of Heaven. The phrase 'Endowed with Eternal Longevity, Mandated by Heaven' means that the emperor rules the mortal world by divine decree. All the mortal world's kings, cultivators, and lords are subject to the emperor's control. Only the emperor can build a massive altar and conduct grand ceremonies to appease Heaven and receive brief divine guidance. No other individual or sect can achieve this. The emperor's sacrifices are not as simple as our village rituals."

"Endowed with Eternal Longevity, Mandated by Heaven?"

Jiang Chen narrowed his eyes. He had heard this phrase before, but on Earth, it was merely a feudal emperor's propaganda. To his surprise, this world took it as a reality. The mortal realm's emperor truly was "Mandated by Heaven"!

"This world must be related to Earth. I need to find out the truth."

At this moment, Jiang Chen was unusually serious. This matter was crucial to understanding his own situation and all the mysteries surrounding him. He couldn't treat it lightly. He vaguely felt that there was a significant secret behind it.

Su Xiaoxiao said, "Alright, it's getting late. Let's all go back and rest. In a few days, my sect will send someone to take the great demon's head. By then, the sect may also have information from the imperial palace that could give us an answer."

Clearly, Su Xiaoxiao's task was only to locate the mech crash site. As for transporting the massive demon head, it was beyond her capability alone, so she had to wait for her sect to send help.

The shaman, with a serious expression, said, "Since the demon fell into our village, it must be a sign from the heavens. We must perform the sacrificial rites, not seeking blessings from the demon, but simply hoping to avoid its wrath."

Su Xiaoxiao responded, "Shaman, I already mentioned that this demon comes from beyond, and its allegiance is still unknown."

The shaman insisted, "Whether it's a celestial being, a demon, or an outsider, it's unrelated to our village. As common folk, we can't afford to offend such beings. We only hope to avoid disaster from this great demon."

The lower class feared and worshiped spirits and demons, believing in them due to their own sense of insecurity.

Su Xiaoxiao conceded, "Alright, before my sect arrives, there is enough time for you to perform the rites."

The shaman bowed deeply. "Thank you, fairy, for your understanding."

Su Xiaoxiao then turned to Jiang Chen and smiled sweetly. "Zhang Dazhuang, the great demon mentioned that you are his fated one, the only one who can perform the sacrifice. Will you come with me to Yushan?"

"To Yushan Sword Sect?" Jiang Chen pretended to ponder, though he was already tempted. He thought to himself, Hmph, the pretty boy is in Yushan, and that little b*tch who plays with Zhang Dazhuang's feelings is there too. Yushan is searching for mech remains, so if I find a mech ready for battle, I'll crush those two with it!

Seeing Jiang Chen's hesitation, Su Xiaoxiao was surprised. "Yushan is the only celestial sect within a thousand miles. For a mere mortal from a village, entering it is like stepping into heaven. Isn't that worth considering?"

Jiang Chen reluctantly said, "Alright, since you're so pretty, I'll reluctantly agree."

"You…"

Su Xiaoxiao was so angry she gritted her teeth. Her puffed cheeks made her look even more charming, especially compared to earlier. The difference was striking.

Su Xiaoxiao, regaining her composure, said coldly, "I hope you will still be able to successfully offer the demon's sacrifice. Otherwise, you won't be missed by Yushan."

"Rest assured…" Jiang Chen inwardly chuckled.

Successful sacrifice? Of course, I'll ensure it's successful. This performance isn't complete yet. Next time, you'll be left completely exposed…