I Was Forced To Marry The Phoenix Empress

Chapter 276: Deciding to Suffer

"D...Dying?" Gao Zhen muttered, fear taking over her expression.

*Snickers*

What? You thought it would be so easy for a mere human like you to acquire my strength?

With your weak physique, the only fate awaiting you after inheriting my powers is death.

Angered and irritated by the soul’s mocking tone, Gao Zhen roared out while grimacing in pain.

"If I die, then you’ll also share the same fate as me!"

While it sounded like an angry outburst, it was also her way of confirming whether there was any hope for her to get out of this dismal situation.

And just like she anticipated, a positive response came back.

You’re indeed right. Unfortunately, because of how things are, I’m bound to your body until I can find a suitable vessel for myself.

Until then, your life is equivalent to my own. However...

A chuckle echoed in her mind the next instant as the soul continued.

...That doesn’t stop me from prolonging your suffering now, does it?

"You-!"

Gao Zhen wanted to confront him and use future cooperation as a means to blackmail him, but just then, she vomited another mouthful of blood.

BLAARGH!

Seeing the large patch of blood splattered on the floor, the fear in her heart only increased.

As if sensing that fear, the soul said in a teasing manner.

That should be from your slowly dissolving lungs. Wait a few more minutes, and blood will start oozing from your ears and eyes as well...

Haha, I can’t wait to see your expression at that point in time.

I’m curious...really curious. Will you start begging me for help by then, or will you maintain the same haughty attitude you had when we first interacted...aren’t you curious as well?

At those words, Gao Zhen clenched her teeth tightly, feeling a metallic taste spread through her mouth.

If she wasn’t clear already, those words made it crystal clear to her that the soul was trying to get back at her for their earlier exchange.

All of a sudden, she felt an intense pain in the left side of her chest, making her almost lose consciousness as her body flopped on the cold floor in a breathless state.

Oh, that must be your overburdened heart. Let’s see...you should have about an hour until it completely ruptures.

So, in a way, I have quite a bit of leeway here to prolong your suffering. Don’t you think?

*Groans*

With her eyes tightly pressed because of the pain, Gao Zhen was unable to even make sense of the soul’s mocking words.

She felt as if her entire body was on the verge of exploding every other second.

The sight of her writhing in pain brought great delight to the soul as it continued on with its words, this time much louder to ensure she was able to hear everything.

It hurts, right? It feels as if all your blood vessels will rupture the very next second, but they don’t...and just when relief is about to set in, you feel that overwhelming pain all over again...isn’t that right?

GRAKKK!

Gao Zhen vomited out a huge mouthful of blood the next second while seething in pain.

Hahaha, that’s what you get for talking down to me. I would have already helped you if not for that. Now, hurry up and apologise if you don’t want to prolong your suffering.

A delighted chuckle sounded in Gao Zhen’s mind as the soul finished its words, an expectant tone evident in its voice.

"....ou..."

Gao Zhen muttered while grimacing in pain, her words making no sense.

What did you say? You expect me to decipher your thoughts or what? Repeat it again!

The soul said, feigning a stern and angry tone while, at heart, clearly relishing Gao Zhen’s struggles.

Gritting her teeth, Gao Zhen tried again.

"...you..."

Huh? You know, if you don’t want to apologise, then just say so, I’ll make sure to help you at the last moment...if I remember, that is. Kekeke.

Hearing its hateful tone, Gao Zhen finally mustered up all the strength she had in her body and finished her words.

"I said...Fuck You!"

ACKH!

The moment she cursed out loud, she felt a vein burst in her chest, making her curl up on the floor, seething in pain.

’...’

Meanwhile, the soul was still trying to process what it had just heard, and as it did, rage began taking over its being.

This bitch! You dared to use such foul language against me? Fine then! You don’t want to apologise, right? Then suffer! Suffer until you’re dead!

The very next moment, Gao Zhen’s mind went completely quiet. Just like the soul had stated, it went completely quiet.

Only her pain-filled groans and the silence echoed in her ears as her body’s condition deteriorated with time.

Time kept passing with each second feeling like a torturous minute as more than half an hour elapsed.

With only half an hour left for her to live, her body’s condition was the worst it had ever been.

The coldness from the floor had started seeping into her bones as she was drained of the majority of her blood by now.

If not for her strong vitality because of being a cultivator, she would have long died from losing so much blood.

’It hurts...’

’It hurts so much...’

Sounds of sniffles rang out as she started crying from the pain.

However, instead of tears, what came out was deep, dark blood, which only ended up further blurring her already hazy vision.

Seeing the red tint in her vision, glimpses of her death flashed in her mind as she felt that death itself was staring back at her in this moment. All of a sudden, death felt imminent to her.

Along with this realisation came extreme fear.

The fear that everything she had done until now would all become meaningless if she died now.

The hard work she had put into her cultivation, the dangers she had faced, the enormous strength she had received, and lastly...the only friend she had ever made.

All of that would mean nothing if she were to die right now.

Unaware as to how many minutes had passed and how much more she had to live, she started fearing that the soul had truly abandoned her in anger.

As a result, she finally started giving in to the idea of apologising to it. If required, she was even ready to beg for forgiveness...losing everything she acquired in this life for just her pride...it just wasn’t worth it.

However, before she could do so, a familiar voice echoed in her head.

You really are one stubborn wench...