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Chapter 236 - 235: An Unyielding Opponent

"In other words, you’ve been guarding this treasure vault as long as it’s been built?" Chen Xuan ventured, "Have there really been thieves over the years?"

"Of course, there are many who covet angelic possessions," Liuli chuckled, "I’ve warned them, but unlike you, they were completely obsessed with the treasure, disregarded my kindness, and even fired their guns at me."

"Did you kill them?"

He spoke as he adjusted his glasses.

The ability section was blank.

There was no ability that could be detected from her, even the Ability Store didn’t recognize her as a living being.

"Naturally. Those who draw their blades against me must suffer the fate of swords," Liuli patted the hilt at her waist, "Since they have the courage to kill, they should be prepared to face death."

She paused slightly, "Actually... I was quite anticipating that young lady who kept trying to stop me and insisted on taking the treasure."

"Why?" Chen Xuan frowned.

"Because then I would have a reason to kill you, and you all would demonstrate your abilities and resist to the death."

"If you truly wished that, wouldn’t you have drawn your blade and attacked right from the start?"

"Ah, but I also wanted someone to break the monotony," she unabashedly said, "Besides, you only haven’t taken anything temporarily, it doesn’t mean you won’t later. After all, you couldn’t possibly leave empty-handed, right?"

This guy... surely thinks differently.

Chen Xuan deliberately put on a stern face, "Isn’t it good being alive? If you decide to attack, you’ll die here, I guarantee it."

"Perhaps," to his surprise, Liuli didn’t deny it, "I can see you’re all extraordinary; otherwise, I wouldn’t have such expectations. My duty is to guard, essentially as a weapon. If I don’t fight, then I lose my purpose as a weapon. Since I’ll die one day, why can’t it be today? Don’t worry, even if I die due to failure, it would be the most logical thing; I wouldn’t blame you."

Now Chen Xuan was at a loss for words.

Those who draw their blades must suffer the fate of swords—she wasn’t merely making empty threats, it was truly her creed.

Threats were meaningless to her.

Because she didn’t fear death.

Nor could she be bribed.

Because she wasn’t doing this for a paycheck either.

For the first time, Chen Xuan encountered an opponent so impervious to coercion.

Just as Liuli said, he couldn’t really leave empty-handed; even if other strange items were left untouched, the mother Lucie had to be taken.

He scanned the inventory, contemplating what ability could instantly subdue the person in front of him.

Law Decree True Words? The effect on non-humans was questionable.

Decomposition and Re-Fusion? He glanced stealthily, it required the consumption of 35 of himself, which was practically astronomical. It also proved that this figure wasn’t to be trifled with.

However, after defeating Gustav, his Seed of Flesh and Blood was recharged and upgraded to a green Level 2. If it’s decimal-based, that’s equivalent to a white Level 20, significantly enhancing his combat abilities.

Celestial Thunder Order and Demon-slaying True Sword weren’t considered; the opponent wasn’t a Demon Fiend, such spells for specifically targeting demons would lose effectiveness.

Theoretically, against an opponent with unknown and potentially extraordinary strength, abilities like Guess the Coin that forcibly equalize combat power would offer the highest chance of victory. But unfortunately, it had already been devoured by Decomposition and Re-Fusion, so he couldn’t use it.

If he had to rely solely on the Thousand Thoughts Sword and Divine Eye Technique for a close combat with this mystical person, Chen Xuan felt somewhat apprehensive.

"Chen Xuan, come over here," Lin Qing suddenly called out through the earpiece.

Chen Xuan looked towards Liuli, who seemed to guess his caution, smiled and nodded, indicating he could do as he pleased.

He jumped off the glass pillar and headed to the corner of the room.

Only to see Lin Qing and Elorie standing before a steel door, starkly contrasted against the room’s wooden decor. The door had a plaque inscribed with the words ’Vault Nine.’

"The storeroom isn’t the only one here," she briefly explained her discovery, "I’ve tallied it up, stability seems to determine the sorting standard of these strange items. Most in the exhibition hall are above 90, while those in other storerooms range between 70-80."

"Sounds like the higher, the safer?" Chen Xuan pondered.

Based on the Angel Alliance’s setup, this theory holds; since items over 90 are safe, they can be displayed openly in glass cabinets for appreciation. Those unsafe items need to be isolated, protected by steel and concrete walls.

"I think so too," Lin Qing produced a drawing, "I found a map for emergency evacuation guides."

There was even a map.

Chen Xuan took it and learned their location was likely Vault One, linking to eight smaller vaults on each side. Vault Nine appeared significantly different, with a labyrinthine cave, not the straight lines of others. Given this map wouldn’t be randomly drawn, does the Holy Temple Treasure Vault have natural and man-made sections?

He turned to the imposing door, featuring a prominent warning: Unauthorized personnel prohibited. Below the sign was an electronic display, a striking red numeral stood out.

Stability, 9.

"That’s a whole order of magnitude different," Chen Xuan muttered. Moreover, the fact it isn’t etched onto the plaque indicates it’s likely a fluctuating value, not fixed at 9.

"We’ve searched all other rooms and found nothing resembling flesh," Elorie said, "Only here remains unchecked."

"Unlike other vaults, this door’s not electronically locked, it’s thick, conservatively estimated at one meter," Lin Qing tapped the door, "Whatever’s behind it must be extraordinary."

"Can you open it?" Chen Xuan asked.

"How’s that possible?" she promptly denied, "Even a plasma knife can’t breach it, but I need time. That figure’s a hazard too, did you find her flaw? If the mother Lucie is in Vault Nine, we face confrontation."

"...Not yet," he scratched his head, "influence and enticement are temporarily ineffective on her."

"What’s ineffective?" a curious voice rang.

Liuli unexpectedly followed them.

Chen Xuan rolled his eyes silently, turned back with his fixed smile for guests, "You’re just in time; if we destroy this door, will you stop us?"

"Nope, my duty’s to prevent loss or damage of strange items; base facilities aren’t part of that," Liuli carried herself unguardedly, "Were you after the mother Lucie? Oh dear, I assumed you weren’t mere petty thieves, but you’re daring beyond measure."

"Is Lucie inside?"

"Mm-hmm," she nodded.

The trio exchanged glances; the uncertainty of forcing entry was now eliminated.

Liuli paused a second before adding, "But I suggest you don’t enter; pilfering treasures outside isn’t preferable?"

Chen Xuan doubted his hearing, "I thought you wouldn’t allow it?"

"Indeed, at most you’d fight me, either dying or upon defeating me, leaving with spoils, not a guaranteed death," she sighed, "But if you entered, it’s certain death, no way of coming out alive."

Lin Qing hesitated, having poised her Ion Knife near the door, her hand slightly trembled upon hearing this.

"Really?" Chen Xuan expressed skepticism, "Its ability makes you feel we have no chance?"

"Because you’re living humans," Liuli solemnly replied, "Mother Lucie is the origin of all humans. Your flesh, your existence owes to her. In this view, it’s your deity, and her will, your fate."

"Deity?" Elorie objected, "Stop joking, I’m educated! Humans clearly fell from the sky, embodying stars! Xingyu’s our origin, not some malformed flesh!"

Chen Xuan and Lin Qing looked at the angel in shock.

"What’s wrong?" she asked, confused, "Did I say... something amiss?"