The Ruins Are on the Blood-Colored Plateau, Hold Me Tight

Dazzling, brilliant rays of light, like waves, impacted everyone's minds, one after another.

The entire reception hall was instantly filled with countless colorful rare treasures, with swirling mists and radiant divine light, as if arriving at a treasure trove.

Spirit Stones, rare ores, Pills, Spirit Fruits, Divine Weapons and Sharp Blades, Cultivation Manuals and Secret Scrolls... everything was there, dazzling the eyes.

Perhaps the accumulated heritage of the Four Great Families of Yuyi City over hundreds of years was no more than this.

The clan elders who had been immensely curious about those Sumire Rings just moments ago trembled, their white beards shaking, their breathing becoming rapid, their eyes unable to hide their fervent gleam.

And this was only the treasure within one of the Sumire Rings.

Su Changkong looked over, and then his entire person froze, before he with great difficulty averted his gaze.

"Young Master Jiang is truly rich and powerful..."

After an unknown amount of time, one of the clan elders swallowed, reluctantly withdrawing his gaze.

His words were met with the unanimous agreement of the other clan elders and the members of the Su family.

Legend had it that this Prime Minister's son, in the pleasure districts of the Imperial Capital, had fought with another minister's son over a courtesan, and had directly beaten the opponent into severe injury with his wealth.

In the aftermath, that minister, with his severely injured son, knelt outside the Prime Minister's Manor for three days and three nights before barely obtaining his magnanimous forgiveness.

However, although wealth was tempting, if one were to marry the Prime Minister's son, it would likely only be as a concubine; neither a principal wife nor an equal wife was something to be hoped for.

For the Su family, even a concubine would be considered a significant climb.

Yet, everyone knew that such a matter would only be pushing Su Qinghan into a fiery pit.

Would this Second Generation Scion treat Su Qinghan well after marriage?

Anyone could spout pretty words, but his words just now were clearly unreliable to anyone with discerning eyes.

Considering the overall interests of the Su family, everyone naturally hoped that Su Qinghan would marry him, even if it was just as a concubine. But she would be the Prime Minister's son's concubine!

What if, one day, the ruling surname of Great Xia changed to Jiang? Wouldn't the Su family then become royalty?

"Qinghan, what are your thoughts on this matter?" The clan elders asked kindly.

Su Qinghan seemed to have just snapped back to reality. She naturally knew what all her clansmen were thinking at that moment.

"I will consider what Young Master Jiang said..." she said softly.

"Didn't they say that Su Qingyao could help you return to cultivation?"

"Why... didn't you marry her?"

Not long after returning to the City Lord's Mansion, a faint, pleasant, and cold scent approached from behind.

Jiang Lan was already accustomed to Li Mengning's sudden appearances and disappearances, and merely replied casually, "That news was false."

"False?"

The presence behind him seemed to instantly turn much colder.

On Li Mengning's veiled face, her delicate brows furrowed slightly.

Jiang Lan didn't know where his original body had gotten that information, but now wasn't the time to investigate.

He narrowed his eyes slightly and said, "Mother should have given you a Domain Breaking Talisman, right?"

Li Mengning thought for a moment, then nodded.

"I want you to take me to the Blood-Colored Plateau," Jiang Lan said.

After much deliberation, he wanted to preemptively seize the opportunities at the Blood Immortal Sect's ruins. The biggest obstacles now were his cultivation level and time.

Even if he set off now, it would take at least ten days to half a month to reach the Blood Immortal Sect ruins in his memory.

Moreover, what suitable reason could he use to fool them? Compared to that, Li Mengning was a much more suitable tool.

She never questioned Jiang Lan's affairs, and when she had nothing to do, she was so transparent it was as if she didn't exist.

Familiar with the plot, Jiang Lan trusted her completely and wasn't afraid she would harm him.

"No."

As soon as he finished speaking, Li Mengning refused and said softly, "It's very dangerous there."

Jiang Lan looked back at her.

The only thing he was dissatisfied with was that this person was a bit stubborn and didn't listen to him.

"What... do you need? I'll bring it back for you."

Li Mengning ignored his gaze. Because she wore a veil, her flawless, fair face showed no emotional fluctuations.

"Just trying my luck. Haven't you heard recently that many opportunities have appeared on the Blood-Colored Plateau? Even in broad daylight, you can see auspicious clouds rising, with divine light enveloping divine objects flying out."

Jiang Lan withdrew his gaze and said casually, "Many disciples from sects and young masters from noble families are going to try their luck."

The Blood-Colored Plateau was a dangerous area north of Danzhou Prefecture, with many mountains and hills, sparse vegetation, and vast yellow sand.

It was said to be an ancient battlefield where many people had died, often shrouded in bloody mist, never seeing the sun, and inhabited by many Demonic Beasts and Fierce Demons.

Cultivators who went there for training often died tragically, thus it was considered a deadly place by many aristocratic sects and clans.

Occasionally, rogue cultivators and disciples from major sects would go there to hone their skills and seek opportunities.

In Jiang Lan's memory, the ruins of the Blood Immortal Sect were located on the Blood-Colored Plateau.

"You shouldn't go."

Li Mengning's brows furrowed, and she seemed conflicted about this matter.

However, her brow quickly smoothed out as she added, "I'll help you snatch back the opportunities."

"..."

Jiang Lan sighed imperceptibly in his heart. Why was it so troublesome to get this person to do anything?

"I'll just have Uncle Ying take me there."

He stood up directly and walked towards the door.

A gust of crisp, cold wind, carrying a pleasant, faint fragrance, blew over. Li Mengning blocked his path.

"Don't..."

She seemed very conflicted, but seeing Jiang Lan's expression, as if he would find someone else if she didn't agree, she could only say in a low voice, "I'll take you... but you have to listen to me..."

"The Blood-Colored Plateau is very dangerous, and I'm afraid I can't protect you."

It was rare for her to say so much today. Usually, she was like a mute, only saying "en," nodding, shaking her head, or remaining silent.

Jiang Lan chuckled inwardly, but he casually agreed, "Okay, I'll listen to you."

Li Mengning nodded then, and with a wave of her fair, slender hand, a cyan jade talisman, shimmering with a clear, soft light and emanating spatial energy, appeared.

The Domain Breaking Talisman was something only core disciples of truly top-tier major sects possessed. It was extremely rare, its crafting conditions were incredibly stringent, and its cost was astonishing.

It was a life-saving trump card. At a critical moment, the talisman's light would cover the user's entire body, allowing them to instantly escape into the void, traveling ten thousand miles in a single breath.

However, the Domain Breaking Talisman couldn't compare to Lin Fan's Eternal Calamity Sword. A powerful cultivator, upon sensing the talisman's aura, would seal the heavens and earth, freezing the void, preventing anyone from escaping easily.

Lin Fan's Eternal Calamity Sword, on the other hand, could ignore such seals, making it incredibly overpowered.

"Let's go."

Jiang Lan estimated that traveling from Yuyi City to the Blood-Colored Plateau would require at least two to three Domain Breaking Talismans. Given Li Mengning's status, she should have enough.

After he finished his business, he would return a few more to her. After all, these things were for saving lives.

"Hold me tight."

Li Mengning's gaze, like liquid glass, lingered on his face for a moment before she whispered.