Saint's Ruins?

Xiao Yan's Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily.

Though it would benefit both sides, what he intended to do next would, to some extent, mean taking advantage of Su Yun.

Their relationship had always been good, and guided by his moral conscience, Xiao Yan could not help feeling guilty.

But for the Xiao Family, for the sake of rescuing his father, forgive me, Senior Su.

After steeling himself, Xiao Yan probed, "What is so special about those Ancient Ruins that, even after a thousand years, you still cannot forget them, Senior?"

Su Yun glanced at him indifferently. He seemed not to have noticed Xiao Yan's little scheme, yet a trace of amusement flashed deep in his eyes.

"You should not be asking why This Sect Master cannot forget it. You should be asking why that Xiao Clan Dou Zun explored the Ancient Ruins."

"I just can't find my ancestor..."

Xiao Yan muttered weakly.

Su Yun wore a half-smile. "What? Now you're willing to admit he is your ancestor and that you are a Xiao Clan Descendant?"

Xiao Yan smiled awkwardly. "Senior, I did not mean to conceal it before. I simply had reasons I could not speak of."

"Fine. Humans see the world through their own understanding, but understanding is an ambiguous thing.

"Reality may be made of lies, and all that one sees and hears may be nothing but illusions...

"This Sect Master has no intention of holding your concealment against you. As for your question just now... there is no harm in telling you."

Xiao Yan pricked up his ears.

Su Yun said gravely, "Those Ancient Ruins are not simple."

Xiao Yan's expression shifted. He had not thought much of it before, but from Su Yun's words, the Ancient Ruins his ancestor had entered seemed extraordinary?

"This Sect Master has investigated the Xiao Family of Wutan City.

"But, Xiao Yan, you must never use the Xiao Family's current standing to measure a Xiao Clan Dou Zun."

Su Yun said solemnly, "A thousand years ago, the Xiao Clan suffered a sudden catastrophe and swiftly declined.

"But as one of the Eight Ancient Races, the Xiao Clan possessed a profound foundation. Even in decline, a Xiao Clan Dou Zun was not comparable to an ordinary Dou Venerable.

"To draw your ancestor there and even make him arrive the moment the Ancient Ruins emerged...

"One can well imagine just how high the caliber of those Ancient Ruins was."

Xiao Yan was deeply shaken.

That was right. His ancestor had seen much of the world. Ancient Ruins at the Dou Venerable level likely would not even catch his eye. Could it be...

"They were ruins left behind by a Dou Saint!"

Xiao Yan could not help crying out.

"Perhaps..."

Amusement rose in Su Yun's heart.

Saint's Ruins?

How could that possibly satisfy his appetite!

His first Heavenly Lies had manifested the Woeful Poison Body, the Nether Poison Flame, Dou Emperor cultivation... that was already quite good.

But it lacked cultivation techniques and Dou Skills, making everything afterward so troublesome.

Moreover, the Earth-grade Mid-tier "Nether Poison Canon" was acceptable at the Dou Emperor and Dou Zong levels, but once he reached the Dou Venerable level, it would seem somewhat lacking.

So this time, Su Yun would learn from his lesson and get it done in one go!

As for whether his plan could succeed, the key lay with Xiao Yan...

Su Yun said coldly, "Don't try to play tricks before This Sect Master. What you seek is merely confirmation of whether your ancestor is still alive. Am I right?"

With his thoughts exposed, Xiao Yan scratched his head. "Nothing can escape Senior's eyes."

"If he were still alive, the Xiao Family would not have fallen to this state. Do not place too much hope in it."

Xiao Yan said unwillingly, "But what if my ancestor is merely trapped in the Ancient Ruins and unable to escape?"

Su Yun pondered for a moment. "That is indeed possible. Venerables live for over a thousand years, and in a soul state, they can live even longer.

"Though few Venerables can peacefully live until the end of their lifespan."

Hope reignited in Xiao Yan's eyes.

"You are quite persistent. Perhaps it was precisely this persistence that brought you this far."

Su Yun shook his head. "Fine. To tell you the truth, This Sect Master has indeed been thinking of exploring the Ancient Ruins again.

"If Ancient Ruins of that caliber were in the Central Plains, they would surely attract a large number of Dou Venerable experts, even ancient Half-Saint monsters.

"Only in this barren Northwest Continent do Dou Zongs have the right to explore them."

Seeing that Su Yun was not holding it against him, Xiao Yan relaxed. "Then, I wonder..."

Su Yun nodded. "Yes. Your ancestor has already entered the Ancient Ruins. If he is dead, there is naturally nothing more to say. As for the treasures in the ruins, each will rely on their own abilities.

"But if he is still alive, you and I will form an alliance. I will help your ancestor escape, and when the time comes, This Sect Master will receive a share of the spoils."

Xiao Yan was overjoyed. "Of course! Xiao Yan will certainly never forget Senior's kindness!"

Sure enough, once they had the same goal and formed a community of shared interests, everything became much easier.

"Mm. This Sect Master will have Teng Shan arrange a merchant caravan to help you leave the Jia Ma Empire."

"Thank you, Senior."

Xiao Yan's expression turned solemn as he bowed deeply.

Su Yun's expression remained calm. Vast Soul Power burst forth from his body, boundless as the sea and nearly solidifying into substance.

Xiao Yan was startled. Although Senior Su's Soul Power was inferior to his teacher's, it was the strongest he had seen beneath his teacher's.

Perhaps Senior Su was not far from becoming a Seventh-grade Alchemist.

Su Yun extended both hands, his hand seals shifting as his Soul Power condensed into a transparent token the size of a palm.

"Take it."

Xiao Yan reached out and accepted it. "What is this?"

Su Yun asked, "Do you know what a Soul Art is?"

Xiao Yan nodded. "Soul Arts are methods for cultivating Soul Power.

"However, most Soul Arts passed down from the Ancient Era have been lost. Only a handful of major factions still possess Soul Art inheritances, such as the Alchemist Tower."

Su Yun gave Xiao Yan another look, seeming somewhat surprised. "This Sect Master only asked casually, yet you actually know?

"It seems that although the Xiao Family of Wutan City has declined, it still retains some foundation."

Xiao Yan forced a smile. He had been careless. How could the Xiao Family possibly know what Soul Arts were?

His teacher had casually told him these things on the night of the Nalan Banquet while discussing the Eight Ancient Races.

Su Yun said, "This little trinket I am giving you is called the Soul Guiding Jade. Like a Soul Art, it is a secret technique related to the soul.

"You can use it to contact me. The method is simple: just inject Soul Power into it."

"It is that convenient?"

Xiao Yan's eyes widened.

"Mm."

Su Yun nodded. The Soul Guiding Jade was a technique included in the Sixth-grade Alchemist inheritance awarded by the system. It had a long history and had likely been lost in this era.

"Of course, This Sect Master will lay the ugly truth out first. If you carry this Soul Guiding Jade, I will be able to sense your location.

"At critical moments, This Sect Master can even use it to monitor your every move.

"If you have reservations, return it to This Sect Master. The matter of our alliance will end here as well."

Xiao Yan gritted his teeth. "Thank you for telling me, Senior. This junior is willing to accept!"

He knew this was Su Yun's safeguard against him tearing up their alliance and joining his ancestor in monopolizing the treasures. But there was no helping it. Who had told him to try scheming against Su Yun earlier?

"Very good."

Su Yun smiled. "Keep the Soul Guiding Jade on your person. Do not place it in your Storage Ring."

He had specifically created this item and given it to Xiao Yan because it would serve a great purpose in the future...

"Yes."

Xiao Yan had no objections.

"Senior, you are more honest than I am. This junior feels ashamed of himself."

"This Sect Master never deceives anyone."

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