Magical Beast Ruins!

"You may all leave." Yue Yu gave the order, leaving only Yue Yu, Yue Ru, father and daughter, and Xiao Yan in the hall.

Yue Yu looked at the bewildered Xiao Yan and smiled. "The Magical Beast Mountain Range is considered one of the more notorious dangerous lands near Qing Cheng City on the Xuan Ling Continent. For some unknown reason, the cold there is exceptionally intense. Frigid mist blots out the sky and sun; if one wanders about carelessly, one will only become lost within it. Moreover, there are many powerful and exceptionally bloodthirsty magical beasts in the mountain range, making them rather troublesome to deal with. This Magical Beast Ruins is located within the Magical Beast Mountain Range."

"It is said that the Magical Beast Ruins contain Immortal-tier Dou Ji and countless cultivation techniques and medicinal pills. But more importantly, this ruin is somewhat unusual. Those who entered to explore it have vanished without a trace. No one knows what accident occurred."

"Oh! Aren't magical beasts and humans mortal enemies? Why would a ruin within the Magical Beast Mountain Range be open to us humans?" Xiao Yan asked in confusion.

"Young friend Xiao Yan, you do not know this, but the Magical Beast Ruins within the Magical Beast Mountain Range were actually left behind by a great expert. It is said that this expert harbored an innate hatred for magical beasts and set down restrictions. Neither magical beasts nor Five-star Dou Di experts may enter."

"Furthermore, the Emperor-tier Magical Core that young friend Xiao Yan needs is also inside." Yue Yu thus dispelled Xiao Yan's concerns.

"Father, what exactly is inside the Magical Beast Ruins this time?" Yue Ru asked as well.

Yue Yu smiled faintly. "Long ago, countless experts fell between heaven and earth. Wherever the essence blood of Dou Di experts fell, it transformed into Ruins Lands, places filled with all manner of wonders and opportunities that drew countless geniuses into fierce competition."

"Because if one can obtain that 'Emperor's Blood,' one may become an emperor and establish a sacred foundation. It can truly be called a tremendous fortune, a great opportunity. In the future, one might even condense an Emperor Embryo, open a domain of laws, and perhaps... glimpse the mysteries of an Emperor."

Hearing Yue Yu's aged voice, Xiao Yan was somewhat at a loss. Everything he had heard was beyond his understanding.

"What... is an Emperor?" Xiao Yan asked with some difficulty. Those two words seemed to contain an immense mystique; merely speaking them made the source qi within his body tremble.

Yue Yu thought for a moment, then smiled. "That is still far too distant for you. You only need to know that, in this entire world, Emperors are the experts closest to Dou Xian!"

"A single drop of an Emperor's blood can transform into a vast sea."

"When that Emperor fell, his Emperor's Blood and remains scattered across heaven and earth, forming several Ruins Lands."

"On our Xuan Ling Continent, one such Ruins Land exists within the Magical Beast Mountain Range outside the city."

Xiao Yan's pupils contracted. After all that, had they finally reached the main point?

Yue Yu smiled. "Right now, in the five cities within a hundred li of Qing Cheng City, nearly every talented member of the younger generation is preparing for that Ruins Land and cultivating diligently."

"I heard that the young master of Martial City has even trained bitterly for several years for this, clearly determined to obtain it."

"The favored children painstakingly nurtured by those other great clans and prominent families have also set out one after another. Their sole purpose is to seize the great fortune within that Ruins Land."

"Once you obtain such a great fortune, even the Xuan Ling Imperial Family of the Xuan Ling Continent will take notice of you and bring you into their fold."

"The Xuan Ling Imperial Family?" Xiao Yan murmured blankly. He knew of the Xuan Ling Continent—it was the name of the world in which he stood, and the Vast Continent was merely one part of it—but he had never heard of this so-called Xuan Ling Imperial Family.

"It is normal that you have not heard of them. After all, only a very few people know of them." Yue Yu smiled. "Simply put, the Xuan Ling Imperial Family rules the Xuan Ling Continent. Their hands can cover the world, while you are merely ants beneath them."

Xiao Yan gave a bitter laugh. That was indeed a level far too distant from him. With his current strength, he could not touch it at all.

Still, after hearing this, Xiao Yan understood just how extraordinary that Ruins Land was. Even the favored children of Martial City and so many other cities, great clans, and prominent families coveted it so greatly. One could imagine what kind of fortune and opportunity it held.

"But if the Ruins Land is so important, won't the various factions send powerful experts?" Xiao Yan suddenly asked. If those cities directly sent Dou Di experts, or even stronger experts, then no matter how outstanding the younger generation was, they would likely be unable to compete.

"The Ruins Land carries the might of an Emperor. The stronger a person is, the greater the suppression they suffer upon entering it."

Yue Yu smiled. "Unless those experts are unafraid of being killed by some youngsters due to that suppression, they likely would not dare enter so easily."

He stared at Xiao Yan, a glint flashing through his clouded eyes as he smiled. "Young friend, if the great fortune of that Sacred Relic Site falls into the hands of the favored children from other cities, I dare say your chances of obtaining an Emperor-tier Magical Core to save someone will become exceedingly, exceedingly slim."

Yue Yu paused, then continued, "Of course... with your current strength, it will not be easy for you to compete with them either."

"Well? Do you have the courage to harbor even a trace of desire for that great fortune?" Yue Yu asked with a half-smile, seemingly eager to see Xiao Yan's response.

Xiao Yan slowly closed his eyes and took a deep breath. After a long while, he gradually opened them, a piercing gleam surging from his gaze.

Those talents from outside Qing Cheng City were already ahead of him. If someone else were to obtain that great fortune in the Ruins Land as well, then Qing Yuan's secret could never be resolved.

One step behind meant falling behind at every step.

Xiao Yan wanted to catch up and save someone, so he had to seize every opportunity.

The Ruins Land might be filled with the favored children of powerful factions, prominent families, and great clans. Compared to them, Xiao Yan seemed to possess no advantage whatsoever. Yet ever since the day he cultivated the complete Flame Mantra, he had never lacked courage.

Thus, Zhou Yuan looked toward Yue Yu, who sat above him, and solemnly clasped his hands in salute.

"Zhou Yuan thanks Senior for your guidance."

He was very fortunate that he had met Yue Yu here, allowing him not to miss this chance to touch upon such a great fortune.

"Then, this so-called opportunity..."

"I, Xiao Yan, could not ask for more." Xiao Yan finished with a brilliant smile on his face.

"Hahaha! I knew you were no ordinary lad. How could someone carrying a wondrous treasure like the Fire Spirit be an ordinary person?"

"Moreover, my daughter also needs something from this Ruins Land. I have already given her the map. I must ask young friend Xiao Yan to take good care of her on this journey." Yue Yu spoke slowly.

"Make your preparations and set off today." With that, he walked straight out, leaving Xiao Yan and Yue Ru staring at each other in the hall.

"I'll be troubling you this time as well." Yue Ru waved her delicate hand, smiled faintly, and bowed to Xiao Yan.

"Thank you, Xiao Yan."

Xiao Yan understood what she meant. He immediately smiled and left the hall as well.