Morning sunlight spilled across the gates of Glory City. The expedition led by Xiao Tianhao, Nie Li, and Chen Lin Jian had assembled, ready to set out for the Ancient Orchid City Ruins.
Within the group, Chen Lin Jian cut a heroic figure in his magnificent battle armor, and the brothers beside him were equally spirited.
Xiao Tianhao wore a close-fitting black outfit, with several Inscription Patterns Scrolls tucked at his waist. His expression was calm and confident.
Nie Li wore his usual faint smile, seemingly full of anticipation for the coming adventure.
When Shen Yue saw that Xiao Tianhao and Nie Li had joined the group, he let out a cold laugh.
"You're the ones courting death, so don't blame me." He then summoned a subordinate and whispered a few words into his ear.
After speaking, Shen Yue stared fixedly at Nie Li, as though he wanted to devour him alive.
By then, Nie Li had quietly slipped over to Ye Ziyun's side and was making her giggle.
After leaving the city, everyone followed a winding trail.
Along the way, aside from Shen Yue's expressionless group, everyone chatted and laughed, creating a rather harmonious atmosphere.
However, as they entered a dense forest, low growls suddenly sounded all around them, and a pack of Demon Beasts charged out from every direction.
The Demon Beasts came in all shapes and sizes, from nimble Gale Wolves to enormous Rock Armor Bears. All were unmistakably at Bronze or Silver Rank. Their eyes gleamed with ferocity; they clearly regarded the group as prey.
The expedition instantly sprang into battle readiness. Chen Lin Jian shouted, "Don't panic! Hold formation!" Everyone unleashed their Demon Spirit battle techniques and plunged into fierce combat with the Demon Beasts.
Xiao Tianhao swiftly took out a Silver Rank Hurricane Blade Inscription Patterns Scroll and infused it with soul force. A gale swept toward the Demon Beasts, carrying blades of wind that immediately slashed several Silver Rank Gale Wolves, drawing agonized howls.
Amid the chaos, Xiao Tianhao noticed a striking, spirited woman nearby-it was none other than Huyan Lanruo.
Her pink hair was adorned with ornaments, her brows and eyes delicate, her red lips alluring. She wore pink-and-purple clothing with distinctive shoulder pieces, a flower ornament at her chest, and a sash paired with an exquisite waist ornament. Her overall appearance was charming and playful without losing its seductive allure.
At that moment, several Silver 2-Star Rock Armor Bears were surrounding Huyan Lanruo.
She moved with agility, wielding a war-weapon longsword that flashed in dazzling flourishes. At the same time, she unleashed the charming power of her Snow Cherry Demon Spirit, making the Rock Armor Bears hesitate briefly.
But against the Rock Armor Bears' tremendous strength, she gradually began to struggle.
Moved to act, Xiao Tianhao used his movement technique to swiftly approach her while taking out an Earth-Splitting Mountain-Crusher Inscription Patterns Scroll. Massive rocks fell from the sky and smashed into the Rock Armor Bears, freeing Huyan Lanruo from their encirclement.
Huyan Lanruo gave Xiao Tianhao a grateful look. "Thank you for lending a hand, little brother. I'm Huyan Lanruo of the Huyan Family."
Xiao Tianhao did not mind being called little brother. He looked at Huyan Lanruo's lovely face, her eyes revealing a frank and gallant spirit. Her shapely figure only heightened her bold, heroic charm.
He could not help murmuring inwardly, As expected of the woman who caught my eye. He smiled and replied, "It was no trouble. Don't worry about it. My name is Xiao Tianhao."
The battle continued, and Huyan Lanruo kept an eye on Xiao Tianhao as she fought the Demon Beasts.
She discovered that although Xiao Tianhao's soul force was only at Bronze 5-Star, lower than her own Silver 2-Star level, his strength was extraordinary and his combat experience remarkably rich. She probably was not even his match, and curiosity welled up within her.
Once the Demon Beasts on their side had been driven back, Huyan Lanruo quietly activated her Snow Cherry Demon Spirit's charming ability to test Xiao Tianhao.
An unusual fragrance immediately spread, and even the surrounding air seemed to take on a seductive quality.
Yet, to Huyan Lanruo's surprise, Xiao Tianhao merely frowned slightly before his eyes immediately regained their clarity. Thanks to the unique properties of the Void Derivation Art, he could not be bewitched at all.
Huyan Lanruo was astonished. Her Snow Cherry Demon Spirit's charming ability had always swept everything before it, yet this younger schoolmate had broken through it so easily.
She could not help asking, "Little Brother Xiao, why aren't you affected by my Demon Spirit's charm?" Xiao Tianhao smiled and explained, "The cultivation method I practice is rather unusual. It gives me some resistance to abilities like charm."
A glimmer flashed in Huyan Lanruo's eyes, and her curiosity about Xiao Tianhao deepened.
Just as the group gradually gained the upper hand and drove back all the Demon Beasts, a band of black-robed figures suddenly appeared.
Their leader was none other than Deacon Yun Hua of the Dark Guild. He wore a black robe, his face hidden in shadow, and radiated the formidable aura of a Silver 5-Star expert.
Behind him followed a group of subordinates, likewise dressed in black robes with their faces covered. Each robe bore a huge Black Demon Emblem on its back, hideous and terrifying.
At the sight, everyone's heart sank, and they cried out in unison.
"The Dark Guild!"
Deacon Yun Hua sneered. "You little brats actually dared to come to the Ancient Orchid City Ruins. You truly have no idea how close you are to death. Hand over all your treasures and surrender. Perhaps I'll let you live."
Chen Lin Jian roared furiously, "Dark Guild scum, don't get ahead of yourselves!" With that, he led everyone into battle against the Dark Guild.
Xiao Tianhao knew these Dark Guild members were not to be underestimated. As he fought the black-robed figures, he also kept watch over Huyan Lanruo's safety.
Suddenly, a black-robed figure caught Huyan Lanruo off guard and launched a sneak attack from behind.
Reacting instantly, Xiao Tianhao leaped in front of Huyan Lanruo and took the blow head-on. Blood immediately streamed from his shoulder. Fortunately, his body tempering had given him a physique far beyond that of an ordinary person. The wound merely looked alarming; his muscles and bones had not actually been damaged.
Warmth filled Huyan Lanruo's heart. Seeing Xiao Tianhao injured, she felt a surge of gratitude and heartache.
She unleashed her Demon Spirit battle techniques and fought shoulder to shoulder with Xiao Tianhao. Working in perfect harmony, they gradually killed several black-robed figures.
However, Deacon Yun Hua's formidable strength and the Dark Guild's overwhelming numbers slowly forced the group into a desperate situation.
During the fierce fighting, Xiao Tianhao and Huyan Lanruo accidentally became separated from the others.
They fled until they reached a mysterious valley.
A mysterious aura permeated the valley, and an ancient cave dwelling appeared before them.
They exchanged a glance and decided to enter the cave dwelling to take shelter.
The moment they stepped inside, a powerful pressure rushed toward them.
The cave dwelling was filled with mechanisms and traps, and its walls were covered in mysterious runes.
Xiao Tianhao and Huyan Lanruo advanced cautiously, occasionally triggering mechanisms.
While dodging the traps, their bodies inadvertently brushed against each other, and a faint blush rose to Huyan Lanruo's cheeks.
As she watched Xiao Tianhao's profile while he focused on handling the mechanisms, her affection for him grew.
Xiao Tianhao also sensed the subtle change in the atmosphere, and his heart began to beat a little faster.
As they ventured deeper into the cave dwelling, they reached an enormous stone chamber.
At the center of the chamber floated an eyeball emitting an eerie glow. Xiao Tianhao recognized it at once: it was the Legend-rank Demon Spirit known as the Demon Eye, which had existed only during the era of the Divine Empire. Even then, it had been exceedingly rare before gradually disappearing. He had never expected to find one here.
The Demon Eye was a mind-control Demon Spirit. Once successfully integrated, it could unleash powerful blasts of mental energy, disrupt an enemy's thoughts, and even briefly control their actions.
When facing powerful opponents, the Demon Eye could also perceive their weaknesses and provide its master with crucial information needed for victory.
Just as they prepared to approach the Demon Eye, phantoms suddenly appeared in the stone chamber and attacked them.
Xiao Tianhao and Huyan Lanruo stood back to back and fought the phantoms in a desperate battle to the death.
Huyan Lanruo unleashed her Snow Cherry Demon Spirit's charming ability, attempting to bewilder the phantoms, while Xiao Tianhao relied on his agile movement, formidable strength, and the power of his Inscription Patterns Scrolls to hold them off.
After a bitter struggle, they finally defeated the phantoms.
Xiao Tianhao stepped forward and attempted to communicate with the Demon Eye.
The Demon Eye seemed to sense Xiao Tianhao's sincerity and powerful soul force. With a flash of light, it merged into his soul sea.
Xiao Tianhao immediately felt an enormous increase in his soul force and instantly broke through to Silver 1-Star. He could clearly sense the Demon Eye's power.
Huyan Lanruo looked at Xiao Tianhao, her eyes filled with envy and delight. "You actually obtained such an ancient Legend-rank Demon Spirit. That's incredible. I've only ever heard my father mention this kind of Demon Spirit in passing." Xiao Tianhao merely smiled without saying anything.
Meanwhile, in Glory City, Xiao Ning'er was discussing strategies with her father, Xiao Yunfeng, to counter the Sacred Family's suppression.
The Winged Dragon Family's businesses and shops had suffered greatly, but with her breakthrough to Bronze 4-Star and her unwavering determination, Xiao Ning'er encouraged everyone in the family.
At the Alchemist Association, Director Yang Xin was organizing the alchemists to study the pill formulas Xiao Tianhao had sent.
The Jade Beauty Pill formula filled her with particular anticipation. She hoped they could refine this miraculous pill as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, during their fierce battle with the Dark Guild, Chen Lin Jian's group happened to encounter another expedition exploring the Ancient Orchid City Ruins. Together, they fought off the Dark Guild members.
After bidding farewell to the other expedition, Chen Lin Jian and his companions began searching for Xiao Tianhao and Huyan Lanruo.
Nie Li used his wits to deduce the location of the treasure. He also assured them that Xiao Tianhao and Huyan Lanruo were definitely fine and there was no need to worry too much, so Chen Lin Jian and the others finally abandoned the search.
After resting briefly in the cave dwelling, Xiao Tianhao and Huyan Lanruo decided to find an exit and reunite with the group.
With the Demon Eye's assistance, Xiao Tianhao was full of confidence for the adventures ahead.
During this adventure, Huyan Lanruo had also developed deep feelings for Xiao Tianhao. She decided that no matter what difficulties they encountered, she would forge ahead by his side.
As they stepped out of the cave dwelling, a new chapter of their adventure was about to unfold.
(This new book has set sail! To all my clever, kind, beautiful, and handsome readers, please follow the book and tap the update reminders. If possible, send some free "Power with Love" gifts to support the author. Thank you, everyone. From yesterday through today, I've been suffering from acute gastroenteritis, followed by a fever. I finished writing this chapter with my head spinning and my mind in a fog, so I hope you'll lend me your support. I'm so dizzy.)
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