Chapter 409: Blood Devil Ruins

Chapter 409: Blood Devil Ruins

"What's the mission?" Lian Xi asked.

Chi Yang chuckled. "Nothing top secret. Just over at the Blood Devil Ruins, the thick resentment there has brewed up some blood resentment demons, sneaking into the neighboring realms, causing trouble. Needs sorting out, pronto."

"Aren't the Blood Devil Ruins under the Pathseeker Society's watch?" Lian Xi frowned slightly.

Chi Yang's smile faded as he glanced around, then whispered, "Plainly put, those blood resentment demons are dangerous and not worth much loot. They'd rather not bother."

"The Three Immortals Day is upon us, like their New Year. They won't step foot out of the Primordial Ruins these days," Yun Jin, the youth in blue, added.

Hearing this, Lian Xi nodded, stepping back. "Well then, I won't keep you from saving lives."

Chi Yang nodded, then turned to Yun Xiao, "We'll drink to your safe return."

"Safe travels," Yun Xiao saluted.

"Count on it!" Chi Yang grinned, "We cultivators aim to save souls, a true Immortal's duty! With like-minded fellows on this journey, who's to say we won't find kinship in the heavens?"

"Enough with the heavy stuff. You're setting off death flags!" someone interrupted.

"Really, we've heard it so much we could recite it."

"Every time he gets sentimental, I panic, convinced I'm done for. Better not reminisce over my daughter's portrait on the way... Wait, I don't even have a daughter! Damn, I don't even have a wife!"

"Who says you don't have a wife? You have ten, five on each side, taking turns."

Unable to stand their banter any longer, Lian Xi snapped, "Get moving already!"

With that, they set off, spirits light.

After some distance, Chi Yang looked back, his gaze lingering on two figures holding hands, a trace of distraction in his eyes.

"Stop looking," Yun Jin patted him on the shoulder. "Isn't her happiness what you wanted?"

Chi Yang shook his head, a fierce determination in his eyes. "I'm just scared her happiness will be fleeting, ending in more pain."

"Wait and see," Yun Jin said.

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Just stepping into the Merit Arena, Yun Xiao piped up with a question that hung in the air, "Lian Xi, what are the Blood Devil Ruins?"

Lian Xi, with a bit of a puzzled look, explained, "Well, it's kinda like a vast ocean made up entirely of devil blood. It's quite vast, nearly half the size of the Primordial Ruins."

"Devil blood?" Yun Xiao mulled over that, his curiosity piqued. "And where did all that blood come from?"

Lian Xi stopped in her tracks, turning to face him, her voice suddenly trailing off into silence.

"What's the matter?" Yun Xiao asked, a hint of concern lacing his words.

Yun Xiao passed several chambers, most occupied.

"One chamber, one technique? You enter to learn?" Yun Xiao inquired.

"Exactly. This area is for the Level 7 Ding disciples to ponder and exchange. Pick one," Lian Xi urged.

After checking a few chambers, Yun Xiao pointed to a wooden plaque at one door, "What's this 60 Merits about?"

"Oh..." Lian Xi froze, then apologetically turned to Yun Xiao with a cute expression, "I totally slipped up on this. I'm such a klutz!"

"Hold the charm offensive. Explain," Yun Xiao said, sternly.

"The Primordial Academy is the epitome of fairness, where all daoist spells, swordsmanship, and other techniques require Merits to learn," Lian Xi said with a pout.

"And how does one earn these Merits?" Yun Xiao inquired.

"Well, there's a slew of ways. Level 7 Ding disciples get 100 Merits monthly. Then there's slaying demons, joining the Pathseeker Society, and such," Lian Xi explained.

"So, I've got 100 now?" asked Yun Xiao.

"Not yet. Your 100 will take a month to come through," Lian Xi said, biting her lip.

"A month? By then, my grandson could be fetching soy sauce!" Yun Xiao quipped.

"Keep your shirt on! You're just advancing quickly in cultivation, it's got nothing to do with your wife's birthing speed..." Blue Star facepalmed.

Lian Xi felt quite wronged, having forgotten this crucial detail.

Yun Xiao couldn't really chide her, seeing her so aggrieved, so he just grumbled, "This Primordial Academy sure knows how to dampen spirits. Back in my Sword Ruins days, I got what I wanted on the spot."

"It can't be helped. It's not just my master's say here; too many eyes are watching. Even I have to grind out tasks bit by bit for resources," Lian Xi said helplessly.

Fair was fair, but it sure was a hassle. But Yun Xiao got it; the real issue was the overreach of the Three True Immortals, their long arms meddling in the academy's affairs, keeping a tight grip on the resources.

"Isn't there some exception to the rule?" Yun Xiao wasn't disheartened; he asked patiently.

"An exception?" Lian Xi pondered, "Well, there is one place, but..."

"But what?"

"Behind the Merit Arena, there's an Old Palace housing various incomplete texts—outdated, damaged, or lost techniques, some just summaries... These don't cost any Merits, but they're mostly useless," Lian Xi explained, shaking her head.

Yun Xiao's eyes sparkled as he listened.

"Let's go," he said, taking Lian Xi's hand.

"Where to?" she asked.

"To the Old Palace!"