Chapter 249: Chapter 236: Demon Saint Ruins
Before long, Nie Yun was back at the Imperial City. Just as he arrived in the sky above it, he heard a clear voice ring out.
"The Baihua Sect Master, Baihua Xiu, has come to see His Majesty the Emperor!"
The voice was crisp and clear, carrying a hint of indifference. It was none other than the Baihua Sect Master, Baihua Xiu.
"Heh. To what do I owe the pleasure, Baihua Sect Master?"
With a faint smile, Nie Yun appeared before Baihua Xiu. The two slowly descended from the sky and entered the Emperor’s study in the Imperial Palace.
He hadn’t seen her in a few days, and the Baihua Sect Master’s aura had become even more otherworldly and refined. Her spotless white robes made her resemble the Lingbo Fairy, gazing down upon all mortals. This temperament was a complete departure from her previous impervious and unapproachable demeanor. Faint emotional fluctuations flickered in her expression; clearly, she had gained a deeper understanding of the Path of Emotion he had spoken of.
As she advanced from the Path of Emotionlessness toward the Path of Emotion, Nie Yun could tell from her aura alone that her strength must have taken a qualitative leap.
"Your Majesty, I offer my congratulations on successfully annihilating the Mi Tian Sect and securing your throne in the Divine Wind Empire."
The Baihua Sect Master gave a faint smile.
Her smile was like a hundred flowers blooming, dazzling and enchanting. In that instant, all the lavish decorations in the room were reduced to mere backdrops.
"If you came all this way just to offer congratulations, there was no need," Nie Yun said lightly. Although the Baihua Sect Master was a peerless beauty, one in ten thousand, Nie Yun was no lecher, frozen at the sight of a pretty face. His two lifetimes had forged a formidable mind. Seated on the Emperor’s throne, he possessed an authority that required no anger.
"It seems I can hide nothing from you. I’ve come this time to invite Your Majesty to explore the Demon Saint Ruins with me," she said slowly. Seeing the commanding presence he possessed despite his youth, and recalling his astonishing deeds, she knew she could no longer treat him as just a young man.
’Although I’ve never fought the Mi Tian Sect Master head-on, I know that even three of me would be no match for him. And yet, such a powerful man was killed by this boy, who isn’t even seventeen... It just goes to show how terrifying he is!’
"The Demon Saint Ruins? What is that place?"
Nie Yun searched his memories but found, to his frustration, that his past self had apparently never heard of this place.
In his past life on the Qi Sea Continent, he had shot across the sky like a meteor. He had distinguished himself in a trial tournament, his fame reaching its zenith. But then came the Zihua Cave Mansion incident. Immediately after, he was plotted against by the Mi Tian Sect Master and forced to flee with grievous injuries.
When he later returned for revenge after achieving Great Success, he had left immediately after destroying the Divine Wind Empire and the Mi Tian Sect. He hadn’t lingered, so he didn’t know much about the treasures hidden within the Qi Sea Continent, nor its specific empires and factions.
In any case, he had never heard of a place called the Demon Saint Ruins.
"The Demon Saint Ruins were left behind long ago by a Saint of the Demon Race. It was only recently discovered, so it’s perfectly normal that Your Majesty hasn’t heard of it," Baihua Xiu explained.
A thought struck Nie Yun. ’A Demon Race Saint? Could that mean a Demon at the Heaven-Seizing Creation Secret Realm level?’
The Demon Race and humans used different terminology. Experts of the Demon Race who reached the Heaven-Seizing Creation Secret Realm were collectively referred to as Saints, or Demon Saints.
’Since these Ancient Ruins were left behind by a Demon Saint, their origins must be extraordinary.’
"That’s right. It was likely left by a Demon at the Heaven-Seizing Creation Secret Realm level," Baihua Xiu said, hesitating for a moment. "But it’s hard to say. We aren’t certain what level of expert is actually buried there."
"Not certain? What do you mean?" Nie Yun frowned.
"It’s like this. The Ancient Ruins are located deep within the Endless Ocean. A few years ago, some friends and I were hunting Demon Beasts and stumbled upon the place by chance. The water pressure was too immense for a detailed exploration at the time, so we only circled the outer perimeter. Even there, we encountered countless dangers. Some of us died, while others found treasures. As for me, I was rather fortunate and obtained this."
As she spoke, Baihua Xiu extended a delicate, snow-white hand.
Nie Yun looked down and saw a deep green leaf resting in her snow-white palm. It resembled a willow leaf, but its veins were distinct, and a unique aura swirled around it, faintly imbued with the various Profound Mysteries of the Demon Race.
"A leaf from a Nine-Heart Demon Fruit Tree? Do the ruins actually have one of those?" A sharp glint flashed in Nie Yun’s eyes.
"Your Majesty is truly erudite!" Baihua Xiu was stunned that he had identified the leaf’s origin so quickly. She then continued with a hint of shame, "Back then, none of us recognized it, so we missed out on a great treasure. It was only after we returned and researched its effects and origins that we all grew eager to go back."
"Heh," Nie Yun gave a dry laugh.
’If I hadn’t lived two lives, amassed such vast knowledge, and once ventured deep into the tribes of the Demon Race, I wouldn’t have recognized this either. The Nine-Heart Demon Fruit Tree is a Holy Tree of the Demon Race that can grow in water. Simply holding one of its leaves in your palm can help you Calm your Heart and soothe your spirit, reducing the risk of Entering the Demon Realm.’
’But that effect isn’t its most heaven-defying property. The most incredible thing, it is said, is that the tree bears nine fruits in its lifetime, each resembling a human heart. If a person consumes one, their heart will be strengthened, and its beating power will increase!’
’The heart is a person’s most important organ. With a stronger heartbeat and ample blood supply, one’s mind becomes clear and their spirit refreshed. Not only would their Cultivation speed double, but their combat power would multiply as well!’
’To put it bluntly, consuming a Nine-Heart Demon Fruit has an effect similar to a Demon Beast swallowing a Rebirth Bone Cleansing Pill. It can completely transform a person. While the number of their Dantians won’t change, their Cultivation speed will increase!’
’I only heard about the Nine-Heart Demon Fruit Tree in my past life, never actually saw one. The Nine-Heart Demon Fruit’s effects are potent, but compared to *that*... if the legends are true, I’ll have really hit the jackpot...’
A thought flashed through Nie Yun’s mind as he recalled a certain legend, but he wasn’t foolish enough to voice it.
"The leaf alone accelerated my Cultivation. I managed to make a major breakthrough within three years, shattering a barrier that had held me back for decades. That experience strengthened my resolve to find the Nine-Heart Demon Fruit Tree! And just recently, my friends have found someone with a special talent, one who can get us into the deeper parts of the Ancient Ruins. They’ve invited me to go with them."
Baihua Xiu said.
"They invited you to go along? And now you’re coming to me? Aren’t you afraid I’ll want a piece of the pie?" The corners of Nie Yun’s mouth curled into a strange smile.
"Since I’m the one inviting you, I won’t put on any pretense. These friends of mine are not to be trifled with. If I were to find any treasure in the ruins, they would surely devour me, leaving not even my bones behind. That’s why I’ve come to you—for my own safety. If we cooperate, even if we can’t fight everyone else, we’ll at least have a small alliance and can watch each other’s backs."
Baihua Xiu stated her purpose.
"Cooperate? Heh. And you’re not afraid that I’ll be the one to devour you, leaving not even your bones?" Nie Yun snorted. "The ones who can truly harm you are always your so-called friends and partners!"
"You?" Hearing his words, Baihua Xiu’s expression turned ugly.
