Retrieving a rough linen shirt from his storage bag, Aiden donned it.
This time around, he was prepared to fight for the Vermilion Fruit using the identity of the Holy Fire Island's successor!
Back in the ancient burial ground ruins, Aiden killed countless Crystal Palace Sect and Malefic Demons Clan warriors, and thugs.
Both of those super sects were located in the North Region!
Aiden was unsure if the successors of those two super sects would move for the Vermilion Fruit.
However, he was certain that there would definitely be a vicious battle!
If he did not conceal his identity, even if he got his hands on the Vermilion Fruit, he would bring about endless wrath and it would be impossible for him to remain in the North Region.
The safest way was to fight for the Vermilion Fruit as the already famed Holy Fire Island's successor.
After getting his hands on the Vermilion Fruit and escaping far away, he would then revert to his appearance and no one would be able to trace it to him!
Furthermore, the identity of Holy Fire Island's successor had already offended many top factions and it did not matter if more foes were gained.
Of course, with this, he could not use many methods that could expose him.
The Ancient Primordial Dragon Manual, Void Splitting Manual, Rygintarth, and even the Coiling Dragon Seal could not be used at all.
During this period of time, he had already refined his 27 top-grade flying swords. However, the Candlelight Sword Formation was way too striking and he could not release it easily.
On the surface, it seemed like Aiden's combat strength was greatly decreased without those methods.
However, in reality, with the Mystic Gold Silk Armor and both his immortality and demonic martial, Aiden was even more frightening using the identity as the successor of Holy Fire Island!
He was the monster incarnate that shook the entire Tianhuang Mainland. The demonic existence that countless paragons could not forget was about to descend upon the North Region!
At the side, the little fox seemed to sense something when she saw the murderous aura Aiden was exuding.
He turned around and looked at the obedient little fox beside him. Although slightly reluctant, he still said softly, "I'm about to leave."
Most likely, it would be difficult for him to return after this departure.
He would definitely flee from the Great Forbidden Ruins the moment he got his hands on the Vermilion Fruit and would not return casually.
The pitch-black gem-like eyes of the little fox dimmed gradually as she lowered her head; her disappointment could barely be concealed.
Initially, she thought that Aiden could stay here and live with her forever.
While this place was cramped and small compared to the outside world, it was carefree and peaceful.
She did not feel lonely as well with a companion.
But now that Aiden was about to leave, she would be the only one left.
After pondering for a moment, Aiden asked, "Do you want to leave with me?"
The little fox had a lost expression and was silent.
She was already used to this place after living here for dozens of years.
Her presence was felt in every single rock and corner.
Although her mother was already deceased and still, each time she looked at her mother, the little fox would calm down.
This was her home.
She had never thought about leaving here before.
Even when she was locked in captivity by the Scarlet Armored Gigantic Crocodile, she merely thought about chasing it away one day rather than leaving herself.
However, that was before…
But now…
The little fox was at a loss for what to do and could only look at Aiden squarely.
Aiden sighed internally.
He could roughly read the little fox's mind.
This was something that could not be forced.
The man and fox looked at one another without saying anything.
After a while, Aiden smiled, "It's alright. Even though the outside world is interesting, it's also filled with danger. It might not be a good idea for you to leave this place either."
The little fox had not left the cave before and knew nothing about the outside world.
If she were to head out as such, she would be akin to an ignorant and naive young girl that was cast into the wilderness – there were too many people who could harm her!
Aiden did not want to force this naive little girl, who had lived her entire life in this endless solitude.
In the end, there was no news of the both of them for a long time after they left and even now, he did not know if they were alive.
Aiden was worried that he might not be able to take good care of her after taking her away.
If that were the case, it would be better for her to remain here and lead a peaceful life away from the outside world.
The little fox did not say anything and merely looked at Aiden blankly without blinking. Gradually, a mist fogged her eyes in a pitiable manner.
Aiden was silent.
A long time later, he took a tough stance and repressed the reluctance in his heart before turning around, striding away in huge steps while waving goodbye to the little fox from the back.
The little fox gazed at Aiden's leaving back view and the mist in her eyes condensed, turning into two bead-sized tears that rolled down silently.
A long time later, the little fox sniffed and reached out with her tiny paws to try and wipe away her tears. She had a resolute gaze, as though she had decided on something.
Running back to the parcel of land from which she was born, she gazed at the corpse of the demonic fox.
"Mummy, I'm about to leave."
"Although that man has a bad habit of stripping and would make fun of me from time to time, he's a good person and tells me stories."
The little fox did not know why her mother came here.
She did not know why her mother refused to leave this place no matter what.
She was truly way too young during the first few years of her birth.
The little fox merely had a vague feeling that her mother seemed to be guarding something within this cave.
It was definitely not the Vermilion Fruit in the palace above the cave.
For the past month, she and the human were the only ones in the cave.
During his breaks while forging his flying swords, Aiden would occasionally recount weird legends of the mortal realm and various knowledge of the marrtial world to the little fox.
She had once heard him say that in his hometown, people were buried after their deaths.
She intended to bury the demon fox here as well.
After taking a final look at her mother, the little fox bit her lip and tugged the massive body of the demon fox, dragging it into the scorching lava and letting it sink gradually until it disappeared.
Once she was done with that, she took a deep breath of air and raised her Fire Blocking Basket, running towards the direction Aiden left in.
In the underground palace, countless gazes were fixed on that bright, shiny scarlet fruit and they grew increasingly fervent.
Nobody noticed that a massive figure was silently approaching from the depths of the palace.
The mist around the Vermilion Fruit had almost dispersed entirely.
The Vermilion Fruit was completely ripe!
Suddenly, the air was still.
There was tension and pressure!
Many martial artists were motionless except for their roving eyes that darted all around; they did not even notice the sweat pouring down their faces.
Given the current situation, any slight movement could cause a massive fight to break out between the paragons!
The ten top powerful factions of the northern region – Dark Ghost Sect, Stellar Luna Sect, Blazing Phoenix Valley, Shadowless Sect, Heavenly Piercing Sword Sect, Heaven Motion Sect, Seven Kills Sect, Blood Mist Sect, Mystic Firmament Divine Cult, Dragon Tiger Sect.
The four elite clans as well – Taban, Murong, Cadmus and Gudu.
Those powerful factions had lasted through history and managed to endure through the destruction of the Great energy an Empire in the past with their formidable foundations.
But now, all the paragons of the ten Upper Sects and four gentry clans were wary and none of them dared to be the first to attack.
Although the Vermilion Fruit was already ripe, it was right in front of everyone and the person who made the first move would definitely be at a loss and would probably be drowned in the attacks of everyone!
"Hehe!"
Suddenly, Taban Feng's laugh broke the silence.
"The Vermilion Fruit is right here. Since no one dares to take it, I won't stand on courtesy!"
Surveying his surroundings with a raring battle intent, Taban Feng took a huge stride forward with a golden halberd in his right hand, sprinting towards the Vermilion Fruit with a condescending aura.
Everyone present was all paragons of the North Region; the strongest of the younger generation.
Even those that were not from the ten Upper Sects or four gentry clans did not feel that they were inferior to Taban Feng and naturally felt no fear.
This 𝓬ontent is taken from f(r)eeweb(n)ovel.𝒄𝒐𝙢