Chapter 54: That Will Cost Extra!
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation
The news of the discovery of the Ancient Ruins quickly spread across the Azure Clouds Dominion, drawing the attention of every cultivator. These ruins, once belonging to the most powerful race of the Primordial Era, the Primordial Remnant Race, were said to have dared to challenge the Heavenly Dao itself. Now, their tombs and remnants had become a focal point of curiosity and ambition. What treasures or mysteries did these ruins hold?
With the entry of disciples from the Immortal Sects, the veil of secrecy surrounding the ruins began to lift. Some claimed the ruins were vast stretches of wilderness interspersed with colossal remnants of what seemed to be ancient houses, towering like mountains. Among the dense vegetation, peculiar stone statues—covered in moss and frozen in enigmatic expressions—were spotted. Strange, indecipherable symbols were carved into various surfaces, leaving all baffled.
The Primordial Remnant Race had been destroyed by seven sages united with the Heavenly Dao. In those ancient times, humanity was still in its infancy, and few records of this era had been passed down. Thus, the sight of these statues, eerie ruins, and mysterious carvings gave the explorers the feeling of stepping into an alien world.
On the third day, a disciple returned from the depths of the ruins, their words shaking the hearts of every Immortal Sect and aristocratic clan. That very day, countless flying swords soared from above Beisha Town, all heading toward the entrance of the ruins.
“Treasures—treasures that lead to immortality!”
“Vast fields of spiritual herbs and immortal saplings, endless in supply!”
“I felt the opportunity to ascend to immortality, so close, as if it lay in the deepest depths…”
These accounts attracted an ever-growing number of cultivators, their realms growing increasingly higher. As they delved deeper, the explorers discovered treasures scattered as if strewn carelessly across the wilderness.
Soon, rumors emerged that a disciple from the Mountain and Sea Pavilion had found a vermilion fruit. Upon consuming it, their entire body erupted with immortal radiance. No dangers or traps were present, only an omnipresent sense of destiny.
However, as the tales of fortune spread, the cultivators accompanying them became threats themselves. By the fourth day of exploration, the wilderness and forests of the ruins were shrouded in killing intent.
In the shadowy forest, Zhuo Wan Qiu, a disciple of the Spirit Sword Mountain, hurried through the undergrowth with three companions, their faces grim. Unlike others, their sect’s instructions were to search for missing disciples rather than treasures. However, fate has a way of surprising the unprepared. Deep in the forest, they stumbled upon a vermilion fruit, immediately attracting the attention of several disciples from the Chen Clan of Immortals.
Now, as a figure descended from the sky with a resounding whoosh, a cultivator of the Mystic Enlightenment Stage blocked their path.
“Hand it over,” he demanded.
Zhuo Wan Qiu hesitated before responding. “Fine, we’ll give it to you. But… you must let us leave.”
The Chen Clan cultivator nodded. “Of course. I’m only here for the treasure. I have no desire to spill unnecessary blood.”
Taking a deep breath, Zhuo Wan Qiu placed the vermilion fruit on the ground and began retreating slowly. But as she did, the cultivator suddenly drew his blade, sending a surge of thunder-infused blade Qi hurtling toward her. She raised her sword in defense but was sent flying ten paces, crashing into a tree with a muffled groan.
“Letting you leave would mean letting the world know I possess this fruit,” he sneered.
“We’re only here to find people. We won’t tell anyone,” Zhuo Wan Qiu pleaded.
“Dead people can’t talk.”
In the ruins, just like the Qiling Mountain Range, the air was thick with killing Qi, making the circulation of spiritual Qi difficult. The Mystic Enlightenment Stage cultivator held a significant advantage over Zhuo Wan Qiu and her group. Watching him approach, blade poised, she regretted picking up the fruit.
Suddenly, a flying sword streaked through the air, kicking up a storm of dirt and debris. The Chen Clan cultivator reacted swiftly, deflecting the sword with his blade. He turned, baring his teeth in a vicious snarl, only to see five more swords approaching from different angles. Forced to dodge, he roared, “Who dares hide in the shadows? Face me like a true disciple!”
“This one talks about righteousness while robbing others. Let’s teach him a lesson!” a voice mocked.
Hearing this, the Chen Clan cultivator’s expression darkened. The six flying swords moved in erratic patterns, their sword Qi blossoming like fireworks, sealing off all his escape routes. Forced to pour his spiritual energy into a desperate defense, he managed to deflect the incoming swords but was clearly struggling. He had already fought several battles, leaving his spiritual energy depleted. Seeing Zhuo Wan Qiu and her companions as easy prey, he hadn’t expected hidden adversaries to intervene.
“Damn it!” he cursed, retreating while slashing at the incoming swords. Realizing the fruit was already in his possession, he decided against further risks. Gathering his remaining energy, he unleashed a powerful slash that scattered the swords before turning to flee.
But just as he pivoted, an arrow whistled through the air, piercing his chest and pinning him to a tree.
“You killed him in one shot?” a voice exclaimed.
“Exhausted prey is the easiest to hunt. Stick to this strategy, and no one here will stand a chance against us,” another replied with a laugh.
“Weren’t we here just to find my sister?”
“We can’t ignore Spirit Sword Mountain disciples in trouble,” came the nonchalant reply.
Zhuo Wan Qiu, supported by her fellow disciples, stared warily at the two strangers who emerged from the forest. She didn’t recognize them and assumed they were also after the fruit. She and her companions raised their swords, retreating cautiously.
[Lower Three Stages? Like me?] she thought, recalling the astonishing display of six flying swords. In a place where spiritual energy was so difficult to manipulate, controlling six swords simultaneously was tantamount to suicide unless each strike was a killing blow.
But to her surprise, the strangers ignored the fruit entirely. Instead, they retrieved the arrow pinning the Chen Clan cultivator to the tree before walking away.
“Can your Sensing Jade Plate locate your sister yet?” one asked.
“Not yet. The range is limited; we need to get closer,” the other replied.
“How much closer?”
“She’s probably deeper inside the ruins.”
“Deeper? That’ll cost extra!”
“My sister is beautiful…”
“Even beauty costs extra!”
Zhuo Wan Qiu and her companions stared in disbelief as the strangers disappeared into the forest, leaving the vermilion fruit untouched. For a long moment, no one knew what to say.
Most who entered the ruins sought fortune and destiny. It was unthinkable that anyone would disdain such a prize, yet these two strangers had done exactly that. In the days that followed, many cultivators caught in dangerous situations encountered this peculiar duo: one demanding payment for every action, and the other a seemingly simple-minded follower.