302: Chapter 302: Returning to the Sect

Eternal Night Demon Sect, Inner Sect.

After Xiao Ran flew back from the teleportation array, he did not return directly to the Eternal Night Palace, but instead circled around the Inner Sect.

He needed to look like a normal Demon Son who had just returned from the Far North Land, not a conspirator burdened with heavy thoughts.

He wanted everyone to think he had simply returned to report for duty and would be leaving soon.

Xiao Ran landed on the Inner Sect's cultivation grounds.

The cultivation grounds were vast, spanning a thousand zhang, with the ground paved in bluish-black stone slabs engraved with runes for Spirit Gathering Arrays.

It was afternoon, and the sunlight filtered through the grey-black clouds, illuminating the cultivation grounds.

Dozens of Inner Sect Disciples were Cultivating.

Some were sparring, some were meditating, and some were practicing Spells.

Seeing Xiao Ran land, everyone stopped what they were doing and looked at him in unison.

"Demon Son Xiao is back!"

A burly man ran over first, his face full of excitement.

His name was Tie Niu, an old acquaintance of Xiao Ran's from when he was an Outer Sect Disciple, and he had treated Xiao Ran as his idol ever since entering the Inner Sect.

His cultivation was currently at the last stage of Golden Core.

"Demon Son Xiao, we have all heard about your exploits in the Far North Land!"

Tie Niu was so excited that his face turned red, and spittle flew everywhere.

As a former Demon Son and one of the most respected figures among all the Disciples of the Eternal Night Demon Sect, Xiao Ran had always been famous.

Although he had gone to the Far North Land two years ago, his reputation had not diminished.

"Just good luck."

Xiao Ran smiled lightly.

"Good luck? You are too modest!" Tie Niu scratched his head.

"When will you take us to the Far North Land to see the world?"

Xiao Ran patted his shoulder: "Wait until you achieve a Breakthrough to Nascent Soul."

Tie Niu nodded heavily: "Okay! I will definitely work hard!"

Several other Inner Sect Disciples gathered around, chattering and asking about the Far North Land.

Xiao Ran patiently answered them one by one.

Some were the truth, some were lies, and some were half-truths.

He did not reveal anything about the core of the ruins, nor did he reveal that he was already at the Body Integration Stage.

He simply said that he had obtained some Opportunity in the Far North Land and that his cultivation had improved, embellishing the story a bit.

"Demon Son Xiao, will you not be coming back after this?"

A female Disciple asked, her eyes full of reluctance.

Xiao Ran thought for a moment.

"Not necessarily, the Eternal Night Demon Sect is my root, I will return."

The crowd cheered again.

After all, Xiao Ran's inspirational story was famous throughout the entire Eternal Night Demon Sect now.

From the time he became famous until now, going from the Qi Refining Stage to the Soul Transformation Stage in just a few years was a lifetime for many Cultivators.

All the Cultivators looked at him with envious eyes, hoping that one day they could become the second Xiao Ran.

Xiao Ran did not put on airs; he sat cross-legged and chatted with these Disciples for a long time.

He told them about the local customs of the Far North Land, the magnificent scenery of the Sword Qi Great Wall, and the battles between the Monster Hunting Team and the Yao Race.

He spoke vividly, and the Disciples listened with rapt attention.

"Alright, that is all for today, I have things to do, so I will be going." Xiao Ran stood up.

Everyone cupped their hands: "Safe travels, Demon Son Xiao!"

Xiao Ran transformed into a stream of light and left the cultivation grounds.

He flew past the Scripture Pavilion, the Deacon Hall, and the pill room.

There were acquaintances everywhere, and people greeted him everywhere.

He responded to each one, never tiring of it.

This feeling had the sensation of returning home in glory.

After flying for about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, a mountain peak appeared ahead.

The peak was not high, but it was steep, with sheer cliffs on all sides.

There was a small courtyard on the top of the mountain, with a few spirit peach trees planted in it.

That was the residence of Blood Slaughterer.

Blood Slaughterer, the Fifth Demon Son of the Eternal Night Demon Sect, at the Nascent Soul Great Perfection.

He had once fought Xiao Ran during the Demon Son Ranking Battle and had lost, admitting defeat wholeheartedly.

Xiao Ran landed in front of the courtyard gate and knocked on the door.

"Senior Brother Blood Slaughterer, are you there?"

The door opened, and a burly man stood at the entrance, shirtless, with knotted muscles and several scars on his body.

Blood Slaughterer was stunned when he saw Xiao Ran, then burst into laughter.

"Junior Brother Xiao! You're back!" He opened his arms and hugged Xiao Ran.

Xiao Ran pushed him away and smiled.

"Senior Brother Blood Slaughterer, you are still so enthusiastic."

Blood Slaughterer scratched his head: "Hehe, I'm used to it, come in quickly!"

Xiao Ran followed him into the courtyard. There was a stone table and stone chairs in the courtyard, with a pot of wine and several cups on the table.

Blood Slaughterer poured him a cup, poured one for himself, and raised his glass.

"Junior Brother Xiao, long time no see, cheers!"

"Cheers!" The two drained their cups in one gulp.

Blood Slaughterer wiped his mouth.

"Junior Brother Xiao, back in the day I was still a whole Realm above you, but now you have surpassed me."

"Amazing! Truly amazing!"

He gave a thumbs up.

Xiao Ran said modestly: "Senior Brother is too kind."

"Too kind? I am not being too kind!" Blood Slaughterer slapped the table.

"In my life, I have not admired many people, but you are one of them!"

Xiao Ran smiled and did not respond.

Blood Slaughterer was just like that, straightforward, saying whatever was on his mind.

The two drank a few more cups and chatted about their recent situations.

Blood Slaughterer said he had been trying to make a Breakthrough to the Soul Transformation Stage recently and had already touched the threshold, but he was still lacking a critical Opportunity.

Xiao Ran encouraged him with a few words and gave him some suggestions.

Blood Slaughterer listened carefully and nodded repeatedly.

"Junior Brother Xiao, what about you? Is there something you need back here this time?" Blood Slaughterer asked.

Xiao Ran shook his head: "Nothing major."

"The Sect Master summoned me, so I returned to report for duty and will leave in a few days."

Blood Slaughterer sighed.

"You come in such a rush and leave in such a rush."

"It is not easy to come back, yet you won't stay for a few more days."

Xiao Ran smiled.

"After I finish this current business, I will come back to drink with you again."

"Good! It's a deal!"

Blood Slaughterer poured him another cup.

The two drank a few more cups, and Xiao Ran rose to say goodbye.

He flew past Blood Slaughterer's mountain peak and continued forward.

A gloomy mountain peak appeared ahead, with a few dead trees on the mountain and several grave mounds under the trees.

That was the residence of Yin Jiuyou.

Yin Jiuyou, the Fourth Demon Son of the Eternal Night Demon Sect, at the Nascent Soul Great Perfection.

He was skilled in Nine Nether Cold Qi, had a cold personality, and did not like to talk.

Xiao Ran landed in front of the courtyard gate and knocked on the door.

The door opened, and a young man with a pale complexion and disheveled hair stood at the entrance, surrounded by cold Qi.

When Yin Jiuyou saw Xiao Ran, a flash of surprise appeared in his eyes, but it quickly returned to indifference.

"Junior Brother Xiao, you're back?"

Yin Jiuyou's voice was very cold, like the sound of ice cubes colliding.

Xiao Ran nodded: "Senior Brother Yin, long time no see."

Yin Jiuyou stepped aside: "Come in."

Xiao Ran walked into the courtyard.

The courtyard was very cold, and a thin layer of ice had formed on the ground.

Yin Jiuyou did not like liveliness, so his courtyard was always cold and desolate.

The two sat down on the stone chairs in the courtyard, and Yin Jiuyou poured him a cup of tea.

The tea was hot, but a thin layer of frost had formed on the teacup.

"Senior Brother Yin, are you still Cultivating the Nine Nether Cold Qi?" Xiao Ran asked.

Yin Jiuyou nodded: "Nine Nether Cold Qi, never-ending."

"I have heard about your situation, congratulations."

Xiao Ran smiled: "Thank you, Senior Brother Yin, how have you been lately?"

Yin Jiuyou said indifferently: "Fine, in closed-door cultivation, occasionally going out to do missions."

His answer was brief, without any superfluous words.

Xiao Ran knew his personality and did not mind.

The two were silent for a while. Yin Jiuyou suddenly asked.

"Junior Brother Xiao, what is your cultivation level now?"

Xiao Ran's heart moved, but his expression remained calm.

"Peak Soul Transformation Stage, the same as you, Senior Brother."

Yin Jiuyou looked at him, a trace of suspicion flashing in his eyes, but he did not pursue the matter.

"Peak Soul Transformation Stage, you only took three years to go from Golden Core to Peak Soul Transformation Stage, while it took me thirty years."

There was a trace of loneliness in his voice.

There was no help for it; sometimes, that thing called talent... really is just something you can't do anything about.

Xiao Ran said: "The Opportunities were different, there is nothing to compare."

Yin Jiuyou nodded and stopped speaking.

Xiao Ran sat for a while longer, then rose to say goodbye.

Yin Jiuyou saw him to the door, said "take care," and then closed the door.