250: Chapter 249 Demon Race Ruins

As the words fell, a low murmur of amazement immediately rang out inside the private booth.

"Purple-gold material? It's actually forged from rare purple-gold!"

"To resist Spell attacks, a treasure like this must be at least a Low Grade Earth-Grade Magical Artifact, right?"

"Junior Brother Wang has such good fortune; to think he could find such a treasure within a Secret Realm!"

Everyone's eyes were filled with envy and covetousness as they eagerly began to ask Junior Brother Wang what treasures he wanted to exchange it for, their tones thick with urgency.

The corners of Junior Brother Wang's mouth curled up as his gaze slowly swept across the crowd. He smiled and said, "I'm not greedy. I want to exchange it for ten bottles of Foundation Establishment Early Stage Medicinal Pills, plus two thousand Spirit Stones."

Qin Changsheng, who originally had an indifferent expression, determined the moment he saw that purple gold necklace that it was definitely not simple and must hide an unknown secret.

With a thought, Qin Changsheng summoned the Heavenly Dao Trait Intelligence panel.

Upon the panel, golden light flowed, carrying a faint power of the Heavenly Dao as it quietly hovered before his eyes.

"purple gold necklace." Qin Changsheng began his search.

In the next instant, the golden light on the panel suddenly flickered. Countless fine shadows of light flashed by rapidly, as if combing through all the clues in the world related to the purple gold necklace.

After a moment, the light and shadows converged, and lines of clear characters slowly emerged on the attribute panel.

[purple gold necklace: A necklace worn by the Demon Empress. It can resist all Charm Spells and grant immunity to erosion from low-level demonic power.]

[Held by: Junior Brother Wang] [Location: Heavenly Sword Sect, Qingyun Tower]

[Obtained: Junior Brother Wang found it within a certain Secret Realm; he is unaware of the necklace's specific origins and only knows of its defensive effects.]

"An item worn by the Demon Empress?" Qin Changsheng's heart suddenly jolted.

He had not expected this purple gold necklace to actually be an item belonging to the Demon Empress.

No wonder the fluctuations of spiritual energy on it were so unique, completely different from ordinary Magical Artifacts.

Furthermore, the function of this necklace was to block Charm Spells.

It wasn't meant for general defense at all.

This Junior Brother Wang surely didn't know the true function of the necklace, which was why he brought it out to exchange for two thousand Spirit Stones.

The conditions Junior Brother Wang set were not a small amount. Although everyone coveted the effects of the purple gold necklace, they were unwilling to pay too high a price. For a time, no one dared to make a rash bid.

Some had their brows furrowed, secretly calculating the value of the necklace against their own resources, unable to make up their minds;

Some had flickering gazes, looking at the Cultivators beside them, trying to observe the attitudes of others;

Others shook their heads slightly and simply gave up on the bidding—after all, such a high price had already exceeded the tolerance of many.

The smugness on Junior Brother Wang's face faded slightly. Just as he was about to speak and lower his exchange conditions, Hu Nan, who was standing to one side of the booth, suddenly moved.

He raised his hand and took out a black Storage Pouch from his robes. With a light flick, the Storage Pouch carried a gust of wind and landed steadily on the carved long table in front of Junior Brother Wang with a soft "thud," breaking the silence in the booth.

"Two thousand Spirit Stones, ten bottles of auxiliary Medicinal Pills. I'll take this necklace." Hu Nan offered no superfluous words; a single sentence finalized the bid.

As soon as these words were spoken, the booth fell deathly silent.

Those Cultivators who were originally hesitating or preparing to bid all instantly shut their mouths upon hearing Hu Nan's offer.

Everyone knew in their hearts that Hu Nan was the number one Prodigy of the Southern Region. Not only was his strength unfathomable, but he had also done them favors.

He also frequently shared his Cultivation insights, helping many fellow Cultivators of the same generation break through their Bottlenecks, earning him deep respect among the Cultivators.

"Since Senior Brother Hu wants it, then we won't join in the fun."

"Senior Brother Hu, this purple gold necklace is yours!"

"Senior Brother Hu has been kind to this Junior Brother; I will not compete with you!"

For a moment, everyone voiced their stance; no one competed with Hu Nan anymore.

Looking at the Storage Pouch on the table, a flash of shock and wild joy crossed Junior Brother Wang's eyes.

He had originally only wanted a thousand Spirit Stones and a few bottles of Medicinal Pills; he never imagined that Hu Nan wouldn't even bargain.

Junior Brother Wang picked up the purple gold necklace, walked quickly to Hu Nan, and respectfully handed it over: "Thank you, Senior Brother Hu!"

"This necklace is yours!" As he spoke, he carefully picked up the Storage Pouch from the table, the joy in his heart impossible to hide.

He hadn't expected that a seemingly ordinary necklace accidentally obtained in a Secret Realm could sell for the high price of two thousand Spirit Stones and ten bottles of Medicinal Pills; it was simply a massive surprise.

Hu Nan nodded slightly and reached out to take the purple gold necklace, his expression calm and without the slightest ripple.

...

Flowing Fire Sect.

Main Sect Hall.

Shen Guhong sat upright upon the main seat, his black robes draping down. His aura was as deep and still as an abyss, carrying an intimidating majesty that pressed down until the entire hall was silent.

Below the hall stood Wang Cheng, Shen Bing, and over ten Yao Race Cultivators.

These Yao Race Cultivators were all at the Foundation Establishment Late Stage, each with a fierce aura and a respectful expression, standing with their heads bowed.

Shen Guhong slowly raised his head, his gaze like a cold blade as it slowly swept over the people below. Wherever his gaze landed, the Yao Cultivators all subconsciously lowered their heads, not daring to make a sound.

"I have summoned you all here today to give orders regarding a major matter. This matter concerns the hegemony of our Yao Race and the grand plan to rescue the Empress."

Shen Guhong continued, "Outside the Azure Cloud Sect, there is a hidden ruin that is about to open soon!"

"Within these ruins lies a purple-gold key. This purple-gold key is the crucial item for rescuing the Empress and opening the Empress's Seal, and it is an even more important aid to our Yao Race's hegemony."

Hearing this, a flash of shock and covetousness appeared in everyone's eyes.

They were all members of the Yao Race and naturally knew of the Empress.

They also knew that to unseal the Empress, they needed to gather six purple-gold keys.

Shen Guhong's gaze swept over the crowd as he continued, "This ruin was placed under a Restriction by the first Sect Head of the Heavenly Sword Sect; only Foundation Establishment Cultivators can enter!"

"That is why I have summoned you all!"

"You are to head outside the Azure Cloud Sect. When the ruins open, bring the purple-gold key back to the Flowing Fire Sect at any cost."

"Your subordinates obey!" the Yao Cultivators responded in unison.

Shen Guhong nodded slightly and changed the subject, throwing out a heavyweight reward: "I have always been clear about rewards and punishments. If anyone can be the first to bring the purple-gold key back to the Flowing Fire Sect and claim the top merit, I will reward him with a golden core pill and an Earth-Grade Cultivation Technique!"

"golden core pill!"

"Earth-Grade Cultivation Technique!"

These few words were like thunder exploding in the ears of the Yao Cultivators, instantly igniting their emotions.

Their originally respectful and calm expressions were instantly replaced by wild joy and excitement.

They were all at the Foundation Establishment Late Stage and had been stuck at the Foundation Establishment Peak for a long time, bitterly searching for an Opportunity to break through to the Golden Core, yet always unable to find a way.

A golden core pill was a supreme treasure for breaking through to the Golden Core realm. After consuming it, it could significantly increase the success rate of the Breakthrough and reduce the risks, making it the treasure of their dreams.

Previously, even if they exerted all their strength, it was difficult to obtain a single golden core pill. Now, as long as they could bring back the purple-gold key, they could obtain such a supreme treasure. How could they not be excited?

Even more important was the Earth-Grade Cultivation Technique, which was also the technique they dreamed of.

If they could obtain an Earth-Grade Cultivation Technique, their strength would definitely receive a massive boost.

"Sect Head, rest assured! Your subordinate will certainly give his all!" a core Yao Cultivator spoke up first.

The other Yao Cultivators also chimed in, competing to show their loyalty: "Your subordinate is also willing to fight to the death! We will definitely bring back the purple-gold key!"

Wang Cheng also followed the many Yao Cultivators in agreement.

Shen Guhong also revealed a smug smile.

He waved his hand and said, "Very well, go down and prepare. Depart in half a month for the outskirts of the Azure Cloud Sect to wait for the ruins to open."

"Yes, Sect Head!" The Yao Cultivators all bowed in salute, then turned and exited the hall in an orderly manner.

Just as Shen Bing was also preparing to leave, Shen Guhong suddenly spoke: "Bing'er, you stay."

Shen Bing paused her steps, slowly turned around, and walked back to the center of the hall: "Father, do you have any other instructions?"

Shen Guhong slowly raised his hand and waved his sleeve. An invisible demonic power enveloped the entire hall, isolating all auras from the outside world to ensure their conversation would not be overheard by anyone.

Having done all this, he then slowly stood up and walked with heavy steps to the window of the hall, gazing into the distance. His expression was complex, containing both determination and a trace of hard-to-detect melancholy. After a long silence, he finally spoke.

"That hidden ruin outside the Azure Cloud Sect is no ordinary hidden ruin. Its name is the Demon Clan Ruins, and it was the final battlefield of the great war between the Yao Race and Human Race Cultivators back then."

"Demon Clan Ruins? The final battlefield back then?" Hearing this, Shen Bing's whole body jolted, and the calmness on her face was instantly replaced by shock. She subconsciously raised her head, her eyes full of disbelief.

"Father, since it was the battlefield back then, then... then is the Demon Empress sealed within these ruins?"

Over the years, she had constantly heard Shen Guhong mention the Empress, knew that rescuing the Empress was the Yao Race's top priority, and knew the Empress was sealed in a hidden place, yet she had never thought that the Empress's place of sealing would actually be the ruins they were heading to this time.

Shen Guhong nodded and said, "Correct, the Empress is sealed within these ruins. Back then, when the Yao Race and Human Race fought, the Yao Race suffered a crushing defeat. To protect the remaining Yao clansmen, the Empress voluntarily allowed herself to be sealed by the Human Race Cultivators within this battlefield ruin. This imprisonment has lasted for thousands of years."

Shen Bing's eyes were filled with shock. Her lips moved as she wanted to say something more, but she was stopped by Shen Guhong raising his hand.

"Sending you all to the ruins to seize the purple-gold key is only the surface objective," Shen Guhong continued. "When you enter the ruins this time, you must also take the Opportunity to investigate exactly where the Empress is sealed within the ruins!"

"See if there is any chance to make contact with the Empress!"

Hearing this, Shen Bing hurriedly cupped her hands and said, "Father, your daughter understands!"

She knew in her heart that this matter was of great importance; if it were leaked, it would surely arouse the vigilance of the Human Race Cultivators.

A satisfied smile appeared on Shen Guhong's face as he nodded gently: "Good, as expected of my, Shen Guhong's, daughter!"

"Also, be careful of Hu Nan!"

"This person's talent is very far from simple!"

At this moment, there was some wariness in Shen Guhong's eyes.

Because a while ago, Shen Guhong discovered that the curse he had placed on Hu Nan seemed to have disappeared.

Furthermore, last year, he sent the Golden Core Yao Cultivator Luo Yue to kill Hu Nan.

But he was easily killed by Hu Nan instead.

"Father, your daughter will not fail a third time at his hands!" Shen Bing's expression was very poor.

Her talent was among the top-tier existences in the entire cultivation world.

Among those of the same generation, there was simply no one who was her match.

But now, she had failed twice because of Hu Nan.

Shen Guhong waved his hand, his tone indifferent: "Alright, you go down and prepare as well."

"Yes, Father!" Shen Bing responded, bowed again, and then turned to exit the hall.

Inside the hall, silence returned once more.

Shen Guhong sat back down on the main seat, gazing into the distance, his eyes full of gloom and determination.

Thousands of years of waiting, the expectations of countless Yao clansmen—now, the Opportunity to rescue the Empress had finally arrived. No matter what price he had to pay, he would rescue the Empress, revive the Yao Race's hegemony, and ensure the Yao Race was no longer oppressed by human Cultivators.

He would make the Human Race become the blood-food of their Yao Race once again.