10: The new chosen one, the born supreme Xia Youyue

The sky was faintly bright.

At this moment, the Ancient Temple was already deserted, utterly silent.

Suddenly!

Unbeknownst to anyone, a figure appeared in front of the empty iron cage, dressed in a dark, ink-black robe with gold patterns, cinched by a White Jade Belt. Five vivid golden Dragon patterns on the cuffs highlighted his extremely noble status.

“The aura of the Late Golden Core Stage and an extremely terrifying Sword Intent...”

She muttered to herself, her voice ethereal, mixed with a hint of rare shock. However, she quickly understood the situation through deduction, and her beautiful eyes were filled with indifference.

“If this Sword Intent isn't the Heavenly Profound Sword Art of the Heavenly Sword Sect, then is it from some high and mighty great clan...?”

“Heh, did they just happen to see human suffering and decide to save someone on a whim?”

The next second.

Whoosh~

“Lord Inspection Envoy, Huang Li and the others are dead. The Demon Suppressing Army has sealed off the Huang Family, and the Commanding General is still on site. Since the victims are dead and cannot testify, will the Xuan Guang Cave Elder...” The black-armored man who appeared suddenly bowed and spoke, his expression somewhat grim. He clenched his large, calloused hand. His cuff bore three golden Dragon patterns, signifying he was a City General.

The mighty Demon Suppression Division of the Great Xia, despite knowing the Huang Family colluded with the Yao Race, were helpless against them without evidence, simply because the Huang Family was backed by Xuan Guang Cave, the foremost of the Three Sects. Xuan Guang Cave nominally guarded Yunzhou and was responsible for the safety of the entire region. Even the Demon Suppression Division, which belonged to the Imperial Family, could only obey orders

—such was the pressure exerted by the Immortal Sects!

That figure seemed to have guessed this long ago and spoke softly, “It’s fine. Take the bodies back first...”

“Understood!”

Immediately, the black-armored man looked at the iron cage again, then surveyed the surroundings, which clearly showed signs of a major battle.

“My Lord, do you think we should investigate who acted to save...”

“Hmm?”

“Where is the Lord?”

At the same time.

Outside a village near Yunzhou City, dozens of figures appeared.

Shen Nian stood at the very back, allowing Xiao Qing’er to lead a dozen or so girls dressed in tattered clothes ahead.

The girls were silent at this time, their eyes clearly retaining traces of fear. No one could blame them; after encountering such danger at their age, no one could remain calm.

They quickly arrived at the village. Shen Nian looked at the dilapidated wooden structures and the ragged farmers whose faces were withered and whose eyes were vacant.

In his impression, Yunzhou was rich. Although this village was not inside Yunzhou City, it shouldn't be this poor.

Previously, he had been somewhat puzzled as to why these girls were dressed so... simply.

Was it because of the demon calamity?

A farmer seemed to have clearly recognized the girls’ appearance and immediately trembled with excitement.

“Wife, look quickly, our daughter is back!!!” he roared, his figure moving swiftly, as if using all the strength in his life to sprint toward the girls.

“Erya, Erya is back!”

...

In an instant, the news spread like wildfire. Figures continuously emerged, including old people and children, who then flocked over, embracing the girls. The girls finally released their pent-up emotions, and cries echoed everywhere.

Xiao Qing’er felt a tightness in her throat watching this scene, and her jade fists clenched. She explained softly, “Things were relatively good when Sunset Ancient Town guarded Yunzhou in the past. Although the Huang Family was powerful, they were cautious in all aspects. But after the Cultivators from Xuan Guang Cave arrived...”

Her words were naturally meant for Shen Nian, who was behind her.

Shen Nian didn't speak, just watched quietly. A trace of killing intent flashed deep within his eyes.

Although he wasn't a bleeding heart, he truly couldn't stand some disgusting things that made him nauseous. On this trip to Yunzhou, he wouldn't mind adding Xuan Guang Cave and the Huang Family to the list of those slain by his sword.

The next second, a middle-aged farmer wearing a Bamboo Hat suddenly knelt before Shen Nian. While kowtowing, he pulled out a crumpled piece of Xuan Paper wrapped into a ball and respectfully placed it in front of him.

“My Lord, I was wrong, I don’t want the silver anymore, please spare my daughter...”

“My Lord, we don’t want it either... we don’t want it either...” Farmers continuously knelt down and pleaded, tears streaming down their faces.

“Uncles, you misunderstand...” Xiao Qing’er patiently explained, but the farmers acted as if they couldn’t hear, continuing their pleas.

Xiao Qing’er felt helpless.

Just at this moment.

The girl who had been the boldest earlier, pulling on Shen Nian’s sleeve, stumbled over, leading a little girl dressed in comically large, ripped clothes.

“Immortal Brother, thank you for saving my sister, please drink some water,” the little girl said in a childish voice, holding a bowl of water with one hand. The water was murky, and even the bowl was chipped.

This scene caused the farmers to stop moving. A woman in the crowd covered her mouth, trembling all over.

But unexpectedly, Shen Nian simply patted her on the head, took the bowl, and drank it all in one gulp.

Then he turned around calmly.

“Let’s go.”

Xiao Qing’er silently followed, leaving behind the farmers who wore expressions of disbelief.

But on a branch a hundred meters away, a figure in a dark ink robe stood still, her jade hand trembling slightly... The sky was now fully bright.

On the road getting closer to Yunzhou.

The System’s notification sound was still echoing in Shen Nian’s mind, and his expression was slightly displeased; he hadn’t realized someone was spying on him.

[Ding, detecting the presence of a Daughter of Destiny. Reading information.]

[Reading complete]

[Name: Xia Youyue]

[Age: Twenty-one]

[Realm: Peak Golden Core stage]

[Cultivation Technique: Saint Dragon Art (Major Achievement)

— Nascent Soul]

[Divine Ability: Dragon Interception Technique (Major Achievement)

— Nascent Soul, Concealment Art (Perfection)

— Golden Core, Jade Liquid Body Tempering (Minor Achievement)

— Golden Core]

[Talent: Hard to Find Throughout History (Rainbow)]

[Destiny Cheat: Immortal-Grade Heaven-Controlling Bottle]

[Fate: Eternal Existence]

[Extended Information: Xia Youyue, the last Princess of the Great Xia Imperial Dynasty, heir to the Imperial Family, and Inspection Envoy of the Demon Suppression Division. At birth, a celestial phenomenon occurred, and she possessed a Congenital supreme bone, marking her as an Innate Supreme. She displayed terrifying talent from a young age. However, good times were short-lived; at five years old, she fell victim to the Demon Emperor of the Heavenly Demon Cave. In that incident, her younger brother was killed, and her supreme bone was dug out. Her father, the Great Xia Emperor, rescued Xia Youyue at the cost of his own health, becoming a cripple. Later, Great Xia sought aid from the Three Sects and the Human Race Holy Realm, but no one came to their assistance, leading to profound despair. Since then, Xia Youyue began Cultivating desperately, her personality gradually becoming cold. She harbors deep resentment towards the Disciples of Great Clans, and her entire life is now dedicated to Cultivation, slaying demons, and seeking revenge!]

“Concealment Art at Perfection, no wonder I didn't detect her...”

“This is great!”

“A desperate fated female protagonist! I won't even need to apply much pressure myself!”

Shen Nian’s eyes lit up as he looked at the introduction. He then glanced at Xiao Qing’er, who was quietly following him, and saw her smiling foolishly at him.

“Hehe, Senior Brother is actually quite nice, not as cold as he looks,” Xiao Qing’er thought inwardly.

“Are you very idle?” Shen Nian suddenly asked.

“Huh?”

Shen Nian glanced sideways and repeated, “Don’t forget, the time left for you is not much.”

Why is this girl wasting time instead of using the essence blood to improve?

Truly incomparable.

Doesn’t she know I’m currently short on preaching value?

There are only two days left before he has to face three great demons at the Half-step Nascent Soul stage. Shen Nian is still quite lacking right now, and after thinking it over carefully, Shen Nian increasingly felt that this matter was not simple.

Logically, Yunzhou currently has the Demon Suppression Division’s Inspection Envoy and the Xuan Guang Cave guardian present. Yet, he was the only one who ended up facing three great demons and dying. There must be a problem here.

However, in Shen Nian's view, as long as one’s strength is great, all schemes and tricks can be shattered by a single sword strike!

“The Awakening of the Divine Body will cause significant commotion, so find a quiet place first,” the Female Yan Emperor’s voice also sounded in Xiao Qing’er’s mind.

“Oh~” Xiao Qing’er pouted, then said, “Senior Brother, Qing’er is going to Cultivate first. I’ll catch up with Senior Brother later...”

“Mm.”

Shen Nian replied indifferently. After Xiao Qing’er left, he also found a place to sit and opened the Storage Pouch left behind by the Sparrow Demon.