Chapter Twenty-Four: The Bloodstone

Xuanyuan Tunhan’s question was directed at Yi Tianling, who lowered his head slightly and quickly replied that he didn’t know.

“I’m just as puzzled, but I had no time to investigate. I came out first to look for a solution.”

At this moment, the system gave a derisive snort.

[He’s lying. He knows exactly why. He’s just afraid to admit it because it would mean exposing that lovely confidante of his.]

Ning Xianyu’s spirits instantly lifted at the hint of gossip: [What confidante? The protagonist is already building his harem this early?]

That’s quite the speed for amassing a harem.

The system replied scornfully: [Who else could it be but someone from the Demon Realm? Let me tell you, this Demon Realm…]

[Wait a second!] Ning Xianyu cut off the system’s monologue, asking simply: [I don’t care about the protagonist’s harem. I just want to know—is there another Nine-Stem Ephemeral Blossom anywhere? Look at Xuanyuan Tunhan’s face—he looks like he’s about to eat me alive. I’m scared.]

She was nearly scared to death. She’d wanted to gossip, but now she realized survival was more important.

The system replied: [Nine-Stem Ephemeral Blossom? There’s only one in this world. No duplicates.]

[I swear… Goodbye. When I die, I’ll be sure to file a complaint at your headquarters.] Grinding her teeth, Ning Xianyu wished she could drag the system out and give it a good bite.

The system hurried to placate her: [Don’t be hasty. While there’s no more Nine-Stem Ephemeral Blossom, there are other ways to remove a heart demon.]

[…]

Ning Xianyu waited, but the system said nothing. She felt like covering her face in frustration: [If you’ve got something to say, say it! Must you always keep people in suspense?]

Honestly, how could an AI system, supposedly intelligent, act like a comic storyteller who won’t speak until you prompt them?

Xuanyuan Tunhan, sitting to the side with a cup of tea, was waiting as well.

This person and this system—sometimes you couldn’t shut them up, other times they relished suspense. Listening to them was exhausting.

The system finally gave a dismissive snort and adopted a solemn tone: [There’s a Blood Source Stone in the Demon Realm. It can absorb demonic energy and even heart demons. The Nine-Stem Ephemeral Blossom is a holy item and purifies, while the Blood Source Stone absorbs.]

[As long as you get the Blood Source Stone, all the villagers’ demonic energy or heart demons accumulated over thousands of years can be absorbed without difficulty.]

Ning Xianyu wilted again: [The great demon lord has a grudge against the Demon Realm. Going there for the Blood Source Stone is basically suicide.]

Besides, how could she even bring this up?

The system replied: [You don’t need to. The protagonist’s confidante is the Demon Realm’s saintess. Just follow him, and you’ll definitely get the Blood Source Stone. Even if the plot collapses, the protagonist’s destined path will remain.]

Ning Xianyu felt much more at ease, but how could she get Xuanyuan Tunhan to accompany Yi Tianling?

The demon lord was so proud—he’d never care about the trifling affairs of tiny Xu Town, would he?

“Since you don’t know either, I’ll accompany you back to Xu Town and see if there are any solutions.”

Hmm?

The demon lord spoke suddenly, and Ning Xianyu couldn’t help glancing over in surprise.

Had the demon lord changed his nature, or had he taken leave of his senses? Why would he follow the protagonist?

Or…had he overheard the system?

Ning Xianyu dared not dwell on the thought—if he’d heard all the nonsense she and the system had muttered, would they still be alive?

But the system reassured her: [If he could really hear us, do you think you’d even be alive right now?]

[Relax. We are the product of the most advanced technology. Even if I’m just an intern and not very strong, you have to trust the designers.]

Thinking it over, it made sense.

Ning Xianyu put her mind at ease and doubted no further.

A trace of ridicule flickered across Xuanyuan Tunhan’s face.

Ha, even the best of fathers can produce idiots.

Yi Tianling glanced from Xuanyuan Tunhan to Ning Xianyu, and asked in surprise, “You both wish to come?”

Ning Xianyu didn’t dare refuse. In a tone of celestial detachment, she said, “Naturally, I must go.”

Yi Tianling was deeply grateful. “Thank you both, seniors. I am inexperienced and do not yet know how to heal them. With your help, I’m sure they will soon recover.”

He even stood and bowed respectfully to express his gratitude.

Ning Xianyu waved him off lightly, telling him not to be so formal.

After pretending to be Xuanyuan Tunhan for so many days, she’d picked up a few tricks.

Speak little, sit upright, move slowly and sparingly—these alone were enough to convey the demon lord’s character.

As for the rest, wear no expression, simply appear lost in thought. After all, no one knew what was on his mind, nor dared look at him closely.

After expressing his thanks, Yi Tianling turned to Su Yun’er.

Su Yun’er said regretfully, “Senior Brother Yi, Huayin Island has just undergone great upheaval and is still unstable. I cannot leave at this time. I wish you a smooth journey.”

Yi Tianling was deeply moved. “Junior Sister Su, once everything is resolved, I will return for you. Wait for me.”

“All right. When my matters are settled, I will come to find you as well.”

The two even exchanged tokens of fate. With these, no matter the ends of the earth, they could always find each other.

Many disciples from various sects left such tokens behind when traveling outside. If anything befell them, those in the sect could use these artifacts to track them down—they were extremely useful for searching.

Ning Xianyu was shocked, unable to stop herself from glancing at Xuanyuan Tunhan.

If the demon lord ever planted such a thing on her, or placed a restriction, wouldn’t escape be impossible no matter where she ran?

Good heavens—why must such fatal things exist?

Xuanyuan Tunhan seemed to sense her thoughts, turning to glance at her.

There was even a faintly mocking smile at the corner of his lips.

She wasn’t mistaken—it was unmistakable ridicule.

Once Yi Tianling and Su Yun’er left to pack, she hurriedly patted herself down.

Could the demon lord have already placed some restriction on her?

Xuanyuan Tunhan spoke leisurely at this moment.

“That’s my body you’re carrying. Did you really think you could escape?”

His own body—he could naturally sense it. How could it ever be lost?

This woman hadn’t learned even the basics of cultivation. How on earth had she reached the Qi Refining stage?

The thought prompted him to ask.

Ning Xianyu froze, then replied sheepishly, “I found a fruit on the mountain and ate it. The next day, I passed the Qi Refining stage.”

Seriously?

Xuanyuan Tunhan’s face was as impassive as ever, but his eyes seemed to say: what outrageous luck is this?

Someone actually reached Qi Refining just by eating a fruit?

Ning Xianyu, still feeling lucky, said, “Thank goodness I ate that fruit. Otherwise, the outer sect steward would have kicked me out. Hahaha—eh…”

Suddenly, she didn’t feel lucky at all. If the steward had driven her away, she’d never have made that wish, and would never have provoked the demon lord.

Oh, how she wished she could laugh—now she only wanted to cry.

Xuanyuan Tunhan sneered beside her. “Go deal with Du Juezi and the others. We’re leaving. Don’t even think about running.”

Ning Xianyu recalled Du Juezi and the others and wondered if she should warn him.