"Alright, I’m off!"
Yu Ruyan shot Xu Chang’an an exasperated look, said her goodbyes, and turned to leave.
Xu Chang’an watched Yu Ruyan go until her figure disappeared down the alley.
"The Demon Path is fraught with hardship, and the journey is a lonely one. It’s good to have a friend or two!"
Xu Chang’an sighed wistfully.
Then, he picked up the Storage Bag Yu Ruyan had given him.
’I wonder what kind of gift Yu Ruyan gave me?’
’Knowing Yu Ruyan, that little rich girl, and since we haven’t seen each other in years... she’s got to have given me at least a Middle-grade Magical Artifact this time!’
Xu Chang’an opened the Storage Bag and looked inside, only to freeze in astonishment.
...
「Inside a room in Peacock Tower.」
"Are things settled?"
A bald, burly man in simple leather clothes sat on a stone chair.
What was most striking were his eyebrows. Unlike a normal person’s, they were a fiery red, stretching in an exaggerated fashion all the way to his temples.
"Yes, it’s settled."
Yu Ruyan nodded faintly.
"Since your business is finished, let’s head back to Red Cloud Mountain."
The burly man spoke, but his mind was on other matters.
’Yu Ruyan possesses a Demon King Bloodline and overflowing Talent. Among the younger generation of Red Cloud Mountain, she is naturally a dazzling figure.’
’She was even accepted as a disciple by the Demon King, becoming my, Red Flame’s, youngest junior sister.’
’Many Elders at Red Cloud Mountain want to arrange a marriage between her and Shang Yan.’
’Shang Yan is the other cultivator at Red Cloud Mountain with a Demon King Bloodline.’
’Two Demon King Bloodlines of the same generation becoming Dao Companions, supporting each other on the Demon Path in the future—it would be the stuff of legends.’
’It’s an outcome that many Elders at Red Cloud Mountain, and even the Demon King himself, would love to see.’
’Matching a Demon King Bloodline with another Demon King Bloodline is both logical and appropriate.’
’But Yu Ruyan refused.’
’Before, many Elders tried to persuade her, even visiting her personally to make their case, but none succeeded.’
’No matter what the Elders said, Yu Ruyan’s response was always the same:’
’My focus is on the Demon Path; I have no interest in becoming Dao Companions. And if I were to choose a Demon as my partner, it wouldn’t be Shang Yan. My heart already belongs to another!’
’Her ambition for the Demon Path was genuine, but claiming her heart belonged to another was surely just an excuse.’
’After all, Yu Ruyan was immensely talented and hadn’t really interacted with any outstanding Demons of her generation within Red Cloud Mountain.’
’And even if there were someone outstanding, could they possibly be more exceptional than Shang Yan?!’
That was what Red Flame had originally thought, too.
But now, his opinion had changed.
She had persuaded their Master to let her withdraw resources meant for the Foundation Establishment Stage, all just to bid on a Purple Patterned Luo Wood Root at the auction.
The Purple Patterned Luo Wood Root was valuable, but it was completely useless to Yu Ruyan.
With her Demon King Bloodline, she had no need for a Purple Patterned Luo Wood Root to enhance her Bloodline’s quality.
Her Cultivation hadn’t even reached Foundation Establishment, so there was absolutely no reason to prepare resources for Core Formation yet.
Suspicion grew in Red Flame’s heart, and he had asked her about it at the time.
Her reply was that she had come to Peacock Demon City to see a friend.
And this Purple Patterned Luo Wood Root would serve as the perfect gift!
The moment the auction ended, she left immediately, saying she was going to see that friend.
But the most crucial part was this: she left and didn’t return all night!
At this thought, Red Flame’s curiosity burned fiercely.
He and Yu Ruyan had been senior and junior disciples for years. He knew his junior sister well; she seemed approachable and easy to get along with, but in reality, she had a mercurial personality. It wasn’t easy to truly get close to her.
He was dying to see just what kind of Demon could capture Yu Ruyan’s heart so completely.
However, as curious as Red Flame was, he didn’t have the energy to actually investigate.
He had more important things to do.
This time, he had successfully acquired the Earth Mother Spirit Liquid, and his progress on the Demon Path was now full of promise. To him, that was the absolute top priority.
"Let’s go, Junior Sister."
Red Flame stood up.
"Alright."
Yu Ruyan replied coolly.