Nine-Layered Deathlands and Xiao Yu

Several days passed, eventually making Lu Piao and the others restless. Once the rumours of a Spirit Origin Fruit spread, Nie Li gathered everyone and sneaked out of the Jade Seal Family camp, before heading towards the first floor of the Nine-Layered Deathlands.

The group walked along the narrow path filled with remains of the ancient battlefield. Soon the mist began enveloping them as the chill from the Death Energy made them shiver. Hong Yue Xian felt the chilling Death Energy invade his body and could not help but knit his brows. He could have sworn he felt this feeling before. As if he was being swallowed by darkness, sinking into a cold embrace yet feeling peaceful finality.

'That's right. I already experienced death before when I died in my previous world.' Realised Hong Yue Xian as he used his soul force to devour the invading Death Energy. Suddenly, he could feel the refined Death Energy condense into a small black flame and begin to burn brighter and brighter. It was the seed of the Law of Death. Now that he had it, Hong Yue Xian became a Demigod rank expert.

However, before he could rejoice a shocking change happened. The black flame was constantly fed the Death Energy, but the excess began to spread through his soul realm until it was extinguished by a green glowing sphere of liquid. Death Energy seemed afraid of it as it avoided the sphere and even retracted to the surroundings of the black flame.

Hong Yue Xian curiously examined the liquid orb, and felt warmth and light from it. He again had the feeling of deja vu. He realised that he experienced it, when he came into this world. He was enveloped and nurtured by light before waking up as Hong Yue Xian. The sphere had to be the seed of the Law of Life.

Hong Yue Xian pondered some more and theorised that every time he devoured others, he absorbed their life force or Life Energy as well. Over time it accumulated and formed a seed of the Law that was stimulated to awaken by the Death Energy. It might also explain his vitality and regeneration ability.

After walking in ponder for a while Hong Yue Xian woke up and looked around only to see nothing but fog. The rest of the group disappeared. He remembered that the fog had a misleading trap and used his sensitive nose to search for Nie Li. Soon he exited the fog and travelled further before he saw Nie Li and Ye Ziyun watching some Nether Realm experts fighting a Zombie Jiao Dragon.

He greeted the couple and asked about the others. Nie Li said they were connected by the soul array so finding others was not an issue, and might as well watch the show. Shortly after, Hong Yue Xian's nose twitched as he smelled the familiar fragrance but he did not show it. A few moments later Nie Li turned to a certain direction saying Xiao Ning'er was close.

The trio climbed the nearby hill and saw Xiao Ning'er walking towards them together with a handsome young man. Hong Yue Xian knew right away that the man was Xiao Yu. He could not help but marvel at his beauty, or rather, since Hong Yue Xian was aware that Xiao Yu was a girl, her beauty. Hong Yue Xian had to admit that with such gorgeous face even women would be tempted.

"Ning'er! Here!" Shouted Hong Yue Xian as he waved to the approaching duo. When Xiao Ning'er heard and saw him, she was delighted and happily ran towards him, surprising her companion. As she got near, Hong Yue Xian opened his arms and Xiao Ning'er entered his embrace. She immediately started to recount her journey, when Xiao Yu made her way over and greeted them.

Afterwards Xiao Yu went out of her way to convince Nie Li to travel with them. "Nie Li, let Xiao Yu join us. He helped Ning'er, and I can tell he is a good and trustworthy person. Plus, the more the merrier." Persuaded Hong Yue Xian as he knew Xiao Yu and her foster father were just curious about Nie Li and meant no harm. Nie Li protested but in the end agreed, after Xiao Yu used a jade hairpin to take the treasure from the Zombie Jiao Dragon.

She tried to give it to Xiao Ning'er but Hong Yue Xian took it from her hand and thanked her before passing it to his fiancée. Nie Li, Ye Ziyun and Xiao Ning'er were very amused as they remembered Ye Han gifting the bracelet to Ye Ziyun.

And so with the five of them, they started their journey in search of the others. They found several Spirit Origin Fruits. Nie Li was still suspicious of Xiao Yu and glanced at her warily from time to time. Xiao Yu, however, tried to make moves on Xiao Ning'er and see Hong Yue Xian's reaction only to be disappointed. He knew she was a girl and did not mind her advances, on the contrary he encouraged them in his heart.

They walked for a while until the five of them were sidetracked by 50-60 Demigod rank experts flying somewhere. The group followed them and saw a huge tomb with an enormous skeleton fighting the Demigods.

After pondering and discussing, Nie Li, Xiao Yu and Hong Yue Xian decided to enter the tomb to explore. The girls were not happy but it was too dangerous for them. They also argued it being dangerous for Hong Yue Xian but he released his peak Black Gold rank aura, surprising everyone.

On the other hand both Hong Yue Xian and Nie Li were worried for the girls' safety, managing to extort the golden scroll from Xiao Yu.

"Well, to get to the tomb unnoticed I do have a way but I doubt all three of us will fit inside." Said Xiao Yu as she took out a two meter long cloth. "It's ok. Xiao Yu and I will use it, while Nie Li can take care of himself, right?" Said Hong Yue Xian quickly as he looked mischievously at Nie Li. The latter covered his face with his hand in annoyance as he wished to keep it a secret from Xiao Yu.