Giant Blue Armed Ape
After breakfast, everyone got ready to leave. Shen Yue's three underlings were bandaged. One was even carried on a stretcher. When Shen Yue noticed him he scowled at him even fiercer than usual, but Nie Li wasn't worried.
There's no way he can be 100 percent sure that Nie Li led them to that beast deliberately. His followers hadn't even seen him during their chase. Of course, they could have lied to Shen Yue, telling him that they almost caught him when they were attacked by the demon beast. And that's most likely what they did. But Shen Yue also knew that they would say anything to cover their asses.
That doesn't mean that he would stop hating Nie Li. But he will continue to underestimate him. And that was enough for him now.
-----------------------
This routine continued for the next few days. They walked during the day and settled for a night after scouting the surrounding area. Nie Li continued to cultivate at night using the Demon Spirit Concentration array and exercise in the mornings. He left the resistance field active even during their daily marches.
By the time they passed through the canyon into the valley where the ruins were located his soul force already reached 203. He was officially a 2 star Bronze rank demon spiritualist. In his previous life, he would have jumped in joy, but this time he understands that it's just the beginning. He is an ant compared to some of his enemies right now.
The valley was a hundred miles in radius. Most of it was covered in dense woods, only leaving some mottled walls. The roar of demon beasts could be heard from within the ruins. The demon beasts that are above Gold rank have already left the place. What remained in the ruins were Bronze and Silver ranked Demon Beasts.
These ruins from the Age of Darkness told the story of the glory of humanity at that time.
Seeing those broken walls and scattered bones lying around everyone couldn't help but feel sorrow. If Glory City were to be broken through by demon beasts, it would become the same as this ruin. Only leaving behind bones and ruins everywhere.
It had been some time since the ruins were found. And almost every major force in the Glory city has sent their explorers to these ancient ruins. But they weren't first. Someone had already scoured the city for treasures so the ruins were almost devoid of anything valuable. That's why there aren't many people to explore the ruins nowadays. Chen Linjian somehow got his hand on the Ancient Orchid City Ruins map, which is why he decided to explore this place.
Chen Linjian spread the map and everyone began discussing the route they should take. Some of them wanted to head towards the main city directly, but most of them were leaning towards exploring the houses on the way.
Nie Li stayed silent during the discussion. Chen Linjian who was also silent suddenly turned towards Nie Li and asked, "What do you think?"
Everyone was a bit surprised. They haven't expected Chen Linjian to ask Nie Li's opinion about the matter. Ye Ziyun and Xiao Ning'er also looked at Nie Li with bright eyes. They knew that Nie Li's insight would be very valuable in these kinds of situations.
"It's useless to investigate the houses outside the main city. Those are commoners' houses. They didn't have much, to begin with, but after explorers scoured them for valuables, I doubt you can find something in them." Nie Li paused allowing them to think. "On the other hand exploring nobles' houses may not be much better, since those who came before us searched them thoroughly."
"What are you advising then? Return to Glory City, after we came all the way?" Shen Yue asked sarcastically.
"No, I am saying that investigating the houses is useless. Instead, try to find suspicious locations that could hold treasures. Like this area here. This must be the City Lords mansion. What is this location?" He asked Chen Linjian. He must have investigated the map thoroughly.
"Hm. It's the military ground." Chen Linjian said looking at Nie Li curiously.
"Training ground in the middle of the property? Surrounded by defensive buildings?" Nie Li asked.
"Oh," Chen Linjian now looked at the map closely. He could see the veracity of Nie Li's words.
"I would advise you to investigate that location. There must be a way to an underground area there." Nie Li continued.
Now everyone was looking at that location on the map intensely as if they could see the treasures hidden beneath.
Xia Ning'er and Ye Ziyun looked at him proudly. As if they hadn't expected anything less of him. Even Huyan Lanruo was looking at him with an interest.
"Okay! So, it's decided, then!" Chen Linjian picked up the map and chuckled. Since the direction has been decided, they can save a lot of time and take fewer detours.
Seeing that Chen Linjian highly valued Nie Li's opinion some of Chen Linjian's friends also decided to get close to him. Until now, Nie Li was well known only to silver-ranked scouts and combatants of Chen Linjian's group. They knew about his expertise in the wilds but his treasure hunting expertise was a surprise even for them.
One of those who approached him was Huyan Lanruo.
"Hello. My name is Huyan Lanruo a friend of young master Chen and I'm from the Huyan Family."
"Nice to meet you. I am Nie Li from the Heavenly Marks family"
"I'm only older than you by a few years, you can call me Yan Ruo Sis in the future." Huyan Lanruo said smiling seductively. Nie Li could feel negativity coming from two girls beside him towards Huyan Lanruo.
"Okay, I will sister Yan Ruo. Now if you excuse me I have some things to discuss with young master Chen." Nie Li said and quickly left in his direction.
Chen Linjian was discussing something with his people so he waited at a distance. Soon Chen Linjian noticed him and dismissed them. He could see that Nie Li wanted a private conversation.
"Young master Chen Linjian. I will leave the group when we reach the city. I have some other locations to check up on." Nie Li had already looked up a couple of possible locations for entrance to the Kong Ming's tomb on the map.
Chen Linjian wasn't surprised. Nie Li was just too knowledgeable for someone not prepared. He must have another more complete map. So he had other possible locations for treasures. For a moment, he considered the possibility of the martial ground location being a hoax. But quickly dismissed it. Because the area was really suspicious. And they didn't have any better idea.
"Okay, Will you be safe?" he asked. It would be a shame if he was killed by some demon beast in the ruins.
"I can take care of myself," Nie Li said. And as if confirming his words he took out his crossbow and shoot down a Giant Blue Armed Ape that suddenly appeared in front of them. The bolt was smeared with Purple Haze Grass agent that was very poisonous to these demon beasts, so the Ape simply dropped to the ground unconscious. Nie Li took out his sword and beheaded it.
Everyone was dumbfounded. These were silver rank demon beasts and Nie Li effortlessly killed one. Nie Li took out a couple of bottles of Purple Haze Grass essence from his spirit ring tossed them to others.
"Smear it to your weapons, arrows, and bolts. It's poisonous to these beasts." He didn't tell them what it was. He didn't want his scheme with the Purple Haze Grass to become known to everyone. And he hadn't included it in the letters he sent out in Glory City too.
Everyone except Shen Yue and his group followed his instructions. Nie Li shrugged, it was not his concern. If Shen Yue wants to look petty, it's his business.
"What about girls?" Chen Linjian returned to their conversation after smearing the agent to his sword and continuing with bolts. "Will they go with you too?"
"No, it could be dangerous. I will have to trust their safety to you." He will look for the Dark Guild as well, just in case. He didn't know if they came here to the Ruins or not.