Chapter 43

After a few minutes, the conversation somehow shifted to Jiuyao Mountain and Jiuyao City.

"Hey, the days of mercenaries are getting tougher now," Zhou Hu sighed. "The monster beasts in the Jiuyao Mountains seem to be more rampant than ever. I don't know why, but even creatures that used to stay deep in the mountains are appearing outside the range now."

"Why's that?" Bu Lige asked, furrowing his brows.

"How would I know?" Zhou Hu replied helplessly with a bitter smile.

Jiang Shengjun chimed in thoughtfully, "I've noticed something too. There are more strange cultivators in Jiuyao City recently, and there was a mysterious battle yesterday..."

Jiang Shengjun glanced cautiously at Luo Chuan, relieved to see no unusual reaction from him.

"Maybe a treasure has been unearthed in the Jiuyao Mountains?" someone speculated uncertainly.

The remark hung in the air, leaving everyone silent for a moment. Eventually, Zhou Hu broke the silence.

"Haha, what concern is it of ours if some treasure has surfaced? We'll deal with it if and when it becomes a problem. No need to overthink things!"

Zhou Hu's pragmatic words elicited wry smiles from the group.

But, in truth, his logic was sound.

After chatting for a while longer, Zhou Hu and his group, along with Jiang Shengjun and Bu Lige, bid farewell to Luo Chuan and departed.

Instant noodles with a tenfold increase in cultivation speed for one hour couldn't be squandered after all.

With their departure, the shop returned to its calm state.

"Ziyan, do you know what's happening in the Jiuyao Mountains?" Luo Chuan eventually asked Yao Ziyan, who was meditating behind the counter.

Yao Ziyan slowly opened her eyes, a flicker of purple light flashing briefly.

She nodded. "An ancient ruin has appeared."

"An ancient ruin?" Luo Chuan looked at Yao Ziyan, puzzled.

Yao Ziyan explained, "The Jiuyao Mountain Range spans almost the entire Tianlan Continent, with countless monsters, opportunities, and dangers. And the ancient ruins are no exception."

"It's said that these ruins are remnants or tests left behind by sects of unknown power."

Luo Chuan nodded, grasping the concept.

"By the way, as a member of the monster royal family, shouldn't the opening of ancient ruins be significant to you?" Luo Chuan inquired.

Yao Ziyan's pretty face briefly contorted with anger, but it quickly softened into resignation as she met Luo Chuan's gaze.

Shaking her head, she sighed faintly. "Underneath it all, monsters and humans are much the same. If it weren't for the ancient ruins opening and the betrayal of certain individuals, I wouldn't have to conceal my identity."

Luo Chuan fell silent, sensing that he might have touched on a sensitive topic for Yao Ziyan.

"Is there any way I can help?" he asked earnestly after a moment of thought.

As the shop's owner, it seemed only right to offer assistance to his clerk in times of need.

That's the role he should play, right?

Such were Luo Chuan's musings.

At Yao Ziyan's expression upon hearing his offer, Luo Chuan found himself momentarily stunned by her radiance.

"I'm content with life as it is now. Let those troubles pass..."