Chapter 13

The expedition reached the Orchid Ruins, and now, they were walking while looking around. Ye Qi observed the natural surrounding. The destroyed buildings. The trees on the streets. And finally, the apes-like demon beasts that were here, playing around.

"So, this how the Orchid Ruins look like."

"Mm… Do you think we would find something here, for real?"

"I don't know. Many expeditions were led by demon-spiritualists had been here many times. We don't really know if they left anything."

"Hey, don't lose hope. You have always to rely on your eyes."

The students around were between optimistic and non-optimistic.

Ye Qi was with the certain side that he would find treasures here. However, he didn't voice what in his head, as there are very precious things that he didn't want to share.

Ignoring Ye Ziyun, who was standing at his side looking at the ruins, Ye Qi covered his eyes with his hands and looked at the past of this area.

The trees started to vanish. The buildings started to rebuild themselves like they were rewinding.

Ye Qi started seeing humans walking on the street again, surrounded by a mighty looking city.

Ye Qi now was seeing what happened more than a thousand years ago. Probably 1500 years back then, or more. Skipping some years in the process, Ye Qi looked then to what happened. All of the sudden, Ye Qi found himself standing in front of one colossal Demon Beasts horde.

'What in the…'

Ye Qi lifted his head and almost couldn't believe his eyes. A Beast that was 60 meters big, was killing and destroying everything. Ye Qi witnessed a battle between Demon Spiritualist and Demon beasts.

Some Legend Rank men were taking families to escape, while others remained to fight. However, because of the sheer number of the Demon Beasts and because they had a higher level, the Demon beasts won.

Unlike when watching a movie, Ye Qi was there to witness a massacre. And there was no censoring.

"Ye Qi, are you okay."

Ye Qi blinked when he felt someone shaking his body.

Ye Ziyun looked at him with wariness. "Your face is pale."

"Ah, it's nothing." Ye Qi justified. "I'm just not used to the sun."

Ye Qi, now, knew where the ruins should be at, and where they are hiding. As for what he had just seen, Ye Qi wasn't so much affected. What happened had happened, nothing to talk about.

Ye Ziyun said. "It's not too hot anyway."

"Guess I'm more adapted to coldness." Ye Qi said, "We're called Snow Wind family for something."

"Whatever. I was just worried at you."

"Thanks, but don't." Ye Qi said, before looking around. "Anyway, we should see how we deal with this now."

Ye Qi turned his face, while Ye Ziyun just looked at his back.

It was time for the critical moment. Once the Demon beasts with Silver Rank silver gorilla in their lead comes, Ye Qi would have the chance to sneak where the treasures are.

Ye Qi didn't want to tell anybody, simply because he wanted the valuable treasures for himself.

Chen Linjian was faced by small little monkeys, which annoyed his group, so he ordered some of his guards to get rid of them.

After that, the Holy Orchid students were allowed to search the houses and the ruins to look for any treasure, if there was any left.

Ye Ziyun was walking as well, and looking around.

Ye Qi suddenly flinched when he felt a relatively big shadow overwhelming him from behind.

"Brother Qi." Said a very sweet voice.

Ye Qi clicked his tongue.

"Yes sister Lanruo." Ye Qi said.

Turning slowly, he saw her staring at him with a seductive glance. Her pink eyes were brighter. That was a clear signal that she wants something to happen. A challenging glance in her eyes.

'Don't tell me she's gonna.' He almost cursed as he remembered her ability.

Ye Qi could tell that she wants to use her Demon Spirit ability. A very strong illusion that moves the lust within one and makes him fall for her.

Ye Qi, whose only cultivating for his dream of slacker and harem life, wouldn't react the same way a +300 years old man would.

'Why didn't you come at me at night, alone.'

"Do you want to look for a couple of treasures with me?" She said with an eyebrow lifted.

"Oh, look. A treasure is there!" Ye Qi pointed behind her.

"Do you think I would fall for the same trick again?" Lanruo smiled as her soul force was raising. Her eyes had a brightness in them. Although her form didn't change, she clearly merged with her demon spirit.

In this case, there was one solution.

"You're right, there is no treasure." Ye Qi said, with a fake smile, while his eyes showed greed. He didn't look at her but kept looking behind her.

Seeing his glance, Lanruo suspected that Ye Qi saw something, yet he regretted telling her.

Not letting her guard down, she turned her face.

Ye Qi, who had experienced after reading books about martial and assassination arts, could at least conceal his presence as he went away, standing behind a building.

Phew.

He just survived being seduced by her Demon Spirit.

"Ye Qi!" Lanruo's scream reached the surrounding.

Some girls in their group started laughing while looking at Lanruo from far.

"I will find you, do you hear me." She said as she has finally lost it.

Ye Qi shook his head upon hearing the desperate scream.

Seems his tactic of letting himself getting picked up is working.

With a strong kick to the ground, Ye Qi appeared on top of 3 stories ruined building. He started looking around. Following the far sight, Ye Qi smiled when he saw a cloud of dust approaching them.

"And here is the Silver Rank Gorilla."

Ye Qi lifted his hand and pointed in a random direction. His intention was to tell the elder who should protect him not to do anything to protect him or reveal himself.

"Hey, Young Master what is it?"

"Oh look, there is something coming at us."

"Tell the fighters to come here, immediately."

The guys down all of the sudden were alerted, as they noticed a huge group of Demon beasts approaching. Most of them were apes.

However, that wasn't the scariest one of them.

The scariest one was the 3 meters tall gorilla in their lead. It was silver in colour, muscles, and had red eyes and very sharp fangs.

That was a Silver rank demon beast.

A demon beast of Silver rank has at least double or more strength of a fighter from the same rank. Some Demon Beasts needs ten fighters at the same rank to be taken down.

*Roar*

The gorilla roared and the apes attacked the students. From the pressure it had, it was at least a 3rd star Silver Rank Demon Beast, stronger than anyone in this group.

"Retreat!"

Young Master Chen Linjian and his fighter started fighting against them while moving around and retreating.

Some fighter tried to attack the Silver ranked demon beast, only for him to get sent flying away.

The students with low ranks, who has even yet to reach the Bronze rank, such as Shen Yue, who had lost his guards, escaped.

Ye Ziyun followed them while yelling at Ye Qi to come around. It was best to leave the fight for the bodyguards that Chen Linjian had brought with him.

Ye Qi, instead of running, waved his hand, and two long daggers appeared in his hand, with their inscriptions there.

Ye Qi defended as some Demon Beasts attacked him.

When three Bronze rank demon beasts attacked him, Ye Qi was able to dodge their attacks before attacking them, while pretending to retreat. It was easy for him, as he's silver rank, and that he has better reaction speeds than before.

Meanwhile, Lanruo had her share of beasts attacking her. But because of her ability to create a seductive illusion and move the lust and desire within one, the apes started fighting against each other, since they all fell for her.

However, the leading demon beast noticed her.

It roared in her direction and dashed, making the beautiful busty teenager freak out.

Lanruo's ability won't work against that ape. If she used her ability at it, the ape would be seduced by her and would take her away. No other ape would fight it for her.

When she saw the gorilla approaching her while roared, she couldn't help but trying to run away. However, it would be useless, as the Demon beast had targeted her already, and it wants blood.

Lanruo, who just looked at the ape that flashed in front of her, was about to turn to run.

However, very soon, a rock hit the gorilla on the head and got crashed on it. The rock was broken to pieces, yet no harm appeared on the gorilla's skin.

Lanruo and the Gorilla looked at who threw it.

Ye Qi was standing near to them while glaring at the gorilla.

He gave Lanruo a glance with the side of his eyes, and with a calm voice, he said.

"Go."

Lanruo, feeling fear, gave her back and ran away.

She had a feeling mixed with fear.

In her life, many were seduced by her and chased after her skirt, just because she was hot for them. But this is the first time that some man, who not only have been avoiding her, stood against death for her.

She turned her head while running, to see Ye Qi and the Gorilla staring at each other. "Run, don't be stupid." She yelled as she turned her head and ran again.

Meanwhile, Ye Qi and the demon beasts were glaring at each other.

Ye Qi didn't feel that he would lose his calmness. The 3 meters long beast wasn't as scary as the beasts he had seen in the past of this area.

But still, each hit from this gorilla would be lethal, given the obvious strength difference.

The gorilla was only locking at Ye Qi because it felt the soul force coming from him.

Ye Qi extended his hand behind his back.

The elder, who was hiding and ready to make a swift strike, held his action.

Although he knew he should interfere, The Snow Wind family elder had heard how Ye Qi could survive the assault of three Silver rank fighters and even kill some of them. Yesterday, he had seen how Ye Qi had broken to Silver Rank. It was needless to say that Ye Qi would be the number one genius in his family. Someone smart like him wouldn't make stupid decisions.

"Ghwaa."

The silver gorilla roared as it lifted its colossal muscled arms and slammed down.

Slowing the time, Ye Qi took a step to the side. Ye Qi, after reaching the Silver Rank, had his basic speed increase so much compared to what it had been when he was Bronze Rank.

Successfully dodging the fist, Ye Qi jumped slightly and landed on the beast's head, kicking it from behind, before he dashed forward and ran.

If anyone saw this action, they may think that Ye Qi is escaping, but he was drawing the demon beast away, not to a random place, but next to a secret passage that should lead to the treasury.

The demon beasts roared and followed behind him.

However, it was needless to say that Ye Qi was faster than it.

Looking so relaxed as he was jogging, Ye Qi turned his head back and glanced at the gorilla that was angrily chasing after him.

Ye Qi continued running. He stopped when he was covered in trees that weren't so far from the ruins.

The inscriptions in his daggers slightly glowed, before he turned to face the big gorilla.

Ye Qi, who had killed already and learnt from his past, and other people's past, didn't hesitate in his decisions as he squatted.

The gorilla let a scream as it dashed toward Ye Qi, not intending to stop.

Ye Qi, since he was seeing everything three times slower, could react at inhuman speed.

When the beast's body was about to him, Ye Qi rolled on the ground to the side, dodging the huge body, and he waved the dagger as he did.

"Grr…"

The demon beast roared and turned to Ye Qi, who just avoided a physical clash.

Very soon, the beast noticed.

Its arm had a deep cut in it, and it was frozen.

With a strong and angry roar, it slammed its hand on the ground, breaking the ice, before looking at Ye Qi, ready for the next attack.

Standing up, Ye Qi spun the daggers in his hand, as if challenging it to come.

The gorilla got angry. Taking a great leap, it appeared in front of Qi, with its first aimed at him. When it punched the ground, Ye Qi jumped back few meters, letting the fist land on his original spot and sink in the ground.

Before the demon beast could do anything, Ye Qi increasing his <<Time-Rate Warp>> to make himself 4 times faster.

Since he was Silver Rank now, he was able to do more incredible fates. With very quick steps, Ye Qi ran on the gorilla's arm, before placing the dagger on its arm.

Using the blade as a spinning centre, Ye Qi rolled his flipped.

He then landed with his thighs on its neck sides, sitting at the back of the demon beast's neck.

"Grrr."

The gorilla tried to grab him with its hand. Tilting his head to the side, Ye Qi dodged that hand, before he lifted both of his daggers high.

Soon, Ye Qi started stabbing the back of its neck non-stop.

And since he was faster, the gorilla didn't realise what happened as many stabs marks appeared on the back of its neck.

Blue blood in crazy amount fell on Ye Qi's body, yet he didn't stop stabbing.

The skin of the demon beast was tough as steel, so it needed a lot of effort to cut it; luckily Ye Qi's dagger was peak silver rank weapons.

However, cutting such tough skin needed a lot of effort.

The gorilla let a lifeless groan and fell to the ground.

Ye Qi jumped off its neck and cracked his neck, before deactivating the time-rate warp skill.

He picked up an elixir from his storage ring and drank it, to get the lost soul force back. Tapping the ground with his foot, he could feel a solid thing beneath the soil. Great, the hidden passage is here.

And now, since he had dragged the Demon Beast here, no one should have followed him.

Ye Qi looked at the demon beast. Although a Silver Rank Demon beasts' corpse is previous, given the Demon crystals it has, and the demon spirit, Ye Qi wasn't interested. After all, the treasures down are the real deal.

"Ye Qi…" Came Ye Ziyun's voice, who had been running here while having a small sword in her hand. "Ye Qi, where are you." She must be here because he didn't run with everyone else.

Ye Qi, since he was surrounded by trees, Ye Ziyun wouldn't see him.

"Great." Ye Qi sighed. Still, he felt the warmth that someone weak like her ignored the danger and came to look for him.

However, very soon, he felt a killing intent overwhelming him from behind.

Looking down, he saw a shadow sneakingly moving behind him.

With a quick decision, Ye Qi slowed the time.

The shadow on the ground tried to grab the shoulder of Ye Qi from behind.

Seeing this, Ye Qi quickly took a side step to the side, dodging that hand that tried to grab him. Then, quickly, Ye Qi held that hand and pulled it forward.

A man, wearing a dark cloak that covered his head, appeared in front of Ye Qi.

Quickly, Ye Qi sneaked and placed his hand on the neck of the man, before dragging him behind, before placing the dagger next to his neck.

The man was a silver rank fighter, and when he felt Ye Qi's action, he tried to stab behind him with a hidden knife. Ye Qi was quite surprised, even though the action happened in quite slow motion.

Ye Qi, in a very quick reaction, pulled the dagger to the side, slitting the throat of the man, before he let him down.

"When someone put a dagger on your throat, it means don't move, not that we need to talk."

Killing for the second time doesn't feel inhuman at all, especially when someone directs his killing intent to you.

Looking at the body that fell, Ye Qi could quickly tell who is he. A member of the Dark Guild.

According to TDG, there should be a group here from the dark guild to kidnap nobles for money.

There should be still another silver rank fighter and a Demon Spiritualist with them.

Now, they are here.

That's too much of a headache.

Ye Qi wanted only to relax and have some treasures for him.

"Elder, you can come. Deal with them."

"I thought you would never ask."

When the words left his mouth, the elder, with his hands behind his back, flashed in front of Ye Qi in a speed that was hard to follow even for Ye Qi with his skill.

That's how strong is a Dark Gold Demon Spiritualist.

It was said that when two Dark Gold Demon Spiritualists fight, the whole Glory City would shake.

And that was the first star. The fifth star of black gold is more than five times stronger than the first-star black gold spiritualist, which is 100 times stronger than a Silver Rank spiritualist.

The elder, with his hand behind his back, looked at the ape's body and the man's.

The man said as if analysing, no hint of surprise or anything like that. "Your father had taught you too well. Not only you're genius, but you are very aware of your surrounding and has quick reaction and decision making speed, for someone from your rank. No wonder you are too smart."

"You could save me the headache of dealing with this one." Ye Qi said, pointing at the body.

"I saw you handling it fine, so I didn't get in. Besides it's not your first time dealing with a Silver rank fighter" The elder said calmly. "Do you want to keep the ape's body?"

"No. Just deal with the friends of this guy." Ye Qi said.

"I have already dealt with them. I was about to deal with this one, but you seemed to be fine taking care of him." The elder said. He had just killed the other members of the Dark Guild.

As it seems, given how many times Ye Qi was attacked, the Dark Guild is targeting him. First at the market, and nowhere. He needed to report this to the Snow Wind Family.

The elder waved his hand, and the bodies on the ground were stored in his storage ring.

"Ye Qi!"

When Ye Ziyun's voice hit his ear again, the middle-aged man's figure flashed as he vanished.

Ye Qi looked at Ye Ziyun's eyes. She was panting and looking at him with worried eyes.

"Ye Qi, you scared me." She quickly dashed toward him and gave him a strong hug, crushing her soft body at him and putting her head on his shoulder.

"Hey, did you forget that we have an elder guarding our back?" Ye Qi said, gently patting her. "Besides, my clothes are quite soaked in Demon Beast blood. You need to be careful of that."

"I don't care." Ye Ziyun crushed her chest on his. "We have an extra set of clothes anyway." She then pulled back, and looked up to his eyes, slightly blushing, as Ye Qi's hands were wrapped around her waist.

"You're smart, for sure." Ye Qi just smiled at her face. Ye Ziyun, for a second, looked at his lips, and he has done the same.

It was a universal law, when a girl looks into the boy's lips, and he does the same, one thing can happen.

Ye Ziyun's soft pink lips hit against his, slightly, as she was blushing. Ye Qi felt fluff and that he breathes were held. Softly, he closed his eyes and kissed back.

"Ahem." Ye Ziyun pulled back, looked to the side, and had a strong blush on her face. It's not like there weren't signals between them. But this is the first time they ever kiss. She wanted to see Qi's reaction.

Ye Qi only flicked on her forehead and smiled.

"So, how would this go?" Qi asked.

Ye Ziyun, with a blush, looked at his eyes. "I guess we would talk about, the kiss, how things went slow and felt?" she was blushing when saying that.

"Slow isn't an option. We may have a wedding soon." Ye Qi interrupted.

This world was simple. Unlike some countries from Earth, where constant age is one thing while marriage is two years later than that, one would have a wedding as soon as you're allowed to have a relationship. Also, starting dating someone here is like engaging.

"What… aren't you taking it too fast." Ye Ziyun said. Like, shouldn't he take his time to progress the kiss she gave? Or just start kissing with her again. Yet Ye Qi is already talking about marriage.

"I want to kiss you more. But..." Ye Qi said, teasingly, but frustrated at the same time.

"But?" Ye Ziyun waited?

"The elder is watching. Did you forget? He would tell the City Lord, that's for sure." Ye Qi pointed behind them. "Your father would make me take the responsibility. But knowing how much he spoils you, I guess you should go back home first before I do."

Ye Zong won't let this pass, that's for sure. But hey, no one would stand in the way of his dreams.

"The elder is watching!" Ye Ziyun opened her eyes widely and put her hands on her mouth.

She totally forgot about that detail. Feelings of shame and embarrassment took over her.

It's so disrespectful to do something like kissing in front of her elders.

Even though she liked Ye Qi, she is still a preserved girl.

"How would I face my father." Bitting her nail, she murmured. "Elder, sorry you had to watch this."

She wished that she can dig a hole and bury herself. Someone had seen her action! She wanted to scream

"Don't feel bad for him. It's his job to watch things. Seeing how silent he's, I can tell he's giving us his blessing"

Ye Qi bent down, sank his hand in the soil, and pulled back a door. The dirt fell and a hole appeared, leading to passage.

'There's the hole.' Ye Ziyun found it ironic that she didn't notice the stairs that led down.

"Let's discuss the arrangements later. Come here. Old man, guard the entrance."

Ye Qi said as he entered the passage.

"Ahem."

Faking a cough, Ye Ziyun didn't comment on his note and jumped inside the hole, before landing on the stairs.

"Let's see if there are treasures here. Before someone comes." Ye Qi looked with the side of his eyes to the blushing Ziyun, before chuckling at how cute she was. He then looked forward, his eyes turning silver.