The same rune within Xiao Hongchan’s body was the same as the one within Li Ziqing’s.

Chen Xiao didn’t recognize the characters used in the rune, so he didn’t know what it specifically said.

But just from the appearance, it was the same type of rune.

The only difference was that Li Ziqing’s rune was within her meridians, while Xiao Hongchan’s was within her blood.

"A human secret treasure? I've never heard of that."

Tu Shan Che shook his head and then frowned slightly, asking Chen Xiao, "Brother Chen, what's wrong? Why does your face look so pale?"

"Are you worried about Xiao Hongchan? Don't worry, I guarantee I won't hurt her… We demonfolk aren't like you humans. Xiao Hongchan is, after all, our Demon Queen."

Tu Shan Che gave a solemn guarantee.

Although this had nothing to do with why Chen Xiao’s face looked pale, Chen Xiao still wanted to retort… Are you sure? If you really respected your Demon Queen so much, would you have let that idiot Bai Guangda capture her?

Of course, Chen Xiao didn’t say these words aloud. The information Tu Shan Che revealed had already earned his trust.

"I'm fine, I just suddenly feel a little unwell."

Although Chen Xiao had initially trusted Tu Shan Che, he wasn't at the point of completely believing him.

Some secrets Chen Xiao wouldn't tell Tu Shan Che.

The matter of the rune within Li Ziqing’s meridians clearly belonged to these secrets.

Also, the palace within the Yin-Yang Jade, and the divine beast flying towards the palace, Chen Xiao hadn’t mentioned.

"By the way, Brother Chen, when do you plan to go to the Immortal Hidden Realm?"

Tu Shan Che asked.

"Well, I don't have a set time yet."

Chen Xiao said with a wry smile, "To be honest, Brother Tu Shan, I don't even know where the Realm Gate to the Immortal Hidden Realm is."

"That is a problem. As far as I know, there are many Realm Gates leading to the Immortal Hidden Realm, but our demonfolk and human cultivators have never gotten along, so I don't know the specifics."

Regarding the entrance to the Immortal Hidden Realm, Tu Shan Che couldn't help much, but there was another matter he could assist with.

"Brother Chen, I see that the Qi within your body isn't strong enough. Within my Qingqiu Secret Realm, there is a trial sacred ground where you can improve your strength. Before you go to the Immortal Hidden Realm, you can go there to train to increase your chances of success."

"However, before entering the trial sacred ground, you should take care of all your worldly affairs, because after entering that trial sacred ground, it will take at least a month or two, or up to half a year, to leave."

Tu Shan Che was truly sincere towards Chen Xiao, even offering the demonfolk's sacred ground for Chen Xiao to use.

"Thank you, Brother Tu Shan!"

Chen Xiao cupped his fist towards Tu Shan Che, sincerely grateful.

"No need to be so polite. The future of the Nine Provinces is in our hands. The stronger you are, the more chance we have of winning."

"So, anything that can help you improve, I will never hold back!"

Tu Shan Che said heroically.

Chen Xiao was deeply moved. He had finally met someone he could call a kindred spirit, but the other party wasn't truly human.

And those who were truly human, like Chu He and Chu Changqing, were all secretive and full of scheming thoughts.

Perhaps this was the biggest difference between humans and demonfolk.

Humans could be relatively frank, but most of them, ingrained in their bones, were selfish and self-serving.

Those human cultivator powerhouses who had already 'ascended' were the best examples.

And Chen Xiao was also relieved to entrust Xiao Hei to such a 'godfather'.

After waking Xiao Hei, Chen Xiao explained everything to him and instructed him to cultivate diligently with the Demon Venerable.

Xiao Hei naturally obeyed Chen Xiao's words.

As for Xiao Hongchan, Chen Xiao also left her with Tu Shan Che.

Since he chose to believe him, then let him search for the secrets of the demonfolk's secret treasure… As for how to explain things to逍遥谷 (Xiaoyao Valley), Chen Xiao hadn't considered it.

After deciding on these matters, Chen Xiao decided to leave.

Xiao Hei was reluctant to part with him, and Tu Shan Che also invited him to visit the Qingqiu Secret Realm.

Chen Xiao smiled, "I will naturally go to the Qingqiu Secret Realm, but I still have some things to deal with outside. Once I've taken care of them, I'll come here to cultivate in seclusion."

"Well, alright…"

Tu Shan Che nodded, then took out a jade talisman and handed it to Chen Xiao, "Brother Chen, when you come to Southern Border next time, just use this jade talisman to send me a message, and I will send someone to pick you up."

This jade talisman was quite good, with functions similar to WeChat, a bit more advanced than Chen Xiao’s jade marrow.

Without a long farewell, Chen Xiao left as soon as he said he would. With a tap of the Judge's Pen on the ground, he had already returned to the icy and snowy Northern Border.

Chen Xiao had only been away from the Heavenly Strategy Army camp for a little over a day, yet the Heavenly Strategy Army's appearance had been completely renewed.

This was probably because Xiao Zhan had regained control of the Heavenly Strategy Army.

Chen Xiao walked leisurely through the camp, randomly grabbing a soldier to ask where Xiao Zhan was.

The soldier became vigilant when he saw Chen Xiao, and at the same time, he was sweating nervously.

And then Chen Xiao recognized him. Wasn’t this裴振刚 (Pei Zhengang), the one he had fought with yesterday?

"Oh, it's you. Where is Army God Xiao?"

Chen Xiao asked directly.

Pei Zhengang was sweating profusely, because Chen Xiao's deeds had already spread throughout the Heavenly Strategy Army.

He had killed the commander and deputy commander of the Heavenly Strategy Army at the slightest disagreement… This was not something ordinary people could do, this was a God of Slaughter.

"It's you, Mr. Chen. Commander Xiao is in the headquarters, I'll take you there now."

Pei Zhengang said cautiously, afraid that he might accidentally anger this God of Slaughter.

Chen Xiao nodded and cupped his fist, "Thank you for your trouble!"

"No, you're welcome!"

Pei Zhengang mustered his courage and barely managed to force a smile on his face.

After successfully leading Chen Xiao to the outside of the headquarters building, Pei Zhengang cheered inwardly.

I'm someone who has led the way for a God of Slaughter, I'll have something to brag about in the future!

"Slay… No, Mr. Chen, please wait a moment, I'll go report to Commander Xiao!"

Because he was too excited, Pei Zhengang almost misspoke.

Fortunately, Chen Xiao didn't blame him, and just smiled and nodded at him.

Pei Zhengang trotted all the way into the headquarters building.

A few minutes later, Xiao Zhan came to greet Chen Xiao in person.

"Brother Chen, how did things go? Why did only you come back?"

Seeing that Chen Xiao had returned alone, Xiao Zhan couldn't help but look surprised.

Chen Xiao explained, "The matter has been resolved. Xiao Hongchan and Xiao Hei are both in a safe place. I came back to tell you, and also to talk to you about something."

"What a coincidence!"

Xiao Zhan smiled bitterly, "I also have something to tell you…"

From his smile, it could be seen that what he wanted to tell Chen Xiao wasn't anything good.