The rune within Xiao Hongchan’s body and the rune within Li Ziqing’s body used the same characters.
Chen Xiao did not recognize this script, so he did not know what the runes specifically depicted.
However, judging from their appearance alone, they were the same rune.
It was just that Li Ziqing’s rune was within his meridians, while Xiao Hongchan’s was within her blood.
“Human race’s secret treasure? I haven’t heard of that.”
Tu Shan Che shook his head and then frowned, asking Chen Xiao, “Brother Chen, what’s wrong? Your complexion doesn’t look good.”
“Are you worried about Xiao Hongchan? Don’t worry, I promise I won’t harm her… We demons are different from you humans. Xiao Hongchan is, after all, our Demon King.”
Tu Shan Che vowed earnestly.
Although this had nothing to do with Chen Xiao’s poor complexion, Chen Xiao still wanted to retort… Are you sure? If you respected your Demon King so much, would you let that idiot Bai Guangda capture the young Demon King?
Of course, Chen Xiao did not voice these thoughts. The information Tu Shan Che had revealed had already earned his trust.
“I’m fine, I just suddenly felt a bit unwell.”
Although Chen Xiao had initially trusted Tu Shan Che, he had not reached the point of complete trust.
There were some secrets Chen Xiao would not tell Tu Shan Che.
The matter of the rune within Li Ziqing’s meridians was clearly one of these secrets.
He also had not revealed the palace within the Yin Yang Jade, nor the divine beasts flying towards it.
“By the way, Brother Chen, when do you plan to go to the Immortal Hidden Realm?”
Tu Shan Che asked.
“I haven’t set a definite time yet.”
Chen Xiao said with a wry smile, “To be honest, Brother Tu Shan, I don’t even know where the World Origin Gate to the Immortal Hidden Realm is.”
“That is indeed a problem. From what I know, there are many World Origin Gates leading to the Immortal Hidden Realm, but our demon race and human cultivators have always been at odds, so I’m not entirely clear on the specifics.”
Tu Shan Che could not help much with the entrance to the Immortal Hidden Realm, but he could help with another matter.
“Brother Chen, I observe that the vital energy within your body is still not strong enough. In my Qing Qiu Secret Realm, there is a sacred trial ground where you can improve your strength. Before you head to the Immortal Hidden Realm, you can undergo the trial to increase your chances of success.”
“However, before entering the sacred trial ground, it is best to settle all your worldly affairs, because once you enter that sacred trial ground, it will take at least a month, and at most half a year, to leave.”
Tu Shan Che was truly putting his heart into helping Chen Xiao, even offering the demon race’s sacred ground for Chen Xiao’s use.
“Thank you, Brother Tu Shan!”
Chen Xiao cupped his hands in gratitude towards Tu Shan Che.
“No need for pleasantries. The future of the Nine Provinces is in our hands. Every bit of strength you gain increases our chances of victory.”
“Therefore, I will not hold back anything that can help you improve, Brother!”
Tu Shan Che said generously.
Chen Xiao was deeply moved. He had finally met someone he could call a kindred spirit, but that person was not truly human.
And those who were truly human, like Chu He and Chu Changqing, were all secretive and full of schemes.
Perhaps this was the greatest difference between humans and demons.
Humans could be relatively honest, but a large part of what was ingrained in their bones was selfishness and self-interest.
The human cultivators who had already ‘ascended’ were the best examples.
Entrusting Xiao Hei to such an ‘adoptive father,’ Chen Xiao was also very relieved.
After waking Xiao Hei, Chen Xiao explained everything to him and instructed him to follow the Demon Venerable’s cultivation well.
Xiao Hei naturally obeyed Chen Xiao’s every word.
As for Xiao Hongchan, Chen Xiao also left her with Tu Shan Che.
Since he had chosen to trust him, he would let him search for the secrets of the demon race’s hidden treasure… As for how to explain this to the逍遥谷 (Xiaoyao Valley), Chen Xiao hadn’t considered it.
After deciding 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 Qing Qiu Secret Realm.
Chen Xiao smiled and said, “I will naturally visit the Qing Qiu Secret Realm, but I still have some matters to attend to outside. Once I’ve handled them, I’ll come here to cultivate in seclusion.”
“Alright then…”
Tu Shan Che nodded, then took out a jade talisman and handed it to Chen Xiao, “Brother Chen, the next time you come to the Southern Border, just use this jade talisman to transmit a message to me, and I will send someone to pick you up.”
This jade talisman was quite good, functioning like WeChat, and was slightly more advanced than Chen Xiao’s jade marrow.
Without long goodbyes, Chen Xiao left as soon as he decided. With a tap of his judge’s brush on the ground, he had returned to the icy and snowy Northern Territory.
It had been no more than a day and a night since Chen Xiao left the Tian Ce Army’s camp, yet the army’s appearance had been completely renewed.
This was likely because Xiao Zhan had regained control of the Tian Ce Army.
Chen Xiao walked leisurely through the camp and casually pulled over a soldier, intending to ask where Xiao Zhan was.
Upon seeing Chen Xiao, the soldier immediately became vigilant and broke out in a nervous sweat.
It was then that Chen Xiao recognized him – wasn’t this Pei Zhen Gang, the one he had fought yesterday?
“So it’s you. Where is General Xiao?”
Chen Xiao asked directly.
Pei Zhen Gang was sweating profusely, as Chen Xiao’s deeds had already spread throughout the Tian Ce Army.
Without a word, he had ‘executed’ the commander and deputy commander of the Tian Ce Army… This was not something an ordinary person could do; he was a god of slaughter.
“Ah, Mr. Chen. Commander Xiao is in the command center. I’ll take you there now.”
Pei Zhen Gang said cautiously, afraid of accidentally angering Chen Xiao, the god of slaughter.
Chen Xiao nodded and cupped his hands, “Thank you!”
“N-no problem!”
Pei Zhen Gang mustered up his courage, forcing a smile onto his face.
Having successfully escorted Chen Xiao to the outside of the command building, Pei Zhen Gang cheered inwardly.
I’ve guided a god of slaughter! I’ll have bragging rights for life!
“Slaughter… no, Mr. Chen, please wait a moment. I’ll go report to General Xiao now!”
In his excitement, Pei Zhen Gang almost misspoke.
Fortunately, Chen Xiao did not blame him, merely nodding at him with a smile.
Pei Zhen Gang ran into the command building.
A few minutes later, Xiao Zhan personally came to greet Chen Xiao.
“Brother Chen, how did things go? Why did you return alone?”
Seeing Chen Xiao return alone, Xiao Zhan was filled with surprise.
Chen Xiao explained, “The matter has been resolved. Xiao Hongchan and Xiao Hei are in safe places. I came back to inform you, and I also have some things to tell you.”
“What a coincidence!”
Xiao Zhan gave a bitter smile. “I also have some things to tell you…”
From his smile, it was evident that what he had to tell Chen Xiao was not good news.