After eating and drinking, everyone walked out of the restaurant.

Zhou Leng, Rao Mingxian, Cao Jiajia, and Feng Wenhao headed towards Ruda. After walking for a while, the alcohol wore off, and they began to run.

Upon reaching Ruda, Cao Jiajia and Feng Wenhao returned to school first, while Rao Mingxian found Zhou Leng for a chat.

There were too many people at the dinner table, so the two never had the chance for a detailed conversation.

Rao Mingxian took out a cigarette and offered it to Zhou Leng first.

Zhou Leng was momentarily stunned, and did not take it.

How could it be that in just a few months, Rao Mingxian started smoking, and so did Hu Yi.

Rao Mingxian smiled self-deprecatingly and withdrew it, saying, "I forgot, Extreme Martial Artists generally smoke less and drink less, focusing on their health."

The two exchanged inquiries and updates about their recent situations.

Rao Mingxian briefly explained and said, "I wasn't truthful at the dinner table; actually, I've also entered a cultivation land."

Zhou Leng said, "Cultivation land? Congratulations."

The Demon City is where multiple realms overlap, and universal powers change, leading to the birth of treasures and the attraction of many treasured lands, commonly known as resource lands.

Some have treasures, some have inheritances, some are for trials, and some are for cultivation, among others.

For Martial Cultivators, the three universally acknowledged best treasured lands are Inheritance Lands, Trial Grounds, and Cultivation Lands.

Even if other treasured lands are good, even if they contain treasures, their actual value is weaker than these three kinds of lands.

Inheritance Lands contain the martial arts of a certain force, though mostly incomplete.

Even if incomplete, the Inheritance Land is undoubtedly the number one treasured land, because a Martial Artist can go without treasures but cannot go without cultivation techniques.

Trial Grounds seem like trials but actually incorporate various elements from Inheritance Lands, Cultivation Lands, and Treasure Lands, often resulting in multiple gains.

Cultivation Lands help Martial Artists accelerate their cultivation.

The three-layer challenges encountered at the Celestial Ladder are considered a type of Cultivation Land, significantly enhancing certain abilities.

Treasures can be contended for or purchased, and medications can enhance various aspects, but nothing can replace a Cultivation Land.

After the Ten Realms connected, many people encountered all kinds of treasured lands.

The initial group of human powerhouses were able to ascend to Martial Saints greatly due to these treasured lands.

Rao Mingxian took out a Cloud Pattern Jade Pendant from his Magic Spirit Bag, half the size of a palm, warm and fine, shook it for a moment, then put it back.

"I can still enter once more, but it's not the best timing for a Cultivation Land. It's a special Spiritual Qi Cultivation Land that allows my True Qi to grow rapidly and also strengthens the body. This type of cultivation land is relatively common."

"Every Cultivation Land is extremely rare," Zhou Leng said.

As they chatted, Zhou Leng suddenly remembered the demon-related case connected to Fifty-Ninth Middle School.

"Tell your grandfather to be extra careful in the coming days, as the Demon Worship Sect may act frequently since several students from Fifty-Ninth Middle School have been murdered."

Rao Mingxian nodded, "I'll go back right now and pass on your concern to my grandfather."

Zhou Leng sighed, "Do you remember when I was poisoned by a demon in my senior year?"

"Of course, I remember. We weren't in the same class at the time, but I heard Zhang Xinglie mention it, and also overheard Xu Qingjin talking about it with her friends."

"During the martial arts elite class phase?"

"Yes. At the time, I didn't pay much attention since I wasn't close to you, but thinking back, Xu Qingjin was particularly worried about you then. I remember that when you were bedridden, she frequently took leave from evening self-study to visit you in the hospital, right?"

"Took leave? I get it now. Back then, she always said she skipped evening self-study during the elite class phase, and it turns out it was to accompany me," Zhou Leng said.

"So, was it true what they said about you two dating early in middle school?" Rao Mingxian asked.

Zhou Leng said, "Don't get sidetracked. The reason I'm bringing this up is that the demon who poisoned me is also the one who killed an entire family of students from Fifty-Ninth Middle School."

Rao Mingxian's eyes flashed, froze for a moment, and asked, "Are you investigating?"

"No, I just happened to come across it while checking case files. You can't really investigate this type of case," Zhou Leng shook his head.

Rao Mingxian sighed, "Back in those days, we all went through some really tragic times."

"I heard you were often beaten by your grandfather when you were little," Zhou Leng said.

Rao Mingxian's face fell; he let out a long sigh and delved into his memories.

"You have no idea what it was like for me when I was a kid."

"When my grades in elementary school were bad, my grandfather would pick up the rice bowl and smash it on my head during meals."

"While standing and listening to his lectures, he'd kick me from one side of the living room to the other."

"He would constantly hurl abuse at me, saying I disgraced him and shamed our ancestors."

"When I got into his Fifty-Ninth Middle School, that's when things got really bad."

"If any minor issue got to his ears, he'd immediately call me to the office."

"But actually, it wasn't even all that bad."

"What truly hurt was how the girl class president that I liked, who got along with me well before, started looking down on me after someone provoked her."

"At such a young age, what could I do? You have no idea the kind of shadow I lived under back then."

"I could be summoned to the principal's office at any time to get beaten by my grandfather."

"And I could be ridiculed behind my back by all my classmates at any moment."

"I didn't dare speak to anyone in my class."

"Any little thing would make me extremely nervous."

"And yet, they said I looked down on people. Heh, they never considered what they said about me."

"Have you heard about this year's incident?" Rao Mingxian looked at Zhou Leng.

"I've heard some." Zhou Leng did not deny it, many old classmates mentioned in the group that he hit people.

Rao Mingxian said, "You probably think they're pitiful, but back then, who pitied me? What did I do wrong to be beaten by my grandfather and laughed at by the entire class?"

Zhou Leng said, "Back then, most of us sympathized with you."

"Sympathy is useless. Only fists are useful. Look at those classmates now, who dares to laugh at me?"

Zhou Leng let out a sigh.

Rao Mingxian said, "Others would only see me as a petty person seeking revenge, but I am just avenging the child I was back then."

Zhou Leng thought for a moment but didn't speak.

In the mouths of Feng Wenhao and Hu Yi, Rao Mingxian appears from one angle, while Rao Mingxian's self-description is from another.

The people who were beaten saw another side, and from Zhou Leng's perspective, Rao Mingxian appeared differently.

Without seeing the full picture, as a bystander, no one can make an accurate judgment.

Rao Mingxian looked up at the cold stars in the night sky and said, "I've thought many times... about ending everything..."

"Do you know what hurts the most?"

"I'm not afraid of being beaten, nor do I care about outsiders' ridicule, but..."

"I don't understand why my parents didn't help me."

"I don't understand why other grandparents are so good to their grandchildren."

"I don't understand why my grandfather treats outsiders so well, even better than a dog."

"I don't understand whether they ever considered me family."

"I still don't understand whether I'm worthy of living. My grandfather often said I'm not."

Zhou Leng felt something blocking his heart.

Rao Mingxian smiled softly and said, "The reason I'm still alive might be because I couldn't swallow that anger. Fortunately, this year, I take the first taste of spring after new thunder sheds old makeup."

"Your growth has indeed surpassed everyone else," Zhou Leng said.

Rao Mingxian's face flashed with self-mockery, intense black light surged in his eyes.

He asked, "Have you planned your future yet, preparing to take the Martial Guard Department route?"

"In the short term, I lean towards the Martial Guard Department, but won't formally take a position, probably go the external hiring route. After all, I am still going to kill into the Otherworld. Humans can't be trapped at the doorstep; they need to step outside, kill outside." Zhou Leng said.

Rao Mingxian took a heavy drag of his cigarette, exhaling clearly with the smoke, and said, "I probably won't get that far; humanity's future depends on you all."

Zhou Leng said, "You've experienced the Celestial Ladder, have enough pill foundation, Innate at least, even Grandmaster is hopeful. Don't be so despairing. By the way, when the Ancient River Trial starts, you should join; I have qualification, as long as there's a Mountain of Will shadow, you can enter."

"Ancient River Trial? The one where you said Blood of Tyranny also wants to fight for the legacy?"

"Yes."

Rao Mingxian's eyes trembled lightly; he sighed, "If I go, it'd be a waste."

"What's a waste? Plus, I have five tickets; keeping them is keeping them."

Rao Mingxian slightly lowered his head, a glimmer of crystal flashed at the corner of his eye, then restrained his Qi and smiled, "Alright, when the Ancient River Trial begins and if I'm still in Rucheng, I'll go with you."

"Are you planning to leave?"

"My grandfather is retiring soon and leaving Rucheng. I might temporarily take a break from school, spend time with my grandfather, maybe come back to school or transfer to another Martial Arts Academy."

"Sigh..." Zhou Leng sighed lightly.

Rao Mingxian is bound by his grandfather for life.

"You... could try to walk a path without the mark of your elders," Zhou Leng couldn't hold back.

Rao Mingxian's face again showed a self-mockery smile and said, "It's too late. I'm heading back, we'll chat another day."

He turned and left, waving his right hand.

The cigarette in his right hand glowed in patches, ash floating in the deep night, scattered by the wind before hitting the ground.

Zhou Leng watched Rao Mingxian's back.

He stood there for a while, then said goodnight to Xu Qingjin.

Saw that Liang Baiyin sent another voice message; converting it to text and seeing it wasn't important, he didn't reply.

He walked forward along the road in front of Ruda's gate.

After a few steps, a fierce modified demonized armored vehicle stopped ten meters away, the car door opened, and two Demon Spirit Masters wearing blue snowflake robes stepped off.

Black curly hair, yellow skin but facial features close to Westerners, typical Demon Spirit Master appearance.

Each of their shoulders suspended a Demon Spirit Light Ball.

Innate Demon Spirit Master.

Zhou Leng's heart skipped a beat, stood still, face indifferent, looked directly at the two.

The leading young man gently touched his forehead with the middle three fingers of his right hand, then bowed his head; the person behind did the same.

Zhou Leng hesitated for a moment, also performed the forehead-touching gesture but did not bow.

The forehead-touching gesture is a common etiquette in the Demon Spirit World.

The leading man smiled in perfect Chinese, "I am Snow Mountain Wolf, by order of my master, respectfully present the wages for the next three months to the esteemed High Priest Zhou Leng, consisting of magic potions usable by your Martial Cultivation, including some not sold externally."

Zhou Leng instantly understood the reason; even though he hadn't obtained the God of Ice and Snow's token, he was recognized by the King of Armor. Plus, having Elder Tree's Qi, the Frosty Hand, being a very clever master, naturally made the correct choice to win favor.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.