Chapter 111: Solicitation

"A death wish."

Watching Luo Hao's figure vanish into the darkness from atop the city walls, someone spoke with disdain. A mere Qi-Spirit Realm martial artist daring to enter the Wild Desolate Plains in the dead of night—if that wasn't a death wish, what was?

"An interesting person. If he didn't have some sort of ace up his sleeve, I doubt anyone would do something so foolish," remarked Xin Lan, her face veiled in light silk, as she nodded slightly.

After Xin Lan spoke, the person who had just mocked Luo Hao merely curled his lip and remained silent, evidently wary of the veiled woman.

*Whoosh!*

Like a sprite dancing beneath the night sky, Xin Lan left a beautiful arc in the void before swiftly disappearing into the gloom. At the same time, the remaining martial artists on the walls leaped down like great rocs, quickly vanishing into the night.

The commotion on the city walls could not be hidden from the martial artists within the ancient city. Sure enough, as soon as those atop the walls departed, large numbers of figures emerged. When they saw the blinding pillar of light piercing the heavens and felt the surging fluctuations of spiritual energy, they hesitated no longer and immediately disappeared into the vast darkness.

In an instant, the once-silent Origin Heaven Ancient City became a boiling cauldron. Countless martial artists flooded toward the gates, their faces filled with unbridled fanaticism.

"The Tongtian Pavilion has released news: the inheritance of the legendary 'Madman' is suspected to have appeared in the Wild Desolate Plains!"

"What! The inheritance of the Madman? If one could obtain even a shred of his fortune, they would surely soar to the heavens!"

"The Madman? Which one?"

"Who else could it be? The one from five thousand years ago!"

"Hiss! It's him!"

"I never imagined the legend of the Madman from five thousand years ago was true. Could he really have been buried in the Wild Desolate Plains?"

Many of those rushing toward the gates had grown up in Origin Heaven Ancient City; some had literally been raised on the legends of the Madman. He was an absolute powerhouse, and in the hearts of many, a hero—a human hero who dared to draw his blade on the Myriad Worlds Ridge and slaughter the elites of foreign races. Although he died young, he had truly left a brilliant mark on the history of the Northwest Territory. In that era, the entire region had bathed in his glory.

"Has the message been spread?" In a rustic dwelling within the ancient city, two indistinct figures stood facing each other. One of them spoke in a flat tone.

"More blood is about to be shed," the other replied, seemingly answering a different question, yet the words contained a trace of reluctance and lament.

***

Entering the Wild Desolate Plains at night, Luo Hao began to regret his decision. Under the shroud of darkness, this place was a literal paradise for demonic beasts. Countless beasts lurked within the plains, along with vicious, camouflaged flora. Just a cup of tea’s time ago, he had been attacked by a Blood-Iron Ancient Tree.

Though called a tree, the Blood-Iron Ancient Tree was a truly ferocious entity. These monsters could travel underground, with massive root systems extending for thousands of miles, and their bark was as hard as adamant diamond.

Fortunately, Luo Hao had fled immediately upon encountering it. The more one entangled with a Blood-Iron Ancient Tree, the more it would fixate on its prey. Only after fleeing several hundred miles did Luo Hao quietly breathe a sigh of relief.

"Too close. I didn't expect to find a Blood-Iron Ancient Tree in the Wild Desolate Plains. To think such an ancient relic would still exist—I cannot afford to be careless."

With lingering fear, he retrieved his sheepskin map. After confirming his position, he realized he was still some distance from the Blood-Rock Hills.

"Hmm? Who's there? Come out!"

Just as he stowed the map and prepared to set off again, his heart skipped a beat. He whirled around, his eyes flashing with ferocity as he stared into the darkness behind him. His body tensed, his spine curving like a leopard ready to pounce.

"What keen spiritual perception. I didn't expect my stealth technique to be seen through so easily. You are truly no ordinary Qi-Spirit Realm martial artist."

Accompanied by an ethereal voice, a graceful, slender figure broke through the night and entered Luo Hao’s sight. Upon seeing who it was, Luo Hao’s eyes narrowed.

"Xin Lan!"

Watching the woman sway as she approached, turbulent waves rose in Luo Hao’s heart. Setting aside her cultivation, she was truly a stunner that any man would desire to conquer. She was ethereal and refined, like a fairy fallen from the nine heavens, but Luo Hao dared not let his mind wander. This was a dangerous woman; he could not see through her, let alone harbor any improper thoughts.

"Hehe, don't be so tense, little brother Luo Hao. I mean no harm." Seeing Luo Hao’s guarded, ready-to-strike posture, the woman couldn't help but giggle, a laugh that seemed to dim the night itself.

"I’ve been seen through!"

The moment Xin Lan revealed she knew his identity, Luo Hao’s vigilance did not vanish—it intensified to its peak. He was the tenth person on the bounty list. For someone to see through his disguise and then tell him not to be nervous? How could that be possible?

"I don't know what you're talking about," Luo Hao said coldly, unwilling to engage further. Just as he was about to leave, Xin Lan suddenly spoke: "Luo Hao, if you are willing, I can invite you to join my faction. Then, all your troubles will be solved."

"Your faction? What faction?"

"The Spirit Clan!"

"The Spirit Clan! You aren't human?"

At that moment, the fierce light in Luo Hao’s eyes erupted. The battle energy within his body surged like a tidal wave, and his clothes began to snap and crackle in the night air.

"Little brother Luo Hao, what are you thinking? Of course your big sister is human!" Seeing his murderous intent, Xin Lan remained unbothered, laughing softly. "Although the Spirit Clan is a branch of the human race, the blood flowing in our veins is still human war-blood."

Hearing this, Luo Hao’s battle energy gradually subsided. If he were facing an alien race, he would have fought to the death, but since they were of the same kin, there was no need for a life-or-death struggle unless absolutely necessary.

"Little brother Luo Hao, the Spirit Clan does not reside in this corner of the Northwest. But I can tell you this: even if all the powers in the Northwest Territory combined, they would not be enough to withstand a single blow from my clan."

Seeming worried that Luo Hao didn't grasp the Spirit Clan's strength, Xin Lan added this explanation, her beautiful eyes burning as she stared at him.

"Is that so?"

She had expected Luo Hao to be shocked, like any ordinary person, but the boy remained calm and composed, not a hint of fear in his eyes. Given her experience, she could tell this composure was not faked.

However, Luo Hao’s next words left her truly stunned: "What does that have to do with me? With so many martial artists in the Northwest, why do you want me to join the Spirit Clan?"

"It seems you like to get to the bottom of things. That’s not a good habit, but I’ll tell you anyway. You must have obtained the inheritance of a human predecessor in the Blood-Spirit Secret Realm, right? Don't rush to deny it—do you know who that person was?"

Faced with her question, Luo Hao fell silent. It was true; beyond knowing the predecessor’s name was Wan Qianyi, he knew absolutely nothing else.

Seeing his silence, Xin Lan’s voice turned solemn. "If the clan’s records are correct, what you obtained was the inheritance of the peerless human powerhouse of the Middle Ages, the Mountain-River King, Wan Qianyi."

"Legend has it that the Mountain-River King ascended to the throne before he was five hundred years old. Once the Mountain-River Seal was unleashed, he suppressed ten foreign kings in a single day. In the end, during the Great Blood-Slaughter Calamity of the Middle Ages, he perished in this Northwest land while fighting the son of the Blood Emperor. Now that I’ve said this, you should understand your own value, shouldn't you?"

"Hahaha, my value? Ridiculous! You should be talking about the value of the Mountain-River Seal." Luo Hao retorted angrily. "I have never heard of any of these things, and I have even less interest in your Spirit Clan. Farewell!"

He was furious. This mysterious woman from the Spirit Clan was clearly coveting the Mountain-River Seal and wanted to drag him into her clan. He could easily imagine that once he joined, he would be the fish on the chopping block. Furthermore, after the pursuit in the Heavenly Vault Mountains, he had no illusions left about so-called sects. As long as he became invincible, his own presence would be a holy ground and a supreme sect.

Watching Luo Hao’s back disappear into the night, a flash of anger and unwillingness crossed Xin Lan’s star-like eyes. In the past, there had never been anyone she couldn't persuade. There were other rogue cultivators within the Spirit Clan who had obtained similar inheritances, and she had brought them all into the fold.

"Interesting. Little brat, I will make you join the Spirit Clan! The inheritance of the Mountain-River King is no laughing matter. Even they don't have a stroke of luck as great as yours."

Thinking this, a mysterious, unfathomable smile appeared on the beautiful face behind her silk veil.