historical

Seeing that they were in acceptable conditions, Aiden said darkly, "We can't stay here for too long. Let's take away the spirit herbs in this medicinal field and leave the Great Forbidden Ruins as soon as possible!"

G'ang Nan had already escaped.

There were many more martial artists surrounding outside and even more were gathering towards them.

This underground palace could not remain hidden!

There was another month to go before the thousands of years old Vermillion Fruit ripened.

A storm was bound to break out in the North Region within this month and many more Martial Masters would be attracted towards the Great Forbidden Ruins, making the situation even more complicated!

Any single misstep could cause them to die here.

Even Aiden could not dare to guarantee that he could escape unscathed, let alone Slyff Nae and the other two.

Slyff Nae and the other two agreed.

The four of them split up and took away the spirit herbs in the medicinal field, keeping as much as possible in their storage bags.

During this period of time, Aiden consumed a stalk of Blood-Colored Ginseng and a Scarlet Flame Fruit directly, leaving Slyff Nae and the other two dumbfounded.

There were many spirit herbs that could not be consumed directly.

That was because their medicinal powers and energies were too intense and often required other spirit herbs to moderate their effects. It was the first time that the three of them were witnessing someone consume the Blood Ginseng and Scarlet Flame Fruit directly.

"Aiden, i-is your body going to be fine consuming them as such?"

Slyff Nae could not help but ask.

"Ugh.. "

Burping, Aiden released a heatwave with a blood stench from his mouth.

"It's fine, they taste rather alright."

He sucked his lips with a relaxed expression.

Ordinary Martial Masters would truly not be able to withstand the Blood Ginseng and Scarlet Flame Fruit.

However, Aiden trained both as an immortal and demon and had formed a core for both Daos. His blood energy and physique were terrifyingly strong and could absorb the energy of both spirit herbs completely!

Right now, he was severely injured and his spirit energy was depleted while his blood energy was weak – the most direct method for him would be to consume the spirit herbs directly.

After devouring the Blood Ginseng and Scarlet Flame Fruit, Aiden's bloodline circulated violently and absorbed the energies of the two different spirit herbs continuously.

Coupled with his body's strong regeneration capabilities, his condition was getting increasingly better!

When he saw that it was working, Aiden continued consuming spirit herbs as he collected them.

It did not matter how they tasted, how tough they were, or whether they had shells – he munched on them and ate everything.

Lian Juhe broke out in sweat looking at Aiden.

He had a hallucination.

Aiden did not seem like he was a mortal man. Instead, he was like an ancient creature that was extremely hungry, grabbing food greedily!

Although he sensed the strange gazes of Slyff Nae and the other two, Aiden did not stop.

They were surrounded by strong foes outside – this was the only way for him to recover in the fastest possible time!

Before long, Aiden and the other three collected most of the spirit herbs in the medicinal field other than those that were nearby the Vermilion Fruit.

Prior to this, Aiden had instructed Slyff Nae and the other two to not get close to the Vermilion Fruit no matter what.

At that moment, Lian Juhe was a little reluctant to let those spirit herbs go to waste and could not help but inch forward, wanting to collect them. However, he was held back by Aiden.

"Don't go!"

Aiden had a grim expression and frowned slightly, saying with a soft voice, "The Vermilion Fruit has already started absorbing!"

Instead of a great tonic, an unripened Vermilion Fruit possessed immense poison.

Before it was ripe, the Vermilion Fruit would absorb all the life essence of nearby living beings, whether they were humans or demons!

A surging heatwave started spreading.

The first to be implicated were the many spirit herbs in the vicinity of the Vermilion Fruit.

Under the shroud of that aura, the spirit herbs withered at a speed visible to the naked eye.

In less than ten breaths, many spirit herbs turned into ashes!

When he saw that, Lian Juhe gulped and felt a sense of trepidation.

If Aiden had not held him back earlier on, he would be engulfed by that heatwave when he charged forward and would most likely be doomed!

"Let's leave this place first."

After consuming many spirit herbs, Aiden was clearly in a much better condition, looking refreshed with rosy cheeks.

After leaving the underground palace, Aiden ignored all the other martial artists and headed in the direction to exit the ruins along with Slyff Nae and the other two.

Slyff Nae and the other two were still carrying injuries that had yet to heal and it was not convenient for them to battle.

Aiden did not barge through the palace. Instead, he made use of his powerful vision, hearing, and spirit perception to avoid the patrol of the otherworldly soldiers, leading the other three to leave the palace stealthily.

Outside the palace, countless malevolent ghosts swarmed over when they sensed the stench of blood from Slyff Nae and the other two.

A sinister wind gusted and specters surrounded them.

However, before long, the malevolent ghosts were scared out of their wits and dispersed when they caught sight of the green-robed martial artist at the front, never appearing again.

Aiden only stopped when he led Slyff Nae and the other two outside the Great Forbidden Ruins.

At that moment, daybreak was slowly arriving on the horizon.

A resplendent ray of light spilled onto the ruins, making it seem desolate and mysterious.

Aiden turned back and surveyed the ruins for a short moment before nodding. "No one's following us anymore. Peak Master Slyff Nae, the three of you can leave from here. Head straight back to the Azure Myst Sect and don't stop!"

Along the way, Aiden made use of his ebony blade and killed many martial artists that were following them.

Gradually, the martial artists realized that they could not hide their tracks from Aiden's senses and wisely chose to give up.

"Aiden, you're not coming back with us?"

Slyff Nae frowned tightly with a worried expression.

He had lived for hundreds of years and could naturally sense that a blood storm would break out at the Great Forbidden Ruins a month later when the thousands of years old Vermillion Fruit ripens!

Once news of the thousands of years old Vermillion Fruit was spread, all the Martial Master paragons of the North Region would definitely gather here!

In fact, there might even be people from the immortal and fiend sects coming forth!

At that time, there would definitely not be any one-on-one bouts.

Although Aiden was strong in combat, he had only just formed his core – how could he deal with so many peerless foes from powerful factions?

"Aiden, we've benefited immensely from this trip. It's time for us to stop."

Krisia Hall said meaningfully, "In the martial art world, most martial artists die because of their greed."

"You have an Extreme Martial Knight realm strength and have trained such a powerful Martial Master phenomenon. There's a long way ahead for you. There's no need for you to risk your life over a Vermilion Fruit."

Those words came from the bottom of her heart and was also the most logical and safe decision.

Slyff Nae added, "There are many factions that are stronger than us in the North Region. Furthermore, we are too far from the sect. Even if you meet with danger, the sect won't be able to come to your rescue. Aiden, you must be careful!"

Aiden smiled and nodded. "Don't worry, peak masters. If the situation doesn't seem right, I'll give up on the Vermilion Fruit."

Slyff Nae was only relieved when he heard Aiden's remark.

After pondering for a moment, Aiden said again, "However, I've got to return because I've still got something on. Peak masters, please return to the sect first. Don't wait for me."

Aiden had to get his hands on the thousands of years old Vermillion Fruit.

However, what was even more important to him was the connate spirit fire that was hidden in the depths of the underground palace!

Utmost treasures of the universe as such were often sentient, rare, and way too difficult to create.

Since he came across it, there was no way Aiden would miss it.

He was not only going to reforge a new set of 27 supreme-grade flying blades, he even wanted to make use of the connate spirit fire in the cave to try and repair the Mystic Gold Silk Armor and five Black Gold Arrows in his storage bag.

If he managed to succeed, he would be in possession of a connate defensive artifact weapon.