Chapter 593: Another Key

He had known the Phoenix Race’s situation was severe ever since he saved Bingxin; otherwise, she wouldn’t have warned him so pointedly. Upon arriving on the Demon Race Continent and making a few inquiries, he learned that the situation was even more dire. He hadn’t expected that the Phoenix Race had even started fighting amongst themselves.

This internal strife benefited no one, and he had no way of knowing what was truly happening within the race. If the problems were that severe, obtaining even a drop of Royal Bloodline Essence would be extremely difficult.

This was a critical time for them. Taking even a little of Bingxin’s Essence Blood would have a massive impact on her. But now, with the Phoenix Ruins in the picture, things were different. ‘Perhaps I can obtain some Royal Bloodline Essence in there!’

The problem was, he didn’t have a key to the Phoenix Ruins. As for snatching one from the two City Lords, the difficulty was astronomical. The Vice City Lord had a Core Formation Stage Cultivation, and the City Lord had a Void Spirit Stage Cultivation. How could he possibly fight them?

He’d just get crushed. There was no chance of winning.

Still, he decided he would make the trip. He would find Bingxin and assess the situation. He didn’t necessarily have to ask for her Essence Blood; perhaps she had a key to the Phoenix Ruins. He wouldn’t take her Essence Blood for nothing. He’d definitely see if there was anything he could do to help. ‘If I can help the Phoenix Race solve some of its problems,’ he thought, ‘it would be a great boon to my Lin Family in the future.’

“What? Brother Lin, you want to go to the Phoenix Ruins?” Wei Song seemed to have read Lin Xuan’s mind and couldn’t help but try to dissuade him. “Brother Lin, I know your strength has improved significantly, but I still urge you not to go. That place is nothing like the Demon Fox Ruins. It’s far too difficult and extremely chaotic. Right now, the Phoenix Race rejects all outsiders—especially us humans.”

“I do plan on going to the Phoenix Ruins. Fortune favors the bold, as they say… Besides, I won’t be alone, so you don’t need to worry. If there weren’t real benefits to be had, I wouldn’t put myself in harm’s way.” Lin Xuan smiled, telling a small white lie.

“Fortune favors the bold…” Wei Jun shook his head and smiled. “The world belongs to your generation now. To have achieved so much, you must have been through countless trials and faced many dangers. Come with me for a moment.”

Wei Jun gestured for Lin Xuan to follow him. Wei Song started to come along as well, but Wei Jun held up a hand, stopping him and indicating that he should stay put.

Wei Song’s eyes filled with confusion, wondering what his father wanted to say, but he didn’t press the issue.

“Uncle Wei, what’s this about?” Lin Xuan asked as he followed, wondering what Wei Jun wanted to discuss.

Just then, Wei Jun took a small Stone Slab from his Storage Ring. The slab was crimson all over, and carved on its surface was a feather so lifelike it seemed real.

“This is…” Lin Xuan’s eyes widened when he saw the Stone Slab. He whispered, “Could this be…”

“That’s right. Take it and hide it away!” Wei Jun handed the Stone Slab to Lin Xuan, who quickly stored it in his Storage Ring. “I came across this by chance some time ago. I’m too old for such adventures now. You’re still young, full of adventurous spirit, and you have companions to back you up. I’m entrusting it to you so you can make the trip yourself!”

The small Stone Slab Wei Jun had just given him was none other than one of the keys to the Phoenix Ruins. To think that Wei Jun possessed one of the very keys that had the major Demon Races vying for it.

The revelation was staggering. No wonder he had pulled Lin Xuan aside. This item could absolutely not be seen by anyone else. If word got out, Lin Xuan would be in grave danger.

Even though Lin Xuan had saved them, that didn’t mean someone wouldn’t repay kindness with malice. Greed was enough to turn anyone into a monster!

“The way I see it, it’s not that you’re too old, Uncle Wei, but that you can’t stop worrying about Brother Wei.” Lin Xuan glanced over at Wei Song. He knew that Wei Jun’s biggest concern was his son.

If he were to risk it and die, who would look after Wei Song? That was also why he couldn’t let Wei Song know about the key. If Wei Song found out, he would certainly risk his life to go to the Phoenix Ruins. That’s why Wei Jun had no intention of telling his son.

“Sigh, let’s not dwell on that. All I can say is, you must be careful. It’s true that fortune favors the bold, but some dangers are best left alone. If a risk means certain death, it’s not seeking fortune—it’s suicide,” Wei Jun cautioned.

“This junior understands. I have to say, this gift is truly significant!” Lin Xuan was pleasantly surprised by this great gift. He had just been worrying about not having a key to the Phoenix Ruins, and now Wei Jun had given him one.

Wei Jun hadn’t turned the item in. He knew those insatiably greedy City Lords wouldn’t show him any courtesy, nor would they offer him a decent reward, so he had kept it hidden all this time.

“It’s not significant at all. It’s useless to me anyway. Besides, you saved us and held no grudges. For that, I am already deeply grateful,” Wei Jun said with a sigh.

Lin Xuan knew what Wei Jun was referring to. Back then, they had truly been powerless, forced to watch as Lin Xuan was robbed. Fortunately, he had escaped in the end, which assuaged some of their guilt.

Might makes right. It would have been useless for them to help, so Wei Jun could only stop his son from intervening.

“I never blamed you for that. Alright, it’s time for me to take my leave…” Lin Xuan smiled, walked over to Wei Song, and took out a bottle of Elixir Pills. He handed it over, saying, “This Elixir Pill will be a great help for your breakthrough. It’s a gift for you.”

Wei Song took the bottle. As he opened it, a rich fragrance wafted into his nose. He froze as if struck by lightning and stammered in shock, “This… this is a Fifth Grade Elixir—a Spirit Ascension Pill! It’s far… far too valuable! I absolutely can’t accept this.”

The Spirit Ascension Pill was an elixir that could help a cultivator at the Essence Pill Stage break through to the Spirit Pill Stage. It was priceless and extremely rare. At least, it was in this region. While the necessary resources weren’t scarce, they were found in dangerous places, making them hazardous to collect.

“If you don’t accept it, you’re disrespecting me! We fought side-by-side from the beginning, and you even risked your life to protect me. Compared to that, this gift is nothing. Besides, once you break through, you’ll be able to help me even more, right?” Lin Xuan smiled.

He wasn’t just giving him the pill because Wei Jun had given him the Stone Slab; he had intended to give an Elixir Pill to Wei Song all along.

Of all his friends, Wei Song was one of the few he felt he could truly trust. He had been deeply moved when Wei Song risked his own life to protect him, so in his eyes, this Elixir Pill was nothing in comparison.

“Alright, then…” Wei Song accepted the Elixir Pill. In a solemn voice, he said, “I’ll break through as fast as I can. In the future, if you need me for anything, Brother Lin, I’ll never refuse… Besides,” he added with a sly chuckle, “helping you always comes with a hefty reward, hehe!”

He recalled their time in the Demon Fox Ruins; the reward he had received back then was quite substantial.

“Don’t worry, when I need your help, I won’t hesitate to ask… This is goodbye for now. The next time we meet, I expect you to be a force to be reckoned with!” After bidding them farewell, Lin Xuan departed.

He didn’t have time to linger. With his business concluded, it was time to go.

“I will get stronger!” Wei Song declared, tightly gripping the Jade Bottle, his eyes blazing with determination.

“I wish you success…” Wei Jun shook his head, seeing a reflection of his younger self in Lin Xuan’s departing figure.