Passing through layers of ruins, Jared finally arrived at the remnants of what had once been the main hall. Though battered and worn, the structure still hinted at the grandeur it had once held. At the very center of the hall stood a massive stone stele, its surface carved with ancient charms.
As Jared approached, the charms embedded in his body suddenly flared with dazzling light, resonating powerfully with the inscriptions on the stele. The charms on the stele lit up one by one, forming a complex pattern.
So it really is! Jared’s heart leapt with joy. He quickly matched each charm on his body to the corresponding symbol on the stele, following the sequence exactly. As the last charm clicked into place, the main hall trembled.
The floor slowly cracked open, revealing a stairway that plunged into darkness. A faint celestial energy drifted up from below, filling the air with a sense of wonder and allure.
Without hesitation, Jared stepped forward.
The passage was short. Soon, he arrived at a spacious underground chamber. The underground chamber was piled high with precious cultivation resources. Celestial gems that shimmered with inner light, celestial potions exuding a tempting fragrance, and immortal crystal meticulously crafted from various mystical materials.
I’ve hit the jackpot! Jared’s excitement nearly overflowing. These resources alone could push him straight to Human Immortal Realm Level Three.
But Jared did not let the treasure before him cloud his judgment. He pressed onward, driven by curiosity. At the far end of the underground chamber stood a massive crystal coffin, its translucent surface gleaming like polished glass.
Inside lay a woman of breathtaking beauty, dressed in a flowing white gown, her features serene as if in a peaceful slumber.
This… This is Selene?
Jared’s heart raced. Her beauty surpassed anything he had ever imagined.
Suddenly, a violent ripple surged through his consciousness.
“Leenie! It’s Leenie!” The Vermilion Demon Lord’s voice quivered with a depth of emotion Jared had never heard from the ancient tyrant, raw, trembling, and uncontainable.
Before Jared could react, the Vermilion Demon Lord’s soul remnant broke free of the mental bounds, taking the form of a shadowy figure that appeared before the crystal coffin.
“Leenie! It’s really you!” The Vermilion Demon Lord’s voice choked as two streaks of crimson tears ran down his face.
He reached toward the crystal coffin, but hesitated, afraid to disturb Selene’s peaceful sleep. The depth of the Vermilion Demon Lord’s emotion even moved Jared.
“Selene… It’s me… I was the one who caused this…” The Vermilion Demon Lord’s voice trembled, and tears spilled freely from his eyes.
He lifted his gaze to Jared, pleading, “Jared, I know the man behind you, Mr. Sanders, is incredible. He can bring Selene back. Please… You have to find a way to revive her. I am willing to pay any price, even if it costs the last fragment of my soul. You don’t need to waste time restoring my body!”
Jared studied the Vermilion Demon Lord, seeing the depth of his grief, and could not help but feel a pang of sympathy.
After a moment of thought, he said, “Mr. Vermilion, I understand how you feel. But reviving someone is no simple task, and right now I can’t reach Mr. Sanders. If I can contact him, I’ll do everything I can to help.”
The Vermilion Demon Lord’s eyes brightened with a flicker of hope. “Good. I trust you!”
“You’ve forced your soul out of my consciousness field,” Jared continued gently, “And it’s taking a heavy toll. You should return soon. I need to make use of these resources to cultivate. But when I meet Mr. Sanders, I’ll make sure he brings Selene back. Don’t worry.”
Jared’s tone was firm yet kind, like someone soothing a wounded creature back to safety. The Vermilion Demon Lord‘s soul remnant was already fragile. Lingering too long in the void might scatter it completely.
He nodded, cast one last, sorrowful glance at Selene, then returned to the safety of Jared’s consciousness.
