Chapter 54: True Dragon Bloodline in the Secret Realm?

Though Yun Yi harbored doubts, he had nowhere left to retreat. He could only bite the bullet, keep his eyes fixed on the shopkeeper walking ahead, and follow cautiously.

Winding through a labyrinthine corridor, the shopkeeper finally led Yun Yi into a study with a rustic decor and a heavy scholarly atmosphere.

The moment he stepped into the study, Yun Yi discreetly released his divine sense, attempting to scout the surroundings.

To his surprise, however, his divine sense felt as though it were bound by an invisible barrier, able to wander only within the study itself without piercing through the unseen wall to touch the outside world.

This abnormal restriction made warning bells ring wildly in Yun Yi's heart. An inexplicable sense of unease surged up like a rising tide, instantly tightening his nerves.

He knew all too well that in such an environment, any slight disturbance could conceal an unknown crisis.

Therefore, the very next moment, regardless of whether the shopkeeper harbored any hostility toward him and before the shopkeeper could make a move against him, he silently retrieved the jade pendant given to him by the male tiger from his storage ring.

Seeing Yun Yi produce the jade pendant so quickly, the shopkeeper could not help but chuckle dryly, then asked, "Little Mosquito, can you understand what I'm saying?"

This was, in fact, the very first sentence the shopkeeper had spoken when he first met Yun Yi, and his tone carried a hint of curiosity and amusement.

Yun Yi's heart tightened slightly. He hesitated for a fraction of a second, but ultimately nodded, tacitly acknowledging the shopkeeper's words.

"Good. Since you've nodded, I'll get straight to the point." The shopkeeper's gaze turned sharp as he stated bluntly, "I know that when you came here, you must have been guided by some mighty figure of the demon race. So, what is it that you seek?"

Seeing this, Yun Yi stopped hiding. He took a deep breath, condensed his demonic power into characters that floated in the air: "I want to know the clues to dragon blood. Even a wisp of true dragon bloodline will suffice."

Gazing at the characters before him, a flash of surprise crossed the shopkeeper's eyes, and he smiled. "You are quite bold for a mosquito. I do possess clues to dragon blood, but... are you certain you want to seek it out? This is no easy task."

Hearing this, Yun Yi's eyes grew even more resolute. He continued to modify the text before him using his demonic power: "Certain."

"Very well. Since you are certain, that settles it." The shopkeeper nodded, his tone carrying a trace of unperceived approval. "However, as an exchange, I require you to pay ten spirit stones."

"Spirit stones as well?" Yun Yi was taken aback. He had not heard a word about this condition from the "male tiger" who had guided him here.

On second thought, however, dragon blood was of paramount importance to him; it concerned whether he could successfully transform into human form and break through his current cultivation bottleneck.

Thus, he gritted his teeth and decided to accept the condition.

Condensing his demonic power into characters once more, Yun Yi made them slowly materialize in the air. The flashing characters radiated a strange power: "Senior, I do not have spirit stones, but I can use other items of equal value in exchange."

Though his voice had not sounded, the intent conveyed through the text was crystal clear.

"Very well." The shopkeeper was quite straightforward and did not make things overly difficult for Yun Yi. "In that case, you may use an item of equivalent value for the exchange."

A wave of joy washed over Yun Yi's heart, and he nodded hastily in agreement.

After some further discussion, the two finally reached an agreement.

"Alright, a secret realm outside Qingyang City will open in ten days. There are quite a few guardian beasts inside that secret realm, and their bloodlines contain a wisp of true dragon blood. If you can successfully hunt one of them down, not only will you obtain clues to the dragon blood, but you will also acquire other precious cultivation resources," the shopkeeper said slowly, a hint of temptation lingering in his tone.

Hearing this, a flash of joy appeared in Yun Yi's eyes, and he hurriedly expressed his gratitude, "Many thanks for senior's guidance."

However, the shopkeeper gently waved his hand, a look of solemnity crossing his eyes, and continued, "Don't be in such a hurry to thank me, Little Mosquito. Since I've accepted your items, it is only right that I tell you more of the inside story. Recently, I advise you best not to go to that secret realm. According to the information I've gathered, quite a few human cultivators have also set their sights on that place. The competition will be exceptionally fierce, and the dangers numerous."

Hearing this, Yun Yi furrowed his brows slightly, but they quickly smoothed out.

He knew deeply that the path of cultivation was inherently fraught with thorns and challenges. If he were to give up lightly at the slightest hint of fear, how could he possibly walk much farther on this path and achieve great things?

Besides, didn't this align perfectly with his own intentions?

As those human cultivators fought head-on and suffered countless casualties, once they departed, wouldn't those corpses and dropped treasures become his finest "cultivation resources"?

After all, he fed on blood.

At this thought, Yun Yi sneered inwardly. He then condensed rows of characters with his demonic power, which slowly materialized in the air, radiating a sense of unyielding resolve and chill: "Thank you for the information, Senior. Yun Yi is deeply grateful."

Gazing at those characters, a flash of surprise crossed the shopkeeper's eyes, as if he had not expected this little mosquito to possess such unwavering determination. Pondering for a moment, he asked, "Well then, have you decided to go, or shall you pass for now?"

Yun Yi once again transformed his demonic power into words, giving a brief and forceful response: "I will go."

Upon hearing this, the corner of the shopkeeper's mouth curled into a complex smile. He shook his head and murmured, "Oh, you truly have quite the boldness for a little mosquito. Yet do you know? The human cultivators who plan to hunt for treasures in that secret realm are all roughly around the middle or late stages of Foundation Establishment, whereas your current cultivation is merely at the early stage of Foundation Establishment. If they discover you, I'm afraid..."

The shopkeeper's words echoed in the air, leaving the unsaid implications to ring like a warning bell in Yun Yi's heart.

Yet, facing the shopkeeper's warning, Yun Yi merely offered a calm, serene smile, and once again condensed words with his demonic power. The characters seemed to gain a life of their own, swaying gently in the air as they conveyed his reply: "Thank you, Senior. This junior knows his own limits."

Watching the swaying characters, the shopkeeper's eyes flashed with a mixture of admiration and helplessness. He reached into a drawer, retrieved a yellowed map and a jade slip, placed them gently on the table, and said, "Very well. Here is a detailed map of Qingyang City along with some basic information about the secret realm. Take them; they might be of some help to you."

Yun Yi once again turned his demonic power into words to express his gratitude to the shopkeeper: "Thank you, Senior, for your generous assistance. This junior will engrave it upon his heart."

The shopkeeper gave a slight nod, his expression a mix of gravity and reluctance. "Alright, if there is nothing else, you should leave as soon as possible."

A warm current surged through Yun Yi's heart at these words. He once again condensed words with his demonic power to bid farewell to the shopkeeper: "Thank you, Senior. This junior shall take his leave now." With that, he bowed deeply to the shopkeeper, his form pausing momentarily in mid-air before transforming into a streak of faint light that swiftly flew out of the study.

He knew that the longer he stayed at this demon stronghold, the higher the likelihood of exposing his identity, bringing danger to both himself and the shopkeeper.

Therefore, he chose to leave as quickly as possible—both for his own safety and so as not to put the shopkeeper in a difficult position.