Chapter 54: Old Ghost of Baiyuan

Jiuyou stepped out of the Grand Hall, and the sea breeze hit him in the face, carrying a salty, fishy scent.

He stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his gaze sweeping over the Nascent Soul cultivators who were dispersing in small groups outside the hall. Some wore grave expressions, others acted as if nothing had happened, but most hurried along, as if unwilling to linger here even a moment longer.

Though the meeting had ended, everyone understood deep down that the real trouble had only just begun.

Just as Jiuyou was about to transform into a streak of light and depart, his peripheral vision caught a figure.

It was an old man in a white robe, embroidered with the pattern of a city. His face was gaunt and elegant, carrying a touch of scholarly refinement, as he slowly walked out from the side door of the Grand Hall.

The old man's aura was restrained, but it could not hide from Jiuyou's powerful Divine Sense. He could faintly sense a scorching heat radiating from within the other's body—clearly someone who cultivated a fire-attribute technique.

Jiuyou's heart stirred slightly as he recognized the man.

White Abyss True Man. The City Lord of Baiyuan City, a cultivator at the Early Nascent Soul stage, who cultivated a rare fire-attribute technique. This man belonged to the Heaven and Earth Alliance and had always stayed out of the Righteous-Demonic conflict, preferring solitude, which kept his life peaceful.

As for that personal disciple of his who had once trespassed on Coldwind Island and ultimately died by Jiuyou's own hand—Jiuyou naturally remembered, but his face betrayed nothing.

What truly caught Jiuyou's attention was the faint aura of decay about the man. It was a sign of a lifespan nearing its end and declining vitality, much like Senior Blood Vine. Though slightly better than Senior Blood Vine, it wasn't much of an improvement.

A glint of light flickered in Jiuyou's eyes, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly as he unhurriedly approached.

"Fellow Daoist Baiyuan, it's been a long time."

The Old Ghost of Baiyuan turned at the sound, his gaze lingering on Jiuyou's face for a moment, a flicker of surprise in his eyes, while silently cursing to himself: What does this old demon want with me? What a hassle.

He gave a slight nod, his tone indifferent, maintaining just the right distance.

"So it's Fellow Daoist Jiuyou of Soul Wraith Island. I hear you've broken through to Mid-Nascent Soul—congratulations."

"Not at all, just a bit of luck."

Jiuyou waved his hand, his tone flat, as if the breakthrough were an insignificant trifle. He stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze wandering over the Old Ghost of Baiyuan as if by chance, then suddenly shifted his tone.

"Fellow Daoist Baiyuan, This old man sees that your complexion seems rather poor. Could you have suffered a loss in Heavenly Abyss Mountain?"

The question was posed casually, yet it struck right at the heart.

The Old Ghost of Baiyuan's expression shifted slightly, then he gave a bitter smile, not bothering to hide it—after all, such matters among Nascent Soul cultivators were impossible to conceal.

"You have sharp eyes, Fellow Daoist. I did indeed suffer some internal injuries while battling others in Heavenly Abyss Mountain, and I've yet to fully recover. Alas, at the time I was too focused on seizing those thousand-year or higher-grade Life-Extending Fruits, and when the sudden upheaval struck Heavenly Abyss Mountain, I failed to find even a single fruit."

"Add to that my already limited lifespan—now, at best, I have only forty or fifty years left. Unlike you, Fellow Daoist, who is still in your prime."

He spoke frankly, but a trace of helplessness and despondence flickered in his eyes. This was both the truth and a test. After all, he didn't believe for a moment that this old demon of the Demonic Path would come out of nowhere to show concern for a man like him.

As the other finished speaking, Jiuyou immediately seized on the key point.

Forty or fifty years? For a Nascent Soul cultivator, that was no more than a snap of the fingers. If this old ghost didn't find some way to extend his life, he'd be in no better shape than Senior Blood Vine.

Jiuyou put on a look of just the right amount of concern, nodding slightly.

"I see. I did happen to come across some fortune in Heavenly Abyss Mountain, obtaining two Life-Extending Fruits. Though their age isn't high, they're better than nothing."

He said this casually, but it made the Old Ghost of Baiyuan's heart leap violently.

Life-Extending Fruits? This old demon still has Life-Extending Fruits in hand?

A sharp glint flashed in his eyes, which he quickly suppressed, letting out a forced sigh.

"I dare not covet such a supreme treasure. To have survived the Heavenly Abyss Mountain battle alive is already a blessing."

Yet even as he spoke, his gaze unconsciously swept toward the Storage Pouch at Jiuyou's waist before quickly retreating.

Jiuyou took it all in, already forming a plan. He didn't rush to speak, instead gazing out at the distant sea, falling silent for a moment as if weighing something, before speaking slowly.

"Fellow Daoist Baiyuan, This old man has a favor to ask. If you are willing to assist, I would be glad to gift you a four-hundred-year-old Life-Extending Fruit."

The moment these words fell, the Old Ghost of Baiyuan's form stiffened, his eyes locking onto Jiuyou with utter disbelief.

"Fellow Daoist Jiuyou... do you mean it?"

His voice trembled slightly, yet he forced himself to stay composed. A four-hundred-year-old Life-Extending Fruit would be enough to extend his life by several decades. For a dying man like him, this deal was nothing short of a lifeline.

But precisely because of that, he grew even more cautious.

Who was this Jiuyou, this old demon? A ruthless Demonic Path overlord who killed without blinking—why would he grant him such a boon?

"When has This old man ever spoken falsely?"

Jiuyou's expression was calm, his tone indifferent, as if a four-hundred-year-old Life-Extending Fruit were nothing more than an ordinary spirit herb. He deliberately avoided looking at the Old Ghost of Baiyuan, leaving room for the other to think.

The Old Ghost of Baiyuan took a deep breath, suppressing his excitement, and spoke in a low voice.

"Please speak, Fellow Daoist. If it's within my power, I will surely oblige."

He agreed readily on the surface, but his mind was racing with calculations. Whatever this old demon was asking him to do, it probably wouldn't be simple. He'd hear him out first; if it was too dangerous, he could just refuse.

Jiuyou raised one finger, unhurriedly continuing.

"I have an ancient relic that requires refining and fusing with a Righteous Path fire-attribute mana. My own mana clashes with this relic's nature, making it unsuitable for me to handle. You, Fellow Daoist, cultivate a fire-attribute Righteous Path technique and are skilled in Prohibition Mark and rune arts—precisely the person This old man seeks."

He paused, his gaze locking onto the Old Ghost of Baiyuan, his tone flat but carrying a hint of finality.

"You need only help This old man refine a single wisp of True Fire into that ancient relic. This matter is no more than a trivial task for you."

The Old Ghost of Baiyuan frowned slightly, lost in thought.

"Refining a wisp of True Fire into an ancient relic? That's not particularly difficult. However... what kind of True Fire is it? Could you clarify, Fellow Daoist?"

Jiuyou smiled faintly, unhurried.

"Rest assured, Fellow Daoist. That True Fire has been sealed away by me and will not harm you in any way. At the time, you need only activate it with your mana, fusing the True Fire with the ancient relic. As for what it is, you will naturally learn then."

He deliberately kept it vague, preventing the other from learning of the Golden Sun True Flame's existence in advance while leaving enough room for trust.

The Old Ghost of Baiyuan pondered for a moment, his gaze sweeping over Jiuyou's face as if weighing the risks and rewards. After a long pause, he finally nodded.

"Very well. I agree to your proposal, Fellow Daoist."

He paused, then shifted his tone, a hint of testing in his voice.

"But... are you truly willing to part with that Life-Extending Fruit?"

Jiuyou let out a hoarse laugh. He retrieved a Jade Box from his Storage Pouch, holding it casually in his palm, and opened a crack. A faint medicinal fragrance drifted out.

The Old Ghost of Baiyuan's eyes narrowed, his breathing quickening. It was indeed the scent of a Life-Extending Fruit—its age genuine, its preservation flawless.

Jiuyou closed the Jade Box, tucked it back into his pouch, and his expression returned to calm.

"This old man keeps his word. Once the deed is done, this item will be yours."

The Old Ghost of Baiyuan took a deep breath, suppressing the greed in his heart, and nodded heavily. Yet a peculiar glint flickered in the depths of his eyes, clearly still uneasy about Jiuyou.

"Good! It's a deal!"

Jiuyou naturally saw through the other's thoughts, but chose not to point it out. He gave a slight nod.

"Since that's settled, you may return for now, Fellow Daoist. Once This old man has made the necessary preparations, I will send word to arrange the time."

The Old Ghost of Baiyuan said no more, transforming into a white streak of light and speeding away into the distance.

Jiuyou watched the streak of light vanish at the horizon, a cold smirk slowly curling at the corners of his mouth.

A four-hundred-year-old Life-Extending Fruit in exchange for the help of a Nascent Soul cultivator—this deal wasn't a loss.

As for what would happen once the Golden Sun True Flame fused with the Heavenly Azure Mountain Ancient Relic...

He was looking forward to it.

Jiuyou wasted no more thought. With a flick of his sleeve, he transformed into a pitch-black streak of light, speeding toward Soul Wraith Island.

The sea wind howled, and the streak of light was like lightning.

Behind him, Endless Island gradually faded into the distance.