Chapter 103: The Secret Treasure of the Bloodline

“Blood Clan Secret Treasure?” Ye Ran set down his cup. It was not the first time he'd heard of this, but his knowledge about it was limited. Now, with Meng Qi mentioning it, his curiosity was piqued.

Meng Qi said, “Though the Blood Clan has long been extinct, rumor has it that they left behind three treasures in the Forbidden Land of Yibo: a holy ring, which can resist sunlight and purify souls; a cloak, which can conceal one in darkness and summon blood bats; and a book, recording the secrets of eternal youth and immortality of the Blood Clan.”

“Tell me, aren’t these three secret treasures enough to make experts from all walks of life covet them?”

“These past few days, the familiar faces in Stormflow City have multiplied beyond counting, and besides them, there’s Gerandon from Frostveil City, ‘Gray Wolf’ Mills, ‘Little Lynx’ Lois. And these are certainly not the last wave—more experts will enter the Forbidden Land of Yibo,” Meng Qi declared confidently.

Gerandon of the Blood Leopards, Mills the ‘Gray Wolf’ from the Jackals, and Lois the ‘Little Lynx,’ who had earned a place among the top ten young talents in Frostveil City by sheer strength—Ye Ran had just seen them. Gerandon and Lois hadn’t shown their abilities, so their strength was hard to estimate, but Ye Ran knew Mills’ power. Mills’ strength was likely on par with Lin Yuan.

Yet Mills, the ‘Gray Wolf,’ was merely considered an outstanding student in Frostveil City, far from extraordinary.

The caliber of Frostveil City’s younger generation was evident.

Ye Ran said, “These are just the ones out in the open. In the shadows, there are still… Well, never mind, let’s not talk about them.”

He had intended to ask about Ronin and Bei Yumeng, for the Tiger Braves were here, so Ronin would surely come as well.

“But… if people like Hidden Dragon and Catwoman are already here, isn’t it unnecessary for the younger generation to get involved?” Ye Ran asked.

“Not necessarily.” Meng Qi poured wine for the three of them. “Some young people have extraordinary talent. Didn’t Taiding bring two such fellows?”

He glanced meaningfully at Ye Ran.

Ye Ran chuckled silently. So, Meng Qi knew about Young Master Luo and Marquis Yu’s reputations.

“If Sister Yun is willing, she could compete with them as well,” Sinclair said suddenly, regretting his words as soon as they left his mouth—he knew about Ye Ran and Yun Meng.

Ye Ran, however, didn’t seem to mind. He clinked glasses with Sinclair and casually shifted the conversation to another topic.

Ye Ran drank heartily, thoroughly enjoying himself. Banner was delighted to make Ye Ran’s acquaintance and toasted him repeatedly.

Ye Ran also learned that he’d become a celebrity in the Forbidden Land of Yibo. The story of his killing two half-beasts last night had been exaggerated to mythic proportions, and many believed he would carve out his own domain here.

By dusk, Banner had drunk himself under the table, Sinclair and Meng Qi were tipsy as well.

Ye Ran, who had drunk the least, remained clear-headed. Glancing back, he happened to lock eyes with the short, stout young man in a suit behind the bar.

The young man smiled and lowered his gaze.

Ye Ran stood and approached the bar, paid a silver coin for a bottle of wine, and glanced at him. “Friend, do we know each other? You’ve been watching me for quite some time.”

Years of hunting in the underground lairs had given him keen senses.

A flamboyantly dressed youth brought the wine. Though clearly male, he wore women’s clothing, black stockings, lipstick, eyeshadow, and was heavily perfumed.

To Ye Ran, Victor was feminine enough, but this youth was ten times more so. Most striking were the two fluffy rabbit ears on his head.

“You’re from the Rabbitfolk?” Ye Ran asked.

“Yes, sir,” the youth replied.

“And also from the God Hunter Clan?” Ye Ran’s brows furrowed.

“Yes, sir,” the youth replied with a smile.

“Ye Ran, the Forbidden Land of Yibo is a tolerant place. All races are welcome here, except for the lunatics in the New Species Restricted Zone.”

“Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is ‘Owl’ Fuen,” he said, waving and smiling. “Don’t misunderstand, I’m not all-powerful, nor have I investigated you. I know about you because Queen Bunny told me—she asked me to keep an eye on you.”

Ye Ran’s brows relaxed and he tapped the smooth tabletop lightly. “Victor, Fuen… Your Rat-Eater gang really is everywhere…”

“Ye Ran, our group isn’t called the Rat-Eater gang. Here, there’s only the Owl gang.”

Ye Ran’s brows furrowed again.

Fuen smiled amiably. “We’re a special organization. I can’t reveal much, but at least for now we’re friends. Even if only for Queen Bunny’s sake, I’ll help you as much as I can.”

“Thank you. Do you have any advice regarding my current situation?” Ye Ran asked.

Fuen smiled deeply. “It’s delicate—you’re in the eye of the storm. Soon, a greater tempest will arrive. Before long, the truly powerful God Hunters will come, and perhaps people from the Temple as well. This place will be even more chaotic. Whether you can fish benefits from muddy waters depends entirely on you.”

Ye Ran couldn’t help but laugh. “What an astute observation.”

Fuen waved it off, unbothered by Ye Ran’s mild sarcasm.

“It’s getting late. Soon this place will be busy. Come find me again when you have time. Trust me, you’ll gain something.”

“Thank you,” Ye Ran said once more. Picking up the wine bottle, he glanced at the rabbitfolk youth filing his nails. “Hey, are all rabbitfolk…?” He pointed to his head, “a little odd?”

So far, all three rabbitfolk he’d met—Big Rabbit, Second Rabbit, and this one—had acted rather eccentric.

The effeminate rabbitfolk youth just shrugged, neither confirming nor denying.

As Ye Ran and Meng Qi helped Banner and Sinclair out of the tavern, a light drizzle had begun to fall. The sky was gray, and Ye Ran borrowed two umbrellas from Owl.

“First I knock into a door, then get into a fight, and now it’s raining on the way home. The blessing of the Love Goddess doesn’t seem to work at all,” Ye Ran said, supporting Banner the Minotaur chieftain.

“Hey, a silver coin.”

He spotted a glint of silver in the drizzle, bent down, and picked up the coin.

Meng Qi laughed, “See, luck’s come your way. The Love Goddess’s blessing must have some effect. Your luck was so bad, it can’t improve all at once—everything takes time.”

“My luck has always been good. Tomorrow, I’ll have Freya bless me, too,” Ye Ran nodded, about to pocket the coin when he suddenly caught a strange scent.

He lowered his head and sniffed, his brows suddenly knitting.

“Demonic aura.”

…