Netherworld Retrograde

Chapter 953: Chapter 453: Entering the Ruins (Part 2)

Cheese recalled the scene in the water, his face slightly flushed, and replied softly, “It’s alright…”

….

On the other side, the Jile Sect dispatched a sizable force to guard Li Yelai closely, wary of potential assassination attempts.

In fact, those Ye Boshou comrades had already been persuaded by Liu Yun and others to leave.

An assassination was impossible.

Yet, the Jile Sect remained very cautious, with two Sixth-sense Chaos Demon Generals, a City State Lord, and a ‘Guardian God’ of the state—a Sixth-sense Dragon Blood Giant Ape—four Sixth-sense experts in total, personally escorting Li Yelai to the nearest city state.

And in the city state, they hosted a reception for Li Yelai to wash away the travel dust.

Li Yelai naturally wouldn’t refuse, but he also noticed that the two Demon Generals, upon seeing him, showed joy but soon appeared uneasy, which then transformed into an expression of fervent joy.

Li Yelai knew why they behaved this way.

Because Li Yelai was still wearing the Champion Cloak!

This cloak, symbolizing the Human Champion, was now draped over the shoulders of Li Yelai, the Jile Divine Chosen.

This was a tremendous surprise for Jile!

Should they even claim the Champion Cloak, it would completely rinse away the grievances the Jile Sect had suffered from generations of Champions over the years.

There’s logic behind this; everyone knows Champions are hard-headed.

But once upon a time, the Jile Sect attempted to corrupt Champions, only to retreat in defeat.

There’s even talk from mischief-makers that a Champion once freeloaded from the Jile Divine Chosen. Though this is truly just a rumor…

Now, perhaps this disgrace could be washed away.

….

The most luxurious building in the Ruo Hai City State, within the City Lord Palace.

Li Yelai declined the service of some female believers from the Jile Sect, washed off the blood and stains from his body.

Then he saw the new armor prepared for him by the Jile Sect, average in quality but extremely luxurious.

“Master, we were rushed in preparation for your arrival. We’re sorry we didn’t have suitable armor ready. Once we return to the sub-branch, we’ll craft the best armor for you,” Lan Shi bowed humbly.

Li Yelai didn’t mind, putting on the armor as they wished and donning the Champion Cloak.

When the blood-red cloak moved without wind, the Demon Generals felt fearful yet excited.

What followed was a grand banquet.

, seemingly to accelerate Li Yelai’s corruption, the banquet was extremely lavish.

Beautiful, alluring girls dressed scantily carried delectable dishes into the banquet hall.

Exceptionally skilled believers played beautiful melodies for him.

Undeniably, compared to the Blood God Faction’s banquet, the Jile Sect knew how to impress.

The diverse array of girls aside, even Li Yelai, who didn’t understand music, found the melodies played delightful.

Indeed, Jile sought all desires, not just carnal pleasures.

There once was a musically gifted prodigy who, by virtue of skill, became a Divine Chosen and played for the gods.

After calmly consuming some food, Li Yelai spoke, “Stop with the fancy stuff. You’re not the only ones seeking a future Champion…”

Li Yelai acted detached and aloof, but the Demon Generals weren’t surprised.

They sensed a faint Chaotic Aura on the battlefield.

When this prospective Champion finally relinquishes humanity for the embrace of chaos.

Jile isn’t the only choice; surely the Blood God Faction wants to snatch this existence.

That’s likely why the Heartless Fruit hasn’t succeeded in corrupting.

As expected, all Chaos Gods probably wish to transform a future Champion into a Divine Chosen.

Should he nod in agreement, he could likely become a Divine Chosen of any sect.

Only, currently, the corruptive power of the Heartless Fruit is stronger.

This has led to a kind of deadlock…

The two Demon Generals speculated internally.

One female Demon General, clad in pink-purple light armor, jestingly said, “Master, don’t worry, the Jile Sect will certainly offer ample stakes. We won’t let you down.”

“Indeed, Master…” another handsome male Demon General also smiled, “In this space, you can do whatever you wish. Ascend Demon even here, it’s not impossible.”

“Funny, the Blood God said the same,” Li Yelai smiled, the Blood God Seven-layered Shield hidden on his wrist trembling slightly.

In that instant, a strong Chaotic Aura burst from Li Yelai, as if surrounded by Corpse Mountain Blood Sea.

This made the Demon Generals’ faces change, easily sensing the unique blessing power from the Blood God Faction on Li Yelai.

Clearly, the Blood God was vying with the Heartless Fruit for this future Champion.

This realization made the Demon Generals anxious.

Even they weren’t sure if the Heartless Fruit could contend against the erosion of another Chaos Divine.

“As you can see… not only can I become a Jile Divine Chosen, there are other choices,” Li Yelai responded, “So, sincerity.”

The Demon Generals exchanged glances, then bowed in response, “As you wish…”

This information quickly traveled back to the sub-branch.

It made the Divine Chosen Fallen Desire frown: “Simply from the Void Realm’s allure… could it rival Jile’s Heartless Fruit?”

She hadn’t heard of anyone corrupted by the Heartless Fruit being intercepted midway.

“Unclear, no prior case,” said a higher-up, “But currently, the Heartless Fruit’s corruption faces obstruction. Otherwise, he should have already transformed into a Divine Chosen.”

“Hmph… trying to intercept us? Does he dare become a Blood God Chosen at Ten Thousand Dragon Lake?”

“He killed the Overlord…” the higher-up reminded.

This made Fallen Desire pause, indeed, Li Yelai’s exhibited power was terrifying.

Trapped by the cage, he ascended and then slew Overlord He Lan.

Such an entity becoming a Divine Chosen would be unrivaled on the second level.

Perhaps they’d have to deploy Chaos Holy Artifacts.

This could mean heavy losses for them.

Fallen Desire snorted coldly, “Prepare more sacrifices, we’ll add more strength for the Heartless Fruit. He must become our Divine Chosen!”

“Yes!”

“Also, invite him to the sub-branch. Inside, he won’t cause any ripples,” Fallen Desire caressed her skin like artwork, “We’ll show him our foundation and power. He’ll be satisfied…”

“Yes!”

….

With the banquet ending quickly, Li Yelai was invited to the sub-branch base.

Those welcoming him were also authorized to proceed to the sub-branch.

This made Lan Shi and others incredibly excited, becoming even more respectful towards Li Yelai.

Li Yelai took it in stride, mounted a Dragon Horse under their escort, and left the city state.

Heading towards the Primitive Forest outside the city state.

The sub-branch wasn’t established within the city state but amidst an ancient ruin deep in the forest.

Seeing those eerily shaped ruins, Li Yelai’s face shifted.

He knew the ruin’s danger; ruins on the second level could record intruders’ showcased abilities and replicate them perfectly.

Once an intruder appears, the ruin autonomously creates a corresponding residual sound avatar.

Even after defeating the residual sound avatar, the ruin immediately generates a second one, endlessly, until the intruder leaves or dies.

By surviving within the ruin, intruders could witness historically recorded powerhouses, including Champion Yang Chen!

This defense mechanism is extremely powerful.

Were the Jile Church to master such power, the outside world couldn’t breach its defense.

But Li Yelai’s team didn’t encounter any hindrance from the ruin, entering peacefully without residual sound avatars.

“No residual sound triggered?” Li Yelai asked.

“Yes, Master,” one Demon General replied, “Only those without permission triggering residual sound. Thus, we’re very safe in the sub-branch.”

Indeed, should the outside attack the sub-branch, it would first summon the residual sound.

Alongside the sub-branch’s defensive force, external breach is impossible.

But… inside the ruin’s depths, Li Yelai smiled inwardly.

‘If external breach is futile, then internal breakthrough it is!’