A wild wind whistled, causing gravel to surge.

The Big Ruins was still filled with a deathly aura. Other than the cities that were guarded by powerhouses, most of the areas were shrouded by harsh weather.

Despite being a place where many humans gathered, the city was still being attacked by the sandstorm.

A figure seemed to have suddenly appeared from the end of the sky amidst the surging sand waves as he strode toward this somewhat dilapidated ancient city.

The figure was extremely tall as he was 2 heads taller than an ordinary person. Although he was in the middle of strong winds, his footsteps were still as steady as a mountain as though he himself was a tall mountain that could move. No matter how fierce and savage the winds outside were, they could not affect him in the slightest.

This person walked slowly. He looked like he was walking with ease, but he was very fast.

The city wall in the distance seemed to have just appeared in his sight, but he was already near it in an instant.

He raised his head and looked up at the tall city wall. The corners of his mouth revealed a faint trace of disdain.

After entering the ancient city, he seemed to have had a goal as he did not hesitate to walk in a certain direction. Soon enough, he arrived in front of a shop.

Spiritual Pill Workshop.

This was Ou Yangming's shop in the ancient city.

The person laughed coldly. He took large strides forward and entered the shop.

Nonetheless, the moment he stopped and entered, someone glanced over, whether intentionally or unintentionally. It was a cautious look, but the man's senses were extraordinary. He paused slightly and turned his head. His eyes, which were filled with aggression, suddenly met that gaze.

The other party seemed to have no intention of being entangled with him and avoided the sharp gaze as if nothing had ever happened.

Upon noticing this, the man's brows furrowed slightly, and a trace of wariness rose in his heart. He did not expect someone like that to be in this city. Even so, though he was warier, he did not have the slightest bit of fear in his heart.

With a light snort, he did not want to cause any more trouble, so raised his feet and entered the pill workshop.

Ou Yangming was holding a map in his inner room. He was frowning as he was planning his route to travel through the Big Ruins in the future.

From the Spiritual Realm, about 500 people could be sent into the Big Ruins every 3 months. When these people entered the Big Ruins, they would be randomly transported to different places due to the interspatial disturbance, and the time they stayed in the ruins could be freely controlled. As long as they were able to keep track of the time and execute a secret technique at certain special places after 3 months, they would be able to draw on interspatial energy and open a two-way passage to leave the Big Ruins.

The opportunity to enter the Big Ruins was rare and precious, hence no one would casually waste it. Therefore, most people would try their best to explore the dangerous places.

Even though some people obtained treasures and escaped unscathed, most people would stay here forever.

Each time the passage opened, there would be people returning from the Big Ruins with full loads. Nevertheless, the number of people who entered would always be much more than those who left.

Before Ou Yangming entered the Big Ruins, he had made a plan. He wanted to stay here steadily and not take any risks. Having said that, now that he had received more accurate information, he could plan for his next step.

All of a sudden, he felt something in his heart. His eyebrows rose slightly as he put down the map in his hand and came to the outer hall.

There stood a tall and burly man. He did not choose any medicinal pills on the shelves. Instead, he closed his eyes slightly. When Ou Yangming entered, he suddenly opened his eyes.

An indescribably frightening aura boiled up from his body. It was an incredibly bloody aura that seemed to fill the world in an instant. Moreover, it turned into an invisible mental power that charged toward Ou Yangming.

It was killing intent—bare and fierce killing intent. As long as Ou Yangming's strength was slightly lacking, he would die miserably under this killing intent.

Ou Yangming snorted coldly. His eyes narrowed slightly, and the air around him seemed to freeze as well. Just as the sharp killing intent was invading him from behind, it was as if it was blocked by a huge invisible city wall, unable to advance any further.

In fact, with Ou Yangming's remarkable mental strength that far surpassed his peers, he could have let the killing intent in and used his mental power to attack in the opposite direction.

However, the direct confrontation between both sides would cause great damage to the surrounding environment.

Ou Yangming had not been in this city for long to sell medicine, and he had a good relationship with his neighbors. He did not want to incur the wrath of the heavens and the resentment of the people because of him.

He easily blocked the other party's killing intent, then he asked indifferently, "Who are you? Why are you here?"

Since the man did not hide his killing intent, the young fellow would not pretend to be polite.

The corner of the man's mouth twitched. He smiled and answered, "You're quite capable. No wonder you could escape from my subordinates."

Ou Yangming's eyebrows raised a little. He still did not know the man's identity and background, but he knew his purpose here.

Ever since he entered the Big Ruins, he had only had a conflict with someone because of Lil' Man. That said, this ancient city was very far from where he saved the child. As such, he could not help but be surprised that the other party was able to find him.

After pondering for a moment, Ou Yangming asked, "Did you put a tracking restriction on him?"

That person chuckled and said, "I like smart people the most." He looked at his surroundings and continued, "You are an alchemist, so you have some abilities. As long as you hand over Lil' Man and serve me for 100 years, I'll let you go."

"Blood Red Ji Qi!"

Without warning, a yell filled with anger and hatred sounded from behind. Following that, a gust of wind blew over from Ou Yangming's side.

Ou Yangming frowned slightly. He stretched out his hand and immediately held Lil' Man's body firmly.

Lil' Man struggled with all his might, but how could he break free from Ou Yangming? Nonetheless, while the little guy was helpless, his eyes were wide open as he stared at Ji Qi. It was as if he had seen an irreconcilable enemy, and he wanted nothing more than to pounce on the man and bite him.

Ji Qi's eyes had a faint trace of blood in them. He opened his mouth and said, "You're full of energy. Very good, very good..."

There seemed to be a strange color in his eyes. He licked his lips with his bright red tongue as if he was looking at something delicious. His gaze, in particular, was so strange that it made one's hair stand on end.

Ou Yangming scoffed and ordered, "Leave."

If it was the first time they met, Lil' Man would definitely ignore him. At this moment, though he was still staring at Ji Qi with hatred, his impulsive body gradually calmed down.

Lil' Man finally turned around and ran into the house.

Ji Qi looked at Ou Yangming with an odd expression and said, "Looks like you're not willing to do what I said."

Ou Yangming chuckled and questioned, "Since you already know, why do you even ask?"

Ji Qi laughed and responded, "You know my name now, and yet you still dare to defy me. Heh, who exactly are you?"

Ou Yangming shrugged and answered, "Me? I'm just an ordinary alchemist."

"An ordinary alchemist actually dares to defy the wishes of the Blood Dragon Clan. Heh, what a joke." Ji Qi's eyes were cold and sharp as the killing intent on his body slowly intensified. A surging aura rose from his body.

After being rejected by Ou Yangming, this powerhouse finally displayed his true strength.

He was a top-grade Spiritualist, and he was at the peak in the Big Ruins.

Even so, not only did Ou Yangming not feel the slightest bit of nervousness in his heart, but he also had a hint of anticipation.

Fighting with a top-grade Spiritualist in the Big Ruins was certainly a rare and good opportunity.

Just as the momentum between them intensified and a war was about to break out, a cold voice was heard.

"The Blood Dragon Clan is so overbearing. Do you want to kill people without any restraints in the Black Dragon Clan's territory?" The voice was soft and unusually pleasant to the ear but when it appeared at this moment, it gave people an uncoordinated feeling.

Ou Yangming and the man looked in that direction at the same time. A strange light flashed in the young fellow's eyes.

Jiang Yingrong, the beautiful young woman, had unknowingly stood at the entrance of the shop. Her face had a never-before-seen light.

At this time, she was no longer the ordinary lady boss, but an unfamiliar noble woman.

Ji Qi looked at her silently, then the rising aura on his body weakened bit by bit. He slowly opened his mouth and asked, "You, who are you from the Jiang family?"

Ou Yangming was secretly regretful. He had long seen that Jiang Yingrong was not simple, but he did not expect that even the powerful Ji Qi would become so fearful once she appeared.

Jiang Yingrong slowly said, "I'm Jiang Yingrong. Greetings, Young Master Blood Red." She paused then said to Ou Yangming, "This is Young Master Blood Red, who's the greatest powerhouse from the Blood Dragon Clan's collateral line. He's also one of the most promising figures in the clan's collateral line to become a Venerable One."

She seemed to be introducing Ji Qi but was trying to warn Ou Yangming that Ji Qi's identity was not to be trifled with.

Ou Yangming nodded slowly and smiled gratefully at her.

He did not mind and was even looking forward to a fight with Ji Qi, but he would not ignore Jiang Yingrong's good intentions.

Ji Qi snorted lightly and asked, "You know my identity, and yet you still interfered. Do you think that I don't dare to kill people here?"

Jiang Yingrong smiled indifferently as if she had a plan in mind. She replied to him, "Young Master Blood Red, the Three Dragons once swore an oath. If you kill people in the ancient city, you should know the consequences, right?"

Ji Qi's eyes shone brightly as he looked at her. He then grinned and said, "That's easy. As long as the governor agrees, I can make an exception." He turned his head and glanced at Ou Yangming coldly as he said, "You still have one more day to consider. If you still want to disappoint me, you'll die a graveless death."

After saying this, he waved his sleeves and left in a flash.

Jiang Yingrong heaved a sigh of relief, but her eyes were still filled with nervousness as she said, "Shopkeeper Yu, he has gone to seek an audience with the governor. Once he obtains the governor's permission, he won't be held back anymore. You... Hurry up and leave!"

Ou Yangming chuckled and said, "Thank you for your good intentions. but I also have to make a trip there."

"What?" Jiang Yingrong was startled and asked, "Where are you going?"

"The Governor's Residence."

"Ah, why?" Jiang Yingrong asked in surprise. She almost thought that she had heard him wrongly.

"Because... I also have to get the governor's permission."

Looking at the strange smile on Ou Yangming's face, Jiang Yingrong realized that she had not seen through him.