https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-224-The-Crimson-Emperor-s-Blood-Crystal/12551123/
Chapter 223: Xia Qingyu
Chapter 223: Xia Qingyu
It was indeed Xia Qingyu!
The man who was his biological father.
Ji Xinghuo looked at the man before him with mixed emotions. The man had kept his hand outstretched, and after a moment, Ji Xinghuo finally reached out and shook it, introducing himself, "Ji Xinghuo."
"Hahaha..." Xia Qingyu laughed heartily, "That's a good name."
Apparently, he had never heard the name before.
Ji Xinghuo guessed that Xia Qingyu hadn't returned to Earth for at least a year, perhaps even longer.
"What are you two talking about?" The red-haired woman beside them asked in the "Xin Yala language." She sized up Ji Xinghuo and then looked at Xia Qingyu, "Is this your brother?"
"It's none of your business," Xia Qingyu waved his hand impatiently. "I suddenly have something to do, you go play by yourself for a while. I'll find you in a couple of days."
"Hmph! Smelly man!" The red-haired woman huffed angrily, but seeing that Xia Qingyu was unmoved, she stormed out of the inn in a rage.
Ji Xinghuo could tell that she was quite fond of Xia Qingyu, and her outburst was just a momentary fit of anger.
After all these years, he still had a way with women, just as Ji Xinghuo had expected.
After shooing the woman away, Xia Qingyu turned back and saw that Ji Xinghuo's gaze was fixed on the departing woman. He smiled and said, "Her name is Ayala, a mixed-blood of True Dragon and Dan people. She has a pretty face, but her skills in bed are even more soul-stirring. That figure, tsk tsk..."
He made a gourd shape in the air with his hands and pinched his fingers a few times, "If you like her, I can introduce you."
Ji Xinghuo's expression froze.
In the 23rd century on Earth, people had polarizing attitudes towards sex. Those who were open were very open, and those who were conservative were very conservative.
Ji Xinghuo had known that Xia Qingyu was promiscuous, but this was taking it to a whole new level!
He didn't even mind treating his own son as a comrade-in-arms.
"I'm just joking, don't take it seriously. Look at how scared you are. I haven't had my fill of fun yet," Xia Qingyu said affectionately as he draped his arm around Ji Xinghuo's shoulders and sat down next to him at the bar. Suddenly, he teased, "Hey kid, you're not still a virgin, are you?"
Ji Xinghuo didn't answer.
"I'll take that as a yes," Xia Qingyu chuckled.
He waved at the waiter, "Bring us two cups of Bloody Blaze, the best quality. Don't try to fool me with Fiery Blood Wine, or your hand will pay the price."
The waiter hurriedly assured him that he dared not, his eyes filled with fear.
Soon, two large cups of crimson liquid were served. Xia Qingyu tossed a True Dragon coin onto the counter and pushed one of the cups towards Ji Xinghuo. He picked up the other cup and took a big gulp.
"Awesome!"
Seeing that Ji Xinghuo wasn't drinking, Xia Qingyu urged, "This is the best wine on the Bloody Plateau. It's made with the blood of followers of the Red Emperor, mixed with Flaming Flowers. One sip and you'll feel a warm, soothing sensation throughout your body, like soaking in a hot bath on a snowy day. I guarantee you'll never forget it. Go on, give it a try."
Ji Xinghuo picked up the cup and took a sip.
As the liquor slid down his throat, the first sensation was its intense spiciness, a fiery heat that most people would struggle to handle. Then, a warm feeling spread from his stomach, and a light, floating sensation washed over him, rushing to his brain. It did taste quite remarkable.
But that was it for him. He would occasionally drink with friends, but he wasn't a heavy drinker.
"Well?" Xia Qingyu asked expectantly.
"It's alright," Ji Xinghuo replied honestly, setting down his cup.
"Looks like you don't drink much," Xia Qingyu shook his head slightly in disappointment. "No drinking, no women... What's the point of living like that?"
He had already noticed that Ji Xinghuo's personality was very different from his, perhaps even completely opposite.
Ji Xinghuo offered a faint smile.
Xia Qingyu studied him seriously for a few seconds, then suddenly exclaimed, "Time really flies. You're already 24 years old. Now you're an Advanced Other too, impressive!"
"I have you to thank for that million," Ji Xinghuo said.
"Hehe, that was just a small amount," Xia Qingyu waved it off casually. "If you have good talent, a million can give you two or three chances to become an Other. If you don't have talent, that money can ensure you live a comfortable life as an ordinary happy man, which isn't bad either."
"Even though your birth was an accident, you're still my son. I couldn't let you live a miserable life," he added.
"However, don't go thinking that I'm doing this out of gratitude or that I owe you anything," Xia Qingyu continued, his expression turning serious. "We don't owe each other anything."
"We don't owe each other anything," Ji Xinghuo nodded firmly.
He had never intended to seek a familial relationship or hold any grudges. In his eyes, Xia Qingyu was slightly closer to him than a stranger, but not enough to be considered a friend.
If their paths crossed again in the future, he would simply treat him with indifference.
"Good!"
Xia Qingyu visibly relaxed.
"How did you end up on the Bloody Plateau?" he asked, eyeing Ji Xinghuo's weapons and equipment with surprise. This set of gear was worth a small fortune, far exceeding the million he had given him. He couldn't help but ask, "What rank are you now?"
"Advanced Other," Ji Xinghuo replied.
"Hmm?"
Xia Qingyu immediately realized something. Ji Xinghuo had just thanked him for the million that allowed him to become an Other. However, he wouldn't have received that money until his 22nd birthday, and it hadn't even been two years since then.
"Did you come here alone?" Xia Qingyu asked again.
Ji Xinghuo nodded.
"I don't know if you're fearless or just lucky." Xia Qingyu shook his head in disbelief. "An Advanced Other daring to venture to the Bloody Plateau and even reaching Skyfall Cliff... "
"I wouldn't have come if I didn't have confidence in my abilities." Ji Xinghuo didn't offer any further explanation.
"Quite the bold statement." Xia Qingyu took it as youthful arrogance. "Life on the Bloody Plateau isn't easy; you'll come to realize that. Anyway, since we're connected, follow me for now, and I'll help you get acquainted with the area around Skyfall Cliff."
Ji Xinghuo looked skeptical as he crossed his arms. "You're doing well for yourself, huh?"
"Of course!" Xia Qingyu couldn't stand Ji Xinghuo's doubt. "I've been at Skyfall Cliff for over a decade, and I'm somewhat famous around here. Not just the surrounding areas, but the entire eastern region of the plateau—there's nowhere I don't know, and it's all up here."
He pointed to his head.
With his arms still crossed, Ji Xinghuo quietly said, "I recall you're 66 years old, yet you're not even a Legend."
"Arrogant brat!"
Xia Qingyu seemed to have touched a nerve, and his expression darkened. "Do you know how difficult it is to advance from a Super Other to a Legend? You wouldn't understand even if I told you. While I haven't become a Legend yet, I'm at the pinnacle of Super Others, just a step away from the breakthrough. If I returned to Earth, I'd easily rank within the top thousand of the Tower."
Ji Xinghuo found it amusing to see Xia Qingyu so flustered.
"How long has it been since you last returned to Earth?" he asked.
"Almost five years."
Xia Qingyu looked perplexed. "I'm living the good life here at Skyfall Cliff, why would I go back to Earth?" He sensed that Ji Xinghuo's expression was a bit odd and asked, "Why do you ask?"
"No reason."
Ji Xinghuo shrugged, not elaborating further. He figured Xia Qingyu would find out eventually. Changing the subject, he said, "Since you know the plateau so well, I'd like to ask you about a couple of things."
"Go ahead."
"Where can I find the Gale Beast?" Ji Xinghuo asked.
"Don't know."
Xia Qingyu shook his head immediately.
Then, he snorted, "I figured you came to the Bloody Plateau because of the Gale Beast. They appear and disappear without a trace, with no fixed lair. They could be on any of the mountains across the plateau, and with their speed, even if someone spotted one, the news wouldn't spread."
Ji Xinghuo frowned. "Isn't there an area where Gale Beasts are more likely to appear?"
"Maybe, but that information is tightly controlled by the Highlanders and the Biao Tribe. Outsiders have no chance of finding out." Xia Qingyu said, "Regular people can only rely on luck."
He paused before adding, "I've only encountered a Gale Beast once in my over a decade on the plateau."
"And then?" Ji Xinghuo pressed.
"Of course, I slaughtered it and devoured its heart." Xia Qingyu boasted, regaining some of his confidence.
Ji Xinghuo was speechless.
Smiling, Xia Qingyu said, "It all comes down to luck. Some people might encounter Gale Beasts two or three times a year but fail to catch or kill them, while others might never see one in their entire lives on the plateau. If you're here specifically to find Gale Beasts, I advise you to give up early and not waste your time."
"I understand."
Ji Xinghuo nodded, though he didn't truly agree.
He thought that others' inability to find the beasts was due to their inferior sensory abilities, but with his electromagnetic sensing, his search efficiency was thousands of times better than theirs. As long as he had a lead, he was confident he could find the Gale Beasts.
"Ask me anything else you want to know." Xia Qingyu said.
Ji Xinghuo thought for a moment and asked, "Have there been any large-scale wars between the Highlander and the Beastkin tribes recently?"
"There are always wars." Xia Qingyu replied, "Those crazy tribes fight every day. It would be strange if they stopped."
"I mean, on a larger scale." Ji Xinghuo added.
"Why do you ask?" Xia Qingyu was a little confused but still answered, "There have been reports that the 'Blood Fury Tribe' has been secretly active around Skyfall Cliff, recruiting mercenary legions at a high price. They're probably planning a bloody war against their arch-nemesis, the 'Skull Crushers Tribe'."
He briefly introduced the two tribes of Red Emperor followers.
The Blood Fury Tribe was a group of Highlanders located in the Hailuo Mountain Range, about 1,500 kilometers north of Skyfall Cliff, with a population of over five million. They were one of the largest Highlander tribes in the eastern region of the plateau.
Their arch-nemesis, the Skull Crushers Tribe, was a fierce and intimidating tribe.
The Skull Crushers Tribe had a smaller population of less than ten million, and their tribal structure was more loosely organized, consisting of three smaller tribes that had joined forces.
The two tribes had been locked in a centuries-long conflict over control of the Hailuo Mountain Range, forging a deep and bitter enmity.
Such wars occurred once every decade or so.
After explaining this, Xia Qingyu asked, "You're asking about this because you want Red Emperor blood crystals, right?"
(End of Chapter)
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