Hearing Nie Li and Xiao Yu's conversation, Ye Ziyun fell into thought, as if she had understood something.
They had only just met Xiao Yu, and Ye Ziyun was wary of him. Suddenly traveling with a stranger in a place like the Ninefold Deathlands was indeed very unwise.
"Since there's no prejudice between us, why must Brother Nie Li drive me away? If Brother Nie Li has business to attend to, I simply won't interfere," Xiao Yu said with a faint smile, his eyes narrowing slightly as he looked at Nie Li.
Hearing Xiao Yu's words, Nie Li felt a chill run through him. Xiao Yu's strength gave off an unfathomable impression, and Nie Li worried that if he tried to force Xiao Yu to leave, the latter might turn hostile. It seemed this fellow was dead set on clinging to them no matter what.
"If Brother Xiao Yu wishes to stay, that's fine. But from now on, if we encounter any situations, Brother Xiao Yu will have to look after himself," Nie Li said after a moment of silence. It seemed he'd need to find another way to get rid of Xiao Yu. Moreover, he needed to find Goddess Yuyan and the others as soon as possible. With just the three of them, they might not be able to handle Xiao Yu.
"Rest assured, Brother Nie Li. In this Netherworld, no one can lay a finger on me," Xiao Yu said proudly.
Nie Li glanced at Xiao Yu. Was this confidence or mere arrogance? To actually claim that no one in the Netherworld could harm him.
Xiao Yu's identity was shrouded in mystery, and for now, Nie Li could only keep his doubts buried in his heart.
Xiao Ning'er looked at Nie Li, then at Xiao Yu. Although she thought Xiao Yu was a decent person, she unconditionally trusted Nie Li's judgment. At the same time, Xiao Yu's impression on her didn't seem like that of a bad person, and Xiao Ning'er found herself caught in a dilemma.
The four of them set out together, searching along the lakeshore for traces of others as they went.
"That's… a Spirit Origin Fruit?" Nie Li's gaze fell upon a spot in the forest by the lake, where a fruit grew quietly, emitting a faint, crystalline white glow.
Nie Li walked toward the Spirit Origin Fruit and glanced at Xiao Yu beside him. "Brother Xiao, are you interested in this Spirit Origin Fruit?"
Hearing Nie Li's words, Xiao Yu shook his head. "My constitution is special. The Spirit Origin Fruit has no effect on me. You should take it."
For something as precious as the Spirit Origin Fruit, Xiao Yu showed no desire to compete for it at all. What exactly was he after? Nie Li fell silent for a moment. He crouched beside the Spirit Origin Fruit and carefully plucked it, then placed it into his Space Ring.
Eating a Spirit Origin Fruit would require time to refine, and a single fruit wasn't enough to split among them. Better to store it for now and search elsewhere. Perhaps they could find more Spirit Origin Fruits.
"Brother Nie Li, don't you think this world is full of people who die for wealth and birds that perish for food? Everyone fights and struggles, and in the end, some die and some are injured. What's the point?" Xiao Yu said with a faint smile. In his view, Nie Li was nothing more than a greedy person.
Hearing Xiao Yu's words, Nie Li looked at him more closely. He hadn't expected Xiao Yu to have such reflections. He chuckled. "People live with the seven emotions and six desires, with endless troubles. By your logic, wouldn't it be better to just die? But when a person dies, it's like a lamp going out — everything is gone. It's still better to fight and struggle; at least it's lively."
Hearing Nie Li's words, Xiao Yu was struck speechless with laughter. But upon reflection, there seemed to be a certain philosophy to them. If you don't fight for anything, what meaning is there in living?
He hadn't expected Nie Li to have his own insights on such matters. Xiao Yu smiled. Nie Li was actually a somewhat interesting person.
"I'm a bit curious about you. At such a young age, how did you manage to master Runic Patterns to such an advanced degree? An Advanced Runic Pattern Master — that's truly remarkable!" Seeing Xiao Ning'er and Ye Ziyun chatting in the distance, Xiao Yu crossed his arms and smiled slightly.
Hearing Xiao Yu's words, Nie Li was alarmed. How did Xiao Yu know he was an Advanced Runic Pattern Master? The more Nie Li thought about it, the more alarmed he became. What exactly was Xiao Yu's background? To have investigated his secrets so thoroughly — and his approach toward Ning'er must have been deliberate as well.
Nie Li clenched his fists and walked up to Xiao Yu, his voice low and dangerous. "I don't know who you really are, or how you found out about my background. But if you do anything to harm anyone around me, I will make you regret it!"
Sensing Nie Li's approach, Xiao Yu took a small step back, creating some distance. "Brother Nie Li jests. I was merely curious about you. I have no intention of harming any of you."
"Good." Nie Li was silent for a moment, unsure whether Xiao Yu's words were genuine, but he still found it difficult to let down his guard around Xiao Yu.
"You still haven't answered my question," Xiao Yu said with a faint smile.
"Runic Patterns are nothing more than rules. Once you understand the rules, you grasp the essence behind them," Nie Li replied after thinking for a moment. He would never tell anyone about his rebirth.
"Rules?" Upon hearing this, Xiao Yu's sharp, spirited eyes narrowed slightly. "Has Brother Nie Li already grasped the essence of the Laws of Power?"
Hearing Xiao Yu's words, Nie Li was startled. This person actually knew about the essence of the Laws of Power as well? What kind of background did he have? Nie Li noticed that Xiao Yu's eyes were a pale, gem-like blue — beautiful beyond words.
For a brief moment, Nie Li was stunned into silence before snapping back to his senses.