Zong Shou’s heart immediately sank, understanding Ao Kun’s meaning. This Dragon Pill likely did not belong to Ao Kun.
In truth, this had been anticipated; retrieving it was merely clutching at a one-in-ten-thousand hope.
With a slight sigh, Zong Shou’s expression quickly returned to normal.
“Could it be, Brother Ao, that you recognize the owner of this Dragon Pill?”
“Indeed, I know him!”
Ao Kun nodded, showing no frustration, merely sighing with feeling. “Though both of us are branded as Calamity Dragons and both possess the Divine Realm, I am worlds apart from him. This person was sealed because he intended to create a new True Dragon bloodline outside of the Nine True Dragons, calling himself the Dragon of Destruction. He was mere inches from success, yet at that final step, he was jointly captured by the many powerhouses of the Dragon Clan. As for me, Ao Kun, I was merely trapped by sentiment, my killing intent too rampant, which thoroughly angered a Supreme Realm expert. The disparity in our realms means Ao Kun cannot compare to even a fraction of his might—”
He then chuckled towards Zong Shou, “This Dragon Pill is useless to me; forcing fusion would prevent me from ever reaching the Saint Realm in this lifetime. However, it contains a significant amount of Destruction Law. If it fell into the hands of an expert in the Spirit or Immortal Realms, it would be a supreme treasure!”
Zong Shou frowned. The Destruction Law traveled down the same path as Jue Yu’s Great Annihilation Sword.
If this Dragon Pill could allow one to comprehend the Destruction Law, then this object was truly a paramount treasure.
Without dwelling on it further, Zong Shou placed a small vial before him. As he uncorked it, the area immediately filled with swirling spiritual mist. “Essence Spring of Primal Origin? There is such a treasure in the Third Dragon Palace?”
Ao Kun was also astonished upon seeing it. Then he shook his head. “While this Essence Spring of Primal Origin is first-rate for healing injuries, it is of no use for me to reforge my Dragon Pill.”
Zong Shou’s expression instantly dimmed, feeling a touch of shame. By the sound of it, he had gained absolutely nothing from this Third Dragon Palace.
Conversely, Ao Kun remained composed and sought to comfort him. “Your Highness’s kind intentions this time, Ao Kun thanks you deeply! It is truly no matter. I, Ao Kun, have waited for tens of thousands of years; a moment more means little. The Spiritual Tide is still seven years away. Whether I reassemble my pill or locate the true sealing place of my Dragon Pill, there will surely be a way—”
As he spoke, he swept his gaze over Zong Shou. “As for you, why has your lifespan diminished so much? Your name is inscribed in the Golden Register of Profound Fate, and you should only be sixteen years old, with a lifespan of two thousand years! Hmm? Is that the Qi of the Great Beginning?”
Zong Yuan and Ruo Shui were both startled, looking over in astonishment. This was the first time they had learned of Zong Shou’s limited lifespan.
Zong Shou smiled upon hearing this, finally remembering that since his name was in the Golden Register of Profound Fate, his lifespan had doubled. Therefore, the life consumed on the Boundary Observing Artifact was not nine hundred and forty years, but a full one thousand eight hundred and eighty years.
“Within the Dragon Palace, Zong Shou was privileged to witness the opening of a world, beholding the scenery of the Great Beginning. The cost was these one thousand eight hundred years of life! Whether that is a blessing or a curse—I do not know—”
Ao Kun paused, a flicker of an unusual expression crossing his eyes, uncertain if it was envy or regret.
“Whether it is a blessing or a curse depends on whether Your Highness can step into the Immortal Realm before your lifespan runs out. For beings like us, that is something to dream of. Ao Kun never knew that one could have the opportunity to view the scenery of the Great Beginning in the Third Dragon Palace. And for only one thousand eight hundred years of life? That is truly a worthwhile exchange!”
He glanced again at what lay before Zong Shou, about to remark that Zong Shou’s haul this time was incredibly rich, when his eyes suddenly focused, staring intently at that jade bead.
After examining it carefully, Ao Kun’s face displayed a mixture of excitement and trepidation. He impatiently beckoned, drawing the jade bead into his hand.
Ao Kun completely ignored the outer jade shell, his eyes fixed solely on the few drops of jade-blue spiritual liquid within.
“The Grand Profound Elixir Liquid, it really is the Grand Profound Elixir Liquid!”
After a few murmured words, Ao Kun burst into loud laughter.
“I, Ao Kun, never expected to have a chance to turn my fortunes around, to have a day when I might ascend to the Saint Realm! Ming Ce, Ming Ce, you once judged my fate, saying that if I failed to subdue that person, I would surely perish, with no hope for the Saint Realm in life. But what about now?”
His voice boomed across the firmament, an irrepressible, continuous roar of laughter.
Zong Shou paused, then looked at Ao Kun with a strange gaze.
Just as he was privately wondering if this being had gone mad, Ao Kun abruptly stopped laughing, though his eyes were still brimming with excitement.
“My apologies! Ao Kun lost his composure, simply because this is the first time in eight thousand years that I have felt such pure elation!”
Zong Shou nodded in understanding, his gaze fixed on the jade bead in Ao Kun’s hand, inwardly curious: could this object truly help Ao Kun reforge his Dragon Pill? And who exactly was this Ming Ce he mentioned?
“This object is called a liquid, but it is actually a type of immortal elixir. It not only helps aberrations like me reforge pills but is also useful to human cultivators; it is specifically used to treat injuries from broken cores. There isn't much of this Grand Profound Elixir Liquid, but combined with this Destruction Dragon Pill and the Essence Spring of Primal Origin, it is just enough to fully restore my old injuries. As for Ming Ce, his name is Venerable Ming Ce; half monk, half-Buddhist, an old madman who specializes in misleading people. You will naturally recognize him later—”
After briefly explaining, Ao Kun then asked curiously, “May I ask where Your Highness obtained this item?”
Zong Shou remained silent, looking thoughtfully at Chu Xue on the back of the Cold Gold Tiger.
He certainly couldn't tell Ao Kun that this little girl had swallowed three torn pages from the Golden Register of Profound Fate and then regurgitated them?
However, he now had a rough idea of how this came to be.
Ao Kun looked at Chu Xue, pondered briefly, and then realized with sudden clarity. “So that’s how it is! Please convey my deepest gratitude to that elder from the Dao of All Beings on my behalf, Your Highness. Say that Ao Kun is eternally indebted; such great kindness is hard to repay. Any command in the future, I will not refuse!”
Zong Shou offered a wry smile. To this day, he remained unclear exactly which being had sent Chu Xue into a dream state. Ao Kun, however, did not dwell on the matter and was about to say something else when his brow suddenly arched, his gaze drawn to the distance.
“Those two little girls from the Ye family are back again—”
Zong Shou was startled and looked over, but saw nothing. He vaguely understood that his spiritual sense was far inferior to Ao Kun’s, so he stopped looking and thoughtfully asked, “Brother Ao! Was this Ye family very famous back in the Cloud Wasteland?”
“Naturally famous! Their name was thunderous!”
Ao Kun smiled and explained, “Your demon races merge divine beast bloodlines with human bodies. But the ancestor of this Ye family, feeling the difficulty of the Dragon Clan’s survival and the hardship of producing offspring, actively merged human blood into his dragon body. In the Cloud Wasteland era, this infuriated the Dragon Clan to the point where they nearly sealed him as well. But judging by the current situation, this person’s descendants do not seem to be faring very well.”
Zong Shou was speechless, concluding that he finally understood the background of the Ye family this time.
These Ye sisters were indeed in dire straits. But their elder must still be alive, otherwise the Dao of All Beings would not have taken the trouble to send him to assist Fei Shuang and Fei Han.
“I had some acquaintance with their ancestor. However, it is inconvenient for me to see these two juniors now, so I shall take my leave.”
As Ao Kun spoke, he unceremoniously pocketed the vial of Essence Spring of Primal Origin.
Just as he was about to tear through the void to depart, he suddenly seemed to remember something and turned back with a smile.
“Forgot to mention! That old fellow Long Ying has already returned. He is ten worlds away and could arrive in an instant. He said regarding the Lingyun Sect matter, you can act without reservation.”
Zong Shou’s movements immediately froze. His heart warmed slightly, but his reply was only a faint ‘En.’
Ao Kun then laughed again.
“In forty-nine days, Ao Kun can reforge his Dragon Pill and step into the Saint Realm. Thanks to you, I will likely grasp the Way of Destruction and can then lend you a hand! Furthermore, as far as I know, beneath the Holy Lands, apart from the Seven Spirits Sect, most do not have any Saint Realm venerable ones. Even if they do, they are not worth mentioning to Ao Kun. Do whatever you intend to do—”
Zong Shou still only replied faintly, saying little. Ao Kun didn’t mind, and suddenly looked into the distance. “Those dozens of petty brutes over there seem to be looking for you. Shall I deal with them for you?”
Hearing this, a sliver of coldness flashed in Zong Shou’s eyes, before returning to normal with a faint smile.
“Since they are merely petty brutes, I, Zong Shou, am not incapable of handling them. There is no need to trouble Brother Ao to act!”
Ao Kun immediately burst into loud laughter again, tearing open the space.
“If that is the case, then farewell! Your current scheme is grand; take care—”
As his voice faded, the space forcibly torn open immediately healed, and Ao Kun’s figure completely vanished.
Zong Shou’s expression settled into silent contemplation. After a moment, his consciousness cleared. He casually tossed the Night Demon Wings to Ruo Shui.
He put away the other items, keeping only the golden shuttle before his eyes.
This truly was a ship, a second-tier Dharma treasure. It could be urged on after a little refinement; he wondered about its speed.
Zong Shou flicked his finger, and a drop of essence blood seeped into it. As he began reciting the spirit formulas to refine it, Fei Shuang and Fei Han had already returned.
They were piloting a massive ship, nearly three hundred zhang long, which arrived nearby in moments. Ye Feishuang leaped off the vessel, then frowned. “Why are you still here? I saw people from the Primordial Demon Sect and the Dao Name Sect searching nearby just now. They should arrive in another half an incense stick’s time.”
She looked around curiously. “I felt a Dragon Clan aura just now; why is it gone?”
Ye Feihan ran directly to Zong Shou’s side, grabbing his arm anxiously. “Brother Shou, hurry and flee! I saw several Spirit Martial Venerables over there, and Spirit Masters of the True Form Realm—they are very powerful! Hurry and go—”
Zong Shou chuckled inwardly, though his heart warmed slightly. He truly didn’t know what to say to these two girls.
They could clearly escape, clearly stand apart from the trouble, yet they rushed back to warn him.
Ye Feishuang, despite her somewhat harsh temperament, was also warm-hearted.
“Nonsense! When has your Zong Shou ever fled?”
Frowning, Zong Shou stood up, calmly gazing toward the direction the two maidens had come from.
Just as Ye Feishuang thought this fellow was foolish enough to engage the two great sects head-on, Zong Shou’s scalp suddenly tingled. He mused that there were indeed too many people. After pondering for a moment, he decisively dissolved the golden shuttle in his hand, causing it to expand to over a hundred zhang long.
“Forget it! I currently have no inclination to deal with them. I might as well test out this Demon-Repelling Divine Shuttle and see how it performs—” (To be continued)