Chapter 1028: Chapter 439: Reward—Dragon Essence Blood Tempering Pill and Enlightenment Spirit Pearl (Part 2)

The flood dragon let out a low growl, its demon light surging around its body, sweeping up a gentle stream of water that carried the three of them. In an instant, it transformed into a swift stream of light, speeding toward the direction of the True Dragon Hall deep in the ocean, quickly disappearing at the horizon’s edge.

Meanwhile, the brutal battlefield below was left for the surviving forces of the Outer Sea Human Race and the Demon Race to clean up.

The setting sun was like blood, reflecting on the remnants and crimson that spread across the sea.

The cheers of victory gradually subsided, replaced by the heavy and sorrowful task of treating the wounded, gathering fallen comrades, and assessing losses.

The cost of this victory was far too great.

...

Two days later.

At the bottom of the deep sea, the pressure was immense, and the light was dim.

However, in this eternal darkness, there was a group of palaces emitting a hazy yet majestic treasure light, located within the territory of the True Dragon Hall, the sanctuary of the Outer Sea Demon Race.

Although called a "side palace," its luxury and grandeur far exceeded ordinary imagination.

The palace was entirely constructed from massive warm jade, deep-sea cold crystals, and various coral gemstones shimmering with spiritual light, with carved beams and painted pillars, where luminous pearls served as lamps, and the Spiritual Qi was so dense it was almost liquid.

In an elegantly arranged side palace, equipped with soundproofing and Divine Sense restricting barriers, Ao Guang the dragon king, Xu Ping, and the Nine Nether Elder took their seats as host and guests. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

After a beautiful shell maiden served deep-sea Spirit Tea, exuding fragrance and rich in Spiritual Qi, she quietly withdrew, leaving only the three of them in the hall.

Ao Guang the dragon king took a sip of Spirit Tea, set down the cup, and his gaze first fell upon the Nine Nether Elder, carrying a hint of inquiry, he slowly spoke:

"Fellow Daoist Jiuyou, your Divine Techniques are vast and your ghostly cultivation is unfathomable. May I know where have you been cultivating in seclusion on an immortal mountain?"

"Ao Mou never seemed to have heard of your name."

This was the beginning of probing his background.

Upon hearing this, the Nine Nether Elder let out a low laugh, like an old bellows, his muddy eyes narrowed into slits: "I am but a reclusive Loose Cultivator from the mountains, incidentally benefiting from the legacy of predecessors, barely surviving till now, not worth mentioning, not worth mentioning."

"The name has long been forgotten. The dragon king may call me Jiuyou."

He chuckled, casually dismissing the topic, without the slightest intention of revealing his origins.

Seeing this, Ao Guang the dragon king’s eyes flashed with a keen light, but he did not continue to press on.

At their level, who doesn’t have some secrets?

Forcing inquiries would only cause displeasure. He turned his gaze to Xu Ping, this young man surprised him even more.

"Fellow Daoist Xu, at such a young age, to possess such cultivation and battle prowess, especially bearing dual treasures, with Sword Dao so profound, truly leaves Ao Mou in admiration. May I know your lineage..."

Xu Ping’s expression remained unchanged as he calmly replied, "Xu Mou is also from a Loose Cultivator background, occasionally encountering fortuitous opportunities, exploring on my own, without a fixed lineage."

His answer was equally succinct, attributing everything to "fortuitous opportunity."

Ao Guang the dragon king gave Xu Ping a deep look, nodded, and did not probe further.

Some matters are best left unsaid.

He then shifted to the main topic, speaking solemnly: "The kindness of both fellow Daoists in assisting us, the Dragon Race and all beings of the Outer Sea, dare not forget. Words alone are not enough; Ao Mou wishes to express a token of gratitude."

"Do either of you fellow Daoists have anything you require?"

"As long as it’s in our Dragon Palace’s treasury, we will certainly not refuse."

This was a gesture to fulfill the rewards and further cement their relationship.

The Nine Nether Elder seemed to have awaited this moment for some time, and after a moment of silence, he slowly said, "What I require may be considered marginal within the Dragon Race."

"Firstly, the ’Ten-Thousand-Year Nether Soul Jade,’ secondly, the stamen of the ’Flower of the Yellow Springs’."

"Does the dragon king’s treasury perhaps contain these two items?"

These two are both top-tier fifth-grade heavenly treasures coveted by ghostly cultivators.

Ao Guang the dragon king, upon hearing this, almost without any hesitation, directly nodded: "There are, the two items fellow Daoist requires, though rare, happen to be in our Dragon Palace’s collection."

"I’ll have someone fetch them later to gift to fellow Daoist."

The True Dragon Hall has ruled the Outer Sea for countless years, and its accumulated wealth and treasures, in some respects, even surpass the Star Palace, as the Demon Race focuses more on gathering celestial and earthly spiritual objects.

These two ghostly supreme treasures, which are of little use to the Demon Race, are used to secure the friendship and continued support of a Divinity Transformation level ghost cultivator, which Ao Guang the dragon king deemed very worthwhile.

The rigid smile on the Nine Nether Elder’s face became a bit more genuine, clasping his hands: "Then I shall humbly accept, many thanks for the dragon king’s generosity!"

It was clear that acquiring these two treasures made him extremely pleased.

Subsequently, Ao Guang the dragon king’s gaze fell upon Xu Ping, carrying more significance and expectation.

For Xu Ping, this anomaly who could exert Divinity Transformation power with a Nascent Soul, his internal evaluation far surpassed that of the Nine Nether Elder.

This child’s potential and threat are both greater.

Xu Ping pondered momentarily; his current Cultivation Technique and Magical Treasures had reached a bottleneck, where ordinary treasures could hardly bring substantial improvement.

He contemplated briefly and spoke: "What Xu Mou requires may also be somewhat unusual."

"Firstly, a treasure or Secret Technique that can enhance the dragon’s might on the Human Race; secondly, a Spiritual Object that can enhance cultivators’ comprehension."

Enhancing dragon’s might is naturally to further boost the power of the ’Soaring Dragon Technique.’

If in the future the ’Nirvana Golden Body’ is cultivated, the physical body would be incredibly robust, and combined with this enhanced dragon’s might to execute the Soaring Dragon Technique, the power for close combat would greatly increase, elevating his strength to a higher level.

He could even suppress the current Opportune Demon Ancestor.

And enhancing comprehension is for the Sword Dao.

He felt his progress in Sword Dao has been rapid, but he needs to be faster, faster than anyone in this world.

As long as he achieves Perfection, by then, even the threat of the Dual Saints, he will also be able to protect himself.