Chapter 1035: Chapter 441: Duan Shuang Breaks Through to Late-Stage Nascent Soul (3)

Given his current status and the favor of having aided in battle before, if he were to request from Dragon King Ao Guang a treasure that assists Nascent Soul Cultivators in making a breakthrough, the other party most likely would not refuse.

...

The True Dragon Hall’s response was even faster than Xu Ping had anticipated.

One year later.

The mist outside Blood Bone Island was torn apart by a magnificent, imposing golden Escape Light carrying pure dragon might.

As the light gathered back, it revealed a youth in a gorgeous golden robe, handsome of face, with jade-like horns on his head.

This was none other than Ao Qin, the current Hall Master of the True Dragon Hall, and a direct descendant of Fifth Rank Dragon King Ao Guang.

"Hall Master Ao Qin, your grand arrival and I have failed to welcome you from afar."

Xu Ping sensed the visitor, appeared to greet him, and spoke in a calm tone.

To this de facto manager of the True Dragon Hall, he showed the respect due.

Ao Qin did not dare put on airs; facing this Human Race powerhouse who could stand on equal footing with his royal father, he courteously cupped his hands in return. "Fellow Daoist Xu, you are too polite. My sudden visit must be an imposition."

"Hall Master Ao Qin, you flatter me. Please." Xu Ping led him into the Blood Bone Hall.

Once host and guest were seated, Xu Ping personally poured Ao Qin a cup of Spirit Tea brimming with Spiritual Qi.

Ao Qin took a symbolic sip, set the cup down, and went straight to the point: "Fellow Daoist Xu, my father sent me here regarding the matter you entrusted to him before."

"As for the item you require to aid in breaking through to Late-Stage Nascent Soul, our Dragon Palace treasury happens to hold two ’Dragon Essence Blood Diamonds.’"

"Dragon Essence Blood Diamonds?"

Xu Ping’s eyes flickered slightly, revealing a look of inquiry.

Ao Qin explained, "This item is formed over tens of thousands of years at special dragon-vein nodes and contains the most fundamental essence of Dragon Blood."

"Although Human Race cultivators cannot directly absorb it, they can place it into specially prepared nurturing Spiritual Liquid and bathe in it, slowly absorbing the original essence it releases through all the apertures of their body."

"This process can greatly enhance a cultivator’s physical body and Nascent Soul foundation, cleanse and refine their Mana and Nascent Soul, making them more pure and condensed, thereby massively increasing the success rate of breaking through the bottleneck, with virtually no side effects."

As he spoke, he took out an exquisitely carved jade box. After opening it, inside lay two Crystal Stones about the size of a fist, wholly a deep, gorgeous blood-red, with what seemed like liquid Dragon Essence slowly flowing within.

They were precisely the Dragon Essence Blood Diamonds.

The moment they appeared, an incredibly dense life essence and Pure Yang Dragon Essence spread out, making the whole Blood Bone Hall feel several degrees warmer.

Seeing this, Xu Ping’s eyes instantly brightened.

What a fine treasure! 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

The effect of these Dragon Essence Blood Diamonds was even more fundamental and gentler than that of the "Profound Ice Barrier-Breaking Fruit."

The Profound Ice Barrier-Breaking Fruit specialized in breaking barriers and focusing the mind, whereas the Dragon Essence Blood Diamonds strengthened a cultivator’s origin from the root. The effects of the two not only did not conflict, but instead complemented each other perfectly, fitting together like a perfect match.

"Hall Master Ao Qin, this is exactly what Xu Mou urgently needs. I will remember the goodwill of your esteemed hall."

Xu Ping offered a solemn thanks, then, without any hesitation, took out the return gifts he had long prepared:

Two Dragon Blood Fruits, and six sheets of Fourth Rank Upper Grade talismans wreathed in shimmering spiritual light.

The Dragon Blood Fruits would also benefit Dragon Race descendants, and Fourth Rank Upper Grade talismans were hard currency anywhere.

Seeing this, Ao Qin’s face showed a satisfied smile.

Though Dragon Essence Blood Diamonds were precious, their uses to the Dragon Race were relatively limited. To exchange them for Dragon Blood Fruits, which were beneficial to themselves, and high-rank talismans that could save lives and slay enemies at critical moments, this deal was extremely worthwhile.

"Fellow Daoist Xu, you are too courteous. You and I watching over and aiding each other is how it should be."

Once the transaction was concluded, the two exchanged a few more polite words, then Ao Qin rose to take his leave, transforming into golden light and escaping away.

After seeing Ao Qin off, Xu Ping held the jade box containing the Dragon Essence Blood Diamonds, feeling his heart settle. He immediately set out and arrived at Duan Shuang’s cave abode.

Inside the cave abode, when Duan Shuang saw Xu Ping arrive, she joyfully came up to greet him.

Xu Ping took out the "Profound Ice Barrier-Breaking Fruits" and the Dragon Essence Blood Diamonds and explained in detail to her the effects and usage of the two.

Looking at these two treasures before her—enough to drive any Mid-stage Nascent Soul Cultivator mad—ripples upon ripples arose in Duan Shuang’s beautiful eyes.

She knew very well how precious these two things were, especially the Dragon Essence Blood Diamonds, which were likely treasures that even the True Dragon Hall treated as priceless reserves.

"Xu Lang..." Duan Shuang’s voice was tender and full of affection.

Xu Ping smiled as he pinched her delicate cheek, deliberately putting on a stern face. "Shuang’Er, no need to be like this. Cultivating well is the best repayment to me."

"However, let me say this upfront: if after all this preparation you still dare to fail your breakthrough... your husband will have to give your little butt a good spanking."

Hearing this, Duan Shuang’s starry eyes turned slightly, actually carrying a rare trace of provocation and seductive charm.

She tilted her body just a bit, outlining a tempting curve, her red lips parting lightly. "Xu Lang... you don’t dare to hit me right now?"

Xu Ping’s gaze swept over her pert, round, and full buttocks that were slightly raised, his brow arched, and a blaze of fire surged up in his heart.

She actually dared to provoke him?

"You’re something else, Shuang’Er. Seems I’ve been spoiling you far too much!"

Xu Ping let out a low chuckle, naturally unwilling to show weakness.

He immediately stepped forward, domineeringly wrapped an arm around Duan Shuang’s slender waist that could be grasped in one hand, lifted her up horizontally, and strode with long steps into the sleeping quarters deep within the cave abode.

Very soon, a series of crisp, rhythmic "pa pa" sounds rang out.

...

Time flowed by, calm yet filled with urgency, and another three years passed.

Over these three years, Duan Shuang had followed Xu Ping’s arrangements and begun to use the Dragon Essence Blood Diamonds on a regular basis.

In a specially prepared Spiritual Liquid medicinal bath, the two Dragon Essence Blood Diamonds floated within, radiating hazy blood-colored radiance that enveloped Duan Shuang’s entire body.

The pure Dragon Essence life force seeped slowly into her body through every pore, nourishing her meridians, cleansing her Mana, and gently nurturing her Nascent Soul.

It was clearly noticeable that Duan Shuang’s aura grew thicker by the day; the Mana that had already been honed to the extreme became even more pure and condensed, and her Nascent Soul grew ever more solid and lively, emanating a lustrous glow like precious jade.

Her distance from the bottleneck of Late-Stage Nascent Soul was growing closer and closer; that barrier now seemed as thin as a cicada’s wing.