A life-and-death duel was interrupted by a sudden turn of events. As Ye Qiu watched Chen Tianming and Qi Tian leave one after another, he inwardly sighed with regret.
“If that unexpected interruption had not occurred, one of them would certainly have died. What a pity.”
At the scene, only Ye Qiu, the Long-Browed Real Person, and the disciples of the Ancient Desolate Holy Land remained.
The Long-Browed Real Person transmitted his voice. “Little brat, we should hurry and follow them.”
“Follow them to our deaths?” Ye Qiu replied.
The Long-Browed Real Person said, “Such a huge commotion over there very likely means the Dragon Emperor’s inheritance has appeared. If we arrive too late, someone else will claim it first.”
Ye Qiu said, “Have you not considered that everyone who entered the Dragon Burial Nest this time is aiming for the Dragon Emperor’s inheritance?”
“Is the Dragon Emperor’s inheritance so easily obtained?”
“Do not be impatient. Let them fight each other to the death first, then we will make our move.”
The Long-Browed Real Person laughed. “Sitting atop the mountain to watch tigers fight, do you think this poor daoist had not thought of that?”
“Little brat, this poor daoist merely wanted to see whether treasures had clouded your eyes and obscured your reason.”
“It seems now that you are perfectly clear-headed.”
“I am most gratified!”
Shameless.
Ye Qiu glared at the Long-Browed Real Person.
Suddenly, the Long-Browed Real Person said, “Little brat, Wang Cong and Fang Tianming are coming.”
Ye Qiu turned his head and saw Wang Cong leading the disciples of the Ancient Desolate Holy Land striding towards them.
“Brother Long!”
Wang Cong approached Ye Qiu and said, “Fang Junior Brother has already told me what happened earlier. Thank you for saving him.”
With that, Wang Cong clasped his fists and bowed to Ye Qiu.
“God Child Wang is too polite. It was a mere trifle, not worth mentioning,” Ye Qiu replied courteously.
Fang Tianming, standing beside him, said, “Brother Long, without you I would have died long ago, and no one would have known of the wicked deeds of the Qingyun Sword Sect.”
“I will never forget the grace of saving my life.”
As he spoke, Fang Tianming straightened his robes and solemnly bowed ninety degrees to Ye Qiu.
Ye Qiu said, “Brother Fang, there is no need for this. I already told you, our two sects are allies. Saving you when you were in danger was my duty.”
“Besides, if I were the one in peril, you would save me too, would you not?”
Fang Tianming replied with utmost seriousness, “Naturally. You saved my life. If you ever face danger in the future, I will not stand idly by.”
“Brother Long, this is for you.” Wang Cong took out a pristine white jade vial and handed it to Ye Qiu.
“What is this?” Ye Qiu asked.
“Open it and you will know,” Wang Cong said mysteriously. “I guarantee you will like it.”
Ye Qiu accepted the vial, removed the stopper, and immediately a rich medicinal fragrance assailed his senses, making one feel light and euphoric.
A spirit pill!
The Long-Browed Real Person, standing behind Ye Qiu, caught the scent and nearly began to drool.
Ye Qiu peered inside the vial and saw a round, lustrous brown pill the size of a thumb.
He recognised its origin at a glance and blurted out, “Heaven-grade mid-rank Ascension Origin Pill!”
“Brother Long is indeed the disciple of the Infinite Heavenly Venerable. Your insight is extraordinary,” Wang Cong said. “It is yours.”
So generous?
Ye Qiu was delighted inwardly, yet on the surface he feigned refusal, quickly handing the vial back to Wang Cong. “God Child Wang, this spirit pill is far too precious. I cannot accept it.”
Wang Cong said, “You saved Fang Tianming. This is my thanks.”
Ye Qiu replied, “I already said, we are allies. Rescuing Brother Fang was my duty. Moreover…”
“No more words.” Wang Cong raised a hand to interrupt him. “I am not fond of owing favours. You saved Fang Tianming, so this pill is my gratitude.”
Ye Qiu said, “This pill is too valuable.”
Wang Cong replied, “Compared to Fang Tianming’s life, a single pill is nothing.”
Ye Qiu appeared hesitant. “But…”
“No buts.” Fang Tianming said, “Once this God Child has given something, it has never been taken back. If you do not want it, simply throw it away.”
Ye Qiu was stunned. This Wang Cong’s generosity reminded him of a certain young master from the secular world, and even their names differed by only one character.
Fang Tianming urged, “Brother Long, accept it quickly. If you keep refusing, the God Child will truly become angry.”
Ye Qiu glanced at Wang Cong and, sure enough, the man’s face had hardened.
“Then I shall respectfully comply. In that case, I will accept this pill,” Ye Qiu said. “Many thanks, God Child Wang.”
Seeing Ye Qiu accept the pill, Wang Cong smiled and said, “This heaven-grade mid-rank Ascension Origin Pill, once you refine its medicinal power with your cultivation, will allow you to advance one entire realm.”
“Brother Long, when matters here are concluded and we return, I shall bring generous gifts to the Yin-Yang Sect to pay respects to the Infinite Heavenly Venerable, and then drink and make merry with you.”
Ye Qiu put on a show of formality. “You will be most welcome. At that time, I shall personally descend the mountain to greet God Child Wang.”
Wang Cong pointed towards the towering golden light rising from the distant mountains. “A disturbance has appeared there. It is very likely someone has found the Dragon Emperor’s inheritance. I intend to go and investigate.”
“Brother Long, will you join me?”
“My cultivation is higher than yours. I can protect you.”
Ye Qiu replied, “Many thanks, God Child, but I have grown somewhat weary along the way and intend to rest here for a while.”
“Then this God Child will take his leave first. Farewell, Brother Long.” With that, Wang Cong swiftly departed with the disciples of the Ancient Desolate Holy Land.
Once they had gone, the Long-Browed Real Person stared at the jade vial in Ye Qiu’s hand, his eyes gleaming greedily. “Little brat, are we not friends who would live and die together?”
Ye Qiu found it amusing. “If you want the spirit pill, just say so. Why play the emotional card with me?”
The Long-Browed Real Person wore an ingratiating smile. “Little brat, could you give the spirit pill to me?”
Without a word, Ye Qiu tossed the jade vial to him.
“So straightforward?” The Long-Browed Real Person had not expected Ye Qiu to truly give it to him and was momentarily incredulous.
Ye Qiu glared. “If you do not want it, you can return it.”
“I want it, I want it.” The Long-Browed Real Person hurriedly stowed the pill away and grinned obsequiously.
Ye Qiu said, “Old fellow, find the right moment and consume this spirit pill.”
“Then your cultivation will reach the peak of the Nascent Soul stage, and breaking through to the Spirit Severing realm will be just around the corner.”
“Once your cultivation reaches the Spirit Severing realm, combined with the techniques you command, you will be able to contend even against those supreme heavenly prodigies.”
The Long-Browed Real Person nodded slightly. “This world is unlike the secular one. People fight at the slightest disagreement and kill whoever displeases them. It is truly terrifying.”
“Only by raising our cultivation as quickly as possible can we preserve our lives.”
Ye Qiu nodded faintly.
“Little brat, let us go and see what that golden light truly is,” the Long-Browed Real Person pressed.
“Did I not already say, no rush!” As Ye Qiu finished speaking, he suddenly stepped forward and walked towards the altar where the Great Dao Tree grew.
