Chapter 59: Chapter 59: Qu Luoning’s Trouble
Ji Chen was ecstatic, not expecting that he would gain such a harvest shortly after arriving at the Emperor Ye Ancient Ruins.
Originally on this journey, he was not even confident he could find the Holy Dragon Origin Qi.
But never did he imagine that he would not only acquire the Holy Dragon Origin Qi, but it was a Holy Dragon Source Stone!
It’s no exaggeration to say that with this Holy Dragon Source Stone, the Lingyun Sect could elevate its overall strength by several tiers within just two or three years.
In Ji Chen’s original plan, he intended to lead the Lingyun Sect to surpass the Purple Cloud Sect within ten years.
But now, it seems that within four or five years at most, this goal could be achieved!
"Aow..."
From within the jade pearl came Ao Tian’s cry, carrying an unmistakable excitement in its tone.
Clearly, Ao Tian also sensed the special nature of this Holy Dragon Source Stone.
As a descendant and offspring of the Cyan Flood Dragon, this Holy Dragon Source Stone is extraordinarily significant to Ao Tian.
If it stays near the Holy Dragon Source Stone for a long time within the Lingyun Sect, it will greatly benefit its growth!
"Swoosh!"
Without any hesitation, Ji Chen reached out his large hand and directly stored the Holy Dragon Source Stone in his pouch.
Instantly, the spiritual qi permeating this cave was significantly diminished.
Ji Chen’s gaze swept the surroundings, hoping to find other items worth taking.
Unfortunately, there were no further discoveries.
Just as he planned to leave, Ao Tian’s voice emerged from the jade pearl once more.
Perplexed, Ji Chen released it.
He saw Ao Tian approach the dragon remains, incessantly crying out.
"You want me to take this dragon remains?" Ji Chen was startled.
"Aow aow aow woof..." It nodded vigorously, seeming to understand human speech.
"To be honest, a dragon remains indeed hold considerable value," Ji Chen mused, stroking his chin.
This likely isn’t a True Dragon’s remains because, as he knows, True Dragons are among the most ancient creatures in existence, whose bones wouldn’t decay even after tens of thousands of years of death.
Since the ancient ruins were created by Emperor Ye ten thousand years ago, it means it hasn’t been dead for more than ten thousand years.
If it were a True Dragon, there wouldn’t be just a skeleton left.
This dragon is probably like Ao Tian, possessing a trace of True Dragon bloodline, or could be an actual Flood Dragon.
Though not comparable to a True Dragon, Flood Dragons are also extremely rare creatures.
Their skeletal remains after death hold great utility, said to be one of the best materials for forging magical treasure weapons.
Such a large dragon remains, if fully forged into weapons, would enable everyone in Lingyun Sect to own a Dao Artifact, wouldn’t it?
At this thought, Ji Chen couldn’t help but rejoice.
It’s known that Dao Artifacts, such as magical treasures, are extremely scarce throughout the Chu Kingdom; aside from the Cyan Emperor Sword he obtained, only the Royal Family possess them among the various forces of the Chu Kingdom.
If Lingyun Sect truly had a Dao Artifact for everyone, one could imagine how terrifying that would be.
However, this is all just imagination. Ji Chen considers it highly challenging to realize.
After all, like Alchemists, Artifact Refiners are extremely rare professions, even more elusive than Alchemists.
Let alone those capable of forging Dao Artifacts, the entire Chu Kingdom may not have such a person.
To forge the entire dragon remains into Dao Artifacts is a truly massive project.
Not to mention the Chu Kingdom, probably no one in the entire Profound Domain could accomplish it.
But eventually, Ji Chen decided to take the dragon remains with him.
Because the dragon remains are so large, his storage treasure couldn’t contain it, so he had to place it within Ao Tian’s jade pearl and take it along.
...
Soon, Ji Chen left the ancient cave.
Not long after, when he emerged outside the cave, he found that many people had already arrived there.
Everyone was exploring various areas, and Ji Chen’s appearance went unnoticed by them.
"Strange, what on earth happened? The originally dense Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi here suddenly vanished."
In the mouths of some people, Ji Chen heard words like these.
He couldn’t help but chuckle secretly, knowing the reason was his collection of the Holy Dragon Source Stone.
"I just arrived here. Did you find anything?"
Ji Chen pretended to ask nonchalantly.
Someone shook their head without paying much attention and continued searching on their own.
Ji Chen feigned searching for a while, then shook his head helplessly, sighed, and, as if unwilling to waste more time, stepped toward the valley exit.
"Hmm? There’s an ancient cave here!"
But just as Ji Chen was departing, the people who had been searching for a long time discovered the ancient cave he had already explored, and they surged toward it as if discovering a new world.
By this time, Ji Chen had already left the valley, intending to head to the next place to seek opportunities.
The Emperor Ye Ancient Ruins are vast and boundless; apart from some places rumored to have opportunities, most areas are desolate, inhabited only by some Demon Beasts lurking in the shadows.
It is said that every time the Emperor Ye Ancient Ruins open, it lasts for ten days.
After ten days, it will close, and everyone will be teleported out.
After leaving the valley, Ji Chen walked alone in the Great Wilderness, searching all around.
In the blink of an eye, three days passed.
During these three days, he found nothing, though he encountered many people, they only exchanged distant glances, with no interaction.
On this day, Ji Chen entered a dense forest.
He walked slowly, always alert to his surroundings, preventing disturbance to the Demon Beasts lurking in the mountains.
"Boom!"
Suddenly, a loud noise came from not far ahead, as if a fierce battle was taking place.
Judging by the intensity of this energy fluctuation, those engaged must be at a formidable level of strength.
Ji Chen frowned, hesitated for a moment, then, unable to resist his curiosity, edged closer.
Soon, he reached the edge of the battlefield, hid in the underbrush, and watched from afar.
He saw a woman in purple battling against three men and one woman.
From the clothing of these three men and one woman, they appeared to be disciples of the Sword King Sect.
And the woman in purple was none other than the Eldest Princess, Qu Luoning.
At this moment, she frowned, struggling against the siege of the four.
These four Sword King Sect disciples all had cultivation at the Spirit Transformation Realm level.
Qu Luoning, after all, was only at the First Layer of the Spirit Transformation Realm now, battling four alone. Were it not for her three Spirit Veins, an ordinary person would have long been subdued.
"Indeed worthy of being Chu Kingdom’s Eldest Princess; three Spirit Veins are not to be underestimated. But unfortunately, you’re merely at the First Layer of the Spirit Transformation Realm, better hand over the items obediently, or don’t blame us for being rude," said the female disciple.
The speaker was this older female disciple, around twenty-five or twenty-six years old, with cultivation at the Second Layer of the Spirit Transformation Realm, the strongest among them.
"That ancient mirror was found by me alone. Why should I hand it to you?"
Qu Luoning frowned and said coldly, "Moreover, our Chu Kingdom has always stayed out of water with your Sword King Sect. Aren’t you afraid..."
"Chu Kingdom is nothing in front of our Sword King Sect," the woman sneered. Her name was Xia Hui, a distinguished disciple of the Sword King Sect. "Among the Ten Countries of the Profound Domain, your Chu Kingdom is the weakest, while my Sword King Sect reigns above royal authority. Don’t think just because you’re Chu Kingdom’s Eldest Princess that we won’t dare do anything to you. Even if we did kill you, do you think Chu Kingdom would dare trouble our Sword King Sect?"
Xia Hui disdainfully glared at Qu Luoning, "Are you handing over that ancient mirror or not?"