Cheng Duoyi looked at the three natural treasures hovering in midair, each radiating a different glow, and asked, "What effects do these natural treasures have?"
The Holy Space Dragon looked at the first Dragon Marrow Longevity Vine on the left.
It was a vine about three centimeters long, milky white from end to end, with fine, pale golden dragon-scale patterns covering its tendrils. At every joint bulged a tiny, rice-grain-sized, lustrous green dragon pearl.
"This is called the Dragon Marrow Longevity Vine. It was bathed in the blood of a life-element Dragon Clan member," the Holy Space Dragon explained softly. "It excels at nourishing the source of life. Not only can it slowly repair damage to the foundation of a life-element Martial Soul, it can also cause dragon blood to form within a Soul Master, extending their lifespan. It's a holy remedy for Soul Masters whose life force has been depleted. It's especially compatible with a pure life-element Martial Soul like the Ancient Life Tree. I'm sure it can increase its lifespan by eight or nine hundred years, at least."
"What?" Cheng Duoyi was astonished. "It can add eight or nine hundred years? Is the Dragon Marrow Longevity Vine really that powerful?"
Cheng Duoyi thought of something. "The dragon blood it was bathed in... couldn't it have been from a First-Level God?"
The Holy Space Dragon smiled. "You guessed correctly, my lord. It was bathed in the blood of a life-element Dragon Clan member who was a First-Level God. Normally, the Dragon Marrow Longevity Vine can only add between one and three hundred years, but this one is different. Otherwise, it couldn't possibly add so much. You can tell how many years the Dragon Marrow Longevity Vine will add by counting the tiny, rice-grain-sized, lustrous green dragon pearls."
"Each pearl adds one hundred years. There are ten here, so they can add a thousand years. Considering the circumstances you described, after its foundation is replenished, a conservative estimate would be an increase of eight hundred years. If the Martial Soul is compatible, it might even double that."
Cheng Duoyi's eyes went red. This was eight or nine hundred years!
"Forget it. Elder Mu has been so good to me. He's the most suitable person to use it..."
Cheng Duoyi looked at the other natural treasures. "What effects do the other two have? They're probably just as powerful, right?"
The Holy Space Dragon looked at the natural treasure in the middle. It was only about the size of a fist, shaped like the slowly beating heart of a young dragon. A translucent amber shell covered its surface, etched with lifelike golden dragon patterns.
"This is called the Dragon Bodhi Heart. It formed from the absorption and accumulation of a tremendous amount of dragon-blood essence," the Holy Space Dragon said. "Not only can it stabilize the soul, it can also prevent the soul from collapsing due to excessive loss of life force. It can also improve a Martial Soul, randomly giving it a Dragon Clan attribute, and cause true-dragon-level Dragon Clan blood to form within the body."
Cheng Duoyi was truly envious of such a treasure.
Unfortunately, he couldn't use it. He had the Seven-Colored Bloodline, and his spiritual power was already strong, so there was no need to stabilize it. Faced with such an incredible treasure, Cheng Duoyi didn't know how to describe his feelings.
"Even if I can't use it, I can give it to someone else."
Thinking this, Cheng Duoyi began considering who to give it to.
Leng Yaozhu?
That wouldn't be very suitable. Leng Yaozhu's Martial Soul was the Bright Phoenix, and she didn't need Dragon Clan blood. If her Phoenix bloodline clashed with the Dragon Clan bloodline, things could end terribly.
Leng Xue'er?
That wouldn't be very suitable either. Leng Xue'er's Martial Soul was the Ice Phoenix.
For a moment, he thought of Xie Xie and Yun Xiao. Xie Xie seemed like a good fit, but he still didn't want to give it to him. It was simply too precious...
"Forget it. I'll keep this treasure for now and think about it in the future."
"If Xie Xie is really willing to be my underling, giving it to him wouldn't be bad."
Thinking this, Cheng Duoyi looked at the last natural treasure.
It was a translucent, icy blue fungus. Its cap resembled a block of millennium-old ice crystal polished countless times, with a coiling ice dragon naturally carved across it.
"This Dragon Saliva Ganoderma formed from the absorption of a ten-thousand-year-old ice spring and the saliva of an ice dragon," the Holy Space Dragon continued. "It can purify impurities in life force, turning mixed life energy into something pure and concentrated. At the same time, it can greatly slow aging and extend a Soul Master's lifespan."
The three streaks of light slowly descended into Cheng Duoyi's palm. Their different energies intertwined, forming a three-colored shield of light around his hand.
Cheng Duoyi could clearly sense the immense life force contained within the three different natural treasures. He took out two jade boxes and put away the Dragon Marrow Longevity Vine and Dragon Saliva Ganoderma.
As for the Dragon Bodhi Heart, he handed it to the Holy Space Dragon.
Cheng Duoyi said, "I can't use this Dragon Bodhi Heart for now, so it can stay here. If I take it away, its effects will fade. I'll take the other two."
"Thank you, Holy Space Dragon."
The Holy Space Dragon hurriedly replied, "Being able to help you, my lord, is this servant's good fortune."
Cheng Duoyi said, "I'll head back first. Wait here for good news from me. I'll come visit you from time to time in the future. Wait for my return."
"Your servants await your return at all times, my lord!"
When Cheng Duoyi returned to the Spirit Sea and saw the Tyrant Dragon—
"How could I forget about the Tyrant Dragon? If I raised its bloodline to the true-dragon level, wouldn't it become incredibly powerful?" Cheng Duoyi shook his head again. "There may be other opportunities in the future. The most important thing is that the Dragon Bodhi Heart can cause dragon blood to form within a Soul Master. I can't roam the world alone. I'll definitely need plenty of subordinates by my side in the future. I'll see who deserves it more..."
Thinking this, Cheng Duoyi returned to the real world.
He glanced out the window, then closed his eyes and fell asleep.
Early the next morning, after everyone finished breakfast, Cheng Duoyi sent Tang Wuling and the others to observe how Soul Spirits were cultivated while he went to find Mu Qingtian.
Mu Qingtian usually didn't live at the Spirit Pagoda Headquarters, but since Cheng Duoyi was there now, Mu Qingtian hadn't hurried off.
"Grandpa Mu, guess what amazing thing I found for you!" Cheng Duoyi held a jade box in his hand and looked excitedly at Mu Qingtian.
"So it's Yi'er." Mu Qingtian was lying in a chair. He glanced at the wooden box in Cheng Duoyi's hand, and his heart jolted.
He had sensed the rich life force inside the jade box.
Although jade boxes were the best way to preserve natural treasures and rare materials, they couldn't preserve them perfectly without letting a trace of their aura escape.
The aura radiating from the jade box in Cheng Duoyi's hand was unmistakably from a top-tier treasure that could increase life force!
"Yi'er, who gave you the item inside this jade box?" Mu Qingtian asked sternly.
Mu Qingtian's sternness startled Cheng Duoyi, but he quickly recovered and smiled. "Grandpa Mu, you sensed the aura coming from inside the jade box? The item in here was given to me by a... friend. Please don't ask where it came from. I heard it could improve your condition, and I've never shown you any filial respect before, so now I'm here to do that. I'm giving it to you."
Cheng Duoyi placed the jade box in Mu Qingtian's arms.
Mu Qingtian looked at Cheng Duoyi's beaming face, then at the jade box. After a moment, he fell silent. "Since Yi'er gave it to Grandpa, Grandpa will accept it. Let me see what's inside."
With Cheng Duoyi watching expectantly, Mu Qingtian opened the jade box. When he saw the natural treasure inside, his eyes widened!
Just the tiny bit of aura it released greatly improved his life force and even helped his lifespan a little.
He immediately shut the lid and said sternly, "Yi'er, I can't accept this. Tell Grandpa how you got it."
If it had been an ordinary item, he would have accepted it long ago.
But he could tell that this might not be a rare material.
It was a legendary natural treasure!
The conditions needed for a natural treasure to form were incredibly harsh, and the appearance of every one of them brought a storm of bloodshed.
The natural treasure Cheng Duoyi had given him was more precious than any he had ever seen. How could he accept it?
Cheng Duoyi said, "Grandpa, it's called the Dragon Marrow Longevity Vine. I really can't tell you who gave it to me. I only know that it can improve your condition. They were willing to give it to me, so I'm giving it to you. If you won't accept it, I'll throw it away. It's no use to me anyway."
Cheng Duoyi pretended to reach for the jade box.
Seeing this, Mu Qingtian hurriedly said, "You foolish child. I just think it's too precious, and that it's not suitable for me to use. It would be better to save it for you to use in the future. I'm already very happy that you're so thoughtful."
Cheng Duoyi said pitifully, "Grandpa Mu, I'm going to get married and have children someday. My children will call you great-grandpa. Don't you want to see your great-grandchild?"
Mu Qingtian looked at the jade box. Did he not want it?
Of course he did!
It was just too precious. He couldn't accept it!
But looking at Cheng Duoyi's pitiful expression and thinking of what he'd said, Mu Qingtian wanted to meet his great-grandchild too!
After all, who wouldn't want to hold a great-grandchild?
Seeing Mu Qingtian's expression waver, Cheng Duoyi continued, "I've prepared another item of the same level for my mother. Grandpa Mu, you don't need to worry that my mother will blame me."
Mu Qingtian sighed. "I should still get in touch with Yaozhu. With an item of this caliber, it's not as simple as deciding to absorb it. I should also ask whether we can cultivate this natural treasure or refine it into a pill. If I use it myself, it'd be a waste! What a waste!"
Cheng Duoyi hurriedly said, "But I think it's well worth it!"
Mu Qingtian didn't answer, because he was contacting Leng Yaozhu.
Leng Yaozhu was still sorting through official business when she saw Mu Qingtian calling her.
"Old Mu, is something wrong?"
"Yaozhu, if you're free, come over..."
"Okay."
Leng Yaozhu was a little surprised, but she didn't ask more. It was close by, only a short walk away. Mu Qingtian had never spoken to her in that tone before, so she couldn't very well refuse.
Before long, Leng Yaozhu arrived at Mu Qingtian's residence.
Mu Qingtian explained the situation with the jade box to Leng Yaozhu.
Leng Yaozhu's expression was both shocked and conflicted.
The moment she sensed the life force radiating from the Dragon Marrow Longevity Vine, even she could barely resist it. Longevity... who wouldn't want that?
Still, she managed to force herself to hold back.
If it had been someone else, she might have snatched it, but Cheng Duoyi had given it to Mu Qingtian. She couldn't take it!
"Yi'er, did the person who gave you something like this ask for anything in return?" Leng Yaozhu asked.
She was worried that someone was plotting against him, but that didn't make sense either!
Who would be willing to give away something so precious?
If it were her, she wouldn't be willing!
Cheng Duoyi smiled with his big, adorable eyes. "Mom, there was one condition."
"What condition?" Leng Yaozhu asked.
Mu Qingtian looked over too.
Cheng Duoyi said, "They might need me to cultivate some Soul Spirits in the future."
"That's all?" Leng Yaozhu asked, puzzled.
Just cultivating Soul Spirits didn't warrant such an extravagant gift!
"That's right," Cheng Duoyi said. "Mom, Grandpa Mu, you don't need to worry. This really came through legitimate channels. They needed something from me, so they gave it to me. And this is for you, Mom. You've taken care of me for so long, and I haven't given you a proper gift yet. Please accept it."
As he spoke, Cheng Duoyi took out another jade box.
Leng Yaozhu sensed that the aura coming from this jade box was no weaker than the aura of the Dragon Marrow Longevity Vine. Her expression changed dramatically. "Yi'er, is cultivating Soul Spirits really the only condition? Nothing else?"
She was worried they were up to no good. After all, Cheng Duoyi was so young. How could he cultivate powerful Soul Spirits?
And they had managed to contact Cheng Duoyi without her or Leng Xue'er noticing. Clearly, they weren't good people!
"Really, Mom. When have I ever lied to you?" Cheng Duoyi said firmly.
Leng Yaozhu nodded. Cheng Duoyi really had never lied to her.
Leng Yaozhu asked, "Do you know what effects these two natural treasures have?"
Cheng Duoyi thought it over, then told her.
He had already realized that Mu Qingtian probably didn't want to absorb the Dragon Marrow Longevity Vine.
"Mom, this Dragon Marrow Longevity Vine's effect... And this is the Dragon Saliva Ganoderma..."
"Mom, if you take the Dragon Saliva Ganoderma, not only might you break through to level ninety-nine, your spiritual power might also reach an even higher realm. Reaching the God Origin Realm isn't impossible!"
"Then if I cause some huge trouble in the future, you can bail me out!"
Leng Yaozhu's expression was complicated. She hadn't expected Cheng Duoyi to think of her first when he got something so wonderful. He hadn't even used the Dragon Marrow Longevity Vine, a natural treasure that could add around a thousand years to one's lifespan. Instead, he'd chosen to give it to Mu Qingtian.
She truly didn't know how to describe her feelings.
In the end, Leng Yaozhu crouched down and gently stroked Cheng Duoyi's head. "Yi'er has grown up. I'll save this Dragon Saliva Ganoderma for you. Using it now wouldn't help me much, and I..."
Cheng Duoyi said stubbornly, "Mom, this is a gift I gave you. Can you really bear to make Yi'er sad? Or do you think the gift Yi'er gave you is a little too precious, so you don't want it? If I want to give you gifts in the future, will I only be allowed to give you cheap ones?"
"Mom, Grandpa Mu, you're my elders. I truly want you to become stronger and live longer. Don't you want Yi'er's wish to come true? Do you both want to leave me?" Cheng Duoyi's voice grew choked as he spoke. "If you won't use them, I won't bother you anymore. You don't even think of me as family..."
When Leng Yaozhu saw Cheng Duoyi about to cry, she immediately panicked.
"Okay, okay. Mom will accept the gift Yi'er gave her."
"I'll watch you fuse with it."
Leng Yaozhu smiled. "You can't just fuse with something like this whenever you want. You need to get yourself into the right condition."
"Mom said she'll fuse with it, so she won't go back on her word."
"Mom will also watch Grandpa Mu absorb the natural treasure you gave him. You should be reassured now, right?"
Cheng Duoyi nodded, his voice choked. "Mm-hmm. If you don't use them, I'll never speak to you again."
"Okay, okay. Mom won't lie to you. When has Mom ever lied to you?"
Cheng Duoyi nodded, then said, "Then I'll go see how the Soul Spirits I'm cultivating are doing. Mom, Grandpa Mu, you have to absorb them."
"Okay, I know."
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