A Parting Gift

"All right."

"This is for you."

Chen Xi took out the Earth Dragon Golden Gourd from his bracelet and held it out to Tian Yao.

"I originally planned to give the Earth Dragon Golden Gourd to Second Worship."

"But Second Worship refused and told me that if I truly wanted to give it to someone, I could consider you."

"I'll be leaving soon to gain experience."

"Take this as a parting gift."

Chen Xi smiled warmly at Tian Yao.

"Earth Dragon Golden Gourd?"

Tian Yao carefully examined the Earth Dragon Golden Gourd before her.

"The Earth Dragon Golden Gourd is a top-tier Mystic Herb."

"It contains the power to control the earth element. It can promote the evolution of dragon-type Martial Souls, strengthen the body, and make up for deficiencies and flaws in one's foundation. It's a Mystic Herb very suitable for you."

Chen Xi explained the Earth Dragon Golden Gourd's effects.

Chen Xi did not know whether the Earth Dragon Golden Gourd could truly evolve Tian Yao's Martial Soul, but according to what he knew from his previous life, crocodiles could also be called earth dragons.

Moreover, the Earth Dragon Golden Gourd was highly compatible with a Martial Soul like the Golden Crocodile King.

"It's that precious?"

"It's fine. The gift I prepared for you isn't bad either."

Tian Yao looked at the Earth Dragon Golden Gourd before her but did not accept it immediately. Instead, she took out a soul bone from her Storage Ring and held it out to Chen Xi.

"A two-hundred-thousand-year Azure Jade Phoenix Skull!"

"The Azure Jade Phoenix is a legendary phoenix subspecies, a powerful soul beast capable of contending with giant dragons. But it is now nearly extinct."

"My grandfather said that he happened to obtain this soul bone from some ruins when he was young. I'm giving it to you now, as a temporary parting gift."

Tian Yao looked at the Mystic Herb in Chen Xi's hand, then at the soul bone in her own. The corners of her lips quietly curled upward.

Mystic Herbs were precious.

Fortunately, the gift she had brought out was no worse.

"Two hundred thousand years?"

Chen Xi's mouth fell slightly open.

A soul beast that had lived for two hundred thousand years could already be called a Fierce Beast.

And a Fierce Beast's soul bone was exceptionally precious.

"Tian Yao, does Second Worship know you're giving me this soul bone?"

"If Second Worship doesn't know, I'm a little worried that you'll get beaten when you go back."

Chen Xi looked left and right before lowering his voice.

"My grandfather was the one who gave this to me. How could he possibly not know?"

"If Grandfather hadn't allowed it, I wouldn't have been able to take it out."

Tian Yao looked at Chen Xi with some confusion.

"Then I'm relieved."

Chen Xi accepted the soul bone without hesitation.

Since Second Worship had agreed to it, there was no problem.

Tian Yao also happily accepted the Earth Dragon Golden Gourd.

The two looked at each other and broke into smiles almost at the same time.

Elsewhere.

Behind an ancient tree not far away.

Second Worship Golden Crocodile and Third Elder Qingluan occasionally cast glances in the direction of Chen Xi and Tian Yao.

"Their relationship is getting better and better."

Golden Crocodile nodded with some satisfaction.

"Indeed."

"But I didn't expect you to be willing to take out the Azure Jade Phoenix soul bone."

Qingluan turned his gaze toward Golden Crocodile.

"Xiao Xi took out something as precious as a Mystic Herb. How could I not show something in return?"

Golden Crocodile waved a hand indifferently.

"True enough."

"But Tian Yao is older than Xiao Xi. Shouldn't you let her go out and gain some experience too?"

"A flower raised in a greenhouse cannot truly grow without being tempered by wind and rain."

Qingluan spoke softly.

"I know."

"There are two reasons I haven't let her go out yet."

"First, Tian Yao is still a little lacking in strength. I'm worried about letting her go out now."

Golden Crocodile turned his gaze toward Qingluan.

"And the second?"

A trace of curiosity appeared in Qingluan's eyes.

"Tian Yao is still young, still a child. What if someone tricks her away? She's my only granddaughter."

Golden Crocodile's expression was exceptionally serious.

Looking at Golden Crocodile's expression, Qingluan felt that the second reason was the real point.

Glancing at his own disciple, Qingluan nodded in reassurance.

When it came to Chen Xi, Qingluan had no such concerns at all.

After five years of meticulous instruction, Qingluan could confidently guarantee that although Chen Xi looked quiet and refined, with the air of a courteous gentleman, once he got serious, he was fully capable of selling someone off and making them thank him with tears in their eyes while counting the money for him.

In one phrase: Black Sesame Tangyuan.

White and flawless on the outside, but full of schemes within.

"It's time to go back."

"My disciple is heading out to gain experience. As his teacher, I can't fail to prepare anything."

"Come to think of it, it really is a little troubling."

"You wouldn't understand. Having a disciple who's too outstanding can be troublesome at times."

"If I hadn't made her learn too many things normally, she should be a five-ring Soul King by now. It's my failure as her teacher. Still, a twelve-year-old four-ring Soul Ancestor who can fight a Soul Emperor across ranks is barely acceptable, I suppose."

With his hands behind his back, Qingluan walked toward his residence.

Golden Crocodile's gaze followed Qingluan's movements.

He did not know whether it was an illusion, but although Qingluan said it was only barely acceptable, Golden Crocodile could not help feeling that Qingluan was showing off.

A twelve-year-old Soul Ancestor who could fight a Soul Emperor across ranks.

Even across the entire continent, such talent was as rare as a phoenix feather and unicorn horn, yet Qingluan described it as merely barely acceptable.

Golden Crocodile noticed that Qingluan's back was ramrod straight.

He felt much better.

Sure enough, when one's disciple was outstanding, the teacher gained face as well.

Qingluan left.

After thinking for a moment, Golden Crocodile also headed toward the Worship Hall.

Beneath the ancient tree.

Chen Xi watched a figure appear ahead. His dark purple eyes lit up slightly as he rose from the ground, dusted off his skirt, and walked forward.

"Uncle Yang."

"Why did you return so quickly? I originally thought you would need a few more days."

Chen Xi looked at Yang Wushuang before him, a hint of a smile in his eyes.

Tian Yao stood beside Chen Xi and gave Yang Wushuang a token nod.

"Greetings, Miss Tian Yao."

Yang Wushuang gave Tian Yao a slight bow before turning his gaze toward Chen Xi.

Chen Xi had only been six when he left Heaven Dou City. Now, he was already twelve.

Six years had passed without seeing each other. Chen Xi had grown much taller, though his face still retained a trace of youthful innocence.

"The moment I received the news, I rushed back without stopping, so I returned several days early."

Yang Wushuang revealed a gentle smile.

The reason he referred to himself as a subordinate was simple. Times had changed. Chen Xi was now Third Elder's disciple, and his status in Spirit Hall was far higher than Yang Wushuang's.

Calling himself a subordinate was only proper.