Poor Old Gold, Moving Again

The threads sank into Tang Wulin's chest.

There were still no seals blocking them, no divine soul intercepting them. The threads drove straight in, then slowly reeled back like a fisherman hauling in a net.

Tang Wulin's body showed no reaction as he was placed directly on his bed.

Suddenly, the Golden Dragon King awakened.

It was forcibly dragged out of its slumber, filled with fury. A deep roar rang out from within.

He merely lowered his gaze and glanced at it.

That glance was light, as light as a breeze brushing across water.

Yet the Golden Dragon King's roar came to an abrupt halt.

The mass of golden light struggled violently, like a fish hooked through the gills—thrashing, twisting, trying to break free.

But the threads were wound too tightly. Every strand had sunk into its core, every strand tugging at its flesh.

He lightly curled a finger.

The Golden Dragon King was pulled out.

The golden ball of light was completely stripped from Tang Wulin's body.

It expanded and warped in midair, gradually condensing into a gigantic phantom—dragon head, dragon claws, dragon wings, every inch radiating a savage aura.

It opened its mouth, revealing a mouthful of golden fangs.

He looked at it again.

This time, there was a trace of impatience in that gaze.

The Golden Dragon King froze. Its enormous phantom hung in midair, its dragon claws locked in the middle of a swing, its wings spread halfway before it dared not move again.

The rage vanished completely from those golden vertical pupils, leaving behind only one thing: fear.

It did not know what kind of being this was, but the gap between them was simply too vast.

It was like an ant gazing up at the heavens, like dust facing the stars. All its struggles, resistance, and savagery seemed laughable before that gaze.

The Golden Dragon King lowered its head.

He extended his hand, his palm supporting the golden core, now shrunk to the size of a fist. The Golden Dragon King curled up within it, utterly still, not even daring to breathe too loudly.

Suddenly, his gaze turned toward Ziyang. Raising his hand, he pressed the core into Ziyang's chest.

Golden light spread from the point of contact like ink dripping into clear water, slowly and irreversibly seeping in. Ziyang's body trembled faintly, and golden patterns flashed beneath his skin before falling silent.

The core embedded itself within him, as tranquil as though it had never stirred.

Only, Ziyang's Sea of Spirit now had another tenant. There was one more creature as miserable as Austin Griffin.

Always having to pay rent at the drop of a hat!

"This thing's energy is still somewhat useful to you." His tone was calm. "As for that little fellow, it will be the same if it grows properly on its own."

He was speaking to Ziyang.

But Austin Griffin heard him.

All three heads turned toward him at once, six eyes reflecting the golden light that had already vanished. It opened its mouths, then closed them again, and the same expression appeared on all three faces.

Heartbroken...

So heartbroken.

There was no anger in its eyes, only the pure sorrow of a child who had lost its candy. Its tail drooped to the floor, each of its three heads hanging lower than the last.

It wanted to eat that Divine Core.

It had wanted it for a long time.

But he had given it to Boss, not to me.

He gave it to Boss. I wonder if Boss can dig it out and give it to me.

Austin Griffin did not even dare look again. It merely curled up in a corner, secretly rubbing its smallest head against its claws as if comforting itself.

He stepped out of Ziyang's body, but his features remained impossible to discern. The only thing visible was his pair of eyes.

There was no majesty or pressure in those eyes, only a faint, nearly imperceptible gentleness. Like an elder looking at a junior, like a craftsman looking upon a finished work, like a god looking upon mortals.

"Little one, work hard. I think highly of your future. So work well!"

Ziyang had just been about to say something when his mouth opened and closed again. He felt that gaze settle on him like a hand lightly resting on his shoulder—not heavy, yet impossible to refuse.

This definitely wasn't a threat.

For the rest of the time, he said nothing more.

Instead, he raised a hand and lightly tapped the air with his fingertip. There was no sound, no light. Yet the instant that tap landed, the surrounding space began to ripple like water.

The ripples spread from his fingertip, circle after circle, soft yet unstoppable.

They washed over Ziyang's body, over Austin Griffin, over every corner of the room.

The next moment, everything before them changed.

The neon lights vanished. The night beyond the window vanished. Tang Wulin's sleeping figure vanished beyond the ripples.

Ziyang stood in a quiet room. Beneath his feet was the Spirit Pagoda's standard dark gray carpet, while beyond the window was the night view of Heaven Dou City.

He had returned to his room in the Heaven Dou City Spirit Pagoda.

Austin Griffin stood beside him, all three heads turning as they surveyed the familiar space.

Yet, still carrying that thought, Ziyang tried to see whether he could take out the Golden Dragon King's Divine Core. He discovered that the energy slowly overflowing from it was already nourishing his Soul Power.

"Can't take it out anymore."

Austin Griffin's tail lashed out, striking the wall with a dull thud.

Ziyang glanced at it, walked over, and sat down beside its largest head. Leaning against its massive body, he could feel the pulse of blood vessels beneath its skin—less violent than before, but more aggrieved.

"Do you know who he is?" Ziyang asked, though he already had an answer in his heart.

All three heads shook at once, indicating that they did not know him. Their bloodline merely found him detestable, a loathing that came from their very roots.

Ziyang walked over and stopped beside it, raising a hand to pat its largest head. Its scales were icy cold and faintly rough.

"Don't think about it."

"But..." That head spoke in a muffled voice, as though squeezing the words out from deep in its throat. "I want to eat it."

Ziyang's hand paused on its head, then rubbed its head. "All right, don't be sad. I'll take you somewhere else to nourish yourself later. There is another place in this world called Dragon Valley. You can properly replenish yourself there too."

Upon hearing that, Austin Griffin immediately smiled. That seemed like a good place.

"Really?"

"Of course it's true."

"Boss, when are we going?"

"We'll talk about it when we get a chance to visit the Star Luo Continent." Ziyang smiled, but it seemed he had no real chance to go to the Star Luo Continent right now.

There had not been any exchanges between the two continents lately.

With his current status and strength, crossing that vast ocean would not be difficult. He merely needed a suitable excuse.

After all, the Spirit Pagoda on the Star Luo Continent belonged to the Qian Gu family, and they were hardly friendly toward the Leng Family.

What a hassle.

Austin Griffin did not notice that hint of hesitation. It was already satisfied, its tail gently swaying behind it like a large dog that had finally received its master's promise.

The night grew deeper.

Ziyang sat by the bed, closed his eyes, and felt the golden Divine Core within him slowly release energy. Warmth spread from his chest throughout his limbs and bones.

The night passed without incident.

The next morning, sunlight squeezed through the gap in the curtains, drawing a golden line across the carpet.

When Ziyang opened his eyes, the communication Soul Tool on the table had been lit up for quite some time.

He picked it up and took a look. Leng Yaoyu was summoning them.