As he walked along the corridor leading to Lord Huang Jian's Main Hall, Hu Yanbo already had the rough outline of a plan in mind.
Once he contacted a suitable partner to work with him, he could set out for the Ancestral God School and put his plan into action.
However, just as he had contacted his chosen partner and was about to depart, he received a summons from Lord Huang Jian.
"Teacher." Entering the magnificent hall, Hu Yanbo bowed slightly in greeting.
Seated on his flaming throne, Lord Huang Jian looked Hu Yanbo up and down with piercing eyes, then gave a satisfied smile. "It seems you gained a great deal from these twenty thousand years in seclusion. Your aura has grown even more composed and substantial."
Although Lord Huang Jian could not sense the specifics, this was his own disciple. Hu Yanbo had spent only a few thousand years studying Lord of Darkness's strongest technique, yet had remained at the Ten Thousand Laws Forest Stele for so long. His gains must have been even greater.
"This disciple dared not slack off," Hu Yanbo said respectfully.
"Good." Lord Huang Jian nodded, then casually waved his large hand. A streak of light flew toward Hu Yanbo.
Hu Yanbo reacted instantly, reaching out to catch it.
It felt smooth and warm to the touch. A cool sensation spread up his arm, even sending a pleasant tremor through his soul.
He looked down and saw a triangular crystal about the size of a fist resting quietly in his palm.
The crystal was a deep red throughout, as though carved from the purest ruby, with what seemed to be swirling nebulae inside.
On closer inspection, he could just make out an extremely fine, unusually lively streak of crimson light deep within those swirling