Chapter 297: Chapter 297: Dragon Heart Jade

BOOM!

But the Rock Python hadn’t managed to slither far.

The Zhenyuan Stone floating above its head suddenly crashed down. The Rock Python had no time to react, and its entire head was instantly smashed to a pulp.

If it had been on guard, it might have lasted a few moments. However, it had already been scared witless by Ye Xuan’s aura. On top of that, Ye Xuan had pretended to let it go, causing its vigilance to drop in an instant. This was the opening Ye Xuan had exploited.

ROAR! ROAR!

The Earth Bear immediately let out a series of roars.

Ye Xuan walked out of the bushes and, using the same method, subdued the Earth Bear as well.

The Earth Bear, Flying Heaven Eagle, and Lightning Leopard were all Demon Kings, so Ye Xuan’s Devouring Martial Soul could subdue them. But the Rock Python was a Profound Beast, so Ye Xuan could only kill it.

Besides that, Ye Xuan had another reason for killing the Rock Python.

The Rock Python was a Tier Five Earth Element Profound Beast, which corresponded perfectly with his own Earth Martial Soul. It was rare to come across a Tier Five Earth Element Profound Beast, so naturally, Ye Xuan wouldn’t let it get away.

After letting his Devouring Martial Soul absorb the Rock Python’s Soul Thought, Ye Xuan took out the Tier Five Soul Crystal from its body and immediately sat cross-legged to absorb it.

「Two hours later.」

BUZZ!

Above Ye Xuan’s head, the Earth Martial Soul quietly materialized. A terrifying power swept out, and three golden star rings flowed back and forth around it.

’It’s another limit star ring.’

Back when Ye Xuan absorbed the Tier Four Earth Dragon Soul Crystal to break through to Two-Stars with his Earth Martial Soul, he was only a Tier Two Martial Artist. Now that he was a Tier Four Celestial Martial Artist, absorbing a Tier Five Soul Crystal was no pressure at all.

If any other Martial Artist on the continent were to witness this, they would likely be shocked beyond belief.

Standing up, Ye Xuan was slightly surprised.

"Huh, it seems the Rock Python’s Soul Crystal gave me a soul skill."

The third golden star ring above his head shifted slightly. With a series of cracking sounds, a layer of rock-like armor instantly covered Ye Xuan’s body, making him look like a stone man, yet his movements were completely unaffected.

"This is... Rock Armor?"

Ye Xuan was secretly delighted.

When absorbing a Profound Beast’s Soul Crystal, a Martial Artist has a certain chance of obtaining one of the beast’s skills. He hadn’t obtained a skill when absorbing the Earth Dragon Soul Crystal before, so he didn’t expect to have such a harvest from the Rock Python.

One must know that the probability of a Martial Artist gaining a soul skill by absorbing a Soul Crystal was extremely low.

After testing his body’s toughness, Ye Xuan immediately came to a conclusion.

’This Rock Armor can’t increase my strength, but it can double my body’s Defense Power for a short period. Combined with the Nine-Revolving Saint Body, my physical toughness is probably even stronger than a Tier Five Third Layer Martial Sect expert.’

However, Ye Xuan didn’t let this go to his head.

After feeding the Armored Dragon a few pills of Healing Medicine, Ye Xuan ordered the several large Demon Beasts to patrol the vicinity. At the same time, he glanced at the Rock Python’s corpse on the ground, his expression turning slightly grim.

’I didn’t expect there to be another Demon King in the Floating Light Secret Realm.’

Ye Xuan’s heart grew a little heavy. He was all too aware of a Demon King’s power—they were equivalent to a human Tier Seven Martial King expert. Although his Devouring Martial Soul was powerful, it was only at Three-Stars. It was fine for tricking a Tier Five Profound Beast, but if he encountered a true Demon King, it would be certain death.

Fortunately, this Demon King named Jin Lin seemed to be some distance away.

「Returning to the previous mountain forest.」

Xia Qixi was standing there, her face a mask of anxiety and worry.

"Ye Xuan, where did you go? Are you okay?"

Seeing Ye Xuan approach, Xia Qixi immediately asked nervously, her eyes scanning him up and down to see if he was injured.

Ye Xuan had left so suddenly, and she didn’t know what had happened. She had been worried the whole time, especially after hearing the beast roars from a distance, which made her even more tense. She desperately wanted to go and see what was happening.

But she knew very well that with her current, unrecovered strength, she would only be a burden to Ye Xuan if she went. Therefore, she could only suppress her curiosity and worry, staying put right here.

"I’m fine. Let’s go."

Ye Xuan didn’t explain much. Ever since learning there was a Demon King in the Floating Light Secret Realm, he had become much more vigilant.

「At this moment, on Celestial Peak Mountain, several thousand miles away from Ye Xuan.」

ROAR!

Inside a cave, a pair of golden eyes snapped open, letting out a furious roar.

RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE!

Amidst a deafening roar, a Profound Beast that looked like a divine Qilin walked out. It was covered in golden Scale Armor, had four hooves, a golden horn on its head, and golden pupils. Its golden gaze shot toward Ye Xuan’s location, filled with rage.

Under its aura, all the surrounding Profound Beasts and Demon Beasts prostrated themselves on the ground in terror, trembling uncontrollably.

"Damn you! It wasn’t enough to take my Armored Dragon, you even took three of my subordinates! Do you really think I, Jin Lin, am easy to bully?"

The Demon King Jin Lin roared in fury. At the same moment Ye Xuan had taken the three great Demon Beasts, Jin Lin had felt its connection with the Flying Heaven Eagle, Lightning Leopard, and Earth Bear sever. The Soul Thought it had left inside the three Demon Beasts had been devoured once again by that unknown Profound Beast.

Not only that, but the unknown Profound Beast had also killed its capable subordinate, Kuidi.

According to the message transmitted by the Soul Thought it had left on the Rock Python Kuidi, the one who had taken Jin Lin’s subordinates was actually a Demon King Level expert!

It couldn’t understand why such a powerful Demon King, one capable of destroying its Soul Thought, would appear here. Based on its understanding of the Floating Light Secret Realm, this should have been impossible.

"Damn you! A mere Demon King dares to provoke me, Jin Lin! No matter what power you have or where you come from, if you offend me, you’d better be prepared to face my endless wrath!"

With a roar, Jin Lin immediately issued an order to stop hunting that powerful Profound Beast. It knew that against a powerful Demon King, its subordinates would only be throwing their lives away.

After issuing the command, Jin Lin’s golden body rose into the air and transformed into a streak of golden light, shooting towards the location where the Rock Python had died.

「Meanwhile—」

Ye Xuan and Xia Qixi were moving swiftly through the mountain forest.

After such a long period of recovery, Xia Qixi’s injuries were mostly healed.

About an hour later, Xia Qixi suddenly stopped by a large tree, her face alight with excitement. "Ye Xuan, I think I’ve found President Zhu Tianlan and the others."

Ye Xuan saw a very faint symbol on the root of the tree, emitting a weak Soul Power fluctuation. He immediately knew that this must be the secret sign the Celestial Gold Kingdom had agreed upon before entering the Floating Light Secret Realm.

Thinking of this, Ye Xuan immediately had Xia Qixi lead the way.

’Although Xia Qixi’s injuries have recovered, I can’t just keep bringing her along with me. Once we find the Celestial Gold Kingdom’s team, I can leave on my own.’

「Half an hour later, they arrived at the outskirts of a valley.」

"Senior Sister Xia Qixi, it’s great that you’re okay!"

There was a group of disciples from the Celestial Gold Kingdom in the valley. Upon seeing Xia Qixi, the leader, Xu Bomming, and a few others quickly walked over.

"Senior Sister Xia Qixi, I just heard that you and Jin Tian’s group were being hunted by Demon Beasts in the forest not long ago. We were just about to notify the President to send people to rescue you. I didn’t expect you to come back on your own! Are you alright? Where are Jin Tian and the others?"

Xu Bomming asked nervously as soon as he came over, the expression on his face showing immense relief, as if a great weight had been lifted.

"I’m fine, but Jin Tian and the others..." Xia Qixi sighed.

Xu Bomming’s expression darkened. He knew something unfortunate must have happened and comforted her, "Senior Sister, the Floating Light Secret Realm is fraught with danger. It can’t be helped. You don’t have to blame yourself too much. It’s good enough that you’re still alive."

While they were talking, Ye Xuan surveyed the valley. Quite a few disciples were gathered there. Besides people from the Celestial Gold Kingdom, there were also many disciples from the other major kingdoms, including, of course, some from the Liuyun Kingdom.

’Is there something special in this valley?’

Ye Xuan guessed silently. Time was precious for everyone in the Floating Light Secret Realm; people rarely gathered together. There were usually only two reasons for such a gathering: either they had encountered a great enemy, or there was some kind of treasure, just like with the Seven-Colored Lotus before.

"Senior Sister, why are you with Ye Xuan from the Liuyun Kingdom?"

After some conversation, Xu Bomming glanced at Ye Xuan and said with great vigilance.

"Xu Bomming, don’t be rude. Ye Xuan is my savior. If it weren’t for him, I’m afraid I would have already died in the mouth of a Demon Beast," Xia Qixi said.

"So that’s how it is." Xu Bomming cupped his fists towards Ye Xuan. "Brother Ye Xuan, my apologies for my earlier behavior."

Although he said this, his eyes still held a trace of suspicion and apprehension towards Ye Xuan.

Ye Xuan naturally paid no mind to Xu Bomming’s attitude. He said, "Xia Qixi, since you’ve reunited with the disciples from the Celestial Gold Kingdom, I’ll be taking my leave."

With that, Ye Xuan turned to leave.

"Ye Xuan," Xia Qixi called out anxiously.

"Is something wrong?" Ye Xuan asked, turning back.

"No, it’s nothing." A determined light shone in Xia Qixi’s eyes. She took out a Jade Pendant and held it out to Ye Xuan. "Ye Xuan, this is a Jade Pendant from the Xia family. It can nourish the body. Thank you for your help earlier."

Ye Xuan was about to refuse, but his gaze froze when it landed on the Jade Pendant.

The Jade Pendant was a deep azure, with a dragon-shaped wisp of energy swirling within it, emitting a profound and beautiful aura. It was exquisite.

"Dragon Heart Jade... the Xia family?" Ye Xuan looked at Xia Qixi in surprise, an unintentional glint flashing in his eyes. He said, "I can’t accept this Jade Pendant."

"Why not?" Xia Qixi grew anxious.

"Senior Sister, that Jade Pendant must be your family’s heirloom, right? It can nurture a Warm and Mysterious Vein, enhance the purity of Soul Power, and increase the speed of Soul Power cultivation. How can you just give it to someone else?" Before Ye Xuan could speak, Xu Bomming shouted, his gaze unfriendly.