"The Deep Sea Poison Dragon Eye..."

Ling Xiao’s pupils contracted slightly. He had never heard of a Deep Sea Poison Dragon, but he could feel the powerful and pure Earth Elemental Energy emanating from the dragon eye!

A Dual-Element High-Tier Magical Beast!

’A Deep Sea Poison Dragon should be a marine creature, yet it possesses a dragon eye with the power of the Earth Element. Its strength must be immense,’ Ling Xiao thought. ’For his family to have obtained it is one thing, but to make such a grand gesture—gifting it before I’ve even agreed to help, all to save his father...’ He couldn’t help but hold Song Mingyue in higher esteem. Filial people usually earned the goodwill of others more easily. Regardless of whether his actions were good or evil, at least he possessed a fundamental sense of morality.

"Is there a water-element dragon eye as well?" Ling Xiao asked tentatively. His question once again made the messengers present see him in a new light.

’This kid... He’s no mere scion of some family backed by a powerful hidden clan. At this point, they’d rather believe that Ling Xiao himself... is a member of a hidden sect!’

’At the very least... he must have been formally accepted as a disciple!’

Reaching this conclusion brought them some comfort regarding the Sword Emperor-level expert who had appeared by Ling Xiao’s side. Otherwise, the blow would have been too great!

But just a year ago, Ling Xiao was still only a Celestial Vein Master. There were even rumors that he was so incompetent his fiancée had plotted to dump him. Why would such a youth be chosen by a powerful hidden sect? No one could figure it out. In the end, they could only console themselves with one explanation—Ling Xiao’s luck was simply invincible.

Song Mingyue was momentarily stunned, but then he smiled. "Brother Ling, you are truly perceptive. It’s just that the water-element dragon eye was gifted to someone else by my father many years ago, so..."

Ling Xiao waved his hand. "Brother Song, you misunderstand me. I was just asking. Yes, just curious. But I wonder, do these two dragon eyes truly have their legendary effects?"

Song Mingyue smiled faintly and handed the dragon eye to Ling Xiao without any hesitation. "Although the earth-element eye isn’t as practical as the water-element one, it is still a supreme treasure. This one is called Avoiding Earth. I once tested it myself. I carried it while being buried deep underground for three days and emerged completely unscathed!"

The other messengers from the hidden sects couldn’t stop the greed from showing in their eyes. They stared at the dragon eye in Ling Xiao’s hand, incredibly envious. Even the powerful, gray-robed old man sat there, his hands clasped tightly under the table, wringing them back and forth. He even had the fleeting thought of snatching it from Ling Xiao’s grasp.

’This Young Master Song of the Sea Domain Song Family has some nerve, saying the earth-element eye isn’t as practical as the water-element one? What nonsense! There’s no such thing as being *that* humble!’

’Everyone knows that while the Sea Domain is vast, humans are most active on land. This dragon eye might not allow someone to move freely through the earth, but as a treasure for hiding and escaping, it’s absolutely perfect! Even an expert at the Sword Sect level can’t sense things too deep in the ground, and most people subconsciously ignore what’s beneath their feet. If used for assassination, the success rate would skyrocket...’

The gray-robed old man thought indignantly, but he didn’t dare actually try to snatch it. Even if he wasn’t afraid of the Sea Domain Song Family, the giant of a man with the strength of a Sword Emperor at Ling Xiao’s side could easily tear him to shreds!

’So... I should just forget it! I, Li Yan, have no need to hide, nor am I an assassin. What use would it be to me?’ The gray-robed old man repeatedly consoled himself.

Ling Xiao held the dragon eye named Avoiding Earth and examined it for a moment. Though he liked it, he said, "Brother Song, this gift is far too valuable. We don’t even know if your father’s condition can be treated, so... it would be better for you to hold onto it."

"Uh..."

Everyone couldn’t help but gasp, staring at Ling Xiao as if he were a monster.

’Is there... actually such an honest person in the world? Everyone understood Song Mingyue’s intention. The dragon eye was a welcoming gift for the great physician, regardless of success or failure. Yet Ling Xiao had just rejected it out of hand. Could it be... that he has the authority to make decisions for the master?’

Song Mingyue was also taken aback. The refined young master then shook his head. "How can one take back something that has already been offered? If Brother Ling is unwilling to accept it, then please give it to the beautiful young lady by your side. I’m sure she would be very fond of it!"

’The messengers from the other sects were once again left speechless. So the people from the Sea Domain Song Family were just as unconventional! They didn’t seem to care about the Deep Sea Poison Dragon Eye at all!’

’What incredible magnanimity!’

’Treating a supreme treasure like common jewelry? A child’s toy? To be so casual about it!’

Ling Xiao casually placed the dragon eye in Yisha’s hand and smiled. "In that case, it would be rude to refuse. Yisha, Young Master Song said you’d like it, so you should take it!"

Yisha smiled faintly. She didn’t stand on ceremony. In her eyes, there was no difference between the item being in her hands or in Ling Xiao’s. She took it happily and began to play with it, unable to put it down.

Ling Xiao said to Song Mingyue, "In that case, please wait for my message, Brother Song. Once things are settled here, I will contact you."

Song Mingyue stood up and gave Ling Xiao a deep bow. "Then I must thank you, Brother Ling. I am deeply concerned for my father, so I hope you can understand my urgency. The sooner, the better!"

With that, he nodded slightly to the others in the room and left with his attendants.

As soon as Song Mingyue left, Qing Yu also seemed to feel there was no point in her staying. After bowing to Ling Xiao, she too took her leave.