NOVPUBTherefore, keeping the Heavenly Dragon Jade Talisman in one’s own hands is the most prudent measure.
"Brother Blade… this doesn’t seem right, does it? The Jade Talisman isn’t on me anyways…" The Heavenly Corpse Old Man stared intently at Su Changkong, equally understanding this principle. If he handed over the Jade Talisman to Su Changkong, what would happen if Su Changkong didn’t bring him along?
"Heavenly Corpse Old Man, you said you wanted to join forces with me to explore the Long Family’s Cave Heaven and Blessed Land to seize opportunities and treasures, yet you don’t even have this bit of trust in me… Even if we enter the Cave Heaven and Blessed Land, we wouldn’t be able to work together sincerely." Su Changkong’s said with a smile that was not quite a smile, "I’m not that interested in this Long Family’s Cave Heaven and Blessed Land, so since you’re unwilling, let’s settle the score from earlier when you diverted trouble elsewhere!"
The corners of Heavenly Corpse Old Man’s mouth twitched. Although Dao Wufeng was young, he managed to control him.
Seeing Su Changkong’s readiness to take action at a moment’s disagreement, the Heavenly Corpse Old Man assessed his own condition. He was seriously wounded, and if he really started a fight with the unfathomable Dao Wufeng, he might not even have a chance to escape.
Finally, the Heavenly Corpse Old Man sighed deeply, "You’re right… To truly enter the Cave Heaven and Blessed Land, we need to trust each other to seize opportunities and treasures. The rest of the Jade Talismans have probably fallen into the hands of some great sects and powers… I’ll let you keep this Jade Talisman."
After speaking, the Heavenly Corpse Old Man gaped wide, his stomach and throat undulating as a palm-sized Jade Talisman flew out from his throat, supported by an invisible force, slowly flying towards Su Changkong.
The Heavenly Corpse Old Man chose to compromise, leaving the Heavenly Dragon Jade Talisman in the care of Su Changkong.
Su Changkong did not touch it rashly, but carefully inspected it, wrapped in nature’s spiritual energy.
The Jade Talisman was only half the size of a palm with a jade-colored little dragon carved on it, lifelike and with a faint Spiritual Energy flickering. It looked to be of extraordinary quality.
"Is this the Heavenly Dragon Jade Talisman?"
Su Changkong also looked on with curiosity.
"The Heavenly Dragon Kingdom has perished, and its original territory has been incorporated into the domain of the Silver Moon Empire. Now we just need to wait and pay attention to the news. I estimate that the Silver Moon Empire will soon send related news. By then, we can go together to the Silver Moon Empire," said the nearby Heavenly Corpse Old Man.
The Silver Moon Empire, one of the neighboring nations of the Great Flame Empire, belongs to the range of the Central Tri-nation along with the Wuji Empire and the Great Flame Empire. The Silver Moon Empire was also the former territory of the fallen Heavenly Dragon Kingdom. Whoever holds the power changed, only the heaven and the earth remain constant!
"I can look into related intelligence later." 𝔫𝖔𝖛𝖕𝖚𝔟.𝖈𝖔𝔪
Su Changkong did not fully trust the words of the Heavenly Corpse Old Man. However, it would be easy to verify. He could either look up Ancient Scriptures within the Spirit Taoist Sect or directly inquire using the Identity Token of a Guest Elder of the Xia Yan family.
The Heavenly Corpse Old Man advised, "Brother Blade, when the time comes, come find me in Corpse-Burying Mountain in the northern part of the Great Flame Empire to set off together. I shall recuperate there."
Having offended Mo Junling, the Heavenly Corpse Old Man did not return to the territory of the Heavenly Corpse Sect but chose to heal and practice elsewhere.
"Agreed."
Su Changkong gave his assent.
The Heavenly Corpse Old Man reluctantly glanced at the Heavenly Dragon Jade Talisman one last time, preparing to leave.
"Wait… Did you just sense any other strange presence?"
Su Changkong stopped the Heavenly Corpse Old Man.
Earlier, Mo Junling seemed to have sensed something, which was why he left in a hurry without taking the Heavenly Dragon Jade Talisman, but Su Changkong didn’t feel anything abnormal.
The Heavenly Corpse Old Man was especially adept at tracking and sensing presences, so Su Changkong asked him this question.
The Heavenly Corpse Old Man paused, then shook his head confidently, "Aside from you, me, Mo Junling, and his group, there was no one else nearby."
The Heavenly Corpse Old Man was confident in his own perception; otherwise, he would not have managed to evade and escape from pursuit by people like Mo Junling.
Someone spying on him, undetected by his senses? The Heavenly Corpse Old Man was certain no one could do that.
Unless... it was a Martial Saint!
"Nothing then, you may go."
Although Su Changkong still had his doubts, without any discoveries, he had no choice but to let it go. Perhaps Mo Junling had feigned sensing something and left to make Su Changkong wary.
Su Changkong parted ways with the Heavenly Corpse Old Man, and without staying long, he performed White Crane Escapes and returned to the Spirit Taoist Sect.
This trip, which started with delivering the Blood Divine Seed to Ji Xuexiao, unexpectedly led to acquiring a Jade Talisman capable of entering the Long Family’s Cave Heaven and Blessed Land from the Heavenly Corpse Old Man, which was a serendipitous gain.
On his way back to the Spirit Taoist Sect, Su Changkong took out an Identity Token, specifically that of a Guest Elder from the Xia Yan family.
Su Changkong transmitted a piece of information through the Token, essentially inquiring about news related to the Long Family’s Cave Heaven and Blessed Land.
"As soon as there is news about the Heavenly Dragon Jade Talisman, it will be immediately communicated to Elder Blade." It wasn’t long before a response came from Xia Yanjie as well, helping Su Changkong to stay updated and attentive to this matter.
The Elder’s Identity Token of the Xia Yan family was indeed very convenient for sending messages within the Great Flame Empire!
"Now, it’s a matter of waiting for the news of the Heavenly Dragon Jade Talisman and waiting quietly."
Back at the Spirit Taoist Sect, Su Changkong awaited news about the Heavenly Dragon Jade Talisman and practiced quietly. Everything seemed as peaceful as ever, but beneath this calm surface, the undercurrent was swirling!
...
A sprawling wild land belonging to no nation lays at the boundary between countries, with no order, where bandits roam freely. Ordinary people, if they dared to approach this place without a guard, would only meet with a grisly fate.
