Xu Jingming remained composed as he gazed at the multitude of Primordial Gold Beads and Chunks hovering before him. After all, he possessed a treasure like the silver parchment; these Primordial Gold pieces were merely the cherry on top.
"Brother Wu Ming, are you displeased that I didn't present you with enough gifts?" Thearch Dragon Island Lord inquired with a grin.
"No, no, it's too generous! Since you have offered it, I won't be overly formal and will gladly accept it," Xu Jingming replied, stowing the Primordial Gold in front of him.
This display elicited envious, jealous twitches from the numerous high-dimensional lifeforms present.
Even the dean and the others found it challenging to amass wealth equal to a mere drop of Abyssal Mother Blood. Encountering vast mineral deposits meant contending with various factions vying for the resources. Accumulating wealth was a herculean task.
Xu Jingming had just pocketed an astonishing 60 drops of Abyssal Mother Blood worth of wealth. Who among those present didn't feel envious?
Why is Thearch Dragon Island Lord, known for his overbearing and insolent behavior towards half-step third-realm powerhouses from surrounding dominions, being so amicable with Myriad Star Island's Wu Ming?
He casually handed over 60 drops of Abyssal Mother Blood?
Indeed. He single-handedly vanquished Five Demons Planet in a mere 10,000 years! Wu Ming is truly formidable.
The high-dimensional lifeforms present kept their thoughts to themselves, not daring to speak up. They silently observed the unfolding events.
Thearch Dragon Island Lord's smile beamed brightly. He didn't exhibit the rumored overbearing and unreasonable demeanor as he continued, "I heard about a significant mineral deposit appearing in the Primordial Gold Mountains, so I hastened here. I initially assumed it was a trivial mining matter, but who would've thought I'd encounter you, Brother Wu Ming? It's a pleasant surprise."
"Island Lord, your praise is undeserved," Xu Jingming replied.
"Not at all. Our dominion is fortunate to have a powerhouse like you, Brother Wu Ming. As a fellow member of this dominion, I'm naturally delighted. Oh, by the way, I plan to visit Feather Fire City soon. Would you care to join me?" Thearch Dragon Island Lord asked, adding, "You're familiar with Feather Fire City, right, Brother Wu Ming?"
"Yes." Xu Jingming nodded. "I have a clone en route to Feather Fire City. There's no need to inconvenience yourself, Island Lord."
Thearch Dragon Island Lord nodded with a smile. "Very well. Brother Wu Ming, if you ever require assistance, don't hesitate to visit Thearch Dragon Island and relay your message. At the very least, I hold some sway in the surrounding dominions."
"Thank you, Island Lord," Xu Jingming expressed his gratitude.
With a slight nod, Thearch Dragon Island Lord guided the carriage out of this space-time region, vanishing from the Primordial Gold Mountains.
"Dean, let's depart," Xu Jingming suggested, glancing at the apprehensive high-dimensional lifeforms around him. He entered the Heart Realm with the dean, Tower Master, and Island Lord, leaving the area behind.
In the Heart Realm.
The dean, Tower Master, and Island Lord couldn't resist asking.
"Jingming, why is Thearch Dragon Island Lord so cordial towards you?" Spacetime Island Lord queried.
"I'm not sure. This is our first meeting," Xu Jingming responded.
"His notoriety for domineering behavior precedes him. Why would he be so friendly to you…" Eternal Tower Master couldn't help but wonder.
The dean furrowed his brow and said, "Half-step third-realm powerhouses can scrutinize the timeline and delve into both past and future! Thus, they possess knowledge of countless secrets. They can even peer into the future and uncover things you're unaware of."
Xu Jingming was taken aback.
Could it be that they had genuinely unearthed one of his secrets?
What significant secret did he possess? If the secret of the silver parchment were to be revealed, it would likely be seized.
"Maybe it's because of some undisclosed secret that he's so congenial," the dean cautioned. "Thearch Dragon Island Lord typically treats other half-step third-realm powerhouses with contempt. Even if you were to become a half-step third-realm powerhouse, there'd be no rationale for his courtesy. Besides, you haven't even broken through yet."
"I understand." Xu Jingming nodded. "I'm naturally suspicious when there's no apparent motive for him to seek my favor. That's why I declined his invitation to accompany him to Feather Fire City."
Cordiality towards an unfamiliar powerhouse was one thing, but Xu Jingming couldn't help but be on guard when presented with such an extravagant gift for seemingly no reason.
60 drops of Abyssal Mother Blood constituted a vast fortune.
Even for third-realm weapons, the average ones were priced around 30 to 50 drops. However, Xu Jingming required third-realm weapons from the Heart Realm lineage, which commanded a higher cost. Considering he still needed to trade for legacies, he had no immediate plans to purchase third-realm weapons.
"It's quite possible he's luring you in." Eternal Tower Master agreed. "He may have deliberately shown goodwill and extended an invitation before springing a trap."
"Don't fret. I'll maintain a safe distance from these half-step third-realm powerhouses until I reach that level," Xu Jingming assured. "Speaking of which, this Primordial Gold is incredibly valuable. How should we divide it?"
"This is a gift from Thearch Dragon Island Lord," the dean reminded, shaking his head. "We can distribute what we excavated earlier evenly. As for the gift from Thearch Dragon Island Lord, it's rightfully yours."
"Yes, it's yours by right," Tower Master concurred.
Spacetime Island Lord was also unwilling to exploit him.
Years of cultivation had sharpened their minds repeatedly. They would compete for minerals but never covet the treasures of their peers.
"How about this?" Xu Jingming, perceiving his comrades' mindset, proposed with a smile. "I'll lend each of you ten drops of Abyssal Mother Blood. You can repay me gradually in the future."
The dean pondered for a moment and suggested, "We'll assess the available third-realm legacies once you reach Feather Fire City. In truth, we shouldn't be greedy when trading for legacies."
"In due course, I might need to borrow two or three drops of Abyssal Mother Blood," Eternal Tower Master admitted with a grin. He was amenable to borrowing a small amount, as he could gradually save up and repay it. He was reluctant to owe too much.
"Agreed," Xu Jingming said. "Shall we head back now?"
"Let's return to Myriad Star Island," the dean replied, smiling. "We've reaped a substantial haul this time." Before Thearch Dragon Island Lord's arrival, they had already mined a considerable amount. Coupled with Xu Jingming's willingness to lend from his newfound wealth, they possessed ample liquidity.
Whoosh.
And so, with high spirits, Xu Jingming and the others departed from the Primordial Gold Mountains and made their way back to Myriad Star Island.
******
In a secluded residence on Thearch Dragon Island.
Thearch Dragon Island Lord sat alone upon his throne, eyes icy as he observed the timeline and the hazy future.
"The future we half-step third-realm powerhouses can see is limited," Thearch Dragon Island Lord muttered to himself. "And the future is rife with countless variables. The likelihood of many things coming to pass is incredibly low.
"But…
"This Wu Ming?" Thearch Dragon Island Lord's expression grew serious. "When I first encountered him in the Primordial Gold Mountains and witnessed him slaying the Five Demons Planet clones in the past. I also glimpsed his future.
"I've scrutinized his future branches three times in a row.
"He becomes an invincible half-step third realm for every branch." Thearch Dragon Island Lord's eyes were grave. "This doesn't add up!"
"The future hasn't occurred, so there should be variables. However, this Wu Ming seems to be shielded by an unseen force. I can't detect any possibility of stopping him," Thearch Dragon Island Lord pondered. "What is this invisible force?"
"Is it truly talent?" Thearch Dragon Island Lord considered. "Or is there a third-realm entity safeguarding him?"
Why was he willing to abandon his master and venture to a remote location like the South Pavilion 3609 Dominion? It was because staying by his master's side wasn't a simple task.
Even with assistance, Thearch Dragon Island Lord was deemed exceptionally remarkable among his master's relatives and friends for cultivating from a low-dimensional lifeform to the half-step third realm. For instance, some genuinely mediocre individuals lacked any talent on the evolutionary path.
Why did I run to the South Pavilion dominion? It's because Master's relatives and friends rely on his reputation to do as they please.
Without adequate mental fortitude and willpower, true immortality is a form of torment, Thearch Dragon Island Lord mused. In the endless march of time, the minds of Master's relatives and friends slowly deteriorate and warp… Master can grant them eternal life, but he can't provide them with a powerful mind and will.
Thearch Dragon Island Lord contemplated, I vaguely sense that Wu Ming's talent is extraordinarily high. How long have I lived? I've seen innumerable prodigies by Master's side, in Feather Fire City and countless other locations, but I've never encountered someone like Wu Ming.
Such a monstrous figure is either tremendously terrifying on their own or has a horrifying force supporting them. We can't be adversaries. Thearch Dragon Island Lord had casually spied on the future the moment they met and immediately relinquished half of the Primordial Gold.
He was afraid. He feared that Wu Ming would harbor resentment against him and bring calamity upon him in the future!
He was reputed to be domineering, but he was powerless to change it. His strength was relatively unremarkable among half-step third-realm powerhouses, and he didn't wish to constantly leech off his master. Consequently, he naturally had to deploy his most potent weapon—background!
Depending on his background, he frequently managed to profit when vying with other half-step third-realm powerhouses for treasures! As long as he didn't push them too far, the other half-step third-realm powerhouses would grant him some leeway.
Only by profiting repeatedly could he amass such wealth and possess numerous treasures.
He owned a vast array of treasures. The outside world believed they were conferred by his master, but in reality, his master had bestowed only two. The rest were accumulated by him.
I can't bully such an exceptionally menacing entity, Thearch Dragon Island Lord thought. His domineering and impudent behavior depended on his opponent.
"Mujin." A voice echoed in Thearch Dragon Island Lord's mind.
"Master." Thearch Dragon Island Lord jolted, his face lighting up with delight and profound respect. This voice belonged to his most significant supporter and the being he admired above all else.
"You've done well. Stay away from Wu Ming. It's best to keep your distance from him. The chaos he incites could bring harm to you," the voice warned. "Even I can't discern his true nature clearly."
Thearch Dragon Island Lord's heart clenched. "Master, I understand."
…
In an expansive landscape.
A towering figure sat alone, gazing upon the world.
Mujin's self-cultivation to the half-step third realm demonstrates exceptional mental fortitude and willpower. There's no need for me to be concerned. The towering figure's eyes brimmed with deep sorrow. But my relatives…
Having lived for eons, they can no longer preserve their true selves. Their minds are decaying and warping. The towering figure was despondent, but there was nothing he could do.
Very few high-dimensional lifeforms pursued the Heart Realm lineage because cultivating the mind was an arduous task. For instance, Xu Jingming had endured immense hardship and spent over a thousand years to gain basic mastery of the Heart Realm Force.
"The ones I care for the most are plagued by corrupted and distorted minds that are beyond my control," the towering figure whispered. "Even as a third realm being, am I not still powerless?"
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