Chapter 209
Chapter 209
After leaving Purple Bamboo City, Zhou Ming set out for the Dragon Domain.
Just as the Mysterious Merchant had said, every part of a dragon was treasure. Yet Zhou Ming’s goal was to obtain foods that permanently increased Attributes, which did not necessarily mean he had to hunt and kill dragons.
“Including the shark meat, I’ve completed one-third of the Sin of Gluttony in only two days!” Zhou Ming let out a breath of relief.
Truthfully, gathering thirty separate delicacies one at a time was far too tedious.
In his view, obtaining several at once through someone like the Mysterious Merchant was the key to completing the Sin of Gluttony.
“Ding!~”
[System Notification: Attention! Round One of [Pinnacle Showdown] (Server-Wide) has begun. Proceed to the venue immediately?]
“No!”
Zhou Ming declined.
The event beginning did not mean it was his turn to compete. He would still have to wait quite a while before his match, and he had no time to sit idle at the venue.
If he only needed to kill a god-tier expert three months from now, he would never feel this pressed. His opponent, however, was Saint tier!
Even top experts like Ye Zhibei and Cangxuan could barely resist one. The gulf between god tier and Saint tier was clearly enormous.
Braving the wind and snow, Zhou Ming rode the Crimsonflame Sacred Dragon through the Snow Domain’s endless frozen landscape and headed straight for the Dragon Domain.
Rather than trespass, he waited patiently outside.
“Roar!”
Within the Dragon Domain, numerous dragons roared in agitation. They sensed the unrestrained draconic might of the Crimsonflame Sacred Dragon and suffered suppression from its bloodline.
After briefly releasing Sacred Dragon’s Might, Zhou Ming had the Crimsonflame Sacred Dragon restrain its aura.
His goal was to notify the Dragon Domain of his arrival, not to come here and throw his weight around. Once that goal was achieved, there was no need to continue.
About three minutes later…
Whoosh!
A handsome man with silver hair and silver eyes emerged from the Dragon Domain beside a rugged, muscular blond man. They opened part of the barrier and came out to meet Zhou Ming.
Zhouyou Shijie really had managed to hatch it!
Dragon God Abel examined the majestic Crimsonflame Sacred Dragon, complicated emotions crossing his face.
The Crimsonflame Sacred Dragon’s bloodline was already close to returning to its ancestral state!
He could say with near certainty that if this Sacred Dragon were not Zhouyou Shijie’s mount, it would be all but guaranteed to become the Dragon Domain’s next Dragon God.
“Brother Zhou, what brings you to the Dragon Domain?” Yun An asked.
“Three things!”
Zhou Ming got straight to the point.
Renee: “???”
Wasn’t he here to look for food?
How had that turned into three things?
“There are no outsiders here, Brother Zhou, so speak freely!” Yun An was exceedingly courteous. Then he added, “Because your identity is rather unusual and you have entered a state of extreme hostility with every major faction, the Dragon Domain cannot invite you inside as a guest. I hope you will forgive us.”
“I understand!”
Zhou Ming nodded in acknowledgment, then said bluntly, “First, I need delicacies that can permanently increase Attributes. Would the Dragon Domain be willing to offer some generous assistance?”
“Well…”
Yun An and Abel exchanged a glance, both looking troubled.
He had come to the Dragon Domain asking for food with special effects. Wasn’t that the same as asking for dragon meat?
“Do you have any requirements regarding which Attributes are increased?” Yun An pressed.
“No. Even the amount of the increase is unimportant.”
Zhou Ming shook his head and explained, “But the more varieties of delicacies, the better. They can’t be duplicates.”
“The problem is, if you don’t consume a sufficient amount, your Attributes won’t increase!” Abel gave a wry smile.
A delicacy was not something one could merely taste a spoonful of broth from and reap enormous benefits.
Zhou Ming did not back down. “Can you think of a way to gather some?”
“Brother Zhou is a direct man and surely dislikes beating around the bush!” Yun An pondered for a moment, then said seriously, “So I’ll be equally direct. What will the Dragon Domain receive in return?”
The name Zhouyou Shijie now resounded like thunder across the Destiny Continent.
Even so, Zhou Ming still had to make his offer.
“I don’t have much time left. I can’t remain in the Dragon Domain and keep using Invincible Lucky Star to bring you benefits.” Zhou Ming shook his head. “If I’m still alive three months from now, I will repay you!”
Yun An understood.
Those words were equivalent to Zhouyou Shijie writing them a check. Whether it could be cashed depended on the outcome of the battle that would inevitably be decided three months from now.
“A clever calculation, Brother Zhou!” Yun An said with a smile, exposing the plan. “If the Dragon Domain accepts this condition, we will inevitably lean toward the Hope Faction to some degree. Even if we remain absolutely neutral and favor neither side, that alone benefits the Hope Faction while the gods and demons watch it hungrily.”
“However…”
Before Zhou Ming could respond, Yun An continued, “This time, the Dragon Domain is willing to take the gamble!”
“Ding!~”
[System Notification: Congratulations! You have successfully activated the hidden side quest [Three-Month Pact]!]
[Three-Month Pact] (Difficulty: D-Rank)
Description: An agreement already made carries no difficulty, so long as it is honored.
Quest Requirement: If the Hope Faction led by Flame Venerable · Zhouyou Shijie emerges victorious three months from now, help [Dragon Domain Guardian · Yun An] and [Dragon God Abel] break through the dimensional barrier in the future, if possible.
Quest Reward: The Dragon Domain will provide every Attribute-increasing food it can.
Failure Penalty: None
…
“…”
Zhou Ming’s gaze swept across the quest details and lingered on the requirement for a long time.
Yun An’s plans reached much farther into the future than he had imagined.
“You don’t want to remain on the Destiny Continent?” Zhou Ming asked curiously.
Yun An answered solemnly, “As far as I know, after Ning Wushen escaped this world, his true body never returned. I believe he must have had a reason for doing that.”
Breaking through the dimensional barrier required Saint-tier strength.
In his view, apart from Ning Wushen, Zhouyou Shijie had the best chance of becoming the second expert on the Destiny Continent to shatter the void.
“All right!”
Zhou Ming agreed. “I will do everything in my power!”
“Ding!~”
[System Notification: You have received the hidden side quest [Three-Month Pact] (Difficulty: D)!]
With the first matter settled, the two sides felt much closer. Abel smiled. “Then… shall we discuss the other two matters?”
“The second matter is Xiaochi’s atavism. Does the Dragon Domain know how the Crimsonflame Sacred Dragon can return to its ancestral bloodline?” Zhou Ming asked directly.
“Roar!”
The Crimsonflame Sacred Dragon looked at Zhou Ming in surprise.
“I told you I would make you the strongest dragon on the Destiny Continent!” Zhou Ming reached out and patted its back. “I won’t break my word!”
“…”
The Crimsonflame Sacred Dragon said nothing. It affectionately rubbed its head against Zhou Ming’s face.
The instinctive call it had followed from inside its eggshell had led it to an excellent companion.
“Ding!~”
[System Notification: Your mount [Crimsonflame Sacred Dragon · Xiaochi] has gained 5 loyalty. Current loyalty: 95!]
“Atavism is anything but easy!” Abel shook his head. “The Crimsonflame Sacred Dragon’s bloodline must be purified and strengthened even further, and it must also come into contact with Divinity!”
“Divinity?”
Zhou Ming was puzzled. “How do you obtain that?”
Beside him, Qianying explained, “To advance from demigod tier to god tier, you must obtain Divinity. When you truly reach the threshold of advancement, you will enter a Divinity Trial. The Divinity Trial is extremely difficult. Passing allows you to advance to god tier, but if you fail… you will never have another chance!”
“I see!” Zhou Ming fell into thought.
In that case, Divinity was something one could encounter once one’s strength was sufficient. The only other requirement was advancing Xiaochi’s bloodline once more.
Having formed a rough idea, Zhou Ming did not continue discussing the subject. Instead, he said, “The third matter is that I want…”
…