The surface of the Jiaolong Pool gradually calmed down, and the thousand-year-old dragon saliva grass floated on the water. Crystal dewdrops rolled on its purple leaves, emanating a faint dragon's might and a powerful spiritual energy. Its preciousness could be felt from a distance—this was a treasure that could help Nascent Soul cultivators touch the threshold of Divine Transformation!
"Everyone who sees it gets a share!" a rogue cultivator from the Eastern Region couldn't help but shout, his eyes fixed on the Dragon Saliva Grass. "We all worked together to exhaust the dragon, why should he be the only one to devour it?"
“Exactly! Southern Region cultivators shouldn’t be too greedy!” another Western Region cultivator chimed in, unconsciously taking a step forward. “A treasure like Dragon Saliva Grass should rightfully belong to the strong!”
Many cultivators around them had greed in their eyes, their gazes shifting back and forth between the Dragon Saliva Grass and the "weak" Xiao Chen. In their view, Xiao Chen had just killed the dragon and must be exhausted of spiritual energy, making this the perfect opportunity to seize it—even if they couldn't win, as long as they grabbed the Dragon Saliva Grass and ran, they could always find a chance to escape.
Xiao Chen seemed not to hear their words, and simply walked slowly toward the Dragon Saliva Grass. His steps were still somewhat unsteady, his face was pale, and his hand holding the rusty iron spear was still trembling slightly. He did indeed seem to be at his last gasp, just as everyone thought.
For some reason, as they watched him approach step by step, none of the eager cultivators dared to actually step forward—his ruthlessness in killing the dragon was still fresh in their minds, and the bloody smell on that rusty iron spear seemed to have not yet dissipated, exuding an invisible, chilling aura.
"Get out of my way!" Xiao Chen walked up to the Dragon Saliva Grass and coldly spat out two words to a cultivator blocking his way.
The cultivator trembled and subconsciously took two steps back. When he came to his senses, his face turned pale and then red, but he ultimately did not dare to go forward again.
Xiao Chen bent down, uprooted the dragon's saliva grass, and put it into the jade box. His movements were slow, but they carried an undeniable sense of control.
Just then, a voice rang out: "Fellow Daoist Xiao, congratulations on slaying the dragon and obtaining the supreme treasure."
The one who spoke was the Purple Lightning Sect cultivator who had previously urged Xiao Chen to retreat. He clutched his chest wound, a sincere smile on his face. "We are incompetent and unable to help much. This Dragon Saliva Herb should belong to you, fellow Daoist. Those people are just jealous."
The surrounding cultivators from the Southern Region echoed, "That's right! It was Fellow Daoist Xiao who fought the dragon with all his might, so the Dragon Saliva Grass naturally belongs to him!"
"Anyone who wants to take it, they'll have to ask the cultivators of the Southern Region if they agree!"
Although they hadn't gone all out, they clearly saw that if Xiao Chen hadn't severely injured the dragon with his shots, they would probably have been wiped out long ago. Now that they saw someone trying to steal the credit, they naturally stepped forward to protect Xiao Chen.
Xiao Chen glanced at the Purple Lightning Sect cultivator, then at the Southern Region cultivators around him, before suddenly walking towards the Purple Lightning Sect cultivator and handing over the jade box containing the Dragon Saliva Grass.
"Huh?" Everyone was stunned, including the cultivators from the Purple Lightning Sect themselves.
"This...why is this?" The Purple Lightning Sect cultivator hurriedly waved his hand, "Fellow Daoist Xiao, you risked your life to obtain this Dragon Saliva Grass, I cannot accept it!"
"Here you go, take it." Xiao Chen's voice remained calm. "When the dragon's tail struck just now, you were the only one who shouted 'Be careful!'"
"I only need the points."
He wasn't ungrateful. When the dragon went berserk, most people were only concerned with protecting themselves, but this Purple Lightning Sect cultivator, even while injured himself, still remembered to remind him. This thoughtfulness was more important to him than the dragon's saliva grass.
The Purple Lightning Sect cultivator was stunned. Looking at the seriousness in Xiao Chen's eyes, and then at the Dragon Saliva Grass radiating spiritual energy in the jade box, he swallowed hard: "But...this is too precious...I..."
"I don't need it." Xiao Chen withdrew his hand, his tone resolute. "With my current cultivation level, I have no use for it. You are a core disciple of the Purple Lightning Sect. Taking it might help the Purple Lightning Sect recover some of its strength."
Last time in the Dragon Locking Secret Realm, the Purple Lightning Sect suffered heavy losses, with the young sect leader falling and a Nascent Soul elder injured. This Dragon Saliva Grass is indeed more useful to them than to themselves.
A look of emotion flashed in the eyes of the Purple Lightning Sect cultivator. He took a deep breath, accepted the jade box, and solemnly cupped his hands to Xiao Chen: "Fellow Daoist Xiao, my Purple Lightning Sect will remember this kindness! I will convert the value of this Dragon Saliva Grass into spirit stones for you, and I will certainly not treat you unfairly!"
"No need," Xiao Chen shook his head. "I don't lack spirit stones."
With the pills and magic treasures given to him by Lin Zhou, his current wealth is far beyond what ordinary spirit stones can compare to.
The cultivator from the Purple Lightning Sect said again, "Then... my Purple Lightning Sect owes you a favor. If you ever need our help in the future, we will go through fire and water for you!"
Xiao Chen looked at him and suddenly smiled. The smile had a hint of youthful straightforwardness, but it also revealed an undeniable confidence: "There's no need for favors. You can't beat me. Even if you owe me a favor, you won't be able to help me if something really happens."
Although these words were blunt, no one thought they were arrogant—the strength to single-handedly kill a half-step Nascent Soul dragon was indeed beyond the reach of the Purple Lightning Sect cultivators, so saying that they "couldn't help" was a fact.
The Purple Lightning Sect cultivator was taken aback for a moment, then smiled, his embarrassment fading away, leaving only admiration: "Fellow Daoist Xiao is right. But I must convey this sentiment."
He carefully put away the jade box, bowed to Xiao Chen again, and then turned and left with the disciples of the Purple Lightning Sect.
The Southern Region cultivators around them looked at Xiao Chen with completely different eyes as they witnessed this scene. Not only was he incredibly strong, but he was also indifferent to treasures and had a clear sense of right and wrong. Such a person was worthy of their trust.
Those cultivators from the Eastern and Western Regions who wanted to seize the Dragon Saliva Grass, seeing the Southern Region cultivators' resolute attitude and Xiao Chen's undiminished momentum despite his "weakness," ultimately dared not step forward again. They could only look at Xiao Chen with resentment, their eyes filled with unwillingness.
Xiao Chen ignored them and turned to walk out of the Black Wind Mountain Range. He had enough points, had killed the dragon, and given the Dragon Saliva Grass to a suitable person. Staying any longer would only bring more trouble.
The afterglow of the setting sun shone on him, casting a long shadow. He still looked somewhat "tired," but his straight spine and the long spear he gripped tightly exuded a noble spirit that was truly admirable.
In the Black Wind Mountains points competition, he not only won points and respect, but also won a path of his own—not taking by force, not gaining unjustly, clearly distinguishing between gratitude and resentment, and letting his gun follow his heart.
In the distant dense forest, several dark figures watched Xiao Chen's departing figure and whispered among themselves:
"Based on the target's strength, he is barely capable of killing a half-step Nascent Soul dragon in one fell swoop. It is not advisable to make any further moves."
"Notify the higher-ups that when carrying out the assassination, it's best to send several people, including some with higher cultivation levels. We absolutely cannot let him escape this time."
"……yes."
The shadowy figure vanished silently, as if it had never existed.
As Xiao Chen walked, he seemed to sense something, paused slightly, glanced back at the depths of the dense forest, and a cold smile curled at the corner of his lips.
Want to wait?
He won't give them that chance.
The martial arts tournament has only just begun.
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