Chapter 1230: Peerless Princess
The two halves of the corpses transformed into two massive dragon corpse fragments, making two "plop" sounds as they fell into the lake.
Both Saint Dragon Envoys had fallen.
Zhang Ruochen collected the battle weapons of the two Saint Dragon Envoys, the Thunder God Trident and the Dragon Bone War Spear, then flew down from midair, landing on a dragon corpse fragment over three hundred meters long. From within, he dug out a black dragon pearl.
The black dragon pearl could expand or shrink.
"Sizzle, sizzle."
At this moment, the dragon pearl had shrunk to the size of a human head, held in Zhang Ruochen's palm, with strands of lightning flowing across its surface.
Xiao Hei crawled out from Zhang Ruochen's sleeve, staring at the dragon pearl, and said, "A Saint Dragon's dragon pearl is a priceless treasure. Once you condense your Saint Source and step into the Lower Realm Saint realm, if you refine and absorb this dragon pearl, it can equal decades of bitter cultivation. Within a few days, you can charge to the peak of the Lower Realm Saint level."
"That powerful?"
Zhang Ruochen knew that a Saint Dragon's dragon pearl was extremely precious, but he hadn't expected it to be so heaven-defying for cultivation improvement.
Once reaching the Saint realm, breaking through a single realm was more than ten times harder than during the Half-Saint period.
Going from the initial Lower Realm stage to the peak stage was already a massive leap. Other Lower Realm Saints would indeed need decades of cultivation to achieve such a result.
"Unfortunately, Ye Hong Saint Dragon Envoy's dragon pearl was shattered by the Time Saint Aspect." Zhang Ruochen let out a light sigh.
If he could have obtained two dragon pearls, he might have been able to charge straight to the Middle Realm Saint level in a short time.
"Whoosh—"
A patch of golden clouds surged over, appearing above Zhang Ruochen's head, with dragon shadows dancing within the clouds.
Ao Yi stepped on a dragon shadow, emerging from the clouds, looking down at Zhang Ruochen below with a complex expression.
Earlier, when Zhang Ruochen executed the Great Space Teleportation, although he used spiritual power to conceal it from the saints of the Divine Dragon Half-Human Clan, he hadn't fooled Ao Yi.
Zhang Ruochen looked up and met Ao Yi's gaze.
Just by touching Ao Yi's eyes, Zhang Ruochen understood that the other party already knew his true identity.
Although Zhang Ruochen had indeed helped the Divine Dragon Half-Human Clan out of trouble earlier, the identity of the Heir of Time and Space was no small matter. If Ao Yi captured him, he could immediately go to the Imperial Court to claim merit and also give an explanation to the Ancestral Dragon Mountain.
At this moment, Zhang Ruochen really couldn't guess whether Ao Yi would make a move against him.
Of course, even if Ao Yi did act, he wasn't afraid. With the Great Space Teleportation, escaping from the Divine Dream Marsh wouldn't be difficult.
After a long silence, Ao Yi finally spoke, "Your coming to the Divine Dream Marsh completely caught me off guard."
"That I can appear alive before the Clan Leader must be quite surprising to you, right?" Zhang Ruochen said with a smile.
"Indeed, very surprising."
Ao Yi admired Zhang Ruochen more and more. This young man, no matter when or what kind of powerful figure he faced, could always remain composed and calm.
Most importantly, he hadn't died and was standing alive before him.
"Whoosh—"
A graceful figure walked over the waves, like a water spirit fairy, her skin flowing like immortal jade, misty water vapor swirling around her, possessing an extraordinary beauty.
Ao Xinyan's starry eyes were fixed on Zhang Ruochen, gently biting her red lips, revealing excitement and joy.
Zhang Ruochen glanced at her, their eyes meeting.
"Has she recognized me too?"
A flicker of surprise passed through Zhang Ruochen's eyes.
"Thank you for the Princess's sacred sword. Now, I return it to its rightful owner."
Zhang Ruochen's five fingers loosened, and the sacred sword flew back on its own.
The sacred sword circled Ao Xinyan's slender body once, then rushed into her brow.
Ao Xinyan said, "Grandfather, Young Master Zhang is a honored guest of the Liangyi Sect. Having just arrived and experienced such a fierce battle, he must be quite exhausted. Yan'er would like to personally welcome him and thank him for eliminating two great enemies for the Divine Dragon Half-Human Clan."
Ao Yi had lived for hundreds of years and was extremely shrewd. How could he not see through Ao Xinyan's intentions?
Ao Yi nodded with a light laugh, "Alright, you young people surely have more common topics. You can welcome Young Master Zhang. But remember, Young Master Zhang is a Saint realm figure, so don't offend him."
Ao Xinyan pursed her lips, revealing a hint of joy, then made a "please" gesture, leading Zhang Ruochen back to Dragon Spirit Island, directly to her cultivation residence, Heart Moon Lake.
The cultivators of the Divine Dragon Half-Human Clan were all astonished.
"Am I seeing things? Princess Yan is actually taking that Liangyi Sect inheritor to Heart Moon Lake? Heart Moon Lake has never allowed men to enter!"
"That inheritor is indeed a top-tier young talent. Could it be that our fairy-like Princess Yan has taken a liking to him?"
Among the Divine Dragon Half-Human Clan, many young talents regarded Ao Xinyan as a celestial maiden descended to earth, making marrying her their lifelong goal.
Now, naturally, they were all heartbroken but helpless.
There was no choice. That Liangyi Sect inheritor was simply too powerful and too outstanding, leaving them far behind.
Ao Jing's eyes widened in disbelief. "Father, that Liangyi Sect inheritor's strength is formidable. Yan'er is still too young. Receiving such a powerful figure alone might be too much for her. I should go to Heart Moon Lake too..."
"What are you going for?" Ao Yi said.
Ao Jing paused for a moment, then reacted, laughing, "Father, did you arrange this intentionally? That Liangyi Sect inheritor is indeed a fine young man, worthy of Yan'er."
Ao Yi's eyes revealed a profound look.
In the current Kunlun Realm, geniuses were emerging in droves. A group of outstanding figures would surely rise in this chaotic era, replacing the old generation of experts to become towering figures.
There were countless talented youths in the world, but Zhang Ruochen was undoubtedly the leading figure among them.
If Zhang Ruochen could truly become the son-in-law of the Divine Dragon Half-Human Clan, it would certainly be of great benefit to the clan's future.
...
Heart Moon Lake was a blue-green lake on Dragon Spirit Island, only over two hundred miles long, but rich in spiritual energy and picturesque.
At the bottom of the lake, a crystal palace had been built, very much like a dragon palace. Everywhere, one could see colorful corals, strange fish, glowing sacred herbs, and sparkling gems...
This was Ao Xinyan's bedchamber and her cultivation mansion.
Zhang Ruochen sat in the crystal palace, admiring the underwater scenery, and said, "Truly beautiful."
Ao Xinyan had changed into a form-fitting gown covered in gems, fully outlining her curvaceous figure—full breasts, slender waist, long and straight legs—exuding a noble and elegant aura.
But when she came to Zhang Ruochen's side, that noble and elegant aura instantly vanished, replaced by a somewhat proud smile. "In the Clan Leader's eyes, is the number one beauty of the Divine Dragon Half-Human Clan not even comparable to the scenery outside?"
Zhang Ruochen withdrew his gaze and smiled faintly, "You actually recognized me."
Ao Xinyan's eyes carried a hint of reproach. "If I hadn't recognized you myself, would you have kept hiding it forever?"
"Knowing that I'm still alive might not be a good thing for you," Zhang Ruochen said.
Ao Xinyan gave a light snort, walking to Zhang Ruochen's side, and said, "I know many things must have happened to you. But you should also know that I am not a woman who fears trouble. Actually, when I learned you died under the lightning tribulation, I was truly heartbroken. Knowing you're still alive and right here in the Divine Dream Marsh, you have no idea how excited and joyful I was at that moment."
After saying this, Ao Xinyan immediately regretted it, feeling she had exposed her true feelings and feared Zhang Ruochen might mock her.
Oh no, oh no, the Clan Leader must have realized I have feelings for him, must know I like him... What to do... What to do... Ao Xinyan, how could you not control your mouth? Why did you say all that?
Just now, she had been too overjoyed and hadn't controlled her emotions. Now her heart was racing, pounding loudly.
She didn't seem like a quasi-saint or a decisive heavenly-proud daughter at all, but rather a young girl experiencing love for the first time.
"Oh... is that so?"
Zhang Ruochen looked up, staring at Ao Xinyan's flawless face, revealing a smile.
Ao Xinyan felt shy under his gaze, a faint blush appearing on her cheeks. She said softly, "After all, we've been through life-and-death trials together and share such deep bonds, so naturally, I still worry about you."
Zhang Ruochen gently shook his head. "No, I meant the other thing. Are you really not a woman who fears trouble?"
"Of course."
Ao Xinyan breathed a slight sigh of relief, thinking to herself, So the Clan Leader's focus wasn't on that point.
At the same time, she felt a small pang of disappointment.
Zhang Ruochen said, "In that case, I have a favor to ask. I wonder if you can help me."
"What is it?"
Ao Xinyan knew very well that Zhang Ruochen hadn't come to the Divine Dragon Half-Human Clan just to see her. He must have important business to attend to.
Zhang Ruochen said, "I need to go to the Yin-Yang Sea. I heard there's a space wormhole in the Divine Dream Marsh leading to the Yin-Yang Sea?"
Ao Xinyan paused for a moment, then said, "What are you going to the Yin-Yang Sea for? That's a forbidden area of the Divine Dragon Clan and a place of death. You can't even enter."
"Just answer me: does the Divine Dream Marsh have a space wormhole to the Yin-Yang Sea?" Zhang Ruochen said.
Ao Xinyan was silent for a moment, then said, "Yes."
Zhang Ruochen revealed a joyful expression. "I have a very important matter to attend to at the Yin-Yang Sea. Can you help me?"
"Since you've already asked me, how could I refuse?"
Ao Xinyan blinked her eyes, then added, "But I want to go to the Yin-Yang Sea with you."
"No, it's too dangerous," Zhang Ruochen said.
"I once trained in the outer areas of the Yin-Yang Sea for a time, so I definitely know it better than you. And if you don't agree..."
Ao Xinyan showed her proud side again, crossing her arms in front of her chest, smiling sweetly, then continued, "If you don't agree, this princess won't take you to the space wormhole."
Zhang Ruochen shrugged and shook his head with a wry smile, feeling quite helpless.
Once Ao Xinyan became stubborn, no one could control her. Even if Zhang Ruochen didn't take her to the Yin-Yang Sea, she would surely follow on her own.
"Tap, tap."
A sixteen or seventeen-year-old girl from the Divine Dragon Half-Human Clan walked in from outside, respectfully bowing to Ao Xinyan. "Princess, the patrol army has sent word. They caught a drunkard trying to force his way into the Divine Dream Marsh. That drunkard claims to be Young Master Zhang's drinking companion."
"Drinking companion?"
Ao Xinyan's eyes showed a strange expression as she turned to look at Zhang Ruochen.
"That old man actually followed me from the Central Domain to the Divine Dream Marsh. How did he know my whereabouts?" Zhang Ruochen was somewhat surprised.