Daily life of a cultivation judge Chapter 1466 1466: Trade of favors (2)

When Tang Xiadan was initially brought in, his physique appeared lean, but not in a way that suggested frailty. Instead, it resembled someone whose body had been honed to perfection, possessing only the necessary muscle to complement his height and frame, much like Yang Qing’s own build. However, upon revealing his torso, Yang Qing was met with a sight far beyond mere leanness. Tang Xiadan's skin clung tightly to his bones, his stomach appeared sunken, and his entire upper body bore the resemblance of a polished, hollowed-out husk. A lustrous blue-white glow emanated from his skin, mirroring the small, half-pinky-sized flower bud burgeoning from his chest. Yet, this polished skin was marred by intricate, tendril-like deep blue veins that crisscrossed his entire body, resembling a fibrous root network, which indeed they were, all tracing back to the flower bud.

A sweet, fruit-like aroma, tinged with a cooling, refreshing mint undertone, wafted from Tang Xiadan’s body. Perhaps due to Yang Qing’s earlier meditation, which had caused a slight drop in the room's temperature as his focus drew a reaction from the Frost Crystal Lotus and Spirit Pearl Peonies on the table, Tang Xiadan’s exposed torso caused the temperature to decrease further, though only marginally.

His face, on the other hand, remained unchanged, possibly due to his control over it or because the influence hadn't reached that far. It presented a stark contrast to the gaunt husk below. The warm, serene smile he wore did little to alleviate the disquieting appearance, as if his torso wasn't teetering on the brink of disintegration with the slightest breeze.

"As you can see, I'm in quite a predicament," Tang Xiadan remarked, gesturing to his torso with a wry smile.

"This didn't happen by chance, did it?" Yang Qing inquired, a flicker of disbelief in his smile as he observed the effects of the Soulfrost Sequoia on Tang Xiadan’s body. The flower had integrated so deeply that it seemed Tang Xiadan and the bloom were one entity. He couldn't help but marvel at how Tang Xiadan had managed to conceal the fluctuations of this profound fusion so effectively.

The crow, Yang Qing mused, stealing a subtle glance upward before refocusing his attention on Tang Xiadan.

"It didn't," Tang Xiadan admitted, a hint of embarrassment coloring his tone. "Which is precisely why I require your assistance, Fellow Daoist," he stated solemnly. "I am prepared to pay any price for more of these Gentle Yang Pineapples. If I had twenty, or even just ten, I could rectify this situation," he added, subtly reducing his request, perhaps fearing he was being too demanding.

"Or, if you have more of the Green Flame Tree Sap you're willing to part with," he tentatively offered after a brief hesitation, scrutinizing Yang Qing’s expression.

Yang Qing, for his part, seemed oblivious to the conversation, his gaze fixed pensively on the Soulfrost Sequoia.

"Even eight would suffice," Tang Xiadan pressed, a well-concealed urgency surfacing in his eyes as Yang Qing remained unresponsive.

Finally, Yang Qing looked up, offering a broad, amiable smile. "Your reasoning was sound. Gentle Yang Pineapples could indeed resolve this, but it would demand considerable time due to the nature of their energy and that of this Soulfrost Sequoia," he explained, making a slight gesture towards the flower bud. "Given the extreme measures you've taken, you were intending to leverage this to enhance your chances of ascending to the Domain Realm, weren't you?" His grin widened, making him look increasingly like Li Gang.

"I was," Tang Xiadan confessed, a trace of discomfort in his voice.

Yang Qing let out a low whistle, leaning forward over the table with an expression that promised an unparalleled opportunity.

"Daoist Tang Xiadan," Yang Qing began slowly, "how would you feel about resolving this issue permanently?" He extended both hands, revealing a pristine white flame hovering over one and a deep green flame, a substance between liquid and fire, over the other.

Clap!

Yang Qing gently brought his hands together, causing the two flames to meld into a single entity: a cyan-white flame exuding an immense aura of life and harmony.

"How about we settle this matter right now?" Yang Qing proposed softly, raising the flame. "All it would require is an introduction to your esteemed companion, the Star Shrouding Sky Crow, and perhaps occasional pieces of information. You mentioned you were a wandering explorer, correct?" he inquired.

Without awaiting a response, he continued, "In all your years of wandering, you must have encountered a multitude of fascinating discoveries, wouldn't you agree?" Yang Qing’s shrewd, mercantile smile deepened as the cyan-white flame danced within his palms, casting an unusual luminescence upon his face.

Had he not known Yang Qing hailed from the Order, Tang Xiadan might have mistaken him for a deviant cultivator dealing in souls, given the chilling aura of his smile under the flickering light.

Interesting developments. Fortunately, I am not lacking in such matters, Tang Xiadan mused, his gaze drawn to the dancing flame held by Yang Qing. He could sense the Soulfrost Sequoia vibrating with an intense longing for it.

I had underestimated him, Tang Xiadan acknowledged internally, his eyes shifting between Yang Qing and the flame. His earlier assertion that the Gentle Yang Pineapples and Silver Ice Tear Guavas contained some of the purest yang and yin energies, respectively, was true, yet they paled in comparison to the essence within that flame. One was akin to a mere pebble, the other, a colossal mountain range.

Even without direct use, the mere fluctuations emanating from the flame confirmed that Yang Qing's earlier words were not empty boasts. That single flame possessed the genuine ability to resolve his entire predicament and pull him back from the precipice. Simultaneously, it would aid him in achieving his objective of helping the Soulfrost Sequoia blossom, thereby deriving a path toward the domain realm. This domain realm itself was merely a stepping stone, a means to an end: a certain mysterious realm he had chanced upon, which he felt unequipped to safely explore without the strength of the domain realm.

Concurrently, delay was not an option, which precisely accounted for his resort to something as drastic as the Soulfrost Sequoia to accelerate the process. It was an unavoidable measure, considering the origins of that mysterious realm. It was a rare occurrence for someone of his standing to stumble upon something connected to the esteemed Treasure Coin Palace.

There were once existences of such magnitude that they were considered behemoths in their prime, and even long after their decline, their legacies continued to shape the current era. Among these monumental existences, none left a more profound impact than the Treasure Coin Palace. This was understandable, as that organization was once reputed to be the wealthiest on the continent, with whispers suggesting its riches could rival that of the Millionsfold Treasure Ocean. Whether such claims held water was a separate issue; what truly mattered was this: whether it was the Radiant Sword Sect or the Flowing Valley Sect, both Holy Lands owed their rise to prominence to the remnant treasures unearthed from ruins and sites linked to the Treasure Coin Palace.

The same held even more true for organizations of rank one, with some owing their entire existence and lineage to the Treasure Coin Palace.

Even organizations as ancient and enigmatic as the Dragon Meadow and the Horizon Odyssey Guild were rumored to have certain affiliations with that palace.

If any organization truly deserved the title of a Dragon Gate, a fount of transformation, it was the Treasure Coin Palace. And Tang Xiadan, endowed with the bloodline of a Gold Jade Treasure Mouse and a considerable amount of fortune, had indeed discovered a hidden realm connected to that very organization. His opportunity for ascension had finally arrived, and he was determined not to let it slip away. He would dedicate all his efforts to seizing it.

In time, should the rewards prove substantial, I shall finally uncover what truly lies at the heart of the Green Fog Forest, he thought, his eyes alight with fervent anticipation. As a Gold Jade Treasure Mouse, nothing stimulated his senses quite like the trail of a treasure, particularly those shrouded in enigma. The Green Fog Region, his ancestral homeland, was precisely such a place. All his journeys had been undertaken with this singular goal in mind.

Was it not a source of shame for a Gold Jade Treasure Mouse, whose very essence was defined by unearthing treasures, to be unable to do so in his own territory, all due to a deficiency in strength? Tang Xiadan's resolve hardened, utterly determined to eradicate this blemish upon his reputation.

Sister Yanyu, I trust you will not be overly displeased with me, Tang Xiadan reflected with a hint of regret, his gaze subtly shifting towards the ceiling.