Chapter 12: Ancient Jade Dragon Emperor (Part 2)

Hearing him, Haotian remain calm and composed on the outside but inside, he was shaking with shock and excitement. But then, he calmed down. Becoming a dragon and ruling Earth and Heaven? As enticing as this sounds, the word 'deal' pricked his inflating excitement. Surely, it wouldn't be a simple deal.

"Ancient Jade Dragon Emperor, what is this deal you speak of? Can you elaborate?" Haotian rose his head and squinted his eyes slightly.

"This noble one's deal is pretty simple and straightforward. I'll grant you my complete inheritance, and in exchange you have to assemble three remaining pieces of my Godly Soul that is spread throughout this universe." Ancient Jade Dragon Emperor boisterous voice rang out.

"Remaining pieces of your Godly Soul… does it mean that this you isn't complete?" That was the reasonable conclusion Haotian could arrive at.

"Hmm," A bulky groan was emitted out by Ancient Jade Dragon Emperor's draconic throat. "Unfortunately, when this noble one's Godly Draconic Body was destroyed, the Godly Soul was also split into four distinct pieces. Currently, you're in the presence of a fragment of the tetrad."

"When you are done finding all fragments, you have to bring this noble one's Godly Soul back to Divine Realm."

Divine Realm!? Haotian was astonished. Even in this Upper Realm, the knowledge about Divine Realm was a little to none. Some experts preach that once a cultivator reach a Transcendent stage, called Great Ascension Stage, which is above Heavenly Tribulation Stage, they can break the limits of mortality and become an immortal, and they can ascend to higher realms!

But for the past 150,000 years, Grand Yan hasn't birthed a single Great Ascension Stage expert. Even the ancient texts which held records of people ascending to higher realms credibility were being questioned nowadays.

"Divine Realm…" Haotian tone was low. "I have three question."

"This noble one listens."

"I don't mean no disrespect but senior's enemies were powerful enough to destroy you. You are a high and mighty Ancient Jade Dragon Emperor, and can survive the deadliest of situations but I am but a mere mortal with low cultivation and average talent. If I happen to obtain your inheritance, is there any chance that your enemies could come after me?"

This was what bothered him the most. If Ancient Jade Dragon Emperor enemies were powerful enough to even destroy someone like him, won't he suffer a cruel death if they happen to find him? Although the inheritance sounds extremely alluring, he still valued his life more. He wasn't going to throw it away just after he got another chance.

"They will," Ancient Jade Dragon Emperor's answer was short yet dreadful to Haotian. But before he could say anything, Ancient Jase Dragon Emperor continued, "Having said that, they aren't going to show themselves anytime soon. Based on the damage this noble one has inflicted on them during the fight, it would at least be another 10,000 years before they have recuperated completely. You have chance to grow and become powerful. Furthermore, if you are able to find this noble one's all other Godly Soul's fragments during this time, he can guarantee your safety."

Listening to him, Haotian calmed down a little but he still has his doubts. All those years ago, he was beaten black and blue so how come he's confident? Is he feeding lies?

In the end, Haotian replied tactfully, "Your words and guarantee certainly lessens my worries but I have two more question."

"Go ahead."

"Senior said that your Godly Souls is split into four parts throughout the world and I have to find them. Do you happen to have a clue where they might be?"

What was the concept of searching the world? Even in his Lower Realm, there were trillion of planets and floating lands. Actually, for about the size of whole world or whole realm, just the continent of Grand Yan was massive enough that it'd take decades of nonstop exploration for him to visit every major locations. Finding a Godly Soul in the whole world goes way beyond the level of finding needle in a mountain of haystack!

"This noble one's memory at the time of splitting is vague and incomplete." Ancient Jade Dragon Emperor starts, making Haotian wince. "Howbeit, this noble does know the location of one of the fragments."

"Really?" Haotian was skeptical. Didn't he just say that his memory was vague.

"Hmm. And it isn't far away from here. Matter of fact, this noble one can sense its counterpart presence' 70,000 miles to the west."

"70,000 miles on the west…" Haotian eyebrows arched slightly as he tried to recall the map. Xuan Clan residence was already at edges of western side of Grand Yan, and if one tries to go even farther into the west, they enter the Dark Magnetic Mist which leads to the Souther Region.

"That makes up two fragments of the four. Does senior has no ideas about other two fragments?"

A bit of contrition and awkwardness crept into Ancient Jade Dragon Emperor's booming voice as he said, "This noble one has no clue."

"Tsk." Haotian clicked his tongue lightly. "Alright, senior. Then, here's my last question."

"Why me?"

In response to the serious query, Ancient Jade Dragon Emperor gave a low and dry snort. "Humph! Didn't this noble already clarified that?"

Haotian shook his head. "I find it hard to believe that senior would deign me as a suitable inheritor simply because of my past life. Furthermore, over the past 100,000 years, senior must've come across many Xuan Clan's geniuses who had better aptitude and attitude than me. Even my mother, the Matriarch was much more powerful when she entered the Jade Vein Pool. If senior wanted help, why didn't he asked then?"

"Better attitude? Sure, this noble one has met many with attitude better than yours. But better aptitude? Impossible, none of the even come close to your level."

"But—"

"Do you know how long you have stayed in that pool you called Jade Vein Pool?"

Haotian went silent. He truly didn't have any idea about it. He had previously thought that it might be close to one week but he wasn't actually sure. He was in so much pain and agony at that time that he didn't have time or resources to divert his attention for keeping track of time.

"A total of 14 days. 2 weeks. For a mortal, that is a record to be proud of. Even though it was very diluted, you still managed to endure the assimilation with this noble one's Jade Aura for a long time. Much more than this noble one had predicted."

"What!?" Haotian gave a cry of astonishment.

"Furthermore, you don't seem to understand the importance of Chaotic Energy. This noble one doesn't comprehend how you managed to convert your Spiritual Energy to Chaotic Energy but that alone qualified you to receive this noble one's inheritance. Combined that with your past experiences, this noble one has no qualms in choosing you. No, it has to be you!" Ancient Jade Dragon Emperor pressed as his draconic and ancient voice reached deafening levels. His voice also has a hint of desperation in it.

Haotian wasn't exactly surprised that the Ancient Jade Dragon Emperor already knew about Chaotic Energy. Also, as he said, Haotian truly have no idea about the kind of secret it held and its true potential.

With all the information in hand, he closed his eyes and began contemplating deeply. He lapsed into a long period of dead silence. Ancient Jade Dragon Emperor didn't rushed his thoughts, surprisingly. He simply waited silently.

After a very long time, Haotian eyes opened.

"Ancient Jade Dragon Emperor… I, Xuan Haotian, accepts the deal you proposed!"