Chapter 39: Meeting the Queen

"Hmm?" 

Zhu Kun, who was on the verge of despair, suddenly raised his head when he heard Jiang Xing's offer.

"Could it be…"

Jiang Xing didn't keep Zhu Kun in suspense and said directly, "Uncle Zhu Kun, the strongest of the three dragon islands is only a three-star Dou Sheng, while my grandfather is a six-star Dou Sheng. I can ask my grandfather to help Donglong Island unify the Taixu Ancient Dragon Clan and make Zi Yan the Dragon Emperor."

"Really?"

Zhu Kun was overjoyed upon hearing that Jiang Xing could help unify the Taixu Ancient Dragon Clan.

As for letting Zi Yan become the new Dragon Emperor, Zhu Kun wasn't unhappy at all about losing his position. Instead, he was delighted.

"Of course. I've always regarded Zi Yan as my own sister, so naturally, I'll help her unify Dragon Island and become the Dragon Emperor."

At this moment, Jiang Xing didn't forget to win Zi Yan's favor.

Zhu Kun responded, "Okay, as long as you can help unify the Taixu Ancient Dragon Clan, feel free to ask me for anything in the future!"

"Uncle Zhu Kun, I actually have two things I would like to ask of you."

Zhu Kun waved his hand cheerfully and said, "You've helped me so much; whatever you need, just ask."

"I have a fragment of ancient Tuoshe jade, and I would like you to keep it for me."

"Ah? Since you have a piece of the Tuoshe ancient jade fragment, why don't you give it to the Soul Clan so they can collect all eight pieces of the ancient jade?"

Zhu Kun suddenly felt confused.

"Uncle, I obtained this piece of Tuoshe ancient jade by killing someone, but that person's lover is very powerful. I'm not strong enough yet, and I'm afraid to keep this ancient jade fragment on me in case that person finds out. So I want you to keep it for me temporarily."

"But if I keep this ancient jade, won't the Soul Clan be unable to collect all eight pieces?"

Zhu Kun immediately realized this and his originally friendly attitude vanished.

"You brat, are you trying to keep me trapped here?"

"No, no, Uncle Zhu Kun, please don't misunderstand. I just feel that the ancient jade fragment isn't safe with me, so I want to store it here temporarily. When I'm strong enough, I'll come back, retrieve the ancient jade, and give it to the Soul Clan."

Jiang Xing didn't want to lose Zhu Kun as an ally, so he quickly explained.

After hearing Jiang Xing's explanation, Zhu Kun's expression finally softened, but he still asked, "When will you take this ancient jade away and give it to the Soul Clan?"

"Fifteen years. Within fifteen years, I will definitely retrieve the ancient jade fragment and give it to the Soul Clan to help you escape."

Jiang Xing initially wanted to say twenty years because he thought that would be enough time to cultivate to a high-level Dou Sheng, enabling him to open the cave. However, seeing Zhu Kun's expression, Jiang Xing guessed that twenty years might seem too long, so he reduced it to fifteen.

But Jiang Xing was overthinking it. Magical beasts and humans are different. Humans might think twenty years is a long time, but for magical beasts, who have very long lifespans, twenty years might feel like just a few naps.

Sure enough, Zhu Kun agreed readily.

"Alright, I'll keep it for you for fifteen years. I hope you can keep your promise."

"Don't worry, Uncle Zhu Kun, I, Jiang Xing, am a man of my word."

With that, Jiang Xing tossed the Tuoshe ancient jade fragment to Zhu Kun, who caught it firmly.

"And the second thing?"

"When the Soul Clan opens the cave, I hope Uncle Zhu Kun can assist me."

"That's no problem!"

Jiang Xing had helped him so much, so Zhu Kun readily agreed.

"In that case, we'll take our leave now."

After wrapping things up, Jiang Xing naturally didn't want to linger with Zhu Kun any longer, so he took Zi Yan and left.

After they emerged from the lava, Jiang Xing asked Lin Shan to escort them out of Canaan Academy and back to the Snake Tribe.

Upon returning to the Snake Tribe, Jiang Xing sent Zi Yan and Lin Shan off before heading back to his room to cultivate.

In the training room, Jiang Xing took out the fire bead he had obtained from the underground magma. He had originally intended to refine the bead to break through to the Dou Zun level when he was still a Dou Huang, but he hadn't expected to accidentally enter the Gate of Life and Death.

The wind-attributed fighting spirit in the Gate of Life and Death was already strong enough, making the fire bead unnecessary at the time.

Now that he had broken through to Dou Zun, Jiang Xing wondered how much the fire bead could help him improve.

Jiang Xing swallowed a Dou Zong-level fire bead. As soon as he did, the familiar burning sensation spread through his body from his throat, gradually turning his skin red.

Five minutes later, Jiang Xing had completely refined the fire energy in the bead.

The effect was impressive. Refining a Dou Huang-level fire bead was equivalent to an hour of cultivation.

He still had over a hundred Dou Huang-level fire beads, nearly a hundred Dou Zong-level fire beads, more than ten Dou Zun-level fire beads, and one Half-Saint-level fire bead.

As for the fire beads below the Dou Huang level, they no longer had much effect on Jiang Xing's cultivation, so he simply ignored them.

Jiang Xing planned to give the lower-level fire beads to Zi Yan for refining. Given her original form as the Taixu Ancient Dragon, she should be able to refine these fire beads.

With these fire beads, even without absorbing the strange fire, it would be enough for him to cultivate to the nine-star Dou Zun level.

Seeing that it was still early, Jiang Xing continued refining the fire beads.

As for why he was checking the time?

Of course, it was because he had plans for tonight. Jiang Xing hadn't forgotten that he had an appointment with Queen Medusa!

Cultivation was important, but missing an appointment with the queen was not an option.

After refining twenty Dou Huang-level fire beads, Jiang Xing finally broke through from two-star Dou Zun to three-star Dou Zun.

Jiang Xing wasn't surprised. After all, he had already reached the peak of two-star Dou Zun in the Gate of Life and Death. It was within his expectations to break through after absorbing twenty Dou Huang-level fire beads.

After reaching the three-star Dou Zun level, Jiang Xing stopped cultivating.

It was getting late—it was time to keep his appointment!

Not wanting to keep the Queen waiting, he left his residence and headed toward Medusa's.

Jiang Xing didn't rush; instead, he walked slowly.

"Master, where are you going?"

A crisp voice called out from behind.

Jiang Xing turned around and saw Qinglin. He greeted her, "Qinglin, why are you still awake so late?"

"No, I couldn't sleep, so I came out for a walk. Master, couldn't you sleep either?"

"Yes, I couldn't sleep, so I decided to visit the queen."

Jiang Xing wasn't lying—he genuinely couldn't sleep.

If you have insomnia, a chat with the Queen should help you sleep.

Qinglin asked in confusion, "Looking for the Queen? Doesn't the Queen sleep?"

Jiang Xing gently patted Qinglin's head but didn't answer her question.

Kids shouldn't know too much.

"Alright, you go on your walk; I'm leaving now."

Humming a little tune, Jiang Xing walked briskly to Medusa's residence and knocked on the door.

"Knock, knock, knock!"