Chapter 227: Exalted Chest Glows

Chu Danqing faintly saw the shadow of a corpse-jiao on the dragon Nie .

One was a monster stitched from human corpses; the other was a corruption born from the fused residual spirits and hatred of dragons.

But beyond these two similarities, there was yet another shared trait.

Had the dragon Nie not run fast enough, it might have met the same end as the corpse-jiao—at Guo Ming’s hands.

Though the dragon Nie was massive in size, it proved shockingly fragile against Guo Ming’s swords.

Each flying sword piercing its body inflicted a severe wound.

The pace of battle was even swifter than that against Wu Zhen’s Xiongshi .

It was dead within less than two minutes.

Wu Zhen’s Xiongshi was far tougher than the dragon Nie ; at least Chu Danqing had time to chat with Wu Zhen.

With the dragon Nie ’s death, its body—composed entirely of black mist—collapsed instantly.

【Task completed. You have received: Paradise Points ×20000, Attribute Points +5】

Then a brand-new chest materialized, its surface shimmering with unique patterns.

Its design was standard, yet its quality was Exalted.

Guo Ming casually retrieved it for Chu Danqing.

“Senior, I’ve already paid for my goods—when will you begin?” Chu Danqing placed the chest in his storage space and asked Wu Zhen.

The chest could be opened anytime; it wouldn’t vanish from storage.

But the Talent Quest must be completed as soon as possible.

As he spoke, Guo Ming held Su Nü Sword in hand, the three flying swords circling him, poised to strike.

This was to guard against Wu Zhen breaking his word.

Should the man make any suspicious move, Guo Ming would seize him immediately.

Killing the Xiongshi and dragon Nie brought rewards—but those rewards came from the Paradise, not from you, Wu Zhen.

They’re entirely separate matters.

Wu Zhen clearly saw the situation and smiled. “Don’t worry—I’ll start right away.”

“Hand me the items.”

“Don’t fear I’ll betray you—I have no desire to test what it feels like when that sword pierces my soul.”

Chu Danqing nodded and handed over the Ziwei Jade Seal and the Imperial Purple Qi.

Wu Zhen took them, examined them briefly, then said: “These are the original artifacts—just one day and night will suffice.”

“In the past, it would have taken eighty-one days to complete the refinement.”

Hearing Wu Zhen’s timeline matched the Paradise’s Talent Quest deadline of twenty-four hours, Chu Danqing finally relaxed.

This was, in a way, a subtle test of authenticity.

“You’re lucky—I can still hold on. Had it taken eighty-one days, you’d have had to guard it yourself.” Wu Zhen turned and walked toward the Dragon-Slapping Platform, Ziwei Jade Seal and Imperial Purple Qi in hand.

Though the Dragon-Slapping Platform was now riddled with cracks, the absence of the Xiongshi and dragon Nie left it unobstructed.

The platform merely assisted—the true refiner was Wu Zhen.

Chu Danqing also noticed something: as Wu Zhen refined the items, his own soul grew increasingly transparent.

Clearly, his soul energy was being consumed.

He wanted to speak, but Guo Ming sensed his unease first and stopped him.

At this point, don’t stir up trouble.

Chu Danqing finally sighed.

Wu Zhen heard the sigh, turned, and smiled. “Don’t worry—this is our bargain, and also my path to peace. A perfect two-fold gain.”

With that said, Chu Danqing fell silent.

The Talent Awakening Quest was now essentially complete.

The hardest parts—finding the items and killing the Xiongshi and dragon Nie —were done. All that remained was to retrieve the refined Ziwei Jade Seal.

Thus, Chu Danqing found a safe spot and prepared to open the newly acquired Exalted Shining Chest.

——

【You opened: Chest (Exalted). Received: Dragonbone Scripture, Dragon-Slapping Soul Armor, Punishment- Jie Dragon Eye, Dragon Soul Ashes, Paradise Points ×9900】

——

【Dragonbone Scripture】

【Type: Contract Item】

【Quality: Exalted】

【Effect 1: With soul as covenant, use to transform into a permanent summon】

(Note: Choose summon type)—

【Dragon-Slapping Soul Armor】

【Type: Equipment·Heavy Armor】

【Quality: Exalted】

【Durability: 200/200】

【Defense: 100~120 (fixed at maximum when taking dragon-type attacks)】

【Reverse Scale Awakening (Active): Spend 20% max HP to unleash dragon soul, gain Dragon Punishment Immunity (purify controls and absorb 50% of next 3 attacks as shield; cooldown 30 min)】

【Punishment- Jie Backlash (Passive): 30% chance when attacked to summon a phantom Dragon-Slapping Platform, inflict Soul-Crack effect (lose 10% of your defense value in HP per second for 5 sec)】

【Eternal Dragon Grudge (Passive): Each enemy slain grants 1 layer of Dragon Nie Anger (each layer increases defense by 100 and all resistance by 1%; max 10 layers)】

【End of Jie , New Birth (Passive): When shield breaks, release dragon soul fragments to deal true damage equal to 10% of absorbed shield value to nearby enemies】

【Equipment Requirement: Strength 25, Constitution 30, Dragon Blood Concentration ≥5%】

——

【Punishment- Jie Dragon Eye】

【Type: Equipment·Necklace】

【Quality: Exalted】

【Durability: 100/100】

【Max HP +5000】

【Max MP +5000】

【Soul-Cracking Chains (Active): Release Dragon-Slapping Platform chains to bind single target, drain 2% of max HP per second (doubled against dragon-type beings); lasts 10 sec (cooldown 1 hr)】

【Dragon Punishment Mark (Passive): Permanently mark bound targets; damage they deal to you reduced by 15%; your damage to them gains 5% life steal】

【 Jie fire Tempering Soul (Passive): Upon taking a lethal blow, consume all MP to generate a dragon-flame shield equal to 200% of lost HP】

【Dragon Nie Return to Void (Passive): After absorbing over 5000 damage, activate to detonate shield, dealing 80% of absorbed damage as dragon-breath explosion to enemies within 10m radius】

【Equipment Requirement: Spirit 30, survived at least 3 lethal blows, Dragon Blood Concentration ≥7%】

——

【Dragon Soul Ashes】

【Type: Consumable】

【Quality: Exalted】

【Effect 1: Apply ashes to weapon; each attack stacks 1 layer of Dragon Punishment Mark (each layer increases damage dealt to target by 1.5%; max 100 layers; lasts 30 min)】

【Effect 2: Apply ashes to weapon; trigger Dragon-Scale Slitting on targets with 10+ layers (instantly deal true damage equal to total layers ×20); lasts 30 min】

【Effect 3: Apply ashes to armor; every 15% HP lost generates a dragon-grudge shield that absorbs (30% of max HP) damage; lasts 30 min】

【Effect 4: Apply ashes to armor; when shield breaks, spray Dragon Punishment Nails, inflict Piercing status (reduce healing received by 40%); lasts 30 min】

——

This chest was a massive haul—most thrilling was the Dragonbone Scripture, a contract item granting a permanent summon.

As for the other two pieces of equipment, Chu Danqing felt little interest.

Both required dragon bloodline—Chu Danqing was human; how could he possess dragon blood?

And to raise it to the required concentration? Impossible.

So he stashed them away to sell back in the Paradise.

As for the Dragon Soul Ashes, Chu Danqing handed them directly to Guo Ming.

“Interesting. I’ll take them.” Guo Ming didn’t bother with politeness.

Chu Danqing couldn’t use them himself.

Da Bao and Huang Tian’s Son would waste them—better to give them to Guo Ming for direct enhancement.

He could sell them, but the economic return was mediocre; they were consumables.

Most Apostles preferred equipment, skills, or items in trades.

Even when buying consumables, they favored healing and recovery.

Guo Ming didn’t plan to use them himself—he’d take them back for the Guo Clan to study.

After all, they were Exalted, and dealt true damage.

Especially the latter—if they could unlock its secrets, it would greatly benefit both the Guo Clan and Chu Danqing.

“Chu Brother, you still have time. Why not upgrade the Nine Tripods Map as well?” Guo Ming reminded him.

The refinement takes twenty-four hours; with me guarding you, no trouble will arise.

Chu Danqing nodded and immediately poured all the Fine-quality dragon materials he’d received from Guo Ming into the Nine Tripods Map.

A phantom of a bronze cauldron appeared, immediately swallowing all the dragon materials within it.

Dragon pearls, dragon souls, dragon horns, dragon bones, dragon blood, dragon tendons, dragon claws, dragon whiskers, and dragon scales gradually melted into a pool of molten iron within the bronze cauldron.

Then, slowly, it took shape as a true dragon.

Wu Zhen, who was helping Chu Danqing refine the Ziwei Jade Seal, sensed the dragon’s aura and turned to look, a look of confusion appearing in his eyes.

He was certain it was the aura of a dragon—he could not be mistaken, after all, he had slain so many dragons.

Yet he sensed that this did not seem to be a dragon at all.

But he glanced only once, then turned back to continue refining the Ziwei Jade Seal.

He now possessed only a single soul fragment, and no true dragons remained in the world—this matter had nothing to do with him.

He should simply complete the transaction and rest in peace.

He had endured for so many years; he could no longer sustain himself further—why stir up unnecessary trouble?

Not to mention Guo Ming was watching him closely; just moments ago, when he turned his head, the Su Nu Sword in Guo Ming’s hand had bristled with a chilling sword intent.

It was a warning not to meddle.

Chu Danqing, however, noticed none of this—he sensed the transformation as the Nine Cauldrons Map improved in quality.

After all, when he had once sought the dragon veins, he had established a resonance with them through the Nine Cauldrons Map; even after the fragment merged with the dragon veins to become the Nine Cauldrons Map, that resonance had never faded.

On the contrary, it had persisted and continuously strengthened their compatibility, taking on the nature of a soul-bound or symbiotic treasure.

With this compatibility, he could wield it with far greater ease.

Though Chu Danqing had rarely used it directly, he had always benefited from its passive effects.

(End of Chapter)