Chapter 1368: Reward

After the struggle for the Stone Dragon Secret Realm concluded, the results quickly spread throughout the All-Heavens, causing quite a stir. While this level of conflict might not have been grand in terms of participants, its quality was undoubtedly among the best of its time.

After all, both sides involved in the battle possessed at least the strength of the Origin Infant stage.

In a sense, this was a direct clash between the peak powers of both sides.

The All-Heavens generally harbored deep apprehension towards the Sacred Race. Numerous ancient records depicted the Sacred Race as incredibly powerful, and the All-Heavens had often found themselves in a rather dire state under their suppression.

In recent years, the Sacred Race's activities had intensified, and those sensitive to such developments sensed an impending storm. This had caused various forces within the All-Heavens to feel a mix of worry and pessimism.

However, the victory in the Stone Dragon Secret Realm conflict undoubtedly boosted the morale of the All-Heavens. At the very least, it showed them that while the Sacred Race was formidable, the All-Heavens were not entirely without the power to resist.

As a result, news of the Stone Dragon Secret Realm conflict spread throughout virtually every corner of the All-Heavens during this period.

Furthermore, various forces in the All-Heavens also learned of the astonishing battle between Zhou Yuan and Taixuan at the peak of the Law Domain stage.

This time, Zhou Yuan's name truly resounded throughout the All-Heavens.

Previously, Zhou Yuan had some renown in the All-Heavens, but it was limited to the Origin Infant stage. Some Law Domain experts tended to disregard him. However, after this event, no Law Domain expert in the All-Heavens dared to harbor such sentiments, for they clearly understood what Zhou Yuan's defeat of Taixuan signified.

It meant that Zhou Yuan would become the foremost individual below the Saints of the All-Heavens!

Although many Law Domain experts who had not participated in the Stone Dragon Secret Realm conflict found this somewhat incredible—after all, before the battle, Zhou Yuan seemed to possess only Origin Infant stage strength—they could not imagine how someone who had just broken through to the Law Domain stage could be powerful enough to surpass numerous top-tier Law Domain Third Stage experts!

However, whether they believed it or not, the fact remained. This forced many proud and arrogant Law Domain experts to set aside their doubts and truly acknowledge this newly ascended foremost figure of the Law Domain.

Zhou Yuan's prestige in the All-Heavens reached its absolute peak after this battle.

“Your Excellency, Goddess, we must rely on you for the refining of the Ancestral Dragon Pill.”

As expected, once the Stone Dragon conflict concluded, Ancient Venerable Jin Luo brought the Stone Dragon to Yaoyao. This was not surprising, as Yaoyao was the only one in the All-Heavens capable of refining Ancestral Dragon Pills.

In the stone pavilion of the small courtyard, Yaoyao’s cool gaze fixed upon the benevolent-looking Ancient Venerable Jin Luo. Under her scrutiny, one of the three great leaders of the Returning Ruins Divine Hall, he wore an embarrassed smile.

“I won’t dwell on the matter concerning Zhou Yuan,” Yaoyao said, her red lips parting slightly.

Ancient Venerable Jin Luo immediately let out a sigh of relief, but Yaoyao’s next words made his face fall.

“But do you truly treat me as mere labor? While small-scale refining of Ancestral Dragon Pills was acceptable in the past, now you want me to refine all the remnant Ancestral Dragon souls within this Stone Dragon. Even I would need half a year to do it with all my might,” Yaoyao said, her willow-like brows slightly furrowed.

Ancient Venerable Jin Luo, a figure who had experienced countless events, understood the deeper meaning behind Yaoyao’s words. He could only force a bitter smile and say, “Your Excellency, Goddess, please state your terms.”

Yaoyao nodded slightly. “Twenty drops of Ancestral Dragon Soul Marrow, and I’ll also trouble Ancient Venerable Jin Luo to take this item back to the Returning Ruins Divine Hall and ask all the Saints to collectively refine it, elevating it into a true Saint Artifact.”

She raised her jade hand, and silver light surged in her palm, transforming into a spherical silver object covered in ancient patterns.

It was precisely Zhou Yuan’s Silver Shadow.

This item had accompanied Zhou Yuan for many years, constantly evolving. It now possessed the potential to advance into a Saint Artifact, but such an evolution was not easy. It required devouring massive amounts of heavenly materials and earthly treasures, and also needed refinement by Saints using their immense power.

Entrusting such a task to the Returning Ruins Divine Hall was ideal.

Upon hearing Yaoyao’s conditions, Ancient Venerable Jin Luo’s eyebrows couldn't help but twitch. Ancestral Dragon Soul Marrow was extremely precious; among the numerous Law Domain experts who participated in this battle, only a handful could obtain it, and at most, they would get one or two drops. Yet, Yaoyao was asking for twenty drops right away…

Moreover, he knew that Zhou Yuan had already consumed dozens of drops when he broke through underground.

It could be said that perhaps one-tenth of all the Ancestral Dragon Soul Marrow within the entire Stone Dragon Secret Realm had been acquired by Zhou Yuan alone.

As for the additional request to refine a Saint Artifact… this was also no simple matter. Even with the Returning Ruins Divine Hall’s profound foundation, this task would require the assistance of other Saints. Looking across the All-Heavens, how could it be easy to casually enlist Saints to act?

Only the Returning Ruins Divine Hall had the capability to mobilize them…

Ancient Venerable Jin Luo glanced at Zhou Yuan, who was standing beside them, appearing as if in a meditative trance, completely uninvolved in the conversation.

Ultimately, Ancient Venerable Jin Luo shook his head helplessly. He was straightforward and didn't haggle, merely giving a wry smile: “Your Excellency, Goddess, you certainly drive a hard bargain. Very well, I accept this condition on behalf of the Returning Ruins Divine Hall.”

Zhou Yuan, standing nearby, sighed with admiration: “Truly worthy of being one of the three great leaders of the Returning Ruins Divine Hall, indeed immensely wealthy.”

This condition was one that probably no other force in the entire All-Heavens, apart from the Returning Ruins Divine Hall, could meet.

Ancient Venerable Jin Luo shot an exasperated glance at the fellow who was already profiting but still acting innocent. As the Goddess, Yaoyao clearly didn't need this Ancestral Dragon Soul Marrow, so it would eventually fall into Zhou Yuan’s hands. However, Ancient Venerable Jin Luo had no objection to this; Zhou Yuan’s contributions in the Stone Dragon Secret Realm were evident. Previously, taking his reward was merely to silence dissenting voices, but now, with a better reason, Ancient Venerable Jin Luo didn't mind returning it.