Chapter 1150: The Secret of the Loyalist Order

"Boss, go about your business with peace of mind. We'll be waiting for news of your triumphant return." Every member of the Glorious Dragon Rider Squad spontaneously gathered in the great hall to bid Xu Yang farewell. After all, this expedition into the Central Imperial Family's territory meant he would be alone, relying solely on himself, no matter what difficulties he faced.

Without his comrades by his side, Xu Yang felt a hollowness in his heart, even though his strength was more than enough to achieve his goals without anyone's help.

He had spent nearly ten years living and fighting alongside every member of the Glorious Dragon Rider Squad. Suddenly returning to life as a lone wolf, Xu Yang truly felt unaccustomed to it.

However, he knew clearly that to forge an unprecedented monument of power, he was destined to be alone. A king standing at the pinnacle must eventually learn to embrace solitude. Returning to a solitary combat state would also help Xu Yang further elevate his cultivation.

For Xu Yang, what he needed to cultivate now was boundless killing intent. He understood that a wolf-like combat posture was the direction he should pursue most.

By returning to the state of a lone wolf, he could gradually explore the extremes of killing intent. This would enable him to activate the tenth layer of the primeval power vortex, which he longed for, and thus reach an unprecedented supreme realm in this field.

"There's no need to make the atmosphere so tense," Xu Yang suddenly shouted, feigning sternness. "I'm not going to die! Look at you all, so pathetic! Swallow those tears back!"

Xu Yang's sudden, feigned sternness indeed worked. Although everyone managed to stop their tears, their eyes were red, especially Ling Yao's.

Since finding Xu Yang and accompanying him on his journey for another ten fleeting years, she truly didn't want to leave his side. However, this time she clearly understood that anyone by Xu Yang's side would only be a burden, and the path he had to walk was destined for him alone.

"Boss Xu Yang," the Eighteenth Prince Yun Haiyang began, "Although we haven't known each other for long, my fate with Shi Tiandao was entirely arranged by you. No matter what, I owe you a great favor. I am now repaying that favor to you. Taking this Qinwang Token with you will certainly provide unexpected help. Whenever you deal with the Central Imperial Family, this Qinwang Token will be your unimpeded pass. Unless you provoke a marquis-level existence, even someone of my princely status must treat you with utmost respect upon seeing this Qinwang Token."

Xu Yang didn't bother with courtesies this time. He actively accepted the Qinwang Token gifted by the Eighteenth Prince, Yun Haiyang. Xu Yang clearly understood that fighting was secondary to this expedition deep into the Central Dynasty; his main task was to gather information.

Therefore, with this Qinwang Token in hand, it would certainly provide unexpected help when needed. He didn't stand on ceremony, immediately taking the Qinwang Token into his possession. Without further hesitation, after bidding farewell to each member of the Glorious Dragon Rider Squad, he soared into the air, transforming into a streak of light that vanished from their sight in an instant.

All good things must come to an end. Even the closest companions and the strongest teams must eventually separate. The only constant companion, like a shadow, is solitude. Learning to embrace solitude is a process that any strong individual aiming for the pinnacle must adapt to and experience.

Walking alone through the vast desert, Xu Yang disguised himself as an ascetic monk. Outwardly, he appeared as a dust-covered ordinary person.

He concealed all his sharpness and aura, beginning this journey in the simplest, most unadorned way. Unbeknownst to many, traveling was also a process of cultivation; Xu Yang was never someone who only focused on the outcome without valuing the experience.

He gradually adapted to and began to enjoy this solitary state, like a lone wolf wandering through the vast desert. The conviction in his heart became more steadfast than ever before.

What he never dreamed of, however, was that the Qinwang Token gifted by Yun Haiyang would trigger a very peculiar reaction midway through his journey. A faint golden light emanated from the Qinwang Token, enveloping Xu Yang's body and giving him a very unique sensation.

At the same time, the two ancient jade fragments within him seemed to resonate powerfully with this faint golden light. Little Flower, who had previously fallen dormant, quickly regained self-awareness.

"A-Yang, don't you think this Qinwang Token is a bit unusual?" Little Flower's voice echoed. "It's emitting a very strange aura, more like a guide. I suggest you investigate it thoroughly. What secret does this aura hold? Or try merging its aura with the ancient jade fragments inside you and see if any unexpected reactions occur."

Following Little Flower's guidance, Xu Yang unhesitatingly summoned the other two ancient jade fragments. He held them in his palm and placed the valuable Qinwang Token together with the two ancient jade fragments.

As expected, the golden light perfectly merged with the incredibly translucent faint blue aura of the ancient jade. Amidst their intertwining, a very peculiar soul aura fluctuation was clearly born.

Almost at this very instant, the soul message from the Moon Goddess within the ancient jade reached Xu Yang's soul world.

"Master, I have a premonition. This Qinwang Token likely conceals the true location of the third ancient jade fragment. However, the soul aura within this Qinwang Token is incomplete. If you can try to collect all seven Qinwang Tokens, you might have unexpected gains."

Xu Yang didn't doubt the Moon Goddess's guidance, but he couldn't understand why the aura on this Qinwang Token could resonate so strongly with the ancient jade fragments.

The Moon Goddess naturally sensed the doubt in Xu Yang's heart. She said calmly, "The reason the two auras can merge is because this Qinwang Token inherently possesses a portion of the ancient jade fragments' power origin. In other words, these seven Qinwang Tokens likely conceal some secret related to the sealing of the ancient jade, which was originally a secret within the Central Imperial Family, not meant to be divulged. Even the Eighteenth Prince probably doesn't know about this. Only the direct bloodline of the imperial family can control such a secret. Of course, some among the seven great marquises of the Central Imperial Family, who are the masters of the seven Qinwang Tokens, should also know this secret."