Chapter 22: The Most Sincere Promise

“No.”

Wang Dong was straightforward.

Xue Qinghe was not surprised; this kid was clearly stubborn. He had already regarded the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect as his family, so it was hard to change his mind easily.

However, just because he wouldn’t go didn’t mean others couldn’t. With that thought, Xue Qinghe turned and sent a secret message to the rear.

Wang Dong’s eyelashes twitched slightly but he said nothing.

...

After breakfast, Xue Qinghe departed.

Wang Dong, guided by Chen Xin and Ning Fengzhi, passed through layers of mechanisms and arrived at the secret chamber of the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect.

A massive exquisite lamp floated in midair, pressing down on a black silkworm beneath it.

“This was left by the first sect master of the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect. Only the successive sect masters can use it. It contains the ‘spiritual vein soul source’ that can suppress soul beasts. If a soul beast's power is too great, the sect master can infuse soul power to strongly restrain it,” Ning Fengzhi explained.

Wang Dong hadn’t expected such a treasure to exist in the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect. Even after ten thousand years, there was no trace of the exquisite lamp.

Ning Fengzhi slightly weakened the lamp’s power. The black silkworm slowly stirred awake. Upon seeing Wang Dong, it seemed to trigger some mechanism, struggling fiercely to attack him.

Chen Xin immediately shielded him, while Ning Fengzhi further stabilized the exquisite lamp.

“Despicable human! What have you done to me!” the black silkworm roared angrily after realizing its efforts were futile.

Wang Dong stepped forward, staring into the black silkworm’s eyes, speaking deliberately, “What exactly are you? Why did you attack me and those innocent people?”

His words were harsh yet still carried the innocence of a child.

The black silkworm was about to curse further but then saw a black scale appear in Wang Dong’s pupils.

Its entire mind went out of control, and it blankly answered, “I don’t even know why I ended up here.”

Chen Xin and Ning Fengzhi exchanged glances, both surprised by Wang Dong’s ability.

Wang Dong’s alluring voice continued, “What’s your name? How long have you lived?”

“Tianmeng Ice Silkworm, nearly one million years,” it replied.

At these words, all three present shuddered, barely able to believe it.

“Could it be lying?” Chen Xin calmly analyzed.

Wang Dong shook his head. “No one, human or soul beast, can lie before the Judgment Scales.”

This was a soul skill granted by the God of Evil as his third soul weapon.

“How have you lived so long?” Wang Dong pressed further.

Tianmeng Ice Silkworm hesitated, then muttered, “Sleeping.”

...

The three were speechless.

It meant it had been dormant for a million years?

“Why did you attack me?”

“Instinct.”

With that, it fainted again.

Last time it was the Ice Emperor Scorpion, this time the Tianmeng Ice Silkworm. All evidence pointed toward the Extreme North.

Ning Fengzhi pondered briefly before speaking, “No matter how powerful, the exquisite lamp can’t imprison a soul beast for a million years.”

Implying that if it wasn’t lying, then this wasn’t the genuine one.

“Could it be a clone?” Chen Xin asked.

“Very likely.”

Wang Dong looked northward. Once this matter was settled, he intended to make an early trip to the Extreme North.

Exiting the secret chamber, Ning Rongrong tugged on Xiaowu’s hand, sulking at the doorway.

“Hmph! Dad and Grandpa Sword are so biased! They only took Xiao Dong, not us.” She turned her head in a pout.

“Well...” Ning Fengzhi was at a loss for how to respond.

Wang Dong stepped forward, taking their hands and turning around. “Uncle Ning, Grandpa Sword, we’re going back to our rooms first.”

“Mm,” they nodded.

Chen Xin watched the three little ones disappear and asked curiously, “Where are they going?”

Ning Fengzhi smiled knowingly, “Uncle Sword has been asked to guard them.”

Guard? Maybe more like babysitting...

Well, who could blame them? These three were key protected members of the sect.

Back in the room, Wang Dong took the celestial herbs out of the soul conductor.

Almost instantly, Chen Xin, sitting on the rooftop, sensed an unusual aura.

Inside, Xiaowu’s eyes widened. As a flexible-boned rabbit, she had tasted almost all the herbs in the Starry Forest, yet none gave her such a comfortable feeling.

“Xiao Dong, what is this...” Xiaowu swallowed instinctively, her round eyes sparkling like stars.

Ning Rongrong noticed Xiaowu’s reaction and realized she must have felt the same when she first encountered it.

Wang Dong opened the boxes containing the celestial herbs one by one. “I obtained these by chance. See if any catch your eye.” He paused, then added, “If I’m right, they can conceal your soul beast aura.”

“What?” Xiaowu and Ning Rongrong exclaimed in unison.

Ning Rongrong tightened her grip on Xiaowu’s hand. “You’re... a soul beast?”

Xiaowu’s heart, already fluttering at Wang Dong’s words, began pounding wildly upon hearing Ning Rongrong’s voice.

“Rongrong, I…”

Ning Rongrong pulled her into a tight embrace. “You must have suffered a lot walking this path alone.” Her voice trembled with tears.

Xiaowu hadn’t expected such a reaction from Ning Rongrong upon learning her true identity.

Wang Dong breathed a sigh of relief, then Ning Rongrong continued, “Don’t worry. With me and Xiao Dong here, no one will harm you.”

Thump—thump—thump—

Their heartbeats thundered loudly, as the children, with the purest emotions, firmest promises, and most sincere souls, composed the most beautiful symphony together.

At that moment, a flower, entirely pale pink with a stem nearly a foot long, gently flew out from the pile of herbs. Its five wavy petals were as thin as cicada wings, faintly glowing, with a pale purple stamen emitting a subtle, enchanting fragrance.

A faint smile curved Wang Dong’s lips. He had known there would be a suitable herb.

No—it was far too spirited to be called a mere herb; it deserved the title of celestial herb. Celestial herbs possess spirit and choose their masters.

Ning Rongrong also released Xiaowu’s hand and stepped aside with Wang Dong.

The soft pink flower slowly hovered in front of Xiaowu, its roots gently entwining around her arm with exquisite grace.

Xiaowu gazed at it and, as if compelled by some unseen force, greeted, “Hello.”

The flower seemed to pause, then trembled and transformed into a wisp of energy that entered Xiaowu’s body.

Xiaowu sat cross-legged, floating midair, immediately beginning to absorb the celestial herb’s medicinal effect.

Just then, a black lotus, no larger than a fist and resembling a budding flower, appeared before the trio. Though floral in shape, it appeared incredibly solid.

Wang Dong glanced toward the lotus’s resting place, pondered briefly, then called out, “Grandpa Sword.”

...

End of chapter.