Chapter 1342 - 1338: The Imprint Fragment
At that moment, Dragon Spirit also realized what was happening. Azure Dragon and his party were being suppressed by Yun Ran not just because they were truly useless, but also because they harbored ill intentions!
They had come for him right from the start, and now, having failed to take him down, they were directly targeting Yun Ran.
If it weren’t Yun Ran’s home territory right now, Dragon Spirit would have definitely voiced a retort.
Having been stripped of their cover by Yun Ran, Azure Dragon didn’t feel embarrassed, after all, he still had the pride of a prodigy.
"You can’t say that. Since I’ve spoken, it means this matter is beneficial to you as well."
Fools fight for power and gain, but wise people prefer mutual benefit.
Yun Ran wasn’t as angry as she appeared; it was just that some situations required her to appear angry to clearly express her stance.
From the moment she decided to step into the territory of Mei City to the moment she discovered her courtyard was in a state of distortion, Yun Ran had guessed that the people appearing at the stronghold could, to some extent, be cooperated with.
Otherwise, with Chi Yao’s abilities, he wouldn’t have been unable to leave the stronghold, nor would he have left without a word for her.
Even though from the beginning, she hadn’t exchanged a word with Chi Yao, and their acquaintance was limited indeed.
But there was a very special tacit understanding between them.
After confirming that Azure Dragon and his party were from the Divine Hall, Yun Ran roughly understood everything in her mind.
Now, really hearing what Azure Dragon had to say, Yun Ran only felt a sense of everything falling into place.
"Let’s hear what benefits I would get first."
Since some things are unavoidable, Yun Ran definitely wanted to secure the best benefits for herself first before deciding whether to wade into this muddy water.
Although Dragon Spirit had many questions, he stayed silent the entire time. With a cunning person like Yun Ran around, only others would suffer losses.
This is the power of reputation!
"That Forbidden Land seals something very important to the Divine Hall, and it must be retrieved..."
Yun Ran listened expressionlessly. Unless they spoke of something that piqued her interest, they shouldn’t expect any reaction from her.
Azure Dragon probably realized that Yun Ran was someone who wouldn’t act without seeing tangible benefits, so after a brief introduction to the broader background of the task,
he began steering the conversation towards directions beneficial to Yun Ran.
"Besides what I mentioned earlier, that Forbidden Land conceals a legendary treasure. As long as you agree to assist, I can authorize lending that treasure to you indefinitely."
As for why it was said to be lent, naturally, in the context of current times, such valuable items from the Forbidden Land fundamentally belong to the leading great power.
If it fell into the hands of others, it would certainly provoke a new wave of bloodshed, a situation no power wants to see.
Thus, there was an unwritten rule: any task initiated by a power, the items found within are, nominally, under the ownership of that power.
As for how those resources are privately allocated, that’s their internal matter.
In summary, for the sake of peace, those resource treasures should best bear the name of those great powers.
Mentioning the treasure, Yun Ran’s expression finally changed.
Yet, she could still stay composed and didn’t impulsively ask about the treasure.
The Bald Monk and Young Prince, seeing Yun Ran remain so calm at this moment, increasingly believed that this person surely had an extraordinary background and had seen good things before.
Otherwise, when someone from the Divine Hall emphasized it was a treasure, she wouldn’t remain so steady.
Anything mentioned as a treasure by someone from the Divine Hall must be among the top-tier supreme treasures.
No one interrupted Azure Dragon, and soon, he got to the real point.
"The special item you previously acquired at the auction in Divine Sword Manor is merely an incomplete reproduction of that treasure, not even considered as scraps."
Upon hearing this, Yun Ran’s mind went blank, completely entranced into a mystical state.
Even though Azure Dragon continued talking, she couldn’t grasp any of it, her mind occupied solely by the words ’incomplete reproduction’.
Subsequently, the complex symbols she had previously deciphered came to life, flashing rapidly through her mind like a series of images.
Alongside came an overwhelming dizziness.
Since she could remember, Yun Ran had never experienced this, not even when gravely injured.
It was as if something unknown within her was awakening, unlocking.
This feeling, entirely beyond her understanding, stirred anxiety and fear within Yun Ran.
Indeed, all fears stem from the unknown and from a lack of confidence (firepower).
Dragon Spirit was the first to notice Yun Ran’s unease and instinctively told Azure Dragon to stop talking.
"Don’t say anything more, we need time to consider!"
Dragon Spirit wasn’t sure what was wrong with Yun Ran, but his intuition told him it was best if no third person knew about it.
Having not been interrupted earlier, Azure Dragon had delivered his speech smoothly, yet he sensed something off.
Now that Dragon Spirit asked him to stop, and this feeling of being interrupted came upon him, Azure Dragon felt things finally hit the mark!
Perhaps Yun Ran’s precise strikes at their weak points earlier had set such a pattern that now, rather than feeling annoyed, Azure Dragon found things as they should be.
"Alright, then take your time to consider."
Azure Dragon stood up and politely, along with the Bald Monk and others, exited the reception hall, leaving the space for Yun Ran and Dragon Spirit.
Once the door closed again, Dragon Spirit showed a hint of urgent concern.
Yun Ran’s entire state seemed off, appearing somewhat uncomfortable, yet Dragon Spirit dared not disturb her or say much.
Thinking for a moment, he decisively transformed into a huge dragon-shaped shadow and enveloped Yun Ran within his vast belly.
Although Azure Dragon didn’t explicitly mention what the treasure was, the fact they were so cautious even under a barrier concealing the Heavenly Secret suggested it could only be that item.
Dragon Spirit instantly had an intuition that Yun Ran was influenced by that item, and it couldn’t be disclosed verbally.
Thus, instinctively, he acted by hiding Yun Ran inside his belly, within a unique Domain.
In this scenario, any gaze or spiritual sense trying to probe Yun Ran’s situation would find nothing.
Even the Heavenly Dao would struggle to perceive Yun Ran’s presence unless it gave up.
Dragon Spirit looked at Yun Ran whose condition seemed troubling and couldn’t help but worry: "You must hang in there, I’ve even used my last resort!"