Chapter 35: Bestowing the Divine Artifact (Part 2)

  A blue-green figure flashed to the side of the Sea Dragon, a massive force pushing Tianqin and Yu Hua aside. In an instant, the Sea Dragon's body disappeared, along with the mysterious Daoist on the judging platform. Everything happened so suddenly, turning the originally peaceful new talent competition into a turbulent one again. The most excited was undoubtedly Qianhui Valley's Baihe Daoist, although Tianqin didn't win the championship this time, but getting back the Inverse Mirror was much more important than the Five Elements Maze Boots. For a moment, some were joyful and others were worried, and the third new talent competition of the Seven Sects came to an end like this.

  I don't know how long it took, but the dragon slowly came to, his whole body aching as if it had been torn apart. He focused his mind and looked inward, only to find that the golden dan in his spiritual platform had dimmed significantly, as if he had suddenly dropped an entire realm after waking up from a dream. A faint scent of fragrance wafted into his nostrils, causing the dragon's body to tremble slightly, and with great effort, he opened his eyes to look around, only to be shocked by the sight of the ethereal Daoist leaning against the headboard of his bed, fast asleep. Even in her sleep, she was still so beautiful, but there were a few more hints of fatigue on her extraordinary face, her eyebrows furrowed as if she had dreamed of something unpleasant.

  Hai Long's heart was extremely calm, he had already sealed his heart completely when he received the Five Elements Maze Boots from Piaoyue Daozun. "Ancestor, Ancestor, wake up," he called out softly.

  Dao Zun's whole body shook, and she opened her blurry eyes. When she saw that the Sea Dragon had awakened, her face suddenly lit up with joy, and she said: "Sea Dragon, you're awake! Ah, how did I fall asleep?"

  "Hai Long respectfully said: 'I'm a bit indisposed, so I won't be able to pay my respects. Master, I have nothing else to say, please return.'"

  The complex emotions flowed out of Dao Zun's eyes, and he bit his lower lip, saying: "Hai Long, I know everything you did on the arena was for me. But, I really can't accept your feelings. For me, there are too many concerns. Hai Long, I..."

  Hai Long gently shook his head and smiled, "Master, don't worry about it. You also know what happened between me and Tian Qin. I did that to repay her kindness. Since everything is already in the past, you shouldn't think too much about it either. You are still my respected Master of Piaoyou. And I am still a disciple of Lianyun Sect. As I said before, I don't want to get involved with emotional matters again. Perhaps your rejection back then will bring me great benefits in my future cultivation. You're tired too, go back and rest. Once I recover from my injuries, I'll immediately return to Lianyun Sect to continue cultivating. Let's talk about other things when my cultivation has achieved some success."

  Although the dragon king wore a smile, the floating Taoist could clearly feel that he was rejecting her from afar. A hint of sadness flowed out of his eyes, and she couldn't help but think to herself, "Was I right in refusing the dragon king? Did I really not like him?" No, it wasn't that. Since birth, he was the first man to make her heart flutter. She had hurt him so deeply, no wonder he would be like this. Standing up, the floating Taoist said: "I've already helped you sort out your internal energy, take good care of yourself and rest for three days, you should recover by then." After speaking, she let out a light sigh and turned to leave the dragon king's room.

  Watching the distant figure of Dao Zun leaving, Hailong sneered at himself and muttered: "What are you, Hailong? How could they possibly look up to you? Don't be self-delusional."

  At this moment, the door opened and Hongzhi walked in with a sly smile, holding a steaming bowl of food in his hand. In an instant, the aroma wafted through the air, instantly stirring Hai Long's appetite.

  Sitting beside the Sea Dragon, Hong Zhi said in a low voice: "Boss, I really admire you to the point of worship! I didn't expect you to be so popular. What's even more unexpected is that your crush turned out to be the ethereal Daoist Master. You're really something, thinking of things others wouldn't dare think of! Ah, the ethereal Daoist Master is indeed the most elegant beauty I've ever seen, even surpassing Lotus Comfort Sect Master."

  Hai Long's face changed color as he heard Hong Zhi's words, and he quickly covered his mouth, saying: "How did you know I liked Xuan Yu Dao Zun? That day I was very careful, could it be that everyone still found out?" Hong Zhi pushed away his hand, saying: "If you want to keep something secret, don't do it in the first place. Others may not have noticed, but how could I not understand? Moreover, I heard your words just now. That day when you fainted, Xuan Yu Dao Zun seemed to have lost her soul and rushed up first, even Tian Qin and Yu Hua didn't have time to intervene, and she took you back with her. I originally wanted to come in and take a look at you, but Xuan Yu Dao Zun ordered that no one was allowed to disturb you, your injury was completely healed by her, for two whole days, she didn't leave your side for a moment. It seems that her feelings for you are still very deep."

  Hai Long's face sank, and he said, "Alright, stop talking nonsense. From now on, don't mention the word 'Qingyue' in front of me again. She and I are just junior and senior relatives. Ah, I'm hungry. Is this for me?" Before Hongzhi could speak, Hai Long snatched the big bowl over and devoured it with gusto, savoring the rich aroma that refreshed his body and mind.

  Hong Zhi drooled at the sight of the sea dragon, muttering: "Big brother, my good big brother! Such a large bowl, I know you can't finish it either, just leave some for your little brother."

  "You'd better not come here, I haven't eaten for two days, and with another bowl like this, I can eat it all. Oh, it's really delicious, the most delicious thing I've ever had." Without even identifying what was in the bowl, a large bowl of food had already entered Hailong's stomach in just a short while.

  Satisfied, he stroked his chest and abdomen, and handed the empty bowl to a bitter-looking Hong Zhi, saying: "It's really delicious. Little Zhi, this can't be your cooking, right? If it is, I won't let you go to Fan Xin Sect anymore. From now on, you have to make it for me every day."Hong Zhi turned the bowl upside down and shook it vigorously, discontentedly saying: "Boss, you've eaten too cleanly! You didn't even leave a bit for me. If I had such great culinary skills, I would have enjoyed them myself long ago. Ah, why do you have such good luck? This is Yu Hua's personally made vegetarian dish, and when it was served, you didn't even see it. Even Wu Ji Dao Zun craved it and asked Yu Hua for some, but she refused to give any to anyone, insisting that I bring the whole thing over to you. She said that if I snuck a bite, she would never make vegetarian dishes again. Boss, I'm so pitiful! Yu Hua treats you so well; as long as you open your mouth, she'll definitely make a bowl for me too... Eh, boss, what's wrong with you?"

  Hai Long sat there with a bitter expression on his face, let out a light sigh and said: "It's not easy to repay some feelings, but now I owe another one. It seems that I still haven't cleared my debts. Ah, I'll go find Yu Hua now. Since she worked so hard, I should at least go thank her." That bowl of delicious food seemed to have opened up his airways completely, and although his magical powers had not yet recovered, he felt much more comfortable.

  Hong Zhi's eyes shone brightly as he said, "Boss, you must let her do some more good deeds." As he spoke, a pitiful expression appeared on his face.

  Hai Long nodded, chuckled and said: "Of course I want her to do more, I'm not full yet. Well, if there's any soup left, it's yours." After finishing speaking, he jumped down from the bed, stretched his body and walked out. At this time, he had no more melancholy in his heart, and everything about Piaoyue Daozun was deeply buried in the bottom of his heart.

  It was almost evening, and the disciples of Lianyun Sect had already begun their evening meditation. Hailong and Hongzhi carefully approached the door of Yuhua's sister's residence, and Hailong pointed to the door and transmitted a message: "Are they inside?" Hongzhi nodded and said: "Just now, when she knew you woke up, Yuhua quickly made that delicious dish for you with the materials she had prepared in advance, and then returned to her room with Yuhua. She's definitely inside now. Eldest brother, although Yuhua seems to be angry with you on the surface, she still likes you in her heart. As long as you say a few nice words, she will forgive you."

  Hailong glared at Hongzhi with a bad temper, and transmitted his voice: "Don't worry, even if it's for that delicious vegetarian dish, I won't offend her again! You go outside and keep watch." As he spoke, he lightly knocked on the door. A gentle voice came from inside the room, "Who is it?" Hailong said in a low voice, "Yuping, it's me. I've come to thank your sister for the vegetarian dish. Is she there?"

  The room fell silent, and Hailong glanced at Hongzhi, who nodded to him. After a while, the voice of Yiping echoed in the room again, "Hailong brother, sister has already rested, you can go back first, let's talk about everything tomorrow." Hongzhi covered his mouth and chuckled on the side, saying in a low voice, "Boss, how does it feel to be rejected this time?"

  Hai Long knocked on the door again and said, "Yu Ping, since your sister has already rested, I won't disturb her. Tell her thank you for the vegetarian dishes, they were really delicious. If I did anything wrong before, please forgive me."

  The room fell silent again, with no response for half a day. Hai Long helplessly shrugged his shoulders and made a face at Hong Zhi before preparing to return to his own room. Just then, the door opened and Yu Hua and Yu Ping appeared in front of Hai Long, looking lovely. Yu Hua said gruffly, "What are you doing here? Don't thank me for anything, I only cooked something for you because we're fellow disciples. You can leave now."

  Hai Long wouldn't be fooled by Yu Hua's aloof expression, and since she was willing to open the door, it proved that there was still hope for forgiveness. He hastily forced a smile and said: "Junior sister, are you still angry with me? If I did anything wrong in the past, please forgive me and give me another chance. As you said, we're fellow disciples; if our relationship becomes strained, I'm afraid our seniors won't be pleased either. Why don't you hit me a few times to vent your anger?"

  Yu Hua's face changed color, her eyes reddened, and tears seemed to be about to fall. She punched Hai Long's chest with all her might, choking back a sob: "You're bad, you're hateful." Her fists rained down on Hai Long's chest, causing him to retreat repeatedly. Yu Hua seemed to want to vent out all the grievances of the past few days. Hai Long's face turned pale, and suddenly, his legs buckled, and he sat down on the ground with a thud. His face instantly turned deathly pale. Yu Hua was startled, only then remembering that Hai Long was still recovering from his serious injury. She hastily ran to his side, embracing his upper body in her arms, and pouring her pure spiritual energy into him: "Hai Long big brother, I didn't mean it! Don't scare me, okay? I really didn't mean it. You have to wake up! If you just wake up, I won't be angry anymore, deal?"

  Hong Zhi stood by with a smile, not worried at all. Although Yu Hua had punched Hai Long many times earlier, those punches did not contain any profound power. Hai Long's injuries had already been healed by Piao Yu Dao Zun to about 80%. How could Yu Hua's few punches hurt him? Hong Zhi walked slowly to Hai Long's side and said to the anxious Yu Hua sisters: "Don't worry, let me handle this." As he spoke, he took Hai Long from Yu Hua's arms. With a low shout, a circle of pale yellow Buddhist energy suddenly enveloped him and Hai Long. Hong Zhi transmitted his voice: "Old Big Brother, let's make a deal. I won't expose your scheme, but you have to give me some benefits."

  The dragon king was indeed dizzy, and he transmitted his voice: "Good kid, you dare to take advantage of the fire to loot, okay, if there's a good meal later, I'll give you half of it."

  Hongji was overjoyed and hastily agreed, his hands conjuring up layers of yellow Buddhist energy that flowed into Hailong's body. After a while, the yellow light dissipated, and Hongji said seriously: "Fortunately, I rescued him in time, and Hailong's injuries have been suppressed by me. He should wake up soon. Yuhua, Yuping, you can't stimulate him again, let alone hit him. That day, he forcibly expelled the Inverse Heaven Mirror from his body, and his chest suffered a strong backlash of spiritual energy. If his injuries are triggered again, it will be dangerous." As he spoke, he handed Hailong back to Yuhua's arms.

  Yu Hua carefully wrapped her arms around the upper half of Hai Long's body, helping him to tidy up his slightly disheveled long hair, and murmured: "Big brother, hurry up and wake up, or I'll be angry with you again."

  "Hmm." Hailong let out a long sigh, slowly opening his eyes, which were devoid of any spark. He muttered to himself, "What...what's going on with me?" As he spoke, he heard Hongzhi's voice in his ear, "How is it, boss? Isn't it great that your brother is being so loyal, lying in Yuhua's arms and feeling so comfortable?"

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