Chapter 634: Desolation
Xiang Shaoyun and Tang Longfei were in no rush to leave the goldmen's territory. Edoli arranged a residence for them, and that residence would also serve as their VIP lodging from then on. In the future, they could visit as they pleased.
On top of that, two female goldmen were assigned to them. The two quickly rejected the assignment in shock. How would it feel like to sleep with an alien about double one's height? Well, the two believed that it would be too much for them.
More importantly, the difference between the two races was too big. They really couldn't bring themselves to accept the two female goldmen. Fortunately, Edoli did not force it, which relieved them.
And thus, Xiang Shaoyun and Tang Longfei became temporary residents at the goldmen's place. For Xiang Shaoyun, he had already stored enough gold energy in his star, so he didn't really need to stay. But he needed to spend some time studying the broken stele he had just obtained.
As for Tang Longfei, he needed to use the resources he had just received to charge into the second stage of the Dragon Ascension Realm. Before he could get started, Xiang Shaoyun called out to him and handed over the vicious steel mist pearl. "Take this. Do well in your advancement!"
Tang Longfei was stunned. He had not imagined that Xiang Shaoyun would be so generous that he would give even the vicious steel mist pearl to him.
"Shaoyun, this is too valuable. I can't accept it. You need it for yourself as well!" rejected Tang Longfei without any hesitation.
If Xiang Shaoyun wasn't also a gold cultivator, Tang Longfei might have accepted the gift. But since Xiang Shaoyun cultivated nine powers, each power would help him, including the power contained within the pearl.
Xiang Shaoyun said seriously, "It is true this vicious steel mist pearl is somewhat useful for me, but it isn't as much as you think. In any case, the Overlord Legion is still growing, and it requires a higher leveled Dragon Ascension Realm expert to back up the legion. Although I am the overlord, without strong helpers, the legion won't be able to recruit too many people anyway. Big Brother Tang, you are the one I trust most. Your growth will only benefit our Overlord Legion."
When Tang Longfei saw that Xiang Shaoyun was speaking sincerely, he accepted the pearl and said solemnly, "Ok, brother. I will repay this favor even at the cost of my life!"
"You don't have to be so serious about it. Our fathers are brothers, and we are brothers as well. Let's grow strong enough so nobody can bully us anymore, and that will be enough," said Xiang Shaoyun.
Tang Longfei nodded and went into seclusion with the vicious steel mist pearl.
Inwardly, he thought, From now onward, I will be Shaoyun’s sharp blade!
With Tang Longfei gone, Xiang Shaoyun started going over the three treasures he had just received. The saint gold crystal was the easiest to make an arrangement for. He simply stored it with the saint lightning crystal, planning to wait until the time came when he needed it. As for the gold tree sapling, he needed to plant it in excellent soil in an environment with sufficient gold energy so it could grow.
Xiang Shaoyun had also obtained a large number of goldsteel stones from Edoli. Naturally, the goldsteel stones would serve as the soil the sapling needed. He then planted the sapling in his astral cosmos sea to observe whether the nine-colored fog could nourish it.
Soon, he found that the sapling underwent some minute changes. It started brimming with vitality, signifying that it had adapted to its new living environment.
Xiang Shaoyun smiled with joy as he muttered, "The nine-colored fog is indeed a power filled with life and destruction. The fact that the gold tree sapling can grow in an environment with only the nine-colored fog is proof of that."
He then moved the sapling beside the pool of gold lunar liquid. There were two more vicious tiger gold lotuses there. These vicious tiger gold lotuses were not the same as the gold lotus Xiang Shaoyun had given Edoli. They were much more valuable.
Initially, he only had one vicious tiger gold lotus planted in his astral cosmos sea. But with the inclusion of the nine-colored fog, an additional lotus sprouted. It seemed to be growing nicely, and in a few years, it would mature.
Planted beside the gold lunar liquid pool, the sapling brimmed with even more vitality as it quickly extended its roots to the pool and started absorbing the energy contained within the pool.
The sapling then started growing at a visible pace, and the gold lunar liquid in the pool started reducing at a slow speed. The sight stunned Xiang Shaoyun. He had not expected the sapling to be so smart that it could quickly find what it needed, or even devour it at such a speed. If he allowed the tree to continue, it was only a matter of time before he ran out of gold lunar liquid.
Just as Xiang Shaoyun was considering moving the sapling away, he found that the amount of gold lunar liquid stopped reducing. As for the sapling, it looked like a completely different tree. It seemed to be full and no longer needed any gold lunar liquid for now.
"Looks like I need to think of a way to increase the supply of gold lunar liquid in the future, or I won't be able to feed this young master," said Xiang Shaoyun helplessly.
He then ignored the sapling. After all, upon maturity, the tree would provide him with a steady supply of fruits comparable to the gold lunar liquid in value.
Finally, he focused on the broken stele. Once again, he scrutinized the words on it.
He memorized everything on the stele before comparing them with the mantra he had learned from the gravekeeper elder. He found that there were some differences between the two. The version he had learned from the gravekeeper elder seemed incomplete, while the version on the stele seemed more detailed. As for the missing parts on the stele, he could fill them in with the gravekeeper elder's version.
Ultimately, he managed to restore 90 percent of the contents on the stele. At the same time, he also noticed that at the very top of the stele, the word "Desolate" was carved. He did not know if it was someone's name or if it was the name of the mantra. But for now, he decided to tentatively name the mantra "Desolation".
Unfortunately, even the stele’s inscription was incomplete. The subsequent parts of the mantra were missing. Perhaps he could only get the complete version if he could find the missing parts of the stele. After memorizing the new Desolation mantra once again, he left the residence.
He did not leave the Vicious Steel Mist. Instead, he went to the top of a certain mountain. The peak was filled with a thick vicious steel mist and was a perfect location for cultivating. The mist there was filled with sharp energy that could instantly leave wounds all over the body of a regular person who dared to approach.
As for Xiang Shaoyun, he completely ignored the energy and sat down cross-legged, starting his session of comprehending the profundity of gold. At the same time, he chanted the Desolation mantra, sensing the power of gold in accordance to the mantra, and slowly blended into the mist.