Staring at Lin Yu Heng—who had a determined look on his face, Long Hua takes out a jade slip, and carves a divine art's incantation onto it.
Rewarding someone—to motivate them, and to have them feel a sense of loyalty to oneself, it's a common practice.
Turning to Lin Yu Heng, Long Hua tosses the slip at the former.
Catching the slip, Lin Yu Heng examines it briefly, prior to pressing it onto his forehead, and—
"…!"
Widening his eyes, Lin Yu Heng looks back at Long Hua with astonishment.
"Senior, this is…?"
Uncaringly, Long Hua says—
"Thousand Dragons Shatter the Heavens—at perfect mastery, you can unleash a single thrust, which manifests a thousand dragons, to destroy your enemies."
"…!"
Widening his eyes as well, Qing Ming Yang stares at Lin Yu Heng with a gaze of extreme envy.
Ignoring the envious glare that is being directed at him by Qing Ming Yang, Lin Yu Heng mutters the activation chant beneath his breath, and with a single rotation—
(My god, grandfather's Cloud Piercing Dragon Thrust may as well be trash compared to this! There's no need to even compare!)
If Lin Yu Heng's grandfather—Lin Han had heard this, the latter would most probably spew out a mouthful of blood.
(This can't be any ordinary divine art…)
Although it was subtle, Qing Ming Yang had nevertheless sensed an overbearing amount of spear Qi emanating from Lin Yu Heng's body—the moment the latter had rotated this divine art once.
Turning to Long Hua, Qing Ming Yang clears his throat, and says—
"Senior, I'm also more than happy to volunteer myself to complete that task that you've in mind. Just Lin-xiong alone might not be enough to convince the Immortal Emperor."
"…"
Towards Qing Ming Yang, who is clearly saying these words to acquire benefits, Lin Yu Heng rolls his eyes at the former.
"…"
Ignoring Qing Ming Yang, Long Hua picks up the calabash and downs a drink.
Allowing the cherry blossom wine to gradually slip down his throat, Long Hua savors the flavor with his eyes shut.
In the same instance—
"…"
Turning his head rapidly, Qing Ming Yang attempts to think of what more he can hope to offer.
Eventually, Long Hua reopens his eyes with a sigh, and says—
"Surnamed Qing, giving you a divine art isn't impossible. However, your current display, you show hesitancy to commit to the task. Why don't you say what it is that you're so concerned about?"
"Hmm."
Taking a minute to gather his thoughts, Qing Ming Yang replies—
"Senior, what I'm worried about is my branch's future. Hypothetically speaking, let's say—the Immortal Emperor did take over the Leng Bing Realm, what happens to my branch then? Where will we acquire resources—in the form of magic treasures, in the future?"
Towards Qing Ming Yang's concern, Long Hua chuckles, and answers—
"Resources—regardless of form, they're something that will be expended. They're not meant to be limitless. This world, it's the work of the older generation; they may have left it to the future generation after their passing, but what exactly did this turn the generations after them into?"
"…"
"…"
In response to this question, both Qing Ming Yang and Lin Yu Heng raised a frown, as they thought back to the current state of the Ling Yuan family.
Answering the question himself, Long Hua says—
"A bunch of stagnated fools—who refuse to think pass the accomplishments of their ancestors; and are perfectly satisfied with letting themselves rot in this well of theirs—without ever seeing the greater worlds beyond."
Shrugging a shoulder, Long Hua goes on to ask—
"Do you know why it makes so much sense—to call this emperor of your star region, an old tortoise? Once all the resources in this world runs out, where do you turn to—to acquire more?"
Taking out a jade slip, Long Hua carves an incantation onto it, and tosses it to Qing Ming Yang.
"…"
Catching the jade slip, Qing Ming Yang doesn't look at it immediately, but instead continues to think about the question, whereas Long Hua remarks—
"I do not know what the divine arts of the Everlasting Spirit Realm are like—since my sample size isn't too great. However, from what I've seen so far, I'm not very impressed."
Xia Lie Yang's divine art, the one that manifests a red sun, it possesses good destructive power, but in live combat, it's not a very practical technique to use.
Compared to the Martial Emperor's Step and the Immortal Suppression Palm, which are both quick to activate, and can undergo transformations—divine arts that require long incantations and gestures, they aren't very practical to use in Long Hua's opinion.
"Contained in that jade slip is one-half of a divine art called the "Chaotic Five Essence Hand." If you can answer my question, I'll give you the other half."
"…"
Clasping his hands, Qing Ming Yang bows, and leaves with Lin Yu Heng, while maintaining a contemplative expression on his face.
"…"
"…"
"…
Left with only Wu Xiao and Tian Cheng, Long Hua raises a sigh of exhaustion, as he downs a mouthful of wine.
Snatching the calabash and filling her cup, Wu Xiao asks—
"So? Are you still able to play a tune?"
"Not in the mood at this point."
Downing a drink, Wu Xiao says—
"This idea of yours, you can temporarily get the Ling Yuan family off your back, but you're going to get that old tortoise on your back instead. How do you intend to avoid them?"
"The outside world is much bigger than this Leng Bing Realm. Even if it was this old tortoise, they can't possibly find me at that point."
Refilling her cup, Wu Xiao replies—
"True. …If you're going to sleep, do it on a proper bed."
Conversations of this nature and scale can be mentally taxing on both sides. Once it reaches a certain point, a person would just want to take a nap; hence—
"I'll take you up on that offer."
Getting out of his seat, Long Hua heads in the direction of a random guest room.
Upon Long Hua shutting the door—
"…"
Wu Xiao turns to Tian Cheng with narrowed eyes.