Chapter 1442 - 1443: Heavenly Secret Talisman
Huaqing University, Phoenix Pavilion.
Yang Fei and Susu parked their car outside the Ginkgo Forest and walked through the shaded path.
The quaint little courtyard seemed to be nestled deep within time, as if it were an old man's sigh at dusk.
Upon arriving here, Yang Fei and Susu softened their footsteps, as if fearing to disturb the tranquility surrounding them.
Their hearts suddenly became peaceful.
The legendary elder, though kind and approachable, lived a life so magnificent and his tales so legendary, that every Huaxia person held him in high esteem.
Dan Dan's big eyes darted around everywhere.
Seeing Yang Fei and Susu's solemn demeanor, this mischievous little kid dared not act out.
The courtyard was silent, ginkgo leaves like golden butterflies lay scattered on the green bricks, as if a carpet of crushed gold were laid out.
Sands sound came from inside the door, Susu gave Yang Fei a look and whispered.
"Ancestral Master is sweeping, let's tread lightly."
Yang Fei nodded, gently pushed open the courtyard door, and stepped inside.
Not far away, Old Master Wang hunched over, using a long broom to sweep the fallen leaves on the ground.
His movements and steps were smooth and harmonious, akin to flowing water, possessing a sense of "Tao".
Yang Fei quietly approached the elder, respectfully saying.
"Ancestral Master, I am back."
Old Master Wang seemed not to hear Yang Fei, continuing to sweep the fallen leaves with each stroke.
Yang Fei looked at his thin and stooped figure, feeling an ache in his heart.
For an unknown reason, since their last parting, Yang Fei felt the elder had aged further.
Susu stepped forward and reported again, only then did the elder slowly turn around.
Seeing Yang Fei, his aged eyes sparkled with immense joy.
"Miao'er, you're back? Good, good!"
Yang Fei was puzzled, but seeing the deep familial emotion in the elder's eyes, understood that "Miao'er" must be his nickname.
His heart ached, he stepped quickly forward to support the elder.
"Yes, Ancestral Master, I am back."
The elder reached out a withered hand, gently caressing his hair with a smile and nod.\\p>
Just as he was about to speak, he was surprised, his eyes showing delight.
"Good child, you are about to break through to the True Martial Realm, haha, the Nine Extremes Technique indeed lives up to its reputation."
Yang Fei respectfully nodded, "Yes, I'm about to ask Ancestral Master how to handle the Heavenly Punishment."
The elder nodded, "Great, this day has finally come, let's sit inside."
At that moment, Dan Dan properly moved forward, kneeling and bowing to the elder.
"Ancestral Master, I'm Dan Dan, bowing to Ancestral Master."
The elder was slightly surprised, then showed a kindly smile.
"Whose child is this, so adorable…"
Saying so, the elder's eyes suddenly flickered with intense shock.
"Hmm, no, you're not an ordinary child, you… you're infused with Essence Qi, it's Dragon Yuan Qi, you're a Dragonkin Descendant."
With this revelation, not only Dan Dan was stunned, but Yang Fei and Susu were equally shocked.
Neither of them expected the elder's keen eyes could discern Dan Dan's uniqueness at a glance.
Yang Fei was astonished, looking at the elder.
"Ancestral Master, how did you see it?"
The elder's gaze was peculiar, looking at Dan Dan, after a long pause, nodded.
"Let's discuss inside."
The three gathered around the elder and entered the study, the elder sat down but never took his eyes off Dan Dan, looking very peculiar.
He sat down, gesturing everyone to sit, sighing deeply and murmuring.
"Unexpectedly, after ten years, I've met a second Dragonkin Descendant, truly a cycle of cause and effect."
Upon saying this, Dan Dan's eyes widened.
"Ancestral Master, you have met someone of my kin?"
The elder nodded, "Ten years ago, during the heaven-defying battle, experts from various races participated, one of them was a Dragonkin expert who later succumbed to severe injuries."
"Before he died, he left something with me, hoping I'd find a Dragonkin and return it to its rightful owner."
After speaking, the elder stood up, gestured to Susu.
"Go to my room, the second drawer of the desk, bring the box."
Susu nodded, went to the elder's room, and returned shortly with a dark green box.
The box was locked with brass, its surface marked with verdigris, appearing extremely mysterious.
The elder gently pushed the dark green box toward Dan Dan, his expression very solemn.
"I've kept this for ten years, finally fulfilling my promise, letting it return to its rightful owner."
Dan Dan dazedly received the box, intending to open it, but Yang Fei stopped him.
Yang Fei placed his hand over Dan Dan's, speaking softly.
"Dan Dan, this is a Dragon Race item, perhaps holding secrets outsiders shouldn't know, you should open it away from others, right?"
Dan Dan paused, hesitated slightly before nodding, putting the box away.
The elder appreciatively nodded toward Yang Fei.
"It's said the Dragon Race is adept at collecting treasures, not coveting Dragon Race items shows you're a man of integrity."
Susu also smiled at Yang Fei, her gaze full of admiration.
Yang Fei chuckled, "Dan Dan is my close brother, in another situation, I wouldn't be so accommodating, haha."
Susu, amused and annoyed, scolded Yang Fei teasingly.
"I thought you were a gentleman, turns out, you're truly a scoundrel."
Yang Fei laughed heartily, calmly said.
"A gentleman is open, a petty person is anxious, I'd rather be a true scoundrel than a false gentleman."
Dan Dan made a face at Yang Fei and went out holding the box.
Yang Fei and the others knew the mischievous kid's thoughts, but didn't mind.
The elder looked at Yang Fei, gently speaking.
"In a blink, you'll begin breaking through to the True Martial Realm, quicker than I imagined."
As he spoke, he retrieved a jade box from the drawer, which, when opened, revealed a thin, cicada-wing-like Purple Crystal.
The center of the crystal faintly emitted a fiery red glow.
The crystal's surface was engraved with numerous runes, seemingly sealing some strange entity inside.
The elder handed the Purple Crystal to Yang Fei, his expression extremely solemn.
"This is a Heavenly Secret Talisman, also known as a Substitute Talisman, wearing this after breaking through to the True Martial Realm may deceive divine punishment."
"This is to challenge heaven's fate, steal a sliver of life, thus called Stealing Heavenly Secret Talisman, later it became commonly known as Heavenly Secret Talisman."