Chapter 642, Winning People’s Hearts

Translator: Silavin

 

[Oh? That’s it? How dull.] Lu Fan’s interest waned considerably. He had thought that after Ning Shuan’er and Luo Lixiu emerged, there was a strong possibility they would have a fight over what had happened in the Secret Realm. Instead, the two simply left after seeing each other, which truly failed to satisfy Lu Fan’s desire to watch the excitement unfold.

 

At this moment, Murong Sheng manipulated the Power of the Stars and flew to Lu Fan’s side.

 

Seeing this, people from other Families nearby immediately became tense, thinking Murong Sheng was about to make a move to snatch the Divine Tempering Liquid.

 

Once this mighty battle began, they could also make their move to see if they could gain an advantage.

 

However, who would have thought that after arriving beside Lu Fan, Murong Sheng would actually withdraw his Power of the Stars, clearly having no intention of fighting.

 

“Little Brother, you and I can now sit down and have a proper chat. I wonder whether you’ll come with me to the Murong Family, or shall we find somewhere else?” Murong Sheng was extremely courteous to Lu Fan.

 

Lu Fan considered this and decided not to go to the Murong Family.

 

After all, the Murong Family was a First Tier Ancient Noble Family with deep foundations, and the Family even had Fifth Profession Players. Going would not be safe. Before thoroughly understanding Murong Sheng, it would be better to remain on guard.

 

“I won’t go to the Murong Family.” After thinking it over, Lu Fan said, “Let’s go to the Ye Family. The Ye Family isn’t too far from here either, and I need to return to the Ye Family to report that I’m safe.”

 

“Very well.” Murong Sheng had no objections. “Shall we depart now?”

 

“Wait a moment.” Lu Fan waved his hand, then spread the Bone Wings behind his back, carrying him as he flew to the space between the Li Family and Yuan Family.

 

Seeing Lu Fan flying over, Li Qingfeng and Yuan Jingang immediately recalled their fear of being dominated by Lu Fan.

 

They knew just how powerful Lu Fan truly was, and they knew this ‘God Slayer’ was still a Dragon Tamer, whose real strength lay in his Pet Dragons. So, outside the God’s Tomb Secret Realm, where he could summon his Pet Dragons, he must be several times stronger than he had been inside the God’s Tomb Secret Realm!

 

Against such a person, even if they combined all the might of their Second Tier Ancient Noble Family, they would still be no match for him!

 

Li Qingfeng and Yuan Jingang did not even have plans to flee. They simply watched to see what Lu Fan intended to do.

 

“Li Qingfeng, Yuan Jingang, stop cowering. I’m not here to kill you.” Lu Fan smiled as he took four bottles of Divine Tempering Liquid from his Inventory and threw two bottles to each of them.

 

After catching the Divine Tempering Liquid, both men were completely stunned, never having imagined that Lu Fan would not only refrain from killing them but would actually reward them with two bottles of Divine Tempering Liquid!

 

Lu Fan explained. “I told you that if you helped me guard the final pillar of light, I would give a share of Divine Tempering Liquid, right? Although you failed to stop Murong Sheng, you did do your best. Since I ultimately obtained the Divine Tempering Liquid, I will honour the promise I made to you. These two bottles of Divine Tempering Liquid are your reward. It also ensures that your trip to the God’s Tomb Secret Realm wasn’t made in vain.”

 

Li Qingfeng and Yuan Jingang could hardly believe their ears. After confirming that Lu Fan was indeed gifting them two bottles of Divine Tempering Liquid, both men were so grateful they nearly burst into tears.

 

“Thank you, thank you…”

 

Both men bowed in gratitude simultaneously.

 

Lu Fan smiled and waved his hand, saying, “No need. You could say we’ve become acquainted through conflict. Let’s be friends in the future.”

 

“Naturally!”

 

“To be friends with Little Brother Lu is truly our honour…”

 

Yuan Jingang and Li Qingfeng became even more excited. Having Lu Fan as a friend meant they could boast about it when they went out in future!

 

For a moment, all negative impressions the two had of Lu Fan vanished completely. They even invited Lu Fan to visit the Li Family and Yuan Family when he had time, promising they would receive him with great hospitality.

 

Without saying more, it was clear that the relationship between the Ye Family and the Yuan Family and Li Family would become closer in future.

 

While they could not provide major assistance, if other Families ever came into conflict with the Ye Family, the Yuan Family and Li Family would certainly help mediate the situation.

 

This was enough for Lu Fan.

 

Having received two bottles of Divine Tempering Liquid, the Li Family and Yuan Family were naturally satisfied and departed.

 

As for people from other Families, they looked at each other uncertainly before wisely choosing to return home.

 

After all, Murong Sheng, Yuan Jingang, and Li Qingfeng seemed to have decent relationships with Lu Fan. Those from the other Families who had entered the God’s Tomb Secret Realm were all dead. If they still wanted to forcibly seize Lu Fan’s Divine Tempering Liquid, wouldn’t their Human heads be beaten into Dog heads?

 

In the blink of an eye, the area around became empty, with only Lu Fan and Murong Sheng remaining.

 

After Lu Fan returned, Murong Sheng smiled knowingly and praised, “Little Brother Lu’s skill at winning the hearts of others is quite impressive. Merely four bottles of Divine Tempering Liquid, and you’ve gained the friendship of two Major Second Tier Ancient Noble Families—the Li Family and Yuan Family.”

 

“Haha!” Lu Fan chuckled. “One more friend means one more path. One more enemy means one more wall. Although I don’t need powerful friends who I can trust my back to, destroying the Yuan Family and Li Family would ultimately be too troublesome. It’s better to send them away with four bottles of Divine Tempering Liquid. In future, if the Ye Family has troubles, these two Families can lend a hand.”

 

Murong Sheng nodded approvingly and said, “Little Brother Lu, is correct. Though you’re young, your consideration of how to conduct yourself in the world is quite thorough. Well, since everything has concluded, shall we now proceed to the Ye Family for a proper chat?”

 

“En, of course. Please!”

 

“Please!”

 

Soon, Lu Fan and Murong Sheng returned to the Ye Family together.

 

Because he was concerned that taking out the Divine Tempering Liquid would inevitably result in a massive battle, Lu Fan had asked Ye Wuxian to send him to the pit and then return to the Ye Family to wait. She was naturally not allowed to come here to meet him.

 

During these days, Ye Wuxian had been restless at home, not knowing how Lu Fan was faring in the God’s Tomb Secret Realm.

 

Now that Lu Fan had finally returned, upon learning the situation, Ye Wuxian ran all the way from inside the Ye Family Residence and threw herself directly at Lu Fan, clinging to him for quite some time and unwilling to come down.

 

It was not until Ye Wuxian discovered that there was still another person like Murong Sheng, who had returned with Lu Fan and had seen everything, that her face turned red and she obediently came down. However, she quietly chided Lu Fan for not mentioning that someone else was returning with him.

 

Lu Fan chuckled and roughly recounted what had happened in the God’s Tomb Secret Realm, explaining Murong Sheng’s purpose for coming.

 

Upon learning that Lu Fan needed a place to talk, Ye Wuxian immediately had people arrange the Ye Family’s conference room, along with serving their best tea and pastries.

 

After a conversation lasting a full three hours, Lu Fan finally understood why Murong Sheng’s Profession Characteristics had so many similarities to the Starry Sky Dragon Clan, and why he had foregone taking the Divine Tempering Liquid to seek out Lu Fan instead.

 

(Silavin: The author split this chap 642 into two parts. Technically, by word count, this is another chap. But I’m just going to post them both as one chap. The title for one below is The Origins of the Starry Sky Dragon)

 

This matter was a long story that needs to be traced back to four hundred years ago.

 

Four hundred years ago, the Murong Family was merely a Third Tier Ancient Noble Family, and their influence was not particularly strong. They occupied a corner in the most remote area of the Western Border.

 

Until one day, the Murong Family obtained a Legendary Grade Crafting Recipe, the Starry Sky Waypoint, from an Opportune Secret Realm in the Wilderness.

 

What this Special Item actually did could not be confirmed even by using Appraisal.

 

However, since this was ultimately a Legendary Grade item, the Murong Family still spent a full twenty years collecting the materials and finally managed to craft the Starry Sky Waypoint.

 

After this item was completed, following the item’s instructions, the Murong Family placed it in the Wilderness not far from their Residence.

 

As the Starry Sky Waypoint was activated, a massive Array took shape.

 

Then, there was no change whatsoever.

 

The people of the Murong Family waited for a full three days, but saw no unusual activity from the Starry Sky Waypoint. They were all extremely frustrated, thinking that the materials they had collected over the past twenty years had all gone to waste.

 

However, since this thing had already been made, there was no way to recover those materials. So, the Murong Family could only leave it in place, and it remained there for another three years.

 

Three years later, the Starry Sky Waypoint suddenly lit up. Such an unusual occurrence alarmed the entire Murong Family.

 

All members of the Murong Family gathered to investigate what was happening with the Starry Sky Waypoint. Upon closer inspection, they were shocked to discover that on the Starry Sky Waypoint, there was actually an Adult Giant Dragon!

 

Moreover, this Dragon was a Starry Sky Dragon!

 

Dragons were exceedingly rare in this world. Even for Ancient Noble Families like the Murong Family, it was their first time seeing a Pure Blooded Giant Dragon.

 

In their shock, they momentarily did not know how to face this Adult Starry Sky Dragon.

 

However, this Starry Sky Dragon took the initiative to speak, communicating with the Murong Family members through a unique spiritual connection.

 

It turned out that it was an Adult Starry Sky Dragon wandering through the Ancient Starry Sky Paths, now nearly one hundred thousand years old. It was approaching its twilight years.

 

Additionally, it had previously encountered a siege from Starry Sky Monsters on the Ancient Starry Sky Path. So, it was injured.

 

The so-called Starry Sky Waypoint was actually constructed by Starry Sky Dragons through one of their Skills. They served as their Transport Arrays to freely travel around.

 

The Starry Sky Dragon had inadvertently chosen the Murong Family’s Starry Sky Waypoint, which was why it had descended here.

 

Although the Starry Sky Dragon could leave using the Starry Sky Waypoint at any time, it had already reached its twilight years, and with its poor physical condition, it no longer wished to return to the Ancient Starry Sky Path. Therefore, it simply decided to make the best of the situation. Considering its fated connection with the Murong Family, it settled down with them.

 

At the same time, this Starry Sky Dragon also granted the Murong Family tremendous fortune. For instance, it allowed the Murong Family to select one outstanding individual from each generation to receive its Starlight Baptism.

 

As long as one received the Starlight Baptism, the Player would experience an enlightenment, with their Attributes surging dramatically while simultaneously changing their Profession to the Hidden Profession of Starry Sky Envoy.

 

In exchange, the Murong Family had to tend to all the Starry Sky Dragon’s needs every year.

 

The Starry Sky Dragon did not make excessive demands. What it required was merely large quantities of Monster Flesh and Blood, along with some precious herbal materials.

 

Clearly, the Starry Sky Dragon intended to retire within the Murong Family, slowly ageing there.

 

With the Starry Sky Dragon’s assistance, the Murong Family could select one member to be a Starry Sky Envoy from each generation, which was about every twenty-five years.

 

The appearance of so many powerful Players directly led to the Murong Family’s rapid growth and prosperity. Over four hundred years, they gradually grew from a Third Tier Ancient Noble Family to become a First Tier Ancient Noble Family.

 

However, the Murong Family’s good days lasted only these mere four hundred years.

 

After four hundred years had passed, although the Murong Family had provided it with excellent food and care, this Starry Sky Dragon was simply too old. Combined with its injuries from the Ancient Starry Sky Paths that could not be healed, its lifespan was gradually reaching its end.

 

In recent years, the Starry Sky Dragon had fallen into long periods of dormancy and could no longer enable the Murong Family to continue producing Starry Sky Envoys.

 

Murong Sheng was already the Murong Family’s final Starry Sky Envoy.

 

If this continued and the Starry Sky Dragon truly died, then the Murong Family could be said to be finished.

 

Not only would they face a shortage of talent in the future, but with the Starry Sky Dragon’s death, Murong Sheng and other Starry Sky Envoys would also lose their Hidden Profession and revert to their original Professions.

 

In such circumstances, the Murong Family would surely perish!

 

A First Tier Ancient Noble Family without Hidden Profession Players would just be a piece of fat meat for all to feast one. Which of the many First Tier or even Supreme Tier Ancient Noble Families would not want to take a bite out of them?

 

Therefore, the Murong Family was currently at a critical moment of life and death.

 

To protect the Murong Family, their Patriarch, a Level 120 Fifth Profession Player, even went so far as to drop 5 Levels as the price for forcibly executing a Fifth Profession Divine Skill to see into the stars, resorting to divination to gain a clue.

 

The key to everything lay in the God’s Tomb Secret Realm.

 

In the God’s Tomb Secret Realm, there would appear a person of invincible strength who would obtain the Divine Tempering Liquid with absolutely overwhelming dominance.

 

This person possessed the ability to extend the Starry Sky Dragon’s life.

 

Therefore, the Murong Family obtained an invitation to the God’s Tomb Secret Realm and sent Murong Sheng in to find exactly who this person was, the one who could save the Murong Family.

 

This was precisely why Murong Sheng went to the God’s Tomb Secret Realm. He did not come for the Divine Tempering Liquid, but to find the Murong Family’s saviour.

 

Lu Fan’s appearance was almost exactly as described in the divination.

 

Extraordinarily powerful, crushing everyone with overwhelming strength, including even Murong Sheng.

 

Moreover, Lu Fan was also a Dragon Tamer, a Profession related to Dragons, making him even more likely to be someone capable of saving the Starry Sky Dragon.

 

That explains Murong Sheng’s various behaviours in the God’s Tomb Secret Realm.

 

After listening, Lu Fan felt that what Murong Sheng said should all be true.

 

Setting aside everything else, Murong Sheng’s Profession Characteristics were indeed related to the Starry Sky Dragon. They were just too similar.

 

After finishing his explanation, Murong Sheng bowed respectfully to Lu Fan and said with sincere emotion. “Little Brother Lu, that’s roughly the situation. You may be our Murong Family’s one and only hope. If you don’t take action and our Murong Family’s Starry Sky Dragon dies, then more than three hundred direct descendants of the Murong Family will face the threat of complete annihilation by the other Ancient Noble Families. As long as you can save the Starry Sky Dragon’s life, you will be our Murong Family’s greatest benefactor! From now on, whenever you give the word, our Murong Family will spare no effort in serving you!”