The blood of an origin beast was a good thing. The strength it contained was tremendous. Regardless of whether it was given to their powerhouses to absorb or provided to the children and geniuses within their races to soak in, so long as the blood was diluted accordingly, it could achieve excellent results. Especially if it was given to the children and geniuses. Their meridians and physical bodies hadn’t matured yet, and their aptitudes weren’t completely developed. Once they were supplied with even better resources, their future prospects would be immeasurable!

— Sure enough, the master they followed was extremely generous! Casting the support of their entire tribe hadn’t been in vain!

On the side, Gu Zuo noticed Ao Min’s happiness, and couldn’t help silently giving his big brother a mental thumbs-up.

Ah, this was buying the hearts of the people… Although an origin beast’s blood and flesh were precious, increasing the levels of one’s own battle slaves and gaining their heartfelt gratitude was even more beneficial.

Tianheng didn’t have much else to say. After casually bestowing this reward, he continued to give instructions: “I was allocated one flood dragon claw, and many bundles of flood dragon sinews. In addition, the scales, skin, and other parts are all top-notch materials for refining spirit weapons. The Iron Ox race possesses talents who can make use of them. Among the materials, some will be given to the Iron Ox race to be handled by proficient weapon smiths. If they can produce top-notch spirit weapons, I’ll reward them as well.”

Ao Min naturally complied.

Tianheng gave another smile: “All of you battle slaves have been following me, and it has been hard work. I also haven’t forgotten your contributions. If the Iron Ox race is able to successfully refine these good things, I’ll naturally prioritize my own people. This will also increase the strengths of my subordinated battle slaves.”

Ao Min became even more deferential.

Soon after, Tianheng gave further instructions, and Ao Min memorized them one by one. Many things that couldn’t be used at the moment were properly stored away so they wouldn’t be wasted or lost.

Following this, Tianheng spoke to Gu Zuo: “Ah Zuo, when you’re refining medicine, you’ll also run short of this type of medicinal ingredient. For me and you, there’s one hundred fifty thousand kilograms of flood dragon flesh, thirty vats of ordinary blood, ten thousand scales, ten bundles of sinews, thirty sheets of skin… Once you’ve used them up, ask me for more. The others can’t utilize anything that was contaminated with blood poison, so it all goes to you. Also, there’s two more things. The medicinal effects of the flood dragon’s eyes are exceptional. Although most of it has been damaged, it just so happens to suit your realm. I also got ten drops of blood essence from the flood dragon’s heart. Ah Zuo can attempt to refine top-notch medicinal pills with them.”

Gu Zuo knew that he would certainly get his own share of the medicinal ingredients on that origin flood dragon’s body, but he didn’t expect that it would be such a large share. He immediately revealed a great, big smile: “Many thanks, big brother! I’ll definitely research even better medicinal pills as soon as possible. I’ll give them to big brother…and big brother’s subordinates to raise their strengths!”

When Tianheng heard this, he smiled and replied: “This elder brother believes in Ah Zuo.”

Gu Zuo had obtained so many good things. He went with Tianheng to where those spoils of war were stockpiled, and placed everything that was part of his share into the Divine Medicine Palace Hall. When he had free time, he intended to promptly begin researching.

Among his pill prescriptions, there were lots of pills that utilized flood dragon-type materials for refinement. Moreover, many had unusual functions. Once these pills were refined, they could enhance the strength of a martial artist’s physical body. Some carried an extremely faint trace of dragon power, which would allow a martial artist who practiced the corresponding cultivation methods to improve at lightning speed. Others could imbue a martial artist’s body with a tiny portion of the flood dragon’s skills… In short, the effects would be much better than simply consuming the flood dragon’s flesh directly.

With so many origin flood dragon medicinal ingredients, he was convinced that he could make the most of it!

Overwhelmed by his emotions, Gu Zuo’s eyes gleamed as he followed Tianheng back to their courtyard. Right now, he wanted to start refining immediately. But…

Before Gu Zuo and Tianheng could finish their talk, a battle slave suddenly came over to give a report. As it turned out, another prodigy had come to visit. And this time around, the visiting prodigy was actually the Ice Phoenix Goddess.

At once, Gu Zuo’s footsteps, which were moving towards their room, came to a halt.

The Ice Phoenix Goddess… Why on earth did she come to find his big brother?

After that, he pretended as if he never wanted to go back to their room. He turned around, and proceeded to sit down.

Tianheng glanced at him, and softly chuckled.

Gu Zuo’s face heated up a little bit, but he still acted as if nothing happened. Like a seasoned general, he held back his own troops, and bided his time.

At this moment, the Ice Phoenix Goddess leisurely walked in, bearing a faint chill and wearing a full-length, snow-white robe. As before, her complexion was indescribably lucid and elegant. Her temperament was also cold and indifferent, but after she arrived, she was natural and unrestrained as she sat across from Tianheng.

Tianheng slightly indicated: “The arrival of this goddess brings light to my humble dwelling.”

The frigid features of the Ice Phoenix Goddess unexpectedly revealed an extremely faint trace of a smile. Like the first bloom of a winter plum flower, this beauty would momentarily take a person’s breath away: “Brother Gongyi, you overpraise me.”

Gu Zuo: “…”

Why did this lady have to come here…

For some reason, a sense of crisis was clawing its way out of his chest.

Regardless of the angle that Gu Zuo used to look at the Ice Phoenix Goddess, he felt that she was truly, bewitchingly gorgeous. Compared to the beautiful people he had seen in the modern world, not only did her beauty resemble nature itself, even her temperament and grace were unprecedented. No matter the type of man, when such a beautiful woman was looked upon with a flattering gaze, she would inevitably feel pleased with herself. If she expressed goodwill of her own accord, it would be hard for anyone to resist her charms — What’s more, apart from outward appearances, her other qualifications were also outstanding. For instance, when it came to her aptitudes, she was a prodigy, too!

After thinking about it, this would leave one feeling dismayed…

Ever since he came to this world, Gu Zuo had seen many good-looking women. There had even been a few with special constitutions in Qingyun Sect. Though, to be honest, besides the ones who hadn’t completely grown up, the physical assets of the other women couldn’t compare to that of the Ice Phoenix Goddess. It wasn’t known if it was because Gu Zuo had a crooked thinking process or some other reason, but Gu Zuo had never guarded against those girls before. Contrary to expectations, he was actually a bit repelled by this Ice Phoenix Goddess.

If there was anything that was worth being glad about, it was probably that his family’s big brother didn’t continue the conversation after the Ice Phoenix Goddess’ modest comment. Tianheng only sipped his tea and smiled. He didn’t speak at all…

However, Gu Zuo’s cheer didn’t last two seconds.

Though his big brother didn’t talk, that Ice Phoenix Goddess took the initiative to speak instead!

Following this, she slightly parted her lips, and chatted with Tianheng.

The subject matter contained discussions about martial disciplines, unobtrusive praises for Tianheng, and some topics that would probably interest geniuses… One couldn’t focus on how the Ice Phoenix Goddess had a temperament as cold as snow. While she didn’t speak often, once she started chatting with someone, there truly weren’t any awkward silences.

As Gu Zuo continued to listen, he became even more gloomy.

This definitely showed that…

Unfortunately, he couldn’t bring himself to say it.

Later on, Gu Zuo discovered that he didn’t understand some of the things they talked about when it came to martial disciplines. Gradually, he withdrew into himself… It wasn’t to escape. Rather, there was just this constant droning in his ears. He could no longer differentiate the contents of the discussion.

In any case, he wouldn’t leave.

He absolutely didn’t want to leave the two of them alone in their own little world!

Just like this, he waited with a mind muddled with chaotic thoughts until a hand pressed onto his shoulder. Gu Zuo was frightened, and almost jumped up from his seat.

A low and soft voice was heard: “Ah Zuo? Ah Zuo?”

Gu Zuo snapped out of it, and suddenly discovered that the Ice Phoenix Goddess had disappeared.

He paused: “Big brother? Did Goddess Mu leave?”

Tianheng smiled: “She left. Ah Zuo didn’t say anything the entire time. Do you feel hurt anywhere?”

Gu Zuo hastily shook his head: “I’m fine.” He thought of something, and hesitated, “Just now, my thoughts drifted, and I didn’t pay attention… Big brother, Goddess Mu came to find you. Was it just to chat?”

Tianheng laughed in spite of himself. He reached out a hand, and patted Gu Zuo’s head: “It really wasn’t like that.”

Gu Zuo was worried: “Then, what was it?”

Tianheng said: “She sought me out for the same reason that Qi Xuanao did. She invited me to explore a secret land together with her. The terms were also very generous.”

Soon after, he slightly shook his head: “However, I rejected her.”

Gu Zuo held his breath: “Big brother, why did you refuse?”

Tianheng smiled and said: “A gift freely given may have strings attached. As a fellow prodigy, she yielded the benefits, so there certainly must be a reason. We aren’t familiar with one another, and I’m not willing to receive such generous treatment only to suffer trouble in the future. By lucky coincidence, Qi Xuanao has already invited me, so I can distance myself from this matter without damaging a good relationship.”

Gu Zuo’s heart, which had been hanging by a thread, slowly settled down.

From his big brother’s words, there wasn’t any need to talk about anything else. At the very least, that Ice Phoenix Goddess was still inside the range of his big brother’s vigilance. There weren’t any special impressions…

T

/N: I made some minor retroactive changes to the ranking system.

Thanks for the correction, Charysa.

Please don’t forget to support the original author.