Feng Qingran stepped into the garden and looked at the dazzlingly beautiful flowers, feeling not the slightest urge to pick any of them.
Over the years, the number of fierce beasts within the Ten Directions Domain hadn’t decreased in the slightest. She wondered where Qi found the fertilizer for them.
Creak!—
Qi pushed the door open. “After several hundred years, still not a single one that catches your eye?”
Feng Qingran shook her head. “Beautiful things are meant to be appreciated, not defiled.”
“Then what kind of flowers do you like?” Qi’s clear, bright eyes were filled with curiosity.
A flicker of light passed through Feng Qingran’s gaze as countless types of flowers flashed through her mind. Almost as if compelled by some unseen force, she said, “Red spider lilies.”
“Red spider lilies aren’t something that can be cultivated casually. Miss Feng’s preferences are truly unique.” A strange glint appeared in Qi’s gentle eyes.
The two entered the courtyard and sat down.
As usual, Qi poured a cup of tea for Feng Qingran.
Feng Qingran accepted the teacup and placed it on the table, her gaze falling upon the Go board.
This game had been ongoing for nearly a hundred years, yet the board still held only a handful of pieces.
“Miss Feng, since you’re leaving the Ten Directions Domain tomorrow, I have a gift for you.” With a wave of his sleeve, Qi revealed a black egg, about half a foot tall, lying in the center of the Go board.
Feng Qingran’s delicate brows furrowed slightly, her eyes flashing with surprise.
The patterns on this eggshell were actually identical to those on Feng Ci’s body!
Puzzled, Feng Qingran asked, “What is this?”
“This is the key to the Ten Directions Domain. If you can hatch the beast inside this egg and gain its recognition, the Ten Directions Domain will belong to you, Miss Feng.” A hint of purple light flashed through Qi’s clear, bright eyes.
It was so brief that Feng Qingran thought it might have been her imagination.
“Isn’t the Ten Directions Domain a secret realm?” Feng Qingran’s gaze turned profound. A secret realm that had evolved into a minor world generally couldn’t be taken away by a contractor.
Qi replied nonchalantly, “The Ten Directions Domain is actually a fragmented void space. Its original world consciousness was divided among the fierce beasts, leaving the domain without a governing heavenly order.”
Feng Qingran narrowed her almond-shaped eyes, remaining silent.
She had a feeling Qi was testing her!
After all, if the Ten Directions Domain was truly a void space, why wouldn’t Elder Yinglong know about it?
And if it really were a void space, why didn’t the person who sent the fierce beasts here keep the domain with them?
Qi continued, “I know you have many questions, Miss Feng. But there are some things I am not clear about either. All I know is that the Ten Directions Domain needs an owner to help it regain its vitality…”
“And you are the only one who can accomplish this.”
Feng Qingran didn’t fully believe Qi’s words. “So, the reason my Seventh Senior Brother and the others could enter before was because of you?”
Qi nodded. “I originally wanted Mo Jinghong to become the master of the Ten Directions Domain, but he refused. However, he promised to send people in for me to choose from, and I was responsible for secretly ensuring their safety.”
Understanding dawned in Feng Qingran’s eyes. So, her smooth escape from the Chaos Beast’s jaws had all been due to Qi’s covert assistance.
Feng Qingran ran her hand over the eggshell. The aura it emitted was very similar to Feng Ci’s.
Could Feng Ci and the Ten Directions Domain be connected in some way?
“Even if I gain its recognition, it won’t work for now. I don’t have a cave abode to house the Ten Directions Domain.” Feng Qingran thought of the Seven-colored Mystic Bracelet.
Perhaps after she advanced to the Soul Transformation stage, she could place the Ten Directions Domain inside it.
“Miss Feng, you have already gained the recognition of the beasts. There’s no need to rush.” Qi’s eyes grew deep and inscrutable.
“I’ll accept the gift. Thank you.” Feng Qingran took out a storage pouch and placed the egg inside.
Suddenly, she realized something. If the storage pouch worked, why couldn’t she access her own spatial storage?
————————
The next day.
Under the intense gazes of the numerous fierce beasts, Feng Qingran walked towards the teleportation platform.
The beasts were practically thinking: Hurry up and leave! Why are you moving so slowly?
Feng Qingran reached the platform, placed her hand on it, and red light shimmered forth as the teleportation array activated.
The beasts watched with great envy. This platform could only be used by humans; any beast that approached would be flung away!
Just as Feng Qingran was about to step onto the platform—
A dragon’s roar echoed through the sky.
Immediately after, an awe-inspiring pressure descended.
The expressions of the beasts changed. This aura… it seemed to belong to those ancient beings who hadn’t emerged for millennia?
Did they intend to keep Feng Qingran here?
Please, no!
The beasts wailed inwardly, shouting in unison towards Feng Qingran, “Miss Feng, hurry onto the teleportation array!”
Feng Qingran looked up at the sky. Several colossal figures were flying towards them.
A look of joy spread across Feng Qingran’s face as she called out, “Elder Yinglong! Elder Zhulong! Elder Tai Gu! Elder Bi Fang…”
Simultaneously, the surrounding beasts retreated several dozen feet!
Yinglong approached Feng Qingran, retracted its pressure, and shrank in size. “Little one, you’re leaving today. Who knows when we’ll meet again? Here are some things to help you along your way.”
With a flap of its wings, Yinglong sent a ring falling into Feng Qingran’s hand.
Before Feng Qingran could even thank it, Yinglong was nudged aside by Tai Gu Mingshe.
Tai Gu Mingshe leaned close to Feng Qingran and handed her an ancient-looking wooden box. “My dear, I’ve heard the outside world is very dangerous. Hide this away and open it at a critical moment. It could save your life.”
“Thank you, Elder Mingshe. Thank you, Elder Yinglong. I truly appreciate your gifts.” Dimples appeared on Feng Qingran’s cheeks, her eyes filled with gratitude.
She had only given them some talismans, yet they had treated her with such kindness in return.
Tai Gu Mingshe seemed about to say more but was swept aside by Zhulong’s tail.
