Soul Trigger

Chapter 566 Tengjun's Fear

But King Guling did not linger; he raised his hand and then disappeared from the spot.

Ji Li glanced around, temporarily putting the matter of the Lonely Prince out of his mind.

The stone dragon that the local tyrant offered to advance him was clearly of great interest to Philin, and it was an unexpected bonus.

Tengjun also needs to go back and discuss his intentions with his father, as well as what exactly the crazy woman's coming is all about, so he can make preparations in advance.

Taking out his phone, Ji Li accessed an anonymous overseas messaging app, typed a message to the tombstone, and left the Forbidden City while talking to Fei Lin's voice in his ear.

Standing on the outer city wall of the Forbidden City, the Lonely King turned his head slightly, clearly observing Ji Li.

"What kind of magic does this kid possess...?"

Recalling his negotiation with Tengjun just now, King Guling couldn't help but feel a little surprised—

Tengjun was being too easy to talk to today.

When Tengjun expressed his intention to make Ji Li a Nirvana Dragon General, he was already prepared to debate with the other party on Ji Li's behalf.

But to everyone's surprise, not only did Ji Li spout a bunch of sarcastic nonsense, but Teng Jun, who was so angry, actually gave in.

It's a joke! Even if you told King Yuanling, he probably wouldn't believe it. Tengjun gave in...

In Ji Li's eyes, the negotiation just now went very smoothly, without even a close call.

But in the heart of the Lonely King, he was constantly shocked by Ji Li's outrageous remarks. It was just that no one could see his face, otherwise his "aloof" aura would inevitably be broken.

He and Tengjun had known each other for a long time, and there had been many frictions between them over the years. Given Tengjun's relentless nature, the conflicts between them usually ended with Guling Wang's cold treatment.

Sometimes, giving the cold shoulder also means making a concession.

Is Ji Li really so special that even Teng Jun, who was determined to "burn his boats," would give in?

Or is it for some other reason...?

Just as he was lost in thought, a slight throbbing of the soul trigger brought him to a halt:

"Ok?"

In the soul trigger perception of the Lonely King, an unfamiliar spiritual entity entered the Forbidden City, heading straight for the Tengjun Palace, and the Imperial Guards did not stop it—

"Tengjun's guest?"

……

In the pitch-black hall, only the blood-red candlelight flickered and shimmered.

The tortoise will stand quietly beside the high position, bowing slightly:
"Your Majesty, are you sure what you're doing is alright?"

With a slight movement of his eerie eyes, Tengjun had clearly returned to his original form:

"Has the item been delivered?"

"It's been sent over."

"It's understandable that the kid doesn't want to become a Nirvana Dragon General, but it's rare to see someone who dares to challenge me so sarcastically to my face."

Tengjun squinted, seemingly still somewhat unsatisfied with what had just happened:

"However, he does have that kind of capital. Given his eccentricities, it's not like we can't back down a bit. He can actually help me with that 'bet'."

The tortoise said worriedly:
“That’s not what I’m worried about. Don’t you think you’ve been a little too lenient today?”

"Sitting in this position, one should naturally show some tolerance. Do you perhaps think I'm like Empress Teng, influenced by that brat?"

The tortoise remained silent, clearly acquiescing, which drew a cold snort from Tengjun:
"Worrying is unfounded."

"Do you think all my probing and preparations were in vain? I gave him leniency because of the secret he was hiding, and also because it was the perfect opportunity for him to get involved in this bet."

So even if he spouts nonsense in front of me, I can tolerate his unyielding attitude. Why can't we be more tolerant of someone who is useful?

The tortoise general did not refute this, but bowed and said:
"You're right. Speaking of which, there's something I'm not sure if I should say."

"explain."

"The matter you entrusted to me is now on track. In that case, Your Majesty, could you please give me that thing..."

"No."

Tengjun's voice was resolute:
"You've been by my side for so long, and you still don't know my temper? You'll get all the rewards you deserve, but don't mention it until the job is done."

The turtle will prop itself up:

"Then why are you willing to give the Bloodstone Dragon in advance to Yuanling's heir?"

"of course……"

Teng Jun subconsciously wanted to make him realize Ji Li's importance, but the words caught in his throat.

Is Ji Li really that important?

Indeed, based on all the information he'd seen about this kid since he came out of seclusion, he could see a special side to him.

Whether it was the Singularity Event, the Dragon Leap Festival Event, or the later events involving the docks and the Abyss Prince's Mansion that he actively planned and participated in, he played a crucial role in all of them.

He was quite surprised to find that the coffin of the Eye of Truth had been opened, and that he had even gained the favor of the Eye of Truth.

But why did it come to this?
Yes, that's why I would give him something as important as the Bloodstone Dragon ahead of time, and why I would do it voluntarily.

He gradually realized the gravity of the problem and fell silent, his eerie pupils slightly contracting.
Ji Li ultimately refused him and didn't insist on having the Bloodstone Dragon, so why did he offer to give it to him at that moment? It was like...

Is it like trying to please someone?
Flames appeared in his pupils: No, no…

Recalling his conversation with Ji Li not long ago, Teng Jun felt increasingly uneasy:
Not only here, but why did I so easily back down, abandon several other options in my mind, and instead drag him into that "bet"?
Finally, the image of Teng Hou's joyful gaze as she looked at Ji Li came to mind.

This scene jolted him awake as if from a dream, his pupils shrinking sharply:
I was affected.

Even though I meticulously planned to counter that kid's abilities, and he ultimately appeared as a stone dragon clone, I was still affected.

He carefully recalled the changes in his thoughts earlier and was surprised to find that his consciousness had changed to some extent the moment Ji Li entered his perception.

The change was so subtle that he didn't even notice it.

The change became more and more pronounced from the moment he began talking to Ji Li. He became increasingly tolerant of the other party's presumptuous attitude, and even eventually took the initiative to please him, voluntarily retrieving the Bloodstone Dragon that Ji Li had demanded...

A layer of cold sweat seeped out on Tengjun's forehead.

If one possesses an alluring spiritual quality, and it is merely a simple charm, then naturally one can use various methods to evade and counter it.

But this kind of subtle, gradual influence on his thinking was something Teng Jun had never encountered before.

The influence and infiltration of that spiritual energy did not change his idea of ​​using Ji Li, nor did it make him "obsessed" with Ji Li. Instead, it followed his original plan and intentions, making him believe that Ji Li's existence was very "important" to his plan.

That's why he was willing to keep backing down and tolerating Ji Li's offensive words.

His spiritual essence, "Desperate measures," the will to achieve his goal by any means necessary and never back down, seemed to lose all influence on his soul at that moment, instead falling into the permeation of the enchanting spiritual essence.

Is that enchanting spiritual quality enough to reach such a terrifying level?

"Terrifying, absolutely terrifying... That Yuanling King has given birth to a monster..."

The tortoise general looked at Teng Jun's figure in the darkness and bowed slightly:
"His Majesty……"

He sighed inwardly, thinking to himself, "You've finally realized the problem."

Teng Jun suddenly raised his hand:
"It's alright, this kind of thing is just a minor accident at most, it's nothing to worry about..."

A powerful and enchanting spiritual quality, huh? I should really be glad I met you today, little fellow from the Yuanling Prince's Mansion. Otherwise, I would never have been able to truly understand the fear in the hearts of those who committed suicide during the dock incident.

He grinned:

"Even so, I still made the right choice, letting him handle the multinational joint visit, which suits his abilities perfectly. If used properly, he's still a sharp weapon..."

Seeing the cold sweat on Tengjun's forehead, a hint of worry flashed in the turtle general's eyes.

Tengjun was chosen by the Dragon Vein, and possessed the qualities and strength of a spiritual master, yet he was still influenced by that boy from the Yuanling Royal Family.

If not handled carefully, it could pose a significant threat to Tengjun's objectives.

Just as he was about to speak again to remind Tengjun, the blood-red candlelight suddenly flickered, and Tengjun's eerie eyes narrowed:
A white phantom appeared below, with a halo of shadowy white light behind it.

Teng Jun's eyes narrowed, quickly suppressing his suspicions about Ji Li, and his voice became steady:
"You are the pawn in this game?"

Bai Ying performed a standard European aristocratic bow:
"El Salvador pays homage to you, Your Majesty Teng Jun."

“‘Rage’ El Salvador?” His eerie eyes flickered slightly.

"Grand Duke Ludwig has something to tell you."

"What did he want to say?"

He said, "Old classmate, I won the last round."

Tengjun's eerie eyes flashed suddenly, revealing a hint of extreme shock, which he quickly suppressed. Laughter then echoed from the high seat:

"What, is he experiencing the promotion paradox?"

"That's not the case. He just left the promotion ceremony two days later than you."

"That's a real miscalculation..."

The expression in Tengjun's eyes vanished quickly, replaced by a blank look of neither sorrow nor joy.

"So, as is customary, this time the stage will be set in Mirage City. What are the rules? Multi-country visits? The Dragon Vein of China? Or the Great Tomb..."

"Neither, Your Majesty."

El Salvador said softly:
"The most valuable things in the mirage city."

"what?"

"The content of this round of bet between Archduke Ludwig and you is 'to find the most valuable thing in Mirage City'."

Tengjun fell silent for a long while before saying:

"So, on my end, I need to try my best to hide the stuff well? What about the stakes?"

"If the Grand Duke finds it, firstly, he wants to have the freedom to dispose of it as he sees fit. Secondly, he wants to take away all the dragon vein energy that has now expanded to White Island."

"That's quite boastful. But unfortunately, according to the original agreement, I refuse this round of the bet."

The white figure's face was contorted, seemingly in a smile:
"Does Your Majesty lack confidence so much? Why not listen to the Grand Duke's terms?"

"No matter the conditions, this bet is absurd."

"Is the 'evil serpent' also absurd?"

As the last syllable faded, a long silence fell over the hall.

After that deathly silence, Tengjun spoke:

"He's really willing to spend money."

"Of course I'm willing to give it up."

"In that case, I accept this round of the bet."

"So good."

Bai Ying bowed:

"Then I'll take my leave now. Have a pleasant day..."

"and many more."

Tengjun called out to the other party:
"Don't try to use your ability in Mirage City, otherwise, even if the bet is eventually settled, I will kill you first."

El Salvador paused slightly, a hint of amusement in his voice:
"That is certainly the case, Your Majesty."

The white figure vanished swiftly from the main hall, and the dark hall returned to silence. After a long while, Tengjun's laughter could be heard.

Do you think he'll fall for it?

"I think your old classmate has taken the bait."

Teng Jun chuckled coldly.

The most valuable thing... Ha, so what if you know about the "Ascension Wheel" created by Li Jiangxing?

Dear old classmate, you're probably going to lose badly this time.

……

Inside an underground space within the Yuanling Prince's Mansion, hired workers had already placed the stone dragon inside.

As the last hired hand left, Ji Li took out his pocket watch, and the phantom image of Felin appeared beside him.

"So what exactly is this thing?"

Ji Li circled the stone dragon, probing it from all sides.

According to Tengjun, the Blood Pool was created from this stone carving and possesses special effects on both the soul and the body.

"And it also has the so-called 'immortality' effect, Black Goat, have you ever wondered why?"

Ji Li found Fei Lin's question somewhat strange, and it wasn't until Fei Lin asked him to take out the Time Domain Dagger that he realized something was amiss—

The Time Domain Dagger emitted a slight fluctuation, indicating the presence of another fragment of the power of a great thunderbolt nearby.

Ji Li looked slightly surprised, his gaze fixed on the stone carving:
"Is it because this thing contains fragments of time?"

Why are there time fragments of Felin within the Shulong Realm?

Film's voice was calm:

"Whether it is or not, you'll know once you open it and take a look."

Ji Li leaped up the ground with a few quick taps and easily removed the stone sculpture's crown.

It was a stone Western-style crown, its surface covered with densely packed, extinguished spiritual circuits.

As it fell into Ji Li's hands, the tremor within the Time Domain Dagger became increasingly pronounced.

After examining the crown for a while and finding no obvious signs that it could be opened, Ji Li tried to crush it, but found that it was incredibly hard and could not be moved at all.

At Philin's prompting, he placed the pocket watch and the crown together, and then unleashed a burst of iridescent spiritual energy.

With a crisp sound, the crown shattered completely, and a crystal fell out, causing the Time Domain Dagger to tremble violently.

That's right, this thing is indeed a fragment of time, but it's different from the fragments Ji Li has seen.

This thing is actually red.

Suddenly, Felin's eyes flickered, a flash of anger leaping within them:

"The Tower of Babel..."

Ji Li picked up the fragment and examined it closely. It was indeed significantly different from the Time Domain Dagger in his hand.
"This is... pollution?"

(End of this chapter)