Hong Huang: I am the cowherd

Chapter 38 Zhulong’s Admiration

As Su Chen activated Hongmeng Nine Revolutions and channeled the Law of Strength to evolve into the Law of Wood, he began refining the Jianmu Fragment step by step.

Buzz!

After several days, the Jianmu Fragment completely fused into Su Chen’s True Spirit, radiating dense Chaotic Qi and Wood Law Power.

“This is…?”

Sensing the immense vitality emanating from the Jianmu Fragment, Su Chen couldn’t help but feel overjoyed.

“Can I actually use this fragment, which still retains its life force, to cultivate a new Chaos Spirit Root Jianmu?”

The mere thought made him eager to experiment.

Buzz!

The Chaotic Qi and Wood Law Power released by the Jianmu Fragment continuously refined Su Chen’s True Spirit, taking root within it like a sapling.

“I never imagined that this Jianmu Fragment would have such an incredible effect!”

Feeling how much his True Spirit had condensed and strengthened in such a short time, Su Chen was ecstatic. It was well known that for cultivators, the True Spirit Origin was the most important foundation. Once damaged, progressing further would become nearly impossible—let alone attaining sainthood.

But now with Jianmu nurturing his True Spirit, it would continuously refine and strengthen it. This meant that Su Chen’s True Spirit would only grow more powerful over time, his Dao foundation would become unshakable, and his path to enlightenment would be far smoother!

“If Zhulong knew that this Jianmu Fragment had such an incredible effect, he would probably regret it to death!”

A faint smile appeared on Su Chen’s lips. Zhulong clearly knew the true nature of the Jianmu Fragment—otherwise, he wouldn’t have safeguarded it within the core section of the treasure vault. However, he simply didn’t have the ability to activate its potential, leaving it to gather dust in the vault.

But in the entire Great Desolation, only Su Chen—who had inherited the Law of Strength—could awaken this fragment, allowing it to merge into his True Spirit and unleash its unparalleled ability to refine the soul!

As Su Chen reviewed his spoils from the Dragon Clan’s treasure vault, his smile only grew wider.

—

By the time Su Chen stepped out of the Dragon Clan’s treasure vault, 1,500 years had passed. Given his power, the fact that it took so long to explore and select treasures only underscored how vast the vault truly was.

“Young friend Su Chen, why be so reserved? You only took a few treasures from my Dragon Clan?”

Zhulong smiled kindly upon seeing Su Chen. He hadn’t expected that, despite facing an overwhelming abundance of divine treasures, Su Chen had only taken a handful. This restraint and self-discipline deeply impressed Zhulong.

Greed is human nature.

For Su Chen to restrain himself before such immense temptation demonstrated an incredibly strong will!

Understanding this, Zhulong now held Su Chen in even higher regard and was even more eager to establish a relationship with him.

“Many thanks for your generosity, Senior Zhulong. What I’ve taken is already more than enough.”

Su Chen cupped his hands and nodded slightly, reciprocating Zhulong’s goodwill. The compensation he had taken from the Dragon Vault was sufficient to settle their karma. As for the Dragon Clan’s goodwill, he was happy to accept it.

“You truly are a man of great character, young friend Su Chen. I admire you even more!”

Zhulong chuckled, his appreciation for Su Chen growing.

“Senior Zhulong overpraises me.”

“Oh, by the way, young friend Su Chen—Ao Guang previously mentioned that he has assigned Ao Tingxue as your foot servant. I hope you will take good care of her.”

“My Dragon Clan and your Jiejiao sect are neighbors. I hope we can strengthen our ties in the future and avoid any further conflicts like before.”

As Zhulong spoke, the proud and elegant Ao Tingxue stood gracefully beside him, her large eyes gazing at Su Chen.

During this time, Ao Tingxue had met the legendary Zhulong for the first time and had heard him praising Su Chen so highly. Her previous arrogance and aloofness had long since disappeared.

Now If she truly became Su Chen’s foot servant, it would be an honor for her!

Seeing the expectant looks from Zhulong, Ao Guang, and Ao Tingxue, Su Chen knew that refusing at this point would be a bit awkward. After all, he had just taken so many treasures from the Dragon Vault—if he immediately turned around and rejected their goodwill, wouldn’t that be like burning the bridge after crossing it?

Besides, having a Dragon Clan Princess—a pure Golden Dragon Bloodline—as his mount wouldn’t exactly diminish his status.

However, Ao Tingxue was a woman. If she became his mount, wouldn’t that feel a bit improper?

After considering for a moment, Su Chen spoke seriously.

“Senior Zhulong, having your Dragon Princess serve as my foot servant would be far too demeaning for her. How about this—I will take her as my personal attendant instead? I do happen to need someone to manage mundane affairs for me.”

“That would be perfect!”

Hearing Su Chen’s decision—and that he had actually elevated Ao Tingxue’s status—both Zhulong and Ao Guang were overjoyed.

“Your servant greets you, my lord!”

Without hesitation, Ao Tingxue offered up a wisp of her Life Soul, allowing it to float towards Su Chen. Humans possessed Essence, Qi, and Spirit, while innate beings and beasts possessed Heavenly, Earthly, and Life Souls.

As a pure Golden Dragon Bloodline, Ao Tingxue was an innate being. By offering Su Chen a wisp of her Life Soul, she was entrusting her very existence to him—her life and death would be entirely in his hands. This was an undeniable display of loyalty.

The higher a being’s status, the more they valued control over their own fate. Even if it meant death, most would never allow their lives to be placed in another’s hands. Yet Ao Tingxue had willingly done so.

“There’s no need to call me ‘Lord.’ Just address me as ‘Young Master’ from now on.”

Su Chen wasn’t particularly fond of being called ‘Lord’— ‘Young Master’ felt more fitting.

“As you wish, Young Master!”

Seeing Su Chen accept her Life Soul, Ao Tingxue knew that from this moment onward, she was truly his.

“Senior Zhulong, Dragon King, I will soon be setting off on my journey. For now, Tingxue will remain with the Dragon Clan. When I return, I will take her back to Jiejiao with me.”

Su Chen had his own plans—he was about to search for the Chaos Bead, and this was something no one could know about. Not even Ao Tingxue, despite her Life Soul now belonging to him.

“No problem. As long as young friend Su Chen remembers.”

Seeing that Su Chen had accepted Ao Tingxue, Zhulong and Ao Guang naturally had no objections.