Chapter 198 - 199: Ancient Lantern Jade
“Zhu Minglang, you needn’t worry too much. There are many wonders in this world, and as long as life hasn’t truly reached its end, conditions of a weakened life soul can actually be remedied,” Mr. Jinli said.
“We need the Ancient Lantern Jade,” Nan Yuso said.
Lantern Jade?
Zhu Minglang remembered that it was a special jade artifact used to replenish vitality. It required intense flames to ignite the jade from within, allowing it to emit a glow that would bring life’s breath to people.
The special prohibitions of the Azure Dragon Country made the Lantern Jade the only ticket to enter it.
However, Lantern Jade was extremely rare.
Even the Royal Family couldn’t meet the demand for it.
The Ancient Lantern Jade that Nan Yuso mentioned was clearly of an even higher quality.
“My grandmother has told us that once we use the Language of Soul Burning, we must find the Ancient Lantern Jade to make up for the cost of the soul’s passing, otherwise we won’t live past twenty-five… But I have ventured through many forbidden lands and have never found the Ancient Lantern Jade on the Li Chuan Continent,” Nan Yuso said.
“Of course you couldn’t find it,” Mr. Jinli said.
Zhu Minglang looked at Mr. Jinli, anxious.
“The Ancient Lantern Jade is the original Divine Jade of the Divine Dragon Sect, controlled by the Divine Consort who could command the Ancestrial Dragon. After the sect split, it gave birth to the Purple Sect Clan, Azure Dragon Palace, Ancient Dragon Palace, Divine and Mortal Academy, Dragon Taming Academy, and many other factions. The Ancient Lantern Jade was divided into several pieces and became the most authoritative symbol of these major forces. Additionally, some nations that have been around for thousands of years also use the Ancient Lantern Jade as a royal seal, representing supreme royal power,” Mr. Jinli continued.
Upon hearing this, Zhu Minglang’s eyes lit up.
Fortunately, it wasn’t a legendary untraceable object.
As long as it still existed in this world, Zhu Minglang could find it!
“So the treasures of the major forces and the symbols of national royal power are in the Imperial City, right?” Zhu Minglang said.
“Such a thing would only be entrusted to others in the face of existential threats, not so easily otherwise,” Nan Yuso had not expected that the Ancient Lantern Jade would be on the Supreme Court Courtyard Continent, and that it was hidden by various ancient forces.
“Probably, but it’s not something money can buy. Of course, a lot and a lot of money might stand a chance… Go ask Master Zhu, he should know,” Mr. Jinli said.
Zhu Minglang looked at the beauty quietly lying on the bed, his heart full of pity.
She had finally untangled the knots between her brows, and at last, she could set down all her burdens and walk with him, to Snow Heko Country, to Man City, to the Exotic Realm.
But why did she fall?
She could have watched the flowers bloom and fade in the courtyard like any other woman, chatting with other ladies about the colors of their clothes and the scents of their makeup, but instead, she drained her life and soul on the battlefield.
“Okay, take good care of her,” Zhu Minglang nodded.
Although the Immortal Rabbit Dragon had put it delicately, Zhu Minglang already knew that Li Yunzi’s life was not long for this world.
Zhu Minglang still remembered the determination in her eyes as she witnessed the fall of the Supreme Court Courtyard Continent.
She didn’t know what the Supreme Court Courtyard Continent was, nor the strength of the people there; at that time, she was even fighting a lone battle.
But she resolutely defended this land, simply because it was home to the people she cared about.
There weren’t many people she cared about, and he was fortunate to be in her eyes and in her heart.
Whether it was a wandering person.
Or a silk farming commoner.
Or a Dragon Shepherd.
Or once a glorious Sword Master…
Zhu Minglang knew that the person he had been with was Li Yunzi all along, because she had looked at him the same way from the beginning to the end.
When he was insignificant and of no use, she never took out her humiliation on him.
As he slowly entered her world, she never intentionally distanced herself or excluded him.
Fate had arranged for him to be with her, and although their initial encounter was bitter, the heavens had still given them a chance and time to understand each other.
Zhu Minglang hoped that this time for mutual understanding could last a little longer.
Not just up to now.
It didn’t matter if there were twists and turns or many changes.
He just hoped for more time…
Upon arriving at the Lake Central Book Pavilion, Zhu Minglang felt somewhat heavy-hearted.
He saw Zhu Heavenly Officer standing at the entrance.
Zhu Heavenly Officer, seeing the expression on Zhu Minglang’s face, put aside his usual immature and worldly manner.
“Aside from that one time your mother refused to see you, it’s rare to see you like this. What’s wrong?” Zhu Heavenly Officer asked.
“Father, do you know about the Ancient Lantern Jade?” Zhu Minglang said.
There and then, Zhu Minglang briefly explained Li Yunzi’s physical condition to Zhu Heavenly Officer.
“Such an extraordinary girl, it is indeed a pity that her life is frail. This Ancient Lantern Jade you speak of is indeed a symbol of the various major powers and nations, but to say it would only appear in times of life and death, it’s not that strict,” Zhu Heavenly Officer said.
“The Royal Family should have one, right?” Zhu Minglang asked.
The lamp jade and Ancient Lantern Jade should be similar things.
Lamp jade is used to maintain one’s vitality, while the Ancient Lantern Jade can bestow vitality upon one’s soul.
“The Royal Family really doesn’t have one. You also know that the existence of the Dragon Country has made lamp jade an extremely rare item. If the Royal Family had the Ancient Lantern Jade, they’d most likely have used it to acquire resources from the Dragon Country long ago. The other powers and countries, especially the oldest ones, definitely have it; even if they don’t, they know the whereabouts of the Ancient Lantern Jade. If you can offer something of equal value, they would be willing to trade… However, you might have to travel far and wide then, as those powers’ headquarters are in different places on the Supreme Court Continent,” Zhu Heavenly Officer said.
“Running around is not something I’m afraid of. I had planned to travel around anyway, and this gives me direction, so I won’t be wandering aimlessly,” Zhu Minglang said.
“Right, I’ll have someone gather more information about the Ancient Lantern Jade for you, and I’ll let you know as soon as there’s news. You don’t need to worry too much,” Zhu Heavenly Officer said, patting Zhu Minglang on the shoulder.
“Then I won’t stay here for the New Year,” Zhu Minglang said.
“Oh, right!!” Suddenly, Zhu Heavenly Officer cried out as if he had just remembered something important.
Zhu Minglang was used to Zhu Heavenly Officer’s dramatic reactions and calmly looked at him.
“Right, your mother must have one! The Miao Mountain Sword Sect! I remember now, the one and only time I was allowed to step into the Miao Mountain Sword Sect when I married your mother, I saw an ancient tower. That tower stored a very rare lamp jade, which I didn’t recognize at the time, but thinking about it carefully now, that seems to be the Ancient Lantern Jade!” Zhu Heavenly Officer exclaimed loudly.
“Really??” Zhu Minglang said with joy.
“Absolutely true. That ancient tower, originally made of Liuli and magically colorful, shone like the Divine Tower due to the illumination of that ancient lamp jade. I even asked your mother what it was, and she said it was a symbol of their Miao Mountain Sword Sect,” Zhu Heavenly Officer said.
“That’s wonderful.”
“Son, you might be getting happy a bit too early.”
“Uh…”
The surge of joy that had just welled up was quickly tempered as they thought of the rules of the Miao Mountain Sword Sect; both father and son fell into deep thought.