Chapter 198 Three Gifts

Old Ancestor Dugu's expression was very calm as he spoke, as if he didn't care at all that he was about to pass away.

Ye Fan was speechless for a moment, not knowing what to say to comfort him.

"Young friend, don't worry. This old man has lived for hundreds of years and long ago looked past life and death. Now only one last wish remains, and I hope young friend can lend a hand."

"Senior, do you want me to resist the Gao Family and save Wushuang City?"

Old Ancestor Dugu nodded. Although he knew this was asking a bit much, there was no other way.

"Senior, I..."

Old Ancestor Dugu waved his hand, signaling Ye Fan not to speak yet.

"I know young friend has heaven-defying means, but to deal with a Golden Core Realm Cultivator is still a bit of a stretch."

"I won't force you; if young friend regrets it, you can leave at any time."

"Senior, I wanted to say..."

"Listen to me first."

"..."

"As the saying goes, no one stirs without an incentive. Although it sounds harsh, it is the truth of the world."

"As long as you are willing to protect Wushuang City, this low-grade spirit treasure will be yours," Old Ancestor Dugu said resolutely.

"A low-grade spirit treasure?!"

Wushuang City could, as an outsider clan, stand tall for so many years in Liaoyuan Prefecture because it naturally had some trump cards.

If not for Old Ancestor Dugu's Lifespan nearing its end, making him unable to unleash the power of this Spirit Treasure, even if the Gao Family Old Ancestor had several times more courage, he wouldn't dare come to cause trouble.

Old Ancestor Dugu summoned a brilliant Flying Sword while speaking. Even though he was used to seeing Spirit Treasures, Ye Fan couldn't help but be amazed, secretly noting that the sword's aura was very close to a mid-grade spirit treasure.

"This sword is named Chana and possesses the ability to freeze time. It was obtained by chance by my Dugu Family ancestor and has protected Wushuang City for generations. Countless Core Formation Realm Cultivators have died by it, and over ten Golden Core Realm ones as well..."

A flash of excitement lit up in Old Ancestor Dugu's eyes, but it quickly dimmed again.

"As long as you agree to help Wushuang City through this tribulation, this sword is yours."

To ask Ye Fan to take action, this Old Ancestor Dugu really went all out, even bringing out a low-grade spirit treasure.

To be fair, this price could even invite a Nascent Soul Realm Great Power to take action. But not to mention there are no Nascent Soul Realm existences in Liefeng Prefecture, even if there were, they wouldn't protect an outsider clan like Wushuang City; more likely they would swallow Wushuang City whole, leaving nothing behind.

Although Ye Fan had several Spirit Treasures, no one would complain about having too many of such good things.

He just wanted to say something, but was interrupted by Old Ancestor Dugu again.

"Besides this, I also plan to betroth Meng'er to you, to serve as your slave or maid at your command."

"Uh... this..."

"Don't be in a hurry to refuse. I have one last great gift for you."

Old Ancestor Dugu's body suddenly trembled as he spoke, and his right hand plunged into his chest, actually pulling out his own Golden Core!

This sudden scene caught Ye Fan off guard, and it was too late to stop it.

With the Golden Core gone, Old Ancestor Dugu's decaying body became even more withered, and his aura weakened to near disappearance as he coughed up large mouthfuls of blood.

"Young friend, don't worry. I am already a dying man, and keeping this Golden Core is useless. I might as well give it to you as the third gift."

Old Ancestor Dugu waved his hand, and the Golden Core slowly fell into Ye Fan's hand.

Feeling the powerful energy contained within, even Ye Fan couldn't help but breathe heavily.

This was the essence of a Golden Core Realm Great Cultivator's entire power. Although the effect on cultivation wasn't as insane as a sarira, the cultivation insights within were equally precious.

For example, breaking through to the Golden Core Realm is like the college entrance exam. A Buddhist Cultivator's sarira can directly get you admitted, allowing you to go to university without taking the exam.

While the Golden Core's effect isn't strong enough to get you admitted directly, it can give you the answers so you can just copy them during the exam; there is almost no difference between the two when it comes to breaking through to the Golden Core Realm.

For a fellow Golden Core Realm Cultivator, this thing has almost no use and is less effective than a Spirit Pill.

But for a Core Formation Realm Cultivator, it's a priceless treasure. If word got out, who knows how many would fight to the death for it.

"If I give this to Su Ningxue, she should be able to break through to the Golden Core Realm soon. After the tenfold return..."

Ye Fan's breath nearly stopped at the thought; this was the first time he had been this excited since getting the System.

"How about it, Young Friend Ye, can you promise me to protect Wushuang City?"

Spirit Treasure, beauty, Golden Core—no one could stay calm seeing these three great gifts.

Old Ancestor Dugu had shown his greatest sincerity, only asking Ye Fan to protect Wushuang City; his old, cloudy eyes even showed a hint of pleading.

Ye Fan couldn't help but sigh at the sight, really unable to bear telling Old Ancestor Dugu that he had already decided to give it his best shot before this morning.

"Senior, rest assured. Unless a Nascent Soul Realm Great Power attacks, no one can break Wushuang City."

Seeing Ye Fan agree, Old Ancestor Dugu finally breathed a sigh of relief and couldn't help but shout 'Good!' three times before laughing out loud.

"Hahaha..."

But the laughter gradually faded and soon disappeared completely.

Seeing Old Ancestor Dugu motionless, a bad premonition rose in Ye Fan's heart.

"Senior?"

Ye Fan stepped forward to check, and a complex look appeared in his eyes.

Outside the Ancestral Hall, the Dugu father and daughter waited anxiously for the result. Although these conditions were very tempting, facing the danger of a Golden Core Realm Cultivator, the two didn't know if Ye Fan would agree.

A moment later, Ye Fan's figure slowly appeared. Dugu Meng's face instantly turned extremely pale, her voice trembling slightly.

"Old... Old Ancestor, he..."

"Senior Dugu... has passed away."

Although she had known this might be the outcome, Dugu Meng still couldn't bear it; her body went weak and she almost collapsed to the ground.

Dugu Jin had an expression as if the sky had fallen, not daring to think what would become of Wushuang City after losing the Old Ancestor's protection.

Although Old Ancestor Dugu was a Golden Core Realm Great Cultivator, whether to her, his junior, or others, he always had a smiling face.

Whether pointing out cultivation or teaching divine abilities, as long as it could strengthen Wushuang City, he almost never refused anyone.

Old Ancestor Dugu had protected Wushuang City for hundreds of years as if it were a single day, and even at the moment his lamp ran out of oil, he was still finding ways to protect it.

This spirit reminded Ye Fan of certain things from his previous life, and he couldn't help but feel a deep respect for him.

Dugu Meng was choked with sobs, finally collapsing into Ye Fan's arms and crying loudly, venting her helplessness and grief.

Ye Fan didn't know how to comfort her; he could only let Dugu Meng finish venting before slowly speaking.

"Don't worry, I have already promised Senior Dugu. As long as I am alive, I will never allow anyone to harm a single blade of grass or tree in Wushuang City."

Dugu Meng's crying stopped abruptly, and she stared blankly at Ye Fan, for a moment not knowing what to say.

In the end, it was Dugu Jin who reacted first. He didn't have time to grieve for the Old Ancestor's passing and was so excited he almost kowtowed to Ye Fan.