78: Chapter 78 The Secret Realm Restored

"I can acknowledge you as my master."

"But I have one condition."

The Evil Dragon's low voice broke the silence in the pit.

"Oho, you still dare to state conditions to me?" Xiang Tian crossed his arms over his chest, looking down at it from above.

He gave a cold snort. "Do you think you have the qualification for that?"

"If you do not agree, I would rather perish together than submit." The Evil Dragon's tone was firm, without the slightest hesitation.

Clearly, this was no empty threat.

Xiang Tian raised an eyebrow.

After pondering for a moment, he nodded. "Oh? Then tell me. But let's get the unpleasantness out of the way first—if the condition is too demanding, I won't agree."

He had his own calculations in mind.

The ability of the Soul Locking Hand had to be established on the basis of the other party's active consent.

If he pushed too hard...

...and this Evil Dragon really sought death, it would be a net loss.

"I want you to help me find her," the Evil Dragon said simply, its tone heavy.

Xiang Tian's pupils suddenly constricted.

This "her," he naturally knew who it was.

It was exactly the target he currently had to deal with. He hadn't expected the Evil Dragon to be looking for the same person.

This certainly saved a lot of trouble.

"Do you want to find her alive or dead?" Xiang Tian followed up with a calm tone.

The Evil Dragon fell silent for a moment before slowly speaking: "Dead or alive, I must find her."

"Heh, that makes things easy." Xiang Tian raised an eyebrow, secretly delighted.

This request had zero conflict with the task You Lingqing had assigned him.

He could even borrow the power of the Evil Dragon as an extra helping hand.

"I want you to swear on your Dao Heart that you will never break your promise," the Evil Dragon spoke again, adding a condition.

"Little Dragon, don't go too far!" Xiang Tian's aura sank.

His tone was icy. "I'm taking a step back, so don't you dare push your luck."

This had already exceeded his bottom line; it was purely a case of giving an inch and taking a mile.

[Host, just agree to it. A Dao Heart oath has a strong binding effect on others, but for you, the impact is negligible.]

"Oh? Really?" Xiang Tian's eyes instantly lit up.

The displeasure in his heart was swept away.

The System was indeed reliable; this wave was a guaranteed profit without any loss.

"Fine, seeing as you're fairly sincere, this Lord will grant your request." Xiang Tian raised his hand in a performative manner.

He spoke loudly toward the sky, "I, Xiang Tian, swear to the heavens that I will surely help Little Dragon find 'her'."

He paused.

He then asked: "By the way, what is the name of the 'her' you are looking for?"

You Lingqing hadn't told him the target's name, which was a key piece of information.

"Back then, I was saved by her, and I never asked her name." A flash of tenderness appeared in the Evil Dragon's eyes.

"But her aura is something I will never forget for all eternity."

Xiang Tian's gaze sharpened.

He secretly thought: Could it be an old flame? Otherwise, why would the Evil Dragon be so obsessed.

"In that case, we'll just refer to her as 'her'." After Xiang Tian finished speaking...

...he completed the rest of the oath.

"I've shown my sincerity, now it's time for you to fulfill your promise, right?"

As soon as he finished speaking...

...the Evil Dragon suddenly opened its mouth and forced out a drop of blackish-red essence blood from its body.

That essence blood hovered in the air, emitting a faint Dragon's Might.

"Master, this is my lifeblood essence. I am willing to use this as proof to acknowledge you as master and surrender." The essence blood slowly flew toward Xiang Tian.

"Mhm." Xiang Tian nodded.

Essence blood alone wasn't enough; control at the Soul level was essential.

"Soul Locking Hand!"

The Evil Dragon's body trembled slightly, and after struggling for only a moment, it stopped resisting.

Clearly, it was fully prepared.

*Buzz—*

The moment the master-recognition ceremony was completed.

The Evil Dragon's body suddenly shrank, transforming into the appearance of a young boy a few years old.

His skin was dark, and he was dressed in a suit of black clothes.

His appearance showed a hint of cleverness.

"Holy crap, did you migrate here from Africa?" Xiang Tian blurted out in shock.

"Master, your subordinate was born this way." The little boy bowed slightly with his hands cupped, his tone respectful.

"In that case, you'll be called Xiao Hei from now on." Xiang Tian gave it a name casually.

He then added, "Remember, call me Lord from now on. The title 'Master' is Bai Yu's exclusive right."

"Yes, Lord!" Xiao Hei responded with cupped hands again.

"Alright, for now, enter my exclusive space to rest and recover." Xiang Tian waved his hand.

He then took Xiao Hei into the System space.

This space was separated from Bai Yu's dwelling.

He knew that Xiao Yu was repelled by the Evil Dragon's aura.

Having dealt with the matter of the Evil Dragon.

Xiang Tian leaped up and flew out of the pit.

"Xiang Tian, are you really going to keep this black dragon by your side?" Ouyang Huamei immediately stepped forward, her dark brows furrowed.

"A Dragon is a Divine Beast; if used well, it will be a major capable subordinate." Xiang Tian didn't explain much.

Instead, he turned his gaze toward Ouyang Yunshan and the others.

But at the moment his gaze swept across the crowd.

The figures of Ouyang Yunshan's group actually became illusory one after another.

Then they directly vanished from within the Secret Realm.

"What's the situation?" Xiang Tian was completely bewildered.

He had planned to say a few words to everyone, but he hadn't expected them to vanish into thin air.

"Eh? Ouyang Huamei, why are you still here?" He turned to look at the woman beside him.

In the entire Secret Realm, only the two of them remained.

Ouyang Huamei didn't speak; she just took out a jade talisman and shook it.

A cunning smile curled at the corner of her mouth: "The Secret Realm has returned to normal. Those who crushed their jade talismans were teleported out, it's that simple."

As soon as she finished speaking.

She leaped up and threw herself directly onto Xiang Tian.

Her arms tightly encircled his neck.

"The entire Secret Realm only has us two left..." Ouyang Huamei's warm breath brushed against Xiang Tian's ear.

Then, a pair of soft, warm lips pressed against his cheek.

"Do you really think I don't dare to do anything to you?" Xiang Tian's heart warmed from her bold actions.

He also felt a bit caught between laughter and tears.

"Hehe, if you have the ability, then right here..." Ouyang Huamei's cheeks were flushed.

She gently rested her chin on Xiang Tian's shoulder, her tone shy.

"You said it!" Xiang Tian's gaze darkened.

He was just about to take the opportunity to hold her tightly.

But You Lingqing's voice suddenly came from his Sea of Consciousness.

"Kid, serious business is more important! Don't just focus on romance, go and check the place where the Evil Dragon was suppressed!"

Xiang Tian's movements instantly froze.

He felt displeased in his heart, but he also knew that You Lingqing wouldn't speak without reason.

"Ouyang Huamei, I have urgent business to deal with. I'm going ahead." He pushed the woman in his arms away, his tone hurried.

Ouyang Huamei was caught off guard.

She fell directly onto her back, looking quite pathetic.

"Xiang Tian, you bastard!" She scrambled to her feet.

She cursed angrily in the direction Xiang Tian had left.

Xiang Tian, however, had already turned into a streak of light and disappeared into the distance.

He didn't pay any attention to her swearing at all.

"Senior, did you discover something?" he asked in his Sea of Consciousness while speeding along.

His brows were tightly furrowed.

"Once you break through above the Saint Realm, you will naturally know." You Lingqing didn't state it clearly.

Xiang Tian didn't ask further and fully activated his Spiritual Qi to rush on his way.

After about a day.

He finally stopped beside a space crack.

"Hmm? There's actually a space crack here?" Xiang Tian's gaze focused.

"That's right, it's here." You Lingqing's voice rang out.

"The Evil Dragon was suppressed here back then. The core function of this Secret Realm was to Seal it."

You Lingqing's phantom floated out from Xiang Tian's Sea of Consciousness.

Before Xiang Tian could react, she flashed and dove into the space crack.

"Senior!" Xiang Tian cried out in surprise.

He also hurriedly followed her inside.

The space on the other side of the crack wasn't very large.

It was roughly equivalent to the size of the Forbidden City from his past life.

As soon as he stepped in.

Xiang Tian was stunned by the sight before him.

The ground was covered with Spirit Medicines and Spiritual Plants, emitting thick Spiritual Qi.

"Look at these dark red flowers on the ground." You Lingqing pointed to the plants not far away.

"Senior, what kind of Spirit Medicines are these?" Xiang Tian stepped forward quickly, curiosity in his eyes.

"This is the dragon blood flower. Not only can it temper the constitution and enhance physical strength, but it's also an excellent auxiliary Spirit Medicine for Dual Cultivation." You Lingqing explained with a smile.

Xiang Tian's eyes instantly lit up.

Without another word, he started harvesting them.

He pulled up the dragon blood flowers by the handful, roots and all, and put them into his storage space.

"Hehe, looking at your impatient appearance, could it be that during Dual Cultivation... you find your strength failing you?" You Lingqing raised her eyebrows teasingly.

Her tone was mocking.

"Senior, there's no need for such insults!" Xiang Tian snorted coldly.

But the movements of his hands didn't stop.

"Besides the dragon blood flower, there's also sage grass over there." You Lingqing pointed to the Spiritual Plants on the other side.

"This grass can help Human Race Cultivators condense the Spiritual Qi in their bodies, which is of great benefit for breaking through Realms."

"Oh? It actually has such a wonderful use?" Xiang Tian was delighted.

He immediately turned and walked toward the sage grass.

He also took all of these Spiritual Plants into his possession.

Looking at the storage space packed full of Spirit Medicines.

Xiang Tian secretly thought: This is probably the most precious Treasure Trove of the entire Secret Realm!