At least, she could not see how unique that portrait was even though she had studied quite a lot of calligraphy and paintings.
But what surprised Lu Wan’er was her master’s reaction.
After seeing Ning Fan’s state of mind was nearly approaching the stage of severing his mortal coil, Lu Daochen was slightly astonished. But after listening to Ning Fan’s opinion, Lu Daochen was completely stunned.
It was because in the past, if it was not because the Demon Marshal who personally introduced to Lu Daochen that the portrait was a gift from a True Immortal of the Ancient Heavenly Court, he would not be able to perceive how special the portrait was at all. The reason why he would stare at the portrait just now was just because he was cherishing the memory of the Demon Marshal.
At this moment, Lu Daochen felt that he had to start over in understanding Ning Fan.
This person doesn’t only have strong combat power, but also have broad and profound knowledge. He is a man of great shrewdness and his foresight is incredibly sharp.
"You really have good judgement. This old man is ashamed for not being able to compare to you... To be honest, this portrait is a ’relic’ from the Demon Marshal. True enough, it is precisely a gift from a True Immortal to the Demon Marshal. If you are able to cooperate with me, this item will also be one of your rewards. Since you could recognize the profundity of this portrait, it won’t be a waste for you to own it..."
"Oh. Then it would be disrespectful to decline your offers. Thank you..."
Ning Fan’s facial expression remained unaffected but deep inside, he was shocked. In Lu Daochen’s words, he mentioned that the portrait was a ’relic’, which was beyond Ning Fan’s expectation.
From Lu Daochen’s tone, he seemed to be declaring that Demon Marshal Lu Wu had already passed away...
To Lu Wan’er, it was just a conversation between a young man and an old man where every line they conversed carried an underlying meaning. She had never liked such style of communication.
"Lu Bei! Master! There isn’t anyone else in this place. So can’t the both of you just speak properly and frankly?!"
"Hehe. Alright. Alright. I’ll go straight to the point. Actually, this should be the case... Lu Bei, let me ask you, the reason why you want to gather the maps is because you intend to kill Demon Marshal Lu Wu and devour his demon bloodline to enhance your demon power?"
"Yes." Ning Fan replied without holding back his true intention.
"Good kid... If the Demon Marshal were alive, I, as the Demon General who protects the Demon Marshal would have fight you to the death if you make such rebellious remarks... Unfortunately, this old man no longer has the reason to fight you anymore. Aside from that, your wish of devouring the Demon Marshal’s blood essence is bound to be fruitless. As I’ve hinted to you earlier, Demon Marshal Lu Wu has already died countless years before this old man awakened. His demon blood is already long gone..."
Theoretically, demons would never die because of falling into slumber. However, the moment of waking up was hard to control.
Lu Daochen did not know how long he had been slumbering but the moment when he was awake, he sensed that the Demon Marshal was already dead.
The reason why he was able to tell was because of some kind of item given by the Demon Marshal that reacted. Other than Lu Daochen, the other generals of the other divisions had no idea about Lu Wu’s death.
"The Demon Marshal of the Third World is dead?!"
Lu Wan’er covered her mouth with her hands, feeling flabbergasted by that shocking secret. If that matter is disseminated, it would definitely shake the entire Luo Yun Tribe.
"I don’t know if what you’re saying is true or not. If it’s true, it will be pointless for me to enter that world. But I just want to know what Cloud General plans to do in that world?"
Ning Fan’s eyes turned serious. What he wanted to know the most was Lu Daochen’s true intention.
Ever since the beginning, he had never been able to see through him because he could not see Lu Daochen had any schemes or greed towards the Third World.
"For me, I have nothing to do in the Third World. I only want to pay a debt of gratitude to the Demon Marshal Lu and save his remnant soul... It has been more than a thousand years since I was awakened from the egg. Throughout this period of time, I have been repeatedly performing divination and studied about the Third World. All records about that world are within this jade slip. Please have a look."
After receiving the jade slip, Ning Fan placed it on his glabella. Immediately, a primitive and wild continent which was immeasurably vast appeared within his Sea of Consciousness.
It was a general map of the Third World!
However, within this map, there was not the most symbolic building for a Demon Marshal to fall into slumber – the Egg of Slumber. There were only different trails of star path connecting to the void. In the middle of the void space, there was an enormous maze palace which was formed from starlight.
This maze palace was labelled by Lu Daochen as the Star Palace!
The paths within the Star Palace were intricate and filled with danger that was unpredictable. There was only a red spot specifically marked by Lu Daochen on an approximate location.
Ning Fan faintly felt that the red dot within the Star Palace was exactly Lu Daochen’s goal!
"What’s the meaning of this map..." Ning Fan heaved a deep sigh. The situation within the Third World was completely different from that of the ordinary Land of Slumber.
Especially the Star Palace, it gave Ning Fan an extreme feeling of threat. If he is lost within the place, it would probably be very difficult for him to extricate himself from it.
"Save the remnant soul in the red spot and free it into the cycle of rebirth. After that, I will grant you whatever you want, even if you demand to get this old man’s position as the Honorable Demon General in the Luo Yun Tribe!"
Lu Daochen’s eyes were solemn.
The reason why Ning Fan was unable to see through his intention in the past was because he was gauging him with a utilitarian heart.
In actuality, what Lu Daochen was trying to do was merely to free the Demon Marshal. Therefore, it became difficult for Ning Fan to judge his motive.
"He was regarded as a sinful Demon Marshal who was sent into exile by the Immortal Demon World. In the past, we, the Honorable Demon Generals of the nine divisions were just the chariot spirits of Demon Marshal Lu’s Golden Flame Chariot. After the Heavenly Court collapsed, our memories were erased by someone and were forced to fall into slumber. None of us could remember anything about what happened in the past, let alone what Demon Marshal Lu did which provoked the Immortal Demon World to banish him. However, although it’s just my hypothesis, I suppose the Star of the Celestial Emperor must have something to do with it. Regarding the details of the matter, I’ve completely forgotten about them. The only thing that remains in my memories is Demon Marshal Lu’s kindness. Without Demon Marshal Lu, how could I become a Demon General, how could I have great and profound knowledge, how could I be chosen by the people from the Spirit King Palace and given the chance to ascend to the Immortal World... It was my biggest regret in my entire life for not being able to repay Demon Marshal’s kindness as I’ve sensed his death after I awakened! It I can’t remove this regret, I don’t have the mood to continue my cultivation, let alone ascending to the Immortal World... Lu Bei, it’s up to you now to enter the Third World and save Demon Marshal Wu’s remnant soul. Although there isn’t the demon blood of the Demon Marshal, this old man’s rewards will definitely satisfy you...So are you willing to lend this old man a hand?!"
"Demon Marshal Lu might be dead, but part of his soul is still trapped inside the Star Palace, unable to break free... The location which was marked with the red dot is the centre of the palace. Demons are unable to access it or else they would succumb to the power of the star. You are a human. Therefore, there’s a chance you will be able to get in. Besides, you’ve awakened a royal bloodline which could be used to wash away the ’Sinful Mark’ on Demon Marshal Lu’s soul and help it to enter samsara..."
"If you are willing to help, all the rewards that I mentioned earlier will all be yours. With my help, the next time you leave the Land of Slumber, you will at least be at the Mid Divine Transformation Realm! Without my help, even if you gather all the maps of the passage connecting to the Third World, you will still come out in vain from the Third World... The Star of the Celestial Emperor is the most precious treasure. Only I was granted by the Demon Marshal the Key of the Star Palace and only this key can subdue the star... Normally, it would take at least hundreds of years for a common Early Divine Transformation Realm being to break through to the Mid Divine Transformation Realm. But if you possess this star, attaining the Mid Divine Transformation Realm will just be around the corner!"
Lu Daochen’s face revealed a pleading expression for the first time.
He used to uphold Lu Wu’s teachings: don’t beg the heavens nor the earth because what isn’t yours will never come no matter how hard you beg for it.
Today, however, he had to plead Ning Fan no matter what. Without him, Demon Marshal Lu’s soul would almost be impossible to rescue!
Lu Wan’er’s eyes turned serious. It was her first time witnessing her unyielding master pleading someone.
Ning Fan seemed to be touched by what Lu Daochen said. Among the rewards, what truly moved him were the Star of the Celestial Emperor as well as the promise of advancing into the Mid Divine Transformation Realm. After all, his purpose of coming to the Land of Slumber was to obtain the Demon Marshal’s blood to improve his cultivation level. Although what he wanted can’t be found in the Third World now, there is still the Star of the Celestial Emperor, which isn’t any less significant compared to the Demon Marshal’s blood. Therefore, he would of course be willing to accept the request.
But anyhow, he was no longer a hot-blooded young man anymore. Regarding Lu Daochen’s words, he only had 70% of confidence in them. The remaining 30% was reserved.
Even if Lu Daochen was telling the truth, it was his principle of conducting himself: never blindly and fully believe in a stranger.
"I’ll need three days to think about it."
Lu Daochen gently sighed.
This kid is really vigilant in doing things. Taking three days to think about it... He’s probably going to find out more about my background from other sources.
I suppose he will likely start with Yao Fei...