Soul Land: I Fabricated Future Videos

Chapter 130: An Unexpected Treasure

After curing Emperor Xue Ye of his poison, the now healthy emperor was naturally overjoyed and immediately declared that Sun Zhongjing would be named the Imperial Advisor of the Heaven Dou Empire!

This title would place him on equal footing with the emperor himself, granting him the highest honors and wealth the empire could offer.

On the surface, this seemed like an appropriate way to repay Sun Zhongjing's kindness. Some might even think that being an Imperial Advisor was a great privilege.

But Sun Zhongjing saw right through Xue Ye's true intentions.

This old fox wasn't just expressing gratitude he was trying to secure an alliance with a powerhouse.

After all, who was Sun Zhongjing?

A Rank 99 Ultimate Douluo!

A soul master of this level had already transcended the mortal realm. If Xue Ye could use a mere title to tie such a powerhouse to Heaven Dou Empire, then it would be an absolute win for him.

Put simply, Sun Zhongjing was the equivalent of a nuclear warhead!

If he became the empire's Imperial Advisor, it would be no different from Heaven Dou Empire obtaining a nuclear deterrent. Other countries and factions would think twice before making a move against them, and Heaven Dou would instantly gain more influence in politics and diplomacy.

This was an insanely profitable deal for Heaven Dou's aristocrats.

But Sun Zhongjing would be the one getting scammed.

Not only would he be tied down to a decaying empire, being used as a symbol of power, but he'd get nothing out of it except for an empty title and some resources.

And let's be honest

With his strength, did he really need wealth or resources?

If he truly wanted them, he could easily obtain them himself. He could start his own empire, and countless people would flock to his banner.

So in response to Xue Ye's laughable offer, Sun Zhongjing politely declined.

'What a joke. Like I'd ever join your pathetic feudal empire.'

Moreover, when Sun Zhongjing's character was created, he was never meant to serve any empire. His sole purpose was to nurture talents in Baiyun City, and eventually join the main faction when the time was right.

So how could he possibly pledge allegiance to Heaven Dou?

After being politely rejected, Emperor Xue Ye looked visibly disappointed.

But truthfully, he had expected this outcome.

After all, for an Ultimate Douluo, becoming an Imperial Advisor offered zero benefits.

The real reason he had made the offer was simply because it cost him nothing.

If Sun Zhongjing had miraculously agreed, then Heaven Dou would have won big.

Since he was declined, Xue Ye wasn't too upset.

But

He couldn't just let this go without offering some form of reward.

After all, this was a life saving favor.

If Sun Zhongjing were an ordinary person, the solution would be easy grant him a noble title and some land.

But Sun Zhongjing was not an ordinary man.

A simple reward would be an insult.

Even if Sun Zhongjing didn't care about the reward, Xue Ye still had to show proper respect.

This was about dignity he couldn't afford to appear ungrateful.

The problem was…

What could he possibly offer that would be worthy of an Ultimate Douluo?

After some thought, Xue Ye whispered an order to his attendants.

Moments later, the door to the chamber opened again.

A royal servant walked in, carrying a brocade tray covered with a red silk cloth. The shape of an object beneath the fabric was faintly visible.

Sun Zhongjing saw this and instantly had a hunch about what was under the cloth.

Emperor Xue Ye smiled and said, "Your Eminence, words cannot express my gratitude. Given your exalted status, I doubt you would care for worldly riches. Thus, I have decided to offer you this a national treasure of the empire."

Without hesitation, Sun Zhongjing lifted the silk cloth.

At that moment

Brilliant blue light flooded the chamber.

Sitting on the tray was an extraordinary object

A radiant, crystalline blue artifact, shaped like a three dimensional triangle.

Its deep sapphire hues shimmered, pulsing with a strange, mystical energy.

Delicate water like patterns flowed across its surface

But rather than appearing etched or engraved, the patterns seemed alive, moving like rippling waves under the light.

A divine aura radiated from it, casting a faint blue glow throughout the room.

"Oh? So it's this treasure?"

Sun Zhongjing raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued.

Emperor Xue Ye forced a smile, though his heart bled with regret.

After all, the Wagering Question video had revealed the true nature of this item

The Seagod's Core!

A sacred relic crucial to inheriting the Seagod's divine position!

Anything connected to the gods held immeasurable value.

Had it not been for the Wagering Question video, Xue Ye might never have known what this treasure truly was.

Unfortunately…

Despite possessing it for generations, the Heaven Dou royal family had never been able to unlock its secrets.

It was useless in their hands.

Moreover

Its true owner was still the Seagod.

If the Seagod wanted it back, he could reclaim it from anywhere in the world at any moment.

So rather than waiting for it to disappear, Xue Ye decided

Why not use it as a gift to solidify a favor?

'If it gets taken back by the Seagod later, that's not my problem anymore.'

"Your Eminence, I believe you already know this is the Hanhai Qiankun Cover, a divine relic linked to the Seagod's inheritance.

"Though my royal family has held it for generations, we have never been able to unlock its secrets."

"But for someone of your level, even if you do not seek the Seagod's inheritance, you may still gain valuable insights into higher realms of cultivation from it."

"Please, I insist accept this gift."

"A Seagod relic, huh…?"

Sun Zhongjing stared at the shimmering artifact in contemplation.

Then, after a moment of silence

He smiled and nodded.

"Very well."

"For Your Majesty to part with such a priceless treasure, I would be rude to refuse."

"I humbly accept."

He reached out and retrieved the Hanhai Qiankun Cover.

In his mind, he recalled an important fact

One of Neptune's Seagod Trials required him to retrieve the Seagod's Core.

So when that time came, he'd simply hand it over

Meanwhile, standing at the side, Qian Renxue watched in silence.

As she saw Sun Zhongjing claim the artifact, a complicated emotion flickered in her eyes.

She never imagined that such a divine treasure had been hidden in the Heaven Dou royal vaults all along.

Had it not been for the Wagering Question video, she would have never known.

Even with her intelligence…

She had been blind to what was right under her nose.

(End of Chapter)

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