Chapter 2166 - 2159: Gou Dan, You Set Me Up!

The Qinglan Kingdom is helping the Mansha Kingdom rebuild the city at a speed comparable to the infrastructure prowess of the original Huaxia. In less than a month, the entire city has been reconstructed. In terms of safety, intelligence, and other aspects, it greatly surpasses its original appearance.

With compensation from the Qinglan Kingdom, the entire city almost instantly became the second most significant presence in the Mansha Kingdom, right after the Imperial City, Sayan.

During this time, the Mansha Kingdom has become the big brother in the region. Those countries that once invaded the Mansha Kingdom have all voluntarily returned the lands and treasures they plundered.

Even more amusingly, they compared their current map with historical maps and found that many places never belonged to them historically, let alone "returned." The Mansha Kingdom inexplicably gained a large chunk of land, expanding its territory by over a third!

Of course, anyone with discernment can see that these actions are gestures of goodwill towards the Mansha Kingdom.

In a month, Zhang Menglong has cultivated a number of talents for the Mansha Kingdom. His two formal disciples, Karon and Shadeer, have both crossed the threshold into the second tier of Transcenders. Shadeer’s proficiency in Alchemy is advancing rapidly, ensuring the continuous emergence of new Transcenders in the Mansha Kingdom as long as she’s here.

As for the princes and royal descendants, although Zhang Menglong hasn’t directly taken them as disciples, he occasionally teaches in the palace. Royal family members and other nobles come to listen. Those who pay attention usually gain something, leading the entire Mansha Kingdom into an unprecedented era of prosperity.

However, the people of the Mansha Kingdom are well aware that Zhang Menglong won’t stay here forever. He is like a true dragon, and a small stream like the Mansha Kingdom cannot possibly hold such a dragon.

What made Zhang Menglong particularly pleased was that his two disciples somehow became romantically involved during this period!

A few days later, a grand engagement ceremony was hosted by the Royal Family and the General’s Mansion. Once the Princess reaches the Mansha Kingdom’s legal marrying age, they can hold the wedding.

On this day, both the Emperor and General Xiwat drank to excess, and in such a state, the Emperor suddenly took out something to give to Zhang Menglong.

"Lord Protector, our Mansha Kingdom’s Royal Family is deeply indebted to you, and we can never repay you fully. But we are grateful and wish to reciprocate. Owing you too much without being able to assist you makes us uneasy."

"What is this?" Without hesitation, Zhang Menglong received the box from the Emperor.

The box was extremely exquisite but showed signs of age. Inside it was a purple Jade Pendant with inscriptions in a language Zhang Menglong couldn’t understand. It seemed to be an emblem of a family or sect.

Of course, this was merely Zhang Menglong’s speculation.

The Jade Pendant was almost weightless, and its appearance didn’t reveal anything special. However, being a gift from the Emperor, it couldn’t be as ordinary as it seemed.

"This is something that can help Lord Protector ascend to the peak of life’s evolution," the Emperor stated. "Though I don’t know what it truly is, our Royal Family has studied it for countless years without unravelling its mystery."

"Huh?" Zhang Menglong felt speechless. How could they claim something they don’t understand would help him reach the peak? Were they just making things up?

"You must be bewildered, Lord Protector," the Emperor chuckled. "This item was accidentally acquired by our ancestor. At the time, countless powerful beings were vying for this Jade Pendant, including many Transcenders. In fierce battles, many perished, but this item unexpectedly came into our ancestor’s possession."

"A lucky find!" Hearing this description, Zhang Menglong could almost imagine the scene back then.

"For something that incites such competition, it mustn’t be ordinary. Ancestors heard whispers about this pendant, claiming whoever possesses it could challenge the entire continent!" The Emperor spoke with excitement, yet it was unclear whether the words were sincere or drunken fantasies.

"But look at us now; we don’t have the courage to conquer the continent. We’re satisfied nurturing our own little piece of land and see growth. We never dared fantasize about conquering the continent."

"Is it okay for me to accept an heirloom passed down from your ancestors?" Zhang Menglong hesitated.

Honestly, even if it were a true treasure, Zhang Menglong wouldn’t have been overly tempted, considering nothing could surpass his current gifts.

"Lord Protector, I believe even our ancestors would agree with my decision. Your contributions to the Mansha Kingdom are immense, and besides this item, we can’t think of anything else to repay your kindness. If you don’t accept, you’ll look down on our Royal Family!"

The Emperor became quite emotional as he continued.

"Alright, alright, I’ll accept," seeing the Emperor’s readiness to battle if he refused, Zhang Menglong took the item.

"Hahaha, that’s the spirit. When Lord Protector becomes the world’s top master, we’ll share some glory since you’re still our Prince, hahaha..." And with that, the Emperor of the Mansha Kingdom fell asleep.

"Bad wine is dangerous," Zhang Menglong laughed, shaking his head. It truly takes strong wine to inebriate someone with a Transcender’s constitution.

Back in his room, Zhang Menglong took out the Jade Pendant.

There was indeed something peculiar about it. Despite pouring various energies into it, there was no reaction. Even when subjected to Strange Fire, it remained unchanged. Until now, nothing could resist the burn of Strange Fire.

"Gou Dan, take a look at this item?" Zhang Menglong entrusted the matter to Gou Dan.

Gou Dan paused for a moment and then, using an unusually astonished tone, said, "Dean, this item is ancient, nearly as old as myself!"

"Oh?" Now Zhang Menglong slightly believed the Emperor’s words.

The origin of Gou Dan remains a mystery. That era is too far removed to know, yet this is the first piece connecting to Gou Dan’s time that Zhang Menglong has encountered.

"But I’m certain this Jade Pendant is just a fragment."

"It doesn’t appear so," Zhang Menglong examined the pendant. "It looks complete without any chips; how could it be a fragment?"

"I read extensively, won’t deceive you!"

"What’s its purpose?" Zhang Menglong inquired.

"I’m not sure either. But you could try channeling your soul into it; perhaps something different may occur."

"I haven’t tried that," Zhang Menglong had previously applied various energies but hadn’t attempted with his own soul. The soul is the most fragile part for humans. Even if his Soul Rank was at an 8-star peak, he dared not act recklessly.

Carefully, Zhang Menglong probed his soul into it, and at that moment, it seemed to trigger a mechanism on the Jade Pendant, instantly engulfing his soul.

"Damn! Gou Dan, did you trick me?!"