"It's not a stone." Tian Chu Zhenren looked at the stone, unsure of what to say, and it was evident that he was lost in his memories.

Ye Tianfan saw that Tian Chu Zhenren was immersed in his recollections and did not disturb him, instead carefully observing the stone, as he had not seriously examined it since acquiring it.

The stone appeared unassuming yet, upon prolonged observation, became quite captivating, almost inviting a touch or an embrace.

Embrace?

When this thought surfaced in Ye Tianfan's mind, he was startled awake. He hadn't expected merely looking at a stone would invoke such a thought, leaving him astonished. Did this stone possess a beguiling quality?

After all, no matter how beautiful a stone might be, one wouldn't typically consider embracing it, at most, just touching it briefly.

Indeed, this stone was extraordinary. Ye Tianfan, feeling a bit uneasy, decided against further observation, fearing that embracing it might lead to unforeseen consequences.

At this moment, Tian Chu Zhenren also emerged from his memories and said to Ye Tianfan, "This isn't a stone, but one of the nine hearts of a Nine-Headed Demon Dragon."

"What? The heart of a Nine-Headed Demon Dragon?" Ye Tianfan was dumbfounded. He never imagined that this stone was actually the heart of a Nine-Headed Demon Dragon.

"That's correct. It's indeed the heart of a Nine-Headed Demon Dragon. It's fortunate you didn't touch it; otherwise, it would have drained all the Spiritual Power from your body and clung to you. With no Spiritual Power, it would then drain your essence blood. Once the essence blood is gone, it would consume other things until it devoured you entirely," Tian Chu Zhenren said, looking at Ye Tianfan with a hint of fear.

It's a good thing his apprentice was cautious and didn't touch the stone. If Ye Tianfan had, Tian Chu might not have realized he was gone.

"Wait, Master, if it can't be touched, then how did the Bloodlight Five Elements Extreme Serpent touch it without issue?" Ye Tianfan suddenly recalled that it was after the serpent made contact with the dragon's heart that it absorbed a vast pool of Jade Liquid.

"The Bloodlight Five Elements Extreme Serpent inherently carries the aura of the Nine-Headed Demon Dragon, so it's not surprising it remained unharmed upon contact," Tian Chu Zhenren explained. "Moreover, the Jade Liquid mentioned in legends appeared only after the chaos of the Nine-Headed Demon Dragon subsided."

"I always wondered how the Jade Liquid was formed and how it came to be. No one was able to perfectly answer this question. But now, seeing the heart of the Nine-Headed Demon Dragon, plus you mentioned it absorbed Jade Liquid, I wonder if the Jade Liquid might be the purest form of the dragon's Spiritual Power, or its essence blood," Tian Chu Zhenren speculated.

Ye Tianfan was startled by this and then said, "If it's the purest Spiritual Power, then surely there would be some aura of the Nine-Headed Demon Dragon, right? And if it's the essence blood, it would certainly carry the dragon's aura."

"Not necessarily. When the Nine-Headed Demon Dragon was slain, all its aura was eradicated. Except for the nine heads and body that were Sealed, all its spilled blood and Spiritual Power were purified and reclaimed, except for those forming the major forbidden areas," Tian Chu Zhenren said, though he quickly sensed something was amiss.

"Master, if it was purified, then why is it out here? Wasn't it reclaimed?" Ye Tianfan asked.

If it was purified, it must have been done by someone, indicating ownership. How could a whole heart and so much Jade Liquid be ownerless?

"Indeed, it's puzzling how such a heart, filled with Jade Liquid, ended up in a ruin occupied by a Demon Beast," Tian Chu Zhenren pondered. "Xiao Qi, think carefully, was there anything amiss?"

Upon hearing Tian Chu Zhenren's words, Ye Tianfan pondered meticulously about anything unusual but couldn't recall anything out of place. If there was something odd, it might be the Three-Eyed Fossil Snake being too weak, although strong to Ye Tianfan, it was weak for guarding the vast pool of Jade Liquid.

"I think there was one thing!" Ye Tianfan said to Tian Chu Zhenren.

"What is it? Tell me quickly!" Tian Chu Zhenren urged Ye Tianfan to speak quickly upon hearing his uncertainty.

"That Three-Eyed Fossil Snake, guarding so much Jade Liquid, displayed no extraordinary strength. Just a bowl of those Jade Liquid could elevate the snake's strength well beyond Qian Yuan, yet it only showed the strength of a Qian Yuan," Ye Tianfan elaborated on his thoughts to Tian Chu Zhenren.

"Absolutely abnormal. Jade Liquid's allure to Demon Beasts is lethal, guarding it without utilizing indicates someone was guarding it previously," Tian Chu Zhenren said, frowning.

"But when I went there, there was no sign of anyone," Ye Tianfan said perplexed.

"Perhaps something occurred. Nonetheless, with so much Jade Liquid there, there's certainly a plan. Although unclear if the plan is good or bad, I estimate a higher likelihood of it being malicious," Tian Chu Zhenren surmised.

"But with so much Jade Liquid, whatever the plan, it can stir the heavens and earth. If it's a good plan, why hasn't our dignified Taichu Sect heard anything?" Ye Tianfan wondered aloud.

"You have a point. For now, return to your room and rest. Take a bowl of Jade Liquid and heal your injuries. I'll take the Nine-Headed Demon Dragon's heart to Taichu Peak to convene with the head of each peak to discuss how to handle it," Tian Chu Zhenren instructed sternly and then, somewhat apologetically, addressed Ye Tianfan: "I'll certainly make sure you receive something in return."

"It's fine, Master. If there's truly something to be gained, just give me more Jade Liquid after solving the Nine-Headed Demon Dragon's heart mystery," Ye Tianfan replied indifferently.

After all, the Nine-Headed Demon Dragon concerns the whole world. Ye Tianfan wouldn't act foolishly in such a matter.

"Alright!" Tian Chu Zhenren replied and then quickly used a box to pack away the Nine-Headed Demon Dragon's heart, flying towards Taichu Peak.

At this moment, within the ruins where Ye Tianfan found the dragon's heart, a few figures cloaked in black stood over the pit.

"Has the Lord's heart reached the Taichu Sect?"

"Yes, it has!"

"Good! Let's proceed with the plan!"

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