"Kid, this High-grade Immortal Stone of yours is really something, I didnât expect you to have such a treasure."
Ni Yang showed great interest in Zhang Xiaomanâs Doomsday Crystal Fragment.
"Itâs just a pity that itâs merely a fragment. If I could get a few complete High-grade Immortal Stones, I could regain some of my strength, at least enough to leave this lake."
It had been trapped here for thousands of years and was utterly fed up. If it could leave, it certainly wouldnât stay here any longer.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Xiaoman realized that what was known as Doomsday Crystal here on the Divine Ancient Continent was referred to as High-grade Immortal Stone, but perhaps the two were not the same thing; their energy levels were just similar.
"Ni Yang, you know this thing is a treasure. Even in the Ruins Realm, itâs not easy to find. Wanting more of it is quite difficult."
The old dragon retracted its body, stretched lazily, and said,
"High-grade Immortal Stone, a treasure is a treasure, but itâs not that appealing to me. In the past, such things... "
Zhang Xiaoman noticed it was about to start boasting again and quickly interrupted,
"Ni Yang, thank you for your help last time. Iâve established a teleportation channel in the Second Universe. If I have the chance, Iâll keep an eye out for these Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures for you."
Ni Yang swung its body slightly, its massive head moving closer, staring at Zhang Xiaoman for a long time before suddenly asking in slight surprise,
"Kid, how long have I been asleep? Could it really be decades? Or even a hundred years?"
Zhang Xiaoman and Pei Laoliu were bewildered by its sudden question and looked at it, puzzled.
"Old Greedy Dragon, why are you asking that? Youâve only slept for a little over four years, not even five. Where would a hundred years come from?"
Ni Yang looked at him suspiciously, then shook its head in disbelief,
"Xiao Liu, donât try to fool me. How could this kid have become immortal if not over a hundred years have passed?"
"What?"
Pei Laoliu was stunned by its words, unable to immediately grasp what it meant.
"You mean, Xiao Man has already become immortal!?"
Moments later, Master Liu finally came to his senses, looking at it in disbelief.
Ni Yang scratched its ear and said,
"Why are you so excited? Heâs just an independent immortal, not even a Heavenly Immortal. Thereâs nothing to be shocked about."
Saying this, it extended its head to closely examine Pei Laoliu, its expression revealing a hint of doubt.
"Huh? Somethingâs not right. If it had been a hundred years, how come your cultivation hasnât made any progress? Youâve just broken through the Nascent Soul... Tsk, tsk, your cultivation techniques are indeed interesting, yet you donât even have a Nascent Soul Purple Mansion inside."
Pei Laoliuâs face turned dark.
Zhang Xiaoman spoke up,
"Ni Yang, Master Liu is right. From when you fell asleep until now, itâs only been four years and ten months. Itâs just two months short of five years, not as exaggerated as a hundred years."
Hearing what Zhang Xiaoman said, Ni Yang was genuinely surprised this time.
"Kid, are you and Xiao Liu conspiring to deceive me? In five years, you broke through from the Divinity Transformation Stage to become an independent immortal? Even if the Heavenly Emperor reincarnated and cultivated anew, it couldnât be this fast."
Ni Yang expressed doubts about their words.
It was rare for Zhang Xiaoman to see the old dragon show such an expression.
With Ni Yangâs character, even if it saw something good, whether it liked it or not, it always put on an indifferent attitude, basically acting arrogant.
But today, it unusually didnât hide its inner surprise, which showed just how astonishing Zhang Xiaomanâs rapid rise in strength was to it.
Apart from Ni Yang, Pei Laoliu was also shocked.
"Xiao Man, you actually reached the level of an independent immortal already? How did you do it so quickly?"
Master Liu expressed intense curiosity.
Zhang Xiaoman smiled and said,
"Master Liu, Iâve discovered a method to quickly enhance my strength, which is this Star Pattern. When I have the chance, Iâll find someone to imprint one for you too."
As he spoke, he showed the pattern on his arm, eliciting a burst of amazement from the latter.
"I see. This seems to be a method to guide Immortal Spiritual Power into the body, to be reborn, and to wash the marrow and refine the soul. Youâve experienced it twice, which is equivalent to cultivatorsâ Three-Nine Heavenly Tribulations, crossing two tribulations consecutively, no wonder your strength increased so rapidly..."
After seeing the Star Pattern, Ni Yang showed a thoughtful expression.
"Interesting, itâs the first time Iâve seen methods like yours. It seems you acquired this in the Ruins Realm? Tsk, tsk, kid, you truly have a remarkable fortune."
Zhang Xiaoman also became curious at this point.
He had heard about the Ruins Realm several times already.
Previously, although he had heard this term and knew what the Ruins Realm was, according to Ni Yang and the others, the Ruins Realm referred to the Second Universe.
But Zhang Xiaoman hadnât had the chance to inquire in detail, so he was confused why Ni Yang knew about the Ruins Realm.
"Oh, about this, whatâs so special about the Ruins Realm? Who in the entire Immortal Realm doesnât know about it? Even in the Mortal World, the Ruins Realm is no longer a secret."