Chapter 968: Subduing the Dragon Spear

Tang San's expression flickered in surprise, but in the next instant, his blue-skinned palm radiated pure golden light. The life energy that erupted from his hand surged into the Radiant Dragon Spear in an unending stream.

At once, the spear shuddered slightly and let out a strange dragon roar that sounded almost... satisfied. The spear's defiant aura swiftly subsided, the scorching light it radiated vanished, and then... it just lay docile in Tang San's hand.

The Sunborne Nymph Emperor couldn't help but laugh. "So that's how it is! I was curious to see how you'd handle this weapon. It's not that no one in the Ancestral Court ever tried to use this spear, it's certainly a powerful artifact, but unless you're a Radiant Dragon, it's practically impossible to wield. I honestly didn't expect you to pull it off."

Jin Miaosen, who was trailing behind Tang San, was suddenly struck by a realization. "No wonder Xu An'yu didn't seem all that worried just now..."

She then stuck out her tongue and fell silent again. She wouldn't dare to push her luck in front of the Sunborne Nymph Emperor.

Tang San smiled at the Emperor. "Life energy is the most fundamental force, the foundation of all energies. Every elemental attribute, even darkness, has life characteristics; otherwise, it couldn't exist in the universe at all. Some elemental energies reject each other, but none of them ever truly rejects life energy. That's something the Ancestral Tree's legacy taught me: life is the source of everything, and the key to controlling everything else. So, no matter what kind of artifact ends up in my hands..."

He raised the Radiant Dragon Spear before him, looking at the flowing dragon-shaped patterns along the shaft, and said with a low chuckle, "I just need to spoil it a little. If it wants to keep being spoiled, it will naturally work for me."

The Sunborne Nymph Emperor laughed once more. "Spoil it, huh? You're getting more interesting by the day. Good, good! I look forward to seeing how you'll 'spoil' your opponents in the martial contest for that girl's hand."

With a final chuckle, the Sunborne Nymph Emperor turned into a ray of light and soared into the sky, vanishing without a trace.

As he watched him leave, Tang San let out a small sigh of relief. He had many ways to tame this artifact, but he had to choose one that wouldn't give away his secrets in front of an Emperor.

His theory of life as the source of all things was not entirely his own, and neither was it actually taught to him by the Ancestral Tree. Instead, it echoed the teachings of the Life Goddess, one of the God Kings from the divine realm of his past life. Her theory of life energy as the root of all existence was widely respected there.

While the Ancestral Tree was indeed the embodiment of life in this world, even with its original divine consciousness, it would've fallen short in true understanding compared to the Life Goddess. Tang San didn't rule over life himself, but from long exposure, he understood the highest forms of life energy far better than anyone in this world.

The Sunborne Nymph Emperor could easily see Tang San's brilliant use of life energy—like a bribe to coax the Radiant Dragon Spear into accepting him. But the precision and skill with which he manipulated that life energy, blending it perfectly with the spear, was something no other Blue Gold Tree elder could ever replicate.

Warm energy constantly flowed from the spear into Tang San's body, infusing it with light. The spear's radiant power didn't just coat his skin; it seeped into every cell, flooding him with a pure light essence.

This was enough to prove it was a true divine artifact of the highest caliber. Bathed in its radiance, Tang San's body would be strengthened, and any trace of darkness in him thoroughly cleansed. Combined with his life energy, the effect was even stronger; light and life harmonized perfectly, nourishing his body and spirit. It was a delightful, unexpected boon.

Tang San spun the spear in his hand, then flicked it once and it dissolved into a stream of golden light, merging into his body. While he didn't have an innate light attribute, he had integrated the Rainbow Deer Demon Emperor's bloodline power into the evolved Discerning Eye of Heaven, and that gave him some measure of mastery over light. Using this spear would be no problem at all. In fact, its aura reminded him of the Golden Dragon Spear and even his own Sea God's Trident that was still on the way.

When Tang San and the Blue Gold Tree clan elders returned to the VIP area, the surrounding VIPs all looked at him with newfound respect.

The Sunborne Nymph Emperor's personal appearance had sent a clear message. Even though most main cities had Emperors of their own, not one of those Emperors had shown up. But the strongest Nymph Emperor, the one widely regarded as the most powerful in the Daemon Continent, had personally come for Tang San. This meant that for now, the Blue Gold Tree clan was under the Sunborne Nymph Emperor's direct protection.

Who would dare oppose him? Even in the days when the Crystal Demon Emperor was alive, he had not been all that far from being her equal. Now that the Crystal Demon Emperor had fallen, there was still some dispute as to whether he or the Undying Demon Emperor was stronger, but the vast majority was inclined to believe Sunborne deserved the title of "strongest." With his protection, the Blue Gold Tree clan was beyond untouchable.

Tang San hadn't expected the Sunborne Nymph Emperor to be so overt in his support. Clearly, it was thanks to the Ancestral Tree's legacy and the future allure of the first Blue Gold Fruit he'd promised. It was almost as if the Emperor had marked Tang San as his personal orchard!

Still, that wasn't a bad thing. It meant Tang San now had a huge advantage in the upcoming matchmaking tournament. Having an Emperor's backing was far better than when he'd competed alongside Mei Gongzi in the Ancestral Court Elite Tournament. Mei Gongzi now had the support of three Demon Emperors, while Tang San had Sunborne—and consequently Earthshade as well—on his side. As long as his own strength was up to par, the other Emperors wouldn't be able to do much.

Not lingering outside to chat or socialize, Tang San returned straight to his VIP Room. He ate a simple dinner, then sat down to meditate in preparation for the evening's auction session.

He knew that the auction's start and end would feature especially rare treasures. This was what made it a true mega-auction: The dozen divine artifacts that had already been presented, items of the highest level. And everyone knew the final three items on the last night would be the most precious of all! Right now, not even he could guess what final wonders the Ancestral Court's Grand Auction Hall still had in store.

Outside, the Blue Gold Tree elders stretched their legs, unwilling to stay cooped up before the evening's excitement began. Tang San had Jin Miaosen stand guard at the door and activated his divine consciousness to set up a barrier, isolating the room from any prying eyes. With his high-level perception, he would know instantly if someone tried to probe inside.

Only then did he take out the communicator he used to contact Mei Gongzi. His fingers tapped lightly on its surface, forming a discreet pattern only the two of them knew.