Chapter 267: Chapter 267: Awesome, My Brother Hao (17)_1
Chu Hao’s mouth gaped open. An ancient demon?
The Dragon King explained, troubled, "This Transformed Snake is a Yellow River demon. After learning of the Little Princess’s fate, it’s the one controlling her. Otherwise, do you really think the Water Drought-Demon could summon so many Water Corpses?"
Chu Hao had observed the Water Drought-Demon; its strength was at the top-rank Profound Death level. To summon a great flood and call forth the Yellow River’s Water Corpses... that ability would be terrifying indeed.
The Dragon King sighed. "I’m also quite helpless. She is actually a pitiable person."
Who says Dragon Kings are always bad? The Dragon King of our Jiulong Town has always protected the townspeople. The one harming people isn’t the Water Drought-Demon, but the ancient demon, the Transformed Snake. Yellow River, how many secrets are you hiding? The world is so vast; there are too many incredible things. For example, the Ghost Winged People sealed in the Ice Pool in the Seventh District. That creature used to consider Tyrannosaurus brains food during the Cretaceous Period—quite terrifying.
At that moment, the Dragon King looked at Chu Hao with a meaningful expression and said, "My child, I feel that you have exceptional talent. You are a future pillar of the nine heavens and ten lands. The important task of rescuing the Little Princess falls to you. Remember! The Little Princess must not be killed; she must be allowed to reincarnate. If you succeed, you’ll not only gain Merit but also save your hometown, right?"
Chu Hao quickly said, "Aren’t you setting me up? You saw it yesterday too. I can’t even get close to the Little Princess; there are too many Water Corpses."
The Dragon King coughed dryly. "How about this! I’ll give you a Water-transforming Bead. This bead is the Dragon King’s treasured possession, far more powerful than any of the mundane things in the mortal world—tenfold, even a hundredfold stronger."
Chu Hao’s heart leaped with joy. Exactly what I wanted! This Dragon King is very perceptive.
GURGLE. A crystal bead rolled to Chu Hao’s feet, though it wasn’t clear where it had rolled from.
Picking up the crystal bead, he heard the System’s notification.
"DING! Water-transforming Bead discovered. Secondary treasure, recyclable item. Recycling grants 800 Pretentiousness Points."
The legendary Water-transforming Bead, and it only recycles for 800 Pretentiousness Points!
He opened the System Store to check the real price of the Water-transforming Bead and immediately cursed.
"Damn you, System! The Water-transforming Bead costs fifty thousand Pretentiousness Points! Isn’t there a problem with this recycling price?" Chu Hao cursed.
System: "Idiot Host, this Water-transforming Bead is fake. It can only be used once."
Indeed, a real Water-transforming Bead would be an actual treasured Magic Artifact.
Hearing this, Chu Hao looked at the Dragon King and sneered, "Dragon King, do you take me for a three-year-old? I may be young, but I can at least tell the difference between real and fake. This Water-transforming Bead is a fake, isn’t it?"
Seeing his deception exposed, the Dragon King felt extremely awkward and said, "You know, I don’t usually bring my valuable Magic Artifacts when I travel. This Water-transforming Bead is infused with my Divine Power; it’s nearly the same as a real one."
Times sure have changed; even Dragon Kings are into showing off now. And you talk about traveling? You’re just a local dragon. What kind of Dragon Palace could you possibly have! This temple is probably your Dragon Palace, right?
With a straight face, Chu Hao said, "Dragon King, are you joking with me? This thing can only be used once, and it might even have a time limit. Tsk, tsk... You wouldn’t happen to be out of Magic Artifacts, would you? I thought Dragon Kings were supposed to be wealthy. Forget it; I’ll stick to using my own."
The Dragon King glared with wide eyes. If the statue could breathe, one would certainly see white smoke puffing from its nostrils. "Little child, do you look down on this king? HUMPH! I have plenty of Magic Artifacts. But as for you! Your cultivation is too shallow; you wouldn’t be able to use them even if I gave them to you."
Heh! Trying to show off in front of me? Does he think he has more Magic Artifacts than I do?
Chu Hao waved his hand with an air of profound loneliness. "It’s not that I’m trying to show off, but as a Taoist Master, I possess Magic Artifacts as numerous as hairs on an ox. This Water-transforming Bead doesn’t even catch my Dharma Eye. Please take it back, Dragon King."
The Dragon King’s stone statue glared, its eyes as wide as a cow’s. "Little child, keep bluffing. There’s no Magic Artifact this king hasn’t seen."
It’s a rare chance to meet a Dragon King; how can I not show off and have some fun! I can’t let it look down on me.
"System, what’s good for showing off? Give this King of Show-offs a dozen!" Chu Hao mentally commanded.
System: "Show-off Divine Artifact: Xuan Yuan’s Sword."
Chu Hao: "AHEM... System, don’t screw me over. I can’t afford that right now."
System: "HUMPH... Now you realize the importance of this System? Then I recommend the Host purchase a fragment of the Dragon King Sword. It’s about the size of a fingernail and costs 3,000 Pretentiousness Points."
Chu Hao took a look at the Dragon King Sword Fragment. Its effects seemed quite impressive. With a grand gesture, he said like a true tycoon, "Bought!"
"DING! Host purchased the Dragon King Sword Fragment, expending 3,000 Pretentiousness Points. Remaining Pretentiousness Points: 3,800."
Item: Dragon King Sword Fragment
Rarity: Three-star
Ability: Call forth wind and rain (requires 10,000 Mana Points per use).
Chu Hao held out his hand, boasting, "Dragon King, oh Dragon King, I’ll just show you one of my least impressive items. Take a look, what is this?"
In his outstretched hand lay a greenish copper piece, only about the size of a thumbnail, glowing with an emerald gleam.
Zhang Qin’ai and the others had been listening to Chu Hao talking to himself. When they saw him take something out, they all looked over curiously.
As for the Dragon King, the moment its stone eyes fell upon the Dragon King Sword Fragment, it was instantly shocked.
The temple began to shake, and everyone saw the illusory image of a dragon appear. It was so frightening that Zhang Qin’ai and the others plopped down on the ground.
Has the Dragon King manifested its spirit?
It was indeed a dragon, identical to the dragons of legend: antlers like a deer, head like a camel, eyes like a rabbit, neck like a snake, belly like a clam, scales like a fish, claws like an eagle, paws like a tiger, and ears like an ox.
"DING! Host’s shocking display has earned 800 Pretentiousness Points."
The Dragon King’s eyes were wide, as if it had seen something unimaginable.
The Dragon King Sword... it’s a true treasure of the dragons! A Magic Artifact! No... it’s beyond the level of any Magic Artifact. For dragons, even calling it a Divine Artifact wouldn’t do it justice. Legend has it that only the true Dragon King can wield the Dragon King Sword. Its might is naturally unparalleled; to control the Dragon King Sword is to be the ultimate among dragons!
The Dragon King’s manifested spirit excitedly asked, "Is... is this truly a fragment of the Dragon King Sword?"
"Yes."
The Dragon King was beyond excited. "Where did you get it?"
Chu Hao withdrew his hand. "Oh, this? It’s far too common. This Taoist Master has a whole box of them. I was thinking of exchanging some for spending money."
"DING! Host’s successful act of showing off has earned 400 Pretentiousness Points."
Hearing this, the Dragon King’s eyes nearly rolled back into its head. It almost wanted to curse.
The Dragon King forced a smile, though it looked quite pitiful, and said, "Young one, could you let this king take a proper look?"
Chu Hao waved his hand. "Dragon King, you have so many treasures. Why would you be interested in my little trinket? I need to be going; I still have to deal with the Water Drought-Demon tonight."
Upon hearing this, the Dragon King’s spectral form instantly moved to the temple entrance, blocking Chu Hao’s path. "Young one, don’t leave yet! Let’s discuss something."
Not giving the Dragon King any face, Chu Hao said, "I’m really very busy. With tens of millions on the line every minute, I truly don’t have the time."
"DING! Host’s successful act of showing off has earned 400 Pretentiousness Points."
The others were flabbergasted. The Dragon King wanted Chu Hao to stay, but he actually dared to refuse? Awesome, my Brother Hao!