novelraw Chapter 170 : The Origin of the Water Dragon Sect
Chapter 170 : The Origin of the Water Dragon Sect
Chapter 170: The Origin of the Water Dragon Sect
"Disciple greets Master."
Ji Yuan arrived at Forgotten Worry Island and bowed respectfully to Hua Yaoyue.
After this incident, he finally understood just how much effort Hua Yaoyue had been putting into him.
He and Liu Yuan were both disciples of Golden Core Real Persons. The situation they encountered this time was similar, and both had sent messages to their respective Golden Core masters.
And the result?
Hua Yaoyue came personally.
Whereas Real Person Yun Yuan only sent a Foundation Establishment Stage disciple. Of course, maybe Real Person Yun Yuan had too many matters to attend to and was too busy to come.
After all, he was the Grand Elder of the Water Dragon Sect.
"Mm."
Hua Yaoyue looked Ji Yuan over from top to bottom.
"Not bad."
She casually praised.
Then she sat up from the soft chair, though she didn’t stand. "I already know the full situation. It’s nothing major."
"The reason I summoned the three of you is simply to give you a few reminders. The demonic path from Western Shang has already begun to invade."
"Incidents like today’s are not exclusive to our Water Dragon Sect. Similar things have happened within the territories of the other five sects as well. So from now on, be cautious whether going out or not."
"If you are outmatched, contact me immediately."
"Understood."
Perhaps because this was a serious matter, Feng Zhi Tao and the others also bowed respectfully toward Hua Yaoyue.
Yun Qianzai straightened his back and immediately asked, "Master, may I ask if the demonic path has already launched a full-scale invasion? Should we go to the Shang Mountain to defend it?"
"Not yet. If it comes quickly, maybe within a few years; if slowly, perhaps over a decade. The sect will inform you when the time comes."
Hua Yaoyue rarely spoke so much in one go. "So for the next few years, you must improve your strength as much as possible. When the day comes that the demonic path launches a full assault—Eastern Shang may no longer be safe."
Even someone like Yun Qianzai, known for being brash, couldn't help but change expression upon hearing this.
"Master, based on previous demonic invasions, isn't our Water Dragon Sect, located in the heart of Eastern Shang, the safest among the Six Immortal Sects?"
The Sword Ruins were in Shang Mountain—by far the most dangerous.
Next came the Medicine King Valley and the Beast Taming Sect, one to the south and the other to the north, situated on either side of the Falling Star River—these were the second and third tiers respectively. Then the Corpse Herding Mountain, Joy Palace, and Water Dragon Sect made up the third tier.
Corpse Herding Mountain was to the north, Joy Palace to the south, and Water Dragon Sect was in the exact center. So among the Six Immortal Sects in Eastern Shang, Water Dragon Sect was the safest.
In previous demonic invasions, even if the Shang Mountain front line was breached, the attacks were always repelled at the borders of Medicine King Valley and the Beast Taming Sect.
They never reached Water Dragon Sect’s territory.
Hua Yaoyue shook her head, her expression slightly serious.
"Word from the Sword Ruins is that this invasion is different. The demonic path isn’t scattered like before. It seems someone is coordinating them from behind, advancing and retreating in order. In short, it’s never wrong to be cautious."
Whether it was an illusion or not...
Ji Yuan felt that when Hua Yaoyue said this, she seemed to glance at him.
"I shall follow Master's orders."
After the three saluted, they stood up. Hua Yaoyue lay back down, signaling that there was nothing more to be said.
Feng Zhi Tao immediately said, "It’s rare for us to gather like this, and Little Junior Brother just escaped great danger. Why don’t we celebrate?"
Speaking of celebration, it basically meant Ji Yuan would cook, and they’d drink some of the wine he brought.
"Excellent idea."
Yun Qianzai nodded with a smile.
Hua Yaoyue thought for a moment, seemingly nostalgic for the taste of Ji Yuan’s cooking, and then nodded slightly. "As you wish."
Wait a minute—if it's as we wish, Master, why are you nodding—
Ji Yuan laughed, "Then allow me to show my modest skills. Senior Brother, Senior Sister, don’t leave—come help out."
"We can’t use techniques for this; we have to do it by hand. That’s where the soul lies."
"Me? My cooking has soul."
A while later—
The four, full from eating, leaned back to rest in the pavilion. Feng Zhi Tao looked left at her Master, right at her Senior Brothers, and suddenly smiled:
"If only we could stay like this forever."
"Absolutely. It’d be even better if Little Junior Brother cooked for us every day."
Yun Qianzai nodded.
Ji Yuan: Second Senior Brother, you damn—
"Don’t forget, you still have a First Senior Brother."
Hua Yaoyue couldn’t help but chime in.
"Oh right."
"First Senior Brother is a glutton, haha. Little Junior Brother, you’ll see how much he can eat. As long as he’s around, you’ll have to cook extra."
Listening to their chatter, Ji Yuan couldn’t help but ask curiously, "Has First Senior Brother been staying in Shang Mountain all this time? Still hasn’t returned?"
"He’s a lunatic. I’ve urged him a few times; he should be on his way back by now."
Hua Yaoyue glanced westward, speaking somewhat helplessly.
Ji Yuan also inquired about the Foundation Establishment disciples in the sect—for example, which Foundation Establishment Island Lords had taken Golden Core Real Persons as their masters.
He particularly asked about the disciples of Grand Elder Real Person Yun Yuan and Third Elder Real Person Xuan Xiao.
He thus learned the real name of the female cultivator he had encountered earlier carrying the massive sword on her back.
Rou Yi.
Second disciple of Grand Elder Real Person Yun Yuan. Also a battle maniac. Her cultivation had reached the peak of Foundation Establishment, and it was said she had already glimpsed the threshold of Core Formation.
After the idle chatter, the three bid farewell again.
However, after walking a certain distance, Ji Yuan circled back alone to Forgotten Worry Island.
Though Ji Yuan and the other two had only just left, Hua Yaoyue had already risen. She was no longer reclining and was tending to the flowers outside the pavilion.
So——·Master’s laziness was an act?
Was she secretly working hard behind our backs all along?
Ji Yuan speculated in his heart.
"What else is it?"
Hua Yaoyue asked without even raising her head.
Ji Yuan gave a slight bow, then stated the fact that he had already sent a message to Real Person Xuan Shui, but did not mention any suspicion that someone had intercepted it. He simply described what had happened.
"Oh?"
Hua Yaoyue listened and turned around. "I set out the moment I received your message. Are you saying there is a Golden Core Real Person in our sect who defected to the demonic sect?"
"It was really a Golden Core Real Person?"
Ji Yuan was shocked to hear this from Hua Yaoyue’s mouth.
"Yes. Only divine sense at the Golden Core level can forcibly lock onto a Messaging Talisman."
"Then doesn’t that mean Messaging Talismans are no longer safe?"
"They never really were."
As Hua Yaoyue spoke, she seemed to be pondering who that Golden Core Real Person might be. Ji Yuan remained silent.
"Have you informed your Sect Master Martial Uncle of this?"
"I have."
"Good then."
"Disciple has another matter to inquire about. I suspect there may be some secret in Linshui City. Otherwise, why would the demonic path be so unwilling to let it go? It was already exposed with Island Lord Qinghan’s incident, and now they’ve launched a full assault. If it were truly just for minor gains, it wouldn't make sense. This doesn’t feel like the demonic path’s usual behavior."
This was a question Ji Yuan had pondered all the way here.
He always felt that the demonic attack this time was unusually strange. The risk was high and the gain too little. Cunning demonic cultivators wouldn’t normally act this way.
"As for that matter..."
Hua Yaoyue actually seemed to know.
She put down the small shovel in her hand, clapped her palms clean, and stood up, walking along the path between the flowerbeds. Ji Yuan followed closely behind, keeping in step.
"It’s actually related to something from a very, very long time ago."
"Very, very long?"
"Yes, about two to three thousand years ago."Hua Yaoyue turned her head to look south."Do you know why our Water Dragon Sect chose to establish its sect here, and why it was named Water Dragon Sect?"
"Disciple does not know."
Ji Yuan had guessed a little but didn’t say it out loud, preferring to listen to Hua Yaoyue’s explanation directly.
"Because thousands of years ago, a true dragon was slain here—a water-attribute true dragon. Even now, our Water Dragon Sect still enjoys a trace of its fortune."
"What?! A true dragon?"
Ji Yuan truly didn’t know this. Not only was he unaware, but he had never seen any similar record in any of the Water Dragon Sect’s historical documents.
"Yes, this matter is secret. Now that you know, don’t spread it around."
Hua Yaoyue deliberately reminded him.
"Understood."
Ji Yuan realized that even the senior brothers and sisters might not know this.
"As for Linshui City, to be precise, it’s probably the river next to it. I think it’s called—"
"Pear Blossom River,"Ji Yuan said aloud.
"Oh right, it’s called Pear Blossom River now. It used to be called Fallen Dragon River. It was supposedly formed when that true dragon was struck down and fell. So even now, a trace of dragon energy still remains at the bottom of the river. Those demonic cultivators must’ve caught wind of some information and are searching for it."
The secret that the demonic sect was desperately searching for was now casually revealed by Hua Yaoyue.
"Dragon energy... isn’t that a good thing?"
Although Ji Yuan didn’t fully understand it, he could tell just from the name that it had to be something valuable.
"Heh, the place where a dragon fell, and the trace of dragon energy left behind by a true dragon on the verge of being slain—do you really think that’s a good thing?"
Hua Yaoyue’s laugh shattered Ji Yuan’s illusion.
Thinking it over, it made sense. If it were truly good, Hua Yaoyue herself would’ve already tried to extract it.
"But for the《Sword Manual》you’re cultivating, it might still be useful. You can condense your second sword embryo above Pear Blossom River, and perhaps it’ll absorb a bit of dragon fortune. But remember—once blood energy starts mixing with the water fortune, you must stop immediately. Otherwise, even I won’t be able to save you."
"Yes."
Ji Yuan hurriedly took note of this. Even if he couldn’t obtain dragon energy, a trace of dragon fortune would still be beneficial.
By that time, his second flying sword should grow stronger. But if that was the case, why didn’t his first flying sword benefit?
His first flying sword had been condensed in the Yunyu Marshlands.
Ji Yuan asked the question that puzzled him.
Hua Yaoyue laughed upon hearing it."This place is known as the boundless marsh now, but back in those days, it was just a tiny shoal beside the Falling Star River. Can you guess how the so-called boundless marsh came to be?"
Ji Yuan thought for a moment and said,"Formed from battle?"
"No. By the time that true dragon escaped here, it only had its last breath left. There wasn’t much of a battle. This so-called boundless marsh was actually dug out."
"What? Dug out?!"
Ji Yuan was shocked by this answer.
The saying goes that digging three feet underground is excessive—but someone had excavated a boundless marsh?
"Yes. Any soil touched by even a trace of dragon energy was dug out. And you still think there’s some fortune left for us latecomers to benefit from?"
"Don’t overthink it."
Hua Yaoyue couldn’t help but clasp her hands behind her back and let out a long sigh.
Even soil tainted with dragon energy had been snatched up. Ji Yuan naturally thought of his【Fish Pond】. Based on normal projections, the【Fish Pond】should eventually raise a true dragon.
At that time, he might have to rename it to【Dragon Pool】.
"Master, what realm was that true dragon classified as among spirit beasts?"
Ji Yuan asked curiously.
"Realm?"
Hua Yaoyue repeated the question, then softly muttered,"Just one would be enough to effortlessly destroy the entire Cangluo Continent."
Ji Yuan could no longer be shocked—because the news was simply too shocking. Just as he was about to speak again—
Hua Yaoyue interrupted him."Are you thinking of asking how vast the world outside is? Then let me ask you—have you formed your core? Still only at the early Foundation Establishment Stage, don’t aim too high."
"Survive first, then talk."
Hearing this, Ji Yuan refrained from asking more.
He took a deep breath, stepped back, and gave Hua Yaoyue a deep bow.
"Go on."
Hua Yaoyue issued her guest-dismissal order, and only then did Ji Yuan leave Forgotten Worry Island.
After this incident, Hua Yaoyue appeared even more mysterious in his eyes—alright, truthfully, Ji Yuan now suspected that his master might be some reincarnated and re-cultivating old monster.
Otherwise, how could she know all these things—and hide her strength so well?
An old monster... could she actually be a Nascent Soul stage old freak?
Before Ji Yuan returned to Misty Island, he received a message from Li Changhe.
Li Changhe said he had just returned from the northern Beast Taming Sect and had just learned the whole story from the Sect Master, asking how Ji Yuan was doing.
Ji Yuan reported that he was safe and told him not to come anymore, then returned to Misty Island.
It was also time to take stock of the spoils from this event.
First were the two corpses of the demonic cultivators. After confirming there were no mistakes, Ji Yuan, in line with the principle of utilizing everything, buried them in the【Grave Mound】.
Next were the storage pouches.
Since the ones he killed this time were bona fide demonic cultivators, Ji Yuan didn’t feel it appropriate to ask Tu Yue for help. He was concerned there might be some filthy or dangerous items inside that could harm Tu Yue.
Tu Yue was now a valuable assistant—Ji Yuan couldn’t bear to let her get hurt.
Ji Yuan handled it personally and spent about half a stick of incense’s time to fully inspect the contents of the two storage pouches.
There weren’t many spirit stones—only 234 in total from both bags combined. It seemed most had already been absorbed to strengthen their cultivation.
After all, spirit stones carried on the body were just numbers—only when turned into power were they truly put to use.
As for spiritual artifacts, each had two—though they were all lower-grade spiritual artifacts, it was still decent, considering they were only at early Foundation Establishment Stage.
Each of them had a flying spiritual artifact.
Apparently, they understood that being strong didn’t matter as much as being able to flee.
However, unlike the flying boats of the Water Dragon Sect, their flying spiritual artifacts had rather peculiar shapes.
One was shaped like a willow leaf—not too bad.
But the other was shaped like a rib bone. When spiritual energy was infused, the bone enlarged just enough for someone to sit in the middle.
Riding a bone to fly?
Why not ride a broomstick instead.
The other two lower-grade spiritual artifacts were a ghost claw and a treasure armor.
Hun Yuan had initially thought that the ghost claw grabbing him was part of a formation, but now it seemed the demonic cultivator had activated the spiritual artifact.
As for the armor, it had been slashed several times by Flowing Frost Flying Hook and was slightly damaged. It could only be sold off for spirit stones now.
After checking the spiritual artifacts, Hun Yuan immediately found the tombstone secret art among the miscellaneous items. When the demonic cultivator had activated it earlier, its power had rivaled that of talisman treasures.
Its power was astonishing.
But after reading the technique, he abandoned the idea of cultivating it.
Its power was great—but the price was also steep.
The demonic cultivator had become short and hunched because of this technique. The further one cultivated it, the shorter the body would become.
Moreover, cultivating this technique meant that for three days each year, the body would lie as if in a coffin, with a tombstone standing above.
Powerful—but sinister.
Hun Yuan stored it away.
As for talisman treasures, neither of the two had any. The only talismans they had were a few lower-tier second-tier talismans. The mid-grade ones had already been used during the battle.
Same for the pills.
Hun Yuan was still hoping he might find a few Foundation Establishment Pills, but in the end, he had hoped for too much.
There was nothing at all.
As for cultivation techniques, both of those demonic cultivators were cultivating Foundation Establishment Stage techniques that couldn’t even reach the Golden Core Stage. Hun Yuan scanned them with his divine sense once and discarded them.
There were also some Yin-type Items suitable for demonic cultivators. Hun Yuan couldn’t use them, so he buried them all into the【Grave Mound】.
To enhance the Yin Energy within the【Grave Mound】.
After sorting through these items, he ended up with a straw figure in his hand.
He checked it with his divine sense. This straw figure—something was off. It seemed to contain a powerful curse-killing force, which reminded him of that sensation during the battle when his divine sense had been locked on.
"That demonic cultivator back then must’ve planned to use this thing to curse me to death."
Hun Yuan held the straw figure in his left hand and a Bone-Piercing Nail in his right.
He didn’t know what cultivation realm this thing could pin down, so Ji Yuan planned to find someone and ask about it when the chance arose.
After storing away the straw figure, Hun Yuan now had a compass exuding blood energy in his hand. This item wasn’t a spiritual artifact—it appeared to have been custom-made and had a special effect.
If he hadn’t asked Hua Yaoyue, Hun Yuan might not have understood.
But now he knew very clearly. It was most likely the tool that demonic cultivator used to locate Dragon Energy.
Hun Yuan knew the Dragon Energy was at the bottom of Pear Blossom River. This thing was useless to him now, but he didn’t destroy it. Instead, he stored it away in the third layer of a storage pouch.
Who knew—he might need it someday.
After organizing the contents of the storage pouch, Hun Yuan exited the【Cave Dwelling】and, like a grand marshal, patrolled his own territory.
Excellent. Everything was intact.
Unfortunately, the【Fish Pond】still hadn’t produced a Tier Three Ice Flood Dragon hatchling. Hun Yuan was still hoping this creature would eventually grow into a True Dragon.
Especially after listening to Hua Yaoyue’s ancient tales, his longing for a True Dragon had only grown stronger.
After completing the patrol of his territory, Hun Yuan once again sat on the mountaintop.
From this battle, his greatest realization was that formations were truly wonderful things—especially the kind that didn’t require prior setup and could be instantly activated.
But even that wasn’t quite enough.
When faced with Hu Li’s Thirty-Six Smoke Formation, Hun Yuan truly had no good countermeasure.
Although he had upgraded the【Formation Room】to Level 2, he wasn’t proficient in setting up or breaking through Second-Tier Formations.
Even the fact that the Yin Ghost Formation had reached Second-Tier was due to a fortunate coincidence.
To put it bluntly, Hun Yuan was still just a First-Tier Formation Master.
This wasn’t good. Formations were valuable tools—he couldn’t let his talent go to waste. But if he were to comprehend everything on his own, it would be too slow. Having someone to guide him would be far better.
After some thought—
Hun Yuan had no better option than to go seek out his Second Senior Brother, Yun Qianzai, the ultimate poser.
Just the thought of his poser-like behavior gave Hun Yuan a headache.
"Forget it, everything is for the sake of improving strength!"
And of course, visiting to ask for guidance couldn’t be done empty-handed. He needed to prepare some sort of gift. But what should he prepare?
Ordinary things wouldn’t please Yun Qianzai. He had to gift something that matched his personality.