novelraw Chapter 176 : 【Fish Pond】Birth of a Flood Dragon
Chapter 176 : 【Fish Pond】Birth of a Flood Dragon
Chapter 176: 【Fish Pond】Birth of a Flood Dragon
On the way back to Misty Island, Ji Yuan was still replaying the events of this trip.
The more he thought about it... the more he felt that the wisp of dragon energy he obtained wasn't the one Hua Yaoyue had mentioned.
Because this dragon energy was too weak, so weak that Ji Yuan found it hard to believe that, as a Foundation Establishment early-stage cultivator, he could actually obtain true dragon energy.
In contrast, he was more inclined to think that the massive black shadow he saw coiled at the bottom of Pear Blossom River as he was leaving—
Perhaps that was what was truly related to dragon energy.
Moreover, Ji Yuan still clearly remembered the blood aura that emerged across the entire surface of Pear Blossom River when he condensed the Dragon Fortune Sword Embryo.
Such a commotion of blood rising throughout the river was definitely not something that tiny wisp of dragon energy in his storage pouch could have triggered.
"Judging from this... could it be that the dragon energy I obtained is a smaller offshoot of a greater dragon energy? Or maybe a tiny dragon energy?"
Ji Yuan could only think of it this way.
But in any case, a gain was still a gain!
As for the use of this dragon energy, Ji Yuan's initial idea was naturally to integrate it into the sword embryo, to modify his first flying sword a little.
However, on the way back, a new idea struck him, and he came up with a more suitable plan.
Dragon energy... ought to be placed inside the 【Dragon Pool】.
Although Ji Yuan currently didn’t have a Dragon Pool, he did have a 【Fish Pond】. If he raised the dragon energy in the 【Fish Pond】, perhaps it could nurture the first Flood Dragon.
By that time, having a Tier 3 demon beast hatchling... wouldn’t that be a powerful means?
Once it recognized him as its master and he wholeheartedly cultivated it on the farm, and its strength was piled up to Tier 3, it would be equivalent to having a Golden Core stage bodyguard at his side.
By then, even if the frontlines were broken through by the demonic path, Ji Yuan felt he’d at least have one more chance of survival.
After all, at worst he could flee overseas, and with a Tier 3 demon beast for protection, even overseas wouldn’t be a problem!
While contemplating, Ji Yuan drove the flying boat at full speed and soon returned to Misty Island.
Mist blanketed the land. Once Ji Yuan’s flying boat passed through it, his view suddenly cleared.
On the hillside, two old men... no, two old corpses were digging and farming. The fields they had reclaimed behind them had already been sown with spiritual wheat.
The earlier planted ones at the foot of the mountain had even begun sprouting.
At a glance, it was lush and vibrant, quite a beautiful sight.
As for the reason... it was because Ji Yuan no longer removed the spiritual soil produced by the 【Chicken Coop】, but instead had Tu Yue evenly spread it across the 【Spiritual Fields】.
The amount was small, but better than nothing.
With this spiritual soil, the 【Spiritual Fields】 could produce more crops.
Ji Yuan didn’t need it himself, but whether to sell for money or to store for emergencies, it was all useful. Resources, after all, needed to be utilized.
The spiritual soil used for planting spiritual wheat was minimal. Aside from that, Ji Yuan also had Chu San open up a 【Herb Garden】 at the foot of the mountain.
The Herb Garden didn’t have a separate building. Ji Yuan reckoned it overlapped with the 【Spiritual Fields】.
But that didn’t matter. As long as it was useful.
A large amount of spiritual soil had been invested into this Herb Garden.
He also transplanted the medicinal herbs he had first planted — the spiritual herb seeds obtained from the demonic cultivators after killing Luo Tian — into the Herb Garden.
Those seeds had been stored together with Gentian Root, so Ji Yuan naturally assumed they were also Gentian Root.
But after so many years, with the effect bonus from the 【Spiritual Fields】—
These herbs had finally grown a little, and Ji Yuan was able to discern their true identity... they were also ingredients for refining Foundation Establishment Pills, but not the hundred-year Gentian Root.
They were Millennium Qinghui Grass!
Damn, who knows where those demonic cultivators got them from—just a few Qi Refining stage demonic cultivators had actually obtained seeds of Qinghui Grass.
It just took too long to grow.
Even with the bonus effects from the buildings, it would still take hundreds of years.
Ji Yuan piloted the flying boat, patrolling from the mountain top down like inspecting his own territory, until he arrived at his 【Fish Pond】.
His divine sense swept through, and the situation within the 【Fish Pond】 was completely perceived.
Aside from the original carp-type spiritual fish, over the past few years Ji Yuan had occasionally added many more.
As a result, even just the late-stage Tier 1 spiritual fish now numbered seventy to eighty, not to mention early and mid-stage ones.
Unfortunately, not a single Tier 3 Flood Dragon hatchling had been born.
According to the description on the Panel, the spiritual effect 【Rainbow Carp Turns into Flood Dragon】 allowed a tiny chance for carp-type spiritual fish to give birth to Ice Flood Dragon hatchlings.
This tiny chance... was really damn tiny!
Several years had passed, yet there wasn’t the slightest movement.
It seemed external help was necessary. At this thought, Ji Yuan locked his divine sense onto the jade bottle in his storage pouch, which was sealed layer upon layer.
He could sense that the wisp of dragon energy inside the jade bottle was still crashing about like a headless fly.
Its strength wasn’t very high anymore.
Back when he was in that underwater cave, Ji Yuan had sensed that the dragon energy’s strength was roughly between Qi Refining ninth level and peak Qi Refining.
It might have once been powerful, but after being refined for countless years in the Blood-Congealing Fiend-Transforming Formation, its current strength... was indeed just this much.
On this Misty Island, Ji Yuan wasn’t worried it would escape.
So he took it out, bottle and all, and tossed it into the 【Fish Pond】. After it sank to the bottom, Ji Yuan summoned the Liushuang Flying Sword and sent it into the water.
"Ding—"
With a crisp sound, the jade bottle under restriction shattered, and the faint wisp of dragon energy inside instantly shot out.
A dragon swims into the sea, unbound.
Within Ji Yuan’s divine sense, he could clearly see the dragon energy darting around rapidly in the 【Fish Pond】, weaving back and forth nonstop.
Wherever it passed, the surrounding spiritual fish seemed to sense some great dread, frozen in place with fear.
Even the late-stage Tier 1 spiritual fish were no exception.
Just the aura emitted by this single wisp of dragon energy was enough to make all creatures in the Tier 1 domain submit.
Ji Yuan watched for quite a while. The dragon energy truly didn’t seem to intend to flee; it simply swam freely within the 【Fish Pond】.
Was it really like that?
Ji Yuan didn’t quite believe it. He figured that once the dragon energy grew bored of the 【Fish Pond】, it would start thinking about finding a bigger one. By then, it would certainly try everything to escape.
He placed the dragon energy in this 【Fish Pond】 partly to see if it could recover a little.
If it could recover, it might become a perpetual motion machine.
On the other hand, he also wanted to see if the spiritual fish might absorb a trace of the dragon energy and mutate.
Just as Ji Yuan was about to withdraw his divine sense, he suddenly noticed a dark greenish-black carp suddenly open its mouth wide.
This carp was only Tier 1 early-stage and was hiding in a corner of the 【Fish Pond】. Judging by its shedding scales, it was definitely at the very bottom of the 【Fish Pond】 hierarchy.
The kind that anyone could bully.
Just like now, with the dragon energy suppressing the 【Fish Pond】, all the spiritual fish were too scared to move.
It was the same, and yet different.
It was already hiding in the corner of the 【Fish Pond】, and the dragon energy happened to be turning right in front of it.
At that moment, it opened its mouth.
Its mouth wasn’t big, but it was enough to swallow that wisp of dragon energy, no thicker than a finger.
Its tail flicked, it darted forward, and in an instant, its open mouth swallowed the dragon energy into its belly.
Ji Yuan, who saw the entire scene through divine sense, couldn’t help but widen his eyes.
He never imagined that in his tiny 【Fish Pond】, there’d be such a ruthless character.
That wisp of dragon energy, though weak, still had the strength of late-stage Qi Refining, yet this carp was merely Tier 1 early-stage.
So this was destined to be a suicidal devouring.
And it truly was — the moment the carp swallowed the dragon energy into its body, its belly exploded.
"Poof"—a sound.
Its belly burst open... but was instantly frozen by ice.
The entire 【Fish Pond】’s temperature dropped significantly. Feeling this change, Ji Yuan immediately opened the building interface.
In an instant, beams of golden light rose from all directions of the 【Fish Pond】, finally converging at its center.
On the surface of the pond, one could see wisps of cold mist swirling.
At the bottom of the pond, the spiritual fish that had been frozen by ice no longer moved.
Moreover, the wisp of dragon energy that had been devoured never reappeared.
Ji Yuan sensed something and glanced at the Panel.
Just in time, a line of text popped up on the Panel.
“Fish Pond triggered spiritual effect: 【Rainbow Carp Turns into Flood Dragon】.”
A single simple line announced that a Tier 3 demon beast hatchling was about to emerge.
While Ji Yuan felt joyful, there was also a tinge of regret.
He had actually expended a wisp of dragon energy just to trigger this spiritual effect.
Since the cost was so great, then this Ice Flood Dragon should at least be somewhat powerful, right?
The golden aura that had been floating above the 【Fish Pond】 suddenly fell into the lake, wrapping around the frozen spiritual fish.
Rainbow Carp Turns into Flood Dragon.
Ji Yuan watched as the body of the frozen carp gradually elongated, sprouting four claws from its belly. The originally dark greenish scales on its body had turned into an icy blue, its whole form appearing as if it was forged from ice crystals—extremely beautiful.
Its length was no more than Ji Yuan’s arm span, and in thickness, it was only about two fingers wide.
Aside from lacking dragon horns and a head not quite resembling a true dragon, the rest of its form already strongly resembled one.
It was, after all, a Tier 3 demon beast.
If only the 【Fish Pond】 reached Level 4.
With the next spiritual effect 【Flood Dragon Turns into Chi Dragon】, the Flood Dragon would then truly take on the form of a dragon.
At first, the Ice Flood Dragon resembled an ice sculpture, completely devoid of vitality. But after a few breaths, the golden light dissipated, and it immediately came to life, swishing its tail and swimming freely within the 【Fish Pond】.
In Ji Yuan’s perception, the Ice Flood Dragon currently only had the strength of Tier 1 mid-stage.
Yet it was enough to suppress many of the late-stage Tier 1 spiritual fish into immobility.
Just as Ji Yuan was wondering what the Ice Flood Dragon would do, he saw it swim up to another Tier 1 early-stage spiritual fish, then suddenly open its mouth.
“Crack—”
The spiritual fish’s head was instantly crushed, and as the cold spread, the fish died.
The Ice Flood Dragon then swam directly to another spiritual fish, seemingly with a goal in mind.
Once again, it opened its mouth.
Another Tier 1 early-stage spiritual fish was bitten to death.
Seeing this, Ji Yuan suddenly understood.
This Ice Flood Dragon... was taking revenge.
It had originally been that wounded carp from before. Back then, it had no power and could only endure the bullying of other carp. Now that it had transformed into a Flood Dragon and gained strength—
Naturally, it was going to repay its grudges and resentments!
After biting to death a Tier 1 mid-stage spiritual fish, it finally stopped.
Ji Yuan thought it was over, but then saw it drag the corpse of the Tier 1 mid-stage fish in front of a pitiful Tier 1 early-stage spiritual fish, signaling for it to eat.
First revenge, now gratitude?
Interesting.
Ji Yuan couldn’t help but feel curious and satisfied with this future spiritual pet of his.
It had a personality, but wasn’t dumb.
Seeing it finish its revenge and repay its debt, it returned to the earlier two fish corpses and began eating their flesh to strengthen itself.
Ji Yuan quietly watched it finish devouring both spiritual fish, and in the meantime, performed the technique for spiritual pet contracting.
As the Ice Flood Dragon was still a hatchling, it needed to be subdued quickly.
Moments later, Ji Yuan first let a drop of his own blood fall upon the main talisman of the contracting technique after bringing the Ice Flood Dragon out of the water and subduing it, taking a drop of its Ice Flood Blood.
Ji Yuan was extremely careful, confirming his blood fell precisely on the main talisman.
If he got it wrong, the contract would still work, but its effect would be reversed—he would become the servant of the Ice Flood Dragon.
Yet just as he prepared to drip the dragon's blood onto the contract, the technique abruptly collapsed, the spell broke, and the contract failed.
"Hmm?"
Ji Yuan was a bit surprised. What had happened?
He was certain the spell was correct. If it were wrong, he wouldn’t have been able to cast it at all.
Could it be that the spell's level was too low to contract a Tier 3 demon beast?
After thinking it over, that was the only possibility, because this contracting technique had been bought on the streets of Linhai City—and it was cheap, costing only one Middle-Grade Spirit Stone.
Ji Yuan originally intended to ask Li Changhe, since he had already contracted a Tier 3 demon beast, the Sky-Flying Tiger, so he surely knew.
He even had the Messaging Talisman ready in hand, but in the end, Ji Yuan gave up on the idea.
If he asked Li Changhe... he would undoubtedly guess that Ji Yuan also had a Tier 3 demon beast hatchling.
Ji Yuan planned to keep the matter of the Ice Flood Dragon a secret. Until it matured, he didn’t want anyone to know—not even Hua Yaoyue.
So Ji Yuan looked at the Ice Flood Dragon and placed it back into the 【Fish Pond】, while he himself returned to the sect and headed for the sect’s Scripture Repository.
Upon inquiring, he did receive a precise answer.
To contract demon beasts at Tier 3 or above, a more complex contracting technique was required.
This contracting technique wasn’t cheap either.
Its cost was a whopping 1,200 Contribution Points.
Ji Yuan certainly didn’t have enough. Over the years, aside from the 100 base Contribution Points granted annually, he had never taken on any other tasks.
In that case... he’d have to borrow.
Contribution Points in the sect worked just like Spirit Stones—usable, and borrowable.
Ji Yuan thought for a moment and took out Dong Qian’s Messaging Talisman.
He could have gone to Du Wanyi too, but she was in seclusion.
Feng Zhi Tao would be willing, given her personality, but she’d ask a million questions.
Dong Qian wouldn’t. She was sensible and never pried.
Once Ji Yuan explained that he needed to borrow Contribution Points, she didn’t ask much and simply said: See you at Thousand Mechanisms Island.
To borrow Contribution Points, it had to be done at Thousand Mechanisms Island, through the Thousand Mechanisms Hall.
Half a day later, outside the Thousand Mechanisms Hall.
Ji Yuan saw Dong Qian descending from the sky. Compared to before, she had already changed into the dark blue spiritual robe symbolizing her status.
Back during the Qi Refining stage, she used to wear oversized robes to conceal her graceful figure, but now that she had reached Foundation Establishment stage, things were different.
The slightly loose robe was cinched at the waist with a belt, her midsection slim and firm, highlighting her fuller chest even more.
Even someone as composed as Ji Yuan couldn’t help but glance a few more times.
“Let’s go, Junior Brother.”
Dong Qian didn’t get angry over Ji Yuan’s gaze. Instead, she smiled warmly at him.
“Senior Sister isn’t going to ask how much I want to borrow?”
Ji Yuan asked through divine sense.
“No matter how much Junior Brother needs, I’ll lend it.”
“I mean, aren’t you worried you won’t have enough Contribution Points left?”
“This... as long as Junior Brother isn’t planning to exchange for some rare treasure, it should be fine.”
Soon, Ji Yuan understood why Dong Qian was so confident.
Because she had a lot of Contribution Points. A lot... Ji Yuan took a glance, and even after lending him 1,000 Contribution Points, she still had over 8,000 left.
She didn’t look like it, but she was a real grinder.
Contribution Points in hand, the two parted ways, and Ji Yuan headed back to the Scripture Repository.
Just before leaving, he noticed Dong Qian’s smile seemed to carry some... deeper meaning?
It was like she had something to say, but chose not to. Ji Yuan didn’t pursue the matter either.
He redeemed the high-level contracting technique at the Scripture Repository, then hurried back to Misty Island, worried that if he delayed, the Ice Flood Dragon might escape.
If it fled into the vast Yunyu Marshlands, it would be like a fish returning to the sea—impossible to find again.
One day later, Ji Yuan returned to Misty Island.
Good news: The Ice Flood Dragon was still in the 【Fish Pond】.
Bad news: The 【Fish Pond】 was nearly ravaged empty by it.
When Ji Yuan left, it had only killed three or four spiritual fish.
Now, upon returning... Ji Yuan’s divine sense counted—at least forty to fifty spiritual fish had been killed by it!
And this was within just over two days.
Having devoured so many spiritual fish, its strength had risen from Tier 1 mid-stage to Tier 1 late-stage. Not a total waste, at least.
But that appetite...
Damn it, don’t end up eating me into poverty!
At least the Ice Flood Dragon was still here.
Ji Yuan dared not delay. If it kept growing and reached Tier 2, contracting it would become exponentially harder.
He immediately went to the 【Enlightenment Room】. After spending half a day, he fully comprehended the contracting technique.
Coming to the edge of the 【Fish Pond】, he first forced the Ice Flood Dragon out of the water using his flying sword, then trapped it using the Stellar Whirl Cloud Barrier Formation and extracted its blood with his sword.
Two drops of blood fell into the contract formation.
The contract was completed.
With two streams of light entering their foreheads respectively, Ji Yuan felt a new connection form between him and the Ice Flood Dragon.
Not only could he now control the Flood Dragon, but unlike before, it now felt a sense of closeness to him. It immediately swam ashore, coiled around Ji Yuan’s arm, and rested on his shoulder.
Feeling the chill on his arm—
Ji Yuan was completely relieved.
He had finally raised a Flood Dragon!
Next, he had to feed it until it reached Tier 3.
With that in mind, Ji Yuan pulled out a drop of Ice Soul Cold Dew produced by the Level 3 【Fish Pond】 from his storage pouch.