Chapter 132
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Chapter 132: Title
While harboring disdain for human cultivators, Mr. Bai maintained profound reverence for Dragon Lord Ao Yuan.
"Dragon Lord, this subordinate shall return swiftly."
All spirit cultivators beneath the Nine Extreme Demon Lords could be considered their retainers.
Though appearing no larger than a human toddler of two or three years, Mr. Bai of the snake race boasted an age rumored to exceed four digits. Upon learning of his assignment to accompany the Dragon Lord, he’d accepted without hesitation.
It should be noted that while numerous spirit cultivators had migrated from the Mountain and Sea Realm to the human realm, tier three spirit cultivators capable of human transformation remained scarce. The ancestral ties between the snake race and dragon race made this opportunity particularly significant.
Little wonder Mr. Bai’s excitement.
Among myriad spirit cultivators – winged beasts, botanical spirits, and mystical creatures – only select lineages shared connections with the dragon race.
For the gifted within the snake race, the path of transformation from serpent to flood dragon, and ultimately to true dragon, remained attainable.
The procession halted abruptly, members fanning out in defensive formation against potential threats.
Among the group were knowledge-seeking youths like Yun Han, chosen for his prior Mountain and Sea Realm experience and rapport with its inhabitants.
"So this is what that spirit cultivator gave you?" Hu Mei chirped, peering at the silvery scale pendant resting against his collarbone.
Resembling fish scales yet more lustrous, the quarter-palm-sized fragment refracted silvery light when illuminated. Suspended from Yun Han’s neck, it appeared no different from an ordinary pendant.
"Indeed," Yun Han affirmed.
As a Special Bureau operative, he’d fully disclosed his Mountain and Sea Realm encounters after returning to Blue Star – including his meeting with the mermaid… or rather, the jiangshi.
Ancient myths and legends deemed this term most appropriate for such aquatic beings.
The memory still vexed him. Beyond his otherworldly experiences, the scale’s aftermath had involved frequent visits to Division 6 for analysis, though the Special Bureau proved surprisingly accommodating.
The organization maintained flexible policies – unless dealing with uniquely powerful spiritual items, discoverers typically retained their findings. Even for rare artifacts, exchanges were voluntary, with equivalent compensation offered.
Life’s necessities often outweighed mystical trinkets. Special Bureau members, having passed rigorous evaluations, generally prioritized collective benefit over personal gain when dealing with national interests.
Yun Han suppressed a sigh. He’d have preferred relinquishing the scale, finding it merely served as a cooling ornament. Previous accidental visitors to the Mountain and Sea Realm mostly abstained from returning, excepting those like Professor Zhang with scholarly interest or prior mystical gains.
"Will this journey hold dangers?" Yun Han mused, tilting the translucent scale against sunlight.
"What’s to fear with the Dragon Lord present?" Hu Mei countered with a shrug.
Nearby, a statuesque woman stole a discreet glance at the majestic Dragon Lord before averting her gaze. His appearance belied true nature – this black-haired, golden-eyed figure of twenty-seven summers stood among the Nine Extreme Demon Lords, apex rulers of spirit cultivators.
Raven locks flowed from a dragon-shaped crown, pearl crystals no larger than fingernails strung on silvery threads through his tresses. Pristine white robes shimmered with golden dragon cloud patterns along every hem, their sole adornments being a waist-hung jade pendant and peculiar silvery ring on his left index finger.
Xiao Chen’s fleeting observation revealed little about the ring’s significance, its arcane design resisting casual comprehension.
Xiao Chen stared ahead, suppressing the recurring thoughts in her mind. She must be overimagining things—this figure bore no resemblance to the one they’d encountered previously.
"Xiao Chen, what’s on your mind?" A voice pierced through her contemplation as fingers waved before her eyes.
Xiao Chen snapped to attention, not daring to reveal her thoughts. "Nothing," she replied curtly.
The Dragon Lord maintained a measured distance from the group—polite yet inherently aloof. His gaze lingered on the golden solar sphere above, faint creases of contemplation etching his brow.
The three-legged golden crow currently masquerading as the sun twitched its wings restlessly, unable to resist stretching them momentarily.
The observers below collectively blinked. Though pre-briefed about the Mountain and Sea Realm’s peculiarities, witnessing their sun suddenly sprout wings and triple avian legs still rendered them speechless.
The spirit cultivators’ world never ceased to astonish.
As the solar wings retracted, the ordinary celestial facade resumed, leaving witnesses questioning their shared hallucination.
Humanity’s understanding of the Mountain and Sea Realm remained fragmented, yet all recognized the three-legged golden crow currently illuminating their sky—one of the Nine Extreme Demon Lords.
Crow-like or not, the tripled limbs had been unmistakable.
"Shouldn’t Mr. Bai have returned by now?" Hu Mei checked her chronometer. Ten minutes stretched long for spirit cultivator-speed travel.
"You adapt remarkably well," Yun Han sighed. "I’m still reeling."
"Is this typical? Millennia-old beings assuming three-year-old forms?"
"Exceptions exist." Hu Mei produced sunflower seeds from her pack, gesturing toward the Dragon Lord’s mature visage. "Snack?"
Yun Han’s eye twitched at her nonchalance. "Don’t mind if I do," he conceded, palm outstretched.
"Speaking of transformations—many tier three spirit cultivators here take human forms?"
"Previous visit showed only primal forms," Yun Han shrugged.
Xiao Chen interjected dryly, "General Studies covered this. Did you both skip lectures?"
"Which course?" Yun Han blinked.
"Must’ve napped through that module," Hu Mei chuckled nervously. As a half-demon, she’d dismissed spirit cultivator academics as tedious.
"Transformation Lightning Tribulations don’t occur here." Xiao Chen recited textbook knowledge. "Even tier three cultivators retain primal forms. Most prefer their natural states anyway."
Were transformed Dao bodies not cultivation-conducive, none would endure tribulations.
"Mandatory tier three tribulations don’t apply here. But World Fusion…" She turned to Professor Zhang.
The scholar nodded gravely. "Cross-dimensional merging would likely trigger mass tribulations for advanced cultivators."
"Horrifying." Hu Mei’s vulpine ears quivered, grateful her half-blood status spared her such trials—though shifting forms remained problematic.
"This merger bodes ill for full-blooded kin," she mused. "Recall the Yellow River’s tribulation…"
Her voice trailed off, haunted by memories of lightning-scorched riverbanks and fallen dragons. A merged realm could mean countless cultivators vaporized by heaven’s judgment.
Their conversation carried clearly to Ao Yuan, who listened impassively.
Suddenly, ethereal light erupted from the dimensional portal. Nine luminous tendrils shot skyward like celestial fireworks, one streaking toward their group.
"Evade!" Di Yun barked.
"Unnecessary." Ao Yuan’s calm countermand froze the team. His raised palm intercepted the golden radiance effortlessly—until the energy sphere darted between his fingers, embedding itself in his forehead.
Di Yun’s relief curdled to alarm as the essence merged with the Dragon Lord.
Above, parallel drama unfolded as another luminous strand pierced the solar crow’s plumage, vanishing into its gilded frame.
