Dragon-Fishing Plan, Undersea Dragon Palace

"Use our technology to resurrect the Ancient Dragon Clan?"

Upon hearing Zheng Fa's idea, Jiao Wuji wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and breathed a sigh of relief.

"Yes, I heard from Xiao Fairy that the Dragon Lord Shuyu has several dragon eggs."

To put it bluntly, Zheng Fa wanted to see if he could use genetic technology to clone the Ancient Dragon Clan using those dragon eggs.

The idea of resurrecting extinct species is not particularly new in modern times; for example, the resurrection of mammoths.

Of course, none of them were very successful. The biggest problem was that the genes of extinct species were not complete.

But the Ancient Dragon Clan was not truly wiped out; at least the Dragon Lord Shuyu still exists.

If this technology is effective, cultivating Ancient Dragon Clan will actually be less difficult than modern projects.

After listening to Zheng Fa's idea, Jiao Wuji understood. He pondered for a moment, discussed it with the Blood River Ancestor for a while, and then said, "This shouldn't be too difficult for ordinary spirit beasts, but it's different for the Ancient Dragon Clan. We can't say for sure if it will work."

Zheng Fa had also considered this point.

Judging from the performance of the Dragon Lord Shuyu, the Ancient Dragon Clan was far superior to ordinary spirit beasts; the favor bestowed by heaven and earth was no joke.

The first challenge is whether techniques usable on ordinary spirit beasts are also usable on the Ancient Dragon Clan.

The second challenge is whether those few dragon eggs can yield usable genes.

Therefore, he hasn't told Xiao Yuying about this yet.

"I don't expect you to create Ancient Dragon Clan right now," Zheng Fa explained his purpose. "I was thinking that you first start a similar project and demonstrate it to the Dragon Lord Shuyu."

Jiao Wuji understood and nodded, saying, "Should we revive the other spirit beasts first?"

"Yes, try finding a dead spirit beast egg."

Zheng Fa internally referred to this project as the Dragon-Fishing Plan."

To put it bluntly, it's about getting some experimental results, making a PowerPoint presentation, and then bragging to Dragon Lord Shuyu to attract investment.

As for whether it will succeed or not...

It can only be said that investment involves risks, and investors should exercise caution.

After explaining this matter, Zheng Dharma Body flashed out of the Nine Mountains Realm and arrived at the Sea Region.

Regardless of whether the Dragon-Fishing Plan succeeds or not, Zheng Fa and Senior Sister Zhang will still need to patrol the Sea Region during this period.

After all, the Nine Mountains Sect had a very shallow foundation, and he had no other help.

But what Zheng Fa didn't know was that someone was working hard for him silently.

"Protect trade routes?"

Inside the main tent of the Supreme Dao of the Tianhe Sect, Li Sanxian looked at Nishang Yuanjun, then at the silent Patriarch Xuanding.

"Yes, this trade route is not just a matter for the Nine Mountains Sect; it is also very important to my Jade Pool."

After much deliberation, Nishang Yuanjun decided to give it a try.

Xuanding True Immortal sat behind the low table, saying nothing, only his brows were slightly furrowed.

Nishang Yuanjun continued, "Thunderclap Temple has gone too far, resorting to such methods at this time. Can your Supreme Dao just sit idly by?"

"In that case, how could Zheng Fa not become disloyal and alienated from the Supreme Dao in the future?"

After she finished speaking, Xuanding True Immortal's expression remained unchanged.

Li Sanxian was suddenly moved. He looked at Xuanding True Immortal and said, "We really cannot let Thunderclap Temple continue like this."

Xuanding True Immortal glanced at the two of them, his expression suddenly becoming very strange.

Nishang Yuanjun and Li Sanxian exchanged glances, wondering why Xuanding True Immortal was looking at them that way.

Xuanding True Immortal asked softly, "Is it worth it?"

Nishang Yuanjun suddenly understood the meaning behind the look in Patriarch Xuanding's eyes.

He went there himself and then spoke up for Zheng Fa to the death.

Not only her, but also Li Sanxian was the same.

It was as if Zheng Fa had drugged them.

Li Sanxian remained silent for a moment before replying, "Founder, I have never met Venerable Tianhe. Among all the people I have met in my life, the one with the highest talent is Zheng Fa."

"If I don't help him today, I'm afraid I'll regret it."

Patriarch Xuanding nodded slightly, neither agreeing nor disagreeing, and then looked at Nishang Yuanjun.

Nishang Yuanjun glanced at Li Sanxian with surprise and then spoke her truest thoughts:

"Xuanding, if your Supreme Dao doesn't intervene, I will return to Jade Pool to stand in for him."

"..."

Silence fell over the tent for a moment.

Even Xuanding True Immortal's eyelids twitched.

Nishang Yuanjun seemed to have figured it out. "The matter of the Tianhe is indeed related to our Great Dao, but the Zheng Fa are related to the survival of my Jade Pool. Since Thunderclap Temple does not abide by the rules, I would rather the Nine Nether Devil Ancestor attain Dao."

Her tone was firm.

Li Sanxian was startled and quickly said, "You've gone too far, Yuanjun! Why go to such lengths!"

Xuanding True Immortal also looked at her, his gaze slightly shocked.

Nishang Yuanjun's face was serious. She looked at the Xuanding and said, word by word, "Even if the Four Immortal-Slayer Swords are related to the entire Xuanwei, what meaning does Xuanwei have if Jade Pool is gone?"

Li Sanxian gave a bitter smile, "Yuanjun, the Supreme Dao and Jade Pool have been allies for several eras, yet you're abandoning everything for Zheng Fa?"

The expression on Nishang Yuanjun's face remained completely unwavering.

She knew in her heart that Xuanding was the kind of person who always considered the pros and cons of everything.

He probably wouldn't be willing to risk antagonizing Thunderclap Temple for a trade route and a few Nascent Soul Golden Core cultivators.

But if it's for his own sake, for the sake of annihilating the Nine Nether Devil Ancestor, then he has no choice but to be indifferent to the losses involved.

Xuanding True Immortal finally spoke, "A threat?"

For once, there was a hint of anger in his voice.

Nishang Yuanjun smiled faintly, "It's a threat."

"Good."

Nishang Yuanjun left the main tent, glanced behind her, and sighed inwardly.

She knew that after today, she and Xuanding would probably have some rift between them.

Can...

She took out the Comprehensive Mirror and sent a Spirit Message to Zheng Fa: "I have persuaded the Supreme Dao, and they will warn Thunderclap Temple that if they make another move, Jade Pool and the Supreme Dao will retaliate."

When Zheng Fa received the Spirit Message, he was looking at a spirit snake at his feet.

"It worked?"

"Hmm, it's not difficult. Actually, we've done similar experiments quite a few times."

Zheng Fa nodded and said to Jiao Wuji and the other man, "You two organize the experimental data, especially the records of the Recording Talisman."

"Yes!"

Zheng Fa left the Azure Dragon Lodge, took out the Creation Jade Disc, glanced at the news in the Comprehensive Mirror, smiled, and replied, "Thank you, Lord Yuanjun."

He was naturally grateful for the efforts of the Nishang Yuanjun.

But he wasn't very happy.

Zheng Fa was highly suspicious that Thunderclap Temple was somewhat wary of the Supreme Dao's warning.

On the other hand, it's obvious that if Thunderclap Temple kills a few disciples of the Nine Mountains Sect, would the Supreme Dao really retaliate?

Ultimately, each faction has its own interests.

The key factor is still the strength of the Nine Mountains Sect itself.

He transformed into a rainbow of light and landed in Xiao Yuying's courtyard.

"Sect Leader?"

Xiao Yuying looked up from the study and stared in surprise at Zheng Fa, who had come uninvited.

"Xiao Fairy, what is this...?"

"Oh, I'm organizing the information I gathered from exploring the Secret Realm," Xiao Yuying said with a smile, putting down the Jade Slip in her hand. "I'm thinking of compiling a history textbook for Nine Mountains University."

Beside her were about a dozen Jade Slip, clearly indicating that she had been doing this for more than just a day or two.

"Textbooks?"

"Hmm, let's record the major events of the past few eras in Xuanwei." Xiao Yuying smiled, "But that will take time, it's difficult."

What are the difficulties?

Zheng Fa momentarily forgot his purpose in coming. He had always valued education, especially since the history of the Xuanwei Realm held many secrets.

The value of history lessons was actually much greater than it is now.

"We're kept in the dark about many secrets," Xiao Yuying sighed. "Many things in this era are actually a result of the Tianhe Upheaval."

"Unfortunately, we are still completely unaware of the cause and outcome of the Tianhe Upheaval."

Many things are hard to explain.

Zheng Fa.

"Not to mention the earlier eras, where there was even less information, and I had to cross-reference many records to verify them."

Zheng Fa sighed upon hearing this, "The Nine Mountains Sect still has too shallow a foundation."

To put it bluntly, the Nine Mountains Sect is far behind other sects when it comes to history.

The Supreme Dao, as a sect, is itself a living history.

Xiao Yuying smiled wryly, "Actually, I know that no matter how good this textbook is, it can't compare to the records of the Four Sects... I just want to find something to do."

Zheng Fa was taken aback, and then saw Xiao Yuying looking at the Jade Slip and whispering, "Master is no longer paying attention to my greetings."

Looking at Xiao Yuying, Zheng Fa suddenly spoke up, "I came to see Xiao Fairy because I wanted to pay a visit to the Dragon Lord."

"Ah?" Xiao Yuying immediately understood Zheng Fa's thoughts and said, "My master has a bad temper, and... now he probably thinks I'm ungrateful."

It's obvious that she has a bad temper.

He's a bit ungrateful... He gave his disciple a life-saving magic Law Treasure, but ended up saving a stranger.

The Dragon Lord Shuyu was already cold-hearted, and now he seemed to be giving up on his disciple Xiao Yuying.

"Xiao Fairy, just tell me, I have a way that might be able to cultivate the Ancient Dragon Clan."

Xiao Yuying opened her mouth slightly, and seeing Zheng Fa nod to her, she took out a piece of green jade and softly recited a prayer.

After a moment, a cold reply came from within the jade, "Alright."

"Master has agreed." Xiao Yuying's face lit up with joy, and the jade pendant in her hand leaped up and floated in front of the two of them, as if to lead the way.

Zheng Fa, accompanied by Xiao Yuying, followed Qingyu out of the Nine Mountains Realm.

After flying for a while, the two arrived at the seaside.

Qingyu plunged into the sea, and Zheng Fa and Xiao Yuying exchanged a glance before following suit.

The two did not descend in a straight line, but under Qingyu's guidance, they either went forward or turned, but overall they were still moving downwards.

At first, the seawater was very bright.

As the two went deeper, the light coming from the sea gradually diminished.

They didn't know how deep they had dived, because there were no fish or shrimp around them anymore.

The seawater was dark and heavy, with only the luminous glow of jade flickering before the two.

The silence around him was something Zheng Fa had never experienced before.

Nothing could be seen, nothing could be heard; the sea before me possessed a tranquility akin to death.

Until the jade stopped in the seawater.

Then, lights appeared beneath their feet.

Zheng Fa looked down and saw that he seemed to be at the exit of a deep sea abyss. From the abyss came bursts of precious light and a powerful pressure.

He knew that the Dragon Lord Shuyu was here.

Holding Xiao Yuying's arm, the two plunged into the abyss, but both froze in shock.

It's hard to describe what Zheng Fa saw.

On the steep cliff face of the abyss, hundreds of giant murals are carved.

The painting depicts a group of dragons frolicking and playing, Cloud-Moving Thunder Rain-Making Thunder, attacking all directions, and all spirits kneeling in worship.

The murals have blurred patterns, suggesting they were moved here from elsewhere, and they also have some irregular cracks.

At the bottom of the cliff lies a Crystal Palace.

But there wasn't a single ray of light in this Crystal Palace.

Upon entering the palace gates, the first thing that caught Zheng Fa's eye was a hundred or so massive bronze pillars.

These colossal pillars are thousands of feet tall, with patterns resembling dragon scales on them. They must have been incredibly exquisite in their heyday. But now, the patterns are only a shallow layer, and the pillars are covered with the marks of time.

Beneath the giant pillar stood rows of Bronze Cauldron. Zheng Fa estimated that each tripod could hold hundreds of himself.

In Zheng Fa's mind, a magnificent scene immediately appeared: hundreds of giant dragons coiling in the palace, drinking wine, and enjoying delicious food.

Looking into the hall, in the darkness, there seemed to be a high platform.

There was a chair on the high platform, and a person sat on the chair, looking at the two of them.

Dragon Lord Shuyu has sat in this enormous, dark, and empty hall for countless millennia.

I watched in solitude the joy, grandeur, and magnificence of these Ancient Dragon Clan.

The two walked up to the platform.

Dragon Lord Shuyu didn't look at Xiao Yuying, but instead looked at Zheng Fa.

"You say you have the means to cultivate Ancient Dragon Clan?"

"Yes."

"Ridiculous!" The Dragon Lord Shuyu's tone was icy. " Of the Ancient Dragon Clan, since the beginning of the Divine Dao Era, only I have ever been born!"

"For millions of years, I have not seen a single member of my own kind."

The Dragon Lord Shuyu raised his voice a little higher:

You think I'd believe that?

The bronze pillars in the hall emitted a buzzing sound, as if they were groaning in a low voice. Zheng Fa felt the seawater around him growing heavier and heavier.

"But the Dragon Lord still wants to see me, doesn't he?"

The Dragon Lord Shuyu paused, his gaze fixed on Xiao Yuying's face, before finally speaking, "I want to see what has bewitched my disciple, making her so foolish."

"Not only can the Canghai Pearl be given away as a gift, but you've also repeatedly angered me for your sake."

Xiao Yuying lowered her eyes.

"Do you know that the sea holds no secrets from me?"

"You are not even fifty years old, Nine Mountains Sect has less than thirty thousand years of history."

"You've never even seen the Ancient Dragon Clan before, yet you dare to spout such nonsense."

This does indeed sound somewhat like something from Divine Way Method practice.

Zheng Fa possesses roughly similar abilities in the Nine Mountains Realm.

Faced with the Dragon Lord Shuyu's questioning, Zheng Fa remained calm and took out several Recording Talisman: "Dragon Lord, you are right. Apart from you, I have never seen Ancient Dragon Clan."

Therefore, I cannot guarantee whether we can cultivate Ancient Dragon Clan.

"But I would like to ask the Dragon Lord to observe an experiment."

Dragon Lord Shuyu paused, then asked in confusion, "An experiment?"

Zheng Fa threw out a Recording Talisman.

In the pitch-black palace, a curtain of light appeared, revealing the figures of Jiao Wuji, Blood River Ancestor, and others.

To be honest, the moment Jiao Wuji appeared, he felt the bronze dragon pillars swaying, and the dragons in the patterns seemed to be coming to life.

Zheng Fa quickly diverted the attention of the Dragon Lord Shuyu: "What they need to do now is to cultivate a dead Wave-Treading Serpent egg into Wave-Treading Serpent."

Because the Dragon Lord Shuyu obviously doesn't understand anything about genes or cloning.

Therefore, he could only offer a simple explanation.

The Wave-Treading Serpent is one of the oldest spirit serpents in the Xuanwei Realm. It is said that some Dragon Clan bloodlines possess the Secret Method of transforming into dragons, making it a branch of the Dragon Clan.

"Dead eggs... cultivation..."

The Dragon Lord Shuyu murmured, his gaze fixed intently on the light screen.

Zheng Fa stopped talking and just let her watch quietly until a small snake hatched from its shell in the light screen.

After a long time, the hall remained silent.

"Is this true? The snake egg was dead?"

Dragon Lord Shuyu's tone was very complex, containing doubt, excitement, and trepidation.

"If the Dragon Lord doesn't believe it, he is free to go to the Nine Mountains Realm and see for himself."

As the light barrier slowly dissipated, the Dragon Lord Shuyu seemed to snap out of her daze and urgently asked Zheng Fa, "... The Ancient Dragon Clan, are you confident?"

"I can't say I'm sure." At this moment, Zheng Fa became cautious. "After all, the Ancient Dragon Clan is not an ordinary spirit beast."

"What would you like?"

As expected, the Dragon Lord Shuyu was not disappointed.

To put it bluntly, Zheng Fa might be her only hope.

As if afraid Zheng Fa wouldn't agree, she said, "There are countless treasures in the sea, all of which will belong to me, as well as Ancient Dragon Clan relics... Now there are fifteen great treasure troves, and five more secret vaults."

Even the Five Sects might not be as wealthy as I am.

"Take whatever you want."

As she spoke, the Crystal Palace suddenly lit up.

Zheng Fa then realized that this palace was not a single building, but rather about thirty rooms.

Everything was resplendent in gold and jade, brimming with Spiritual Qi, suggesting the presence of many Spirit Treasure treasures and materials.

To be honest, I'm envious.

But his appetite was even greater.

This single, domineering, and wealthy businesswoman, Long, is far more valuable than these treasures.

Putting aside everything else, this person's control over the Sea Region alone has irreplaceable value for the East-West Continent Trade Route.

Besides, everyone here belongs to the Nine Mountains Sect; how could the treasures belong to someone else?

Needless to say, it seems this dragon lord wants to raise a cub.

She's currently homeless and has no one to rely on. It'll be time for her to spend money if she actually manages to raise Ancient Dragon Clan...

"Dragon Lord, whether we can cultivate the Ancient Dragon Clan still requires step-by-step experimentation, which will likely take a long time."

Dragon Lord Shuyu nodded slightly, his gaze filled with doubt.

"But my Hundred Immortals Alliance is now living on the brink of collapse."

"..."

Dragon Lord Shuyu was stunned.

"Since the Dragon Lord controls the Sea Region, he naturally understands the hostility that Thunderclap Temple harbors towards our Hundred Immortals Alliance."

"Hmm," said the Dragon Lord Shuyu suddenly, "Quite a few of them have recently entered the Sea Region."

Damn it!

I'm not done yet!

"Dragon Lord, this trade route is a matter of life and death for the Nine Mountains..."

"What do you want?" Dragon Lord Shuyu frowned. "If you want me to submit to your orders, there is absolutely no way."

"Of course not."

Zheng Fa isn't that arrogant. To put it bluntly, the previous demonstration experiment was just one possibility.

To think you can command Dragon Lord Shuyu is a pipe dream.

"Dragon Lord, I hope you can share intelligence about the Sea Region with my Nine Mountains Sect."

This is Zheng Fa's most basic objective for this trip.

This was naturally not difficult for Dragon Lord Shuyu.

For Zheng Fa, however, this could solve his immediate problem and turn a passive situation into an active one.

As expected, after thinking for a long time, the Dragon Lord Shuyu slowly nodded.

"On the other hand, my Nine Mountains Sect hopes to cooperate with the Dragon Lord on the cultivation of marine spirit beasts Spirit Plant." Seeing the puzzled expression on the Dragon Lord Shuyu's face, Zheng Fa added, "This should also be quite beneficial for the cultivation of the Ancient Dragon Clan."

The Dragon Lord Shuyu nodded slightly, then suddenly asked, "That's all? You don't want any treasures?"

It seems they felt Zheng Fa's asking price was a bit too low.

Zheng Fa suddenly turned to look at Xiao Yuying, then at the Dragon Lord Shuyu, and said:

"The rest, Xiao Fairy has already paid."

The Dragon Lord Shuyu's gaze fell upon his disciple.

Xiao Yuying looked up and saw the Dragon Lord Shuyu smiling slightly at her.

She had never seen her master smile at her.

(End of this chapter)