The Spiritual Venerable's Fury, the Flood Dragon Snake Reveals Its Divine Power

"Senior Brother Jingyu, you've already reached the fourth realm of Foundation Establishment. Do you have confidence that you can place among the sect's top ranks and bring glory to our Dragon Head Peak?"

A disciple gazed at Lin Jingyu with envy as he asked.

Over the course of a year, the various peaks and meridians had recruited who knew how many more disciples, adding many unfamiliar faces. Lin Jingyu, who had once been called Junior Brother, was now being called Senior Brother by the newly initiated disciples.

"I wouldn't dare hope for too much. The sect is full of prodigies, and who knows how many junior brothers conceal their true depths. I don't know what rank I can reach either. I can only give it my all and fight for a good placing—as long as I don't disgrace the peak."

Though Lin Jingyu was being modest, everyone could see the confidence shining in his eyes.

"Junior Brother Jingyu is far too modest. With your current strength at the third realm of Foundation Establishment, you're guaranteed a place in the top eight. If your luck is a little better, you may even be able to contend alongside Senior Brother Qi for the top four, or even the top two."

"Junior Brother Jingyu, all of us junior brothers from Dragon Head Peak are waiting to cheer you on!"

Beneath the gleaming moonlight, Lin Jingyu was now like a bright moon surrounded by a host of stars.

Still, strength at the fourth realm of Foundation Establishment was indeed enough to make one an outstanding figure among the sect's new generation.

Just as Su Changqing was about to leave, he heard Zhang Xiaofan's voice behind him.

"Changqing!"

"Xiaofan!"

Su Changqing turned around and saw Zhang Xiaofan standing behind him, greeting him.

"Changqing, how have you been lately?"

Zhang Xiaofan asked Su Changqing with his usual honest, simple manner.

"Not bad!"

Su Changqing replied with a faint smile. He secretly sized Zhang Xiaofan up and immediately discovered that this guileless fool had already reached the second realm of Foundation Establishment, with even faint signs of nearing the third realm.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, their conversation eventually turned to this Seven Meridians Martial Arts Tournament.

"By the way, Changqing, are you taking part in this Seven Meridians Martial Arts Tournament?"

Zhang Xiaofan asked Su Changqing.

"I'm only at the first realm of Foundation Establishment, so I wasn't qualified to participate in this martial arts tournament. But Master wanted me to gain some experience, so he gave me a slot."

Su Changqing answered.

"The first realm of Foundation Establishment?"

When Zhang Xiaofan heard that Su Changqing was only at the first realm of Foundation Establishment, surprise immediately appeared in his eyes, only to swiftly turn into concern.

Su Changqing naturally understood what he was thinking. Zhang Xiaofan probably could not believe that someone cultivated even more slowly than he did, and was now worried that Su Changqing might be injured during the competition.

"Mhm."

Su Changqing offered no further explanation.

Then Zhang Xiaofan's gaze fell upon Lin Jingyu again. Watching him surrounded by people singing his praises, several different emotions rose in his eyes—joy, envy, and even a trace of jealousy.

"Do you want to go say hello?"

Su Changqing sighed helplessly and suggested it.

"Forget it. Jingyu has friends keeping him company. I won't go over and join the bustle to disturb them."

Zhang Xiaofan silently shook his head, his words carrying a hint of inferiority.

This silly boy probably still did not know that this Seven Meridians Martial Arts Tournament would be the beginning of his rise to fame. By now, the Bloodthirsty Bead had already begun to affect his mind.

"Then shall we take a walk?"

Su Changqing invited him, and the two began wandering about together. Most of the time, they chatted about everyday matters, subtly helping him dispel some of the negative effects brought by the Bloodthirsty Bead.

A bell suddenly rang out, its sound like thunder!

The thousands of disciples in the plaza instantly fell silent. A streak of red light shot into the sky, and an elder appeared, his crimson immortal sword radiating waves of immortal aura. In a clear voice, he spoke to the disciples gathered in the plaza.

"Disciples of our sect, by order of the Sect Leader, all disciples participating in the Seven Meridians Martial Arts Tournament are to proceed to Yuqing Hall."

In an instant, many disciples stepped out one after another and headed toward the front of the plaza.

After bidding each other farewell, Su Changqing and Zhang Xiaofan each found their own peak's group. Once the groups had assembled, they crossed the Rainbow Bridge and made their way toward Yuqing Hall.

Beyond the Rainbow Bridge lay the Azure Water Pool, guarded by Qingyun Sect's mountain-protecting Spirit Beast, the Water Qilin. Su Changqing still remembered it somewhat—a massive ancient beast respectfully addressed by everyone in the Qingyun Sect as the Spiritual Venerable. It was currently lying obediently beside the Azure Water Pool, resting.

Out of respect, every disciple had to bow to the Spiritual Venerable when passing through this place. As a sect disciple, Su Changqing was no exception.

More than a dozen people passed before him, and the Water Qilin showed no reaction to their bows, continuing to lie on the ground asleep. But when Su Changqing stepped forward and respectfully saluted it, the Little Flood Dragon Snake coiled around his arm poked out its dark ink-black head.

As though receiving some kind of guidance, the Water Qilin suddenly sprang up from the ground and stared blankly at the Little Flood Dragon Snake with a pair of delicate, shining eyes.

The flood dragon snake and the qilin stared at each other for several seconds. Then, without warning, the Water Qilin actually knelt on its front legs, lowering its enormous head in reverence as though bowing like a human.

This sudden scene instantly left everyone utterly stunned.

"What's going on? The Spiritual Venerable is actually bowing!"

Even Su Changqing could not understand what was happening. Why had the Spiritual Venerable suddenly prostrated itself before him? But he also understood that the Spiritual Venerable was definitely not kneeling for him, but for the Little Flood Dragon Snake on his arm.

"Quick, Little Ink, make it stand up."

Though he had no idea why this was happening, Su Changqing knew that the one who tied the bell must untie it. He hurriedly spoke to the Little Flood Dragon Snake.

"His, hiss, hiss!"

Little Flood Dragon Snake froze for a moment, then hissed at Water Qilin in a snake language no one could understand.

Sure enough, after receiving Little Flood Dragon Snake's guidance, Water Qilin immediately rose to its feet again. Yet its gaze remained respectful as it looked at Little Flood Dragon Snake, as though it had encountered a being of even nobler status among demonic beasts.

Before the crowd could stir into an uproar, Su Changqing hurriedly left with Little Flood Dragon Snake.

After this commotion, Su Changqing became even more curious about Little Flood Dragon Snake's identity. Just what kind of origin could make an ancient exotic beast revered by countless people bow to it?

Not long after Su Changqing left, another disturbance arose behind him. This time, he did not need to think to know that Water Qilin had most likely sensed the demonic aura on Zhang Xiaofan's Bloodthirsty Bead and was now flying into a rage.

"Do you have a way to calm it down?"

Su Changqing frowned as he asked Little Flood Dragon Snake.

"His, hiss!"

Little Flood Dragon Snake gave an affirmative answer.

"Spiritual Venerable, quell your anger!"

At that moment, Qingyun Sect's Sect Leader arrived with a shout.

Yet Water Qilin had no intention of giving him any face. Its Divine Ability surged forth as it sent the waters of Azure Water Pool crashing high into the air, transforming them into clusters of water blades. Nimble as swimming dragons, crystal-clear and translucent, they spun and quivered in the air, looking incomparably sharp and enough to chill one's heart with fear.

"What's going on?"

Dao Xuan furrowed his brows slightly as well. He could not understand why the Spiritual Venerable, who had always rested in peace and quiet, would be so violently enraged, as if it wished to wipe something out completely.

But there was no time to think further. Dao Xuan hastily formed hand seals, intending to stop those water blades from harming anyone.

"His, hiss!"

Following Su Changqing's command, Little Flood Dragon Snake released wave after wave of hisses at Water Qilin. Before Dao Xuan had even finished forming his hand seals, Water Qilin suddenly brought down its paw and withdrew its Divine Ability. It recovered from its frenzy, obediently casting its gaze toward Little Flood Dragon Snake.

Everything happened in an instant, leaving Dao Xuan even more baffled.

Why had the Spiritual Venerable, which had just been in such a rage, suddenly calmed down again?

Following Water Qilin's gaze, he saw Su Changqing standing there, a jet-black flood dragon snake coiled around his arm.