Wool Taken from the People, Used for the People

The Great King Lotus sway with the water, growing against the mountain, its sprawling root system half-exposed and raised, like veins sprouting from the hill.

The Dragon Girl maiden swam among the green lotus roots, picking them with a hook knife. Most of her feet were barefoot, and few wore white boots. The setting sun pierced through her toes, casting a translucent orange glow. When she turned around, her skirts fluttered, like beautiful white jellyfish.

Tranquil and beautiful.

"E Ying, you accompany the master for a stroll, I'll go and inform the Elder."

"Good."

Long Binglin darted ahead.

Liang Qu withdrew his gaze.

"My lord, come with me."

Long E Ying landed on the ground, beckoned and led the Fat Catfish into the path formed by the Great King Lotus.

Liang Qu sat upright on the head of a catfish, "Cannot Move," with Round Head heads guarding his left and right sides.

Freedom of movement and unobstructed passage.

The First Elder of the Dragon Man Tribe, aside from the other Dragonfolk, include the vigorous and energetic Long Binglin and Long E Ying, who are practically the second tier and have considerable authority over the selection of leaders.

No one dared to stop him from bringing an outsider.

The bubbles drifted by, disappearing into the air.

The lotus leaves and green stems resemble peeled tree trunks, while the sprawling lotus leaves form the tree canopy.

Passing through the "lotus leaf shade", Liang Qu looked around at the houses of the Dragonfolk.

Full of "exotic charm".

Nearly 60% of the houses of the Dragonfolk were built of stone, with ivy-like vines planted in the corners to secure them.

Only a small portion of the buildings use blue Wooden Head mortise and tenon joints, which, when submerged in water, do not rot or decay.

Although the overall appearance is almost identical to that of human architecture, with only minor differences in details, stone houses are already quite rare on land.

Those without money use rammed earth, while those with money use blue bricks.

Long E Ying said, "I heard from the Elder that in the past, most of our people lived in caves. It wasn't until the Dragon Palace was built that the overall style was modeled after the palaces of the human race."

The Dragonfolk then began to build their houses in the style of the Dragon Palace, and even though they have now been driven out of the Central Court, they still retain their old habits.

If it weren't for the rarity of Azure Water Wood *, what you see today, sir, would be rows of wooden villas.

Liang Qu nodded silently.

It's not hard to understand.

The King Chu had a fondness for slender waists.

Whatever hobbies the superiors have, that's what the inferiors will follow.

just.

When the Dragon Lord built his Dragon Palace, the only reference he could have was the human race.

Where else can you find a "palace" that symbolizes status and luxury? When luxury reaches its extreme, any alteration would be superfluous. Rather than simply copying, it's better to replicate it exactly.

The palace gates open to the heavens, and the people of all nations, adorned in their finest robes, pay homage to the emperor.

Culture is linked to strength.

Who is stronger?

Whoever's culture is the dominant culture.

Its influence extends throughout the world, and all come to pay homage.

During a leisurely stroll, the sun set.

The beautiful jellyfish that used to harvest lotus roots on the hill have disappeared.

Instead, young Dragonfolk patrolled back and forth, carrying long spears, with occasional White Sturgeon knights scattered around.

Liang Qu didn't find anything interesting to watch, so he multitasked with communicating with Ze Cauldron.

[By absorbing two strands of Dragon Seed Aura, one can elevate the Ying Long Mark.]

I still remember the last time I obtained the Dragon Seed Aura, it was from Sturgeon Fish Demon that swallowed and absorbed a whole piece of Dragon Tendon Dragon Bone. I haven't obtained it since.

Unexpectedly, he made a gain just by approaching the Dragon Man Clan Grounds, but after entering the territory, there was no further activity.

Two Dragon Seed Aura...

Liang Qu pondered secretly, vaguely feeling that this number was inextricably linked to the Dragon Man Tribe's First Elder and Second Elder.

A Grandmaster in a wisp of hair? "Lord Liang! It's been a long time, your demeanor is even more impressive than before."

Long Zongyin shook his sleeves and floated down from the White Sturgeon.

Long Binglin and Long Yanrui followed half a step behind.

Long E Ying thought for a moment, then stayed behind Liang Qu without stepping forward, lest Liang Qu be surrounded and isolated.

"Elder Zong Yin." Liang Qu jumped off the Fat Catfish head, raised his hand in greeting, "Zong Yin Elder Dragonfolk been of great help in dealing with the Snake Demon. Today, I am returning the favor by coming here to resolve the issue of the Dragonfolk's Qi Consumption medium. If you trust me, please entrust the Long Qi to me for the time being."

Long Zongyin was waiting for these words.

"Lord Liang is decisive and efficient. The Dragon Man Tribe has no reason to be suspicious of us. We couldn't be happier. Yan Rui!"

Long Yanrui took three steps forward and pulled out a blue Ice Orb from his pocket.

The entire Ice Orb exuded a chilling aura, and even underwater, the surrounding water seemed to freeze into ice crystals.

Unscrew it.

A wisp of sky-blue Long Qi flowed erratically, its Long Qi identical to that within the Ze Cauldron.

Heavenly Water Morning Dew and rainwater cleanse and purify.

"Give me a Quiet Room."

"Binglin!"

"Please come with me, sir."

This is a matter of great importance.

From the moment he received the news, Long Zongyin was constantly preparing.

Watching Liang Qu leave.

A calm mind rarely gets nervous.

After standing still for a moment, just as Long Zongyin was about to leave, he suddenly noticed the Fat Catfish remained in place, Cannot Move, and the three Round Head beasts.

I thought about it.

"Yan Rui, go and provide some food for Lord Liang's horse. Slice the fresh lotus root you picked and add it in."

The Fat Catfish perked up, its Long Whiskers curling and twisting to form the shape of a thumbs-up.

With its Round Head and two fins clasped together in thanks, it "Cannot Move," flicks its tail, and yawns.

Long Zongyin was not surprised and stroked his beard with a smile.

The guidance from a divine being is truly extraordinary.

Quiet Room.

The cut stones were pieced together so perfectly that no gaps were visible.

Liang Qu peeled open the Ice Orb, and the long Long Qi suddenly disappeared without a trace.

Inside the Ze Cauldron.

One red, one grayish-blue, and two sapphire blue.

Red Qi, Dead Wood Meeting Spring back to life, morning Heavenly Water Morning Dew, four Long Qi flowing together! Even the King of Yue probably couldn't produce four Long Qi of such high quality! The Long Qi descended.

The Marsh Essence converges in the Blue Sea, colliding with the cauldron wall to create a sound like the tide.

[Cauldron Master: Liang Qu]

[Marsh Essence: 48,600 points]

After evolving into "Cannot Move", Liang Qu continued to devour Treasure Plant.

The Marsh Essence has increased from 31,000 to 48,000. Taking out 10,000 isn't too painful.

"The wool comes from the sheep... no, it comes from the people and is used for the people!"

One thought is settled.

Ze Cauldron shone brightly, and the ethereal blue mist suddenly merged with the rising Marsh Essence, swirling up thousands of piles of snow.

Whirlpools arose.

The fluorescent blue water level was dropping rapidly, a shocking sight.

The light faded.

A small, blue-eyed fish, about the size of a thumb, appeared in the cauldron and swam happily.

[Marsh Essence: 38,600 points]

Ten thousand essences evaporated and disappeared.

"Last time it was red-eyed, this time it's blue-eyed?"

Liang Qu stared at the Spirit Fish and noticed something different.

Last year, Spirit Fish was born, Marsh Essence was almost completely drained, so the little fish could not swim and fluttered around at the bottom of the cauldron. Now, there is still 30,000 essence left, and the fish swim back and forth, quite lively.

The thought conjured a giant hand, which reached out to scoop up the Spirit Fish. The fish tried to escape twice, but the hand was finally caught on the third attempt.

Open your eyes.

The palm of the hand, which had been holding the Ice Orb for a long time, turned slightly purple, and a Spirit Fish lay quietly in it.

"I don't know if it will work..."

It's fine to remove it, the key is that it can still be used.

It doesn't work.

The Spirit Fish in front of him had no choice but to keep it for himself and exchange the Long Qi in the cauldron for the Dragonfolk.

The door opens and closes.

Long Zongyin, Long Binglin, Long E Ying, and the other elderly Dragonfolk surrounded her like anxious husbands waiting outside the delivery room.

"My lord, how is it?"

Liang Qu handed over the Ice Orb: "Try using your method for calculating the Qi Consumption rate and see what percentage it is."

"Quick!"

Long Zongyin glanced at the Spirit Fish in the Ice Orb, then turned and called for help.

Half an hour passed in the blink of an eye.

Long Binglin was the first to step out, kneeling on one knee with red eyes.

"Elder, it's... it's the best!"

"Excellent! It's the best!"

Long Zongyin's blood rushed to his face.

Unconsciously, he paced out in a circle and clenched his fist tightly.

It's an extremely rare and exceptional quality! Even with Long E Ying and Long Yanrui yet to emerge, Long Binglin alone being at the top level is already a sure thing! With three Grandmaster remaining, they finally have a certain say in the face of the unpredictable and unknown underwater situation!

Long Zongyin suppressed his surging emotions.

"Lord Liang, you are truly a divine being!"

Liang Qu nodded slightly, his expression calm and composed.

He believes.

Eighty percent shouldn't be the limit of the Marsh Essence, but rather the limit calculated by the Dragonfolk! Yesterday, Zhang Xu, the King of Yue's Steward, said that the Qi Consumption rate of Profound Yellow Energy is actually higher than the eighty percent mentioned above! Splash

White steam billowed from the door.

Long E Ying was the second to leave.

Still the best!

After that, Long Yanrui.

Needless to say.

Long Binglin, Long E Ying, Long Yanrui are all top-notch!

Liang Qu's words are true!

"In this critical moment of life and death, we are fortunate to have met such a person. Lord Liang has been of great kindness to our clan!"

Long Zongyin's hands trembled slightly as he took a deep breath and slowly exhaled, raising them above his head and bowing deeply.

"Why must you do this, Third Elder?" Liang Qu stepped aside, refusing to accept the courtesy.

"No, you should suffer the consequences." Long Zongyin's expression was solemn. "The method you used, sir, must have come at a very high price."

Before Liang Qu could speak, Long Zongyin said with certainty, "Sir, in fact, there are treasures in the Jiang Huai Great Marsh that can increase the rate of Qi Consumption to a terrifying level."

Liang Qu raised an eyebrow. "Profound Yellow Energy?"

"No, Dragon Lord Blood Essence!" Long Zongyin exclaimed in astonishment, "Mixing Long Qi with Dragon Lord Blood Essence can raise the Dragonfolk's Qi Consumption rate to the highest level!"

Upon hearing this,

Long Binglin and Long E Ying stared wide-eyed, their eyes filled with deep concern.

Essence Blood are extremely precious to anyone, so how could the price not be heavy?

Liang Qu's transformation into White Ape is difficult to connect with the Dragon Lord Reincarnation, but perhaps he is another strange species nurtured by the Jiang Huai River! What a freak! Long Zongyin thought that his idea was somewhat disrespectful.

However, judging from the current performance, the White Ape bloodline seems to be a level above the Dragon Lord's...

Fat Catfish, "Cannot Move", three Round Head beasts.

Regardless of its appearance or behavior, its growth is entirely from the depths of its origin, quite different from the brutal transformation into a dragon species through the blood of the Dragon Lord...

Long Zongyin's words silenced Liang Qu.

Is 10,000 Marsh Essence a high amount?

That's considered high.

In the past, you had to work yourself to the bone to save enough.

Now... when the Dragonfolk bought ice, Xu Yuelong gave him supplies worth 100,000 taels of silver afterwards, guaranteeing him a minimum contribution of 30,000 taels...

However, the Dragon Lord Blood Essence was useful, which was the first time Liang Qu had heard of it.

Could it be that the Marsh Essence content is too high, causing a similar mutation? He hadn't forgotten what Su Guishan had said—that the Dragon Lord might be Treasure Fish ...

"Let's not discuss this matter. Since it's the best course of action, let's quickly decide who will Qi Consumption, lest things get complicated," Liang Qu said, bringing the topic back on track.

The elderly Dragonfolk around them nodded silently.

indeed.

Since it is of the highest quality, one should start Qi Consumption as soon as possible.

However, it goes around in a circle.

The Dragonfolk was in a dilemma.

Long Binglin, Long E Ying, and Long Yanrui are the best of the best; they are impeccable in terms of bloodline, strength, and realm.

Previously, the idea was to let whoever had a high rate of Qi Consumption try it, but I never expected that they would all be top-notch.

"One-on-one, three matches?"

"Useless." An elderly Dragonfolk denied the suggestion. "Improvement in realm is related to combat power, but not absolutely. The pursuit of the Dao is different from the techniques of protecting the Dao. Combat power is determined by the superiority of the techniques of protecting the Dao, not by the superiority of the Dao itself."

Let's draw lots.

Long Zongyin's method was simple and crude: he tore off three thin strands of algae from the side.

Two long and one short pieces are rubbed together in the palm of the hand, and the three people take turns drawing them.

"The one who draws the shortest one Qi Consumption."