Inside Zhao Gongming's cave abode.
Looking at Yellow Dragon True Person's resolute expression—the look of someone who didn't care what happened to his dignity as long as he became famous—
A meaningful smile tugged at the corner of Zhao Gongming's mouth.
"One stunning debut?"
"Don't worry, Senior Disciple Brother. Leave it to me!"
"I'll make sure you... leave everyone utterly flabbergasted!"
Zhao Gongming didn't waste any time. He immediately brought out the Nine Dragon Cauldron and started refining.
"Rise!"
Samadhi True Fire surged as the Xiantian Immortal-Binding Vine was tossed into the cauldron.
A moment later.
"It's done!"
Zhao Gongming reached out and beckoned. A golden glove, gleaming faintly and exquisitely crafted yet... a little over-the-top, landed in his palm.
[ Ding! Congratulations, Host! You have successfully refined a treasure! ]
[ Treasure Name: Overbearing President Gloves ]
[ Rank: Houtian Spirit Treasure (Conceptual Grade) ]
[ Conceptual Attribute: Space Pinning · Absolute Control ]
[ Effect: Ignores spatial distance and instantly moves the user in front of the enemy. The user braces one hand against the empty space behind the enemy, forming an air wall. ]
[ Traps the enemy firmly in the user's embrace. The enemy cannot move or resist and can only be forced to meet the user's gaze. ]
[ Side Effect: Failed to Get Rid of the Sleaze · Sleazy Overbearing President ]
[ Restriction: When activating the treasure, the user must make expressions such as a crooked smile, biting their lip, or a sleazy wink, and speak the following lines in a low, gravelly voice! ]
"Heh, man/woman, you've got my attention."
"You say you don't want it, but your body tells a different story."
"This is what happens when you make me angry."
At the same time, the system's critical reward arrived.
[ Ding! Congratulations, Host! You have successfully refined a Conceptual Grade Magic Treasure! ]
[ Supreme Critical Reward triggered! ]
[ Congratulations, Host! You have obtained: Chaos Dragon Saint Dharma Image! ]
An ancient, desolate dragon's roar exploded within Zhao Gongming.
Immediately afterward, a visible stream of violet-gold dragon qi burst from the crown of his head and shot into the sky.
It transformed into the phantom image of a colossal chaos dragon stretching across heaven and earth, radiating a terrifying pressure that made all living things submit.
Then the dragon qi quickly drew back into Zhao Gongming's body, becoming a Dharma Image mark engraved upon his primordial spirit.
At Kunlun Mountain's reception hall.
The Four Sea Dragon Kings were currently surrounded by various Great Experts, serving as a success story.
Ao Guang was boasting so hard that spittle flew.
"Fellow Daoists, you have no idea how useful the Dragon Gate refined by Esteemed Immortal Zhao Gongming is!"
"The process... ahem, was a little hard on the back, but the results are absolutely top-notch!"
Just then, that terrifying chaos dragon qi shot into the sky.
Thud! Thud!
The Four Sea Dragon Kings felt an irresistible pressure well up from deep within their bloodlines.
Their legs gave way, and they dropped to their knees in unison.
Ao Guang's eyes widened as he stared toward Zhao Gongming's cave abode, utterly baffled.
"This... this aura?"
"Is my father alive again?!"
"No, this aura's even mightier than my father's... mightier than even Ancestor Dragon!"
"Which great expert of the Dragon Race has descended?!"
Meanwhile, Bull Demon King, who was sipping tea in a corner, twitched his ears at the words "mightier."
He set down his teacup and looked at the Dragon Kings kneeling on the ground. A glint of approval flashed through his eyes as he nodded slightly and thought to himself:
"As expected of the Dragon Race. They really have taste!"
"Looks like I should spend more time with them from now on."
Inside the cave abode, Zhao Gongming handed the Overbearing President Gloves to Yellow Dragon and explained their side effects in detail.
After hearing him out, Yellow Dragon wasn't afraid at all. On the contrary, he looked perfectly calm, even a little eager to give them a try.
"Social Death?"
"Junior Brother, you underestimate me."
"Ever since Medicine Master Junior Brother turned me into an idiot, and I drooled while shouting 'Patrick Star'..."
"I've completely abandoned all concern for my dignity!"
"As long as I win, as long as I make a stunning debut, I don't care if I have to smile crookedly. I'd even strip and dance right here!"
Hearing this, Zhao Gongming clapped his hands in admiration.
"Good! What spirit!"
"Those who achieve great things don't sweat the small stuff!"
"Senior Disciple Brother, I can tell you're destined for greatness. You're going to be a sensation at this Kunlun Sacred Assembly!"
After sending off the brimming-with-confidence Yellow Dragon, Zhao Gongming was just about to enter seclusion and test the power of his Chaos Dragon Saint Dharma Image.
Knock, knock, knock!
Once again, there was a knock at the door.
"Junior Brother, open up! It's your Senior Disciple Brother Duo Bao!"
Zhao Gongming reluctantly opened the door and saw Daoist Duo Bao waiting outside with an expectant look, holding a box overflowing with treasure light.
"Senior Disciple Brother, what brings you here?"
Duo Bao rubbed his hands together and said somewhat sheepishly:
"Junior Brother, you know the situation."
"Last time, Junior Sister Jin Ling's Scum Hui sword slashed me until I questioned my whole life."
"My defenses are strong, but if I run into true damage that ignores defense like that, I still can't win."
"So I want you to refine a treasure for me too!"
"Preferably one that can keep someone controlled until the end and stop them from making a move!"
Zhao Gongming's eyes lit up. He exclaimed in delight:
"Back again?"
Duo Bao paused.
"What do you mean, 'again'?"
Zhao Gongming waved a hand.
"Nothing, nothing. Just a slip of the tongue."
"As long as you have the right materials, Junior Brother will be at your service!"
Duo Bao was overjoyed. He hurriedly opened the box, revealing a purple bamboo whip crackling with the power of thunder.
"This is Purple Cloud Thunder Bamboo. It's a spirit bamboo that grew outside the Purple Cloud Palace back when Dao Ancestor lectured. It contains the power of heavenly tribulation!"
[ Ding! High-grade refining material detected: Purple Cloud Thunder Bamboo. ]
[ Rating: Excellent. ]
[ Matching blueprint: Can be refined into a powerful crowd-control Conceptual Magic Treasure. ]
"Good stuff!"
Zhao Gongming fired up the furnace again.
A moment later, a whip crackling with electricity emerged. It looked unremarkable, yet gave off a strange aura.
[ Ding! Congratulations, Host! You have successfully refined a treasure! ]
[ Treasure Name: Lightning Five Consecutive Whips ]
[ Rank: Houtian Spirit Treasure (Conceptual Grade) ]
[ Conceptual Attribute: Causal Spasms · Receive, Transform, and Release ]
[ Effect: The whip does not need to hit anyone when swung. ]
[ As long as it is waved in front of an enemy, they will be forced into a convulsing, electrocuted state! ]
[ Their bodies will stiffen, preventing them from casting spells. Their bodies will also twitch uncontrollably in time with the whip, as if they were being electrocuted. ]
[ Side Effect: Grandmaster Lecture ]
[ Restriction: The user must strike a pose like a fake master, keep one hand behind their back, speak in a thick local accent, and mutter the following while whipping: ]
"I let my guard down! I didn't dodge!"
"Young people should play fair!"
"Behave yourself!"
At the same time, the system's reward once again made Zhao Gongming's heart race.
[ Ding! Congratulations, Host! You have successfully refined a Conceptual Grade Magic Treasure! ]
[ Supreme Critical Reward triggered! ]
[ Congratulations, Host! You have obtained: Primordial World Version of the Eight Wonders (Complete Set)! ]
A flood of profound information poured into Zhao Gongming's mind.
Qi Body Source Flow granted unlimited magical power, while Summoning Spirits and Dispatching Generals allowed him to command all living things.
Tongtian Talisman let him draw talismans in the air, while Feng Hou Qi Men allowed him to control space and time...
Strengthened by the laws of the Primordial Era, these eight divine arts were on a whole different level!
"The Eight Wonders?!"
"This is incredible!"
"Especially Tongtian Talisman and Feng Hou Qi Men. Combined with my mastery of formations, they're practically invincible!"
Suppressing his excitement, Zhao Gongming handed the Lightning Five Consecutive Whips to Duo Bao and explained how to use them.
After hearing the explanation, Duo Bao didn't feel embarrassed at all. Instead, he thought the lines sounded exactly like something a grandmaster would say.
"'Behave yourself, and know your place'?"
"Isn't that exactly how a senior teaches a junior?"
"That's perfect for someone of my standing as Interception Sect's Senior Disciple Brother!"
"Thank you, Junior Brother!"
Excitedly clutching the whip, Duo Bao left, eager to find someone and test the power of Receive, Transform, and Release.
After seeing Duo Bao off, Zhao Gongming stretched and looked out at the lively Kunlun Mountain.
"I've been refining for so long. It's time to get out and stretch my legs."
"Now that countless immortals have gathered at Kunlun Mountain, I'm the Interception Sect's chief Outer Sect disciple."
"And I'm helping organize this assembly. How could I not show my face?"
Zhao Gongming straightened his robes, pushed open the cave abode's doors, and strode outside.
[ I'm Zhao Gongming. Give me a few more updates, and I'll refine a treasure for you. I'd even give you Cihang! ]
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