Dragon Transformation, Hongwu's Arrival

The sun had yet to set, and the already bustling Qiantang County, along with the surrounding areas where Guǐ Wǔ Cultivators gathered, suddenly became agitated and abuzz with news.

Especially the sect leaders of the involved famous sects, whether furious or forcing a smile, all felt they had lost face.

"Breaking News! One hour ago, direct disciples of dozens of major sects including the Beggar Sect, Emei Sect, Heavenly Dragon Temple, Qingcheng Sect, Huashan Sect... and others, including Young Beggar Sect Master Zhuang Hongshi, Emei's Qingyu Immortal, and Heavenly Dragon's Six-fingered Monk, these prodigies."

"Without exception, all were robbed."

"It is rumored that the culprit is an Evil Dragon of at least the [Foundation Establishment Realm], possessing demon arts such as Cloud Soaring and Thunder Fiend poison."

"This dragon demon is extremely shameless, despicable, and vulgar. Clearly a senior figure, yet it ambushed a group of juniors."

"The sect leaders of the major sects have begun to use their means to jointly pursue and kill it, but have temporarily yielded no results."

"What a disgrace. Dozens of young heroes and prodigies were easily subdued by a dragon demon's poisonous mist, unable to even struggle. They were completely robbed within ten breaths."

"The latest rumor is that the Evil Dragon is not just passing through, but is a recently emerged dragon demon around Qiantang, specializing in hunting Demonic Creatures related to the 'Dragon Clan'. The victims are numerous, including powerful dragon beasts that were already close to Foundation Establishment, yet they were still easily slaughtered by it."

"If that's the case, then those dozens of young heroes were lucky. They were only robbed, not killed... Perhaps it's a dragon demon formed by a human cultivator? Having just reached Foundation Establishment, its vicious habits do not include cannibalism, only ordinary treasure hoarding, which is why they narrowly escaped with their lives."

"The worst part isn't the robbery, but the dragon demon's methods. Ambushes are one thing, but afterwards, it taunted dozens of people, saying things like 'I'm robbing you for your own good,' 'How can you martial artists beat me, a cultivator,' 'Go home and practice more before coming out to roam the martial world,' and so on. Most of the prodigies have suffered soul and spirit damage."

"If Eight-armed Buddha, Guye Immortal, and the Ming Cult's Young Sect Master were present, that dragon demon probably wouldn't dare to be so arrogant."

Ge Xian was vaguely aware of the external commotion but paid it no mind.

At this moment, he was in his own room, facing a bed piled with spoils of war, rubbing his hands with excitement.

He was selective about the treasures he plundered.

Those "young heroes" had backgrounds, and many of their treasures were hidden with traps for tracking.

But how could they escape Ge Xian's perception? He easily avoided them all, only taking spiritual pills and fruits containing dragon Qi, such as the "Myriad Snake Dragon Transformation Pill," and some Guǐ Wǔ Secret Manuals.

As for tracking him?

Ge Xian had experimented and confirmed long ago that he was different from other Demon Cultivators. As long as he maintained his human form, he could prevent any Dao Qi from leaking from his body. Even if they were close by, or even touched his physical form, it would be difficult to detect the mystery within.

Even if he revealed his Evil Dragon form, as long as he remained still, he could still restrain his Dao Qi. From beyond a doorway, no one could see through him.

Without these assurances, even if Ge Huolang had ten times the courage, he wouldn't have dared to rashly rob such a group of major sect disciples.

Now, it was time for the harvest.

"Myriad Snake Dragon Transformation Pill, Heavenly Dragon Bodhi, Red Carp Pill, Qingcheng Dragon Stone... The dragon Qi contained in these combined is even stronger than the Centipede Dragon Pearl I devoured before. It should be enough to help me complete the final step and advance to Foundation Establishment."

"My Evil Dragon Demon Body was only missing a human face. Once that is transformed, I can reach Foundation Establishment."

"Heh, in a way, I guess I'm leveling up by popping pills. Protagonist treatment, huh."

Ge Huolang quipped to himself, then immediately got started.

After all, these were all pills and fruits. Who knew if they contained potent poisons besides Dragon Qi.

He didn't swallow them whole. Instead, he started with the Myriad Snake Dragon Transformation Pill, popping it into his mouth.

It felt cold and slimy, melting in his mouth like a tiny, icy snake slithering into his stomach.

Instantly, the "Dragon Transformation Chapter" he'd impatiently activated captured it. The two seemed to mesh perfectly, refining it in the blink of an eye.

Ge Xian's guess was correct.

The pill contained a cold poison. Without the Beggar Sect's secret technique, the Primordial Unity Art, to neutralize it, the user would freeze to death.

Of course, that was for ordinary Guǐ Wǔ Cultivators.

Before the frost-like cold poison could fully envelop Ge Xian's body, it was vaporized by the surging Qi Blood within him.

Seeing this, Ge Xian's heart finally settled.

"Good!"

"The taste is acceptable."

"Next!"

Following this, his abdomen seemed to turn into a Bottomless Pit, accepting a large quantity of pills and spiritual fruits without any visible change.

His eating posture was impeccable; he even had time to comment on the treasures he'd snatched.

His highest praise was unexpectedly given to the Heavenly Dragon Bodhi.

This item tasted sweet and pure. While it was said to contain Dragon Qi, it was actually just a mutated dragon's essence. After being refined in his body, it didn't increase Ge Xian's Dragon Qi by a single bit. It merely added a trace of Buddhist charm to his Evil Dragon Demon Body, making it seem less ferocious and more mysterious and unfathomable.

His final breakthrough was already within reach, but Ge Xian had been suppressing it, silently waiting for a certain opportunity.

Just like that, he ate for a full few dozen breaths. When the last spiritual pill, named "Dragon Frost Pill," was refined.

Ge Xian finally released his suppression. The repressed, long-accumulated Dragon Qi within him, which had reached its limit, erupted like a mountain flood breaking a dam, or a tsunami breaching a levee. It began to rampage through Ge Xian's body, wantonly crushing all blockages and obstacles in its path.

During this process, his Evil Dragon Body, which was undergoing another massive transformation, gradually manifested.

To avoid leaking Dao Qi, Ge Xian forcefully endured the intense pain and itching, watching with his own eyes as his room gradually became occupied by a demonic dragon, or rather, an evil dragon, completely different from ordinary dragons.

At this moment, Ge Xian was levitating without even needing to use Demon Arts.

His human face had been completely replaced by a cold, majestic Dragon Face. His ferocious Dragon Horns became even more menacing, shimmering with an unknown brilliance. Dark Dragon Claws slowly extended from the Cloud Mist, a mixture of poisonous mist and Thunder Fiend clouds. Behind him was his Dragon Body, covered in dark Dragon Scales, its length unknown.

Normally, his room wasn't large, so it shouldn't have been able to accommodate much of a dragon body.

But Ge Xian's "Evil Dragon Demon Body" seemed to have gained some new power. As long as it existed, it could create a disturbance in the surrounding void.

It made it impossible to see his full form. No matter the angle, one would only see a pair of cold dragon eyes and that strange, inexplicable dragon body.

At this moment, Ge Xian's self-perception was that he still had six major demon arts within him.

But they had completely merged, with no further delay. And as long as he was willing to expend his internal magical power, the chance of unleashing divine abilities like "Five Poisons Yin Thunder," "Mysterious Yin Poison Fiend," "Centipede Poison Cloud Miasma," and "Formless Poison Qi" would be one hundred percent.

Although not as legendary as innate divine abilities, they already possessed power far exceeding ordinary demon arts.

Even more astonishing was the strength, speed, and greatly increased defense of this demon body.

He was certain that as long as he revealed his Evil Dragon Demon Body, even if those young heroes attacked him during the day, it would take them dozens of breaths to break through his dragon scale defense.

"If one only looks at the appearance, it's clearly a race replacement, no longer human!"

"Hm?"

Just as he had this thought, Ge Xian immediately switched back to his human form. It wasn't that he didn't want to observe further.

It was that at this moment of completing Foundation Establishment, an extremely primal, difficult-to-suppress impulse began to surge from the depths of his bloodline and soul:

"The demon body is formed, the Dao foundation is built, it is time to undergo Dragon Transformation."

"Quickly find a mountain torrent or river, sense heaven and earth, stir up a storm, and head for the sea... If successful, I will completely transform into a dragon and gain unimaginable benefits?"

As he perceived these things.

Ge Xian's naked body began to undergo strange changes. Dragon scales, dragon marks, dragon claws, and other organs appeared one after another. It was the bloodline impulse trying to forcibly drive Ge Xian to transform into a dragon.

These organs fought for dominance with the human skin sac, and soon his entire body was covered in blood. From time to time, a piece of flesh or a palm-sized dragon scale would fall off with a plop.

Seeing this, Ge Xian did not panic.

Instead, he seemed to think of something, furrowed his brow, and guessed:

"Race replacement... Foundation Establishment is indeed race replacement."

"If I succumb to the impulse and truly undergo Dragon Transformation, Dao Qi will completely flood my soul, turning 'me' into 'a dragon'."

"During the process, there will be two outcomes."

"The first is active acceptance and self-modification. This is for those demon cultivators who possess the so-called [Meditation Method]. They visualize the Spirit God Ancestor God while shaping their demon body. Upon success, they achieve Foundation Establishment Perfection. If they are lucky, they might touch upon [Innate Divine Ability] at perfection."

"The second is passive submission to the bloodline without a meditation method. Thus, one can only leave it to fate. Most are destroyed by demonic Qi in their souls, turning into irrational, frenzied demons."

"Either way, it means becoming a member of another race."

"will all be discovered and accepted by the other members of that race, and countless benefits will be obtained."

"In that case, wouldn't the human race be equivalent to... a breeding ground for races like dragons, Myriad Laws Spirit Demons, and so on?"

The moment these thoughts arose and fell.

Ge Xian was startled and simultaneously began to forcibly suppress the changes within his body.

If it were any other Demon Cultivator, they would definitely not be able to do this.

Even strong individuals like Lu Hualong and Yelü Yuyan in the Mortal Transformation Realm were still tormented by the process of "Race Replacement" during their Foundation Establishment.

But Ge Xian was very different.

"All Demon Dao Qi that enters my body must first be charmed by me, then plundered, refined, and absorbed by me."

"It is not the demonic Qi that pollutes me, but I who command you."

"Those who do not obey have already dissipated on their own."

"As for the Dragon Transformation, I will deal with it after I find the [Dragon Race Meditation Method]."

As he coldly snorted these words in his heart, the rebellious Evil Dragon Qi within his body was indeed forcibly suppressed by his supreme will.

All changes disappeared, and he was once again a naked human body.

Ge Xian himself did not know that he had just accomplished a "miracle."

Throughout history, he was the first Dragon Race Cultivator to forcibly interrupt the Dragon Transformation process without any ill effects.

If he could restart the Dragon Transformation in the future, it would be considered a miracle.

Of course, at this moment, he was completely unaware of these secrets and was still immersed in his own speculations.

While putting on clothes, various shocking thoughts continued to burst forth in his mind:

"If my guess is true!"

"It would explain why dragons, foxes, Myriad Laws Spirit Demons, Evil God Dao Lineages... all these things are targeting [humans] to exploit and harm them, clearly treating them as fields of leeks and pig farms."

"If that's the case, then after each round of harvesting and harm, they must carry out maintenance to avoid completely cutting off the roots."

"Isn't this Chaotic World the time for a new round of harvesting?"

"And when did the human race fall into such a predicament... Hmm?"

As this doubtful thought arose, Ge Xian suddenly remembered something.

A page recently snatched from the White Jade Old Daoist.

"The Myriad Laws History Book records: In the ancient Xia Dynasty, the human race sacrificed to the Myriad Gods, and the entire race embarked on the Cultivation Path."

"It started this early?"

The more Ge Huolang thought about it, the more he felt he had touched upon some truth behind the mists of history, and the more terrified he became.

This situation was far worse than the bleak world he had anticipated.

He didn't consider joining in. After calming down a bit, he also knew the truth couldn't be that simple.

The human race numbered in the billions, with countless prodigies emerging.

Throughout history, was he the only unknown nobody to discover this? How was that possible?

Moreover, there was the matter of merging with the Dao and ascending. What truth lay behind that?

Ge Xian couldn't figure it out for the moment. He only knew that he had to be more cautious in the future, hide deeper, and not reveal the slightest clue.

At the same time, a strong sense of curiosity surged within him.

"Myriad Gods, Myriad Laws... Myriad Laws History Book... Merging with the Dao and Ascending."

Just as Ge Xian was chewing over these words and resolving to collect more fragments of historical books if he had the chance.

Suddenly, a familiar sensation, similar to the three waves of visitors from last night, reappeared.

"Sister Bai, uninvited guests are here. Quickly sweep up."

Ge Xian urgently called out to the Broom Spirit, to clean up the mess on the ground caused by his forceful interruption of the Race Replacement process.

The Pretty Young Woman was indeed skilled at this. In just a few breaths, she had swept the room clean.

Ge Huolang, as if by habit, opened the door halfway and transmitted his voice at the opportune moment.

The next moment!

As a barely perceptible surge of Qi flowed before him, two figures indeed appeared again.

The usual setup!

One spy reporting to their Superior, and one important figure coming to join the fun.

Ge Xian glanced at the Superior, who looked like an old farmer, then turned his attention to the other person. It was a young man dressed as a scholar, with delicate features, a fair complexion, and a long beard.

In his perception, the Qi within this person was no weaker than that of Faxian and Shi Er from before.

And after sizing up Ge Xian for a few moments, the moment he spoke, Ge Huolang's heart nearly stopped, thinking he had inadvertently revealed himself at some point.

This fellow stared at Ge Xian with a half-smile, then said:

"This young brother has excellent talent, and has now gained some fame."

"If nothing unexpected happens, you must have already been approached by others. You look like a smart person, and might have already received many benefits."

"Young brother, am I correct?"

Ge Xian's heart skipped a beat upon hearing this, and he inwardly thought that a troublesome one had finally arrived.

His accumulated acting skills were put to use once more. He first put on a surprised expression, looking at the young man with great unexpectedness.

He bowed slightly and nodded in acknowledgment:

"Your Excellency speaks the truth. Someone has indeed approached me in advance."

"That person is a clerk from the Political Investigation Department named Fei Zhong. He forced me to be a spy. Last night, I gave him some information, and in return, he bestowed upon me a magical jade pot for escape. He also promised to provide me with a letter of introduction after the matter is concluded, guiding me to cultivate under the [Kaiming Spirit God]."

As he spoke, Ge Xian even turned around and retrieved the jade pot.

At the same time, he voluntarily revealed half of the information he had leaked to Fei Zhong last night.

After speaking, he directly and frankly said:

"My Lords!"

"Although I am young, I also know that we are gradually entering a chaotic world. The [Dayuan Dynasty] is on the verge of collapse, and the day of dynastic change is near. I would certainly not choose to step onto a sinking ship."

"As long as Your Excellencies can show me a clear path, I am willing to pledge my allegiance and work diligently."

This performance indeed made both of them smile.

The young man nodded with a look of satisfaction, his gaze towards Ge Xian like he was looking at a younger version of himself.

Then, he glanced dismissively at the jade pot and spoke:

"You can understand current affairs and predict fortune and misfortune. You are a smart person."

"My name is [Yang Bi]. I can tell you frankly that my master is the most likely person to win the world. Not to mention other spiritual lineages, even within the [Myriad Laws Sect], many Spirit Gods have already sent their subordinate spirit demons to join us."

"[Kaiming Spirit God] is not particularly strong. If you sincerely submit, you can become my subordinate. You will leave with me in a few days... In the future, among the Myriad Laws and Myriad Gods, you can choose whomever whose talent matches yours."

"Even if you wish to cultivate under the [Myriad Laws Celestial Pivot Prime Minister], I have a way to make your wish come true."

Hearing this, Ge Xian felt as if a huge pie was flying towards him.

In his heart, he couldn't help but sigh:

"I wondered who it was, turns out it's Lord Yang from Zhu Hongwu's household."

"No wonder the pie he's drawing is so grand. It's a pity that he himself will be in trouble later. If I follow you, I'm afraid I'll be implicated."

"Wait, no. If I go to his old Zhu family, I could be implicated no matter who I follow."