A Gentleman Must Know When to Become a Dragon or a Snake! Liu Erlong in the Secret Chamber, Dragon-Serpent Resonance?

After Dugu Bo finished speaking, everyone stood atop True Dragon Mountain. The poisonous mist had yet to disperse, and now and then the sound of shattered tiles and crumbling walls echoed through the mountains.

Golden Crocodile Douluo stood with his hands behind his back, gazing down the mountain. He said calmly:

"We can discuss the formation later.

Ce'er, how much longer can the snake venom in your body be held at bay?"

Dugu Ce raised his hand and looked at the faintly visible green patches of venom on his fingertips:

"Three months at most.

If Dragon Snake Harmony fails, no one can save me."

"Then let's not delay."

Dugu Xuan said gravely.

"We'll perform the secret art tonight in the Dragon Lair's secret chamber.

Liu Erlong, do you object?"

Liu Erlong expressionlessly glanced at the spot where Yu Luomian had met his end.

Liu Erlong gave a cold laugh:

"He's dead. I'm actually relieved.

Dugu Ce, you've already done what you promised me, so I'll give you my full cooperation.

But I have one condition:

Once it's done, Blue Tyrant Academy must be completely independent, beyond the control of any faction."

"Agreed."

Dugu Ce nodded.

"Not only that, I'll have Spirit Hall allocate resources to you as compensation."

Liu Erlong turned her face away:

"Don't bother with fake pleasantries.

I just want to live in peace and quiet by myself from now on."

Dugu Bo chuckled:

"Then it's settled.

Yan Yan, take Dean Liu to the secret chamber to prepare.

I'll patrol the mountain myself and see if any fish have slipped through the net."

Dugu Yan answered and led Liu Erlong toward the Dragon Lair.

After walking a few steps, she turned back to look at Dugu Ce:

"Xiao Ce, Yu Tianheng is still unconscious. What should we do with him?"

Dugu Ce pondered for a moment:

"Keep him for now.

Once the secret art is complete, I'll interrogate him myself.

Though the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect is destroyed, the Yu clan's branches are scattered throughout the land.

Keeping a hostage will make it easier to gather the remnants of their forces."

"Ce'er has thought this through."

Golden Crocodile Douluo nodded slightly, then changed the subject.

"You just said you planned to 'establish a sect.' Have you thought of a name?"

Dugu Ce gazed at the poisonous mist winding through the mountains and the fading traces of lightning, then said slowly:

"The Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor and the Radiant Sacred Dragon, one serpent and one dragon, twin beings coexisting.

The sect shall be called the 'Dragon-Serpent Sect.'"

As the saying went, a gentleman should know when to become a dragon or a snake.

A gentleman should know when to become a dragon or a snake: he must bend and stretch, advance and retreat with measure.

When he prospered, he would be like a dragon, riding the wind and soaring high, accomplishing great things.

When he fell on hard times, he would be like a snake, lying low and biding his time, building strength until the moment was right.

The name suited Dugu Ce perfectly.

Dugu Ce had considered the name "Holy Dragon Sect" as well.

But the Tuoba family, whose Martial Soul was the White Armored Earth Dragon, had already taken it.

Dugu Ce couldn't be bothered to fight over it.

If all went as expected,

the Dragon-Serpent Sect's inherited Martial Souls would eventually be just like Dugu Ce's own:

the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor (with True Dragon bloodline) and the Radiant Sacred Dragon.

Even if Dugu Ce's Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor Martial Soul successfully evolved after Dragon-Serpent Resonance with Liu Erlong,

his descendants' Martial Souls might still regress into Jade Phosphorous Serpents with True Dragon bloodlines.

Douluo II made that clear.

Ma Xiaotao of Douluo II was a descendant of Ma Hongjun.

Before Ma Hongjun ascended to the Divine Realm, his Martial Soul had already evolved from the Evil Fire Phoenix into the Fire Phoenix, and then the Ten-Headed Fire Phoenix.

It wasn't unusual for the bloodline of a descendant's Martial Soul to regress.

"Dragon-Serpent Sect..."

Dugu Xuan repeated the name twice, a glint flashing in his eyes.

"A serpent that can swallow a dragon. It certainly suits the scene today.

Good!"

Golden Crocodile Douluo, however, furrowed his brows:

"The name lacks grandeur.

But since you've decided, I won't undermine you.

Still, a seat among the Upper Three Sects requires the approval of both the Heaven Dou Empire and Spirit Hall. I'll have Bibi Dong issue an edict later and give you the vacant seat outright."

Golden Crocodile Douluo had reached the rank of Limit Douluo. The reason he'd been able to break through was the Immortal Herb Dugu Ce had given him.

Once Golden Crocodile Douluo returned to the Worship Hall and explained how it had all come about,

there was no way the many elders of the Worship Hall would object.

"Thank you, Master."

Dugu Ce bowed.

"Also."

Golden Crocodile Douluo lowered his voice and glanced into the distance.

"What are your plans for the being behind that Tang San? When will you go and take the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud?"

Dugu Ce's gaze sharpened:

"Once Dragon Snake Harmony is complete, I'll go to Heaven Dou City to meet Qian Renxue.

Qian Renxue has been undercover in Tiandou, and her ambitions are considerable.

But with my status, it won't be hard to get the token through her."

The Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud was in Tiandou. It was said to be a national treasure, but in truth it was just an auspicious trinket whose purpose no one had managed to figure out.

All he had to do was find a pretext to get Xue Ye's approval.

The Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud would be his for the taking!

"Qian Renxue?"

Dugu Xuan was stunned.

"The Heaven Dou Crown Prince is an impostor from Spirit Hall?"

Golden Crocodile Douluo snorted coldly:

"This is Spirit Hall's highest secret.

Brother Xuan, now that you know, you must never speak of it to anyone."

Dugu Xuan hurriedly nodded:

"I understand."

Dugu Ce waved a hand:

"It's getting late. I'll go to the secret chamber and meditate.

Great-uncle, after your patrol, come keep watch too, in case anyone tries to interfere."

"Don't worry."

Dugu Bo swept his sleeve, his emerald figure soaring into the air and skimming over the ruined walls of True Dragon Mountain.

Inside the Dragon Lair's secret chamber, Liu Erlong sat cross-legged on one side of a stone platform, her eyes closed.

Dugu Yan stood guard by the entrance.

Dugu Ce entered the chamber and shut the stone door behind him.

"Let's begin."

Liu Erlong opened her eyes, her voice as calm as still water.

"The secret art requires our Soul Power to meld together. I'll use the essence of my fire attribute to guide the icy and fiery poisonous energies through your meridians for thirty-six cycles.

It'll be agonizing. Can you endure it?"

"Of course!"

"Endurance means keeping an open mind and holding fast!"

Dugu Ce removed his outer robe, revealing his strong upper body. Green patches of venom spread across his chest like a spiderweb.

"What about you? Your Soul Power will drop by one rank after you expend your essence. You won't regret it?"

Liu Erlong scoffed:

"So what if I drop a few ranks?

There's nothing left in this world worth fighting desperately for.

Get on with it."

Dugu Ce said no more. He sat cross-legged opposite Liu Erlong and extended both hands.

Liu Erlong raised her hands as well, pressing her palms against his.

"Close your eyes and look inward at your meridians. Follow my Soul Power."

Liu Erlong gave a low cry. Crimson flames suddenly surged around her, and the phantom of a fire dragon flickered behind her before vanishing.

Dugu Ce took a deep breath. The Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor Martial Soul shuddered within him, his bloodline surging.

Green and golden light welled up from his body, intertwining with the crimson flames.

Outside the secret chamber, Dugu Xuan stood with his hands behind his back. He listened to the muffled growls coming from within, his brows knitted tight.

Golden Crocodile Douluo appeared beside him without warning and said calmly:

"Worried about your grandson?"

"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't."

Dugu Xuan gave a bitter smile.

"But this is the path he chose. All I can do is trust him."

"Trusting him is enough."

Golden Crocodile Douluo looked up at the sky.

"I've lived for over two hundred years and seen countless geniuses.

But the ones who make it to the end aren't the most talented. They're the most ruthless:

ruthless toward their enemies, and even more ruthless toward themselves.

Ce'er has that potential."

As he finished speaking, a muffled groan, suppressed to the utmost, came from inside the secret chamber.