Zi Ji Follows

Xuan Qing bought some dry rations and a map of Douluo Continent. He needed to plan his route from here on out. He couldn't just wander around.

First, he had to avoid the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. Those people were like dogs who'd spotted a pile of shit whenever they saw a dragon-type Martial Soul.

If they set their sights on him, he'd be dragged into endless trouble. He didn't want to waste his bonus rewards on something so trivial.

Xuan Qing unfolded the map and took a look. The nearest place was Suotuo City, not far away. An ordinary person could get there in a day's walk.

At the mention of the place, he couldn't help thinking of Tang San, the protagonist of the original story. Bibi Dong had been in power for eight and a half years, and Tang San was about two years older than him.

His current body was a little over six years old, while Tang San was not yet nine. He still had about three years before Tang San met Dugu Bo.

He had plenty of time to travel first, then swoop in and claim the Immortal Herbs. It wasn't that he had anything against Tang San. Whoever found an opportunity first got it. Whoever lost out was just unlucky.

Besides, his attributes would become a huge problem after Level 30. Chaos wasn't a traditional Ultimate Attribute, but it was even stronger than one. Azure Dragon also had Ultimate Wood and lightning.

After reaching Level 30, his cultivation speed would definitely plummet. He didn't want to know what it felt like to gain just one level a year.

"Smack!"

Xuan Qing suddenly slapped himself across the face.

"Damn! The earlier you take the Immortal Herbs, the better they work. Then I can start cultivating the Azure Dragon Mysterious Heaven Art!"

He made up his mind. Even if it took time, he had to go to Sunset Forest first. According to the map, he would have to pass through Suotuo City.

Xuan Qing left through the city gate and headed toward Suotuo City. He'd walked for about an hour when night fell.

He summoned the Auspicious Cloud and climbed aboard.

It was already the middle of the night when he reached Suotuo City. The city gates had long since closed, so he simply flew in.

He landed in a secluded alley, slipped into his space, and fell fast asleep.

The next morning, he woke up feeling refreshed. Xuan Qing bought some breakfast from a street stall: fried dough sticks, soy milk, and buns. Simple, but filling.

As he was eating, a charming voice rang out. "May I sit here?"

Xuan Qing turned to look.

She was a woman with waist-length purple hair, tall and alluring, and radiating a dangerous aura.

Xuan Qing's heart gave a thump. He had a pretty good idea who she was, but wasn't she supposed to show up at a different time?

"Go ahead." He nodded and continued eating his bun.

Zi Ji sized up the boy in front of her. At his age, could he even be called a boy?

She'd spent the past few days searching through cities and towns. Only yesterday had she received word in Tianyuan City that a green-haired child had left the city that afternoon.

She'd come to Suotuo City to try her luck. She hadn't expected to actually find him.

On Douluo Continent, a Martial Soul could affect hair color. Red hair was usually associated with fire attributes, while blue hair was most likely linked to water or ice attributes. But this shade of blue-green was exceedingly rare.

"May I..." Zi Ji had just begun to speak when Xuan Qing interrupted her.

"Don't talk while eating or sleeping. Whatever you want to ask, wait until you've finished eating."

Once he'd eaten his fill, Xuan Qing tossed down a Silver Soul Coin, got up, and headed toward the alley beside them.

Zi Ji hurried after him. When they reached the deserted alley, Xuan Qing stopped.

He turned around, and the phantom of the Azure Dragon Martial Soul appeared behind him. It was only a shadow, but its pressure was immense.

"Why aren't you staying with that Little Silver Dragon? What are you doing out here?"

Zi Ji's heart shuddered. He knew about her lord! And that way of referring to her... Little Silver Dragon?

"You know about my lord?" she asked cautiously.

Xuan Qing smiled. "If I want to, nothing on Douluo Continent can stay hidden from me."

Zi Ji drew a deep breath. "Some time ago, you caused a beast tide in Star Dou Forest. Di Tian and my lord noticed you."

"Then they sent me to find you. If you're willing, we'd like to invite you back as our guest."

Xuan Qing shook his head. "I am an innate god, the Eastern Azure Dragon. No one in this world can order me around."

"However..." He changed tack. "Since you've made the effort, I don't mind having another follower."

Zi Ji's eyes lit up.

She could feel her bloodline stirring. If she stayed by his side, even doing nothing, his presence could subtly influence her bloodline.

She bowed respectfully. "Since you're unwilling to go with us, please allow me to stay by your side."

Xuan Qing gave her a few appraising glances. Since they thought he was the Azure Dragon, he might as well keep up the act. An innate god, the Eastern Azure Dragon—that was quite a name.

"If you can completely conceal your Soul Beast aura, you can come along. I happen to be short a fighter."

"I don't have much power left, so I need to conserve it. What level is your strength at now?"

Zi Ji thought for a moment. "I'm probably equivalent to a human Level 97 Titled Douluo, but Soul Beasts can't be measured by Soul Power alone. I could fight a Level 98 as well."

Xuan Qing nodded with satisfaction. This fighter was strong enough.

"My name is Xuan Qing. That's the name I gave this incarnation of mine."

"You can call me Xuan Qing as well. Since you chose to take human form, you must follow human rules."

"Yes, Senior Xuan Qing."

Zi Ji caught on quickly and immediately changed how she addressed him.

Xuan Qing took out the map. "Let's go to Sunset Forest. I need to find something there. I haven't grown up yet, so I'll have to trouble you."

Zi Ji nodded, used Soul Power to lift Xuan Qing, and the two shot into the sky, heading for Sunset Forest.

Zi Ji was incredibly fast. They reached the outskirts of the forest by noon that day, and Xuan Qing had her land.

"Call that black dragon over. Let him come pay his respects to an elder. If nothing else, he can take the bones back with him."

Zi Ji was a little confused, but she released a signal all the same, sending a message toward the depths of Star Dou Forest.

Moments later, a dark figure descended from the sky. It was Di Tian.

Seeing Xuan Qing and Zi Ji, Di Tian immediately bowed. "Senior."

Xuan Qing waved a hand. "No need for formalities. My name is Xuan Qing. At the heart of this forest lies the burial site of the Ice and Fire Dragon Kings of your world."

Di Tian's pupils contracted. "T-The burial site of Aunt Ice and Fire?"

Xuan Qing nodded. "There should be an old man guarding it. Don't kill him. I still have a use for him. As for the bones, take them back if you want."

Di Tian clenched his fists. The remains of the Dragon Clan's seniors could never be left out in the open. He would take them back and lay them to rest.

"Thank you for telling me, Senior," Di Tian said solemnly.

The three of them flew toward the center of the forest. The terrain there was unusual, half scorching hot and half bitterly cold.

At the center lay a strange mountain valley. The Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well was at its bottom.

Di Tian flew in first. He could sense the aura of the Dragon Clan's remains, and his eyes turned red.

Zi Ji carried Xuan Qing down slowly. As soon as they entered the valley, an angry shout rang out.

"Who dares trespass in this old man's garden?"

An old man in green robes rushed out of a cave, his beard and hair bristling.

Nine rings appeared behind him—two yellow, two purple, and five black. He unleashed the full pressure of a Titled Douluo, directing it at Di Tian.

Di Tian didn't even look at him. He casually slapped out, without a trace of Soul Power—just pure strength.

Dugu Bo was struck as if by a giant hammer. He flew backward, crashed into the cliff wall, and spat out a mouthful of blood.

His eyes widened in disbelief. He was a Titled Douluo, yet he'd been sent flying with a single slap?

Di Tian looked at him coldly. "Don't move if you don't want to die."

Dugu Bo froze in place. From the man in black, he sensed a deadly threat. This was undoubtedly a Peak Douluo-level powerhouse.