Dragon-Tiger Qi? I Was Born With It

Embracing Origin Dragon-Tiger Seal

[Coiled dragon, crouching tiger; embrace the origin and guard the one; devour the essence of dragons and tigers, transform it into dragon-tiger qi, strengthen essence, strengthen qi, strengthen spirit, strengthen the mystic embryo]

Zhao Hong blinked, and the little tree swaying in his heart suddenly stopped.

This cultivation method seemed quite suitable.

He licked his lips, pondered for a moment, and continued flipping through the pages.

There were some related to dragons and tigers, bearing names such as "tiger," "dragon-elephant," and "dragon-python."

But "dragon-tiger" truly appeared in only this one.

"Why even ask Senior Sister?"

"Since it concerns dragons and tigers, there probably isn't anything like it even in the martial hall."

"It couldn't be more suitable."

Moreover, judging by the description, it was an exceptionally orthodox method.

If he found something more powerful in this path in the future, he could continue cultivating from it without any conflict.

This was the one.

Zhao Hong hesitated no longer.

By then, Zhou Baishan had already made his choice and collected his cultivation method.

"Senior, I'd also like to exchange for these three records of cultivation experience from Mystic Embryo martial artists."

"Three minor merits."

"Take them."

"Thank you, Senior."

Zhao Hong's thoughts returned to the present. There were even cultivation experience records, and three of them only cost three minor merits. What a bargain.

Experience notes could sometimes be more valuable than pure martial arts. One minor merit per record truly was not expensive.

He had already made up his mind.

He needed to exchange for some as well.

After putting away his things, Zhou Baishan walked over and asked, "How was it? Did you find anything suitable?"

"I did."

"Brother Zhou, would it be suitable to ask that Senior for some guidance?"

Zhao Hong glanced at the elderly man overseeing the place, whose attitude was indifferent, and lowered his voice.

Zhou Baishan paused slightly before saying uncertainly, "It should be possible, but there are too many people right now. You might have better odds once there are fewer people."

That made sense.

"Brother Zhou, you should head back first. I'll wait here for a while," Zhao Hong said.

"Alright."

Zhou Baishan did not ask further. Having obtained his cultivation method, he also wanted to return and study it first. He waved and left.

Zhao Hong waited in a corner of the courtyard for about a quarter of an hour.

Only after everyone had left did he walk over.

"Senior, I'd like to exchange for this."

He pointed at the Embracing Origin Dragon-Tiger Seal.

The old man lifted his eyelids and said blandly, "I'm in a good mood today. If there's anything you want to ask, go ahead."

Zhao Hong froze, then gave an awkward smile before delight spread across his face.

"Could you introduce this cultivation method to me, Senior?"

"Many people choose the Embracing Origin Dragon-Tiger Seal."

Those opening words left Zhao Hong somewhat dazed.

Many people? Was it that common?

This was dragon-tiger!

Tigers might be common enough, but they were still kings among the fierce beasts of the mountains and wilderness.

If one became a demon, it would be even more extraordinary.

The innate tiger demon that had appeared outside the garrison was proof enough.

And dragons?

They were at the level of supreme great demons.

How could so many people choose it?

Were there no requirements at all?

"Demonic dragons are naturally rare."

The old man saw through Zhao Hong's thoughts at a glance and curled his lip. "But who said dragon-tiger means you must seek out a dragon? Snakes, pythons, and flood dragons—can't they all be tied to dragons in some way?"

"Even lizards will do."

"..."

Zhao Hong swallowed. That made sense.

A snake became a python, and a python became a flood dragon.

Lizards were four-legged reptiles, so they were at least somewhat similar.

"As for this cultivation method, its effects are naturally impressive. As long as you have a bit of talent and enough materials taken from snakes, pythons, tigers, and other beasts, it can nourish the mystic embryo to a remarkable degree."

"Furthermore, dragons and tigers possess fierce, domineering momentum. Setting aside the rarity and power of demonic dragons, even gaining a superficial insight from paintings and illustrations of them offers immense benefits."

"If you have considerable wealth and can obtain something from a flood dragon to absorb and refine, the effects will be even more astonishing."

"Of course, entry is easy, but reaching the depths is difficult."

"Most people choose this method merely to lay their foundation in the Mystic Embryo Realm, enhance their combat power, and use it as a transition. Once they reach a certain level, accumulate enough in their mystic embryo, and ascend to the Innate Realm, they will seek another method."

The old man paused before continuing, "If you are determined to choose this method, I suggest you hunt tiger demons, great snakes, great pythons, or powerful savage beasts in the mountains. Don't fixate on the dragon. Treat it as any kind of savage beast. Comprehend its momentum and grasp its ferocity and dominance."

"The prefecture has resources such as the essence blood and essence qi of tigers and pythons. There are flood dragon materials too, but I doubt a lad like you can afford them."

"Let me think. Not long ago, someone sent over a flood dragon, at the peak of the Innate Realm. It's a young flood dragon. Three drops of essence blood for one merit."

Hmm?

"Only one merit?"

Zhao Hong blinked.

The old man was taken aback. "You actually have one?"

"I do."

Zhao Hong smiled sheepishly.

The old man was greatly surprised.

It was no simple feat for a newly promoted Golden Bell Guard to accumulate one merit. It was exceedingly rare.

He looked Zhao Hong up and down thoughtfully, then shook his head with a smile. "Even if you have one, it's useless."

"You're too weak."

Zhao Hong nodded wryly. A peak Innate flood dragon really was only a young flood dragon, but it was still not something he could endure at his current level.

Indeed.

Weakness was the original sin.

But after the old man's explanation, the benefits of this cultivation method were obvious.

By his account, it was seventy or eighty percent similar to the dragon-tiger he observed inwardly. The only difference was that his inward observation of dragon-tiger was merely instinctive and far too shallow. With this method to supplement it, he would be like a tiger with wings.

Only a fool would still hesitate.

He would treat the dragon as nonexistent.

But dragon-tiger? I was born with it.

As long as it was a cultivation method related to the path of dragon-tiger, no one was more suited to cultivate it than he was.

"Sorry to trouble you, Senior. I'll take this one."

"Also, I'd like to exchange for three records of Mystic Embryo-level cultivation experience."

Several breaths later.

The old man handed Zhao Hong three booklets and a scroll.

"The Embracing Origin Dragon-Tiger Seal scroll has dragon-tiger images imprinted within it, though they are not particularly useful. They are all painted. Remember to return it within seven days."

Zhao Hong looked at the scroll in his hand. It was rather ancient and simple.

Just images of dragons and tigers?

For me, they might not be useless.

"Senior, please exchange these Evil Skins for me."

"I'll also look through the exchange list and trade for some resources."

"Huh."

At the stack of Evil Skins Zhao Hong took out, the old man was genuinely startled.

With so many beast hides, the source of that merit was probably inseparable from the Evil Skin Cult.

However, he did not ask any questions. After giving them a brief look, he said, "Thirty-two Blood Fiend-level pieces and seven Mystic Embryo-level pieces. I'll exchange them for ten Embryo-Nurturing Pills."

Zhao Hong naturally had no objection.

"By the way, Senior, I'm still at the Blood Fiend Realm. Is there anything I should take note of when consuming these Embryo-Nurturing Pills?"

The old man had long seen Zhao Hong's cultivation level and was not surprised. With a casual wave of his hand, he said, "No matter. Just eat them."

Zhao Hong's mouth twitched. That answer was a little too casual.

Still, since he had said so, they probably would not cause any problems.

Reassured, he carefully studied the exchange list.

With a full merit, there were simply too many things he could exchange for at the Mystic Embryo level.

As for flood dragon essence blood, even if his strength rose quickly, he would not be able to use it anytime soon. He would have plenty of time to accumulate more merits.

"I still have several Profound Earth Pills. Together with my monthly salary and the fifteen Embryo-Nurturing Pills exchanged for the Evil Skins, my cultivation will soon reach the peak of the Blood Fiend Realm. I'll be fully able to withstand the power of the late Mystic Embryo Realm, or even its peak."

Zhao Hong's goal was clear. He directly skipped the first few pages of the list and flipped to the back.

Several dozen breaths later, he made his choices.

Great medicine: Purple-Patterned Fruit, for tempering the mystic embryo. One major merit each. Three to start.

Pills: Profound Sea Pills, containing vast amounts of essence qi to strengthen the mystic embryo. Three pills for two major merits. Six of them.

Seven major merits were gone just like that.

Of his one merit, only three major merits remained.

"Merits really disappear fast."

One merit sounded astonishing.

But it took only a moment to spend it.

Of course, ordinary people would not spend them as extravagantly as he did.

They would save them for a crucial moment of breaking through.

But with a powerful enemy looming, exchanging merits for strength was what mattered most.

Once he used up all these resources, he dared call himself "invincible" beneath the Innate Realm.

Especially after cultivating the Embracing Origin Dragon-Tiger Seal.

"Worthy of someone with a merit."

"Not even at the Mystic Embryo Realm, yet you dare spend them like this."

The old man fetched his items and spoke with feeling.

He's calling me a prodigal, Zhao Hong muttered inwardly, wanting to speak but holding back.

The old man rolled his eyes at once. Where had this country bumpkin come from?

"There's no one around now. I'll allow you one more question."