The Dragon Lord Banquet, a Century of Cultivation

Fang Shu stared intently at the Pill Furnace in front of him, his face filled with anticipation.

Then, with a loud bang, the old Daoist with the bulbous nose sitting in front of the Pill Furnace stretched out his palm and slapped the furnace hard, and two pills immediately flew out of the furnace.

The pills swirled around, emitting a buzzing roar.

Upon closer inspection, one could see a dragon's shadow and a tiger's shadow intertwined, staging a fierce battle.

Just then, the voice of the person with the bulbous nose rang out from the side. "Quickly, while it's still hot, refine this thing with your own Core Qi to prevent the medicinal effects from being lost. But you only need to refine it roughly; the rest you can use up properly when you get back."

The other person's voice sounded tired, clearly indicating that they had expended a lot of energy during the ritual.

Fang Shu's expression turned serious, and he immediately bowed to the other party. "Thank you, fellow Daoist!"

Without any pretense, he immediately made a grabbing motion, enveloping the two pills in heavy Core Qi and suppressing them.

As wisps of Core Qi seeped into the pills, Fang Shu could directly feel the pure medicinal power of the two pills.

He took a few breaths and immediately felt several strands of Core Qi being generated within his body.

Following the instructions of the man with the red nose, Fang Shu imprinted his own mark on the pills and then carefully put the two pills into his sleeve.

The next moment, he patted his Storage Bag, and a thousand taels of Spirit Stones flew out of the bag.

Fang Shu cupped his hands and said, "I apologize for troubling you today, fellow Daoist. These few Spirit Stones are but a small token of my respect."

Seeing the situation, the old Daoist priest with the bulbous nose was displeased and waved his hands repeatedly, saying, "What are you doing? I was just in a good mood today and was helping out a fellow I found pleasing to the eye. If you insist on humiliating me like this, then don't come back again!"

This attitude surprised Fang Shu. For a moment, he thought that the other party was complaining that the Spirit Stones he had given were too few.

However, a thousand Spirit Stones are already enough to purchase an ordinary Golden Core Law Artifact, and the other party only helped refine two pills, not pills related to breaking through realms.

Fang Shu took a closer look at the old Daoist priest with the bulbous nose and realized that the other man's expression was not feigned.

The old Daoist priest genuinely didn't want to accept the Spirit Stones.

Fang Shu sighed inwardly, realizing that by not accepting Spirit Stones, he would incur a debt of gratitude.

But finding the old Daoist priest agreeable, he decided not to force the Spirit Stones upon him. He cupped his hands in greeting and accepted his thousand taels of Spirit Stones.

Then, he spread out his sleeves, revealing various items from the Western Continent, among which there were quite a few jars of wine.

"Since you don't accept Spirit Stones, I have some local specialties here. Please accept them."

Fang Shu quickly added, "Just some odds and ends, not worth a few Spirit Stones."

The old Daoist with the bulbous nose glanced at the wine and other items, estimating they were only worth a few dozen Spirit Stones. He then waved his hand and told the young Daoist boy in the courtyard to accept the items properly.

Immediately afterwards, Fang Shu didn't rush to leave.

He had already witnessed the old Daoist's alchemy skills, which were truly remarkable. Such Immortal cultivator Dao of Alchemy not to be missed; he should make a good acquaintance with him.

Therefore, in his words, Fang Shu couldn't help but show even more respect for the old Daoist priest than before.

The old Daoist priest with the bulbous nose was drinking and receiving Fang Shu's kind words when he squinted at him and suddenly said, "It's just refining a pill, you little brat, why are you so concerned?"

Let's not talk about today. When you hunt down those four-legged lizards in Dragon Abyss, bring them with you. No one else dares to make them, but I'll make them for you! The more the better. Even if I die, I'll still refine them for you."

These words startled Fang Shu.

He had never heard of the name "Dragon Abyss," but judging from the words of the old Daoist with the bulbous nose, the other party seemed to be convinced that he would go to that so-called Dragon Abyss.

Immediately, Fang Shu cupped his hands and asked the other party, "Senior, may I ask what this 'Dragon Abyss' is?"

Upon hearing this, it was the old Daoist priest with the bulbous nose who looked surprised.

The other person looked Fang Shu up and down, and asked suspiciously, "You're in such a hurry to prepare this dragon meat, isn't it to quickly increase your Core Qi so you can attend the Dragon Lord Banquet?"

Upon hearing the words "Dragon Lord Banquet," Fang Shu's face showed even greater surprise.

He had only seen these four words in vernacular novels, but had never heard of them outside of books, especially since, according to the old Daoist with the red nose, this Dragon Lord Banquet was now connected with the Dragon Abyss.

Fang Shu's unpleasant expression, the old Daoist with the bulbous nose muttered a few words and immediately began to explain.

It turns out that the so-called Dragon Lord Banquet was actually similar to what was described in the storybook.

This banquet is open to all kinds of Immortal cultivator from home and abroad, from Foundation Establishment to Golden Core. Regardless of whether they are human or demon, male or female, young or old, they can all participate.

Those who perform exceptionally well at the banquet will have the opportunity to enter the Dragon Abyss.

Within the Dragon Abyss, many dragon beasts are kept. Immortal cultivator can slay these dragon beasts, gather spirit medicine, and even obtain the inheritances of their predecessors. It is a secret Secret Realm of the Dragon Palace.

In addition to the Immortal cultivator from the outside world, many dragon species from the Western Sea Dragon Palace will also enter the Dragon Abyss to undergo Bloodline trials.

This was also a fortuitous opportunity for them.

Every year, many dragon seedlings emerge from that Dragon Abyss and either Golden Core or reach a higher level.

In addition, many Immortal cultivator will become entangled with the dragons of the Western Sea Dragon Palace in the Dragon Abyss, and thus become the sons-in-law or daughters-in-law of the Dragon Palace.

This is precisely why many folk tales often mention the Dragon Lord Banquet.

Upon hearing this, Fang Shu's eyes lit up with understanding. "So that's how it is."

The old Daoist priest with the red nose was still muttering to himself, "The so-called outstanding performers are judged by your age and appearance. If you are young but have remarkable cultivation, or have a deep foundation and amazing talent, you will naturally be included among the outstanding performers."

And who knows, at that banquet, some maid might take a liking to you at first sight and try to befriend you even before entering the Dragon Abyss."

Glug glug, the old Daoist took a swig of wine and continued, "If you go to that banquet, you'll definitely be able to enter the Dragon Abyss. If you go, remember to help me kill as many four..."

"Snake, I'm indebted to you in this way."

Although the old Daoist priest with the bulbous nose spoke casually, even with a hint of joking.

But Fang Shu could vaguely sense that the other party genuinely hoped he could kill a few more True Dragons in Dragon Abyss!

After some thought, Fang Shu didn't immediately agree, but instead cupped his hands in a respectful gesture.

However, he did not leave. Instead, he sat down in front of the Pill Furnace and inquired in detail about the Dragon Lord Banquet.

The old Daoist priest with the bulbous nose spoke casually, "This banquet is usually held once every sixty years, and occasionally a few more sessions are added. This year's one is related to the great tide in the Western Sea, and it was added at the last minute."

"Relax. Putting aside your background, your transformation skills alone are enough to infiltrate Dragon Abyss. This banquet, besides recruiting Immortal cultivator, is also an act of goodwill towards the Dragon Clan both within and outside the seas."

Upon hearing Fang Shu, Fang Shu's heart stirred, and he asked again, "May I ask how many dragons from the Dragon Palace usually appear at the Dragon Lord Banquet?"

The old Daoist priest with the bulbous nose replied, "That's hard to say. According to custom, anyone who wants to befriend the dragon offspring of the Immortal cultivator outside the palace will seize the opportunity to join in."

"Let's see if we can find someone we like."

After a few moments of contemplation, the old Daoist added, "Although there is no concrete evidence, it is rumored that to enter the Dragon Palace Dragon Abyss and obtain some fortuitous opportunity, one often needs to be paired with Immortal cultivator from outside the palace."

If this is true, it might explain why the Western Sea Dragon Palace frequently holds grand banquets to recruit talented individuals.

After hearing this, Fang Shu immediately felt more confident.

He thought to himself, "If the True Disciples of the Profound Teaching were still in the Western Sea Dragon Palace, they would surely participate in such a grand event to broaden their horizons."

Furthermore, according to this person, there are quite a few treasures in Dragon Abyss.

A thought surged in his mind, and he felt a strong urge to go to Dragon Abyss and see for himself.

Moreover, according to the old Daoist, there are quite a few True Dragons that have gone to Dragon Abyss. If they are injured, it is because the other party is not skilled enough, and the Western Sea Dragon Palace will not punish the Immortal cultivator outside the palace for this.

As the old Daoist said, this is a perfect opportunity to kill those people and obtain as much of the True Dragon's flesh and blood as possible!

"Furthermore, this opportunity also allows me to see for myself whether any of the dragons in the Western Sea Dragon Palace are acquaintances."

Having made up his mind, he chatted with the old Daoist priest with the bulbous nose for a few more minutes, then, without further delay, took his leave.

However, as soon as Fang Shu left the courtyard, he sent Che Luanshan out to help inquire about the Dragon Lord Banquet in the streets.

He himself was also wandering around the room, carefully inquiring.

Although this old Daoist priest with the bulbous nose seemed harmless, one should always be wary and verify some of the information he had.

Fortunately, Fang Shu breathed a sigh of relief, as what this person said was true.

Moreover, many Immortal cultivator who have come to the Western Sea Dragon Palace are here specifically for the Dragon Lord Banquet.

Furthermore, since the dragons in the Dragon Palace tend to prefer young and handsome individuals, the humans, demons, Immortal cultivator who come here are currently purchasing fine clothes, good looks, and good vehicles, causing the prices of corresponding goods in the Dragon Palace to skyrocket, making merchants a fortune.

Faced with this situation, Fang Shu smiled wryly, thinking to himself, "Even Core Formation cultivator are not immune to the allure of appearance."

Suddenly, he turned his head and looked at the three large black-scaled snakes on his car frame, and realized something.

Could it be that the True Dragon Zigong, in order to make a name for himself and show off at the Dragon Lord Banquet, went to such great lengths to acquire these black-scaled serpents?

However, Fang Shu didn't think much of it. After confirming the information about the old Daoist with the bulbous nose, he strolled into an inn in Sea Market.

All other miscellaneous matters will be left to Che Luanshan to handle for now.

His immediate priority was to consume those two Dragon-Meat Great Elixir pills.

Even the best of these pills are useless if you just hold them in your hand; only what you ingest is truly yours!

In the quiet room of the inn.

With a gentle flick of Fang Shu sleeve, Fang Shu released Gu worms that formed complex array patterns around him, making his Spiritual Qi even more refined than it had been at the inn.

Immediately, Fang Shu took out the two Great Elixir. After pondering for a moment, his body swayed, and his true form appeared in the quiet room, sitting opposite his External Incarnation.

Immediately, Fang Shu's External Incarnation bowed to his main body and placed the two pills in his hand, casting a spell to dissolve and refine them.

According to the man with the rosacea, this elixir must be taken in pairs to ensure that the medicinal properties are maximized and to strengthen the body.

As expected, as soon as the medicinal energy of the two pills entered his body, Fang Shu's External Incarnation immediately felt as if it were in a furnace.

He even saw hallucinations, imagining two phantoms, a dragon and a tiger, frantically tearing at his flesh, causing it to be constantly rebuilt.

This kind of cultivation experience was incredibly intense, but the effects were also extremely significant; it was as if a flame had been ignited within his physical body.

The fire is blazing, radiating heat and condensing Core Qi.

Inside the quiet room, Fang Shu's true form sat to one side, carefully examining the condition of his External Incarnation.

After confirming repeatedly that the pill had not caused any damage to his External Incarnation and had left no toxic residue, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

However, Fang Shu form still has no intention of taking this medicine.

He closed his eyes to meditate, slightly opened his mouth, and absorbed all the Core Qi cultivated by his External Incarnation, taking it into his body and slowly refining it.

In this situation, his true self was clearly using his Avatar as a furnace, ruthlessly absorbing its essence without leaving any benefit for himself.

However, since the two are originally one, this method of replenishing the body is not wrong. Fang Shu body obtains the Core Qi and increases his cultivation, while his External Incarnation is tempered by the physical body and increases his physique.

The former doesn't require a strong physical body, while the latter is constrained by its foundation and has no hope of breaking through. This situation can be described as a win-win situation, where each gets what they need.

Buzzing.

Don't be fooled by the fact that the old Daoist priest only practiced alchemy for a few days; Fang Shu, however, took more than half a month to refine this medicine.

When the last trace of the medicine dissipated and the mournful cries of the dragon and tiger echoed in the quiet room, Fang Shu slowly opened his eyes.

He swept his Divine Sense over both his main body and his External Incarnation, and a look of joy appeared on his face.

With a whoosh, he rolled up his sleeves, and a rich Core Qi filled the quiet room.

Such quality is something only an experienced Core Formation cultivator could possess after a long period of Golden Core. If others were to see it here, they would surely assume that the Fang Shu Golden Core elixir for over a hundred years.

Indeed, Fang Shu has now gained over a hundred years of cultivation, suddenly saving a century's worth of effort!

Furthermore, his External Incarnation's so-called "dragon appearance" is becoming increasingly pronounced. Even True Dragon standing before him would likely mistake it for some kind of exotic True Dragon.

Fang Shu suddenly stood up, and the two bodies came together.

He paced within the formation, his face full of confidence.

"It's just some remnants of blood and flesh, yet it increased my cultivation by a hundred years. If I could obtain more True Dragon blood and flesh, even if the effect diminished, it would still be wonderful--"

After consuming the Dragon-Meat Great Elixir, Fang Shu finally understood the true value of a True Dragon.

True Dragon, indeed it is a great medicine!

For a moment, he was even more eager for the so-called Dragon Lord Banquet.