Dragon Transformation Fruit

"Hidden Dragon Martial Arts School?" Liu Qiaolian's expression suddenly turned somewhat complicated at the mention.

"What is it?" Xia Daoming asked.

"Actually, Liu Zhong and I often traveled north and south as peddlers to earn money. Besides supporting Liu Zhong's usual martial training and supplements, our other major purpose was to save enough silver for him to enter the Hidden Dragon Martial Arts School and study under a master." Liu Qiaolian replied. In the firelight, crystalline glimmers flickered in her beautiful eyes.

"I nearly forgot—you practice the Dragon Serpent Art too! But does the Hidden Dragon Martial Arts School charge that much?" Xia Daoming was greatly surprised at first, but he soon recalled the moves Liu Qiaolian had used earlier, along with the fluctuations of her qi and blood, and understood. What still surprised him was the school's fees.

"If it is merely the Minor Martial Master realm, it costs no more than ten-odd taels of silver a year. The greatest expense is instead the secret medicines used by the school to refine qi and blood.

But the advancement fee from a Subordinate Fourth Rank Minor Martial Master to a Fifth-Rank Great Martial Master is extremely steep, because it involves the Mysterious Divine Rhyme Diagram.

Mysterious Divine Rhyme Diagrams are all secrets never passed on. In martial sects, only inner disciples have the chance to observe and comprehend them. In martial Lineages, generally only legitimate and direct descendants have that opportunity.

Martial arts schools teach outsiders for profit, so outsiders may also observe and comprehend their Mysterious Divine Rhyme Diagrams. But the fees are exceedingly high, and many schools impose numerous conditions.

For example, a Fourth-Rank Martial Master cannot be over twenty-five years old. Observing and comprehending the diagram requires additional silver based on time and number of sessions, and the school will often demand a Pledge of Allegiance as well."

"Not over twenty-five?" Xia Daoming could not help frowning.

He was twenty-four this year. In a few months, he would turn twenty-five. Did that not mean he was standing right at the threshold?

"That is right. Once one reaches twenty-five, it is said that one's qi and blood have already climbed to their peak. If one has not become a Fourth-Rank Martial Master by that age, then under normal circumstances, there is little hope of breaking through to become a Fifth-Rank Great Martial Master." Liu Qiaolian explained.

By now, she understood that her master's strength was frighteningly formidable, but his knowledge was truly limited.

"By the way, how much does it cost?" Xia Daoming asked.

"Five thousand taels! And each hour of observation costs another hundred taels, unless one helps the school complete a task." Liu Qiaolian replied.

"Five thousand taels!" Xia Daoming sucked in a cold breath at that number.

Even after looting the entire Blood Wolf Hall, he had only scraped together a little over five thousand taels of silver.

He had thought it was an enormous fortune, enough for him to settle down in Li City, study under a master, and cover his expenses for some time afterward. Yet it turned out to be barely enough for the apprenticeship fee alone.

Fortunately, he had struck it rich twice along the way and gained another two thousand-odd taels. Otherwise, after spending so freely all this way, he would not even have been able to pay the tuition upon reaching Li City.

"Master need not worry. When Liu Zhong and I fled Liu Family Village back then, we took some valuables with us. Over these years, we have also accumulated some wealth through our risky journeys between north and south. Once converted, gathering five thousand taels will not be a problem." Liu Qiaolian said.

Listening to Liu Qiaolian's considerate, understanding words and looking at her lovely, fair face and voluptuous figure beyond the firelight, Xia Daoming recalled how she had bustled about serving him not long ago, while he had acted like a master with clothes brought to his hands and meals brought to his mouth. Then he thought of the dangerous beauty Ji Wenyue in the wilderness, for whom he had to arrange and manage everything himself. He could not help letting out a deep sigh inwardly.

"When young, I did not know the goodness of mature women, mistaking young girls for treasures. When young, I did not know the fragrance of living off a woman, mistaking youth for rice seedlings to be planted! Having lived two lives, I, Xia Daoming, have finally understood this profound warning to awaken the world!"

As Xia Daoming was sighing inwardly, he suddenly saw Liu Qiaolian undo the ties of her clothes behind the firelight.

"Damn it... how am I supposed to handle this move?" Xia Daoming was instantly dumbfounded.

Though in his previous life he had not exactly been a chaste man when it came to relations between men and women, and sometimes could not avoid putting on an act for the occasion when he went alone to bars or attended business functions.

He had not been so casual as to play cards with a respectable woman the moment they met.

Besides, in this life, he truly had not mentally prepared himself to draw swords and wield spears in such matters.

At the very least, Xia Daoming believed he needed to wait until he had achieved success in martial cultivation and gained a foothold in this world before considering such things.

"Lian'er..." Xia Daoming quickly came to a decision.

But before he could say anything further, Liu Qiaolian pulled a tattered, yellowed map of unknown material from inside her undergarment.

"Cough, cough!" Xia Daoming immediately choked on his saliva at the sight.

"Did Master have something he wished to instruct this servant about?" Seeing this, Liu Qiaolian hurriedly rose and walked behind Xia Daoming, gently patting his back as she asked.

"Uh, no. I was merely curious what personal item you were taking out." Xia Daoming said.

At his words, Liu Qiaolian handed him the tattered map in her hand. A trace of sorrow and reminiscence showed in her eyes.

"My father was once the lord of Liu Family Village and the clan head of the Liu lineage there. This map was said to have been handed down from our ancestors. It says that the place marked on this map contains a Dragon Transformation Fruit."

"Dragon Transformation Fruit?" Xia Daoming looked puzzled.

"A snake is a lesser dragon, while a flood dragon is half a dragon. Thus, the first four levels of the Dragon Serpent Art are also called the Soaring Serpent Art. The fifth through eighth levels are called the Hidden Dragon Art, and the ninth through twelfth levels are called the Dragon Transformation Art.

When the Soaring Serpent Art is cultivated to completion, one may comprehend the Mysterious Divine Rhyme Diagram and cultivate the Hidden Dragon Art. Then one can cultivate Hidden Strength and advance into a hidden dragon. Yet a hidden dragon is not a true dragon. It hides in the abyss and darkness, concealed and unseen, constantly accumulating and strengthening its dragon nature and dragon power.

Only when the Hidden Dragon Art is cultivated to completion can one transform into a true dragon—able to grow large or small, hide or appear, changing without end. That is the Dragon Transformation realm of our art, and also the Grandmaster realm.

A Grandmaster can write and paint Mysterious Divine Rhyme Diagrams containing the cultivation of Hidden Strength for disciples and descendants to observe and comprehend. But a Grandmaster cannot write or paint a Mysterious Divine Rhyme Diagram for the Grandmaster realm—that is, Transforming Strength. Only a great Grandmaster can create one."

Hearing this, Xia Daoming's expression shifted slightly, and he blurted out, "Does the Hidden Dragon Martial Arts School have a Mysterious Divine Rhyme Diagram for the Dragon Transformation realm?"

"Legend says dragons are among the most powerful divine beasts. Their divine abilities are boundless, and their transformations endless. When martial artists enact the transformation of dragon and serpent, once they manifest a true dragon, their power far surpasses that of other arts. Naturally, the difficulty is far greater as well.

Therefore, let alone the Hidden Dragon Martial Arts School, it is impossible that anyone in all of Mang Prefecture possesses a Mysterious Divine Rhyme Diagram for the Transforming Strength of this art. As for the Great Liang Kingdom, this servant's knowledge is limited, so I do not know." Liu Qiaolian replied.

Xia Daoming's face darkened unpleasantly at her words.

His goal was not merely to become a Great Martial Master, but a great Grandmaster.

Yet now it seemed that the Mysterious Divine Rhyme Diagram for this art's Transforming Strength was exceedingly difficult to find. It was uncertain whether even the Great Liang Kingdom possessed one.

"How do you know so much?" Though Xia Daoming felt gloomy, he was also deeply curious about Liu Qiaolian's knowledge.

"One of this servant's ancestors was once a Transforming Strength Grandmaster!" Liu Qiaolian said. A hint of pride appeared on her face, but her expression soon dimmed again.

"Could it be that the Dragon Transformation Fruit can help one comprehend the Dragon Transformation realm?" Xia Daoming's heart stirred at her words. He blurted it out, his gaze turning fiery as it fell upon the tattered map.

Unfortunately, the map was badly damaged. Xia Daoming could tell it depicted the Vast Mountain Range, but though it marked a place with three peaks thrusting straight into the sky, with flying springs and secluded valleys below, he could no longer determine where in the Vast Mountain Range it was located.

"Master is wise. It is said that the Dragon Transformation Fruit grows from land soaked in dragon blood. After consuming it, one can naturally comprehend the true dragon transformations of qi, blood, and strength without a teacher.

It is said that our ancestor was pursued by enemies into the Vast Mountain Range. He lost his way within those mountains, yet disaster turned into fortune, and he obtained a Dragon Transformation Fruit. In the end, he became a Martial Dao Grandmaster.

Before his death, he left behind a map and a Mysterious Divine Rhyme Diagram of Hidden Strength. Unfortunately, the Vast Mountain Range is incomparably dangerous. After our ancestor passed away, members of the Lineage entered the Vast Mountain Range one after another to seek the Dragon Transformation Fruit, but none ever returned.

They were all the most outstanding descendants of the Lineage. Their losses caused the Lineage to decline rapidly. By my great-grandfather's generation, the divine rhyme within the Mysterious Divine Rhyme Diagram had completely vanished, and Liu Family Village never again produced a Great Martial Master.

As for this map, it was already quite tattered by the time it reached my father. Now there are no male descendants left in the Liu family, and this servant has already become Master's woman. Naturally, this map should be kept by Master.

But the Vast Mountain Range is incomparably perilous, and this map is badly damaged. It is already difficult to find the place from back then by following it. Unless Master has cultivated to the Eighth-Rank Great Martial Master realm, you must never entertain the thought of entering the Vast Mountain Range." Liu Qiaolian said.

"Rest assured. Unless driven to the brink, I will not take this road." Xia Daoming nodded, then carefully put away the tattered map in his hand.

No matter what, it was a path for him to become a Grandmaster in the future. He had to keep it safe.

Just after Xia Daoming put away the tattered map, he saw Liu Qiaolian reach into her undergarment again.

"Not again? Could it be I still cannot escape this trial?" Xia Daoming felt conflicted.

Instead, Liu Qiaolian took out another yellowed sheet, intact but made of some unknown material.

"This is an alchemy formula handed down by my ancestors, called the Earth Treasury Blood-Returning Pill. It is said to be a pill suitable for Grandmasters, though I do not know whether that is true. Please keep it safe as well, Master." Liu Qiaolian handed the alchemy formula to Xia Daoming.

Xia Daoming accepted the formula and swept his gaze over it. He did not recognize most of the medicinal ingredients recorded on it, but there was one he knew: Dragon-Patterned Purple Blood Ginseng that was at least a hundred years old.

"It actually requires Dragon-Patterned Purple Blood Ginseng. It seems the claims about the Earth Treasury Blood-Returning Pill are very likely true!" Xia Daoming was overjoyed and carefully put away the alchemy formula.

As Xia Daoming stored the alchemy formula, Liu Qiaolian put her clothes back on properly, and for some reason, a trace of melancholy arose in Xia Daoming's heart.

That night, master and servant stayed at the Daoist temple.

Liu Qiaolian had suffered immense upheaval and was exhausted in both body and mind. Now that she had cast aside all other thoughts and wished only to follow Xia Daoming, repay his kindness, and finish out the rest of her life, she fell asleep as soon as she lay down and slept soundly.

Xia Daoming, on the other hand, tossed and turned for quite some time. One moment he thought of the tattered map and alchemy formula, the next of going to Li City to study under a master. Sometimes, he also thought of the beautiful servant girl lying not far beside him.

Only after a long while did Xia Daoming drift into a hazy sleep.

The next day, the moment Xia Daoming woke, he discovered Liu Qiaolian's busy figure.

Not only had she prepared washing water for him in advance, but the moment she saw that he was awake, she immediately brought it over. She had also prepared breakfast.

After a simple breakfast, the two each carried a bundle and left the Daoist temple.

PS: When reading, do not forget to leave chapter comments. Interact more and help boost the popularity! There will be a second update later.