The Willow Deity's branches swayed from side to side as she said in astonishment, "What a Primordial Azure Dragon Body! To think that I would see another Primordial Azure Dragon Body in my lifetime. Back then..."
The Willow Deity did not finish her sentence, but her voice was filled with endless emotion.
Clearly, there was some special story between her and the Primordial Azure Dragon Body.
After a pause, the Willow Deity spoke again. "Very well, very well. Perhaps this is your destined opportunity. I happen to have a treasured art that suits you perfectly!"
Excitement appeared on Shi Teng's face.
This system isn't bad at all. Buy one, get one free!
The Willow Deity's emerald branches brushed gently through the air, and a ball of white light burst from her withered trunk.
A Treasure Bone landed in Shi Teng's hand.
"This is a supreme treasured art of the Dragon Race: the Azure Sky Dragon Transformation Art. You can use heavenly dragon qi to begin cultivating it and develop azure dragon skin.
"At its peak, the strength of your physical body can almost rival that of true members of the Dragon Race.
"To achieve full mastery, you must enter the Dragon Race's Ancient Dragon Transformation Pool and condense dragon bones. Its power is no less than the treasured arts of the ancient Ten Fiends!"
As he looked at the Treasure Bone in his hand, excitement appeared on Shi Teng's face.
"Thank you for the gift, Sister Willow Deity! From now on, I'll bring you beast milk every day!"
The Willow Deity nodded gently. "Beast milk seems more suitable for this little child. It would be even better if you could get me some treasure blood!"
Shi Teng nodded vigorously.
"Yes! Once I've studied this Azure Sky Dragon Transformation Art, I'll go find treasure blood for you, Sister Willow Deity!"
The Willow Deity chuckled softly. "Sister Willow Deity? Who knows how many eras separate our ages? Oh, never mind!"
"Affection has nothing to do with the passing years. Meeting each other is fate. Since you're older than me, of course I should call you sister!"
"Ahem, ahem, ahem!"
The Willow Deity chuckled softly again.
In the final battle of the Immortal Ancient Era, she had charged alone into the world on the other shore, fighting her way in and out nine times. Bathed in enemy blood, she had swept across heaven and earth, slaughtering until the demon gods of the Foreign Realm trembled at the mere sound of her approach and paled at the mention of her name.
But the numbers of supreme experts in the two realms were too uneven. Even the Willow Deity could only wither away in sorrow as the curtain fell, descending upon Stone Village.
It had been a long time since she had last spoken.
Now that someone was talking to her and calling her sister, she could not help feeling a trace of warmth.
Little One stood to the side, looking somewhat puzzled.
Still, he could tell that whatever his brother was holding had to be a treasure.
In his babyish voice, he said, "Lord Willow Deity, Little One wants a treasure too! You just drank my beast milk!"
"Hehe, little child, your natural aptitude is quite good too, countless times better than the other children your age in the village. But to receive a gift from me, you must first earn my recognition. You aren't there yet!"
"Oh!"
Little One answered in disappointment.
Then he raised his head and said, "Then it's a promise! Once I become as strong as my brother, Lord Willow Deity has to give me a treasure too!"
The Willow Deity nodded gently.
"Then we'll talk once you become as formidable as your brother!"
Shi Teng bowed to the Willow Deity and said warmly, "Goodbye, Sister Willow Deity. We should head back, or Grandpa Chief will definitely spank us!"
After thanking the Willow Deity, Shi Teng eagerly took Shi Hao back to the village.
The Willow Deity's awareness lingered on the two of them, and she sank into thought.
By then, a great many villagers had already gathered in the square.
Nine large cauldrons stood on the ground, already filled with medicinal liquid specially brewed by Grandpa Chief. Some ordinary herbs had been added, along with the true blood of fierce beasts the village adults had hunted outside.
The old chief had also painstakingly ground up the wing bones of a Flying Python, the leg bones of a Kui Beast, and other such ingredients, throwing them into the boiling water.
Medicinal baths could strengthen muscles and bones, invigorate the blood, and temper the sinews. With persistent bathing, a person's sinews and bones could become comparable to those of enormous beasts.
Only then would they have the means to survive in the Vast Mountains in the future.
The old chief took especially good care of Shi Teng and his brother. He had no sons, and had raised and taught the two brothers as his own grandsons since they were little!
When he saw the brothers return,
The old chief's expression immediately turned stern. Holding his staff in his left hand, he asked gravely, "Shi Teng, where did you take Little One so early in the morning this time?"
Shi Teng scratched the back of his head, a playful smile appearing on his lips. "I heard Grandpa Chief was going to give us medicinal baths today, so I took my little brother to pay our respects to Lord Willow Deity.
"We hoped our bodies would become even stronger after the bath, so we could grow tall and strong like our uncles and protect the village!"
Shi Yunfeng nodded, a hint of gratification appearing on his face.
He was truly very fond of Shi Teng!
Several powerfully built uncles could not help lifting their heads slightly, their faces brimming with pride!
Before the medicinal bath, they had to offer worship.
As the old chief began reciting an intricate incantation, all the villagers gathered around and prayed solemnly to the heavens.
This continued for nearly half an incense stick's worth of time.
Only then did the old chief stop chanting.
He announced in a ringing voice, "All right, children, the medicinal bath begins!"
Shi Teng and Shi Hao were already itching to get started!
Shi Hao had loved medicinal baths since he was little. Every time he took one, he felt as though he were soaking in a hot spring. It was wonderfully comfortable.
Shi Teng had just obtained the primordial true dragon body and also needed to absorb potent medicinal nourishment!
The other children, however, were rather reluctant.
When fierce beasts' true blood entered their bodies, it sent piercing pain through every muscle and bone.
A few children even hid behind the adults!
They screamed,
"No! I don't want a medicinal bath! Last time, it felt like knives were cutting me!"
"Boohoo! That's no medicinal bath! You're practically boiling us alive!"
But how could the children possibly prevail against the adults?
They were all thrown straight into the medicinal cauldrons, where they struggled desperately.
The old village chief looked at Shi Teng and his brother and said, "Shi Teng, Shi Hao, you two get in as well!"
Both nodded.
They leaped into two separate large cauldrons.
The old village chief had prepared those specially for them. Besides fierce beasts' treasure blood, they contained the beasts' vital essence-the very quintessence of their bodies.
The surging qi in Shi Teng's cauldron formed a phantom Two-Headed Fire Rhinoceros, enveloping him completely.
In that instant,
He felt a primordial Azure Dragon roar within his body.
A powerful aura instantly smashed the phantom Two-Headed Fire Rhinoceros apart, sending a mighty presence surging outward.
Everyone turned to look at Shi Teng.
"Wow, little Teng really is amazing!"
"Did you see that just now? I think I saw the phantom of an Azure Dragon!" Shi Feijiao could not help rubbing his eyes.
Shi Linhu's eyes were resolute, his gaze filled with shock. In a low voice, he said, "We're not blind!"
Holding his staff in his left hand, the old chief stroked his long beard with his right. "How could a golden-scaled creature remain confined to a pond? Once wind and clouds arise, it transforms into a dragon!"
Shi Linhu added, "I'm rather looking forward to seeing this child grow up quickly!"
The adults had recognized the brothers' extraordinary qualities since they were little, and had never begrudged the old chief's favoritism.
Those with exceptional talent deserved focused nurturing.
For those with ordinary talent, no matter how much fierce beast true blood or medicinal herbs they used, the most they could do was strengthen their bodies.
Shi Teng floated in the center of the medicinal cauldron, excitement appearing on his face as well.
He could clearly feel the primordial Azure Dragon within him frantically absorbing the fierce beast true blood and all the other medicinal herbs and treasures in the cauldron.
Before long,
The medicinal liquid, originally as murky as ink, actually turned into clear water.
The other children, meanwhile, were struggling desperately in their cauldrons.
"It hurts so much! It's like knives scraping me! Dad, hurry and save me!"
"I can't take it! I really can't take it anymore!"
Several children tried to jump out, only to be pushed back into the cauldrons by the adults.
Cultivation was painful by nature. Only by enduring the bitterest hardships could one rise above others!
Temper the body, cleanse the sinews, and purify the marrow!
After some more time passed, the old chief saw that the children truly could not endure any longer.
Only then did he say, "All right, let them out!"
The moment the adults released their hands, the children sprang straight out of the medicinal cauldrons like monkeys.
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