Dragon Rearing

"Call me Master!" Liu Zhijian frowned and corrected her in earnest, though he felt a little warmth in his heart.

Others cared only about his cultivation, but this rebellious disciple alone cared whether he had fish to catch.

Jiang Xiaoyu was unwilling to be a generation beneath Liu Zhijian for no reason. Her eyes darted about, and she hemmed and hawed for ages, but still refused to call him Master.

Liu Zhijian simply ignored her, rose, and headed down the mountain.

His master had just sent word, ordering him to go to the General Affairs Hall as soon as he emerged from seclusion.

Jiang Xiaoyu skipped after him and asked, "We can't fish here... when are we going back to Wild Goose Pond Mountain?"

Liu Zhijian stopped and glanced back at Jiang Xiaoyu, his tone gentle. "What's wrong? Do you want to go back?"

"Don't you want to go back and fish?!" Jiang Xiaoyu asked as if it went without saying. Then she added in a quiet voice, "Senior Sister Hua keeps making me read Daoist scriptures. I don't like it."

Hua Chunning was standing not far away, an awkward look on her face. She opened her mouth, then hesitated.

"You don't have to read them if you don't want to." Liu Zhijian couldn't be bothered to correct how she addressed Hua Chunning anymore, and merely said, "But the next time I go down the mountain, I won't be able to take you with me."

Jiang Xiaoyu's eyes immediately widened, and she shook her head repeatedly. "How could that be all right?!"

Hua Chunning sighed inwardly at the sight. The chance to read Daoist scriptures in Supreme Mystery Mountain's library was a fortuitous opportunity countless people could only dream of. After a moment's thought, she said softly, "It's quiet and lonely on the mountain. Xiaoyu doesn't even have a playmate, so she's very lonely. That's why she's so resistant to reading."

"The Hua Household at the foot of the mountain has a family school, specifically for teaching the younger generation."

"Why don't we send Xiao Yu'er to the Hua Household's school during the day and bring her back up the mountain at night? What do you think, Senior Brother?!"

Liu Zhijian nodded. "Sorry for the trouble, Junior Sister."

Then he glanced at Jiang Xiaoyu. "Why haven't you thanked Martial Aunt Hua yet?!"

Jiang Xiaoyu ran up to Hua Chunning, took her hand, and smiled ingratiatingly. "Thank you, Senior Sister, from Xiao Yu'er!"

Hua Chunning broke into a smile and patted Xiao Yu'er on the head.

The General Affairs Hall.

Li Chengxuan was receiving guests.

Besides the old acquaintance Xue Yang, there was a middle-aged cultivator in blue robes and a white-haired elder in the hall.

Liu Zhijian stepped inside and bowed to Li Chengxuan. "This disciple pays his respects, Master."

"Mm." Li Chengxuan nodded slightly. "Sit."

Liu Zhijian, however, observed the proprieties expected of a junior. Instead of sitting, he stood at the lower end of the hall.

Immortal Alliance Deacon Xue Yang looked him up and down and exclaimed, "It hasn't been long since we last met, and you've already entered the Dao through Qi Ingestion and made progress in cultivating your method. Sect Master Li, your guidance has borne fruit. Supreme Mystery Mountain has a worthy successor!"

Liu Zhijian had met Xue Yang once while gathering Qi at the foot of Wild Goose Pond Mountain. He said quietly, "Senior Xue, you flatter me. I'm unworthy of such praise."

Xue Yang smiled faintly and said no more on the subject. Instead, he said, "Come, let me introduce you."

He gestured toward the middle-aged cultivator in blue robes across from him. "This is Elder Qiao Yunbai of the Azure Cloud Sect."

Liu Zhijian knew of the Azure Cloud Sect's origins and was inwardly startled, though he showed none of it on his face. "This junior is Liu Zhijian. Greetings, Senior Qiao."

Qiao Yunbai was in charge of discipline at the Azure Cloud Sect and was rather rigid by nature. He managed to force out a smile and nodded in greeting.

Xue Yang then introduced the white-haired elder beside him. His voice became much more casual, and he was clearly very familiar and close with him. "This is the Dong Household's patriarch from Little Dragon Mountain, Dong Linyuan. He's also a deacon of the Immortal Alliance."

Liu Zhijian had never heard of Little Dragon Mountain, but he knew the weight carried by an Immortal Alliance deacon. "Greetings, Senior Dong."

Dong Linyuan, for his part, had a gentle disposition. He said with a genial smile, "Little Dragon Mountain also has some inheritances of [Kan Water]. If you have time someday, you're welcome to visit and exchange pointers."

Liu Zhijian naturally nodded and agreed.

After the pleasantries, Xue Yang put away his smile and turned back. "Where were we just now?!"

Li Chengxuan's expression was calm as he answered, "We were speaking of Fellow Daoist Dong's ancestors and their deeds."

"Mm." Xue Yang looked reflective as he said softly, "Fellow Daoist Dong's ancestors were descendants of the Human Emperor. They were granted a fief on the Zhi River for their contributions and were known as the 'Dragon-Rearing Clan.' Theirs is also an ancient lineage on the Southern Edge Continent."

"Here on Supreme Mystery Mountain, before one of Rosy Clouds Resting Mountain, how would I dare call ours ancient?" Dong Linyuan gave a bitter smile and shook his head repeatedly. "We descendants have proven incapable, and our inheritance is incomplete. Now we can only make a living raising a few spirit fish. We truly have no face to call ourselves descendants of the Dragon-Rearing Clan."

Liu Zhijian was quite surprised to hear this.

The Dragon-Rearing Clan had been a great clan in High Antiquity.

He hadn't expected its bloodline to have survived on the Southern Edge Continent.

"The Old Method has declined, and the dragon kind have grown powerful. It is beyond human strength to turn that around." Xue Yang's expression remained unchanged as he offered a few words of comfort, then continued, "Fellow Daoist Dong, you needn't belittle yourself."

"For this undertaking, we'll still have to rely on you to take charge, Fellow Daoist Dong."

"Once we succeed, Rosy Clouds Resting Mountain will surely reward you generously."

"Think nothing of it, Fellow Daoist Xue." Dong Linyuan asked for no benefits, saying only, "The Dong Household of Little Dragon Mountain has survived to this day entirely thanks to the protection of Senior Xue of Rosy Clouds Resting Mountain. I will certainly do everything in my power this time."

Liu Zhijian was baffled.

But his master and Qiao Yunbai of the Azure Cloud Sect both looked calm. Clearly, they already knew the details.

Most likely, the four parties had joined forces to plan something big.

As for his being summoned here to listen in, he was probably about to carry out his first sect mission!

Liu Zhijian's thoughts raced, and he felt a faint anticipation.

Dong Linyuan's expression grew somewhat solemn, and he said in a grave voice, "To rear a dragon, one must first [strengthen its blood]."

"Blood is the foundation of life."

"The dragon kind in the sea are too powerful to provoke."

"On the Southern Edge Continent, the true dragon bloodline died out long ago. Only mixed-blood mongrels like flood dragons and snakes remain."

"Of these, flood dragons are the most prized and are known as lesser dragons."

"Back then, the Foundation Establishment great demon Fubo was a gray flood dragon of extraordinary bloodline."

"Fubo's flood dragon blood is already the best choice available. It will suffice to strengthen his Blood Qi and stabilize his fate."

"When he activates the Demon Transformation Secret Method, he'll also be able to borrow some of the residual fate of a Foundation Establishment great demon."

"That way, although it still won't compare to dragon blood, it should have sixty to seventy percent of its effect."

At first, Liu Zhijian had listened in a haze.

When Dong Linyuan spoke of the Essence Blood of Fubo, the Foundation Establishment great demon, he jolted, an ominous feeling rising in his heart.

But the moment was wrong, and he couldn't very well speak up and ask.

Xue Yang nodded slightly. "With your plan, Fellow Daoist Dong, I naturally have nothing to worry about."

"What comes next is the crucial part, and it's even more difficult." Dong Linyuan frowned and spoke slowly. "The second step is to [expand his influence]."

"He must win every battle and have his every wish fulfilled, expanding his power and influence step by step and increasing his Manifestation."

"Throughout this process, he must not suffer any setbacks, lest his Manifestation be diminished."

"Only when he gets what he wants, establishes a kingdom and secures the throne, and nurtures a Manifestation of unstoppable force, sweeping across the world, will this be accomplished."

By this point, how could Liu Zhijian not understand that they really were talking about Deng Gang? A chill rose in his heart, and he couldn't help looking up at Li Chengxuan.

Li Chengxuan's expression was unchanged, and he shook his head slightly.

Xue Yang paid no attention to the unusual exchange between Li Chengxuan and his disciple, instead looking at Qiao Yunbai.

Qiao Yunbai of the Azure Cloud Sect looked solemn as he said, "The Azure Cloud Sect is handling this matter. By my reckoning, they should have fought their way into the Huang Kingdom's capital by now. All that remains is to finish things up."

"Once he establishes his kingdom and ascends the throne, the Azure Cloud Sect will bow its head and submit to him, so as to complete his Manifestation."

"But the Azure Cloud Sect has suffered tremendous losses this time. Once the deed is done, I hope you won't forget your earlier promise, Fellow Daoist Xue."

In funding Deng Gang, who had no foundation of his own, to seize the Huang Kingdom, the Azure Cloud Sect had truly wagered everything.

The Spirit Stones and pills spent just to make the cultivators supported by the Huang Kingdom's imperial family leave or come over to their side were no small sum.

By comparison, bowing their heads and submitting to a kingdom's ruler was perfectly normal for the Azure Cloud Sect, which came from the Central Continent, and not worth mentioning.

Ultimately, New Method cultivators like Qiao Yunbai had only ever believed in the quality of Spirit Roots and the heights of cultivation realms.

They paid no heed to the Manifestation and fate valued by the Old Method.

Xue Yang nodded and smiled confidently. "Everyone on the Southern Edge Continent knows how sterling Rosy Clouds Resting Mountain's reputation is. Rest assured, Fellow Daoist Qiao."

Only after the two had finished their discussion did Dong Linyuan continue, "The final step is the hardest: [completing his fate]."

"The matter of fate is mysterious beyond mystery. It isn't something Qi Refining cultivators like us can fathom."

"I've thought it over again and again and searched through many ancient texts, but all I could come up with was to imitate events of the past."

"Back then, the Foundation Establishment great demon Fubo traveled upstream along the White Dragon River and attacked Supreme Mystery Mountain. His fearsome name resounded far and wide, and his might shook the Southern Reach."

"In the end, though, he was slain by a sword immortal."

"This time, we might as well have him follow in Fubo's footsteps to complete his fate!"