Reporting Back

On Rosy Clouds Resting Mountain, colorful rosy clouds floated in the sky all year round.

The clouds of every color were remarkably lively. Some hung motionless over the peaks, as though fast asleep; others drifted about, weaving and tangling together as though at play.

Such a wondrous, magnificent sight was truly worthy of the Southern Edge Continent's foremost mountain.

Xue Yang had grown up on Rosy Clouds Resting Mountain and had long since grown accustomed to the sight. Head lowered, Xue Yang hurried up the mountain, all the way to the cave abode on the summit where the Xue Household's ancestor was in seclusion.

Xue Yang stood motionless before the cave abode, waiting quietly.

Several colorful clouds hanging over the peak seemed to awaken with a start and drifted away in different directions.

One bright yellow cloud descended from the summit and enveloped Xue Yang. It transformed into an auspicious beast with four hooves and a single horn, then swallowed Xue Yang whole.

Xue Yang had long known that the several Rainbow Rosy Clouds on the mountain had extraordinary origins and were treasures safeguarding the Xue Household. Recently, they also seemed to have encountered some unknown fortuitous opportunity and become extremely lively. Not only had they gained a sentience like that of living creatures, but they could also transform into beasts.

A moment later, the rosy-cloud beast seemed to grow bored and spat Xue Yang back out.

Xue Yang was unharmed, but the robes and skin were now covered in densely packed rosy-cloud patterns, looking both magnificent and bizarre.

"Ahem..." A muffled cough came from within the cave abode.

The bright yellow cloud seemed startled. It transformed into a giant bird with gorgeous plumage and shot into the sky, vanishing in an instant.

Xue Yang immediately composed themself and took out a black earthenware jar, placing it on the ground. It contained Deng Gang's Manifestation and destiny. Xue Yang carefully recounted what had happened. "Ancestor, Supreme Mystery Mountain truly has a profound foundation! That sword talisman was incredibly powerful. It destroyed the Human Pill's spiritual consciousness in a single strike. Its killing intent pierced straight into my heart and soul, and my Foundation Establishment robes, heart-guarding treasure mirror, and many other protective artifacts were completely useless... It really didn't look like a [Foundation Establishment] technique. I fear it was a [Purple Mansion] sword talisman."

The black earthenware jar slowly sank into the earth and disappeared.

After listening, the Xue Household ancestor fell silent for a long time, then murmured, "A [Purple Mansion]-level [Geng Metal] sword talisman..."

Across the Southern Edge Continent, there were not many Dao lineages that Rosy Clouds Resting Mountain had reason to fear.

Foremost among them was undoubtedly Supreme Mystery Mountain.

After all, that lord had once acted decisively, forcibly drawing the child of destiny, Old Daoist Wu, away from an immortal clan of the Central Continent, solely to preserve Supreme Mystery Mountain's Dao lineage.

Over the past thousand years, who knew how many Dao lineages on the Southern Edge Continent had died out?

Yet that lord had never cared.

But Supreme Mystery Mountain alone had earned that lord's special regard. There had to be something special about it.

Just what that was, however, no one knew.

Xue Yang had wanted to use the matter of refining a Human Pill to probe Supreme Mystery Mountain's true strength.

The Xue Household ancestor had given tacit consent.

But the result of the probe was truly enough to make one's heart tremble with fear.

Even if a [Foundation Establishment] cultivator who had lived in seclusion had descended from Supreme Mystery Mountain, Rosy Clouds Resting Mountain could have reluctantly accepted it.

But a [Purple Mansion]-level [Geng Metal] sword talisman was beyond Rosy Clouds Resting Mountain's understanding.

Since Old Daoist Wu had possessed such a powerful means, why hadn't the daoist used it back then?!

Now that this one had been used, did Supreme Mystery Mountain have any other formidable means left?!

The Xue Household ancestor could not make sense of it for the moment. After pondering for a long time, the ancestor reached a decision and slowly said, "This may not be a bad thing."

"Supreme Mystery Mountain's foundation can also be counted as part of the Immortal Alliance's foundation."

"Now that the lord is gone, the Daoist sects and immortal clans of the Central Continent are watching like tigers eyeing their prey, and the dragonkind in the sea are restless. The Southern Edge Continent is in danger of being overturned at any moment."

"By revealing a [Purple Mansion] means this time, Supreme Mystery Mountain should be able to deter the various powers and win the Immortal Alliance a little more breathing room."

"Remember to cultivate good relations with them from now on. Don't be clever and probe them again!"

Little Dragon Mountain lay on the lower reaches of the White Dragon River, not far from its mouth.

The dragonkind were a mighty force.

Although they never came ashore, the people of the vast coastal regions tacitly accepted that the land belonged to them.

Because the ancestors of the Dong Household of Little Dragon Mountain had deep ties to the dragonkind, the household had been settled here to serve as a buffer and bridge of communication between the dragonkind and the Immortal Alliance.

Carrying the bloody body of the flood dragon, Dong Linyuan went straight into the mountain's interior.

An underground river within the mountain connected to the White Dragon River, providing a direct route to the South Sea.

Dong Linyuan threw the flood dragon's body into the underground river.

Water exploded with a roar.

Countless fish, eels, snakes, and loaches surfaced, fighting to devour the flood dragon's flesh and blood.

These many spirit fish were the foundation on which Little Dragon Mountain relied to endure and continue its legacy.

Suddenly, the school of spirit fish took fright and scattered.

A giant mouth emerged from beneath the water and swallowed the flood dragon's body and countless spirit fish in one gulp.

Interlocking fangs clamped shut with a crunch, sending flesh and blood flying.

A tall, powerfully built man emerged from the water. He was exceptionally ugly, with a flat, pitch-black face and gills on both cheeks. He was a black fish demon who had only partially taken human form.

Dong Linyuan's expression remained unchanged as he quietly watched the black fish demon general eat.

"Ptooey!" The black fish demon general spat out some flood dragon bones and picked strands of meat from between his sharp teeth. He smiled in satisfaction. "Who would have thought that I, Old Black, would get to eat flood dragon meat? Back then, Fubo had a chance of becoming a king, but was stupid enough to break the taboo and come ashore. A sword immortal killed Fubo with a casual stroke."

Only then did Dong Linyuan ask, "Does the king have any orders?!"

In the past, the Dragon-Rearing Clan had excelled at raising dragons.

Now the situation had been reversed: the dragonkind were penning up the Dragon-Rearing Clan's descendants.

"What's the rush?" The black fish demon general had finally managed to get out for once and was in no hurry to return. He drawled, "The king asks how the task he gave you is coming along?!"

Dong Linyuan frowned and said, "I saw it with my own eyes. A disciple of Supreme Mystery Mountain activated a [Geng Metal] sword talisman and easily slew the wicked flood dragon that came ashore."

"As for whether there are any more sword talismans on Supreme Mystery Mountain, I asked someone from the Xue Household of Rosy Clouds Resting Mountain to find out, but I haven't received a reply yet."

The black fish demon general made a note of it. After a moment's recollection, he added, "The king also asks what's going on with the [Kan Water] cultivator on Supreme Mystery Mountain. Why didn't he use the [Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi] prepared for him in the flood dragon's abode to enter the Dao?!"

"I don't know either, why he left the [Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi] that was ready for him unused and went to great lengths to gather Qi himself." Dong Linyuan frowned. Fearing he would be blamed, he hurriedly explained, "I was worried that taking the initiative to send him more would only arouse suspicion, so I contacted the Azure Cloud Sect and waited for someone from Supreme Mystery Mountain to come and exchange for that [Kan Water Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi], but no one came. The king said not to beat the grass and startle the snake, so I could only let the matter drop."

As for that [Kan Water Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi], he had naturally taken it back and kept it for his own use.

There was no need to mention that.

The dragonkind possessed the wealth of the four seas, anyway. They would not care about one measure of [Kan Water Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi].

The black fish demon general was displeased and scolded him. "The king said that all the waters under heaven fall under the rule of the true dragons, and [Kan Water] is no exception. You'd better keep a close eye on him. Don't let him get away."

"Please tell the king not to worry. I've already made preparations." Dong Linyuan nodded and continued, "I've invited him to visit Little Dragon Mountain and exchange insights on [Kan Water] cultivation."

"When the time comes, I'll have a Cultivation Method ready for him to read and practice, guiding him onto the proper path."

"I'm just short of some [Kan Water] spiritual resources."

The black fish demon general snorted but did not expose him. He only said, "Make a list of the spiritual resources you want. I'll bring them to you next time."

"The king is benevolent. Thank you for your efforts, General Black." Dong Linyuan's face lit up with a smile, and he warmly invited him. "Would you like to come up and have a few cups of wine, General Black?!"

"Ah!" The black fish demon general jumped in fright. His dead-fish eyes glared fiercely at Dong Linyuan as he snapped, "It's a grave taboo for aquatic creatures to come ashore! Are you trying to get me killed?!"

Even the king did not dare violate that taboo!

With that, the black fish demon general plunged into the water and disappeared, returning to the sea to report back.

Dong Linyuan's smile slowly faded. He gazed absently at the mess before him, his eyes seeming to reach across the underground river all the way to the sea. He could almost see that fierce, arrogant white dragon as he silently thought, No rush. One day... one day...

On Supreme Mystery Mountain, in the Founding Ancestor Hall.

Liu Zhijian sought out Li Chengxuan to report back.

The [Geng Metal] sword talisman had exhausted its mystical power and turned to ash.

Now, the black wooden box contained a mass of strange black-and-red Qi.

Besides that, Liu Zhijian had also brought back a damaged bamboo sword.

After Deng Gang died, his Manifestation and destiny had all been taken by Xue Yang.

Dong Linyuan of Little Dragon Mountain had long since laid claim to his demonized flood dragon body.

Qiao Yunbai of the Azure Cloud Sect had fled halfway through, leaving Liu Zhijian to benefit by taking the mass of strange Qi.

As for the damaged bamboo sword, Dong Linyuan had offered it of his own accord, saying that it could be considered one of Deng Gang's belongings and kept as a memento.

Liu Zhijian did not appear particularly grief-stricken or distraught. Killing Deng Gang had been a way of freeing him, too.

Li Chengxuan took only one look at the damaged bamboo sword before setting it aside and turning his attention to the mass of strange black-and-red Qi. Somewhat uncertain, he said, "This seems to be... [Resentment of the Myriad People]."