Chapter 219: Something unexpected happened and the lady was injured.

Heaven bestows its blessings. Golden rain and sweet dew descend from the heavens. The python's body is elevated, washing away the stench of its descent into the mud.

Soaring through the air, gliding among the clouds, sometimes darting into the sea, sometimes plunging into the clouds.

Traveling 49,000 li along the Huajiang River, the martial arts masters who were enjoying the dragon feast along the river instantly felt something and their faces showed joy.

"It's done! It's done! Senior Dragon has successfully traversed the waters!"

"Our efforts to help you have not been in vain. Excellent, excellent. No matter how many more dragons and beasts there are in the world, we will still benefit from them."

"It's a pity I didn't get to see the dragon's body in person. Legend has it that the dragons in the world have a unique beauty in their bodies. Seeing one can enhance one's understanding and improve one's aptitude."

...

On both sides of the riverbank, the crowd cheered. The "dishes" for each seat were finally served. The experience was delightful and broadened their horizons.

Qi Kaiyan, Chang Kun, Zhu Butong, and others received the dragon's molt and obtained the Human Yellow Essence Treasure. The recipe book has been expanded once more.

Zhu Butong practiced the "Golden Saber Earth Dragon" technique, and his martial arts skills improved greatly, making him even stronger.

...

...

Estuary.

As the golden rain fell, Li Xian bathed in the dragon-scented water, feeling refreshed and cool, his hair flying as if wrapped in a layer of golden light.

[Your bath in Dragon Soup accelerates the digestion of essence, increasing your Essence Consumption Proficiency by 3.]

Li Xian possessed immense strength, and through this extraordinary opportunity, his physical body became like a dragon's, his boundless strength seemingly inexhaustible, and he longed to swim freely in the sea.

The python-dragon shed its "python" character and transformed into the "dragon" character. Originally nameless, it was respectfully addressed as "Senior Old Dragon" by martial artists. Now, it roams freely in the sea, having established its own name.

It was named "Ao Mo".

Li Xian said, "Senior Ao, your future is bright. Congratulations!"

Ao Mo gradually adapted to the dragon's body, landed on the shore, its hind legs touching the ground, and its dragon body stood tall and proud. "Brother Li, good luck!"

Li Xian was filled with longing. A year ago, he was struggling in the wind and snow, and a year later, he had become sworn brothers with the dragons and beasts of heaven and earth. Although it was just a respectful title, he still felt a sense of wonder.

Wen Caishang smiled and said, "Little fairy, such an opportunity, why don't you quickly take it?"

"What kind of opportunity?" Li Xian asked. Wen Caishang said, "As the saying goes, a dragon is only seen from the head and not from the tail. When Senior Ao Mo was still a python, we could see both his head and tail. Now that he has become a dragon, he roams the world freely. After today, it will be difficult to see him again."

"You must memorize this dragon's appearance and body. When you practice dragon-related martial arts, such as 'Dragon Claw Hand' and 'Heavenly Dragon Palm,' you will have many advantages over those who have never seen a real dragon, since you have seen a real dragon."

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so please thank your senior."

Li Xian asked in surprise, "Senior Ao, is it alright if I take a few more glances at you?"

Ao Mo nodded and said, "Your wife is right. I am about to return to the sea, and whether we will meet again depends entirely on luck. If it is of any help to you, what harm is there in taking a few more glances?"

Li Xian immediately moved closer and gently stroked the dragon's scales. The texture was strange, extremely smooth, and warm. He tapped them lightly, and they produced a crisp, jade-like sound.

"What a magnificent dragon body! The previous python-dragon body had a distinctly foul odor. But I can't smell it now. When the python-dragon was moving through the water, it was already at its limit when it was stirring up waves with all its might. Now, Senior Ao Mo, I'm afraid, could summon waves upon waves with just a flick of his claw."

Li Xian observed the dragon's tail, sensed its breath, grasped its claws, and tugged at its whiskers. He memorized the dragon's form and appearance, touching it thoroughly. Fortunately, Ao Mo was old, and its fierce and malevolent nature had long been worn away. It allowed Li Xian to observe it without getting angry.

Ao Mo said, "This place is quite far. I have just entered the Dragon-Jiao realm, and Heaven and Earth have granted me the strength to roam freely. How about I give you two a ride?"

Wen Caishang said, "That's exactly what I was thinking."

Even dragons and serpents of the heavens and earth cannot roam freely. Soaring through the skies requires strength and is no easy feat. When they exhaust themselves swimming on land, they must return to the water to rest.

If the river is shallow and the water narrow, the dragon may become stranded and risk being killed. When Ao Mo first entered the world of dragons, he was blessed by heaven and earth, and his strength was inexhaustible, allowing him to adapt to the feeling of roaming freely in the world.

There is no need to worry about physical exertion.

Taking them back home would be the best option.

Li Xian climbed onto the dragon's body and grabbed its mane. Wen Caishang stood gracefully, her feet seemingly having suction cups, remaining completely unmoved as the dragon thrashed and galloped about.

Ao Mo laughed, "Sit tight!" The dragon's body trembled, its tail flicked, and it flew into the clouds. It plunged headfirst into the clouds.

Li Xian felt a sudden chill and circulated his inner energy to protect his body. He opened his mouth to speak, but a gust of wind and mist rushed into his mouth, blowing his words back into his stomach.

“Senior Ao Mo, please lower yourself. This humble fairy would like to see the scenery below.” Wen Caishang’s clothes fluttered and her long hair flew. She ignored the strong wind and spoke softly.

Ao Mo immediately flew low. Emerging from the clouds, he looked down and could see human towns, their lights twinkling, a scene of great prosperity.

Li Xian said, "Outside the town, all is darkness. This endless territory holds many wonders."

“Of course,” Wen Caishang said. “The Great Wu Dynasty has a vast territory, but the human race occupies less than 30% of it.”

"Less than 30%?" Li Xian exclaimed in surprise.

Wen Caishang said, "It's less than 20%. We'll know about these things when the time is right."

Li Xian glanced southwest.

Suddenly, a tall mountain appeared, piercing the sky, majestic and imposing, with an indescribable charm. He asked, "Madam, what mountain is that?"

“It’s Sushan!” Ao Mo said, “The towering divine peak beneath heaven and earth, which is said to support the heavens and earth.”

Ao Mo's body was low, allowing one to see the scenery along both banks of the river.

Someone below shouted, "But it's Senior Long! If so, call out back twice!"

Ao Mo swung his dragon body, responding with two roars. The spectators below, enjoying the dragon feast, shouted excitedly, their expressions thrilled.

Along the way, they feasted for hundreds, thousands, and even tens of thousands of miles… their faces were rosy, and they were overjoyed. When they saw Li Xian and Wen Caishang, they were filled with envy.

A few moments later.

Ao Mo lowered his body even further. Wen Caishang thought to herself, "I wonder what effect my plot to steal the Earthly Splendor will have on this old dragon. Its body is lowering itself further and further, it must be running out of energy. We are still in the Yu Nan Road, but if we enter the Longxiong Road, its energy will be exhausted, and the remaining journey will be much longer."

Wen Caishang said, "Senior Ao Mo, I find the scenery here quite beautiful and wish to visit a friend. Please let us off here."

Ao Mo was unaware of the crucial details, but he certainly felt his strength waning, and that roaming the world was no easy task. Knowing he couldn't return to Dragon Claw Town, he worried about how to bring it up without damaging his dragon-like appearance.

Hearing Wen Caishang's words, he was naturally overjoyed and quickly said, "What a pity, what a pity. I would have liked to give you a ride. In that case, I will do as you say."

They landed in a mountain forest. Ao Mo said, "Brother Li, Wen Caishang, farewell." He turned and sped off into the sky.

Li Xian gazed into the distance, and from then on, the sky was vast and the sea boundless, truly a dragon whose head was seen but not its tail. He couldn't help but think, "A man should be like a dragon, roaming freely across the world, how exhilarating! But... Senior Dragon, you have cultivated for hundreds of years. I have personally witnessed the many dangers before you transformed into a dragon. If you want to be carefree, you must first settle down and accumulate strength!"

With feet firmly on the ground, one naturally feels calm and composed.

Wen Caishang asked, "Is the dragon really that beautiful?"

"Not even a fraction as good as you, Madam." Li Xian casually asked, "By the way, Madam, which friends are we visiting?"

Wen Caishang walked forward gracefully, a fragrant breeze wafting around her, and said casually, "I have no friends here. I just saw that the old dragon was exhausted and didn't want it to exert itself."

Li Xian said, "This place is still very far from Qiongtianfu. We don't have any clouds, so it will take us a long time to walk. Why don't we ask Senior Ao Mo to give us a ride?"

"And listen to what that senior Li Bohou said, there are quite a few powerful people who want to oppose the lady."

Wen Caishang thought to herself, "If I hadn't stolen the Earthly Treasure, I would have made that old dragon send me back to Yihe Village. But now that I have obtained the Earthly Treasure, it's better to separate from the old dragon as soon as possible. Although the journey is long, it will be peaceful."

He said, "No need for trouble. The journey is long, so you can stay with me for a while. What, you don't want to? If those villains really oppose me, I'll kill them with one sword, and that will be peaceful."

Li Xian said, "Of course I'm willing." He went to help his wife. Li Xian said, "Madam, you have truly displayed great prowess on this journey, it was quite a spectacle, I clapped and cheered several times."

"You talkative brat," Wen Caishang scolded lightly, "What does this matter? You need to know that rivers vary in length, and dragons vary in strength. Ultimately, traveling by water is a process of pythons and dragons combining their power to break through their constraints."

"Although the Benhua River is 49,000 li long, it only flows through the Yuhua Road and Longxiong Road. It lacks the heroic spirit and the spirit of outstanding people."

Li Xian asked, "Is there an even more magnificent waterway?"

The two walked side by side. The mountain forest was secluded, but the path was often trodden by others. Wen Caishang's voice was melodious, "Naturally."

She instructed, "History records that those who traveled on magnificent waterways had to pass through top-tier cities in a region. Such places are gathering places of outstanding people and talents, heroes and valiant men... Just imagine how wonderful they are."

"What's more, the mighty river flowing through the capital of a country must create an even more magnificent spectacle."

Li Xian said, "Madam is truly a living history book."

Wen Caishang was taken aback, knowing that Li Xian had praised her for her profound knowledge, and said, "The more you learn and see, the more you will naturally broaden your horizons."

"Putting everything else aside, among the geniuses of Qiongtian Prefecture, who has ever seen a dragon walking on water? Hmm... there are some interesting little figures in Qiongtian Prefecture."

I think of Gu Nianjun.

It was already late at night. Wen Caishang had been traveling on the water for several days without having time to change her clothes. The water vapor made her clothes feel both wet and dry, which was very uncomfortable.

Upon seeing an inn along the way, he knocked on the door and booked two superior rooms. Li Xian carried his luggage tightly on his back, with ample funds for his journey.

Li Xian ordered meat dishes and ate and drank on the first floor. Wen Caishang went straight upstairs, sat down gracefully, and with a flick of her sleeves, a Heaven and Earth Treasure Box appeared in her hand.

Open the box lid.

The blood-stained heart's scales shimmered with a golden-red hue, the stench of blood transforming into a fragrance. The blood on the scales writhed and pulsated.

A tiny sprout gradually emerged. Its shape resembled a dragon's body, with outstretched fangs and claws. The sprout was merely a sign; it was not yet fully formed.

The seventy-two Earthly Treasures are incredibly precious. The appearance of each one inevitably sparks conflict throughout the world. Only one in a hundred or even several hundred years can be found.

Wen Caishang's treacherous scheme against the land was tantamount to plotting to steal half of Ao Mo's dragon life. Thus, having just transformed into a dragon, she should have been roaming the world with inexhaustible strength, but instead, she was exhausted far too soon.

It's unknown how long it will take for him to recover his strength.

Wen Caishang said, "This thing harms the harmony of heaven and attracts misfortune. This matter is vague and may or may not be true. But we must be careful."

She closed the treasure box, her brow furrowing slightly, sensing an ominous sign. She had traveled the martial world, encountering many powerful and skilled opponents, and facing numerous perilous situations.

Now that everything is temporarily settled, and she has gained much, having stolen the Earthly Flower, she should be relaxed and joyful. However, upon seeing the Earthly Flower, her mood became somber, quite unlike her usual cheerful self.

Suddenly, a flash of lightning appeared.

...

Li Xian was eating when he suddenly heard a deafening boom. He exclaimed, "What a loud thunder! Could it be that someone nearby has also transformed into a dragon?"

Smelling the scorching smell of burning wood, he frowned slightly and rushed upstairs. He saw that the lady's guest room was charred black by lightning.

Li Xian called out, "Madam? Madam?"

"What is it?" Wen Caishang asked calmly.

Li Xian said, "It's good that you're alright. This guest room..."

Wen Caishang said, "The matter of heavenly lightning is difficult to explain. Don't blame the innkeeper. Please pay the room fee and book another room for me."

Li Xian said, "Okay!" and immediately opened another superior room.

Wen Caishang moved to another room and gently closed the door latch.

Her face was pale, and her eyebrows were furrowed.

He coughed lightly and spat out blood.

(End of this chapter)