Chapter 210 The Secrets of Dragon Appreciation, Di Hua Appears!
January 26th.
A dragon's roar echoed through the mountains and fields, resounding three times and carrying for miles.
The pool water was dark, cold, and deep.
Martial arts practitioners flocked to Dragon Claw Town, as the strange roars of the python and dragon echoed through the air. This sparked a cacophony of noise and discussion, with many undecided. Among them were some with profound knowledge, familiar with many strange and interesting tales, who said:
"Hehe, everyone, this is Senior Dragon, he's mustering his troops! Let's go get a good soaking, it'll benefit us immensely in the future!"
We went to Laolongtan together.
Then someone in the crowd shouted, "Don't all push in at once! If we all rush in at once, won't we ruin the flowers, plants, and trees? Let's go in batches!"
Those who wander the martial arts world are the most difficult to manage. How can they be expected to behave obediently, follow a proper order, and act in a lawful manner?
But people have different thoughts: some are impatient, some are calm, some are waiting to observe, and some are afraid of being scammed... so naturally they are divided into groups.
Those with impatient temperaments took the lead, numbering in the hundreds.
It is more than a hundred feet away from the pool.
Fearing to offend, the martial arts practitioners all stopped in their tracks. After a moment of hesitation, one of the practitioners, who had grown a little bolder, called out loudly, "Senior Old Dragon, we have come to help you transform into a dragon! Are you here to call upon your troops, or is there something else you need? Please speak frankly."
The pool water surged and rippled, as if stirred by a giant object. Suddenly, with a "splash," a huge spray of water rose high, splashing everyone.
Everyone was stunned. Some of the more hot-tempered ones almost started to curse. Suddenly, someone said, "I know, I know, this is being imbued with dragon energy. One day, the old dragon will transform into a dragon from the water. We will also be bathed in dragon soup and benefit from it endlessly!"
Everyone's clothes were soaked, but their faces were filled with joy. They said, "Thank you, senior! Thank you, senior! We will do our best to perform for you! Hahaha!"
A refreshing journey away.
All the heroes gathered to help the dragon navigate the waters.
They naturally have ulterior motives and are driven by self-interest.
Only when interests are aligned will people work wholeheartedly!
Before long, another group of martial arts enthusiasts arrived. Dressed lightly, their eyes filled with anticipation, one of them said, "Senior Long, may you one day ascend to the heavens, roam freely across the land, and conquer the universe!"
Do the same thing.
A dragon's roar echoed from the pool. A splash of water rippled through the water, and as the sunlight shone, a dazzling rainbow appeared. The water soaked everyone present, and all who came were filled with joy.
And so, several more groups of heroes arrived, all soaked to the bone.
Outside the pool, there was a lively and joyous atmosphere, with a constant stream of congratulatory messages. Most of them wished the person to "ascend the Dragon Gate," live as long as the Southern Mountain, possess a dragon-like appearance and phoenix-like looks, and be chosen to become a dragon on a chosen day...
At noon, the heroes who had come to the banquet in Longzhao Town had already bathed in the "pool water" and were thus imbued with the dragon's aura.
The pool returned to silence, but the visit was far from over; rather, it was only just beginning. In the days that followed, guests filled the second-floor middle seats, the third-floor upper seats, the rooftop guest rooms, and the VIP rooms of Wangzhen Tower…
Each time will be chosen individually to visit the old dragon. Perhaps golden rain will fall, or another opportunity will be granted, or the dragon's body will be observed, or a deal will be negotiated.
Those who attend the dragon banquet all have their own agendas and schemes. Specific details will never be revealed.
It was evening.
The setting sun casts its slanting rays, making the surface of the pool appear as if coated with gold paint. The vegetation is lush and vibrant with life.
On the third floor of Wangzhen Tower, a renowned martial arts master, "Golden Blade Earth Dragon - Zhu Butong," came alone to pay his respects.
He carried a golden knife on his back, was tall and imposing, and stood by the pool, saying, "I, Zhu, have come to visit, Senior Old Dragon." As soon as he finished speaking, the pool water surged, and water splashed out.
Zhu Butong snorted coldly, brandishing his golden sword to protect himself.
Though the water splashed densely, it barely touched the hem of his clothes.
His knife skills are astonishing.
He planted the knife in the ground, causing the ground to tremble, and said loudly, "Senior Old Dragon, I, Zhu, have come from afar. Can't I even exchange a single scale for you?"
There was no response.
Zhu Butong said, "Very well, since Senior Long looks down on me so much, then I'll show Senior Long how powerful I am!" He immediately began to wield his sword, golden light swirling around him, the blade's gleam dazzling...
Suddenly it soars upwards, like a flying dragon in the sky.
Suddenly, it cleaved downwards, and the dragon plunged into the sea.
This is the "Golden Dragon Fifteen Blades," an extremely powerful mid-level martial art. Zhu Butong's display of strength adds to his advantage.
A moment later, a scale shot out from the depths of the pool. Zhu Butong drew it into his hand from a distance. The dragon scale was tough and icy to the touch.
He said with delight, "Thank you very much, Senior Dragon. I wish you success in your ascension to the Dragon Realm!"
Collect the scales carefully and depart with a carefree air.
turn out to be…
A grand banquet to admire the dragon, a mutually beneficial exchange.
The python and the dragon roamed the water, yearning to become a flying dragon.
It must confront the great challenges of Heaven, Earth, and Man. It is the convergence of the wonders of Heaven and Earth, the impetus of the local fortune, and the gathering of outstanding individuals.
If the water crossing is successful, the heavens and earth will resonate, and a spectacular event will occur, bringing "blessings from heaven".
Those who help the dragon enter the sea all gain something.
Those who bathe in the pool will enjoy longevity, improved health, and the blessing of the dragon's energy. The benefits are immeasurable.
Those who obtain the dragon scales will be blessed by heaven, as the scales will transform into a portion of the 'dragon molt,' a rare treasure of the Yellow-rank!
The dragon molts, shedding the scales of pythons and dragons, travels thousands of miles of waterways, enters the sea to become a dragon, and is granted permission by heaven to transform into a dragon molt.
...
...
And so it went, until nightfall.
The waning moon hangs high in the sky, its reflection shimmering in the pool.
The pool's water is like a mirror, reflecting the night sky. Beside the pool stands a vigorous ancient tree, its leaves dense and its branches numerous. Reflected in the water, it resembles a silver tree hanging with the moon.
The misty air created a scene reminiscent of a fairyland.
The night was quiet; monkeys lay asleep in the treetops, and fish played in the pond.
Outside the Old Dragon Pool, Li Xian and Wen Caishang walked slowly towards them.
Upon reaching the edge of the pool, Wen Caishang said softly, "Senior Old Dragon, Caishang is here to assist you on your journey to ascend the dragon."
A dragon scale emerged from the pool. The scale was pale green with golden lines inside. Wen Caishang shook her head and said, "Senior Dragon, please come out and meet me."
Water splashed up, and the enormous body of a python emerged from the bottom of the pool. The python was covered in green scales, its body enormous, and it had already grown claws and horns…
Li Xian examined it closely, thinking to himself, "Horns on its head, claws on its belly. It has shed its snake-like appearance. Since my past life, I have heard tales of dragons. I never imagined that what I see now is slightly different from what I imagined; it has a somewhat fishy and pungent smell."
Wen Caishang said, "Please, senior, bestow your heart's blood to stain this scale. I, Caishang, will do my utmost to help you enter the sea."
"Wen Caishang..." The python opened its mouth and spoke in human language: "You are too greedy. I have given you the scale of my heart, which is already the only one. What use would it be to spill my heart's blood on you?"
Wen Caishang said calmly, "Senior needs to know. If you fail in your water-walking attempt, the scales on your heart will be nothing more than slightly hardened snake scales. Although they have some use, they are nothing more than ordinary things."
"Strictly speaking, the successful water crossing was not a gift from you, but a gift from Heaven."
"The essence of heaven and earth, all are derived from heaven and earth. Even if it is a true dragon, are its scales truly treasures? If so, where would dragons be in the world? Wouldn't warriors slaughter them all?"
"Senior, you should know that even if you successfully transform into a dragon, and your scales turn into a dragon's molt, this treasure is related to you, but it is not a gift from you."
"If Senior conceals his talents, Cai Chang will naturally conceal hers as well. In the end, Cai Chang will only lack one precious treasure, but Senior Dragon will lose his life."
Swimming in the python pool, he thought, "The Heart Scale is already at its peak. When the dragon sheds its molt in the future, those who possess the Heart Scale will have two-tenths of it. She also ordered me to water it with my blood. Could it be... related to the Earthly Essence?" A mysterious voice in his mind said, "Your schemes are grand. Do you desire the Earthly Essence?"
Wen Caishang did not answer.
“You are right. The treasures of heaven and earth are not bestowed by me. I, the old dragon, merely decide how to distribute them. In that case, I hope you will do your best.” The python spat out its heart blood, which dripped onto that 'heart scale'.
It tastes both fishy and fragrant.
The python said, "The vastness of heaven and earth has its own logic. I wish to transform into a dragon, but heaven and earth have sent down layers of obstacles. Yet they have also given me a lifetime's worth of resources, allowing me to allocate them myself and form a group of friends to ascend to dragonhood. Now, the final resource is in your hands. I hope you will do your best to help me."
“That is so,” Wen Caishang said with a smile. “Furthermore… Senior Long, please grant him a bath.”
The python stretched its head over, sized up Li Xian, sniffed his scent, and said, "Boy... your scent is very unique."
Li Xian cupped his hands and asked, "What's unique about it?"
"It smells delicious," the python said with a smile.
Wen Caishang said, "He is also perfect in appearance, and his body exudes a pleasant fragrance, which is perfectly normal."
"Wen Caishang, you're lucky to have such a good husband." The python flicked its tail, splashing water from the pool. Li Xian bathed in the water and felt a refreshing coolness.
Li Xian was taken aback. Wen Caishang said calmly, "Dragons are inherently lustful. Although it has not yet transformed into a dragon, it already possesses lustful nature. You don't need to concern yourself with this.
…….
...
Back to my temporary residence.
The incense in the room had not yet burned out; its scent calmed the mind and spirit.
Li Xian asked directly, "Madam, I only vaguely understood your conversation with Senior Long just now. Could you please explain it to me again?"
Wen Caishang retrieved the Heaven and Earth Treasure Box. It was palm-sized and exquisitely crafted. She placed the blood-stained heart scale into the box, tucked it into her sleeve, and sat calmly, saying, "What do you wish to know?"
"What true dragon, what precious treasure, and all that? I really don't understand," Li Xian said, feeling quite curious.
During the day, he saw the heroes excited, all returning soaked as if bathed in sweet rain. They said the old dragon had bestowed upon them an opportunity, but when he bathed in the pool himself, the water was foul-smelling and icy cold.
If it's the sweltering heat of midsummer, a soak in the water can help dispel the heat, which is fine. But there's nothing miraculous about it, so why are the heroes so excited?
Wen Caishang explained, "A dragon moving through the water is a momentous event of heaven and earth. Opportunities of heaven and earth are often hidden in such momentous events. Otherwise, why would so many heroes and valiant men from Yunan Road and Longxiong Road come here just to join in the fun?"
Li Xian thought to himself, "Of course I know. If there were no great reward, why would you condescend to come here, Madam?" Then he thought to himself, "If I say that out loud, I'll probably get two swords for it."
Wen Caishang was in a good mood and said, "When a dragon moves through water, there are two opportunities in the world. One is to bathe in dragon soup and absorb dragon energy. This can enhance one's muscles and bones, lifespan, talent, luck, etc."
"Furthermore... there are some powerful martial arts techniques related to dragons in the world. Those who are imbued with dragon energy can practice them more effectively and with greater power."
Secondly, it concerns precious artifacts.
"When the python and dragon complete their work, the heavens bestow upon them an essence called 'Dragon Shedding.' Those who possess its scales and armor will naturally share in the Dragon Shedding."
Li Xian asked, "What about the land mentioned earlier...?"
Wen Caishang thought to herself, "It wouldn't hurt to tell Li Xian about this." She said, "This is a secret, known only to me. It's fine to tell you, but once you know, you'll never be able to leave my side again. You're young, and you may be able to travel and explore in the future. Don't let a moment of curiosity block your path."
Li Xian said, "Please inform me, Madam."
“Good.” Wen Caishang’s brows relaxed, and she said, “The python and dragon that move through the water not only hides the yellow of the human body, but also contains ‘earth essence’, which is called ‘Dragon Tread Grass’, and it is ranked fifty-ninth.”
"The opportunity is here, but how to seize it is not so simple."
He then briefly explained the profound mysteries involved. Wen Caishang, seeing that Li Xian was still inexperienced and did not understand many of the principles, did not elaborate further.
Wen Caishang said, "Not only that."
She walked to the window, pushed open the east-facing window, and gazed out at the ever-flowing river. She pointed gently and said:
"This is a grand event."
"Those who help the dragon transform into a dragon will reap the benefits. Those who slay dragons along the river will also gain great profits. In the future, when they travel by water to the banks of the Huajiang River, they will face numerous obstacles and dangers."
"A dragon roaming the water can be considered defying the heavens. The dragon slayer, in accordance with the will of heaven and earth, strangles the dragon in the river, preventing it from roaming. He will also receive a gift from heaven, sharing a cup of human yellow wine."
"If the python transforms into a dragon, I can obtain the essence of the earth."
"only……"
Li Xian asked, "But what?"
Wen Caishang remained silent. According to the clan records, although this method could yield "earthly blessings," it was not orthodox. It had a strong connotation of "stealing," therefore... at best, it would lead to setbacks in fortune, and at worst, it would bring disaster.
"A dragon roaming the water is a rare sight, perhaps only once every hundred or two hundred years. This Dragon's Foot Grass is an important part of my recipe, so I should do my best to obtain it. If I am unlucky, I will find a propitious place and lie low for several years to avoid trouble."
Wen Caishang thought to herself.
(End of this chapter)
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