Deep within the Black Wind Mountains lies Jiaolong Pool.
The pool water was as black as ink, gleaming with a cold light, as if it concealed an abyss that could devour everything. Dozens of cultivators had already gathered on the rocks and ancient trees by the pool, scattered in twos and threes, but their eyes were all fixed on the surface of the pool, and the air was filled with an atmosphere of tension and greed.
"This is it, Jiaolong Pool." Xiao Chen, hidden behind an ancient tree, looked at the crowd by the pool and raised his eyebrows slightly.
Of the cultivators present, nearly half were from the Southern Region, including disciples from Blazing Fire Valley, Azure Water Pavilion, and Purple Lightning Sect. They had clearly received the news and come specifically for this purpose. The rest were independent cultivators from the Eastern and Western Regions, each exuding a calm and collected aura, clearly all there for the dragon and the Dragon Saliva Grass.
"Gentlemen," a mid-Nascent Soul cultivator from the Purple Lightning Sect stepped forward, surveyed the Southern Region cultivators around him, and said in a deep voice, "That Black Water Flood Dragon is a half-step Nascent Soul cultivator; one person alone has no chance of winning. How about we join forces, kill the dragon, and divide the points and treasures according to our contribution?"
“I agree!” The female cultivator from Biyue Pavilion immediately responded, “The water-based magical abilities of the dragon are powerful, and the techniques of Biyue Pavilion can counter them to some extent. I am willing to take the lead.”
"Count me in from Blazing Fire Valley!"
The cultivators of the Southern Region responded enthusiastically and quickly reached a consensus—in the face of powerful interests and threats, the sense of belonging to the same region overwhelmed the minor frictions of the past.
After the discussion was settled, the Purple Lightning Sect cultivator's gaze swept across the entire area, finally landing on Xiao Chen in the corner. He raised his voice and said, "That fellow Daoist from the Southern Region, are you also here to hunt the dragon? Why don't you join us? There's strength in numbers!"
The surrounding cultivators from the Southern Region also looked over, some with anticipation, and others with a hint of scrutiny—after all, Xiao Chen's performance in the Hidden Dragon Society was too eye-catching, and they wanted to use his strength, but were also somewhat wary of him.
Xiao Chen stepped out from behind the tree, his gaze sweeping over the crowd indifferently: "No need, I can do it myself."
Xiao Chen understood that as long as he had points, the dragon and the thousand-year-old dragon's birth grass would be of no use to him. He had taken the pills given to him by his master, and now his body was extremely robust. His master had a lot of that herb in his vegetable garden, and sometimes he would even use it to cook.
As soon as he finished speaking, the area around the pool fell silent for a moment.
"He'll do it himself? Is he kidding? That's a dragon that's half a step into the Divine Transformation Realm!"
"Is the Hidden Dragon Society getting cocky after winning two matches? Do they really think a Nascent Soul cultivator can take on a half-step Divine Transformation cultivator in one-on-one?"
"He's completely disgraced the Southern Region..."
A few low, mocking whispers came from behind. The Purple Lightning Sect cultivators frowned, wanting to persuade them again, but Xiao Chen stopped them with a single look—his gaze was calm and unwavering, yet it carried an undeniable certainty, as if saying, "My affairs are none of your business."
He ignored the crowd and walked to a protruding rock by the pool, where he stood quietly, his gaze fixed on the dark surface of the pool, as if waiting for something.
Seeing this, the cultivator from the Southern Region said no more, but secretly thought to himself: He'll have his moment to cry later.
"Splash—!"
Just then, the calm surface of the pool suddenly surged with enormous waves, and a black column of water as thick as a bucket shot into the sky. Accompanied by a deafening roar, a colossal creature rose from the pool—
Its upper body was in the form of a dragon covered with dark blue scales, with a single horn on its head and eyes like lanterns, flashing with a fierce red light; its lower body was hidden in the pool, and its full appearance could not be seen. The part that was exposed was more than ten feet long, and its body exuded an overwhelming pressure. It was the Black Water Dragon that was half a step into the Divine Transformation Realm!
"Such a powerful pressure!"
"Quickly use your internal energy to resist!"
The cultivators by the pool paled in shock, circulating their spiritual energy to defend themselves. Many mid-Nascent Soul cultivators were sweating profusely, their bodies trembling slightly, and even breathing became difficult—this was the power of a half-step Divine Transformation cultivator, far beyond what a Nascent Soul cultivator could match.
Only Xiao Chen remained standing on the rock, his figure as upright as a pine tree, his face showing no sign of distress. The pressure of the dragon descended upon him, as if blocked by an invisible layer of spear intent, not even causing his clothes to flutter in the slightest—having experienced the baptism of the spear intent of Senior Kugu, and having condensed his foundation under Lin Zhou's guidance, this pressure was nothing to him.
"kill!"
The Purple Lightning Sect cultivator gritted his teeth and roared, striking first! A thick bolt of purple lightning, like a thunder dragon, struck straight at the dragon's head!
"superior!"
The other cultivators from the Southern Region also launched their attacks—the female cultivators from the Azure Water Pavilion drew water from the pool, transforming it into ice spikes that shot towards the dragon's belly; the cultivators from the Blazing Fire Valley spewed flames, forming a fire net to block the dragon's retreat; and some even unleashed their magical treasures, with swords, spears, and halberds appearing all at once, and for a moment, various colors of light illuminated the sky above the Dragon Pool!
"roar--!"
The Black Water Dragon roared and swung its massive tail, creating a towering wave that shattered the ice spikes and fire nets! At the same time, it spewed out a jet of black water containing intense corrosive power, instantly corroding several magical artifacts, which sizzled and flew back, crashing into the cultivators and causing them to scream in agony.
"clang!"
The lightning dragon of the Purple Lightning Sect cultivator was shattered by the horn of the flood dragon, and he himself was sent flying backward, blood spilling from the corner of his mouth.
"So powerful!" Everyone was shocked.
Despite their combined efforts, dozens of them couldn't even break through the dragon's defenses. Instead, they were counterattacked and three people were seriously injured and forced to retreat, while seven or eight others sustained minor injuries!
The red light in the dragon's eyes intensified, clearly indicating that it was enraged. It swung its massive tail again, this time targeting the nearest Purple Lightning Sect cultivator!
"careful!"
Just then, Xiao Chen made a move.
He didn't join the attack; instead, he gripped his rusty iron spear, his eyes fixed on the dragon's movements, as if searching for something. Just as the dragon's massive tail was about to strike the Purple Lightning Sect cultivator, he suddenly moved—
His figure moved like an arrow, his spear flashed like a dragon!
"Wildfire Spear Technique - Thrust!"
The rusty iron spear transformed into a streak of black lightning, piercing precisely into the gap between the scales of the giant dragon's tail!
"Pfft!"
With a muffled thud, the spear tip sank half an inch into the ground, drawing out a trail of black blood!
"roar--!"
The Black Water Dragon cried out in pain, letting out an even more mournful roar. It snapped its massive tail back and its eyes, filled with killing intent, glared at Xiao Chen!
It never expected that this human, who hadn't made a move all along, could actually hurt it!
The cultivators from the Southern Region by the pool were also stunned—they, dozens of people working together, had only managed to inflict minor injuries on the dragon, while Xiao Chen had drawn blood with a single spear thrust.
Xiao Chen withdrew his gun, staring at the black blood on the tip with a grave expression—this dragon's defense was stronger than he had imagined.
But a hint of fighting spirit appeared at the corner of his mouth.
That's what makes an opponent interesting.
The battle at Jiaolong Pool had reached a fever pitch thanks to Xiao Chen's spear thrust. The Southern Region cultivators, watching the figure facing the dragon's ferocious light alone, had long since abandoned their mockery, replaced by a complex sense of anticipation.
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