by Shian Jeen
Half a year passed.
Huwang Xiao had fully refined the Tuo dragon in this brief duration, helping his cultivation grow to peak late-Ninth Order, another step nearer to Tenth Order Saint world. Huwang Xiao opened his mouth and inhaled, continuing to refine the bone dragon.
But, not long after Huwang Xiao began refining the bone dragon’s true dragon blood essence, the Dragon Pearl in his forehead shook violently. A bright light shone, distributing to ten thousand zhang. The vague dragon shadow inside the Dragon Pearl flickered nonstop, shifting between reality and illusion.
Gradually, the dragon shadow grew clearer still, becoming a real solid entity with flesh and bones. This primordial divine dragon that had been sealed for who knows how long inside the Dragon Pearl acquired finally resurrected!
The primordial divine dragon opened its eyes, causing extreme ripples in space as it opened its mouth and inhaled. The bone dragon’s true dragon bloodstream essence swirled into the Dragon Pearl at a terrifying swiftness, right into the dragon’s mouth area.
Ch.507
Huwang Xiao’s body shook, immediately noticing that something was not right.
‘This is….?!’ His spiritual sense noticed the Dragon Pearl, watching as the shadow of a dragon inside the pearl was growing corporeal! Resurrected!
A thousand zhang long five-clawed golden dragon, hovering inside the Dragon Pearl space resembling an imposing ancient hill. The bone dragon’s blood essence was like a flood of rapid currents that found an opening as it whirled out of control to the five-clawed fantastic dragon’s mouth.
Huwang Xiao was feeling extremely antsy as he tried to manipulate the Dragon Pearl to reduce the quickness of the bone dragon’s bloodstream essence flowing into it, but to his dismay, it was futile. The Dragon Pearl was out of his control.
The Dragon Pearl seemed to have merged into one entity with the five-clawed golden dragon, and would only act according to the five-clawed golden dragon’s will.
Very soon, Huwang Xiao noticed something else. The bone dragon’s blood essence assimilated by the five-clawed golden dragon through its mouth then diffused out through its pores, permeating every corner of Huwang Xiao’s body.
It seemed like the five-clawed golden dragon was refining the real dragon bloodstream essence before being absorbed by Huwang Xiao, in exchange for a purer and more potent energy.
Huwang Xiao stopped resisting and started to absorb the refined true dragon blood essence as fast as he could. A comfortable and enjoyable feeling spread through Huwang Xiao, from his body deep into his spirit. A brief second later, loud crackling sounds sounded inside his body.
To his delight and surprise, the barrier to Tenth Order Saint realm finally shattered! The Saint world power roared in his meridians and veins, moving vibrantly as his Qi Sea continued to spew out abundant vigorous battle qi like an eternal spring that could never dry.
1 hour passed by enough time the bone dragon’s true dragon blood essence abruptly stopped streaming in to the Dragon Pearl. Huwang Xiao was stunned, especially when he saw that it was because all the true dragon bloodstream essence had been soaked up by the five-clawed fantastic dragon!
In merely one hour!
At Huwang Xiao’s current strength, refining the bone dragon at his normal speed would need half a year’s time, but in just one single hour, the five-clawed golden dragon inside the Dragon Pearl had absorbed all the bone dragon’s true dragon blood essences!
Another thing that Huwang Xiao noticed was the actual fact that the benefits he received this time were much more compared to refining the real dragon blood essence by himself, despite the majority of it going to the five-clawed golden dragon.
What made Huwang Xiao speechless was that the five-clawed golden dragon’s open up mouth area actually shifted toward the primordial divine nether dragon next to the bone dragon and started inhaling its true dragon bloodstream essence.
True dragon blood essence from the primordial divine nether dragon was outpouring frantically, right toward the five-clawed fantastic dragon.
Huwang Xiao’s eyeballs almost fell out of their sockets. ‘This holds true, right? What the…!’
The Dragon God Lawn that he previously taken was only enough for him to refine two primordial divine dragons. If he continuing to refine another one, would he suffer a backlash from this?
But Huwang Xiao had not been given any option or time, for the upgraded true dragon blood essence was already diffusing from the five-clawed golden dragon’s body, getting into his, and it contained a more potent energy than the bone dragon’s true dragon bloodstream essence.
Quickly running the Asura Tactics, Huwang Xiao began refining the true dragon blood essence diffused from the five-clawed golden dragon. In simply a few breaths’ time, he immediately uncovered that it didn't pose any problem in any way despite having no Dragon God Grass. Refining the improved true dragon blood essence brought him no undesireable effects, and had even better results.
was the devil dragon, accompanied by the real dragon, sky dragon, and ice dragon.
All the remaining primordial divine dragons were sophisticated by the five-clawed golden dragon and Huwang Xiao, one after another.
Huwang Xiao’s strength soared with rapid velocity; early Tenth Order Saint realm, the maximum of early Tenth Order, mid, top mid-Tenth Order, and steadily slowed as he broke through peak mid-Tenth Order Saint realm.
Huwang Xiao continued to perform the Asura Techniques until he completed greater than a dozen cycles before stopping, then he opened his eye. Lightly breathing out, space jittered as if a strong squall blew recent it.
Before Huwang Xiao could react, a coruscating light flashed in front of him, revealing a vapory giant dragon. This large dragon was the very same five-clawed fantastic dragon within the Dragon Pearl.
Neither of them made a sound. Huwang Xiao carefully observed the huge dragon scales on its body, the horns that looked like they could tear a hole in the firmament, its shiny crimson dragon eyes that were shining like blood. Huwang Xiao reacted a moment later, jumping to his feet.
“Little guy, fret not, I bear no ill-will.” The large five-clawed golden dragon enjoyed Huwang Xiao’s reaction with mirth in its eye, speaking in the individual tongue to reassure Huwang Xiao. “I am Ao Taiyi, the Martial Soul World’s first generation Dragon Emperor. My body was destroyed by an foe, and my soul was seriously hurt. Under those circumstances, I purchased the Dragon Elders to seal my soul inside the Dragon Pearl with supreme power, borrowing the dragon qi inside the Dragon Pearl to nourish my spirit. More than sixty thousand years have handed, and my soul has finally recovered.”
Huwang Xiao was dumbfounded.
‘Ao Taiyi? Martial Nature World’s first era Dragon Emperor?’
Disregarding Huwang Xiao’s reaction, Dragon Emperor Ao Taiyi continued, “Fortunately, you have been refining these primordial divine dragons’ true dragon blood essence that helped me rebuild my physical body.”
Huwang Xiao was dazed by what the first generation Dragon Emperor was saying. The real dragon bloodstream essences he had been refining?
“Although I was sealed inside the Dragon Pearl, I’m also the Dragon Pearl’s second form. I’m the Dragon Pearl, and the Dragon Pearl is me. However, you already enhanced the Dragon Pearl, therefore, placing it in another way, the current me is considered as an avatar of you.” Dragon Emperor Ao Taiyi said.
“You’re my avatar?!” Huwang Xiao was again, dumbfounded. But he did not sense any blood connection with this Dragon Emperor Taiyi.
Dragon Emperor Taiyi nodded, “That’s right, I understand the question in your center, but the truth is, you have yet to truly refine the Dragon Pearl.”
“Have yet truly refined it?” Huwang Xiao required a small blow.
“Yes. This Dragon Pearl is a heritage treasure of our Dragon Clan, if you want to seriously refine it, you must first possess Godforce.”
Godforce!
Wouldn't that mean that he must first
reach the Highgod World?! Huwang Xiao inhaled sharply at the enormity of the problem. At present, Huwang Xiao felt that the Highgod Realm was too remote a goal, he hadn’t even touched the edge of the God Realm. Highgod Realm, the level above God World.
Eventually, Dragon Emperor Ao Taiyi imparted information related to the Dragon Clan and about himself to Huwang Xiao.
From Dragon Emperor Ao Taiyi, Huwang Xiao came to learn that the Dragon Pearl had already merged with him despite not having truly been refined. It could no longer be separated from Huwang Xiao. If he was killed or passed away, then your Dragon Pearl would no more exist. Dragon Emperor Ao Taiyi covered inside the Dragon Pearl would also die.
Although Dragon Emperor Ao Taiyi had rebuilt a fresh body, which enabled him to go outside of the Dragon Pearl within one thousand zhang radius, the other side of the coin also meant that he couldn't be separated from Huwang Xiao more than a thousand zhang.
Unless Huwang Xiao could undo the seal on the Dragon Pearl, granting true freedom to Dragon Emperor Ao Taiyi.
However, the seal was placed by the combined efforts of a group of Dragon Clan Elders, thus undoing the seal was easier in theory. At the very least, Huwang Xiao would have to reach the Highgod Realm to have any hope.
In between, Huwang Xiao took the chance to ask Dragon Emperor Ao Taiyi some questions, resolving the doubts he previously; such as why was Dragon Emperor Ao Taiyi could refine one primordial divine dragon in approximately one hour’s time, about the true dragon blood substance inside the Dragon Pearl, and why did he not suffer a backlash regardless of the absence of Dragon God Lawn.
Dragon Emperor Ao Taiyi chuckled, “My new body is like a huge sea, whereas one primordial divine dragon is a little brook, that’s why it doesn’t affect me regardless of how fast I refine them. Furthermore, the Dragon Pearl is with the capacity of purifying all energy.”
Huwang Xiao’s eyes lit up hearing that. He comprehended what Dragon Emperor Ao Taiyi was informing him, a being’s body was like a container. The stronger one’s body is, the bigger the container; then their refinement rate could also be faster.
And, the Dragon Pearl could actually purify all and any kind of energy?!
Note:
Many times 'Taiyi' is used in titles/titles of cultivation techniques, origins, etc. denotes supremity, greatness, highest living, and such; mostly an abstract concept.
Ch.508
“Meaning to say, any form of energy devoured by you would also be absorbed by me through the Dragon Pearl? And I would not incur any adverse side effects?” Huwang Xiao’s breathing quickened; if this was true, it was too heaven-defying!
Dragon Emperor Ao Taiyi chuckled watching Huwang Xiao’s expression, knowing his thoughts. Ao Taiyi said, “You can put it like that.”
Can put it like that? Huwang Xiao dazed for a second, immediately noticing an underlying meaning to Dragon Emperor Ao Taiyi’s words.
“Our ancient Dragon Clan was hailed the Lord of All Beasts, and the Dragon Pearl is the most precious heritage treasure of our clan. Although it can purify all energy, it is limited to energy originating from beasts!” Dragon Emperor Ao Taiyi explained.
Huwang Xiao was slightly disappointed, but at the same time, he was greatly relieved.
That was better. According to what Dragon Emperor Ao Taiyi said, he could be like the Violet Spirit Devourer Monkey, capable of swallowing and refining demonic beast cores!
Refine demonic beast cores! And without any side effects! A wave of excitement washed over Huwang Xiao.
A short while later, Dragon Emperor Ao Taiyi returned to the Dragon Pearl space. Though he could leave the Dragon Pearl with no restrictions to his movements within a thousand zhang radius from Huwang Xiao, he could not leave for too a long a time.
Huwang Xiao stayed inside the Xumi Temple, practicing his Fifteen Moves of the Dragon God to familiarize himself with the new level of strength before exiting to the world outside.
Huwang Peng, Su Yan, Zhao Shu, Zhang Fu were all surprised seeing Huwang Xiao out from his closed-door practice so soon, for he had informed them beforehand that he would take at least one year this time, but it was only a little past six months.
Did something happen?
“Long’er, is everything alright?” Su Yan motherly side rose to the surface, feeling concerned.
Seeing the concerned expression on his mother’s face, warmth filled his heart. Shaking his head while smiling, he assured her, “I’m alright.”
By this time, those who heard about Huwang Xiao exiting his closed-door practice raced over to the main hall, from his younger sister Huwang Min, his little nephew Guo Xiaofan, the Violet Spirit Devourer Monkey Huwang Xiaoyong, Heaven Devouring Beast Lil’ Tian, and others.
But, one person Huwang Xiao did not expect to see was—Shi Xiaofei! Shi Xiaofei entered the main hall, behind his sister Huwang Min.
As Shi Xiaofei walked in, her beautiful eyes met Huwang Xiao’s gaze. Her gaze held bashful amorous feelings.
Neither of them spoke, but that did not hinder an ambiguous atmosphere from spreading in the hall with them at the center.
The last time he saw Shi Xiaofei was a few years ago. Seeing her again, Huwang Xiao could only say that she was even more beautiful. There was a pure aura around her that transcended mortal women, making anyone who saw her unable to look away. That delicate face devoid of any makeup increased one’s affection the more they looked at her.
The way Huwang Xiao stared at her in front of so many people made Shi Xiaofei’s little face turn red.
Huwang Xiao recovered swiftly, looking around the hall, covering up his gaffe with a small flick of his sleeve and said with a laugh, “Tonight we shall eat roast meat! Great, big roast meat!” Not only had he broken through to Tenth Order Saint realm in this time’s closed-door cultivation, he even reached peak mid-Tenth Order Saint realm. Undeniably, he was in a wonderful mood.
Even more wonderful was knowing that the Dragon Pearl could purify any form of demonic beast energy. To the current Huwang Xiao, achieving God Realm was no longer an out of reach goal.
Hearing Huwang Xiao mention roast meat, the main hall was filled with ecstatic cheers. Especially the Heaven Devouring Beast, Lil’ Tian, the little guy was practically jumping up, hollering in a very loud voice. Even Shi Xiaofei was no exception, clapping her hands in delight.
This was a beautiful sight to behold. Even a person with an iron will such as Huwang Xiao couldn't help being mesmerized.
After Huwang Xiao gave the command, the Asura’s Gate disciples brought back one hundred fat and tender Tyrant Boars with efficient speed.
The sun was setting on the eastern horizon when Huwang Xiao began to work.
With his strength, roasting one hundred Tyrant Boars or a single Tyrant Boar made very little difference.
Soon, the unique aroma of roast Tyrant Boar meat permeated the entire Asura Square.
Night settled in. Everyone was sitting around the bonfire, cheerful voices and bouts of laughter could be heard from afar.
Huwang Peng, Su Yan, and the others sat on Huwang Xiaolog’s left side, whereas Shi Xiaofei kept close to Huwang Xiao’s side on his right. Under the inevitable circumstances, Shi Xiaofei’s sweet virgin fragrance would drift into Huwang Xiao’s nose, carried by the breeze.
Huwang Xiao was gratified. There was good wine, delicious meat, and a beauty at his side. There was nothing he lacked; how many people longed for this kind of life!
In the past, when he was on Earth, this was the kind of life he dreamed of.
Probably influenced by the atmosphere, the mood struck Huwang Xiao and he grabbed a piece of roast meat with his hand, just like Lil’ Tian, and chowed down, eating heartily.
The night slowly passed, and the party lasted until the morning.
With these people’s cultivation, they could go without sleep for several days straight. Hence, one night was nothing.
The party dispersed with the first light of dawn, leaving the place for Shi X
iaofei and Huwang Xiao alone.
Before Su Yan turned away, she shot a clear, meaningful look at Huwang Xiao. Inside, he was sweating profusely. Of course, he understood what his mother’s look meant, nothing more than wanting a grandchild.
Shi Xiaofei also caught the look Su Yan shot to Huwang Xiao, and a tinge of red colored her cheeks.
After everyone left, Huwang Xiao spoke first, “How have you been these years?” His tone sounded slightly pompous.
Shi Xiaofei spoke softly, “My days were good, how about yours?” Her voice was like a lark singing, clear and moving, making one want to listen to it again and again.
Huwang Xiao recounted his adventures after leaving Starcloud Continent and upon arriving on the Ten Directions Continent to Shi Xiaofei.
As Shi Xiaofei listened to him narrating about killing the Deities Templar’s Li Molin at the Beast God Shrine Square, becoming the new Lord Beast God, battling one on nine against the Ao Brothers, taking over the Nine Dragons Temple, her eyes shone brighter with admiration.
In return, Shi Xiaofei talked about some of the things she experienced in the past few years. Against Huwang Xiao’s experiences, hers sounded dull in comparison.
These years, Shi Xiaofei focused solely on increasing her strength. Sometimes she would travel from the Blessed Buddha Empire to the Demonic Beasts Forest, hunting demonic beasts as training to increase her battle capability.
Hearing Shi Xiaofei’s experiences, he reached out and held her hands in his. Her small hands were petite and soft as if there were no bones in them, smooth, supple, and fragrant.
Having her hand suddenly grasped by Huwang Xiao, Shi Xiaofei quivered, her face flushed a deep red, yet she did not pull her hand away.
He, of course, knew why Shi Xiaofei was cultivating so hard these few years.
“Silly fool.” Huwang Xiao observed Shi Xiaofei’s beautiful face that could cause the downfall of an empire, emphasizing, “In the future, you don’t need to work so hard, you won’t become a burden to me.” Gently pulling Shi Xiaofei into his embrace, he added, “I will protect you, forever and always.”
