“So you want a Qi cultivation method.” A soft laughter escaped Yaoyao’s mouth. She propped up a cheek with a hand and continued, “Is your royal clan’s Flame-Thunder mantra not good enough for you?”
“The Flame-Thunder mantra can only cultivate grade 4 Genesis Qi. Even if I find a higher tier Qi cultivation method in future and change, much time will be wasted.” Zhou Yuan sighed. Grade 4 Genesis Qi was indeed top of the line in Great Zhou, but his eyes were looking at a much further place.
Yaoyao cocked her head and pondered. “I do have a few Qi cultivation methods.”
“However, it still depends on your choice.”
Zhou Yuan was taken aback. “What do you mean?”
Yaoyao pressed a hand onto her waist where an exquisite little cloth bag was hanging. It was a Universe bag that contained a pocket space. Such items were rather uncommon. At the very least, there were less than a handful in the royal treasury and the space within them spanned a dozen feet at most.
The Universe bag flashed and a black jade strip appeared in Yaoyao’s hand.
“This is grandpa Hei’s Qi cultivation method, the Heavenly Yuan Canon. It can cultivate grade 7 Genesis Qi.”
Zhou Yuan’s pupils tightened as he involuntarily cried out, “Grade 7 Genesis Qi?!”
Shock filled his face. Let alone someone like himself, not even his father had seen such high grade Genesis Qi.
Even the entire Great Zhou Empire could not be exchanged for such a high class Qi cultivation method!
Zhou Yuan’s breathing grew hurried as his eyes turned a little red. Fortunately, he had considerable mental fortitude and did not snatch it from Yaoyao. Instead, he took in a deep breath, looked at Yaoyao and said, “Are there other options?”
Since Yaoyao had mentioned a choice earlier, there were definitely other alternatives. Qi cultivation methods that could be placed alongside the Heavenly Yuan Canon were likely not ordinary, right?
Yaoyao grew silent for a while upon hearing this. With a gentle press of the Universe bag, a bone fragment appeared in her hand. The bone fragment was mottled with age and faint cracks could be seen on it. However, the moment it appeared, an indescribable pressure spread, causing the circulating Genesis Qi in Zhou Yuan’s body to turn sluggish.
Roar!
Behind them, the hairs of the slowly eating Tuntun abruptly stood up as it ferociously pounced in front of Zhou Yuan and let out a roar at the bone fragment. One could see a faint scarlet red glow emerge on its body.
Evidently, the bone fragment made Tuntun feel very threatened.
“What is it?” Zhou Yuan was similarly frightened by the pressure from the mysterious bone fragment.
Yaoyao’s red lips parted slightly as she answered, “A Qi cultivation method is recorded in this bone fragment. It is called.. the Ancestral Dragon Scripture.”
“Legend speaks of a certain creature that was born when the world was created, a creature known as the Ancestral Dragon. It is said to be capable of devouring the heavens and destroying the land, an existence that towers even over the apex. It was from the body of the Ancestral Dragon that all living beings eventually emerged and from then on, numerous life forms appeared in the world.”
Zhou Yuan asked, “More powerful than the Heavenly Yuan Canon?”
Yaoyao slowly said, “In the beginning, it will only be able to cultivate grade 5 Genesis Qi.”
“Grade 5 Genesis Qi?” Zhou Yuan’s eyebrows furrowed.
“There are four levels to the Ancestral Dragon Scripture. The first is the Omni Python Qi, a grade 5 Genesis Qi, the second is the World Subduing Heavenly Serpent Qi, a grade 7 Genesis Qi, and the third is the Galaxy Sacred Dragon Qi, a grade 9 Genesis Qi.”
Yaoyao’s soft voice felt like thunder in Zhou Yuan’s ears, causing his entire scalp to turn numb as his body trembled.
“Grade 9 Genesis Qi?!”
Zhou Yuan’s shaky voice rang out. In this world, grade 9 Genesis Qi was already the apex. Who could imagine just how powerful someone who cultivated it would be.
“Wait!” Alarm washed over Zhou Yuan as he looked at Yaoyao. “Did you not say there were four levels?”
If the third level was already grade 9, then what could the fourth level be?
Yaoyao’s beautiful eyes seemed to turn as deep as the night at this moment as she nodded, before her airy voice sounded out once again, “The fourth level is the true Ancestral Dragon Qi and it surpasses grade 9.”
Zhou Yuan fell butt first onto the chair behind him, his eyes almost popping from their sockets while his mouth hung wide open. “There are Qi cultivation methods in this world that exceed grade 9?!”
This Qi cultivation method had already went beyond Zhou Yuan’s common sense. He even doubted the existence of such a heaven defying Qi cultivation method.
Could this Qi cultivation method be the reason why master Cang Yuan and Yaoyao were pursued by their mysterious enemy, forcing them to hide constantly?
Yaoyao slowly said, “There are many mysteries in this world. 9 grades of Qi cultivation methods is just one way of thinking. If you never heard of something, it does not mean that it does not exist.”
“However, although the Ancestral Dragon Scripture is powerful, practicing it is difficult and practically unprecedented. In addition, once you begin practicing the Ancestral Dragon Scripture, you will be unable to change to other Qi cultivation methods, or you will be devoured by it.”
“What a tyrannical Qi cultivation method!”
It was at this point that Zhou Yuan’s expression could not help but change. If that was true, it meant that every other road would be closed to him. The only option was to continuing advancing on the path of the Ancestral Dragon Scripture.
Yaoyao gave a light nod. “Besides this, there is another condition you must fulfill in order to practice this Qi cultivation method.”
Zhou Yuan immediately cut in, “What condition?”
Yaoyao glanced at Zhou Yuan. “You must carry a dragon type blessing.”
“Dragon type blessing?”
“It is said that the Ancestral Dragon’s body transformed into all living things. Amongst them are some who are born with great luck. Strange signs appear at their births, seeming to take the shapes of carps, snakes, pythons, serpents… all of these can be considered dragon type blessings. It means that there is a sliver of Ancestral Dragon Qi in their bodies, allowing them to possess talent that surpasses the masses.”
“To begin practice of the Ancestral Dragon Scripture, this sliver of Ancestral Dragon Qi must be used as a primer.”
“However, even if one fulfills the requirements, very very few people will be able to truly master this Qi cultivation method. Let’s not even mention the fourth level, I’m afraid that since time immemorial, only one individual has been able to reach the third level.”
Yaoyao stared at Zhou Yuan as she continued, “As for you, you were born with the sacred dragon blessing, and the Ancestral Dragon Qi in your body was even greater than other dragon type blessings. Hence, you might even have a ten percent chance of getting through the first stage of beginning the Ancestral Dragon Scripture, but it’s still hard to say how many levels you will ultimately master.”
“Unfortunately, your sacred dragon blessing was stolen and the majority of it was obtained by Great Wu’s python and sparrow.”
Zhou Yuan’s fists involuntarily clenched tightly as he bitterly laughed. “So I am fated to never learn the Ancestral Dragon Scripture.”
He could not help but become a little dejected. After all, anyone who watched such an amazing heaven defying Qi cultivation method slip away would not be able to remain unaffected.
However, Yaoyao shook her head. She reached out and grabbed Zhou Yuan’s hand as she faintly said, “That may not be so.”
Zhou Yuan looked at her in confusion.
Yaoyao slowly opened Zhou Yuan’s hand, revealing the blood-red lump at the center of his palm. Malicious resentment spread from it, causing one’s heart to sh
iver.
Yaoyao pointed at the blood-red lump and said in a soft voice, “The ignorant king Wu believed that sealing the sacred dragon’s resentment into your body will suppress you forever, but he did not know… that this Dragon’s Resentment Poison is actually also a sliver of Ancestral Dragon Qi!”
Zhou Yuan’s pupils shrank. “You mean?”
Yaoyao nodded. “You may use the Dragon’s Resentment Poison as a catalyst to initiate the Ancestral Dragon Scripture. Thus, you will also be able to practice it.”
Yaoyao’s bright eyes silently stared at Zhou Yuan as her airy voice echoed, “So… what is your decision?”
Chapter 58 Genesis Resources
“So what is your decision?”
In the fragrance pavilion, Yaoyao bright eyes were fixed on Zhou Yuan. The soft words that left her red lips caused him to fall into conflict, his eyes flickering indeterminately.
It was hard to choose between the two.
Of course, the Heavenly Yuan Canon would undoubtedly be the more reliable choice. Grade 7 Genesis Qi was more than enough for him to reign supreme over those of the same cultivation level. In fact, it would even allow him to have some confidence against enemies at a higher cultivation level than himself.
Compared to the stable Heavenly Yuan Canon, the mysterious Ancestral Dragon Scripture was brimming with innumerable possibilities.
Based on what Yaoyao had told him, Zhou Yuan could sense just how difficult it was to practice this Qi cultivation method. It was so difficult that he might not even surpass the first level in his entire lifetime and this first level could only grant grade 5 Genesis Qi, Genesis Qi that was clearly unable to satisfy him.
Most importantly, there was no turning back once he chose to practice the Ancestral Dragon Scripture. One could change to other Qi cultivation methods if one felt that one’s own was unsuitable, but this option was unavailable for the Ancestral Dragon Scripture. It akin to a path of no return.
For the Ancestral Dragon Scripture, the only option was to advance endlessly.
A choice that undoubtedly required a tremendous amount of courage and charisma.
It was true that the path of the Ancestral Dragon Scripture would be fraught with danger, but… the possibility of unlimited growth caused excitement to flood Zhou Yuan’s heart. It was basically impossible to give up on it.
Hence, in the face of these two choices, even the normally decisive Zhou Yuan was stuck in a dilemma. His face fluctuated indeterminately, unable to make a decision.
Yaoyao did not hurry him and merely watched in silence.
The silence in the fragrance pavilion lasted for a very long time, before finally being broken by a long sigh.
Zhou Yuan opened his eyes and looked towards Yaoyao as he slowly declared, “I choose…”
“The Ancestral Dragon Scripture!”
Yaoyao’s hand seemed to tremble a little, somewhat surprised by Zhou Yuan’s choice. After all, compared to the Heavenly Yuan Canon, the Ancestral Dragon Scripture was filled with too much uncertainty.
Zhou Yuan looked at Yaoyao, laughed in a somewhat self-mocking manner and said, “Big sis Yaoyao, I do not want to experience the events of the past ever again; having others take away what belongs to me, even hurting those closest to me while I am powerless to do anything. Never again.”
Every time he saw his mother’s pale complexion, Zhou Yuan’s heart felt as if it was being cut by a blade. He knew that he would have long been dead if not for Qin Yu’s constant infusion of essence blood to him.
There was also Zhou Qing. He had been betrayed, his empire stolen and even had an arm cut off by king Wu when he tried to protect the things that mattered to him. He ultimately failed to save his own son, and greatly blamed himself day and night.
All of this had happened due to powerlessness.
“The enemies I have to face in future will likely become stronger and stronger. Therefore, I need the greatest of powers in order to protect my family and myself.”
“I want to be so strong that any existence would be unable to be even the smallest threat to me and those I care about.”
“The Heavenly Yuan Canon is strong, very very strong, but it cannot give me the strength I yearn for. Thus…”
He stared at Yaoyao and declared once again, slightly pausing between each word, “I choose the Ancestral Dragon Scripture!”
Yaoyao could see the burning determination in Zhou Yuan’s eyes, causing her to give a light nod before offering the mottled bone fragment in her hand.
Zhou Yuan reached out, grabbed it and gave a little tug, but was unable to take it.
“Zhou Yuan, you will have no other roads to walk once you select it. Hence, you cannot regret this decision in future.” A grave look emerged on Yaoyao’s pretty face.
Zhou Yuan grinned. “Big sis Yaoyao, I’ve been tormented by the Dragon’s Resentment Poison since young and have experienced how people treated me due to being unable to find my meridian channels. Therefore, I understand very well just how determined I am.”
“This road may be difficult, but… I will definitely walk till the end!”
Zhou Yuan’s voice was filled with resolution. Without any hesitation, he pulled even harder, removing the mottled bone fragment from Yaoyao’s grasp. His expression was incomparably serious as he kept it.
On the path of cultivation, the state of one’s heart was the most important. Zhou Yuan’s past experiences taught him that determination was essential if one wanted power. Once one was set on a goal, one needed to do all one could to realize it. Hence, one needed great willpower!
Yaoyao watched Zhou Yuan keep the mottled bone fragment and sighed. “Four Genesis resources are needed for you to begin practicing the Dragon Ancestral Scripture’s first level.”
Yaoyao took out a piece of paper and handed it to Zhou Yuan.
With a glance, Zhou Yuan saw the beautifully written words on the paper. However, when he took a closer look at the four Genesis resources needed, his face could not help but twitch.
“Genesis Swallowing Rock? Heavenly Gold Marrow? Nine Underworld Black Spring Crystal? Grade 4 python type Genesis Beast spirit?!” Each of the four ingredients caused Zhou Yuan to cry out in surprise as his hands subconsciously trembled.
Every single one of them was an extremely rare Genesis resource. Amongst them, Zhou Yuan had heard a little of the Heavenly Gold Marrow, which just happened to be present in the royal treasury. However, there were only a few drops.
The addition of a single drop while forging a Genesis Weapon would allow the weapon to become much sharper than usual, and might even raise the grade of the final product. This was why it was extremely valuable.
Moreover, the one that troubled Zhou Yuan the most was the grade 4 python type Genesis Beast spirit. Grade 4… this was comparable to a human Alpha-Origin stage expert!
There were only a handful of Alpha-Origin stage experts in the Great Zhou Empire and obtaining a grade 4 Genesis Beast spirit was no different from killing an Alpha-Origin stage expert.
The mere thought of this task made Zhou Yuan’s heart shiver.
After reaching the Qi Nourishing stage, one needed to use one’s body as a furnace in order to refine your own Genesis Qi. To further elaborate, the Genesis Qi absorbed from the world is the most basic ingredient, while the Qi cultivation method is the blueprint or instructions. Genesis resources on the other hand are supplementary materials that can be added according to the blueprint. It is through refining and fusing all of these various components together followed by tempering that one will ultimately be able to create Genesis Qi of one’s own.
Every single piece is indispensable. Hence, even the supplementary Genesis resources must be properly prepared.
Upon seeing Zhou Yuan’s rather uncomfortable looking face, Yaoyao could not help but laugh and say, “Do you regret your choice? There is still time to change.”
Zhou Yuan let out a bitter laugh, he did feel a little regret. Just the first level of the Ancestra
l Dragon Scripture already required such rare Genesis resources. Who knew what kind of mysterious ingredients were needed for the second, third and fourth levels?
Only now did Zhou Yuan understand how difficult it was to practice the Ancestral Dragon Scripture. The prerequisites alone were already insane.
However, determination quickly filled his eyes. “I will think of a way to get these Genesis resources.”
Since his choice had already been made, such difficulties were naturally unable to shake him. Otherwise, he would have given up long long ago.
Zhou Yuan’s unwavering determination was a little admirable in Yaoyao’s eyes. “You’ll have to hurry up if you do not plan on using the most basic Genesis Qi after reaching the Qi Nourishing stage.”
Ordinary Genesis Qi had no attribute nor any special effects. Hence, it was very lacking in battle power when compared to Genesis Qi produced through Qi cultivation methods.
Zhou Yuan smiled bitterly as he nodded. Looks like he would have to trouble Zhou Qing since the current him really had no means of gathering these materials.
…
Chapter 59 Mid Illusory Stage
On the fifth day after obtaining the Ancestral Dragon Scripture, Zhou Yuan finally managed to completely unblock his seventh meridian channel. This brought him one step closer to the Qi Nourishing stage and made him increasingly anxious with regards to gathering the ingredients needed for the first level of the Ancestral Dragon Scripture.
Royal palace.
“Father, have the Genesis resources I requested been prepared?!” A pair of expectant eyes shot towards Zhou Qing the moment Zhou Yuan entered.
In response, Zhou Qing could not help but let out a bitter chuckle. “You brat, do you genuinely think that our royal treasury is all powerful?”
Even Zhou Qing could not help but shudder when he recalled the four items Zhou Yuan had requested.
“Moreover, are the Genesis resources you need really only used to cultivate grade 5 Genesis Qi?” Zhou Qing was after all a knowledgeable individual and had encountered grade 5 Genesis Qi before. None of the grade 5 Genesis Qi he knew of required such rare and high quality Genesis resources.
Dragon Prince Yuan c1-1251 Page 39
