Zhou Yuan licked his lips. When he looked towards old Xuan again, the originally vigilant look in his eyes were gone, replaced by a flattering smile.
“So? Is this satisfactory?” Asked Old Xuan as he smiled from ear to ear.
“Satisfactory! Absolutely satisfactory!” Zhou Yuan rapidly nodded like a little chick, practically drooling with desire as he said, “Elder, are these seven jade scrolls for me?”
If he could obtain all of them, wouldn’t he become the only person in the Cangxuan Sect to have gathered all seven Cangxuan Arts? Though they were admittedly the simplified versions...
However, old Xuan merely cast a disdainful glance at the former. He did even bother replying to the question, merely letting out a sarcastic laugh, “Haha.”
Such a huge appetite… wasn’t this kid afraid of dying from bloatedness?
From old Xuan’s sarcastic laughter, Zhou Yuan understood just how naive his question had been, causing him to chuckle awkwardly in response. After all, there was likely no disciple in the sect who could remain calm in the face of the seven Cangxuan Arts.
Old Xuan ignored Zhou Yuan’s delusional thoughts and lazily said, “Pick one of them.”
Zhou Yuan immediately began to frown deeply when he heard this, his gaze continuously sweeping left and right across the seven jade scrolls. He was clearly very conflicted for a time, because such a choice was truly too difficult to make!
These seven jade scrolls were a simplified version of the seven Cangxuan Arts. Each one possessed mysterious and wondrous abilities, making it insanely difficult to eliminate any one of them.
“Should I select the little Saint Spirit Art?” Zhou Yuan hesitated. This could prepare him for when he obtained the Omega Saint Spirit Art in the future.
After mulling over it for a long time, Zhou Yuan gritted his teeth and reached for the little Saint Spirit Art.
When old Xuan saw this, he said, “If i were you, I will not make this selection.”
“Why?” Zhou Yuan was taken aback.
Old Xuan rolled his eyes at Zhou Yuan. “Won’t you be able to obtain the real Omega Saint Spirit Art after you distinguish yourself in the upcoming chief disciple selection? When that happens, won’t these two Heaven Genesis techniques overlap?”
Zhou Yuan blinked repeatedly. There seemed to be some logic behind this reasoning.
Old Xuan leisurely said, “If you trust this old man, allow me to give you some advice.”
“Of course I trust you!” Said Zhou Yuan without the slightest shred of hesitation. After seeing old Xuan’s collection, the former no longer dared to look down on the latter.
Old Xuan pointed, and a jade scroll drifted towards Zhou Yuan.
Zhou Yuan hastily received it. His gaze swept across it as he muttered, “Little Mythic Saint Body?”
Zhou Yuan was stunned. This appeared to be the simplified version of Hongya Peak’s Mythic Saint Body, and should be an external cultivation technique that specialized in cultivating one’s body.
“Elder, this is an external cultivation technique, and I’ve never cultivated my physical body before.” Said Zhou Yuan with some hesitation. He had never practiced any Genesis techniques that would temper his body. Instead, he mostly walked the path of inner cultivation, which focused on growing the breath of Genesis Qi in his abdomen.
Old Xuan indifferently said, “Little one, both inner and outer cultivation have their own marvels, but a true expert will walk the complete path. Only by mastering both inner and outer cultivation would one become truly powerful.”
“Most importantly, you’re already practicing the Taiyi Green Wood Mark, which bestows boundless life force onto your body, and gives you incredible recovery abilities… with the Taiyi Green Wood Mark as the base, you will be able to practice external cultivation at a rate that far surpasses any ordinary individual.”
“Where did you think the amazingness of the Taiyi Green Wood Mark lay in? It does not directly bestow overwhelming power, but is priceless to anyone who practices external cultivation.”
Zhou Yuan was a little moved by these words. So this was the greatest advantage of the Taiyi Green Wood Mark.
The bodies of external cultivation practitioners would often easily sustain damage. Thus, a good amount of natural cultivation treasures and resources were required to repair the body, nourish it, heal injuries and strengthen one’s vital energy. All of these headache inducing problems to others were easily solved in Zhou Yuan’s case.
The Taiyi Green Wood Mark allowed Zhou Yuan to fearlessly temper and strengthen his body.
As such, the little Mythic Saint Body was indeed the most suitable technique for him at this current time.
He fell into thought for a brief moment as he tightly grasped the jade scroll. “Alright, then I’ll be choosing the little Mythic Saint Body!”
Old Xuan nodded and kept the other six scrolls with a wave of his sleeve. When he lifted his head again, he saw Zhou Yuan’s gaze glued to his sleeve, as if nothing would be able to shift it away.
Hence, old Xuan could not help but scold with a smile. “Greedy brat.”
Zhou Yuan smiled resentfully, before reluctantly withdrawing his gaze.
Old Xuan shot a glance at Zhou Yuan and asked, “Little fellow, your Taiyi Green Wood Mark has yet to be completed, right?”
Zhou Yuan smiled bitterly as he nodded. “It’s only half complete… Yimu Qi is not easy to find.”
Old Xuan frowned a little. “Since you’ve never practiced any external cultivation techniques before, I’m afraid your body won’t be able to handle a technique on the level of the little Mythic Saint Body at this point in time. You need to complete the Taiyi mark before you can start practicing it.”
Zhou Yuan awkwardly scratched his head, feeling rather distressed about the situation. To complete the Tiayi mark, he needed rare ancient wood that contained Yimu Qi. Such things were not easy to find.
Old Xuan helplessly shook his head when he saw this. “How troublesome.”
“I do know where you can find rare ancient wood, but whether or not you’ll be able to obtain any will depend on your ability.” He slowly staggered to his feet using the broom.
Zhou Yuan was overjoyed at this news, and hastily cupped his fists together. “Thank you, elder!”
Old Xuan waved his hand before walking forward.
As Zhou Yuan gazed upon the hunched figure, he hesitated for a moment, before he suddenly asked, “Elder, why are you helping me?”
How could he not feel it by now? Regardless of whether it was allowing him to exchange a Heaven Credit for one of the seven simplified Cangxuan Arts that ordinary disciples would never have the chance of seeing, or pointing him in the right direction to find rare ancient wood, these were clearly all blessings that the old man was giving him.
They did not have any close relations, and had only met thrice before. Therefore, Zhou Yuan did not know why the old man would shower him with such favors.
Old Xuan’s footsteps paused as he said, “Little one, if you did not return as agreed after obtaining a Heaven Credit, the truth is that I will not have been so cruel as to cripple the Taiyi mark you practiced.”
“I believe that you also faintly had the inkling that this would be the case…”
“However, you ultimately chose to honor our deal, something that did surprise me a little… that is why I allowed you to see the simplified Cangxuan Arts.”
“You have control over your desires, are able to keep your promises, and did not stoop so low as to trick an old man like myself…”
“Truth be told, these blessings are the fruits of your decisions.”
Zhou Yuan was taken aback, his heart slightly shaken. If this was the case, the Heaven Credit promise between him and old Xuan had been a test of sorts. If he had ultimately been reluctant to part with the Heaven Credit, though he may have been able to preserve the Taiyi Green Wood Mark, his ties with old Xuan would have ended there and then.
As a result, he wo
uld naturally never be able to see the simplified Cangxuan Arts.
The thought of this made him rejoice inside. Truthfully speaking, he had considered renegading on the Heaven Credit promise since someone as senior as old Xuan would most likely not do such a cruel thing to a junior like himself.
But in the end, he had thrown out such thoughts, because he too had a sense of pride in his heart. Pride that would only make him despise such a deceitful act.
If he wanted something, he would naturally do his best to obtain it instead of resorting to such scummy methods.
And now, it seemed that his pride had prevented him from losing out on a tremendous opportunity.
When a Heaven Credit was put on a scale with the unfathomable old Xuan, the latter undoubtedly had more value.
“Follow me.”
Old Xuan beckoned with a hand as he walked towards the giant mountain covered in mist behind them.
His murky eyes were fixed to the front, not turning towards Zhou Yuan behind. The truth was that there was one most important factor he had not mentioned earlier.
The initial reason he had given such a test to Zhou Yuan… was because he had faintly sensed a hint of a familiar presence from the latter’s body.
Chapter 437 Dragon Scale Chinese Scholar Tree
Giant misty mountain was filled with silence.
Rustle!
The faint sound of someone stepping on dried leaves was suddenly heard. One could only watch as two figures, one old and one young, slowly walked over from far away, unhurriedly traversing the mountain forest.
These two figures naturally belonged to old Xuan and Zhou Yuan.
Zhou Yuan curiously observed his surroundings. They were already beginning to near the sealed main peak which ordinary disciples had been barred from approaching.
“Follow my exact steps and don’t make any mistakes. If not, no one will be able to save you.” Old Xuan’s voice suddenly sounded from the front.
Zhou Yuan’s heart shivered when he heard this as he looked to his front. Sure enough, he saw the several spots in space faintly distort as an indescribable feeling of danger caused his hairs to rise.
Zhou Yuan could not help but ask, “We can’t be going into the sealed area, right?”
Old Xuan nodded.
Cold sweat immediately appeared on Zhou Yuan’s back. The sealed main peak was said to be extremely dangerous. If one recklessly entered, let alone the Alpha-Origin stage, even Divine Dwelling and Heavenly Sun stage experts would be instantly killed by the seal.
“Relax, nothing will happen as long as you keep to the path.” Old Xuan consoled before walking into the region where space was faintly distorting.
Zhou Yuan hesitated a little before he gritted his teeth and quickly caught up. Every step was very carefully placed on the footprints left by old Xuan, not daring to make even the tiniest of mistakes.
As such, the two individuals advanced into the depths of the mountain.
After an incense stick of time, cold sweat was continuously dripping from Zhou Yuan’s forehead, a sign that he was clearly under a tremendous amount of pressure. He softly asked, “Elder, how long more?”
However, old Xuan ignored him, leaving him no choice but to shut his mouth and follow.
This continued for quite a lengthy amount of time before old Xuan extended a finger and gently swung it in the air. The mist to the front immediately scattered as the originally warping space began to return to normal.
“Alright.”
Upon hearing old Xuan’s voice, Zhou Yuan’s tensed body slowly began to relax. He quickly scanned the surroundings. Sure enough, he found that the dangerous aura was starting to fade.
There was a sliver of astonishment in Zhou Yuan’s eyes as he could not help but ask, “Elder, you can control the seal on the main peak?”
Old Xuan shook his head and said, “The seal on the main peak was personally made by master back then. How can I possibly control it? After staying here for way too many years, I’ve become capable of just barely avoiding some of the dangers.”
Zhou Yuan was a little disappointed. If old Xuan was truly able to control the seal, wouldn’t it be super convenient?
“The thing you want is to our front.” Old Xuan pointed to the front.
Zhou Yuan hurriedly raised his head and cast his gaze over. The ground some distance to their front had a deep black hue, making it look similar to a swamp. At the center of this giant swamp was an enormous ancient tree.
The ancient tree gave off a timeless aura as it silently towered there. Its thick and strong trunk was covered in some kind of scale like things, while a faint but mighty pressure pulsed from it.
The ancient tree’s lush branches stretched out, nearly covering the entire sky in the area, while the twigs silently hung from them.
As he gazed upon the ancient tree, Zhou Yuan felt the half complete Taiyi mark in his body begin to shake violently as a feeling of intense desire spread from it.
This desire was even stronger than when faced with Su Duan’s ancient wood bracelet from before.
“Elder, what is this?” Asked a somewhat excited Zhou Yuan. The Yimu Qi contained within this ancient tree was clearly extraordinary.
“It’s a Dragon Scale Chinese Scholar Tree that master transplanted here many years ago, an extremely rare ancient tree. If you manage to obtain a bit of its wood, completing your Taiyi mark will not be a difficult matter.” Said old Xuan with a smile.
Zhou Yuan was overjoyed by this information.
However, before any happiness could reveal itself on his face, old Xuan continued, “But I should first give you a warning. After living for so long, this Dragon Scale Chinese Scholar Tree has already gained some sentience, and has an extremely violent nature. It just so happens to currently be in a deep sleep, which makes this your only chance.”
“When it wakes up, let alone someone like yourself, even Heavenly Sun stage elders will not be able to approach.”
Zhou Yuan’s expression changed slightly, his gaze now filled with fear as he looked towards the peaceful ancient tree again. He never imagined that an ancient tree could be so terrifying.
Zhou Yuan cautiously asked, “Since its in a deep sleep, there shouldn’t be any danger, right?”
Old Xuan replied, “Although it is in a deep slumber, anything that has reached its level will naturally have some sort of danger sense. If a strong enemy approaches, it will naturally be aroused from its sleep. Fortunately, you’re way too weak to awaken it.”
Zhou Yuan felt rather awkward. Was being too weak really fortunate?
“Of course, even if it won’t be awoken by you, it will instinctively attack any life form that approaches… your task will be to withstand its attacks and dig out a little of the scales from its trunk.”
Old Xuan sat down with his broom as his raspy voice sounded, “Whether or not you succeed will depend on your ability. In any case, I’ve already done what I can by bringing you here. If you fail, it will only mean that it was not fated.”
Zhou Yuan smiled bitterly and shook his head as he gazed at the giant Dragon Scale Chinese Scholar Tree and felt its faint but overwhelming pressure. The opportunity before his eyes did not seem easy to grasp at all.
“So? Do you dare? You should just go back if you’re not confident, because it will become more difficult to return when it gets dark.” Old Xuan fished out an old yellow tobacco leaf, rolled it up and lit it. Spicy smoke rose from it as his murky eyes peered at Zhou Yuan through the smoke.
Huu.
Under his gaze, Zhou Yuan deeply exhaled as a resolute look appeared in his eyes. There was no reason for him to give up on the chance before his eyes.
“Since we’ve already come all the way here, how can I possibly return empty handed.” Said Zhou Yuan.
Old Xuan seemed to smile, though no one could read the emotion on his old, wrinkly face. With a wave of his sleeve, a black shadow flew towards Zhou Yuan.
“Since you have the guts, go ah
ead and give it an attempt. Talk is useless after all.”
Zhou Yuan reached out to catch the object, only to be slightly stunned when he looked towards it. It was a black wood chopping knife. The knife was mottled and did not appear to be sharp, while there seemed to be some faint traces of old blood marks on its blade.
Old Xuan placed the tobacco leaf between his lips and said, “Given your strength, you won’t be able to chop off a single scale even if the tree just stood there to let you hack at it… I’ll lend you this knife. Back then, it chopped off countless scales that were used to brew tea for the master, and has some restrictive power on the tree.”
Zhou Yuan nodded as he placed the black knife into his waistband, before his gaze locked onto the Dragon Scale Chinese Scholar Tree with a determined look in his eyes.
No matter how terrifying the tree was, he still had to try today.
Otherwise, his Taiyi mark would not be completed, and an incomplete Taiyi mark meant that he would be unable to practice the little Mythic Saint Body. This would surely affect his chances in the year end chief disciple selection.
There were times when you just had to do your best to seize the opportunity that appeared before you!
Swish!
In the next instant, Zhou Yuan’s eyes hardened as his foot pushed off the ground. His figure swiftly drifted towards the Dragon Scale Chinese Scholar Tree like a wisp of smoke.
Chapter 438 Retrieving the Scales
Swoosh!
Zhou Yuan’s figure dashed towards the Dragon Scale Chinese Scholar Tree, the dried leaves on the ground completely undisturbed as his body blew past like a wisp of smoke.
In a short few breaths, he was already fast approaching the area within a hundred feet of the tree.
Everything was still peaceful and silent as before.
However, Zhou Yuan’s body grew increasingly tense, while a vigilant look filled his face. His gaze was glued to the tree, making sure to catch every movement it made.
The tree’s powerful pressure made Zhou Yuan understand just how powerful an existence it was. In the face of such a strong living being, he did not dare to be even the slightest bit negligent.
Dragon Prince Yuan c1-1251 Page 237
