Chapter 125

The next morning.

Before the Lock Dragon Dam.

Zhang Jian, however, saw a dragon girl with a complex expression here, and from Bai Li Ying learned of the grudge between the two Water Earls of the White Water Dragon Palace and the Poison Dragon Palace.

"This time I'm afraid we'll still have to rely on Fellow Daoist's strength to help my White Water Dragon Palace turn the tide!"

Bai Li Ying's jade countenance bore solemnity, with a hint of shyness.

She then did not conceal anything, revealing Bai Nu's plan.

"Li Ying also knows this is somewhat difficult for a strong person; Fellow Daoist Zhang can first consider it; we will first enter the Dragon Palace and then discuss other matters!"

Bai Li Ying's demeanor was poised and generous; she now wore a set of seven-colored interwoven gauze robes, her figure tall and graceful, her jade countenance beautiful and moving; with her hand pinching a spell seal, she drew upon the power of the White Water Divine Bureau, instantly opening a divine power passage that broke through the White Water, and two figures fell into the water in an instant.

Along the way, Zhang Jian also weighed the gains and losses.

Now the Zhang Family and the White Water Dragon Palace can indeed be considered staunch allies; although neither side dispatched its own forces to interfere in the other's expansion, their interests are essentially aligned.

Regardless of gratitude, considering only friendship, he should also help the White Water Dragon Palace.

However, even if he exerts effort, Zhang Jian can only act within his capabilities.

If the matter cannot be done, he can only first preserve himself with prudence.

Of course, he is not afraid of offending others; now he also has the Tong Mountain lineage as his backing, and he does not fear offending a Water Earl's Dragon Palace.

White Water Dragon Palace

The newly built Dragon Palace was erected upon the ruins.

Because time was pressing, the White Water Dragon Lord chose, like the Phoenix Spirit Mountain God, to likewise construct the main body of the White Water Dragon Palace using divine power.

Only, compared to the meager incense of the Phoenix Nest Mountain God.

Bai Shui Long Jun's incense offerings were abundant; the immense White Water Dragon Palace had already manifested through the infusion of incense and divine power, with the main hall, sleeping quarters, side chambers, including the water eye and merit pool of the White Water Divine Bureau, all projected forth.

With divine power's support, the entire Divine Palace was not only extraordinarily magnificent but also exuded a deep solemnity and a pure, holy aura.

In the dragon palace, the two sides took their seats as host and guest.

Bai Shui Long Jun did not immediately bring up the contest; instead, he spoke of interesting tales and gossip from the water veins, and then discussed the inheritance of the Tong Mountain lineage.

In Bai Nu's words, he was also glad that Zhang Jian could join the Tong Mountain lineage.

Seeing that Bai Nu could hardly contain himself any longer, Zhang Jian also made up his mind and took the lead to steer the conversation toward the contest.

He said:

"White Uncle, regarding the contest, since the Fourth Princess doesn't mind, I naturally don't mind either!"

"However, if the opponent sends a Golden Core–level great demon, I fear I would be unable to help!"

Zhang Jian did not conceal his apprehension toward Golden Core cultivators.

Since witnessing Elder Dongming's attack in the Twin Phoenix Mountains, Zhang Jian understood the terror of Golden Core cultivators—whether in magical power, divine abilities, or treasures, they far surpass what a Foundation Establishment cultivator can match.

He still held two protective talismans in his hand, but he did not wish to use them in this fearless contest.

Seeing Zhang Jian bring up the matter himself, Bai Nu felt greatly relieved, his face breaking into a warmer smile as he said.

"Rest assured, nephew, no Golden Core–level demon will appear this time; Golden Core is not easily condensed. Moreover, I have inquired: though that old demoness bears many offspring, her strongest are merely the two Well Dragon Kings of Fengyang Commandery, and I have already crushed them. Most other serpent clans are mediocre, and the few with exceptional talent are only at Foundation Establishment level, posing no difficulty."

Bai Nu's eyes gleamed with determination; if he lacked confidence, he would not have accepted this wager.

"However, exceptions can occur, so you too must remain cautious and prudent!"

At this moment, the dragon and the man, as uncle and nephew, clearly deepened their bond!

After a brief pause, he added: "I will also think of a way during this period to possibly increase your chances of victory by ten percent!"

He evidently still had other thoughts on his mind.

After discussing part of the details, Zhang Jian decided to remain in the White Water Dragon Palace to further refine his techniques.

The contest is set for half a month later; Zhang Jian still has time.

Forging his natal magic artifact would certainly not be enough.

However, putting extra effort into a few techniques would still be feasible.

At the same time, Zhang Jian contacted the Feng Ling Mountain God, asking the Feng Ling Mountain God to send another treasure from Feng Chao Mountain.

With that treasure in hand, the Zhang family felt all the more confident.

Afterward, Bai Li Ying nevertheless led Zhang Jian into the depths of the White Water Dragon Palace!

Through the White Water Dragon Palace's divine-power passageway, the two arrived at an exceptionally special realm.

At a glance, Zhang Jian's view was of vast dark expanses, with only one area within the dark waters emitting a faint glow.

That layer of light was unusually dim, almost blending with the spiritual essence in the water, imperceptible to the naked eye.

Its mode of operation resembled a drop of water merging into a spiritual-energy field, quite marvelous.

"A rune formation?"

Zhang Jian's expression flickered slightly; on this trip, Bai Li Ying had brought him to the site of an immortal relic containing a set of sword techniques.

"Fellow Daoist… uh, Senior Brother, this is the place! I don't know if you can comprehend this sword instruction and gain something from it!"

Bai Li Ying cast her bright gaze upon Zhang Jian; the sudden shift in address made her seem to recall something, her jade-like countenance lovely, though her eyes remained clear and still held much amusement.

She too had comprehended the sword cultivator's technique legacy here, but her gains were not many.

At this moment she was not slow; strands of luminous power flowed around her like a watery fairy, as she waved her hand, threads of power drew upon the White Water Divine Bureau's strength, turning into golden beams that burst open the surrounding divine-power seals, and furthermore a straight golden light shattered the radiance surrounding the relic.

At this time Zhang Jian also noticed that the surroundings were filled with the turbid dark currents of the White Water, along with the flow of divine power from the White Water Divine Bureau, as if deliberately stirring the turbulent dark currents to conceal the anomalous signs around this area.

"The seal is now open, Senior Brother; let us enter together!"

At this moment Bai Li Ying's visage turned solemn; in an instant a mass of divine power enveloped the two, transforming into a golden light that pierced straight through the layers of divine-power restrictions.

Passing through the layers of dark waters, in an instant Zhang Jian felt his vision suddenly brighten.

"……" merely at first glance, Zhang Jian was slightly stunned.

First to come into view was a grand palace that had already collapsed.

Luxurious, exquisite palace gardens, pavilions and corridors faintly visible, but now being struck by countless flowing waters, merely relying on the palace garden's own materials to barely hold up.

The main structure remains intact, but everywhere is leaking wind and water.

Most of the objects inside have been swept away by the flowing water; the few that could not be swept away are spread across the silt at the bottom, covered by aquatic plants.

This ruin appears to have existed for some time.

Even the wards that once perfectly surrounded the ruin have been worn away by time, leaving them incomplete.

Zhang Jian's vast divine sense swept over, and in a moment his gaze fell upon the palace wall, the only side of the screen wall that remained intact.

On the screen wall, faint traces of intense rune light still linger.

That is a jade disc; before the two stepped onto the screen wall, it could faintly be seen, and on the jade disc there seemed to be the roaring sound of the sun and moon tides; shortly after, various scenes emerged from it, as if the primordial mountains and seas were evolving, or like the world-illuminating Milky Way, or like the eight-wilderness fire realm, or like the boundless vast sea, or like wind and thunder intertwined, or like blue clouds covering the sky.

However, the core within was a straight sword light!

Illuminating the ruined palace.