Chapter 1284

The misty waves stretched vast and boundless, the yellow sands surged and churned, and Elder Ao Qing of the Dragon Sturgeon floated and sank in the water. Once, the great marshes of Jianghuai were traversed hand in hand, and now the Dragonfolk elders, gasping their last breaths, stood shoulder to shoulder on the deck, watching their kin gather, ascending to Entering Zhen Xiang with vigor and vitality, nearly bringing tears to their eyes.

How long has it been?

How long since such a grand scene?

The Dragon Monarch has been gone for over a hundred years; they have bled and fought alongside the flood dragons for sixty years, nearly a century, year by year, month by month, day by day, moment by moment—vivid and clear as ever!

Since emerging from the Dragon Palace, even if they were like a mantis trying to stop a chariot, they still fought two great wars. Since then, how many of the Dragonfolk and Dragon Sturgeon's fifth-realm masters have ever surpassed the number that can be counted on two hands?

It truly seems like autumn leaves falling, withered to bare branches, waiting in vain for spring; like a meteor streaking down from the sky, once it falls, there is no chance to return to the heavens.

But today.

At this very moment, on the deck.

The Dragonfolk clan has nine Entering Zhen Xiang masters; the Tianren Sect has two—Eying and the Grand Elder Long Chen; the Grand Master is one—Second Elder Long Qingyi; the remaining ordinary masters Long Zong Yin, Long Binglin, and Long Yanrui are each of the first realm.

The Dragon Sturgeon clan, due to their massive size dwelling in water, are slightly fewer in number, yet have also grown significantly, totaling four great demons: Ao Qing in the middle realm, Ao Moyun, Ao Cangyuan, and others are all of the lower realm.

The Dragonfolk and Dragon Sturgeon clans combined have five-realm masters—thirteen in total!

Two hands' worth.

Imagine ten years ago, when the Dragonfolk and Dragon Sturgeon combined had no more than three fifth-realm masters!

How could one not hold back tears of joy?

The newly promoted three Dragonfolk, including the Third Elder Long Zong Yin who ascended early, feel this more deeply.

Alive!

Living better!

Living with hope!

The Dragonfolk enjoy long lives, far surpassing mortals. At the fourth realm, Hunting Tigers, ordinary people live only a hundred and twenty years, while Dragonfolk live one hundred and eighty—gaining an entire sixty-year cycle. By practicing longevity techniques, without major injury, living to two hundred is not impossible.

But the Dragon Monarch vanished a hundred years ago; back then, many Dragonfolk were already in their prime, and now they are over one hundred eighty-nine, prepared to sacrifice everything for their clan.

Long Zong Yin was the first to encounter Liang Qu and the first to reach Entering Zhen Xiang.

He always believed that seeing a turning point, the hope of clan revival, was already a blessing from heaven—but he never imagined that in the last ten or so years, he could also gather vital energy, ascend to Entering Zhen Xiang, live another life, and personally witness his clan step by step emerging from adversity!

"Why must the elders be so formal?" Liang Qu helped each kneeling Dragonfolk rise, "In the past, the Dragonfolk aided me greatly; I should repay kindness with kindness. Even now, my fiefdom and the great marshes rely greatly on the elders' governance and implementation. The Dragonfolk are loyal and virtuous—if it were those great clans from the regions, who knows how much they could deceive superiors and hide from inferiors.

Moreover, there's no need to mention my Lady Eying—we have long been one family; truly speaking of our relationship, I ought to call you all uncles and elders.

I am merely following His Majesty's order to manage the waters of the Yellow Shahe; I only recently took leave to conduct the River God ceremony, so I cannot continue running about—thus I must trouble you all to make this journey."

"Rank cannot be changed, my lord speaks too seriously!"

Among the newly promoted Entering Zhen Xiang masters, the eldest Dragonfolk refused to rise, insisting on kneeling; the other two, seeing this, also did not rise.

The old Dragonfolk looked left and right: "I and the two beside me—our youngest is one hundred fifty-six, our eldest is over one hundred seventy-six; we truly have few years left to live. To fortuitously obtain essence blood and vital energy for promotion is already a great heavenly grace—let alone having us come this far; even to go through fire and water, to sacrifice our lives, we would not refuse!"

"Hahaha!" Liang Qu laughed loudly, gripping the old Dragonfolk's arm and pulling him up with force, "I am young, have not experienced parting from life and death, nor do I like such partings. Living well, why must we die?

To live—only by living—is anything possible!

Now that the flood dragons have just departed, the Jianghuai lands lie in ruin, awaiting revival; the Eastern Waters have no demon king, truly empty and dull. You should unite your efforts and develop the great marshes together."

"We obey the King's command!"

A great shout rose to the heavens.

"Good, good!"

Liang Qu also felt joy, an indescribable emotion in his heart—whether sentiment, realization, achievement, or the sense of security from having capable subordinates.

More than ten Entering Zhen Xiang masters and great demons.

Looking across the world, this is undoubtedly a formidable force; even appearing on top-tier battlefields like the Great Shun or Northern Court, they could immediately become one of the "Eighteen Warlords."

"Remember when I first saw the Dragonfolk? It was in the Jianghuai marshes, where I met the two brothers, Long Pingjiang and Long Pinghe. They insisted I was the Dragon Monarch reborn—back then, I truly had no idea what they meant. I said I wasn't, but they wouldn't listen, insisting all the same.

Since they wouldn't listen, I went along with it—I thought it wasn't bad at all; after all, those two beacon fires helped me greatly. Later, when I went to observe heavenly and earthly phenomena and secretly entered the frog tribe's territory, I first saw the Dragon Maiden. Seeing her arrange the clan to dig burrows, I was utterly astonished, as if seeing a heavenly immortal—just as a celestial being, I thought being the Dragon Monarch wouldn't be bad either."

The crowd laughed.

Second Elder Long Qingyi usually stays motionless in the clan lands; back then, among the Dragon Maidens, only one could arrange other Dragonfolk—no need to say, it's obvious who.

Conversely, Lady Eying pondered: "I believe our first meeting should have been negotiating on the Heposuo's phenomenon, right?"

"That was you seeing me; I had already seen you the second time." Liang Qu slightly raised his head, not without pride, "Didn't you notice me?"

Lady Eying narrowed her eyes slightly.

Grand Elder Long Chen looked at Liang Qu, then at his granddaughter, his mind suddenly open.

Ah.

Old, old.

To meet the Dragonfolk brothers, seek ice blocks, transform vital energy, become the Fourth Elder of the Dragonfolk, meet the Dragon Sturgeon at the Dragon Abyss Dao, taste the flavor of the Great King Lotus—

One thing after another.

"Elder Ao Qing need not feel imbalance; formerly, the Dragon Sturgeon were overly loyal and fierce, leaving the Dragon Sturgeon numbers, still short of the final step, inferior to the Dragonfolk, and moreover, the Dragon Sturgeon in the Dragon Abyss Dao have little contact—"

Liang Qu stood on the deck, speaking at length, mostly recalling the past.

Everyone present, human and beast, was moved and stirred.

Once a minor official of the Heposuo, now the King of Huai—truly too fast, too fast. Even now, Liang Qu still leaves others in the dust; having entered the Flood Dragon realm only two or three years ago, he can already make middle- and high-ranking Martial Saints headache.

"Ten years, I am still the Fourth Elder of the Dragonfolk clan, long since sharing the same boat. Today, the Dragonfolk and Dragon Sturgeon united, their fifth-realm masters exceed two hands' worth—yet still only" two hands' worth.

But it is still not enough, far from enough; let us strive within one year for the Dragonfolk clan's Entering Zhen Xiang masters to exceed two hands' worth;

Within five years, let the Dragon Sturgeon clan's great demons alone exceed two hands' worth!"

Resonant and ringing, clear and loud.

In the chest, an indescribable surge surged like a tree growing, exploding outward.

Even the average age of the old Dragonfolk being one hundred seventy, nearly all felt the vigor of youthful passion.

No one, man or sturgeon, doubted whether it could be done.

Yangchun spreads benevolent grace, all things shine with brilliance.

Spring has arrived.

It is time to strive and break through, to grow with vigor!

"I respectfully obey the king's command!"

"Good! Then, Senior Elder and Third Elder, please take care of this—"

Liang Qu immediately began arranging for these three Entering Zhen Xiang and two great demons, and also handed over all recent harvests to Long Zong Yin, including but not limited to the precious fish sent from Huangsha River, as well as the superior medicinal herbs obtained from exchanging long qi with Zhongzhe.

The energy efficiency of the Fourth and Fifth Realms cannot be compared, let alone several old dragon heads whose lifespans were nearing their end before; this wave of power growth has greatly lightened Liang Qu's burden.

The dragon people and dragon sturgeons have been of great help to him.

This deep binding ensures sufficient purity and trust, especially in the Jianghuai region, where almost no mental effort needs to be expended.

Dust settles.

Return to the Sun and Moon Cultivation Chamber.

Liang Qu immediately communicated with Inside Ze Ding.

【Heaven and Earth Long Qi: Ten】

【Dew Seeds: Five】

【Dragon Seed Qi: Forty-one】!

"Hah!"

One breath of long qi exhaled, coiled back into the quiet chamber.

From Beiting to the Imperial Capital, from the Imperial Capital to Huangsha, from Huangsha to the sacrificial rites——

The twelve double-hours of a day turn nonstop, busy to the point of only harvesting, no time to eat.

"Finally free!"

Liang Qu rubbed his hands, unable to keep from grinning.

Everything is going well with Bei Hai A Fei's side; it is said he has already gained the trust of many qilin beasts, is bringing important figures, and preparing to return to Jianghuai. As for Nanjiang, don't bother with it—just a little girl, left hanging, actually wanting him to be an external brain, inverting heaven and earth.

The governance of Huangsha River has been notably effective; from May's efforts to August, over three thousand li of broad river surface have been cleared, results pleasing, coordinating with Heposuo to continue evacuating civilians, delaying a few days poses no major issue.

This is———

Long-lost personal time!

Inside Inside Ze Ding, crimson, earth-yellow, and azure long qi flow and interlace; the dragon people consume three strands of sweet dew, which should leave nine, but the bing fire day two days ago added one strand of crimson qi, returning to ten-odd, and the dew seeds have also passed through spring and summer, bearing a new seed.

However, all of this is not the main event.

【Refined Refined Ze Ling's Favor: Martial Dao Reaches God, Seventeenth Layer (River Lord Emperor King); Yinglong Pattern: Six Layers; Tian Wu Yu Pattern:

Two Layers】

【Consuming seven strands of Dragon Seed Qi can generate one Yinglong pattern.】

"It's time!"

Liang Qu closed his eyes tightly, circulated his technique, and adjusted his qi mechanism.

Suddenly.

【Dragon Seed Qi: Thirty-four】

Seven strands of golden qi mechanism surged out from Inside Ze Ding.

Like golden silk threads, the qi mechanisms intertwined and interlocked, forming a yellow dragon raising its head.

As Dragon Seed Qi increased, the yellow dragon depicted and woven became equally more exquisite, lifelike; at this moment, the yellow dragon lowered its head, as if gazing directly at Liang Qu.

Heat rose along the spine, the body like light smoke.

Vision shifted abruptly, day and night flipped in an instant!

Gaoshan towered majestic, green pines stood tall, clouds and mist rolled, wandering and flowing.

From day to night, from deep sea to lofty mountains, passing through mountain rivers and rivers, the great marsh wilderness.

The body's mass completely vanished, light and drifting, like an invisible gust of wind.

Sweeping across the land.

The earth rumbled and sank, split open, clear spring water gurgled up from underground, breathing transformed into a vast azure Jiang, thousands upon thousands of carp leaping from the water.

Where the wind reaches.

Countless little people danced unknown dances, bowing heads in prayer.

As Liang Qu transformed into clear wind, within his dantian, the Longting Xiandao spontaneously generated changes, the third divine ability, Yinglong Killing Classic, within which the Canglong suddenly roared, burst from Longting, clung to Liang Qu's spine, and hid within.

In that instant, countless golden patterns clung to the bones, spreading from the spine in all directions, flashing and dimming, like breathing.

With each "breath," the bones subtly changed, becoming more solid, more "light."

From qi alone, it was as if a true dragon lay coiled!

Liang Qu furrowed his brow.

This time, receiving favor and elevation actually brought back long-lost pain!

Aside from the initial acceptance of favor causing this, as the layers increased later, he had long gone without such a feeling.

Heart fire blazing, calming the thoughts.

Entering deep meditative absorption, suppressing the qi agitation caused by pain.

Time suddenly.

Liang Qu, sitting cross-legged on the futon, appeared indeed light and drifting, suspended in midair.

This is not the Wu Sheng's treading void while walking, but some other more peculiar flight state!

Liang Qu opened his eyes, landing on the ground.

Inside the cultivation chamber, bones exploded with sound.

The third Dragon Court Xiandao's architecture is majestic and towering, its foundation rooted in the sea, expanded threefold, nearly reaching half the level of a lower-grade creation great elixir!

Previously, there had never been such a change.

Moreover—

Clenching his fists.

He constantly felt that his martial bones had undergone some kind of change—

Stronger, more resilient!

Communicating with the Marsh Cauldron.

【Pattern-born Ying Dragon, wandering the six voids, level: seven】

【Wandering the six voids, drawing rivers with its tail, mastering the heavenly gate, holding the earth's axis, roaming the boundless】

【Ying Dragon receives favor, together gaining river favor 5, ruling 0.3】

【River ruling degree: 3.7 (favor degree: 38.4712)】

【Consuming eight threads of dragon seed breath, one Ying Dragon pattern can be born】

Ability unchanged.

Continue!

Rarely having free time, he struck them all through at once!

【——Together gaining river favor 10, ruling 0.5】

【River ruling degree: 3.9 (river favor degree: 43.4712)】

【Dragon seed breath: twenty-six】

【Consuming nine threads of dragon seed breath, one Ying Dragon pattern can be born】

Dragon seed breath woven into a yellow dragon.

During the third ascent of receiving favor, Liang Qu keenly sensed the difference—eight golden threads maintained their original order, converging into a "yellow dragon" identical to the previous one; the ninth thread of breath did not add to the dragon's body but flew toward the left, drifting and flowing, like—wings.

Heaven has nine dragons, the Ying Dragon has wings!

As the ninth thread of dragon seed breath flew onto the "yellow dragon's" back, a special divine rhythm arose, diffusing across the "yellow dragon."

Thereafter—

"Ah!!!"

Pain!

Excruciating pain!

Liang Qu gritted his teeth, cheek muscles bulging high.

More severe than the previous ascent of receiving favor, deep into the bone marrow, an indescribable sea of pain surged wave after wave, as if acting upon the soul itself.

Physical strength plummeted cliff-like, cold sweat dripped bead by bead from his forehead, even with heart fire, suppression was extremely difficult.

If this were to act upon a person without heart fire, they might be able to die directly from the pain!

Unknown how long had passed.

【——Together gaining river favor 20, ruling 1】

【River ruling degree: 4.4 (river favor degree: 53.4712)】

"Ha, ha!"

Days felt like years.

The Dragon Spirit Gauze was completely soaked through with sweat, Liang Qu gasped heavily, collapsed to the ground, nearly exhausted to the point of immobility, yet relying solely on pain, he could even exhaust the Chilong! The previous excruciating pain made Liang Qu almost fearful of the next ascent of receiving favor, but—

In the lower dantian.

The great dragon of the third Dragon Court Xiandao grew ever more divine and martial, its left wing blazing with bright red-gold light.

Divine Ability, Second Tier!

Liang Qu could feel that the original Ying Dragon Slaughter Classic's range of ten zhang had directly expanded to fifty zhang!

The ten-zhang range, which already significantly weakened enemy attacks and strengthened his own, had now increased fivefold!

However—

【Wandering the six voids, drawing rivers with its tail, mastering the heavenly gate, holding the earth's axis, roaming the boundless】

The ninth ascent of receiving favor brought no change in ability; compared to the frequency of the first five ascents, it was entirely different.

What about the tenth?

Whether it was Marsh Spirit or receiving favor, encountering certain stage-specific numbers always tended to bring a bit of surprise.

Outside the window, the sky was crimson red; Liang Qu did not know how long he had cultivated, but the climate remained scorching.

He gritted his teeth.

Continue!

【Consuming ten threads of dragon seed breath, one Ying Dragon pattern can be born】

【Dragon seed breath: seven】

Eight threads of breath converged into the dragon's body, the ninth flew to the back, drifting into the left wing, and the tenth, likewise flying to the back, under Liang Qu's gaze, drifted into the right wing!

Dual wings complete!

As if adding the eyes to a dragon, boundless divine rhythm arose.

Man and dragon seemed to gaze upon each other.

At the moment their "gazes" met, the divine dragon lunged forward, and Liang Qu's vision went black.

Boom—

The vast land lay barren, lightning and fire weaving through.

Signal flags crossed, small boats drifted, leaning toward the large ship.

Ta Ta lowered the rope ladder, and Si Nan, holding the documents, climbed aboard the treasure ship, a sense of dreadful panic lingering in his heart.

Has King Huai's cultivation advanced further?

As early as early August, King Huai said he would have a few days of seclusion, slowing the speed of rushing sand, but now his aura is so unconcealed, clearly he has reached some critical juncture, the result of his spirit being completely concentrated and unable to fully restrain his leaking Qi.

Hunting tigers and Entering Zhen Xiang is like eating and drinking.

He has even entered Yao Long, yet it is still like eating and drinking.

This realm wasn't raised for nothing, was it?

Si Nan felt he could not understand the world in King Huai's eyes.

The sun rises, the moon sets.

Liang Qu opened his eyes, his body completely unable to move.

【————Total River Favor gained 50, Rule 2.】

【River Rule Degree: 5.4 (River Favor Degree: 83.4712)】

【Martial Bones undergo slight transformation】

【Wander the Six Xus, guide the tail to draw the river, hold the Heavenly Pass, grasp the Earthly Axis, roam the boundless, Water Decree, Wind Decree】