Chapter 1403

"Frog Elder, are you ready?"

"Ready!"

"A person has their talent, an object has its form; if one bears too much weight, or a hundred bears lightly. Yet, to wear the crown, one must bear its weight.

In the past, the Frog Elder held only the title of National Preceptor, without the artifact of National Preceptor. This crown was forged from meteoric iron, refined over forty-nine days, infused with peculiar spirituality. Today, it is formally bestowed upon Frog Elder!

The rise and fall of fortune of the frog clan throughout history rests upon Frog Elder alone; henceforth, the rise and fall of fortune of the vast Huaijiang marshes shall also rest upon the National Preceptor as a single frog! The five lakes of Huaijiang spanning millions of li, the marshes and reeds covering countless myriad acres—all shall be borne on the shoulders of the National Preceptor alone. With the Dragon Lord gone for a hundred years, Huaijiang has fallen into desolation; the National Preceptor shall let Huaijiang be great again!"

"Ribbit! Bear! The five lakes of Huaijiang spanning millions of li, the marshes and reeds covering countless myriad acres—I, the National Preceptor, shall bear them on my shoulder, and let Huaijiang be great again!"

The lofty frog croak echoed across the pond, startling small insects into flight.

The old toad squatted on the round stone in the pond, gazing heavenward and croaking loudly.

"Rare————"

Zhang Xiangxiang stood with arms crossed on the rooftop, looking down upon the pond.

The otters formed a long line, passing along in succession, presenting a crown of radiant pearl light, the "National Preceptor's Crown." Liang Qu's expression was solemn as he lifted the treasure crown from his claws, stepped onto the water surface, walked upon the water, and placed it upon the head of the old toad, amid the latter's excited and expectant gaze.

Otters and river badgers shouted in unison, the black dog howling woowoowoo.

The scene was somewhat childish, yet precisely this childish manner settled the matter with this "long-famed" frog elder, who seemed to enjoy it immensely, unable to contain his joy.

It is uncertain whether Zhang Xiangxiang could truly accomplish this; many a mighty one, upon first seeing Frog Elder, bows with reverence, treading as if on thin ice. Perhaps it is precisely because Liang Qu was once a boy of ten or twelve, able to devise novel thoughts without restraint, playing to his heart's content.

"Ribbit hahaha!"

The old toad wore the treasure crown, hands on hips, webbed feet splayed, gazing heavenward and croaking long and loud.

Liang Qu took a sip.

Good!

Since the old toad last came to seek him, he has dared not act rashly, fearing mishap, and must insist on bringing the old toad along as insurance. Who would have thought the old toad initially unwilling—this only heightened Liang Qu's anxiety.

The more the old toad refused to go, the more Liang Qu insisted on bringing him along as safeguard.

Thus, he specially commissioned Senior Brother Lu to forge a superior spiritual weapon, inlaid with numerous jewels, crafted into the "National Preceptor's Crown," to bestow upon the old toad the "aquatic version of the Nine Honors," thereby fully securing his cooperation.

"Splash."

In the pond, the long-awaited Holy Mother Toad leapt up and landed upon the crown.

The old toad's pleased expression froze; he flared with anger, shook his head, leapt and bounced, flinging the Holy Mother Toad into the water, and shouted sternly: "Bold! A gentleman values only instrument and name, not a false frog—how dare you rely on the National Preceptor's favor and rashly touch his crown!"

The Holy Mother Toad widened her eyes, wronged and pitiful.

"Ah————" the old toad sighed, then lifted the Holy Mother Toad again: "Chunhua, bear no resentment—this is not the National Preceptor's wish—

""

Liang Qu glanced briefly, then withdrew his gaze.

In just a few days, the old toad had evidently grown close to the Holy Mother Toad, and even named her "Ying Chunhua."

All that can be said is, the old toad courting the little female frog—has a web.

"Well, now everything is complete, Third Prince, pack your things, let's go! Otter Otter Kai, go call Little Stone, Little Yao, Little Li—"

"Wuhu, as commanded, depart—Yellow Sha River!"

The Third Prince spat white mist, Chishan leapt up from the rear courtyard.

A half-man-tall fat fish strode on its plump legs, carrying two bundles each as tall as a person, sprinting out; all the water beasts gathered their belongings, eagerly rushing to board the vehicle.

"National Preceptor!"

The old toad stirred his spirit, lunged forward with force: "Charge!"

"Dashun has again placed heavy bets on the Yellow Sha River! Chong Wang, Su Wang, Xiangxiang Wang, plus Huai Wang, Dingxi Wang, Yuan Wang—now six Proud Dragons have fallen."

"Surely they intend to, before the Great Hunt begins, in one stroke, bring order to the Yellow Sha River."

"The Lan Gai Wang and the Hu Wang have also departed—do they truly wish to become Eastern Water Kings?"

"Damn the White Ape! Damn the white-haired monkey! Beast, beast—do they have not a trace of the backbone of a future demon emperor? With no rivals, the furnace will sooner or later be theirs—yet they labor so diligently for Dashun?"

The whereabouts of Dashun's Wu Sheng cannot be hidden from the world.

First the three kings, now the five—layer upon layer of stakes, how could one not worry?

If this truly comes to pass, what power under heaven remains a match for Dashun?

"There are even more terrifying things behind."

Hearing Awei report on Li Xianghan and the southern frontier's situation, Liang Qu grinned, thinking of the current reactions in Nanjiang and Beiting, he wanted to laugh.

Once the Five-Phase Disk opens the passage, and war begins with the netherworld, it will surely not remain hidden—when the time comes, the Great Li Taizu may not be dead, the netherworld dynasty may endure, the former astonishingly brilliant ancestors may change their appearance and be reborn as humans—these things come one after another, who knows how many they might frighten to death?

"Opening the netherworld dynasty—Great Li Taizu may not care, but I do not know what reaction the Old Yin Whale will have; I hope he does not intervene—"

Liang Qu pondered.

Compared to the Old Yin Whale's concealment, Great Li Taizu shows no effort to hide his ambition, nor can he conceal it.

In the past, he waged war against the Mirage Dragon for "eternal life," shattered the Great Li dynasty, became a counterexample to emperors, a tale passed down through generations, a story in folk books, even three-year-olds have heard of it—precisely for this reason, the Old Yin Whale can calculate and scheme against him for gain, but when Great Li Taizu faces him, he can only meet force with force.

"Now my strength needs no fear. Should Great Li Taizu appear in person, he will surely cause panic, and immortals will surely appear to protect; beneath the furnace, I shall be invincible!"

Establishing spiritual linkage.

First contact Jiang Tun.

Have Jiang Tun secretly use signals to contact Lai Ying Tian, to see if he can come meet. Liang Qu currently cannot move—【Ling Ling】 can bring divine abilities, yet seems unable to bring the authority of position fruit, so Lai Ying Tian must come in person to see him.

He possesses the "River-Middle Stone," information transparent, cannot go to Beiting, so must rely on Lai Ying Tian coming to Dashun—difficulty is not small, depending on whether Lai Ying Tian has the means and methods.

Next contact Lan Gai Wang and Hu Wang.

Have them adjust their range, so that Hong Guo can still cover and make contact.

Ze Guo becoming Hong Guo brings great benefit—at least it becomes elongated, extending Liang Qu's reach considerably; originally thought leaving Huaijiang meant no contact, but now discovered: if Liang Qu is at the lower reaches of Huang Sha River where it meets the sea, then letting Lan Gai Wang and the two go to the Wu Wang tribe's territory allows direct linkage!

This is another opportunity—five months of fixed divine ability time, now reduced to under four months; when truly arriving at Huang Sha River, perhaps it will be three and a half months.

Finally, have Otter Otter Kai call Yun Stone Yun over.

"Hehe, big brother, big brother, can we start now?" The little clam dragon poked its head out, face full of anticipation.

Liang Qu smiled. The Third Prince was still in the middle realm; evolving further would require a million, let alone two portions—stealing a sip of one portion of the Five Elements Seed would suffice. He immediately unfurled vortex water, sealed the space, and with a thought,

Boom!

"Ahaha, power, endless and boundless power, I love you, big brother."

A golden cocoon wrapped around the Third Prince, who laughed wildly toward the sky, looking proudly at the fat fish. The fat fish yanked hard on its long whiskers, saw the golden cocoon, felt dizzy and disoriented, collapsed completely, kicked its legs, and rolled all over the ground.

It's over, everything is over.

The second upper-realm great demon has appeared!

We couldn't even beat it in the middle realm—how could we possibly fight it in the upper realm?

The fat fish collapsed to the ground, instantly feeling that before the demon king, its fish life was dark and chaotic.

However, it glanced at its own tail, a flash of inspiration struck, it straightened its body, tensed its muscles, looked at this strong and powerful frame, looked at this sturdy and towering physique, a bodybuilding champion—how many little beauty fish in the Jianghuai marshes have been driven mad by it, eating meat and vegetables indiscriminately.

Though it is a black dragon, it may not be unable to become a white dragon!

Treacherous ministers can inherit the legacy—so it may not be impossible for it either.

It is also a clam!

This legacy, the Third Prince can consume it—why can't it?

The fat fish leapt up, doing sit-ups like a seal, further forging its invincible fleshly body.

"Master, what's the matter?"

Wen Wen Shi Yun rushed in with enthusiasm, plopping down onto the futon. Compared to the tiger-head hat of old, he now truly looked like a spirited young man.

Observing the aura, he indeed possessed the strength of Wolf Smoke!

Hu Po's vital energy increases by one tiger's strength each day, already becoming the flagship of the Huayin Martial Hall. Coupled with various visualization diagrams, even if the imperial capital sends nobles to study, they are hindered by the martial hall disciples' rewards and the court's high-ranking officials cutting in line to study.

It's impossible for all opportunities to go to Wen Wen Shi Yun, but this boy is also the one who has benefited the most so far—passing four levels and galloping horses in two years.

The only shortcoming might be that he has condensed only a single true gang, unlike Liang Qu, who has two and a half.

"How old are you this year?"

"Sixteen, and I've been practicing martial arts with my master for two years as well."

"Two years—when is the martial examination?"

"This year I just took it. If there's no special grace examination, then the next martial examination would likely be in another two years, making it my third year. Master, why are you asking this?"

"That's a pity."

"Huh?" Wen Wen Shi Yun scratched his head, confused.

Liang Qu sighed: "Originally, I thought I could participate in the martial examination before breaking my record, but now I can't make it in time. Breaking the record requires being eighteen, and the next martial examination requires eighteen or nineteen—so I can only choose one. You've got it made, you know?"

Wen Wen Shi Yun scratched his head, confused, and then saw Liang Qu slap down with one palm. A cool sensation surged from the point of contact, growing like roots.

The next moment.

Wen Wen Shi Yun's pupils dilated. A surge of unprecedented determination rose in his heart. He tilted his head back and wolf-howled: "Wu, wu, wu, too, too, too————too awesome!"

"Don't break through! Properly contemplate—this thing is better not broken through than broken through————"

After hearing the explanation, immense joy surged in his heart. Wen Wen Shi Yun immediately stopped the sensation and focused on contemplation.

"It's just that your realm is too low." Liang Qu shook his head.

As for Martial Sage and even Entering Zhen Xiang, Liang Qu certainly couldn't casually raise them—it would break the rules. He must leave the opportunity to bestow favors to the Holy Emperor. For someone like Wen Wen Shi Yun, this "little troublemaker," it doesn't matter.

There's also Grand Elder Long Chen, the grandfather of Long Eying—he also needs to be arranged for. Mainly, his strength is low, or he is not within the court's range and not hostile to the court—only one of these two conditions needs to be met.

However————

"Two years is still a bit dangerous."

Likewise eighteen years old—nothing surprising. At least seventeen and a half, right?

Then there's only one and a half years left.

One and a half years to pass through the entire Wolf Smoke————even with so many resources, it's not guaranteed.

Liang Qu also felt that his past self had been a bit heaven-defying.

When young, he broke through without restraint, directly raising Yuan Yuwen's record of nineteen and a half by over a year, nearly two years.

Fifteen years old—counting fourteen years of cultivation, in less than four years he had to cross the four realms, galloping horses, and Wolf Smoke three realms.

"Master is awesome!" Wen Wen Shi Yun wailed like a ghost and wolf-howled, clinging to Liang Qu's thigh: "Master is number one under heaven! Master uniquely judges all ages!

Master obliterates the Great Dao! Disciple is willing to support you in your old age!"

"Alright, stop rubbing snot on my pants. I'll teach you another move. If you can't break my record, then from now on, when you go out, don't report my name—lose face." Liang Qu reached out and slapped again. This time, it went straight to the lower dantian.

Immediately.

Wen Wen Shi Yun felt a surge of vigorous vitality gathering in his lower abdomen.

"Eat!"

Pill after pill was brought to his lips. Wen Wen Shi Yun opened his mouth.

Gulp.

The medicinal power exploded like a blast. Wen Wen Shi Yun jumped in fright—this power was so intense it was unbelievable. Would it burst him? But soon he realized he had been overthinking.

With the inner vision from the《Huaiwang Jing》, all the medicinal power gathered toward his lower dantian. Gradually, it seemed to form————a small furnace?

The small furnace was entirely red, round, and quite extraordinary.

After a long while.

Wen Wen Shi Yun opened his eyes: "Master————this is————"

"Blood Vitality Furnace!" Liang Qu's face lit up with self-satisfaction. "My own creation—under heaven, there is no second. Have you heard of the natal gu of the southern borders?"

Wen Wen Shi Yun nodded.

"As long as the natal gu's cultivation is high, it can elevate the lower and repay the gu master. This small furnace has the same effect. I mixed in my own realm, forged it into a furnace, linked you and me, and used medicinal pills as fuel. It can be understood as————"

"Master is my natal Gu? Oh! Master, I was wrong, I was wrong, don't hit me, I'll explode!" Wen Wen Shi Yun clutched his head and rolled around.

"Hmph, taking advantage and still playing innocent, this method is still in its infancy for me, one person can only fix one, you just enjoy it."

"Master!" Wen Wen Shi Yun did a toad flip and kowtowed heavily.

Liang Qu had a relieved expression, feeling the child had grown up, and was about to comfort him.

"A measure of rice breeds gratitude, a bushel breeds hatred, Master is waiting for me to take revenge, no, to repay kindness!"

"Wicked disciple, I cannot spare you!"

"Haha, now my wings are full, my wings are hardened, what can you do to me, jie jie jie, ah!"

Liang Qu slapped Wen Wen Shi Yun onto the ground, then pulled him out, letting him quickly experience it.

This move is a completely new attempt on his cultivation path, not inferior to the Longting Method.

Ze Ling's reciprocation, 【Spirit Descent】 enhanced, natal Gu reciprocation —

He has experienced and contacted all of these; under heaven, no one understands the wonders of this driven cultivation more than Liang Qu, combined with his unparalleled talent, especially after this Jumang sublimation and comprehension of one or two points, he directly gained the inspiration and prototype of this blood-refining furnace, using medicinal pills as firewood, driving the recipient's cultivation while having no effect on the caster himself.

"I always feel like I'm pioneering a completely new way of cultivation — "

"Of course." Wen Wen Shi Yun opened his eyes, with a serious expression, "Master will become an immortal and ancestor in the future, speaking frankly, even if I luckily was pulled by Master and broke Master's record, the later Zhen Xiang and Yaolong are absolutely impossible.

Originally I wanted to help Master in the future, but the older I get, the more I feel this lifetime is impossible, the only thing I can do is hope not to disgrace Master, try to give Master some boost, hoping that when I die of old age in the future, Master and Mistress will remember taking me as a disciple and feel a bit more happy.

Liang Qu fell silent for a while, then raised his hand, reaching toward Wen Wen Shi Yun's head —

Wen Wen Shi Yun lowered his head, then received a heavy flick to the forehead.

"Ow!" Wen Wen Shi Yun covered his head, tears welling up from the pain.

"You brat, go cultivate! After finishing, write a three-thousand-word reflection and insight, Master still needs to perfect this method, when the time comes to overturn the cultivation world, you can get a second authorship."

"Yes, sir!"

"Hey!"

Sinan raised his head, gazing at the red clouds in the sky, his face full of dazedness.

Yugong descended, the long wind blowing toward his face.

"Haha hi, Sinan, surprised or not, unexpected or not?"

"6

,, three days in a flash.

Lan Gai Wang, Hu Wang withdrew, divine abilities fixed and stopped.

Laoying Tian sent a message, agreed on meeting time.

Long Pingjiang brought the collected mermaid tears and rushed over.

Zhang Longxiang, Liang Qu surrounded the old toad, watching the old toad shake its turtle shell, throwing down copper coins.

"Frog Lord, still not possible?"

"Eh, cannot enter, cannot enter, absolutely cannot enter!" the old toad shouted.