Chapter 1426

"Hah!"

A water bulge swelled on the Yellow Sand River, then burst with a boom.

The tall young man leapt from the water and landed on the deck.

Liang Qu flicked the water from his hair tips with a bent finger, exhaled a mouthful of hot mist, and beamed.

Old Dragon Lord, Enlightened Dragon.

Done!

Peeking into his happy life for over ten years, from the first time Liang Qu offered sacrifice, to three months ago when he blew up the world's hemorrhoids and came to the Yellow Sand River to live a second life. During this period, whatever happened, Old Dragon Lord knew it all, had seen it all. Even the matter of himself obtaining dragon breath to elevate himself through contact with dragon species, Old Dragon Lord could infer.

Therefore, though the two sides met few times, there was a unique friendship transcending age, the so-called knowing each other's roots and bottom.

"What a pity that back then the Yellow Sand Long Wang was cleaved in two by experts of Great Qian and Great Shun, each taking half to refine into pills; otherwise there would have been ready-made spine bones to pick up, no need for such trouble."

Liang Qu sighed.

A Long Wang's whole body is treasure; over a hundred years, those refining pills refined pills, those refining artifacts refined artifacts, every corner ground into powder — surely not even dregs remain; finding half a dragon scale would be burning high incense.

"Prince Huaijiang." On the spacious deck, an inner attendant saluted, interrupting his thoughts.

Liang Qu withdrew his gaze and nodded: "Trouble you to report, I want to see Your Majesty."

"Yes!"

【Can consume ten million Water Marsh Essence, Profound Dragon Spirit Fish, Dragon Blood (containing ten million essence), Dragon Spine Bone (containing ten million essence), to dot the eyes and grasp the river-dragging body, promote to Lord Bone.】

Inside the Marsh Cauldron, light flickered.

Liang Qu inventoried them one by one.

Ten million essence, Profound Long Qi, Dragon Blood — all currently available.

The last missing Dragon Spine Bone now had a lead; a bright future was already beckoning to him.

Only he now had another major problem to face.

He had no great creation medicine to exchange for the Dragon Spine Bone on hand.

The meritorious great creation medicine from before, the captured great creation treasure fish had already been given to the Dragon Lord in exchange for essence blood; now Liang Qu had nothing at all on hand.

Oh, he had a hundred strands of Xuanhuang Qi, valuable, but he had to keep them to nourish Jumang.

A Dragon Spine Bone is no ordinary thing — the essence of a whole body; especially for a dragon, essence blood and ordinary blood differ; digging out the spine bone would certainly severely damage vitality.

The two forces of Beiting and Southern Border, to be safe against future joint opposition from the Netherworld, currently had no place for meritorious service; even if there was an opportunity, he had no time to go through proper channels step by step — back and forth, who knows, it might take half a year.

No money and no time — what to do?

One-word mantra.

Borrow!

Liang Qu's steps were firm.

Hunting Tiger, Entering Zhen Xiang, Fledgling Dragon — all the way it's been like this.

Make more friends, borrow more money.

Borrow and repay, deep affection; borrow again next time, affection remains.

Too many lice don't itch; too many debts don't worry.

Incense curled; sunlight shifted unpredictably.

"Restorative great creation medicine." The Sage Emperor frowned, set down the memorial, looked Liang Qu up and down, and asked with concern, "Is Liang Qing injured?"

"This minister is not injured, merely did some trading with Old Dragon Lord, exchanging a bit of flesh and blood."

"Can it even be done like that?" The Sage Emperor was slightly surprised.

"Different times, different circumstances; analyze specific problems specifically." Liang Qu smiled, "With a great enemy at hand, the Dragon Lord likewise wants to contribute."

The Sage Emperor's thoughts turned, and he instantly understood.

Back then, the Huaijiang Dragon Lord's flesh and blood certainly couldn't be bought, no amount of money would work; a majestic Demon Emperor, what treasure medicine would be of use, he wouldn't care for those trifles — completely a face-saving act.

Including the Yellow Sand River Long Wang, same situation; the Furnace has no desires, the top Fledgling Dragon just below the Furnace likewise — no treasure can help break the Furnace realm. Let alone the Yellow Sand River Long Wang's vicious personality; if you dare ask, he dares blow up at you.

Now the Dragon Lord has become Long Wang, and with Great Li's Taizu and the Whale Emperor as great enemies at hand, pressure is immense — only then would such an outrageous treasure medicine — flesh-blood exchange — appear.

Closing the set-aside memorial, the Sage Emperor asked: "How much is needed?"

Liang Qu thought a moment: "Five portions of superior great creation medicine."

"How much?" The Grand Steward glanced sideways; the Sage Emperor's slight surprise turned to shock; he sat up straight: "Five portions of superior great creation — that's at least ten unparalleled merits advanced on credit; source-replenishing ones are even more expensive — how much flesh and blood did you take? Need this much supplement?"

"Cough———— one spine bone."

"One spine bone!?" The Sage Emperor stood directly with a cry, his expression changing again and finally settling into twitching mouth corners, incredulous: "The Dragon Lord agreed?"

Liang Qu nodded.

The Sage Emperor was shocked, the Sage Emperor was silent, the Sage Emperor sucked in a cold breath, pinching his brow.

Old Dragon Lord's heart is truly big — even this kind of business can be done?

"Does the treasury have it?" The Sage Emperor turned his head.

The Grand Steward considered briefly: "Superior great creation that can replenish the source — only four portions left."

"Only four portions of superior healing treasure medicine?" The Sage Emperor frowned.

The Grand Steward was helpless: "Yes, Your Majesty; in recent years, we've fought constant major wars with Southern Border and Beiting, expenses flow like water; the treasury's overall treasure medicine reserves have been declining; last year wooing sea Demon Kings consumed even more stock."

Liang Qu was stunned.

Even the landlord's family has no surplus grain?

All told, if calculated in inferior great creation, from development to now, one person alone has taken dozens of portions from Great Shun through merit; counting the East Sea Demon King, there are over a hundred — truly no small burden.

"How many medium and inferior ones? How many left?" The Sage Emperor was helpless.

Liang Qu interrupted: "Your Majesty, if there aren't five superior portions, lending me three will do; the rest I still have some friends outside — if I can't borrow, I'll come back to ask Your Majesty."

"That works too." Finger tapping the armrest, the Sage Emperor nodded, directly wrote a hand order, had the Grand Steward go fetch it: "Try to return before March 15th, go to the Imperial Capital.

Because of the Dream Dynasty affair, the Northern Court has allied with the Southern Border tribal leaders and plans to convene a discussion meeting in Great Shun; as participants, you and Zhang Longxiang should attend if possible.

Understood!

Liang Qu was delighted; after obtaining three portions of top-grade造化, he informed Eying at home, released the time worm, crossed paths with Bai Yuan's "River Stone," then turned back and headed for the Eastern Sea.

There's no need for the Sea Warden to go; previously, when they needed the Dragon Lord's essence blood, they exchanged some precious medicine with him, and now she likewise has no healing medicine on her wrist.

He went straight to find his elder brother!

Tiger Whale Clan territory.

The fat whale strained its belly, snoring like thunder; around it lay chaos, empty shells scattered on the ground, not even fish bones remaining.

The mighty whale wiped its sweat.

Terrifying, utterly terrifying!

Prolonged contact brought greater shock; I thought the tribe's performance that day was extraordinary, but it was merely a trial run—just arrived, better not overeat.

It grew this large, yet I've never seen such a voracious whale! Appetite rivaling the Whale King! No, the Whale King sometimes can't eat that much either, slightly inferior to the Black Scoundrel!

"Pa!"

Nasal mucus bubble burst.

The fat whale opened its eyes, sensing something; a tiger whale performed a sit-up, flipped upright, and folded its long whiskers.

The mighty whale raised its head.

A distant call came from above.

"Big Brother!"

The Whale King's heart trembled, dropping the precious fish in hand; it had sensed Bai Yuan's "River Stone" moving, thought it coincidental direction, but didn't expect it truly came to find it.

"Always have an ominous premonition—hope you came to invite me to eat."

Seeing the monkey shadow flash across the sky, the Whale King drew a deep breath, couldn't lower his face, and darted out with a swift tail: "Second, Second Brother, what brings you to seek the Eldest Brother?"

"Eldest Brother, long time no see, ever more divine and martial; last time you came was last time; I didn't expect the Tiger Whale clan to have grown stronger, gaining another heavenly demon!"

"Speaking of which, being able to find the heavenly demon compatriots lost abroad—this is all thanks to you, Second Brother; I was just worrying how to thank you, never expecting you to come yourself."

"Hahaha, perfect timing; I have here a one-investment-ten-thousand-returns project, just waiting for the Eldest Brother to invest!" Bai Mao tightly gripped the fish fin with both hands, Bai Yuan's face excited: "Eldest Brother, want to get rich overnight? Want to win a fair, rich beauty? Want the palace to become an imperial palace? Now there's a project, just waiting for your investment! No loss, no deception—invest once, happiness for life!"

Beside, the fat whale nudged over, nodding repeatedly, patting the Whale King's shoulder, raising its fish fin; in the name of the Tiger Whale clan, it swore their boss often had golden projects, and those who followed profited greatly—investing means gaining.

The Whale King glanced at Bai Yuan, then at the fat whale, wanted to speak but hesitated, finally asking tentatively: "How much investment is needed?"

"Any amount is fine; it depends on how much the Eldest Brother wants to earn." Bai Yuan spoke sincerely: "One gives rise to two, two to three, three to myriad things; invest one share, gain two shares; invest three shares, gain a lifetime; endless wealth for generations!"

Whale King: "————"

"Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth Brothers all invested; Eldest Brother, you don't? Guaranteed profit."

"Third Brother! Eldest Brother has invested too—look what this is!"

"Fourth Brother! Eldest Brother and Third Brother's treasure chest—what are you hesitating over? Don't trust me, or even the Whale King?"

"Open the door, I am your Second Brother, your beloved kin and friend! Brothers! I've come to make you money!"

Bai Yuan's River Stone in the Eastern Sea bumped around, borrowing here and there, recycling funds.

More friends, more paths; more demon kings, more medicines.

Having jointly pressured the Southern Border, we are comrades-in-arms.

Yellow Sand River, time worms circling above the barge, unwilling to leave, intending to glance again at the Profound Dragon aura; the Third Prince stared at the time worm's horns, head bumping against the door frame.

Northern Court, the Great Khan gripped "Suhe Baru" with both hands, choked with words of hardship.

Southern Border, the old tribal leader prepared the list, assigned two great worthies to go to Great Shun.

"Ah!" Li Xianghan sat up startled, hair in disarray, legs spread, revealing soft white flesh, face shocked: "No way, what nonsense, why do I have to go too? What can I do? Go serve tea to the Great Cover?"

"6

Li Yilin slapped her thigh, laughing as she explained: "What are you saying? This time the tribal leader appointed our Qinggu Valley's Great Cover; the Great Worthies think, you've cultivated to Entering Zhen Xiang yet never left Qinggu Valley—time to go to Great Shun to broaden your horizons; maybe you'll see the legendary Huai King, whose talent is no less than yours."

"No! Going to Great Shun is so far, far away—wind and dew lodging." Li Xianghan trembled all over, just thinking made her legs shake and sore, she collapsed on the bed rolling, then suddenly sprang up: "Grandmother, I am a Southern Border genius; if I go to Great Shun and get assassinated, what then?"

"Won't happen." Li Yilin sighed: "Now we have a great enemy before us, and we go in the name of alliance; the Great Shun Emperor won't be so foolish as to break the alliance and face the Great Li Taizu alone.

You needn't fear the Great Shun striking; instead, you'll be protected by Great Shun; most importantly, this time Great Shun opened the grace examination, and the Southern Border tribal leader also arranged for you to appear, boost morale of our nine forts, see Great Shun talents, and hear that the Huai King's disciples will also participate."

Li Xianghan's mouth twitched.

Appear?

Appear what?

Nan Xianghan, Bei Liang Qu, you really believe this.

Meeting the Huai King, that's not just leaking your underpants?

Unlucky, unlucky.

March 8.

From the month's start, only five days passed.

Liang Qu traveled far and wide, contacting Wu King, Whale King, Pot King; able to fill the deficit's origin, regenerate limbs—top-grade造化 are rare; fortunately, medium and low grades were borrowed; he ran three days without complaint, finally securing enough造化 elixir!

Three portions top-grade造化, two medium, twelve low!

All are good medicines for filling deficits.

For cultivation increase, basically taken and used immediately, can't accumulate much; for healing, if there's a chance, demon kings often store a share, just in case—who doesn't have tough times?

And so on endlessly.

Liang Qu scribbled pages on the road, copied a portion of the Netherworld Dynasty's unimportant intelligence, gave it to the Cloud Whale King Yunyan on the Yellow Sand River, also received the Whale Emperor's gift, obtaining two medium healing造化 elixirs—uh, this needn't be returned, pure profit.

"Should be enough, and there's even surplus!"

Liang Qu counted the treasure box numbers, drew a deep breath.

His network now very broad, strength strong, humans/monkeys trustworthy; overdrafting once, exchanging for resources very considerable.

I hope I can survive.

If I can't survive—

Let Eying apply for bankruptcy.

"Your Majesty, I humbly beg the immortal to take action!"

"Are you all ready?" The Sacred Emperor glanced at the treasure box.

Liang Qu reminded: "No need to refine everything into one pill; I only hope to extract as much of the same medicinal properties as possible, make it into one pill, the faster the better."

"Good!"

With the premise, the refining of the immortal pill was extremely fast, even under different circumstances, the immortal himself felt the need to hurry, and astonishingly completed the refinement in just five days, a speed incomparable to last time.

Plus the previous unexpected discovery—

March 13, two days away from the three-way conference of Nanjiang, Beiting, and Dashun.

Liang Qu received the immortal pill and medicine residue, without delay, returned to Shahe River.

"Dragon Lord!"

The old Dragon Lord, cleansing and governing the Shahe River, heard the voice, couldn't help but shiver, feeling pain even before beginning.

"Dragon Lord, everything is ready, one immortal pill, six remaining portions of creation, one superior, one medium, four inferior; these six portions cannot be taken together, all are for treatment, but their medicinal properties slightly conflict." Liang Qu laid them out one by one, then pulled out Dragon Fubo from his ear, holding it in hand, "How about it, can we begin?"

The Dragon Lord's mouth twitched, his spine tingled and numbed: "Taking the spine, can it truly make me much stronger?"

Qian Tingzhi straightened his spine solemnly: "Truly! Dragon Lord, you are practically my half father-in-law dragon; I would deceive anyone but not you, and rest assured, you need not pull out the whole thing, and long pain is worse than short pain, I have experience in this."

The Dragon Lord's teeth ached.

In the netherworld, he could fully observe Liang Qu's movements, seeing him deal with the flood dragon by self-laceration, piecing together a complete corpse, the spine being severed bit by bit each day, having experience in this was no illusion; back then he thought this kid was a ruthless monkey.

Although in the netherworld, the Great Offending Ancestor had refined him for a hundred years, active and passive are completely different, the consumption of energy and willpower also vastly differs.

Gritting his teeth, he stamped his claw.

The dragon claw seized the immortal pill and swallowed it, the Dragon Lord turned his back to Liang Qu.

"Come! Long pain is worse than short pain! Act quickly! Don't pull out my dragon tendons!"

"Good, Dragon Lord, endure a bit!"

Liang Qu swung Dragon Fubo, opened his golden eyes, his mind's eye high suspended, reflecting every inch of texture, every inch of grain in his mind, arms exerting force, he plunged into the dragon scales, trying to avoid meridians and blood vessels, cutting straight!

Hiss!

The Dragon Lord stubbornly resisted his struggling instinct.

Liang Qu dared not delay, swiftly cut open a notch.

The Dragon Lord's body length a thousand zhang, width several tens, tens of meters, one thrust in, could not immediately see the bone, going deeper was better; he buried his whole body in, only then touching the hard bone.

"Kid, hurry up!"

Liang Qu did not answer, cold sweat beaded on his head, he swung Dragon Fubo again, thrust into the hard bone.

Without upper and lower everything, cutting off midway, that way from nothing to have, recovery would be too difficult; instead, he cut each spinal bone vertically in half, each piece interlocking, left and right interlocking, only thus could recovery be swift.

In this aspect, he indeed had experience.