Chapter 1489: Favor Fulfilled, Opening the Dragon Gate (Mid-Month Seeking Monthly Tickets, Two-in-One)

"Round grains, wrinkled grains, yellow, green, plump, shriveled, tall-stalked, short-stalked————"

Su Guishan weighed the small handful of peas in his hand, flicking them with his index finger, and buried them one by one into the soil boxes according to the labels pasted on them.

He had come to the Ehe River with nothing much to do in the first place; it was only because King Dashun's envoy to the Northern Court might run into unexpected trouble, causing a conflict that would jeopardize the alliance, that a Dashun envoy was needed to accompany him and handle the proprieties. He happened to be in Pingyang, and the opportunity was rare, so he simply came along.

"Quick, Ashui." Su Guishan called out. "Use that thing of yours to hasten their growth."

Liang Qu strolled over, peering curiously: "In the dead of winter, where did you find fresh peas, Uncle-Grandfather? And Tie Mu Shan is here too — just call it, it can do it."

"Bu Neng Dong" wagged its tail twice and swam over.

"Yours is faster, anyway. And who says there are none in winter? Have you not fished in so long you can't tell the five grains apart? It's nearly the third month; peas are planted right now and harvested in the fifth or sixth month. I had someone send a batch by waterway; round trip, two days was enough."

Su Guishan rubbed his hands. He was originally fond of wandering and fine food, wanting to take the chance to tour the Northern Court, but Liang Qu's talk of peas made him extremely curious about that so-called 9331.

He wouldn't really let Uncle-Grandfather research something out, would he?

Liang Qu muttered as he activated Universal Illumination; green light enveloped the cultivation boxes, making the peas drill out of the soil one by one, grow rapidly, sprout, and cross-pollinate.

One cycle completed.

The Gold-Silk Fish swam forward: "My lord, within the Ehe River, all dragon-kind greater demons under the Dragon King have gathered here. Do you wish to go see them now?"

"You attend to your business first. This is my major task when I have nothing to do, and a non-task when I have business." Su Guishan waved his hand.

"Fine, take me there now, Tie Mu Shan! You come."

At Liang Qu's command, the verdant long dragon immediately circled once, lay down by the edge of the wooden box, first absorbing the ambient vitality, then exhaling a green mist that enveloped the sprouted peas.

Originally intending to cultivate normally, watching the pea seedlings grow slowly, "Bu Neng Dong" had a flash of inspiration; its twin horns exerted force, condensing a green 【Vine Soldier Seed】, and pressed it with a claw into a sprouted pea.

The entire pea seedling seemed to come alive in an instant, growing larger and thicker, rapidly blooming flowers, leaping out of the wooden box, and swaying toward Su Guishan and "Bu Neng Dong".

"This is———— hey, I almost forgot, you still have this divine ability." Su Guishan slapped his forehead and ordered directly, "Quick, quick, quick, two more! Get them on, all of them on!"

"Bu Neng Dong" closed its eyes and concentrated.

Before long.

A whole patch of pea soldiers was forged, standing in neat rows before Su Guishan.

Su Guishan was very satisfied; he paced a circle and issued his first command.

"Now, begin pollination."

"Bu Neng Dong" nodded.

The pea soldiers rooted in the fertile soil began to sway and shake, flinging out pollen, rapidly setting fruit; Su Guishan hurriedly recorded the data, whereupon "Bu Neng Dong" extracted the spirit seed and pressed it into the next batch.

Too licentious.

Isn't this a naked orgy?

Liang Qu, not far off, couldn't bear to watch; he quickened his pace, following the Dragon-Scale Gold-Silk Fish around a small path, arriving at the plaza before the Dragon King Palace full of anticipation.

Emerging from the ice-crystal algae forest, his view suddenly opened wide.

The Marsh Cauldron trembled!

【Absorbed one wisp of Dragon-Kind Qi】

【Absorbed one wisp of Dragon-Kind Qi】

【Absorbed one wisp of Dragon-Kind Qi】

Bubbles rose faintly, occasionally bumping into frozen branches and adhering to them.

One greater demon after another, each with majestic aura, coiled across the plaza, obeying the Dragon King's command, arrayed respectfully.

Liang Qu walked among them; there were dragon-kind he had seen in the Flowing Gold Sea and taken Qi from, and also new greater demons he had never seen before.

Dragon scales, dragon tails, manes, dragon claws————

On every greater demon's body were dragon-kind traits of varying degrees!

"This is all the greater demons?" His chest heaving, Liang Qu clenched his fists, suppressing his excitement.

"Correct. Within the Ehe River, fifty-two dragon-kind greater demons in total, all present here, including those within the Flowing Gold Sea." The Dragon-Scale Gold-Silk Fish was nervous. "Does the Huai King have any questions?"

"No, no questions. Good, very good!"

【Consume eleven wisps of Dragon-Kind Qi to generate one Yinglong Pattern.】

【Dragon-Kind Qi: Forty-four】!

The number of greater demons did not match Liang Qu's harvest count, which was not strange.

Back during the Great Battle of Shuofang Terrace, he had already taken from those in the Flowing Gold Sea once — six wisps in total — and during his first audience with the White Dragon King, the left and right arms who accompanied him were also here today.

Removing those eight shares, the numbers matched exactly!

Liang Qu took a deep breath and let it out long.

"Huu————"

"Eleven, twelve, thirteen — can raise three whole layers."

The Old Dragon Lord died over a hundred years ago; the Flood Dragon took over the Dragon Palace, the Jiang-Huai dragon-kind were nearly wiped out, only a few little cats remained, just a handful of strands.

The Yellow Sand Dragon King also died a hundred years ago; the dragon-kind fought each other and also perished.

Only the Ehe River, only the White Dragon King.

Long-lived, never severed, sitting on the largest dragon-kind group in the Three Rivers!

The final piece of the puzzle for all dragon-kind under heaven.

"A pity, no Dragon Carp————"

Liang Qu regretted.

He truly could not forget the Dragon Carp clan's "Dragon Spirit Art".

Dragon-kind lifespans are long but have limits; greater demons average five hundred years or so. With the "Dragon Spirit Art", it would be equivalent to doubling the time range.

Fortunately, he only ever feels regret, never discontent.

"Thank you all for traveling thousands of miles to come today." Liang Qu's expression turned serious.

"As commanded by the Dragon King, this is only proper."

The one who spoke first was the great general under the White Dragon King, Zheng Tianhe, a supreme demon of the upper realm, whose form was nearly a replica of "Bu Neng Dong," and who was also a leader among demons, extraordinarily mighty.

"Very well, everyone has their own affairs to attend to; no need for excess words, no need for nagging. Next, I require some of your flesh and tissue as compensation, and everyone may come to claim one of my Jianghuai—ah, no, East Sea specialty treasure fish."

The great demons stirred in their hearts, gazing toward Zheng Tianhe.

Though the Dragon King had ordered it—take nothing for nothing, for a Martial Saint, top-grade treasure fish is nothing particularly rare. Zheng Tianhe pondered briefly, then agreed: "I speak for all in thanking the Huai King."

"Many thanks to the Huai King."

"Hahaha, brothers among brothers, it is I who should thank you. Very well, line up—round heads, fist heads."

Zheng Tianhe stepped forward first, raising his dragon claw.

Round Head handled the distribution of treasure fish, Fist Head used his own large pincer to cut tissue, taking a certain amount of flesh, then affixed labels in turn, while Long Eying froze and sealed them.

Performing the act in full.

Liang Qu took the flesh and tissue, moved into a side hall of the Dragon King's palace, and plunged headfirst into "research."

The demon troop advanced slowly, observing the scene and murmuring among themselves.

"You say the Dragon King summoned us just to take blood?"

"Who knows? Anyway, we get treasure fish—no loss."

"That's true—"

"Then can we leave afterward?"

"No, it seems we must study something, and we can only go when that person finishes their research."

"Truly troublesome—can't leave, where are we to stay? Has the Dragon King made arrangements?"

In the quiet chamber, vortices fully covered, enclosing the space.

Liang Qu placed the flesh and tissue properly, not rushing to elevate the Yinglong's favor.

He had another matter to attend to.

He turned his gaze inward.

The qi vortex spun without cease.

Last August, he had solidified the Pot King's divine ability【Rolling Stone into Elixir】, then switched to the divine ability【Solidify】.

Benefiting from the time-sequence multiplier effect, Liang Qu could solidify one in five months, as he often traveled about, causing delays, but overall the difference was minor—even if he spent three months in the netherworld, the essence remained overlapping with real-world positioning.

Now, at the end of February, over six months—

"Boom!"

His aura shuddered, disturbing the airflow, crashing into the wall.

Liang Qu extended another hand and foot.

【Solidify】, solidification succeeded!

"Then—"

Liang Qu immediately transformed his solidifying divine ability into【Adhere】, instantly activating the Pot King's【Solidify】 from Chu State, while simultaneously triggering his own【Solidify】!

Two【Solidify】, used simultaneously, solidifying the divine ability【Adhere】 at once!

Candlelight flickered, shadows swayed.

He felt carefully.

Liang Qu opened his eyes, filled with delight.

"Soon, soon—about one-third faster! Now solidifying a divine ability takes just over three months!"

The guess succeeded!

Though it did not achieve the effect of halving time, Liang Qu felt deeply satisfied.

After all, their races differed.

【Adhere】, 【Solidify】, 【Stick】—these three divine abilities are exceptionally suited to the Pot King's adhesive race; even though I have fully mirrored them, with the same rank, I cannot achieve identical results, but saving even two months is already remarkable.

"Eying's Rolling Stone into Elixir is also nearly complete—perfect timing; I'll take this opportunity to help her solidify it together."

His thoughts shifted, Liang Qu adjusted into a meditative state.

After Long Eying retrieved all the dragon-race flesh and tissue, the two clasped hands in silent understanding. Liang Qu began to activate【Solidify】, while communicating with the Cauldron of Marshes, wasting not a single minute.

【Dragon-race Essence: Forty-four】

【Consuming eleven strands of dragon-race essence can generate one Yinglong pattern.】

【Dragon-race Essence: Thirty-three】

Xuanhuang-colored dragon-race essence appeared one by one, swaying and dancing.

Eight strands coalesced into a dragon's body, the ninth flew to the rear, becoming a faint left wing, the tenth similarly flew to the rear, and under Liang Qu's gaze, became a faint right wing!

Painting the dragon's eyes, spirit arose.

Human and dragon gazed at each other.

At that moment, the eleventh strand of golden essence swayed forth—ten strands already complete, it had nothing left to coalesce into, instead exploding outward into a mist, merging with the celestial dragon outlined by Jin Guang, expanding in a circle, and pouring into Liang Qu's body!

The entire person was enveloped in golden light.

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

Vision suddenly shifted, day and night inverted!

"Hmm!"

Liang Qu let out a muffled groan, his body scorching hot, sweat pouring down in streams.

His palms grew sticky, and Long Eying gripped his hand even tighter with her reverse hold.

One day and one night.

【Patterns born, Yinglong wanders the six voids, level: eleven】

【Wandering the Six Emptinesses, drawing the river with its tail, holding the heavenly gate, grasping the earth's axis, water decree, wind decree, wandering without end.】

【Yinglong droops in azure, together receiving the river's favor 80, ruling 3.】

【River rule degree: 50.9 (River spring favor degree: 100 (104.9987)】

【Consuming twelve threads of dragon seed breath, one Yinglong pattern can be born.】

Bones wriggle, firecrackers explode.

Liang Qu can clearly feel that his third divine ability has grown significantly again, his spatial control stronger, in his golden eyes, the colors of heaven and earth unprecedentedly rich.

The once hard-to-adapt-to, body-moving-faster-than-consciousness, more rounded "impulse feeling" has reappeared.

Continue!

Ten threads gather into a dragon, two broken threads attach to it, the winged heavenly dragon strengthens by three parts!

The back burns hot, as if molten iron, reforged into steel.

Two days and one night.

Upon returning to awareness, the root sea surges and undulates, the chest violently expands, Liang Qu feels as if submerged and suffocating, he suddenly surfaces gasping, his whole body drenched in sweat, yet feels no pain, utterly exhilarated.

Radiance flashes, more numerous and denser than before.

【Slight transformation of the lord's bones】

【Patterns born Yinglong, wandering the Six Emptinesses, layer count: twelve】

【Wandering the Six Emptinesses, drawing the river with its tail, holding the heavenly gate, grasping the earth's axis, water decree, wind decree, thunder decree, wandering without end.】

【Comprehended divine ability—Thunder Dragon Piercing Clouds】

【Thunder Dragon Piercing Clouds: ten thousand li locks souls, thunder transforms into dragon form; controlling electricity splits the void, shattering souls and spirits; when heavenly punishment descends, all rivers submit to execution.】

【Comprehended divine ability—Furious Wave Thunder Prison】

【Furious Wave Thunder Prison: thunder sea surges, imprisoning heaven and earth】

【Water Dragon Piercing Clouds transforms into Cangming Thunder Halberd】

【Cangming Thunder Halberd: draws thunder from the eight wastes, the abyss transforms into halberd blade, sea stills, mountains empty】

【Yinglong droops in azure, together receiving the river's favor 100, ruling 5.】

【River rule degree: 52.9 (River spring favor degree: 100 (124.9987)】

Huh————

Ha————

One exhalation, one inhalation, one advance, one retreat.

All "Qi", all "flow" are within grasp, all "power", all "evolution", clearly visible. He can feel every trace of change in his own body, and also every trace of change in Long Eying's body.

Sweat, muscles, blood vessels, breathing————

In an instant, thousands upon thousands of thoughts collide simultaneously, time seems to pause.

"Ha!"

Liang Qu opens his eyes, shoulder blades involuntarily wriggle, as if flapping wings, breaking free from that unique natural feeling, that sense of acceleration, a wipe of sweat on his face, joy arises.

Twelve layers!

Thunder decree!

Two divine abilities, one divine ability transformed!

Satisfying! Refreshing! Exhilarating!

Thus, endless.

【Dragon seed breath: twenty-one】

Continue ascending!

One burst of energy, then decline, then exhaustion.

Vigorous! Fierce! Overbearing!

Qi pierces the long rainbow, chest expands, Liang Qu's thought moves, he operates the《Huaiwang Sutra》.

Peaceful and quiet, candlelight burns, melted wax oil flows windingly, condensing and turning white.

Nothing happens.

"How did it happen?"

Liang Qu opens his eyes, doubtful why this time no heavenly dragon appeared.

Communication lacking tripod.

【Consuming thirty threads of dragon seed breath, one Yinglong pattern can be born.】

Thirty threads?

No, ten, eleven, twelve————shouldn't it be thirteen threads for the neck? Why is it thirty threads?

Liang Qu stares wide-eyed.

The fact lies before him, did Qi Ding give wrong number sequence?

Why won't you shut up————

Heartbeat quickens.

"Yinglong droops in azure and River Master droops in azure are same rank, different quality, see consumption of long breath to know, one dragon breath actually requires splitting long breath."

"Thirteen layers, is Yinglong droops in azure complete?"

Swallowing a mouthful of saliva, Liang Qu's thoughts tangle; he quickly sorts them out, his heart's fire cutting off distracting thoughts in one blow, and he makes up his mind.

Continue!

Twelve complete, thirteen is awakening, this number is obviously not ordinary.

Whether River Master or Yinglong, drooping in azure both have similar "key nodes", once crossed, benefits are extraordinary.

【Consuming twenty-one strands of Dragon Species Qi and eighteen Spirit Fish, one Yinglong Pattern can be generated.】

【Dragon Species Qi: None】

【Heaven and Earth Long Qi: Twenty-seven】

Sand Qi and Turbid Qi vanished completely, leaving only a trace of Tidal Qi, condensing eighteen thousand Essence, transforming into eighteen Spirit Fish, after which the Spirit Fish disappeared.

Above the Owed Cauldron, the White Ape tilted to one side, light connecting, a Winged Heavenly Dragon suddenly soaring upward.

The Heavenly Dragon's golden light was dazzling, roaring as it emerged; it shook its dual wings and crashed into the Sea of Consciousness.

Stabbing pain, sudden stabbing pain spreading and soaring from the spine!

Qi and Blood surged and roared, the Fubo at the waist was pulled, suddenly enlarging, afterward Thunder coiled around it, electric light dazzling, gradually turning gold-red, melting!

February 28th, Geng Wu.

A muffled groan, Long Eying only felt that beyond her three Great Divine Abilities, in the dark, an extra share of limb derivation had appeared. Inside her Lower Dantian, a tiny Qi cluster began to rotate; before she could probe it, a sharp Qi pricked her with pain.

Opened her eyes.

Gold-red blinding, the air scorched into distorted waves.

The Xuan Soldier Fubo floated in mid-air, horizontally positioned before Liang Qu; the same-kind, same-origin Dragon Species Qi mechanism misted out. Long Eying had sensed it before; since the year Liang Qu obtained the Dragon Lord's Spine Bone and cultivated in the Imperial Capital, his Fubo had shown this change.

Before her eyes, the Fubo coiled with Thunder, under the action of electric light, even more like a truly living creature, its aura surging violently.

Even knowing him for over ten years, Long Eying still couldn't quite understand Liang Qu's cultivation method.

March 1st.

Inside the Dragon King Palace, the White Dragon King abruptly opened his eyes, nearly startled, looking toward the side hall, momentarily puzzled.

What Qi is this?

What is Liang Qu researching?

At the same time, at the plaza before the Dragon King Palace, over fifty Dragon Species Great Yaos inexplicably gave rise to a heart of submission, simply wanting to kneel and worship, flip over and expose their bellies!

"Is it the White Dragon King?"

"Could it be the White Dragon King has actually made a breakthrough?"

Zheng Tianhe trembled all over; the Dragon King is already the world's peak Yao King, one more step forward————

Yao Emperor!?

Ehe is going to produce a Yao Emperor!?

March 3rd.

Su Guishan buried his head in writing, seriously recording pea growth, shocked as he compared out the traits.

"How could there be a pattern? How could there be a pattern?"

Boom!

Ripples swayed, Su Guishan raised his head.

Dark clouds vast, stretching a thousand miles, Thunder Dragons shuttling through!

"Croak!"

The Old Toad leaped high to the top, clutched his yellow skin bag tight, fled in a panic out of the Treasury, running outward with single-minded determination, until he discovered the thunderclouds were not following him.

Inside the Quiet Room.

White mist long dragons surged in Liang Qu's breath, his figure illusory and indistinct.

【Pattern generates Yinglong, roaming the Six Xus, Layer Count: Thirteen (Awakened)】

【Yinglong's Favor, total River Favor gained 100, Rule 10.】

【River Rule Degree: 57.9 (River Favor Degree: 100 (124.1512)】

【Yinglong Gazes】

【Lord Bone Shedding Transformation, generating War God Pattern】

【Roaming the Six Xus, guiding the tail to draw rivers, holding the Heavenly Pass, grasping the Earth Axis, opening the Dragon Gate, Water Decree, Wind Decree, Thunder Decree, roaming boundless.】

【Spirit Favor: Martial Arts Penetrating Spirit Seventeenth Layer (River Lord Emperor Lord); Yinglong Pattern: Thirteen Layers (Awakened); Tian Wu Yu Pattern:

Three Layers】

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