Chapter 523: Finding the Next Patron

"Fourth Elder, this way, please."

Long Long Binglin glided beneath the lotus leaves, leading the way ahead.

Liang Qu followed closely behind, his mood cheerful.

In just half a night's visit to the Dragon-People's territory, he had become the Fourth Elder of the Dragon-People!

A real one!

No longer need to report, consult, or send orders to mobilize five hundred Running-Dragon-People to block the snake demons—just issue the command directly!

The First Elder's proposal was no impulsive idea; it must have been carefully considered, for Long Zong's silver face showed no surprise.

The Third Elder was aware.

After much thought, Liang Qu had no reason to refuse.

Unite those who should be united; strike those who should be struck.

The Dragon-People have no obvious external enemies targeting them; although they have tensions with the Jiaolong, they dare not act unless they obtain clear evidence, out of respect for the Old Dragon Lord's dignity.

Obvious.

In this relationship, the easiest target to become that evidence is the "Bai Yuan," who steals favor.

Liang Qu himself will not hand the knife handle over to the Snake Clan or the Ironhead Fish Clan—the Dragon-People will not recklessly provoke the Jiaolong into total annihilation.

The only requirement is that after accepting the title, he must avoid spreading the news.

The high-ups and those familiar with the Dragon-People need not be concerned.

The lower-ranking Dragon-People all know that if the news leaks, it could allow scheming snakes to deduce something suspicious.

"My lord, our clan prepared hastily, and our dwelling is far less spacious than your land-based home. When opportunity arises, we will surely build a grander courtyard."

Long Long Binglin led Liang Qu to a large green-wood house, its walls entwined with glowing vines—a single-courtyard residence, which made him feel somewhat ashamed.

"No matter. It's just a place to sleep."

The Dragon-People live in a basin surrounded by low hills, where the slopes are entirely planted with Great King Lotus—there's little land left for cultivation.

To spare even a single wooden house is no small feat.

Besides,

Liang Qu certainly won't reside here long-term.

Underwater is damp—how could it compare to the dry, rough beds and soft quilts on land, which replenish essence and qi?

"E Ying will go pick lotus seeds; she'll return shortly. If there's no urgent matter, Bing Lin..."

"Wait—I have a question."

"My lord, ask."

"How long does normal qi absorption take?"

Having just arrived, Liang Qu gained two strands of Dragon-blood qi, matching the number of Dragon-People masters.

If his guess is correct,

when Long Long Yanrui breaks through, a third strand of Dragon-blood qi should appear, to evolve the Responding Dragon Pattern.

"Strictly speaking, if the medium is suitable, single qi absorption takes little time—an excellent omen means success within three days. The key lies in using celestial and terrestrial long qi to construct one's own divine art, integrating it into a system.

Like building a house: all materials are ready, but it still requires masons and carpenters to work together. This isn't something achieved overnight—it depends on personal skill. If Long Yanrui proceeds smoothly, it may take half a month, even a month."

As one of the candidates, Long Long Binglin knew the process inside out, reciting it flawlessly.

Not too long.

Liang Qu silently counted the days.

"My lord."

Long Eying stepped across the threshold, her arm carrying a woven bamboo basket filled with shelled emerald lotus seeds, piled high on a white porcelain plate like a small mountain.

"These are Great King Lotus seeds—tonify the spleen, nourish the kidneys, calm the heart, soothe the spirit, and greatly replenish essence. A few of this year's first sprouts were specially harvested for you, Elder, to restore your vigor."

"Thank you."

With the "Nose Perception Method," Liang Qu wasn't worried about poison—he picked up two seeds and popped them into his mouth; a sharp, bitter taste spread.

【Water Essence +22】

【Water Essence +24】

A quick glance.

Over a hundred.

Over two thousand essence gained.

"Do the Dragon-People plant Great King Lotus the same way humans plant wheat and rice every year?" Liang Qu leaned against the wooden table, half-sitting. "When I arrived, I saw many Dragon women by the water, using hooked knives to cut lotus roots and haul them down the hills."

"Your guess is correct. Most of the Dragon-People's staple food comes from this. Great King Lotus can be harvested year-round, just like rice for humans," Long Long Binglin said.

"Too bland."

Liang Qu couldn't imagine eating lotus roots as a staple all year round.

Wouldn't his mouth go dry from boredom?

"We've eaten it since childhood. Great King Lotus roots are quite sweet," Long Eying smiled. "I've heard northerners eat noodles, southerners eat rice—surely the principle is the same."

"Cultivation, cultivation—eat when you should eat, drink when you should drink."

Liang Qu grabbed a handful of lotus seeds and stuffed them into his mouth.

【Water Essence +624】

How much water essence would Frog-People's Great King Lotus seeds have?

His thoughts drifted.

Nightfall.

All sounds fell silent.

The fluorescent vines glowed faintly.

"Hey, I should've brought the Mirage Worm."

Liang Qu tossed and turned.

The Dragon-People don't sleep on beds—they grow a broad-bellied plant similar to a pitcher plant. They crawl inside, half-lying, half-standing, and when the lid closes, the world grows quiet.

Yet after fidgeting half the night,

Liang Qu still couldn't adapt. He stepped outside, called a patrol Dragon-Person, and had them pluck a lotus leaf to lay on the ground, then sat in meditation.

【Absorb two strands of Dragon-blood qi to generate one Responding Dragon Pattern.】

Unlike the River Lord's favor, which demands expensive long qi and water essence, increasing the number of Responding Dragon Patterns requires only absorbing different strands of Dragon-blood qi.

"The River Lord's first level consumes nothing; favor descends. Second level requires one strand of celestial long qi and ten thousand essence. Third level requires two strands, twenty thousand."

"One layer of Responding Dragon Pattern is one strand, two layers require two strands, three layers... have pros and cons.

You get what you pay for."

Liang Qu rubbed his chin. He was in Dragon-People territory, so he took no rash action—only thought.

The River Lord's upgrade enhances permanent talent: insight.

The Responding Dragon Pattern roams the Six Emptinesses.

Their importance cannot be compared.

"If I raise the Responding Dragon Pattern to a certain level, can it earn me the Responding Dragon's favor?"

"What effect would the Responding Dragon's favor bring?"

"Where can I upgrade the Tian Wu Pattern?"

Mysterious and unclear.

Liang Qu cut off his thoughts, replacing sleep with meditation and qi circulation.

The next two days,

under the pretext of replenishing the Elder's essence, Long Eying delivered a basket of freshly harvested Great King Lotus seeds each morning and evening.

The water essence was too tempting—Liang Qu accepted them all, eating until his mouth grew dry and bitter, thick with lotus seed flavor.

The seeds were abundant and dense, didn't fill his stomach, and unlike potent pills, their medicinal properties weren't overwhelming—making them one of the most effective current methods for rapid essence replenishment.

Just five meals of lotus seeds restored his lost essence.

"Are these lotus seeds unripe?"

Liang Qu picked up one, holding it to the light.

The seeds delivered today were nearly half smaller, paler in color, and extremely bitter.

The water essence they provided was only single digits—as if harvested before ripening.

"Great King Lotus roots are available year-round, but the seeds only ripen in July and August. The few early-maturing plants in June have already been harvested."

Ripens in July and August.

Liang Qu silently noted it, then swallowed the seed whole.

"No need to bring lotus seeds tomorrow—I've fully recovered."

"Recovered, yes—but compensating for your losses is only right. Liang Zhanglao helped the Dragon-People; you deserve return."

"The Dragon-People are truly sincere," Liang Qu coughed twice. "I haven't returned home in two days—I'm preparing to go back. I'll visit again when the seeds ripen in July and August; by then, Long Yanrui should have his result."

Long Eying understood.

"Liang Zhanglao is the Fourth Elder—what talk of 'visiting'? Come whenever you wish. Wait, I'll inform the other Elders."

Watching the Dragon woman leave,

Liang Qu strolled outside.

Wherever he went, Dragon-People and Dragon women greeted him.

The Fourth Elder's affairs were unknown to the Dragon People, but they clearly knew Liang Qu's clan had rendered great aid, and thus showed him full respect.

The water rippled.

Neither hot nor dry.

Neither stifling nor gloomy.

It truly had the flavor of Peach Blossom Spring.

Standing beneath the eaves, he watched the Dragon Girl busying herself under the midday sun, occasionally seeing a few of the fat catfish perch atop the catfish heads, undulating like swimming dragons.

Upon arriving at the Dragon People's territory, the fat catfish was happiest.

It left at dawn and returned at dusk, daily carrying the Dragon Girl from one hilltop to another.

Thus, whenever lotus roots were dug up, the waiting fat catfish always received a few slices as reward.

"Won't it just hoard them all itself?"

Not long ago, the fat catfish went daily to the Frog Clan to beg meals, eating sea-fish demons, then returning to boast to "Can't-Move" and "Roundhead," basking in triumph.

Sometimes it even tried to steal and carry back food for the Heavenly God.

But Liang Qu clearly remembered the warnings given by Xiang Fang Su and Ke Ko Wenbin during their exploration of the Ghost Mother Sect's island.

Communal meals are fine if your own appetite is large, but bringing back food for family or friends invites resentment—so he always politely refused.

A sudden whim.

Liang Qu investigated the amount of essence required for the fat catfish's evolution.

【Can consume 14,637 points of Marsh Essence…】

The fifth evolution requires 25,000 points of Marsh Essence; with only 14,000+ still lacking, it far outpaces the mere one or two thousand accumulated by Roundhead and Fists!

Fat Catfish had saved up more than half on its own!

The fat catfish's ability to navigate social circles left one quietly astonished.

"Seems it's found a new home."

His gaze drifted far away.

The Dragon Girl stood on the hillside, feeding lotus root slices.

The fat catfish lifted its body and slapped its belly.