Chapter 264: Primordial Nine Transformations: The Essence of Wu Gong

"Little White, you're saying a jiao must undergo nine transformations to become a dragon?"

Inside the room.

Li Rui was chatting with the little jiao.

"Yes, my father underwent five transformations before becoming a demon lord."

Five times.

Li Rui inwardly marveled.

No wonder Old Jiao became a dominant force in the Ten Thousand Mountains, teeming with demonic beasts.

Each jiao transformation greatly enhances its power; Old Jiao has already undergone five—truly terrifyingly strong.

Li Rui fell into thought.

"Wu Gong begins with imitation; all worldly laws follow the weak yielding to the strong. In ancient times, when humanity was weak, we created Wu Gong by imitating the myriad creatures of heaven and earth."

"Inferior imitation imitates birds and beasts, enhancing agility and physique; intermediate imitation imitates demonic beasts, nurturing true qi; superior imitation imitates the gods, reversing yin and yang, returning to primordial state."

Only with the evolution of Wu Gong did it reach its current state.

But the essence remains unchanged.

The White Ape's Blade Art Li Rui learned originated from imitating an old ape's play; closer still, Wu Gong in the Witch Kingdom preserves tradition—practicing by imitating bonded beasts; the stronger the bonded beast, the greater the potential.

"Isn't it the same today?"

"Primordial Nine Transformations, becoming an Earth Immortal—once one enters the Fourth Rank Primordial, one must undergo transformation just as a jiao does to become a dragon, to forge a truly pure Primordial Body and attain the Earth Immortal realm."

"Little White, how many transformations have you undergone?"

The little jiao blushed: "I haven't undergone even one."

Then, fearing Li Rui might look down on him, it added: "Only Fourth Rank demonic beasts qualify for transformation."

Li Rui understood.

This matched humanity's path exactly—the goal was the same: return to the primordial body.

In contrast, demonic beasts had one difference—it was more accurately called ancestral return.

Legend says all demonic beasts descend from the ancient Twelve Divine Beasts; even the faintest trace remains, and their cultivation aims to reclaim their ancestral bloodline.

Little Jiao's Ying Long bloodline was stronger than other jiao's, which is why Old Jiao valued it.

Little Jiao: "Big Brother, though I've passed you the jiao-to-dragon method, you're human—you'd better not cultivate it."

It spoke purely out of concern for Li Rui.

Of course, also out of concern for itself.

Its life was now tied to Li Rui's; it truly feared he might train himself to death.

Li Rui cleared his throat:

"Don't worry, I won't."

Though in truth, he'd already begun practicing the dragon-transformation method two days ago—and as Little Jiao said, humans couldn't cultivate it.

But he hadn't gained nothing.

"It shouldn't take long before I reach Dragon Power."

With the dragon-transformation method as reference, and nourished by Little Jiao's jiao energy, Li Rui's Dragon-Elephant True Qi Power advanced rapidly—he'd already completed Elephant Power and was now cultivating Dragon Power; Little Jiao was immensely helpful.

After cultivating, Li Rui told Little Jiao to stay put in the room.

Though Little Jiao's current size made it nearly undetectable, he was still an official of Yu State—if anyone discovered he kept a demonic beast, it would bring serious trouble.

"Director Zhong, may our cooperation be fruitful."

Assistant County Magistrate Zhong Zheng exited through the back door of the Weiheshimao Office, satisfied; it led directly to an alley, empty, where no one would ever know he had been.

"Good, good."

Zhong Zheng smiled, tucking a small jade vial into his sleeve, vanishing around the alley's corner.

Yuan Gao squinted:

"A useless assistant magistrate—do we really need to go to such lengths?"

Assistant Magistrate Zhong Zheng, temporarily acting as county magistrate, was merely Sixth Rank, with no notable background; Yuan Gao couldn't fathom why Madam Lingluo bothered so much.

Madam Lingluo's lips curled slightly.

Zhuang Renhe was dead.

Some of his connections fell into Zhong Zheng's hands, including the arms trade with Divine Weapon Manor.

On the surface, Zhuang Renhe and Cao Wei only handled Yu State affairs and split profits.

In reality,

Through Zhuang Renhe's influence, some goods ultimately reached the Qi family.

And Madam Lingluo was the true master behind the largest buyer.

Today, this assistant magistrate came to replenish the profits Zhuang Renhe hadn't yet collected.

The arms trade earned money faster than coin minting.

Zhong Zheng had already visited Divine Weapon Manor; he came here because, after checking the ledgers, he discovered this shop offered a twenty percent rebate.

Twenty percent was substantial.

Worthy of the temporary master of Qinghe County making the trip himself.

Yuan Gao glanced sidelong at Madam Lingluo.

He guessed she wanted to reopen trade routes and replenish weapons—these past days, she'd seemed uninterested in the Immortal Lord's affairs.

"You don't understand."

Madam Lingluo smiled faintly, still gazing at the direction Zhong Zheng had left.

Yuan Gao snorted: "Your conditions have been accepted by the Ancestor. Now you should fulfill your promise."

These past days,

he'd sent word through covert channels to Blood Shadow Ancestor.

The Ancestor had agreed.

Madam Lingluo turned to Yuan Gao, as if reproaching him for lacking finesse.

"Already arranging it. Elder Yuan, rest assured."

Yuan Gao didn't believe him, pressing: "I've heard rumors Yu State plans to withdraw troops; once Cao Wei and Lei Yong return, it'll be harder for us to act."

Madam Lingluo seemed to recall something amusing, speaking as if to Yuan Gao, as if to herself:

"We must hurry."

Anning Guard grew bustling, soldiers everywhere in groups of three or five, some even bearing faces from the Witch Kingdom.

"Three months from now, the court will order a troop withdrawal; at that time, Director Yuan will personally reward the entire army."

Jiang Lin said.

Hearing of the army's reward, the three in the hall were startled.

Especially Guan Xinrong—he'd participated in quelling the demonic unrest, had fought, if not earned merit, at least endured hardship.

If handled well, he might even gain promotion.

He no longer expected to advance in the military—he was already at Dragon Gate, crossing the Ocean View threshold was too difficult.

But he could switch to civil service.

Many veteran officers took this path—positions in the Ministry of War, Ministry of Works, Ministry of Justice—all offered roles, ensuring a decent end.

Guan Xinrong knew his Wu Gong path had reached its limit; he couldn't compete anymore.

Better to seek another route.

In contrast, Lu Jun looked far more dejected—he'd had zero involvement in this campaign, no merit, no hardship either; he couldn't help but gaze enviously at Li Rui and Guan Xinrong.

Li Rui's expression remained calm.

Yu State's troop withdrawal was expected.

The Witch Kingdom was a quagmire; anyone who entered got stuck. Initially, Yu State invaded for a swift victory, but after nearly a year, both sides were deadlocked; staying longer was no longer worth it.

The cost of provisions alone was enormous.

Rumor had it that Grand Secretary Zhang had once been Minister of Revenue, the empire's greatest accountant.

He clearly understood: withdrawing now meant profit; continuing meant loss—a bottomless pit.

Yu State lost one county magistrate, Zhuang Renhe—but gained far more.

A nation went to war over one man's death.

Zhuang Renhe's death carried immense prestige; at least thousands of Witch Kingdom rebels died with him.

'If he knew below, would he be pleased?'

Li Rui entertained a strange thought. Zhuang Renhe was his kill; as the dead deserve respect, he'd take the benefits without complaint.

Afterwards,

Jiang Lin gave a few more instructions, then waved them off: "Assistant Magistrate Guan, Assistant Magistrate Lu, you may go. I have words with Director Li."

Guan Xinrong and Lu Jun rose, gazing enviously at Li Rui.

Look.

What is a confidant?

Even Guan Xinrong, not of Jiang Lin's faction, felt a pang of envy.

Jiang Lin was Fifth Rank now, but that was temporary; had Wu Gong promotion required only rank, he'd have been promoted to the capital long ago.

They didn't believe Jiang Lin would stop at Fifth Rank—his momentum suggested Third Rank Earth Immortal was very possible.

Li Rui clinging to this leg—how could he fail to rise?

The two left.

Jiang Lin then regarded Li Rui with a faint, knowing smile: "Brother Li, have you made further progress lately?"

Please... Your Majesty... collect _(!)

As long as it's not official business, he now calls Li Rui "Brother."

Li Rui: "Indeed, I've grown a bit."

Jiang Lin shook his head with a smile: "Brother Li, don't be modest. This isn't just a little growth—you've broken through to the Fifth Rank. That's a major leap."

Li Rui was startled. How had Jiang Lin seen through his cultivation level?

Had he become a terrestrial immortal?

Otherwise, how could he pierce through Tie Kuang's Qi concealment technique?

Jiang Lin said: "Brother Li's Qi concealment technique is truly remarkable—I can't see through it. But your Qi feels weaker than when I last saw you. That might fool others, but you and I are both geniuses; there's no reason you'd regress. So I guessed you've broken through."

Li Rui fell silent.

The Qi concealment technique can mask one's realm, but it can't be controlled with perfect precision.

Jiang Lin knew his previous state; now that he compared it, he naturally deduced most of it.

Since he'd been seen through, Li Rui no longer hid it.

In fact, he'd already planned to tell Jiang Lin at the right moment.

"Thanks to your Jellyfish King's Tear—I wouldn't have broken through so quickly without it."

Jiang Lin shook his head: "No. The Jellyfish King's Tear is merely an external aid. Ultimately, it's your own strength that did it."

He spoke.

A flicker of excitement passed through his eyes.

To others, because of the imperial secret agents he mentioned, they assumed Li Rui had trained for decades. Only Jiang Lin knew Li Rui had trained for barely ten years.

He'd heard it from his daughter, Jiang Yan.

The first time he met Li Rui, he hadn't even entered the ranks. Only ten years later, he'd already reached the Sea-Observing Realm.

Ten years.

To an ordinary person, that's long. But to a martial cultivator—especially one above the Sinew-Refining stage—it's but the blink of an eye.

It's like someone who began training at five and reached Fifth Rank by fifteen.

Though it seems implausible.

But that's exactly what happened—even the top disciples of major sects, who ate elixirs like candy, couldn't achieve this.

What is a genius?

Jiang Lin thought he was already a genius—until he met Li Rui.

Unlike others, he felt no envy. Instead, he felt a quiet kinship.

Those who've been geniuses know how lonely it is.

That's why he firmly believed Li Rui was one of his kind.

Merely delayed by life's twists and turns for a few decades.

"By the way, I've still got a few jars of fine wine stashed away. You know how my daughter guards them—only you can get her to bring them out. Would you mind running over?"

Jiang Lin chuckled.

Now that Li Rui was Fifth Rank, his apparent level matched Jiang Lin's own. He was the perfect drinking companion.

How could he let this slip away?

Li Rui fell silent.

"I am a bit thirsty, actually."

In the blink of an eye, two months passed.

At Li's residence, in the room.

A massive white dragon, three zhang long, lay coiled in the room.

If Li Rui's room had been any smaller, it would have burst.

"This is..."

Li Rui stood in the corner, watching the closed-eyed little white dragon.

Today,

as usual, he infused Xuan Qi into the little white dragon's body—whereupon the dragon involuntarily revealed its true form and fell into deep slumber.

Two words surfaced in his mind—Transformation.

But the little white dragon was still Fifth Rank—it had no right to transform.

Was the little white dragon exceptionally gifted?

Clearly not.

If it could transform, it would have done so long ago with the old dragon's help. Why wait until now?

Li Rui's eyes lit up.

'It's the Xuan Qi.'

More precisely, it was the combination of the Ying Dragon form and Xian Qi that triggered the little white dragon's premature transformation.

'In ancient times, Dragon Breeders used Xian Qi to aid serpents in becoming dragons.'

Li Rui hadn't expected his method to accidentally mirror the Dragon Breeders' technique. The little white dragon had always carried a trace of Ying Dragon blood, but it remained dormant. The old dragon had tried every means possible to awaken it—only for Li Rui's unintentional act to unlock it.

It was precisely because of the Ying Dragon blood's power that the little white dragon transformed early.

"This is a great fortune."

According to the little white dragon's own words, only Fourth Rank could transform—and transformation was never ordinary.

The little white dragon's future was boundless.

Li Rui stood quietly, waiting.

Transformation could only be endured by the little white dragon itself. Survive it, and it gained great fortune—perhaps even becoming a true dragon someday. Fail, and it would perish utterly.

Li Rui had lied to the little white dragon, just a little.

The pact they'd made was unequal.

If he died, the little white dragon would almost certainly die with him. But if the little white dragon died, Li Rui would suffer nothing.

An entire day and night passed.

Finally, the little white dragon changed—its scales lost their luster and fell away at a visible rate.

Li Rui's expression sharpened.

'This is the crucial moment!'

Whether the little white dragon succeeded or failed hinged on this.

The massive dragon body gradually withered, then shrank to nothing but a thin, gossamer skin.

He stared closely.

On the ground lay a tiny white snake, no longer than a palm, as thick as a thumb—weak, yet radiating unmistakable, human-like excitement.

"I've done it, Elder Dragon!"

Li Rui crouched down, his finger about to touch the little white dragon—when it suddenly opened its mouth and bit his finger.

Excruciating pain!

In an instant, Li Rui's body was drenched in sweat.

He collapsed to the ground in agony.

But his eyes gleamed with unmistakable excitement.

Dragon Essence!

(End of Chapter)