Chapter 238: Bloodline Inheritance (Requesting Monthly Votes)

Fu Shuanghui was a sixth-rank, but without these spells and martial techniques to support her, she could not unleash the advantages of the Dragon Transformation Art.

Should she face a formidable opponent, she would sink into a grueling battle, and ultimately lose and die.

Xu Yuan thought of the most unique aspect of the Dragon Transformation Art.

Above the fifth-rank, the Dragon Transformation Art allows one to "solidify the bloodline."

That is, the offspring, from the moment of birth, possess the cultivation level of the Dragon Transformation Art and can transform from childhood.

"The one at the Canal passed down the Dragon Transformation Art; those who master it may marry princes and princesses."

"Their offspring are born with the innate ability to transform into dragons."

"Then, in their descendants, which bloodline prevails—the royal house's, or the Dragon Transformation Art's?!"

Contemplating this question was deeply shocking.

"The Zhu family may not have failed to see this issue, but once the first woman who cultivated the Dragon Transformation Art married a crown prince, no one could stop this process."

"If you do not marry a woman who cultivates the Dragon Transformation Art, your child will be inherently weaker than competitors."

"In the end, every descendant of the imperial house carries the Dragon Transformation Art!"

"Are they descendants of the Zhu family, or offspring of the one at the Canal?!"

The Dragon Transformation Art, like the Edict of Extended Grace, made the Zhu family's descendants drink poison they knew full well was poison.

Unless… the imperial house completely broke ties with the Canal Dragon King!

Xu Yuan silently shook his head, growing ever more wary of the one at the Canal.

Two hundred years ago, the Ming Dynasty was kept alive—its true circumstances were likely far more obscure than most people guessed.

During his time with Fu Jingyu, he had discussed related topics.

Fu Jingyu had also mentioned that the Ming's elite troops had always been stationed along the Nine Borders.

Two hundred years ago, as the empire teetered on collapse, the Canal erupted in sudden storms, ferrying elite southern troops to the northern capital—but aside from Qi Shaobao's Qi Family Army, where were the southern elites?

How had these hundreds of thousands of southern soldiers suddenly become elite, defeating Gao Chuang's camp and the Jian奴 Eight Banners?

"Huh—" Xu Yuan exhaled. Fu Shuanghui rushed to ascend because she cultivated the Dragon Transformation Art not to fight others, but to marry into the imperial house.

The spells and martial techniques within the Dragon Transformation Art took too long to cultivate; it was better to focus solely on the Dragon Transformation Art.

Once he understood this point, other questions had no immediate answers for him.

He turned his attention back to his Dragon Pearl Dantian.

And discovered his condition was somewhat "subtle."

From the perspective of a Rank Dan Xiu, he was still a seventh-rank.

But from the perspective of a Wu Xiu… he could be considered a sixth-rank.

Yet not the sixth-rank of his own Shang Method—rather, the sixth-rank of the Dragon Transformation Art.

The main power of the Dragon Transformation Art was concentrated within the Dragon Pearl.

Xu Yuan attempted to draw out the Dragon Transformation Art's power from the Dragon Pearl.

It was not difficult; for Xu Yuan, it was simply applying the Dantian's properties to himself.

Thus, his eyes turned gray-blue like Fu Shuanghui's, his pupils elongating into jujube-seed shapes.

Several spiny scales sprouted along his cheeks.

His legs also showed signs of change, but Xu Yuan halted them.

After "Dragon Transformation," Xu Yuan finally obtained the formidable body of a Wu Xiu he had long desired!

"Too bad this form can't be seen in public," Xu Yuan chuckled bitterly, ending the transformation.

Another unexpected gain was the "Dragon Fire" hidden within the Dragon Pearl.

This fire's nature differed entirely from his Abdominal Fire; after merging, it brought considerable benefits!

Many spells in the Dragon Transformation Art rely on Dragon Fire to be cast.

"Dragon Shatter the胆" was one such example.

Moreover, Dragon Fire carried a "royal dominance" attribute, naturally suppressing aquatic creatures, beastly demons, and aberrations.

This effect was stronger than that of Abdominal Fire!

According to Fu Shuanghui's memories, the method to ascend to fifth-rank in the Dragon Transformation Art was to consume a "dragon-shaped" living being.

But after careful thought, Xu Yuan realized Fu Shuanghui's plan to devour the Jiao was extremely risky.

Even if Fu Shuanghui succeeded, the result would likely not be advancement—but rather, the Jiao's influence causing her to instantly transform into a powerful demonic aberration.

"Is this woman so reckless?" Xu Yuan wondered, but then he understood: Fu Shuanghui had misjudged the Jiao's strength.

Fu Shuanghui assumed that after two hundred years of decline, the Jiao was severely weakened.

But she did not know that over these two centuries, Tian Jing had continuously raised snakes and extracted their blood to nourish and circulate energy through the Jiao.

The Jiao had indeed regressed—but far less than Fu Shuanghui had anticipated.

There was currently no clear path to ascend the Dragon Transformation Art to fifth-rank.

But after fusing with Dragon Fire, Xu Yuan could now prepare to advance his Rank Dan Xiu to sixth-rank.

The threshold for Rank Dan Xiu sixth-rank was constructing one's own "Dantian Chamber."

He needed to prepare equipment such as a Dantian Furnace and other tools.

But size was not the better the larger.

It had to match his own level, and the larger it was, the more easily it could be destroyed.

This matter required careful planning.

Beforehand, Xu Yuan accompanied Fu Jingyu and Song Lu to see off Qu Jinpeng.

The elder had come to guard and escort Xu Yuan.

But Xu Yuan's promotion to Chief Patrol Inspector came far faster than expected.

There was little point in Qu Jinpeng staying any longer.

Ma Tianshou wanted to arrange another position for Qu Jinpeng in Zhan City, but the old senior simply wished to return to Luocheng to retire.

Today was the day the old senior returned to Luocheng.

He had not been in Zhan City long, and all his luggage fit into a single carriage.

Another carriage carried the passengers.

Qu Jinpeng rode a horse, walking side by side with Xu Yuan and the other two, while the concubine he had taken in Zhan City sat inside the carriage.

Five li outside the city.

Qu Jinpeng smiled and waved his hand: "Sending a friend a thousand li still ends in parting; let this be the end."

Xu Yuan clasped his fists and bowed from horseback, saying finally: "These past days, I owe much to the old senior's care; this junior will keep it in his heart forever.

I wish the senior a safe journey! Once you reach Luocheng, please send word to assure us of your safety."

Qu Jinpeng had taken great care of him, and Xu Yuan was truly grateful in his heart.

"Very well." Qu Jinpeng agreed, then sighed: "I have wasted this life, achieving nothing. I never expected to meet such a group of young talents in my twilight years.

To help you mount your horses and ride a stretch is my own fortune.

Should future generations speak of me, I fear my greatest achievement in this life lies precisely here, hahaha!"

Song Lu's eyes reddened, reluctant to part: "Old master, when I return to Luocheng, I will certainly come to see you."

"That would be most welcome." Qu Jinpeng smiled, then addressed the three: "You all have bright futures ahead, it's just... from now on, be more steady in your actions, do not be so impulsive."

Xu Yuan had beaten Zheng Hong and his gang; although he had prepared an excuse beforehand, it was still a risk.

Xu Yuan knew this was mainly a reminder for himself; he smiled in shame: "The senior's words are precious jade; this junior will certainly take heed in the future."

Xu Yuan thought carefully and realized how fortunate he was.

Although he had encountered selfish and cunning people like Qiao Zi'ang, Holy Maiden, Master Chen, and Fu Shuanghui.

He also had honest elders like Ma Tianshou, Elder Yan, and Qu Jinpeng, who had escorted and protected him all the way.

Otherwise, in this world teeming with evil spirits, his mind would inevitably have become twisted!

Qu Jinpeng waved his hand: "This old man is leaving; everyone take care!"

The three stood by the roadside, watching Qu Jinpeng's two carriages gradually disappear into the distance.

Xu Yuan asked Fu Jingyu: "Can the old senior's children be transferred here?"

(End of this chapter)