Chapter 152: Blocking the Calamity Transaction

Waiting for Qi to slowly board the carriage, the dragon clan played music; with each step the pearl carriage took, the music and rosy light would slightly change.

Seeing the dragon clan attach such importance to his arrival, Qi felt a twinge of guilt, but because of the Great Calamity he could only endure it.

Still, he decided in his heart that after the Great Calamity ended, he would look after the dragon clan a bit more, which could be considered compensation for them.

At the banquet, celestial maidens waved rosy vapor as flowing ribbons; amidst the scattering fluorescence, cups and goblets intermingled.

Only after the banquet ended did Qi have a chance to communicate with Zu Long and Qing Long; earlier, with outsiders present at the feast, discussing matters was not appropriate.

I don't know how Dao Friend Qi could leisurely come to the dragon clan now, in the midst of the calamity; given your usual reclusive style, I dare say it's somewhat unreasonable.

Under Zu Long's hint, Qing Long went straight to the point; after all, being at the center of the Great Calamity, sometimes being blunt is better.

In their view, Qi's status is special, and he has long resided in Cloud Dream Marsh, staying secluded.

With vast divine powers and protective formations, although the Great Calamity's influence spreads across the Primordial Wasteland, it does not disturb Qi's life.

As for the original promise, it was the phoenix and the qilin who first broke it; Qi has always been reasonable, so he could not blame them for this.

Qi smiled and explained:

I have come this time because there are some matters that need your agreement, and this is extremely important to me, so I cannot avoid this trip.

Zu Long was puzzled, not knowing what Qi wanted to do, and why he needed their agreement.

If there were a request for help, he could understand; after all, the dragon clan is mighty, and it's normal for these innate divine beings to be called upon for matters.

But needing their agreement for matters, he really couldn't see what common ground existed between them that would require consulting his opinion.

Please, Dao Friend, explain in detail.

Zu Long did not say agree or refuse; he wanted to understand first, perhaps there might be something beneficial for the dragon clan as well.

Qi said: 'My cultivation has advanced; I suddenly feel that my Dao lineage needs a successor, and given the current instability, after my retreat I could take charge of the overall situation in Cloud Dream Marsh.'

After thinking it over, only the dragon clan's descendants can meet my requirements; their aptitude in the Primordial Wasteland is of the highest grade.

Moreover, they possess family learning; inheriting the Dao lineage of Cloud Dream Marsh to purify heaven and earth is truly the best choice.

I only need to consult your opinions, then I can select a suitable person from the dragon clan's descendants.

Having spoken, Qi waited quietly for their reply, thinking they would not refuse, after all inheriting the Dao lineage of Cloud Dream Marsh is also a rare opportunity under heaven.

Hearing Qi's words, Zu Long and Qing Long only then noticed that Qi is just one step away from the Primordial Dao, needing only to accumulate life cultivation.

We hereby first congratulate Dao Friend on achieving the Great Dao; however, the matter you mentioned still needs discussion between me and Qing Long before we can reply.

Please trouble Dao Friend to stay awhile in the dragon clan; the transmission of the Cloud Dream Marsh Dao lineage is a major affair of the world, and I also need to first examine the clan members.

Otherwise, after inheriting the Dao lineage it would be hard to maintain, losing little face for the dragon clan, letting Dao Friend's Dao lineage suffer shame, which would greatly affect the great affair of purifying heaven and earth.

Zu Long spoke sincerely, as if truly afraid that the clan members would someday let Qi suffer shame.

Still, Zu Long Dao Friend's considerations are thorough, which I lack; since it concerns the Dao lineage transmission, waiting a bit longer is also appropriate.

I hope both Dao Friends will ponder slowly, and please excuse my temporary disturbance.

Qi rose and took his leave first.

As for where his residence is, the dragon clan will arrange someone to guide him. After Qi departed, Qing Long hurriedly asked:

Elder brother, such a good thing—why still need these words? Cloud Dream Marsh holds a special status in the Primordial Wasteland; if one can inherit its Dao lineage, the benefits go without saying!

Zu Long merely nodded slightly, without saying much more.

Qing Long noticed Zu Long's demeanor was abnormal; raising his head, he saw only Zu Long's brows tightly furrowed, his face solemn, as if carefully weighing something.

Elder brother, could there be some hidden obstacle I am unaware of? Or perhaps some conspiracy?

Qing Long also did not regard Qi's arrival as a good thing, and asked with some concern:

Zu Long lightly rubbed his furrowed brows, then slowly said: 'It seems the person we thought was pure and reclusive, in this Great Calamity, is not as peaceful as we imagined.'

Qing Long had some doubts and asked:

Elder brother, how does this statement make me more confused? The Water God Qi of Cloud Dream Marsh, I previously observed his cultivation; indeed he is only one step away from attaining the Primordial Dao.

He wants to break through sooner, choosing closed-door cultivation, and being unwilling to let go of Cloud Dream Marsh, selecting a Dao lineage successor is not exactly normal?

How could elder brother again say he is unsettled? And still, elder brother, please clarify my doubts.

Zu Long calmly analyzed, only hearing him say: 'If it were any other time, I wouldn't think much, but being in the midst of the Great Calamity, I cannot help but speculate.'

Qi Dao Friend's behavior reminds me of something that happened long ago; if we bring that into consideration, it can be understood.

Now we are in the midst of the Great Calamity, and it is hard to end soon; ordinary innate divine beings would not be so urgent.

Qing Long heard this and slightly nodded in agreement; after all, time is nothing to innate divine beings, not worth noting.

Sooner or later, it's fine; in the Great Calamity, tribulation qi permeates, not a good time for cultivation; rushing to achieve is inherently unrelated to innate divine beings.

Qing Long also sensed the abnormality, but merely waiting a bit longer—how could Qi be so eager to break through?

His actions remind me of a past minor matter: at one time an innate divine being created the Art of Deceiving Heaven and Substituting Tribulation.

Using this method, he passed through several tribulations unharmed, but later the Three Sovereigns cast him into the Return to the Ruins.

And using this Substituting Tribulation technique, the conditions required happen to be exactly satisfied by our dragon clan; do you think I should believe this is a coincidence, or that it is inevitable?

After Zu Long explained this method, Qing Long found it hard to believe and exclaimed angrily:

Our dragon clan has always been friendly and respectful toward him; how could he bear to scheme, using our clan members to bear his tribulation!

Zu Long merely waved his hand to interrupt Qing Long's words, saying: 'Don't view things this way; if he truly intends to use this method to substitute tribulation, our dragon clan would not lose out.'

Seeing Qing Long's doubt, Zu Long added: 'This disciple's identity is something he must acknowledge; surviving this calamity is naturally a great fortune, and if he does not survive, Qi at least helped us cultivate a Great Luo Golden Immortal.'

The people of Cloud Dream Marsh possess extraordinary combat strength, and their spiritual treasures are fine things; not as ruthless as you imagine, it can only be said to be a transaction.

This is what makes me feel uneasy: actively letting clan members bear tribulation for others, even knowing it's the best choice, still feels painful.

Qing Long stood frozen in place.

Before 12:00 there is still one chapter; everyone, don't skip, as intermittent reading greatly affects one's reading rhythm. (End of chapter)