Journeying Across the World

In the distance, a zither’s melody drifted, ethereal and pure, each note summoning the heavens to weep.

This downpour of dragon essence did not last long—only about half an hour—before it gradually dispersed. The clouds cleared, the rain ceased, and the sky brightened once more.

Yet, it had already drawn countless gazes from all over Mount Shu.

The ordinary disciples on the mountain were puzzled. They had been told this was a rain formed from dragon energy, something not to fear or avoid. They believed it, even harbored a bit of anticipation. But... how was this rain supposed to fall?

Why was it only beneath Silver Sword Peak?

Had it fallen on another peak, surely some would have gathered to bathe in this golden rain, to feel the nourishment of the dragon’s power.

But this was Silver Sword Peak...

Given the notorious reputation of the Imperial Daughter Phoenix as a menace to Mount Shu, few junior disciples dared approach. What if someone caught them and demanded payment for a bath? That would be embarrassing indeed.

As for those of higher status, they maintained their dignity and preferred not to join the commotion.

After all, the rain was random; it wouldn’t linger solely on Silver Sword Peak. Next time, when it fell elsewhere, everyone could gather then.

Thus, in the end, the first dragon-energy rain was quietly enjoyed by just two juniors on Silver Sword Peak.

And the Imperial Daughter Phoenix?

Her blazing divine phoenix flame body, both in its fiery nature and phoenix essence, utterly despised this “rain” and “dragon energy.” She’d rather hide indoors than be caught in it.

Moreover, with her robust physical form, she hardly cared for this faint nourishment of dragon energy.

Even if the true dragon that suppressed the fate itself dared to challenge her one-on-one, victory was not guaranteed.

Of course, if she won, she would still have to face the wrath of the Mount Shu sect leader and the four mountain-guarding elders.

Chu Liang had just soaked himself thoroughly in the rain and felt his body invigorated by the dragon energy, which indeed boosted his vitality. However, since he had already augmented his strength with the power of the Ten Tigers, the pure increase in power was not significant.

But Liu Xiaoyu should benefit greatly. Standing in the rain, her entire body shimmered with scale-like multicolored light, looking so comfortable it seemed she would revert to her true form at any moment.

When the rain stopped and the sunlight touched the ground, she reluctantly opened her eyes.

Chu Liang’s vital energy steamed up, drying his clothes in an instant. He muttered to himself, “It’s a pity that even if we collect this water, the dragon essence would dissipate. Otherwise, it would have made excellent bathwater.”

One wonders if anyone might come to Silver Sword Peak to steal this bathwater.

“Eh? It’s already blooming!” Liu Xiaoyu suddenly exclaimed.

Chu Liang redirected his gaze toward the golden-striped flower field where seeds infused with plant spirits had been sown. Nurtured by the rain, a small patch of golden-striped flowers had indeed blossomed, and one had already borne a plump, juicy fruit.

Moreover, that fruit seemed different somehow.

Chu Liang approached and plucked the newly formed fruit. Sure enough, the golden stripe on it had transformed from a straight line into a curved pattern, faintly resembling scales.

Could it be that it had absorbed some of the dragon energy from the earlier rain?

Since human bodies could absorb dragon energy, and plants were living beings, perhaps they could absorb some as well.

Thinking this, Chu Liang bit into the berry. Besides the familiar taste and spiritual essence, there was indeed a subtle trace of dragon energy, not too overwhelming but unmistakable.

This greatly increased the value of the golden-striped berry—no, it should be called the Dragon Breath Golden-Striped Berry. Chu Liang finished eating it in a few bites while silently calculating its worth.

Having finished, he wiped his hands and turned, only to see Liu Xiaoyu standing there, gazing at him with large, plaintive eyes.

“What’s wrong?” Chu Liang asked.

Liu Xiaoyu looked aggrieved, pouting, “Didn’t you say the second one was for me?”

...

While the rain on Silver Sword Peak attracted the attention of all Mount Shu, in a remote corner, a figure in white robes concealed himself within a mountain cave on an uninhabited summit.

The white-robed man hid his form, sitting cross-legged, hands forming intricate seals.

Whoosh—

An invisible shadow shot forth from his body, instantly arriving at an unknown place thousands of miles away.

Immortal arts, traveling the world.

One could, without moving one’s body, send their divine consciousness instantly anywhere in the realm, provided it was a place the caster had visited before or where some mark remained.

In the blink of an eye, the white-robed figure’s shadow appeared inside a pitch-black, dank chamber where another shadow awaited.

This shadow lurked in utter darkness, features indistinguishable, but from the silhouette, it was unmistakably a man.

“Mount Shu has produced a dragon—a true dragon,” the white-robed man said hurriedly upon arrival.

“We already received the news,” the shadow replied in a low, displeased tone. “The Nine Heavens and Ten Lands all seek dragons; why would a true dragon choose to descend upon this declining place called Mount Shu? Such misfortune...”

“The plan must be postponed,” the white-robed man said gravely. “The arrival of a true dragon means Mount Shu’s fate is not yet extinguished. If we act rashly, we will only fail.”

After a brief silence,

the shadow suddenly asked, “You haven’t been there too long, have you? Have you started to think of yourself as one of Mount Shu’s own?”

“What are you implying?” The white-robed man’s anger flared. “How many times have I said I want to return, but you all keep holding me back... And now you doubt me?”

“Heh, sorry,” the shadow shook his head apologetically, then said, “I’m just puzzled that, given your blood feud with Mount Shu’s sect, you’re not eager to see it destroyed.”

“The true dragon’s arrival signifies Mount Shu’s fortune is at its peak!” the white-robed man asserted.

“I know, but fortune alone is no divine weapon,” the shadow said. “Among the Nine Heavens Immortal Gates, it’s the only one without a supreme divine artifact, and that dooms its weakness. Besides, we don’t have to annihilate Mount Shu outright; we only need to let it gradually decline.”

“Hmph.” The white-robed man fell silent.

“Now, we only need to target Mount Shu’s younger generation, so that soon it will be ousted from the Nine Heavens. That will be our first victory,” the shadow sighed. “If only the assassination attempt on Jiang Yuebai had succeeded.”

“Though I failed, I learned that Jiang Yuebai’s talent surpasses what we had imagined,” the white-robed man said coldly.

“Heh...” The shadow chuckled. “I’ve contacted the Underworld King Sect. They’re willing to strike during the Mount Shu Summit. That’s when Mount Shu is most vulnerable—perfect for dealing a heavy blow.”

“Those demonic cultivators... You must have paid a high price,” the white-robed man said.

“Of course. Those profit-driven demons are hard to satisfy,” the shadow said angrily. “If we can expel Mount Shu from the Nine Heavens, the Ten Lands sects will benefit most, each gaining a chance to rise. Yet, others refuse to act.”

“Mount Shu has thousands of years of foundation. Unless the Celestial Origin Master wields a supreme divine artifact to sweep them away, who dares provoke them recklessly? The Ten Lands sects have been lively these past few years, but how many can truly hold Mount Shu’s position?” The white-robed man spoke with slight disdain.

“Listen to you—sounds just like a proud Mount Shu disciple,” the shadow laughed.

“Speak that sarcastic tone again, and I won’t be polite,” the white-robed man snapped.

“Heh, you’re just traversing the world with your divine consciousness; you can’t fight anyone,” the shadow teased.

“Pah!” The white-robed man spat.

“...” The shadow was speechless for a moment. “You’re an adult yet resort to such antics. Anyway, lay low for now and coordinate with the Underworld King Sect’s operation. If all goes well, you might just make it back.”

“Heh.” The white-robed man returned a cold laugh. “Do you think I still believe you? Ten years, then another ten... it’s been thirty years!”