The Enchanted Forest is a fantastical place on the Divine Martial Continent. For the Soaring Dragon Dynasty, it holds even more significance, as their ancestors once received great fortune here and established a vast martial arts sanctuary, revered by all corners and eight directions.
“This doesn’t seem right; there appears to be some anomaly. Such high-level demons shouldn’t appear here,” the old National Teacher said, puzzled.
Tian Fan looked at the old man’s feet, where lay the corpse of a Cloud Heaven Realm werewolf, killed instantly with a single blow to the forehead.
“Alright, let’s proceed further. Aotian, remember to stay vigilant at all times. Or, if you prefer, you can send your children back.” The old National Teacher suggested.
Long Aotian turned to look at his sons.
“Father needn’t worry. We can protect ourselves. If we retreat at every little problem, how will we face the entire world in the future?” Long Batian, looking at Long Aotian’s gaze, stood up boldly and said, casting a dismissive glance at Tian Fan.
“I agree with my older brother!” The second prince also stepped forward, standing shoulder to shoulder with the first prince, and spoke loudly.
“And you, eighth brother?” Long Aotian asked the youngest prince.
“I will continue forward as well.” The youngest prince also stood firm, saying loudly.
“I’ll go too!” It was needless to say; Long Yueying was absolutely determined to join, known for her fearlessness.
“Good, my children, you have spirit and courage. But remember, courage alone is not enough. Sometimes you must understand when to advance and when to retreat. Do you understand?” Long Aotian said sternly to his children.
“Yes, Father!” they replied in unison.
Tian Fan observed silently, without speaking.
Long Aotian didn’t even glance at him or ask him anything. Perhaps even if Tian Fan were to die right here, Long Aotian wouldn’t say a word.
He had become accustomed to this. He used to worry, fear, and be saddened. Once, he had angrily questioned Long Aotian, asking why he was treated this way despite being his son.
But the response he received was, “My son must be a prominent figure in the cultivation world. Since you cannot cultivate, you have lost some rights as a descendant of the Dragon Sovereign.”
Since then, Tian Fan had grown indifferent, learning to endure, and nothing could shake his calm heart.
The group continued deeper into the Enchanted Forest. They had been walking for almost three miles, slaying countless demons along the way, including powerful beings nearing the Immortal Ascension Realm, which was utterly unreasonable.
“Look!” Suddenly, Long Aotian exclaimed, his face showing shock as he looked ahead.
Given his status, standing just one step away from the Immortal Ascension Realm, what could shock him so much must be extraordinary.
The others followed Long Aotian’s gaze and were immediately stunned, including Tian Fan, who was usually calm.
Ahead, there were shattered trees and countless demon corpses scattered everywhere. Among these bodies, including those nearing the Immortal Ascension Realm, lay a massive creature helplessly on the ground. It had the face of a horse, the body of a snake, deer antlers, eagle claws, and fish scales. It was a dragon!
“A dragon!”
Everyone was stunned, feeling parched. Dragons were exceptionally rare in this world, like phoenixes, positioned at the pinnacle of the pyramid of existence.
Although there had been descriptions of dragons on the Divine Martial Continent over the years, no one had ever truly seen one. When one appeared, it would undoubtedly be revered as a divine being.
“No, this isn’t a true dragon. This is a flood dragon, and it is on the verge of evolving beyond its nature!” The old National Teacher was also incredibly shocked but quickly noticed something wrong.
Legends say that flood dragons are also descendants of dragons, but their dragon bloodline is now incredibly thin. Only by activating the divine dragon bloodline within through immense power and fortune could they hope to evolve into dragons.
Though flood dragons are rare on the Divine Martial Continent, they can still be encountered. However, no one had ever seen a flood dragon activate its bloodline before. Now, this flood dragon was evolving towards becoming a divine dragon, aiming for an unprecedented leap.
“A flood dragon? One that is about to evolve!?”
Long Aotian was initially shocked by the National Teacher’s words but then showed ecstatic joy. The flood dragon was currently in the evolution stage, greatly weakened. Judging by the corpses on the ground, it must have attracted numerous enemies due to the aura emitted by its activated bloodline. It had been besieged and killed by its enemies, leaving it very weak.
This was an extraordinary opportunity. Long Aotian thought to himself that if he could refine the essence of this flood dragon now, he would definitely break through to the Immortal Ascension Realm!
“No, since this flood dragon has the opportunity to evolve into a true dragon, it must not be refined. We must guard it here!” When Long Aotian conveyed his thoughts to the old National Teacher, the elder firmly refused and insisted on guarding the dragon together.
“Aotian, as a cultivator, while strength is important, the heart is even more crucial. If this flood dragon evolves successfully, it will ascend and transform into a dragon. If you establish a good relationship with it, it will be grateful. In the future, it can become a powerful guardian dragon for the Soaring Dragon Dynasty, complementing your dynasty perfectly!” The old National Teacher, who had a close relationship with Long Aotian’s father, earnestly advised him.
Being the ruler of a dynasty, Long Aotian was not inept. He quickly understood the key point.
As the elder said, there would be other opportunities to enter the Immortal Ascension Realm, but the flood dragon in front of him was striving to activate the divine dragon bloodline. Once successful, it would be the only divine dragon on the Divine Martial Continent. Gaining such a benevolent relationship would greatly increase the chances of the Soaring Dragon Dynasty having an unparalleled dragon god, becoming the strongest force on the continent.
“Yes, National Teacher, you are right. I will guard this flood dragon with you.” Understanding the implications, Long Aotian respectfully agreed.
While they were discussing, the flood dragon lying on the ground suddenly woke up and opened its lantern-like eyes. Seeing the humans in front of it, its eyes were filled with unease, as the previous battle had almost exhausted its strength.
When it turned its gaze to the old National Teacher, it clearly trembled, sensing the elder’s immense power, feeling despair. If it were at its peak, the elder might not be its opponent, but now…
Its body began to struggle to stand up but found itself powerless. Seeing the elder approach, it let out a weak roar, expressing its unwillingness.
“Don’t worry, Brother Dragon. We mean you no harm. You can focus on activating your divine dragon bloodline. We will guard you here,” the old National Teacher immediately explained, realizing the flood dragon misunderstood their intentions.
Hearing the National Teacher’s words, the massive flood dragon was taken aback, apparently not expecting such a powerful human to say this. Its eyes were filled with distrust.
Tian Fan looked at the creature on the ground and listened to the National Teacher’s words. He couldn’t help but feel a deep respect for the elder. Although he couldn’t cultivate, he had read many ancient texts, and the elder’s attitude deserved his respect.
“Brother Jiao (Flood Dragon), please focus on your breakthrough. I am the current emperor of the Soaring Dragon Dynasty, and this is our National Teacher. Your current situation is extremely dangerous, and we will definitely guard you here!” At this moment, Long Aotian stepped forward and bowed to the flood dragon, speaking earnestly.
“Brother Jiao, please proceed with your breakthrough. If we had any ill intentions, we wouldn’t be speaking to you like this,” the old National Teacher added.
“Roar…”
Suddenly, a massive roar came from the distance, and an unknown powerful presence approached. The flood dragon’s eyes were instantly filled with panic.
“Brother Dragon, don’t worry. We will guard you here.”
The roar grew closer, and moments later, a demonic ape appeared in their view.
Tian Fan’s heart leaped into his throat as he faced the creature. Though outwardly calm, he was deeply worried.
The demonic ape was covered in thick white fur that shimmered faintly. It was clearly a powerful being, a pinnacle existence close to breaking into the Immortal Ascension Realm.
Upon seeing the flood dragon, the demonic ape, sensing the aura close to that of a divine dragon, showed excitement on its dark face and charged directly at the flood dragon, causing the dragon to retreat in alarm, as it was now powerless.
However, just as the demonic ape’s hand was about to grab the flood dragon, a celestial sword light descended from the sky, dazzling white and intimidating, directly locking onto the demonic ape. The white demonic ape was immediately shocked. Its focus had solely been on the flood dragon, not the few weak humans, and it did not expect such a formidable presence among them.
The terrifying aura descended, and the demonic ape struggled to move its body to evade the deadly sword, but it felt as though it was trapped in a swamp, greatly impeded.
But as a powerful being close to the Immortal Ascension Realm, it erupted with a dark demonic light in a desperate attempt to escape, and managed to move sideways. However, at that moment, the white sword light reached it, severing its right arm before it could retract it.
“Roar…”
A hand covered in white fur was forcibly severed from the demonic ape, blood spattering everywhere as a heart-wrenching scream erupted from the demon ape’s mouth.
Tian Fan looked on with a mix of surprise and reverence.
The old man had merely waved his arm lightly, yet he had managed to sever a limb from the demonic ape. Although he was unable to cultivate, he still longed for such combat power.
“The divine dragon’s bloodline is awakening. Our Divine Martial Continent is about to witness the emergence of a true divine dragon. Those who dare to obstruct us will be killed!” The old man’s face was solemn and his expression grave. In his hand, a blood-red battle sword appeared.