195: Hidden Dragon Emerges from the Abyss

Gao De sat coiled in the center of the spiritual cave, his entire aura having completely stabilized into a profound, abyss-like state of restrained power.

The reddish-gold patterns on his purple scales seemed naturally formed, and the spinal spikes were hidden beneath his scale armor. Only when he opened and closed his eyes did the long-tempered divine light of thunder and flame reveal his extraordinary nature.

His Bloodline concentration remained motionless at 42%, but ten years of dedicated tempering had allowed him to completely control and purify the power forcibly elevated by the suanni precious blood, solidifying his Foundation like ten-thousand-year-old dark iron.

His cultivation now stood on the most delicate threshold between the third and fourth ranks; he only lacked an opportunity to leap through the dragon gate like a carp.

“Ten years of tempering... the heat is sufficient. There is little point in continuing to sit here in isolation.” Gao De slowly rose, his scale armor rubbing together to produce a low, melodious sound of clashing metal and stone.

He could feel that his state had been adjusted to its Peak, and his deductions for the fourth-rank chapter of the Purple Heaven Thunder Flame Dragon Transformation Art had reached a temporary Bottleneck.

Instead of continuing his seclusion, it would be better to go out and find the 'favorable wind' needed for a Breakthrough.

Furthermore, less than twenty years remained until the Dragon King's birthday banquet.

Necessary preparations and travel time should be put on the schedule.

“Turtle Three Thousand,” he sent out a Divine Thought.

A moment later, the spiritual cave's Restriction flickered slightly, and Turtle Three Thousand walked in quickly. Seeing Gao De's increasingly unfathomable aura, a flash of joy appeared in his eyes: “Master, you have ended your seclusion early? Have you reached Perfection in your cultivation?”

“It has reached a stopping point for now,” Gao De nodded. “What new changes have occurred in the outside world during these ten years? Has there been any more news regarding the specific arrangements for the Dragon Palace's birthday banquet?”

Turtle Three Thousand’s expression turned serious as he reported, “While Master was in seclusion, this old servant did not dare to slacken. The situation outside appears calm on the surface, but the undercurrents are even stronger.”

“First, the aftermath of the suanni precious blood has not yet settled. It is rumored that the Thunder Kui Demon King, Lady Jade Flood Dragon, and Black Bone Crocodile King have all emerged from seclusion. Their auras are much more powerful than back then; they may have touched the threshold of the fourth-rank Middle Stage or even made Breakthroughs.”

“The territories of those three are heavily guarded, seemingly as a precaution against each other and the Heavenly Sword Alliance. The Hundred-Eyed Centipede remains dormant in the Corrosive Poison Marsh, but the concentration of poisonous miasma in its territory has increased several-fold. No living soul can approach; there may be an abnormal change. As for the Heavenly Sword Alliance, their infiltration and operations in Yunmeng Marsh have deepened. They have established several large market outposts, and while friction with local forces occurs frequently, high-level conflicts remain relatively restrained.”

“Second, the scale of the Dragon Palace's birthday banquet seems to have been upgraded again!” Turtle Three Thousand’s tone carried a hint of gravity. “A few months ago, a messenger from the Dragon Palace secretly sent word to the various Demon Kings who received invitations. Besides confirming the time and location, they also vaguely revealed that powerful aquatic guests from distant regions such as the 'Central Continent Waters' and the 'Endless Sea' will be attending this banquet!”

“The Dragon Lord seems to intend to use this grand gathering to display the majesty of the Dragon Palace, and it may involve important profit sharing or the discussion of alliances. Therefore, attendees must pay extra attention to etiquette, and it would be best if they can demonstrate their own strength and potential.”

Gao De narrowed his dragon eyes.

Central Continent? Endless Sea? These place names were quite foreign to him, but judging by their titles, they were clearly of no small consequence.

The Dragon Palace making such a big show of things was likely about more than just a birthday celebration.

“Mm, you have done well,” Gao De affirmed. “The upgrade in the banquet's scale is both a challenge and an opportunity for us. To demonstrate strength... how are the preparations for the congratulatory gift?”

Turtle Three Thousand hurriedly said, “The maintenance of the [Purple Mist Thunder Marsh Coiled Dragon Lamp] was completed long ago. During Master's seclusion, this old servant found several pieces of rare 'Condensing Light Warm Jade' and 'Thunder-Struck Agarwood' scraps. I asked Lin Xiaofan to use a special method to nurture them, making their luster more internal and the auspicious Qi more pure and natural. At first glance, it appears to be just an exquisite auspicious ornament. Only someone who truly knows the trade and investigates carefully can detect the hidden Purple Heaven Thunder Flame charm and the subtle crafting techniques within. It absolutely meets the requirement of 'showing sincerity without attracting unwanted attention.'” Saying this, he took out a treasure box made of neither metal nor jade and opened it.

Inside the box, a Coiled Dragon Lamp about three feet high sat quietly.

The dragon's body was coiled and lifelike, its scales vivid. Its mouth was slightly open, holding a pearl the size of a pigeon's egg, inside of which purple mist and golden flames seemed to slowly flow.

The lamp base was a steady spirit turtle, its entire body shimmering with light yet restrained in luster. An auspicious aura washed over the viewer, calming the mind.

Gao De used his Divine Thought to sense it carefully and indeed detected the hidden aura of the Purple Heaven Thunder Flame, which shared the same source as his own, as well as an extremely subtle concealment Formation. He nodded in satisfaction.

“Very good. This lamp shall be the primary gift.” Gao De put away the treasure box and asked again, “Have the travel route and accompanying matters been planned?”

“The planning is complete.” Turtle Three Thousand presented a Jade Slip. “Considering the movements of various forces and potential risks, this old servant suggests that Master's route for this trip be slightly circuitous. Instead of crossing directly through Yunmeng Marsh, head west first, bypassing a portion of the uninhabited Savage Mountain Range's edge, then turn north into a tributary of the Qian River and follow the current down to the Dragon Palace.”

“Although this route will take more time, it allows us to avoid several sensitive Demon King territory borders and areas controlled by the Heavenly Sword Alliance, making it more secure. As for companions, per Master's wishes, only Rainbow will go. I have prepared a special Magical Artifact for Rainbow called the 'Light Restraining Pendant,' which can help her hide her aura better.”

“We shall proceed according to this plan.” Gao De had no objections; safety came first. “Qianjiao Cliff will still be under your general command after I leave. Maintain a 'silent' state. If you encounter an irresistible force, act according to the established contingency plans.”

“This subordinate understands! I will not fail Master's trust!” Turtle Three Thousand said solemnly.

Gao De turned his gaze toward a corner of the spiritual cave.

With a flash of iridescent colors, the five-zhang-long Rainbow swam over gracefully. Her entire body glowed with a mellow luster and her aura was condensed; clearly, the ten years of cultivation had yielded significant gains.

She affectionately rubbed against Gao De's scaled claws, transmitting a thought that she was ready.

“Let's go.” Gao De delayed no further.

He took one last look at this spiritual cave he had operated for many years, then his body swayed, transforming into a 'common' flood dragon form only thirty zhang long. His body was purple-gold with a warm luster on his scales, and his aura was restrained to the extreme. At first glance, he looked no different from an ordinary third-rank flood dragon.

Rainbow transformed into a slender colored bracelet, encircling his left front limb. The 'Light Restraining Pendant' flashed with a faint light, and her aura completely vanished.

After bidding farewell to Turtle Three Thousand and the others, Gao De quietly left Qianjiao Cliff and followed the planned route, diving west into the vast mountains and wilds.

The start of the journey was quite smooth.

Gao De specifically chose to travel through desolate and steep places where Spiritual Qi was thin. With his current strength and concealment Divine Ability, ordinary Yao Beasts found it difficult to detect him, and the occasional blind ones were easily dealt with.

A month later, he had delved deep into the edge of the western Savage Mountain Range.

The mountains here were even more majestic, with ancient trees reaching the sky and miasma filling the air. Many strange beasts rarely seen in the outside world lived here.

One day, while flying low over a secluded valley filled with giant ferns, his heart suddenly stirred, and he stopped.

Halfway up a mountain Peak not far ahead, bursts of Spiritual Qi fluctuations were faintly coming through, accompanied by low beast roars and a strange 'clanging' sound like metal striking metal. The sounds were filled with pain and rage.

Gao De originally did not want to meddle, but his Divine Sense keenly captured a trace of an aura within those Spiritual Qi fluctuations that made his Bloodline throb slightly—it was a pure and ancient sharp metal Qi, somewhat similar to the Iron-Armored Dragon-Crocodile he had devoured, but at a much higher level, carrying a natural 'sharpness' and 'law-breaking' charm!

“Is there a rare treasure? Or... a special dragon-blooded Yao Beast?” Gao De pondered.

Something that could trigger a reaction in his Bloodline was definitely no ordinary object. He hesitated for a moment and decided to approach and investigate. If it was beyond his capabilities, it wouldn't be too late to retreat.

He signaled the Rainbow bracelet to restrain all light while he pushed his Hidden Scale Concealment Technique to its current limit. His body seemed to merge into the thin mist and shadows drifting among the mountains as he noiselessly crept toward the source of the fluctuations.

A moment later, he hid himself within the crown of a massive ancient tree and looked down.

On a relatively open stone platform below, an intense battle was breaking out.

One side of the battle was a Yao Beast of strange appearance.

Its body was like a lion's, yet it had a dragon's head. Its entire body was covered in dark golden scales that shimmered with a cold metallic light under the sun.

It had a pair of curved dark golden dragon horns on its head, four claws as sharp as hooks, and a tail like a steel whip.

At this moment, it had several wounds on its body from which pale golden blood flowed. Its aura was at the second-rank Middle Stage, but it was exceptionally enraged, madly pouncing and biting at its enemies. Every claw strike brought with it the ear-piercing sound of metal tearing through the air!

And its enemies were actually three Human Cultivators dressed in uniform green martial attire with small sword insignias embroidered on their chests!

Judging by their spiritual power fluctuations, they were two at the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage and one at the Foundation Establishment Late Stage!

They coordinated perfectly, advancing and retreating with discipline. The Flying Swords and Magical Artifacts they manifested shimmered with light, forming a simple sword Formation that trapped the dragon-headed golden lion in the center, constantly wearing down its strength. They were clearly intending to capture it alive or exhaust it!

“People from the Heavenly Sword Alliance?” Gao De’s gaze sharpened.

Those clothing insignia were identical to the descriptions of Heavenly Sword Alliance Disciples in the intelligence reports.

Why would they appear deep in this wilderness? Was their target this strange dragon-headed golden lion?

His gaze fell once more on the Yao Beast, sensing the unique sharp metal Qi emanating from its Bloodline and the subtle resonance it created with his own thunder-flame Bloodline.

“This Yao Beast... seems to possess an extremely pure Bloodline of a suanni branch—the Golden Ni Bloodline?” Gao De judged in his heart, a flash of eagerness crossing his eyes.

The Golden Ni belongs to the metal element, specializing in sharpness and breaking laws. If he could devour its Bloodline essence, it would be of immense benefit for strengthening his offensive power, tempering his natal demon weapon, and even comprehending the Dao of metal and thunder generating one another!

Moreover, seeing the state of this Golden Ni, it had clearly occupied this place for a long time. Did its nest contain other treasures related to the metal element?