216: Blood Pool

The Blood Pool remained viscous and dark red, rotating slowly while emitting a complex aura that mixed sacred Dragon prestige with an eerie, bloody Qi.

The pool was not empty; instead, dozens of figures were quietly floating within it!

Most maintained their original Dragon Clan forms, though their sizes were much reduced. Their eyes were tightly shut, and their breath was weak but steady, as if they had fallen into the deepest of slumbers.

Upon closer inspection, the scales of these figures were dull, and their dragon horns looked listless. Strands of extremely pure dragon blood essence, glowing with a faint golden halo, were being slowly extracted from the reverse scales at their hearts and merging into the viscous liquid of the pool.

These were precisely the Qianjiang Dragon King's dragon sons and grandsons who had failed to reach the fourth rank upon reaching adulthood or were 'untimely' in certain aspects!

By the poolside, Dragon King Ao Guang stood with his hands behind his back, expressionlessly watching his offspring, who were being treated like 'blood medicine' in the pool.

Beside him stood a mysterious person completely shrouded in a voluminous black robe, with their face hidden in the deep shadows of a hood.

This person's aura was bizarre, seeming both alive and dead, completely out of place with the surrounding water element, yet faintly resonating with the Blood Pool.

"The number of sacrifices is still a bit short. Individuals with special Bloodline mutations, in particular, provide the greatest nourishment for the 'Sacred Embryo'." The black-robed person's voice was hoarse and unpleasant, like sandpaper rubbing together, devoid of any emotion.

A sharp glint flashed in Dragon King's eyes as he said in a deep voice, "Special Bloodlines... easier said than done. Although my offspring are many, those who can achieve an Awakening of the ancestral blood mutation are one in ten thousand. These thirty-seven currently in the pool are already the most suitable. As for the rest, either their talent is acceptable and I have other uses for them, or they are those few rebellious sons..." When he mentioned the "rebellious sons," his tone carried deep wariness and a trace of hard-to-detect killing intent.

"Those 'Crown Princes' naturally cannot be moved, at least not for now," the black-robed person said indifferently. "Their Luck is currently at its peak, involving the stability of the Dragon Palace and your own destiny. However, conventional 'nutrients' can be supplemented through other means. I heard... a flood dragon from the outside has recently advanced and come to offer birthday congratulations?"

Dragon King's gaze narrowed slightly: "You mean... that master of Qianjiao Cliff called Purple Lightning? This lad is indeed somewhat interesting; his Bloodline seems quite pure. Although he is a newly advanced fourth rank, the Demon Soldiers under his command are well-trained, and the birthday gifts he presented were no common items. I originally intended to observe and recruit him, perhaps to serve as a protective wing for my Dragon Palace."

"Recruit?" The black-robed person let out a low laugh of unknown meaning. "Dragon King, do not forget our grand plan. The cultivation of the 'Sacred Embryo' has reached a critical stage and requires the irrigation of the purest and most vibrant dragon blood, especially the blood of a wild flood dragon that has never been 'contaminated' by the orthodox Legacy of the Dragon Palace. It might bring unexpected mutations and improvements. A newly advanced flood dragon with no roots or foundation—is he not an excellent... spare 'great medicine'?"

The Dragon King fell silent, his gaze sweeping over his sleeping offspring in the Blood Pool, then appearing to penetrate the thick rock layers to see Gao De, who was currently meditating in Bibo Garden.

His fingers inside his sleeves flexed slightly, seemingly weighing the pros and cons.

"This matter... needs further consideration. An incident just occurred at the birthday banquet; it is not advisable to cause more trouble under the watchful eyes of the public. Moreover, this lad seems to have had contact with those people from the Central Continent's Heaven Divination Sect and Myriad Treasure Pavilion, making his identity sensitive." Dragon King finally said slowly, "The immediate priority is to stabilize the 'source eye' and determine the specific cause of this leyline tremor. Is it related to the loosening of the Seal on the 'Ancient Chidao'?"

At the mention of the "Ancient Chidao" and the "source eye," the black-robed person's aura also fluctuated, becoming much more solemn: "The 'source eye' is exceptionally restless, far exceeding the past. After preliminary investigation, the source of the tremor is indeed related to an abnormality in an ancient Formation node in the 'Tongyou River' branch, which is near a sealed ruin of an 'Ancient Chidao' branch. It could be the natural decay of the Seal over a long period, or... an external force attempting to pry into or disturb it."

"Those people from the Central Continent?" A cold light flashed in the Dragon King's eyes.

"It is not impossible. They have shown an unusual interest in the ancient ruins of this place," the black-robed person rasped. "However, it could also be a periodic fluctuation of the ruins themselves, or... other factors we have yet to detect. I have already sent more manpower to monitor that node and reinforced the outer Seal. But if it is truly a problem with the main vein or core Seal of the 'Ancient Chidao', I'm afraid these measures alone..."

He did not continue, but the meaning was self-evident.

Dragon King Ao Guang's face grew even gloomier. He had expended countless efforts, even going so far as to use his offspring's blood essence to cultivate this "Sacred Embryo," all to obtain power that surpassed the fourth rank and touched true immortality, so as to face the potential crises of the Dragon Palace and even rule over a broader territory.

The cultivation of this "Sacred Embryo," as well as the "source eye" deep within the Dragon Palace that concerned their Luck, were both closely related to the ancient secrets buried in the Qian River basin, especially that mysterious "Ancient Chidao."

Any related disturbance was enough to trigger his most sensitive nerves.

"Continue monitoring and stabilize the 'source eye' at all costs. As for that newly advanced flood dragon..." the Dragon King finally made a decision, "observe him for now. If there are no abnormalities, find an opportunity after the banquet turmoil subsides. If he can be used by me, that is naturally for the best. If he harbors double-mindedness or is too deeply connected with the people of the Central Continent... humph, there is no lack of a place for him in the Blood Pool!"

"Wise." The black-robed person nodded slightly, his figure gradually fading and disappearing as if melting into the shadows, leaving only those raspy words echoing in the Blood Pool space.

"Remember, time is running out. The 'Sacred Embryo' needs more nourishment, and the crisis... may come faster than we imagine."

The Dragon King stood alone by the Blood Pool, watching his offspring floating and sinking, then looked up at the dark rocky ceiling, as if he could see through the many obstacles to the shadow looming in the unseen.

His black dragon robe moved without wind, and a complex aura—a mix of imperial majesty and an endless desire for longevity—spread out.

Inside Bibo Garden, Gao De, who was immersed in the mysteries of the [Abyssal Dragon Suppression Talisman], suddenly felt the dragon talisman in his Dantian tremble slightly. It emitted an extremely faint fluctuation—a mix of desire and alertness, as if it had sensed one of its own kind or some kind of "food"—but it vanished in an instant.

He opened his eyes in confusion, his Divine Sense sweeping the surroundings; the Formation was intact, and there were no abnormalities.

"Was it an illusion? Or did this dragon talisman sense something?" Gao De's brow furrowed slightly, and the string of tension in his heart tightened even more.

This Dragon Palace was indeed filled with eeriness everywhere.

He had to quickly increase his control over the dragon talisman while also finding a way to gather more real information about this incident.

Beneath the surface of Qianyuan City's martial law and calm, the undercurrents were accelerating.