220: Each with their own ulterior motives

The Black-Robed Person's expression became incredibly pious and fanatical as he respectfully transmitted information through his thoughts:

"Reporting to the Cult Leader, your subordinate 'Shadow Erosion' reports: The 'Evil Dragon Descent Plan' is progressing smoothly. Qianjiang Dragon King Dragon King is fully convinced and has put all his effort into the cultivation, using his own blood descendants as nourishment."

"Now the primal fetus is nearing maturity, brimming with vitality. We only wait for the Dragon King to consume it according to plan. When he attempts to Breakthrough to the fifth rank and his mind completely merges with the primal fetus, I can activate the 'Dragon Demon Heart-Erosion Great Art.' Combined with the 'Myriad Demon Soul-Guiding Banner' fragment bestowed by the Cult Leader, I will refine his Divine Soul and reshape his Physical Body in one fell swoop, transforming him into the perfect 'Evil Dragon True Body'—an excellent vessel for the descent of the 'Heavenly Demon Evil Dragon' into this world!"

"Though the old Dragon King is suspicious, his desire to Breakthrough to the fifth rank overrides everything. Additionally, the ancient secret techniques I provided have indeed stabilized his 'source eye' and helped explore the Ancient Chidao ruins, earning his preliminary trust."

"People from the Central Continent's Tianyan Sect and the Myriad Treasures Pavilion also seem to have designs on the ancient ruins. They could be utilized to stir up the situation, making it easier for us to act."

"However... there have been some minor accidents recently. A wild flood dragon named Purple Lightning, with a pure Bloodline, could have served as high-quality 'blood food' to accelerate the primal fetus's maturation, but mysteriously vanished during capture. The Dragon King is currently investigating. I will keep a close watch; if necessary, it could be used as a pawn to distract him."

"Please rest assured, Cult Leader. 'Shadow Erosion' will certainly complete the mission and welcome the descent of the Heavenly Demon Evil Dragon, expanding the territory for our Sacred Cult!"

The phantom of a grotesque face on the altar swayed slightly, seemingly transmitting back a cold, approving thought filled with endless greed before slowly dissipating.

The Black-Robed Person "Shadow Erosion" put his hood back on, concealing that terrifying face, his eyes flashing with the excitement of a successful conspiracy and fanaticism for the future.

He did not know that the faint spatial and Soul fluctuations caused by his communication with the "Cult Leader," though mostly isolated by the secret chamber's Formation, still left an extremely subtle anomaly. This was captured by an ancient monitoring array in the main hall of the "Bureau of Astronomy," which was connected to the Qianyuan City's Luck in the deepest part of the city. It recorded a segment of meaningless "interference," which was temporarily ignored by the staff on duty.

But did Dragon King Ao Guang really completely trust this Black-Robed Person of mysterious origin, who provided the methods for the "Dragon Transformation Pool" and the "holy fetus" cultivation?

Deep within the Crystal Palace, when the Dragon King was alone, his fingers unconsciously rubbed an ancient jade pendant he wore close to his body. It was as warm as mutton-fat jade yet contained specks of starlight.

He had obtained this jade pendant in his early years before ascending the throne while training in an extremely perilous place. It had the ability to warn of good or ill fortune and to see through delusions to reveal the truth.

Whenever he came into contact with the Black-Robed Person or thought of the "holy fetus" plan, the jade pendant would always convey an extremely faint chill.

"An Opportunity to Breakthrough to the fifth rank... how could it be given so easily?" A deep light flashed in the Dragon King's eyes. "Shadow Erosion... no matter who is behind you or what your designs are, once I use your method to Breakthrough... hmph, this Qian River, and even this world, will ultimately be ruled by strength."

"If you behave honestly, I might spare your life; if you dare to have ulterior motives... my Dragon Transformation Pool does not lack a 'great medicine' like you!"

Three forces, each with their own motives, calculating against one another.

One is the Qianjiang Dragon King, who yearns for a Breakthrough at any cost yet harbors hidden wariness.

One is the hidden agent of the Heavenly Demon Cult, with deep-seated schemes, intending to bring about a "descent."

And another is the "wild" flood dragon Gao De, who was accidentally involved, caught wind of the secret, and intends to snatch the chestnuts from the fire.

All conspiracies and desires intertwined and fermented around that increasingly boiling "Dragon Transformation Pool" and the evil dragon primal fetus gestating within.

The three-year countdown had already begun.

On the surface, Qianyuan City appeared slightly deserted due to the early conclusion of the birthday banquet, but in reality, the undercurrents had turned into surging hidden flows. Beneath the silent waters, a world-shaking storm was brewing, enough to change the entire landscape of the Qian River basin.

And the center of the storm might be right there in the dark underground, by the blood-light-filled poolside.

Time passed quietly amidst the surging undercurrents.

The atmosphere of martial law in Qianyuan City did not weaken with the "settling" of the birthday banquet turmoil; instead, it became increasingly oppressive due to several incidents of dragon sons and daughters "suddenly falling ill" or "suffering a cultivation deviation."

The guests were placed under a form of house arrest in their respective residences. Although not explicitly stated, everyone could feel that something was brewing within the Dragon Palace, or... something was being prepared.

Bibo Garden remained sealed by the "Qianyuan Spirit-Locking Formation," becoming a neglected gray corner of Qianyuan City.

The Dragon Palace's search for Gao De never stopped. The scope even expanded to the waters surrounding Qianyuan City, and people were sent to explore Qianjiao Cliff. However, Gao De used the heavenly secret mirror to contact Turtle Three Thousand and hid in Lesser Qingqiu in advance, so the Qianjiang Dragon King's efforts were all in vain.

Gao De seemed to have truly evaporated from the world, leaving not even a trace of his aura.

Over time, the leader of the Secret Guards in charge of this matter was overwhelmed with frustration, but could only list it as an unsolved case, devoting more energy to the defense of the "Dragon Transformation Pool" and the stabilization of the "Qian River source eye."

The world within the talisman.

Gao De's perception of the passage of time outside was blurred, but through that speck of dust-sized prison dragon talisman attached to the edge of the Blood Pool, he could clearly feel the daily increasing fluctuations of the "Dragon Transformation Pool" and the frequency with which dragon sons and daughters were brought there.

This gave him a reference for estimating time.

Nearly a year had passed.

During this year, he had hardly ever actively controlled that speck of dust to move. Most of his time was spent immersed in the world within the talisman, putting all his effort into comprehending the abyssal suppression dragon talisman.

He discovered that his previous understanding of the dragon talisman was only skin-deep.

As his comprehension deepened, he not only became more adept at using the powers of "suppression" and "Sealing" but also vaguely touched upon the deeper structures of this world within the talisman.

The space within the prison dragon talisman was far more than just the dark and silent place he had initially entered.

This place was like an inverted pagoda, or rather, countless layered "prisons."

Where he was currently located was only the outermost, relatively "safe," and most barren layer.

From the deeper layers below, there were faint ripples of something more ancient, heavy, and even carrying the lingering resonance of some violent entity being suppressed.

He tried to extend his Divine Sense downward but felt a strong sense of repulsion and warning, as if he had touched the dragon talisman's true core restricted area.

He did not dare to force it, but he had a faint feeling that if he could open the deeper layers, he might find some clues left by the dragon talisman's previous owner, or even... learn exactly what this dragon talisman was suppressing.

However, even just the comprehension and control of the surface layer had benefited him immensely.

His control over the dragon talisman became even more meticulous. Not only could he stably receive information, but he could also slightly adjust its position and attempt to simulate a more perfect "dust" state, almost completely merging with the surrounding environment.

At the same time, he also began to try and simulate some methods in his plan within the world of the talisman, especially the instantaneous eruption of suppression power, short-distance spatial interference, and most importantly—how to pull "things" from the outside into the world within the talisman at the fastest speed!

Risks and opportunities coexist.

He knew that once he acted, it would be earth-shattering. It had to be completed in the blink of an eye, and there would only be one chance.

Any mistake would lead to eternal damnation.