242: Dragon-patterned Immortal Peach

After returning to the Qianjiao Cliff Water Mansion, Gao De was in no hurry to begin a new exploration.

He understood the principle that "the tree that stands out in the forest will be destroyed by the wind."

The successive battles at Qianjiao Cliff would inevitably have drawn the wariness and attention of many powers in the surrounding areas and even further afield.

The most pressing matter at hand was to digest his gains and stabilize his Foundation.

He summoned the core members, including Turtle Three Thousand, Green Edge, Iron Pincer, Dragon Peach, and Ao Xue, to the main hall of the Water Mansion.

Inside the hall, Gao De sat in the primary seat; his dragon prestige was restrained yet appeared even more profound. Below him, the various demons had different auras, but all carried a vigorous sharpness.

"After this battle, Qianjiao Cliff has established its footing," Gao De said, getting straight to the point. "However, our Foundation is still shallow, and the surrounding undercurrents haven't settled. For the coming period, our priority will be 'strengthening the Foundation and training the troops'."

"Turtle Three Thousand, you will oversee all internal affairs of the Water Mansion. First, take stock of all resources obtained from this battle and the Secret Realm, record them, and distribute them as needed. Second, continue to repair and reinforce the Water Mansion's Formations, combining the 'Purple Thunder Heavenly Fire Formation' with the 'Ten Thousand Wood Forest Formation' provided by Dragon Peach to construct the 'Thunder Fire Green Wood Grand Formation,' covering the core area of Qianjiao Cliff. Third, reorganize all the affiliated aquatic tribes, select elites according to the standards of the Mysterious Crocodile Guards, and establish a standing demon army."

"Your subordinate obeys," Turtle Three Thousand responded solemnly.

"Dragon Peach." Gao De looked toward the newly promoted Late Fourth Stage wood demon. "Lesser Qingqiu is entrusted to you to guard. I will temporarily leave the wave splitting halberd with you after repairing it to help you control the earth veins. I will also allocate resources to help you set up a fourth-stage 'Wood Element Azure Dragon Formation' on the outskirts of Lesser Qingqiu, which will echo the Ten Thousand Wood Forest Formation within the Peach Blossom Spring to form a multi-layered defense. You must familiarize yourself with your power as quickly as possible, stabilize your Realm, and Cultivate 'Dragon Pattern Immortal Peaches' and other spiritual plants as an important resource output for Qianjiao Cliff."

"Rest assured, My Lord, Dragon Peach will not fail your trust," Dragon Peach's voice was gentle yet firm.

He was originally transformed from an Earthly Spiritual Root; guarding a location and cultivating spiritual plants were precisely his strengths.

"Green Edge, Iron Pincer, you two will assist Dragon Peach and be responsible for the daily patrols and alerts for Lesser Qingqiu and its surrounding areas. Lesser Qingqiu is Qianjiao Cliff's reach on the land; it must not be lost."

"Yes, My Lord!" the two demons replied in unison.

"Ao Xue," Gao De looked at the Blood Dragon girl, "you will follow me back to Qianjiao Cliff for quiet cultivation to stabilize your Bloodline and refine your Blood Dragon Divine Abilities. At the same time, you will be responsible for the alerts in the hundred miles of water surrounding the Water Mansion."

Ao Xue nodded slightly, a hint of warmth flashing in her crimson eyes.

Letting her handle the outer perimeter alerts was both a sign of trust in her abilities and a way for her to master her power more quickly through practical experience.

After the arrangements were finished, Gao De finally said, "From this day forth, Qianjiao Cliff enters a 'period of secluded cultivation.' Each department will act according to orders; unless there is a major incident, no disputes are to be initiated. I also need to enter seclusion for a period to digest the gains from this time."

"We respectfully obey My Lord's command!"

After everyone withdrew, Gao De walked alone into the deepest part of the Water Mansion, the secluded cultivation room with the densest Spiritual Qi.

The quiet room had long been meticulously arranged by Turtle Three Thousand. The floor was laid with Warm Jade, the walls were embedded with night pearls and Spirit Gathering Runes, and a spiritual spring bubbled in the center, misting with pure water spiritual energy.

Gao De sat cross-legged in the spiritual spring and first took out the deep blue "wave splitting halberd."

This halberd was about two zhang long, and its body was covered with ancient water-system runes. Although most were dim, it felt heavy in his hand. The material was neither metal nor jade, cold to the touch, and faintly resonated with the surrounding water spiritual energy.

The blade's edge held a restrained cold light, as if it could easily slice through flowing water.

"As expected of the personal weapon of a Peak Fourth Stage Chi Dragon; though its spirituality is damaged, its Foundation remains," Gao De murmured, gripping the shaft with both hands and slowly injecting pure Dragon Yuan.

The wave splitting halberd vibrated slightly, and those dim runes on the shaft began to light up with a weak blue glow one after another, like parched land meeting sweet rain.

An aura that was desolate, vast, and carried endless water element fluctuations began to spread from the halberd.

Gao De could feel that the core Restriction of this halberd had fallen dormant due to the long passage of time, but its Foundation was not destroyed.

To fully repair it and awaken its spirituality, a massive amount of high-grade water-attribute Materials and a long period of nurturing and refinement would be required.

"For now, it can barely be used." Gao De placed the wave splitting halberd in the center of the spiritual spring, letting it slowly recover some energy by absorbing the water spiritual energy on its own.

"Once my cultivation progresses further, I might try to use the power of the 'source of ten thousand waters' as a core to re-forge this halberd, allowing it to regain its former sharpness."

Next, he took out the larger Chi Dragon bone fragments he had brought from the Secret Realm.

The bone fragments were jade-white and incredibly hard. Inside, there was a faint flow of pale blue light, which was the essence and Law fragments left behind by the Chi Dragon during its life.

"This is top-tier material for refining defensive Magic Treasures or Puppet Clones," Gao De mused.

The Chi Dragon belongs to the water-system True Dragon genus; its bones naturally contain powerful water element resistance and vitality, making their value difficult to estimate.

He carefully put away the bone fragments, saving them for later when his Artifact Refining skills had improved.

Finally, his gaze fell on the black jade box he had obtained from the stone platform in the Secret Realm.

The jade box remained simple and unremarkable, the lid and body perfectly integrated. Whether he injected Dragon Yuan or probed with his Divine Sense, it was like a stone sinking into the ocean, yielding no reaction.

"Even in Lanyuan's message, this box wasn't specifically mentioned; it was just placed with the Chi Dragon's relics. Clearly, it didn't belong to Lanyuan, nor did it belong to the Chi Dragon 'Ming'," Gao De pondered while stroking the cold body of the box. "But for it to exist in the core of the Secret Realm and remain indestructible through endless ages, it is definitely not simple."

He tried several methods: dripping Essence Blood, scorching it with thunder fire, analyzing it with Cloud Restriction techniques, and even mobilizing a trace of the prison dragon talisman's suppression power to touch it... all were to no avail.

Just as Gao De was about to give up temporarily and put the jade box away—

A sudden change occurred!

Inside his Dantian, his Life Dragon Pearl, which had fused with the "source of ten thousand waters," seemed to sense something and suddenly began to spin faster of its own accord!

On the surface of the Dragon Pearl, the newly formed azure water-cloud patterns shone brightly. A pure and vast water spiritual power, carrying the aura of the Chi Dragon's Origin, surged out of Gao De's body uncontrollably, transforming into a pale blue stream of water that slowly flowed toward the black jade box!

"Is this... the source of ten thousand waters actively resonating with this box?" Gao De was startled but did not forcibly stop it, instead observing intently.

The moment the pale blue stream touched the black jade box, the surface of the box finally changed!

On those seemingly seamless black Materials, countless silver patterns as thin as hair and extremely complex emerged!

These patterns were not engraved but seemed naturally formed, intertwining into ancient and mysterious images—some showing the movement of stars, some the rushing of rivers, some the gathering and scattering of clouds, and even an indescribable "Abyssal Convergence" Concept that seemed to carry the weight of ages.

"Are these... 'Abyssal Convergence Dao Patterns'?!" In Gao De's mind, certain fragments of knowledge from the Dragon Clan Legacy were triggered, and he recognized these legendary Innate patterns.

Rumor has it that in the place where all waters return to the abyss, washed by the power of Chaos water elements and space-time, certain special Materials will naturally generate patterns containing the Great Dao of the Abyssal Convergence, known as "Abyssal Convergence Dao Patterns."

Objects possessing these patterns often have a mysterious connection to the place of Abyssal Convergence or are themselves rare items nurtured by the Gui Xu Eye.

"Could this jade box be a treasure hidden by someone using the 'Gui Xu Eye'?" Gao De was shocked.

At the exact moment the silver Abyssal Convergence Dao Patterns fully manifested, the black jade box made a soft "click."

The originally seamless lid slowly slid open a crack along the trajectory of the Dao patterns!

There was no soaring treasure light, nor any piercing exotic fragrance.

Only a deeper, more ancient aura of "stillness" and "void" that seemed capable of absorbing all light and sound emanated from the crack.

Gao De held his breath and carefully lifted the lid completely.

The space inside the box was not large, and only three items lay quietly within:

The first was a palm-sized token, neither metal nor jade, presenting a Chaos grayish-white color all over, with a surface as smooth as a mirror.

On the front of the token, an ancient character for "Abyss" was carved in Cloud Seal Script; on the back was a miniature nebula vortex map that seemed to be constantly flowing and changing.

"guixu token?" This name flashed through Gao De's mind. This object was likely related to the control of or entry to the "Gui Xu Eye."

The second item was a roll of silver silk script, as thin as a cicada's wing and made of an unknown material.

The silk script automatically unfurled a portion, recording dense text and patterns in Cloud Seal Script.

Gao De focused and read the opening lines:

"'return void secret records · Volume One': I, Cang Mingzi, the seventh generation Sect Master of the Yushui Sect, have spent my life's energy exploring the secrets of the Abyssal Convergence and recorded them in this volume. The Abyssal Convergence is the end of all waters and also the beginning of all waters; a rift in space-time and also the source of Laws. My sect's 'Gui Xu Eye' secret land is the largest remaining node after the ancient war, containing..."

Seeing this, Gao De's heart shook violently!

This was actually an exploration record personally written by a Sect Master of the Yushui Sect regarding the "Gui Xu Eye"!

Its value was likely even more precious than the Legacy fragments of the "source of ten thousand waters"!

Because this could directly reveal the essence of the Abyssal Convergence, the core secrets of the Yushui Sect, and might even contain methods for utilizing the power of the Abyssal Convergence and exploring ancient ruins!

The third item was a pigeon-egg-sized, pitch-black singular crystal with what seemed like countless starlights flowing inside.

The crystal lay quietly at the bottom of the box, emitting a weak but exceptionally stable spatial fluctuation.

"Is this... a 'ding xu stone'?" Gao De wasn't entirely sure. But since this item was placed together with the guixu token and the return void secret records, its value was self-evident, likely related to stabilizing space or traversing the Void Realm.

There was nothing else in the box.

Gao De carefully took out the three items. After the black jade box lost the support of the source of ten thousand waters' power, the Abyssal Convergence Dao Patterns on its surface slowly faded, and the lid closed again, returning to its simple and unremarkable appearance.

"It seems only those possessing the 'source of ten thousand waters' or a similar Abyssal Convergence Origin power can open this box," Gao De realized. Lanyuan's remnant soul might have known of this box's existence but lacked the power to open it, so he could only place it with the Chi Dragon's relics.

The harvest from this trip completely exceeded his expectations!

Not only were the wave splitting halberd and Chi Dragon bone fragments in his possession, but he had also unexpectedly opened the mysterious black jade box, obtaining the "guixu token," the "return void secret records," and the suspected "ding xu stone"!

Especially the "return void secret records"; the knowledge recorded within could very well open a door for him to a higher-level world!

"It seems my fate with that 'Gui Xu Eye' and the ancient Yushui Sect is quite profound." Gao De carefully put away the three items, especially that roll of silver silk script, which he planned to spend a great deal of time studying carefully.

However, he did not immediately begin studying the secret records.

The urgent task was to completely digest the "source of ten thousand waters," stabilize his Middle Stage Fourth Stage Realm, and further fuse the water-system Divine Abilities from the Chi Dragon Legacy with his own thunder arts.

He closed his eyes again, his mind sinking into his Dantian.

Nurtured by the spiritual spring and his own Dragon Yuan, the Life Dragon Pearl rotated slowly. With every rotation, its volume seemed to become more solid, and the purple-gold thunder patterns and azure water-cloud patterns on its surface blended more deeply.

After fusing with the source of ten thousand waters, his Dragon Yuan not only surged in total volume but also changed in nature.

The originally pure Purple Heaven Thunder Fire power now incorporated a vast, pure, and ceaseless water element characteristic. Within the fierceness, there was more flexibility and endurance; the explosive power remained, but the stamina was greatly increased.

The circulation route of the "Purple Heaven Dragon Transformation Art" was also adjusting itself to adapt to the new power attributes.

Some originally obscure and difficult chapters regarding "the harmony of water and fire" and "the mutual generation of thunder and water" suddenly became clear as day.

Gao De immersed himself in deep cultivation, forgetting both himself and the world.

Time flowed like water, quietly passing in the quiet room.

One month, two months, three months... Inside and outside the Qianjiao Cliff Water Mansion, everything operated in an orderly fashion under Turtle Three Thousand's management.

The newly recruited aquatic tribes, after strict screening and training, gradually integrated into the systems of the Mysterious Crocodile Guards and Shadow Snake Guards.

The Water Mansion's Formations completed their upgrade with Dragon Peach's assistance; the "Thunder Fire Green Wood Grand Formation" covered the core area, increasing defensive power several times over.

Over at Lesser Qingqiu, Dragon Peach used the wave splitting halberd as a guide to successfully mobilize the power of the earth veins and set up a fourth-stage "Wood Element Azure Dragon Formation."

On the day the Formation was completed, the phantom of an Azure Dragon circled above Lesser Qingqiu, ten thousand trees responded, and the Spiritual Qi concentration rose another level.

The first batch of Dragon Pattern Immortal Peaches also began to ripen. Although they hadn't reached the fourth-stage level, they far surpassed ordinary spiritual peaches, having the effect of cleansing the marrow and consolidating the Foundation for Cultivators at the third stage and below.

Ao Xue was responsible for the outer perimeter alerts, her Blood Dragon prestige deterring any petty wrongdoers.

During this period, several waves of unidentified scouts tried to approach Qianjiao Cliff, but they were all driven away or captured and killed by her with thunderous methods.

She also gradually adapted to her Blood Dragon power; the Blood Dragon pattern on her forehead became more solid, her dragon wings could be retracted or extended at will, and her aura grew deeper by the day.

The entire Qianjiao Cliff power was like a precise and powerful machine, rapidly recovering, integrating, and expanding after the war, emitting a heart-pounding and vigorous vitality.

On this day, the door to Gao De's secluded cultivation room finally opened silently.

A figure walked out slowly.

It was still the purple-gold Flood Dragon robe, still that cold face.

But if someone looked closely, they would find that deep within Gao De's eyes, Purple Lightning and azure water light flowed alternately, and his aura was harmonious and restrained, yet seemed to breathe in sync with the entire body of water.

Through several years of seclusion, he had not only completely stabilized his Middle Stage Fourth Stage Realm but had also fully refined the "source of ten thousand waters," and his Life Dragon Pearl had undergone a minor transformation.

His mastery of the Law of water had advanced by leaps and bounds; he had gained several new water-system Divine Abilities and had preliminarily fused them with his own thunder arts.

More importantly, he had found time to preliminarily study "return void secret records · Volume One," gaining a clearer understanding of the "Gui Xu Eye," and already had a vague direction for his next exploration.

"Welcome back from seclusion, My Lord!" Turtle Three Thousand had been waiting outside the door. Sensing Gao De's increasingly unfathomable aura, the old face was full of excitement.

"Has anything happened recently?" Gao De asked.

"Reporting to My Lord, everything is stable. News from Dragon Peach's post says the Lesser Qingqiu Formation is complete, and the first batch of three hundred Dragon Pattern Immortal Peaches has been harvested, three of which have reached the top of the third grade. Lady Ao Xue has captured and killed several groups of scouts, two of which were suspected to be from the remnant forces of Black Water Pool and Red Scale Cave, and another group... their methods were eerie, carrying a faint demonic evil aura. This old servant suspects they are related to the 'Heavenly Demon Cult'."

The Heavenly Demon Cult!

Gao De's eyes narrowed.

This persistent organization had indeed set its sights on him after all.

"I see," Gao De nodded. "Pass down the order: in three days, we will hold a meeting in the Water Mansion's main hall. Also, send someone to Lesser Qingqiu to bring back one hundred Dragon Pattern Immortal Peaches to be distributed as rewards to those who have contributed."

"Yes!"

Gao De looked out beyond the Water Mansion; the deep waters seemed to reflect his current state of mind.

His secluded cultivation was finished, and his Foundation was gradually solidifying.

It was time to start a massacre.

The Gui Xu Eye, the Ancient Chidao ruins, the Heavenly Demon Cult's conspiracy, the attention of Bai Ze and the Mysterious Tortoise... the loose ends of these mysteries all seemed to point faintly in the same direction—deep into the Qian River, which once belonged to the Dragon Palace and was now a ruin, yet buried even deeper secrets.