139: Hidden Dragon Abyss, Undercurrents Begin to Emerge

The so-called "Hidden Dragon Abyss" was not the dark prison imagined, but a secluded valley located on the edge of the Dragon Domain, surrounded by massive mountain ranges.

The valley was filled with abundant Spiritual Qi, exotic flowers and strange herbs grew everywhere, and there was even a Spiritual Spring emitting a faint warmth. The scenery was quite remarkable.

The only Restriction was an invisible spatial barrier covering the valley, separating the inside from the outside, clearly intended to prevent them from leaving at will.

Hei Qing escorted them to the valley entrance and said in a booming voice, "For now, settle down here and rest easy. Since the Third Elder said he would treat you with courtesy, he will not mistreat you.

Someone will bring food daily. Remember, do not try to break the barrier, or if you trigger the Restriction, even I won't be able to save you."

He paused, his gaze lingering on Li Ao for a moment, and a trace of curiosity appeared on his rugged face: "Kid, that power on you certainly has some depth.

Stay put, and as long as you behave, I, Old Hei, will ensure your safety." Having said that, he turned and left, his figure vanishing beyond the barrier.

Only after Hei Qing left did the three truly examine their temporary dwelling place.

"The energy here is dense; it's quite a good place to Cultivate," Xiao Yi Xian said softly. She walked to the edge of the Spiritual Spring, felt the gentle energy contained within, and a hint of joy appeared on her face. "This spring water seems to have a miraculous effect on nourishing the Meridians."

Medusa, however, walked straight toward the depths of the valley, where there were several simple but clean stone houses, obviously left behind from before.

She chose one and turned back to Li Ao, saying, "This Queen needs to enter seclusion for a few days to completely stabilize her Origin Qi." After repeated upheavals and forcefully using her power, her Foundation truly needed to be thoroughly sorted out.

Li Ao nodded: "Alright, enter seclusion without worry. I will watch over this place."

Medusa glanced at him, her purple eyes showing a complex expression. She finally gave a slight nod, turned, and entered the stone house, setting up a Restriction of seven-colored light.

Only Li Ao and Xiao Yi Xian remained in the valley. The atmosphere became quiet for a moment.

Xiao Yi Xian walked over to Li Ao and whispered, "Li Ao, will we... be trapped here forever?"

Li Ao looked at the invisible barrier above the valley, sensing the stable spatial power contained within, and shook his head: "No.

The Ancient Void Dragon Clan placed us here instead of throwing us directly into the Dragon Prison, which indicates that there is still room for maneuver. That Elder Zhu Li seems to have other considerations."

He paused, looked at Xiao Yi Xian, and said gently, "The energy here is abundant, which is perfect for you to Cultivate the technique I taught you, attempting to guide that trace of Nirvana Origin to balance your Poison Body.

Perhaps, this is a rare period of peace."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yi Xian felt slightly relieved. Looking at Li Ao's gentle gaze, her cheeks flushed slightly, and she softly murmured, "Mhm." "Then... I will go Cultivate over there so as not to disturb you." She pointed to a smooth bluestone on the other side of the Spiritual Spring.

Li Ao smiled as he watched her somewhat hurried retreat, then found an empty spot and sat down cross-legged.

He needed to properly digest the gains from the Ancient Domain of Extinction, especially the improvement in his Soul Realm and his control over that core wisp of Nirvana Origin.

However, soon after he closed his eyes to concentrate, his brow furrowed slightly.

It wasn't that something went wrong with his Cultivation; rather, he keenly sensed that outside the valley, several obscure auras were secretly observing them.

"It seems this 'Hidden Dragon Abyss' is not entirely peaceful either..." Li Ao sneered internally. He didn't alert them, simply splitting off a trace of his consciousness to monitor the movements outside.

The following days passed peacefully. Every day, fixed Ancient Dragon Clan warriors brought fresh fruits and beast meat. Their attitude wasn't enthusiastic, but it wasn't hostile either.

Medusa remained in seclusion in the stone house, her aura gradually becoming stable and profound. Xiao Yi Xian devoted herself to Cultivation by the Spiritual Spring. Under the guidance of that trace of Nirvana Origin, the poisonous Qi within her body indeed became more docile and controllable, and her complexion improved day by day.

Li Ao also spent most of his time Cultivating and consolidating. Occasionally, he would chat with the Ancient Dragon warriors who brought food, trying to inquire about internal Dragon Clan news, but the warriors were tight-lipped and he couldn't get any useful information.

It wasn't until the evening of the third day that the person delivering the food was not the usual warrior, but Commander Hei Qing.

Hei Qing carried a jar of richly fragrant wine and several golden roasted beast legs. He strode into the valley, laughing heartily: "Kid, girls, come out and eat something! What's the point of Cultivating all day long!"

Li Ao opened his eyes and smiled when he saw him. After interacting over the past few days, he felt that Hei Qing was bold and straightforward, someone worth befriending.

Medusa was also alerted and walked out of the stone house, her aura significantly stronger than before, clearly having gained much. Xiao Yi Xian also stopped Cultivating and came over.

The four sat around the bluestone by the Spiritual Spring. Hei Qing slapped open the mud seal of the wine jar, and a rich aroma immediately permeated the air.

"Come, try our Dragon Clan's 'Dragon Blood Brew,' you can't drink this outside!" Hei Qing poured a bowl for everyone. The liquor was amber, faintly shimmering with energy.

Li Ao didn't stand on ceremony. He picked up the bowl and took a sip, immediately feeling a hot yet gentle energy slide down his throat, spreading to his limbs and bones. Even his Battle Qi seemed to become slightly more active. "Good wine!"

Medusa and Xiao Yi Xian only took a small sip, but they also found the wine extraordinary.

After several rounds of drinks, the atmosphere became warmer. Li Ao put down his wine bowl and asked casually, "Senior Hei Qing, Commander Savage Rock in the stone cave that day seemed to have quite a prejudice against us?"

Hearing this, the smile on Hei Qing's face lessened. He snorted, took a large gulp of wine, and said gruffly, "Don't mention that fellow! He's a lackey of the West Dragon King and has always been at odds with the Third Elder.

If the Third Elder hadn't been present that day, he probably would have thrown you into the Dragon Prison."

"West Dragon King?" Li Ao's heart stirred, capturing the key information. It seemed the Ancient Void Dragon Clan was not monolithic internally.

Hei Qing seemed to feel he had said too much and waved his hand: "Don't inquire too much about internal Clan matters. But rest assured, with the Third Elder here, that Savage Rock fellow won't dare cause trouble.

Just stay here peacefully. Once the Elders confirm that you are truly unrelated to the Hall of Souls, perhaps you will be allowed to leave."

He took another drink, looked at Li Ao, his eyes shining: "Speaking of which, kid, what exactly is going on with that power of yours? I've lived for so many years, and this is the first time I've seen a Dou Zong who can make me, Old Hei, feel palpitations."

Li Ao smiled slightly, a wisp of extremely subtle gray Qi lingering on his fingertip: "By chance Opportunity, I obtained the legacy of a certain Senior and Cultivated a special power; it has no conflict with your Clan."

Hei Qing stared at the wisp of gray Qi, feeling the chilling intent within it that seemed capable of freezing the Soul. A hint of shock flashed in his eyes, and he clicked his tongue: "Incredible, incredible...

No wonder that old ghost Hun Qianmo personally hunted you down. You, kid, are a monster."

He didn't pry further; everyone had their own Opportunity. He chatted about some interesting things in the Dragon Domain until the moon was high in the sky, then he staggered up and left.

After seeing Hei Qing off, the valley returned to silence.

Li Ao looked at the night sky outside the barrier, his gaze deep. Judging from the information Hei Qing unintentionally revealed, the Ancient Void Dragon Clan was fragmented by factions, and that West Dragon King seemed not to be aligned with the Third Elder Zhu Li.

And Savage Rock's hostility was probably not just directed at them, the outsiders; at a deeper level, it might be an extension of factional struggle.

The three of them were now like stones thrown into this deep pool, temporarily protected but involuntarily drawn into the undercurrents within the Ancient Dragon Clan.

"West Dragon King... Savage Rock..." Li Ao repeated the two names softly.

He knew that safely leaving the Dragon Domain would not be easy. He had to quickly improve his strength, and furthermore, he needed to find a way to clarify the internal situation of the Dragon Domain.

He turned his head and looked at the stone houses where Medusa and Xiao Yi Xian were staying, a flicker of determination in his eyes. No matter what, he had to protect them both.

As night deepened, within the Hidden Dragon Abyss, the three either Cultivated or rested, while the undercurrents of the Dragon Domain were just beginning to surge.