The Yinglong’s Tomb and a New Sanctuary

Chi Qiu leaped from the cliff, the raindrops behind her fanning out in a widening arc. This was precisely her intention. While the dark clouds would relentlessly pursue her, the rain itself would not. By putting enough distance between them, the raindrops’ trajectory would deviate further and further.

While the issue with the Azure Snake had been resolved, a far more pressing problem now confronted Chi Qiu. She was currently in freefall. If she did nothing, plummeting straight to the ground would surely result in her being utterly shattered, dead beyond all doubt.

In a moment of desperation, Chi Qiu reached into her satchel, pulling out a bolt of silk. She quickly fastened it around her body. The fierce winds immediately caused the silk to billow, dramatically slowing her precipitous descent.

However, this silk alone could not guarantee Chi Qiu’s safety. She stretched her limbs wide, endeavoring to spread the fabric as much as possible to further counteract her fall. Simultaneously, her eyes darted open, desperately scanning for a safe place to land.

Boom—

Beyond the distant horizon, a golden light suddenly flared. A golden dragon shadow, tens of thousands of chi in length, soared skyward, ascending straight into the highest heavens.

This magnificent dragon possessed four claws, its body coiled with golden scales, and a pair of colossal wings unfurled from its back. Bathed in golden lightning, it majestically navigated the skies, its presence utterly beyond description.

As the dragon’s silhouette ascended, a powerful wave of energy rapidly expanded outwards. Chi Qiu, still in her descent, was directly buffeted by this shockwave and sent careening headfirst into the dense forest nestled within the valley.

A cacophony of cracking and snapping filled the air. This sudden, violent turn of events left Chi Qiu no time to react, allowing her only to shield her face. After shattering countless branches in her uncontrolled descent, the distinct sound of tearing silk echoed. Chi Qiu’s makeshift parachute had snagged, leaving her suspended in a tree.

Chi Qiu’s dress was shredded by the branches, and her body was lacerated with numerous wounds, bleeding profusely. Though wracked with agonizing pain, she nonetheless breathed a sigh of relief. The impact had fortuitously broken her uncontrolled plummet, effectively saving her life.

Even with her own planned landing method, Chi Qiu couldn’t have guaranteed escaping without a broken limb. Now, despite her terrifyingly bloody appearance, these were merely superficial wounds. With a period of rest, she would recover significantly.

Chi Qiu remained suspended in the tree, taking a long moment to recover her bearings. Eventually, she managed to flip over, sever the silk, and drop to the ground. Her dress was thoroughly soaked with blood, and her body was marred by countless wounds, both large and small. In some places, tiny tree branches remained embedded in the lacerations, causing a fresh surge of excruciating pain with every step she took.

Chi Qiu lifted her gaze to the distance. The golden dragon’s silhouette continued to soar across the sky. Its colossal body, tens of thousands of chi in length, appeared not at all cumbersome, but rather incredibly agile and graceful.

This must be the legendary ancient divine demon, she thought.

Chi Qiu found herself mesmerized by the golden dragon shadow, unable to tear her gaze away for a long moment. After a considerable time, she finally shifted her focus. Gritting her teeth against the pain, she retrieved her satchel, intent on finding a clean water source to cleanse her wounds.

Fortunately, Sishui Marsh teemed with water sources, and before long, Chi Qiu discovered a clear, babbling stream. She shed her torn dress, then carefully peeled away the strips of cloth clinging to her wounds. With utmost precision, she began to extract the tiny, splintered branches embedded within her flesh.

At last, she had managed to clean every wound she could reach. Chi Qiu wiped a bead of cold sweat from her brow, feeling a surge of relief that her back had remained relatively untouched; otherwise, self-care would have been an insurmountable task.

Next, Chi Qiu scooped water from the stream, thoroughly rinsing her wounds before carefully drying them with a clean piece of silk. Then, she rummaged through her satchel. She retrieved a bottle of wound medicine—the particular remedy prescribed by Wu Yuling after her previous battle with Zhong Jing. Having not used it all, she had kept it with her.

After sprinkling the medicinal powder, Chi Qiu located some gauze and carefully bandaged her wounds. Following this, she changed into a fresh inner garment. Finally, she donned the black brocade dress intricately embroidered with golden phoenix patterns—the very one she had worn to the banquet in Sang City.

By the time this entire process concluded, more than half an hour had elapsed. Dressed once more, Chi Qiu looked up, observing the sky. She was surprised to see the golden dragon shadow still circling high above.

Who knows what madness has seized this divine demon, Chi Qiu mused inwardly. I need to keep my distance.

She then set off in the direction opposite to the divine dragon. Her immediate priority was to locate a secure refuge where she could both tend to her wounds and begin absorbing the Azure Lotus.

Cangshan Commandery, Tianyan Sect, Xudao Mountain—

“Many years have passed, and your chess skills have certainly declined, hahahaha…” The voice belonged to an elderly man with a venerable white beard and hair. His face was serene, and he was clad in a black Daoist robe embroidered with shimmering stars. Presently, he held a white chess piece, engaged in a game with the man before him.

“Court affairs keep me busy,” the other man replied, “unlike your leisurely existence. My chess skills have naturally suffered.”

The old man’s opponent was a middle-aged man, strikingly handsome with a gaze like lightning. He was clad in golden brocade robes and cloud-patterned boots, exuding an air of profound nobility. Currently, he held a black chess piece, his brow slightly furrowed in an expression that clearly betrayed his unfavorable position in the game.

Roar—

The resounding roar of a dragon echoed from millions of li away. An ordinary cultivator would have heard nothing from such an immense distance. Yet, these two individuals, whose cultivation had long reached the Profound Realm, instantly registered the sound, their expressions subtly shifting.

“This… this is a Yinglong,” the black-robed elder, usually so composed, exclaimed with a rare flicker of surprise, instantly recognizing the creature’s identity.

“It’s not the ancient one, but likely a descendant,” the golden-robed man stated, rising to his feet and gazing toward the source of the roar. His sight pierced millions of li, directly perceiving the golden dragon’s shadow. “It is merely a wisp of true dragon qi,” the golden-robed man sighed softly. “This Yinglong must have perished ages ago.”

“What a true pity,” the elder lamented, shaking his head with a wistful expression.

“It lies within Sishui Marsh in Zhengyang Commandery,” the golden-robed man declared, his gaze sharp and encompassing. “Since it’s merely a Yinglong’s tomb, we can dispatch some of our younger disciples for valuable experience.”

“A wisp of true dragon qi holds no benefit for those of our cultivation,” the black-robed elder conceded with a slight nod. “Indeed, sending our juniors is a suitable course of action.”

“Given the emergence of a Yinglong’s tomb, I must depart at once to report to His Majesty,” the golden-robed man said, turning to cup his hands respectfully toward the black-robed elder. “I shall take my leave now. This game of chess, we shall resume another time.”

“Indeed, such an important matter brooks no delay,” the black-robed elder replied, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “I shall seal this game for now, and we shall conclude it another day.” With a flick of his wrist, he swept the chess pieces from the board.

“You old rascal…” The golden-robed man chuckled helplessly. Then, with a single step forward, he vanished from Xudao Mountain.

The black-robed elder watched the golden-robed man depart, his smile slowly fading. He paced a few steps across the mountaintop before suddenly speaking.

“Su He, instruct your chief disciple to make a trip to Sishui Marsh in Zhengyang Commandery. A wisp of true dragon qi has emerged there. There’s no need to vie for it desperately; simply ascertain who ultimately claims it.”

Though the black-robed elder had not uttered a single sound, Su He, who was cultivating on Jiaoxiu Peak adjacent to Xudao Mountain, clearly heard his instructions. Su He roused himself from his meditative state. He then departed from Jiaoxiu Peak, appearing before Su Hanxing.

“Hanxing, are you cultivating?” Su He calling softly outside Su Hanxing’s dwelling cave.

Su Hanxing had only recently returned from the Imperial Secret Realm, having reaped immense benefits from his journey. Consequently, he had spent these past few days secluded within his cave, dedicated entirely to his cultivation.

“Master, please come in. What can I do for you?” Su Hanxing asked, emerging from his meditative state to open the cave door and greet Su He.

“No need,” Su He said, waving a dismissive hand. “A wisp of true dragon qi has manifested in Sishui Marsh within Zhengyang Commandery. I am dispatching you there to investigate.”

He continued, relaying the black-robed elder’s precise instructions. “Remember to prioritize your own safety above all else. There is no need to forcefully seize it; simply ascertain who ultimately claims the true dragon qi.”

“Sishui Marsh… Yes, this disciple accepts the order.” Su Hanxing bowed respectfully, his mind already sifting through his memories for the location.

“Here is a map of Zhengyang Commandery,” Su He said, producing a scroll. “Depart at once. Travel day and night; the sooner you arrive, the better.”

“Understood.”

Similar scenes were unfolding across the entire realm of Daqi. Top-tier sects and influential aristocratic families alike were dispatching their disciples to Sishui Marsh, all in pursuit of this newfound opportunity. For the foreseeable future, Sishui Marsh was destined to become an exceptionally lively place.

Of all this unfolding drama, Chi Qiu, still deep within Sishui Marsh, remained utterly oblivious. At this very moment, she was steadily putting more distance between herself and the radiant golden dragon shadow.

Locating a truly safe haven within Sishui Marsh proved to be no simple feat. After more than half an hour of diligent searching, Chi Qiu finally stumbled upon a spot that appeared secure.

This sanctuary was nestled within a mountain forest—an abandoned cave dwelling situated halfway up a slope. Its entrance was choked with weeds, and within, faint traces of demonic energy lingered, clearly marking it as the former abode of a powerful demon. For reasons unknown, the great demon had long since abandoned it, allowing Chi Qiu to claim it as her own.

Upon entering the cave dwelling, Chi Qiu first undertook a thorough exploration. This great demon’s abode differed vastly from that of a human cultivator, most notably in its sheer scale. Despite its unassuming exterior, the cave’s interior stretched for a thousand zhang.

Regarding the furnishings, the cave dwelling was almost entirely empty, save for a spiritual field. This was precisely why Chi Qiu felt confident that the great demon had indeed departed. Great demons, possessing intelligence on par with cultivators, typically collected spiritual treasures within their dwellings and rarely abandoned them, as they were compelled to guard their treasures.

Presently, the demonic energy within this cave had dwindled to mere remnants, and not a single spiritual treasure or valuable plant remained. Even the spiritual field lay utterly bare.

After completing her inspection, Chi Qiu placed her satchel on the ground. From within, she carefully retrieved the Azure Lotus she had acquired at such great peril.

The Azure Lotus was of exceptionally high quality, surpassing all other spiritual plants Chi Qiu had ever obtained. It was a pity, however, that she had only managed to secure its flower and seeds, while the lotus root remained submerged in the pond.

Chi Qiu meticulously examined the Azure Lotus in her hands, unsure of the correct method for consumption. Improper ingestion of such spiritual plants could lead to severe consequences, ranging from nullifying its effects to causing a violent spiritual energy imbalance or even death.

It’s best to heal my injuries first, then decide, she thought.

Chi Qiu carefully put away the Azure Lotus, then settled into a cross-legged position within the cave dwelling to begin her cultivation and recovery.