The Dragon’s Breath Lake Crossing and the Dragon Transformation Pool

The small boat drifted slowly across Dragon’s Breath Lake. Chi Qiu and her four companions each gripped an oar, propelling their vessel forward.

The hundreds of Black Armored Imperial Guards had already been stored within the personal spatial artifacts of the three from the Qi family. The boat was simply too small and not a magical artifact itself, making it impossible to accommodate so many people.

Dragon’s Breath Lake possessed a peculiar characteristic: it absorbed all ambient energy. Whether it was the true qi within a cultivator’s body or the spiritual energy stored in a magical artifact, the lake indiscriminately drew it all in. Moreover, a restriction hung above Dragon’s Breath Lake, prohibiting all flight. To cross this lake and reach Dragon’s Rest Island, they had no choice but to row a mortal boat, just as they were doing now.

“Brother Su Hanxing, how many factions have arrived at this place through the cave you came from?” Qi Feng inquired, rowing as he spoke to Su Hanxing beside him.

“To my knowledge, both the Gong family from Dushan and the Gate of Wonders have entered this realm,” Su Hanxing replied, holding nothing back. “They were slightly faster than us.”

“Were there any other forces?” Qi Yun, positioned in front of Qi Feng, pressed further, seemingly finding Su Hanxing’s account of factions too few.

“We followed closely behind the Gate of Wonders and the Gong family,” Chi Qiu, clad in her black scaled armor, clarified for Su Hanxing. “There might be others who arrived later, but we genuinely don’t know.”

Upon hearing Chi Qiu’s explanation, the three members of the Qi family instantly revealed expressions of slight regret.

“And what about your side, Brother Qi Feng?” Su Hanxing countered, turning the question back to him. “Have any other factions entered through your path?”

“Several factions were repelled from our cave,” Qi Feng stated with considerable pride. “Among them, the Heart God Sect suffered the most devastating losses, nearly wiped out by us.”

“Afterward, I dispatched a hundred Black Armored Imperial Guards to guard the entrance leading to this place,” Qi Yun added. “I doubt any faction will be capable of passing through our defenses.”

Chi Qiu and Su Hanxing exchanged a knowing glance, a silent understanding passing between them. To repel several powerful factions and decimate the cultivators of the Heart God Sect, one of the Nine Great Sects, was far beyond the capabilities of just three individuals. They must have relied on the formidable strength of the Black Armored Imperial Guards.

Following this, the group fell silent, dedicating themselves to rowing. Several more hours passed in this manner.

“That must be Dragon’s Rest Island, then,” Qi Yue remarked, gazing at the distant black speck on the lake’s surface before turning to Qi Yun.

“It should be,” Qi Yun affirmed with a nod.

They had been rowing for several hours, and on Dragon’s Breath Lake, they couldn’t even use their true qi for assistance. Fortunately, all of them were cultivators; such strenuous rowing only caused them to sweat a little, leaving them far from exhausted.

Chi Qiu gently brushed away a few beads of sweat from her forehead. She looked in the direction Qi Yue had indicated, indeed spotting a thumb-sized black speck in the distance.

“We must be extra cautious as we approach Dragon’s Rest Island,” Su Hanxing warned in a low voice, his expression growing solemn as he too gazed at the island. “The Gong family and the Gate of Wonders should have already landed.”

The three members of the Qi family nodded, immediately drawing their respective weapons and preparing for whatever lay ahead. The small boat swayed gently, leaving two faint ripples in its wake that spread outwards into the distance. As they continued their journey, Dragon’s Rest Island in the distance gradually became clearer, its broad details slowly revealing themselves.

Dragon’s Rest Island was a small, circular isle, roughly ten li across from end to end. It was significantly smaller than Chi Qiu and the others had anticipated. Golden light overflowed across the island, where three small peaks were adorned with spiritual plants and exotic flowers. These three mountains were symmetrically positioned at three points on Dragon’s Rest Island, with trickles of spiritual energy flowing down from their summits.

“Let’s disembark,” Qi Yue announced, turning to the group after observing the island with her Eye Technique and finding no other cultivators present. “There are no other cultivators here.”

Chi Qiu and the others nodded. With a light tap of her toes on the small boat, she leaped onto Dragon’s Rest Island. The moment Chi Qiu stepped onto Dragon’s Rest Island, she felt an incredibly vast and potent Yinglong divine power surging beneath her feet. Yet, the ground, constructed from an unknown white stone material, completely restrained this immense energy.

Soon after, everyone had landed on Dragon’s Rest Island. Qi Yue pointed towards the center of the island and declared, “There are quite a few cultivators over there.”

“Let’s first summon these Black Armored Imperial Guards to bolster our presence,” Qi Yun suggested. He and Qi Feng exchanged a glance, nodding in unison. As the three of them retrieved their personal spatial artifacts, several flashes of light accompanied the summoning of thirty Black Armored Imperial Guards.

“These Black Armored Imperial Guards are all elites among the imperial army, each possessing the strength of the God Concealing stage,” Qi Feng proudly introduced to Chi Qiu and Su Hanxing, his words carrying a hint of awe.

Any Black Armored Imperial Guard typically held a cultivation level of at least the Heart Scripture Realm. Thus, these thirty individuals, all in the God Concealing stage, were undoubtedly considered elites. Qi Feng and his companions intended to conceal their full strength, unwilling to reveal too much. By summoning only these thirty God Concealing guards, they could display their power without alarming the other cultivators and risking a joint attack.

The group activated their movement techniques, collectively rushing towards the gathering of cultivators.

“It truly is the Dragon Transformation Pool!” Qi Feng exclaimed with overwhelming joy. At the island’s center lay a deep pool, roughly five zhang square. Its waters were a brilliant, shimmering golden, radiating spiritual light and appearing incredibly viscous, captivating anyone who laid eyes upon it.

It was indeed the Dragon Transformation Pool.

“There’s a protective grand formation,” Qi Yue reminded them aloud. Above the Dragon Transformation Pool, countless golden threads could be faintly discerned, tightly intertwined. A few drops of blood still clung to the outermost golden threads, a chilling sight.

“The Gong family, Gate of Wonders.”

Hundreds of zhang away from the Dragon Transformation Pool, Chi Qiu recognized many familiar faces.

“And Yishui Gate, and people from the Dao Sect,” Su Hanxing pointed towards the other side. A group of young cultivators, clad in white Daoist robes, were gathered there – disciples of the Dao Sect. Beside them stood another group of cultivators in blue attire, members of Yishui Gate.

“The imperial family has arrived as well…”

The cultivators gathered outside the Dragon Transformation Pool naturally noticed Chi Qiu and her companions. They tightened their grip on their magical artifacts and began to whisper amongst themselves.

“Isn’t that Su Hanxing, the Tianyan Sect’s senior disciple? Who is the woman beside him?”

“I don’t know. I’ve never heard of a female disciple of such cultivation within the Tianyan Sect.”

“She doesn’t seem to be from the imperial family either.”

Not far away, Gong Lingfeng stood grim-faced before the cultivators of the Gong family. By now, he had naturally recognized Su Hanxing’s identity. He had considered countless possibilities for Chi Qiu’s companion, yet Su Hanxing was the one person he had never imagined. In his mind, these two should have been sworn enemies; how could they possibly be traveling together?

“It seems no one has entered the Dragon Transformation Pool yet,” Qi Feng observed, ignoring the murmurs of the surrounding cultivators. He walked directly to the golden thread formation and began to examine it closely.

“This formation is incredibly complex, and its power is unbelievably vast,” Qi Yue remarked, a worried expression on her face. “Fortunately, it’s only protecting the Dragon Transformation Pool within. Otherwise, if this formation were to be triggered, not a single cultivator on this island would likely survive.”

“This formation is truly that powerful?” Chi Qiu also drew closer, examining it intently. To her perception, the golden threads seemed like nothing at all, a mere void.

“Little Chi, look here—” Su Hanxing pointed above the grand golden thread formation. Several golden threads shot straight into the sky, their ends disappearing from sight. “These golden threads extend all the way beyond Dragon’s Breath Lake,” he explained. “Our inability to fly above the lake is precisely because of them.”

Chi Qiu froze, her mouth slightly agape in utter shock.

“Actually, there’s more,” Qi Yue chimed in, moving closer to the two of them. She pointed at several golden threads on the ground. “These threads extend to the bottom of Dragon’s Breath Lake, drawing all the ambient energy from it to sustain the formation’s operation.”

“Such a setup truly makes this a terrifying grand formation,” Chi Qiu murmured, stepping back, her voice trembling slightly.

“Brother Qi, do you have any good strategies to break this formation?” Gong Lingfeng asked from not far away. He offered a cupped-hand salute, then approached Chi Qiu and the others, directing his question to Qi Feng.

“Hehehe… Brother Gong, why are you in such a hurry?” Qi Feng chuckled, a slight smile playing on his lips. With a casual wave of his hand, the Black Armored Imperial Guards behind him immediately acknowledged the command and retreated several dozen zhang.

“A rare treasure of heaven and earth lies before us, yet we cannot obtain it. How could one not be anxious?” Gong Lingfeng replied with a smile, though his tone betrayed no actual urgency.

When Chi Qiu saw Gong Lingfeng approaching them, she instinctively took a step back. Though her face remained expressionless, a strong sense of aversion welled up within her.

“The Gong family has extensive dealings with the imperial family, and their relationship is quite close,” Su Hanxing’s lips barely moved, a soft whisper reaching Chi Qiu’s ear. “That’s why Gong Lingfeng came directly to Qi Feng.”

Chi Qiu looked up at Su Hanxing, then gave a slight nod, indicating her understanding.

“Currently, there isn’t much we can do but wait,” Qi Feng began, a mysterious smile on his face, his words laden with unspoken meaning. “However, if Brother Gong is willing to lend a hand, this formation…”

“Since Brother Qi has put it that way, then I, Gong, shall wait,” Gong Lingfeng replied. Seeing that Qi Feng was unwilling to elaborate, he showed no anger. After offering another cupped-hand salute, he departed.

Suddenly, he turned to look at Chi Qiu, his smile widening. Changing direction, he walked directly towards her, stopping right in front of Chi Qiu after only a few steps.

Qi Feng watched Gong Lingfeng, who remained smiling but silent. Qi Yun and Qi Yue also observed Gong Lingfeng without a word. Su Hanxing, however, stepped forward with a cold expression, positioning himself between the two.

“Miss Chi, seeing you again today, I feel a strong sense of destiny,” Gong Lingfeng began, even though Su Hanxing blocked his path. “I only wish to ask once more: are you willing to join my Gong family?”

I already informed you of my decision before, and my answer remains unchanged, Chi Qiu thought, reflecting on their previous encounter. Gong Lingfeng, however, had repeatedly sent cultivators to obstruct their treasure hunt afterward, an act that genuinely displeased Chi Qiu.

“Miss Chi, is your unwillingness because of him?” Gong Lingfeng’s expression subtly shifted. The radiant smile that had previously adorned his face finally faded as he pointed at Su Hanxing, his tone notably flippant.

“Your Gong family first sought to recruit me, then, after my refusal, obstructed us,” Chi Qiu retorted, her expression darkening. “Such blatant deceit, what kind of audacity is that? Setting aside any other reasons, this alone…”

Her right hand rested on the hilt of her Ink Jade Longsword. A subtle shift of energy emanated from her body, signaling her readiness to fight.

“Hmph, I treated you with courtesy, yet I am met with such insult!” Gong Lingfeng snarled, his eyes blazing with fury at Chi Qiu’s merciless sarcasm. “Since that is the case, I shall capture you and bring you back to my clan to cleanse this humiliation!”

Behind him, the rest of the Gong family cultivators closed in, and the atmosphere grew incredibly tense.

Su Hanxing remained standing in front of Chi Qiu. He subtly tilted his head, glancing at Qi Feng. Noticing Su Hanxing’s gaze, Qi Feng immediately stepped forward.

“Fellow Daoists, these two are my close friends and family,” he interjected. “Brother Gong is also a dear acquaintance of mine. Why not shake hands and make peace? Let’s put this matter to rest, how about it?”

Chi Qiu tilted her head, giving Qi Feng a quick look, but said nothing further.

A smile returned to Gong Lingfeng’s face. He offered Qi Feng a cupped-hand salute, then chuckled, “Miss Chi has insulted my family. Since Brother Qi is mediating, I shall take a step back. All Miss Chi needs to do is accompany me to the Gong family and offer an apology before my family head. Then, this matter will be settled. How does that sound?”

Though he claimed to be taking a step back, his ultimate goal remained entirely unchanged. This only served to infuriate Chi Qiu further.

“Brother Gong, that’s too much,” Qi Feng said, frowning. He naturally discerned that Gong Lingfeng had no intention of genuinely backing down.

“If Brother Qi can refrain from interfering in this matter, then once all the major factions have arrived, my Gong family will be willing to lend a hand,” Gong Lingfeng stated unhurriedly. His lips barely parted as a soft whisper, encased in true qi, was sent directly into Qi Feng’s ear.

Upon receiving the transmitted message, Qi Feng’s expression flickered momentarily before he swiftly regained his composure. He did not hesitate for long. With a slightly apologetic glance at Su Hanxing, he waved his hand and declared, “Since this is a personal grudge, it’s not appropriate for me to intervene. You two, handle it yourselves.”

Qi Feng turned, and along with a surprised Qi Yun, Qi Yue, and the thirty Black Armored Imperial Guards, departed from the area.

Chi Qiu watched Qi Feng leave, her face impassive. She knew she had no deep friendship with the Qi family members, so she wasn’t surprised by his actions. She then turned her head to look at Su Hanxing, who was still standing in front of her, blinking a few times as if silently questioning him.

Seeing her reaction, a rare smile appeared on Su Hanxing’s face. He reached out and clenched his hand, and the long-unseen great spear materialized within his grasp. He then lightly twirled the spear, sparking tiny flames, before thrusting it forward, its tip pointing directly at Gong Lingfeng.

Chi Qiu drew her Ink Jade Longsword, a black killing intent emanating from her body, and golden light flashed in her pupils. She stepped forward, standing beside Su Hanxing, her longsword aimed at the dozens of Gong family cultivators.