The Yinglong’s Legacy and the Looming Conflict

The figure stood above the Dragon Transformation Pool, his golden dragon-patterned robes fluttering in the wind. His azure hair cascaded freely, framing a face with sharp, slanted eyes. Two remarkably long golden eyebrows extended from his outer brow bones, reaching down to the corners of his mouth. His nose was large and rounded, his lips slightly thin, and a dense, silky golden beard flowed down to his abdomen. He appeared to be in his late thirties, his gaze filled with an imposing majesty that revealed neither joy nor sorrow. His features were remarkably distinct; while clearly human, a closer inspection revealed the unmistakable visage of a true dragon, an incredibly ethereal sight.

He intently observed the middle-aged man before him, who exuded an innate authority without needing to express anger. Within him, a turbulent energy surged, threatening to escape his very being.

He, Chi Qiu thought, this person must be the human incarnation of the Yinglong. Yet, hadn’t the Yinglong long since perished? Profound confusion swirled within her.

The figure surveyed the surroundings, slowly letting out an inexplicable sigh. ‘All of you are mere humans…’

The hearts of countless cultivators tightened. Could it be that this revered Yinglong held no fondness for humans?

‘Elder, do you intend to bestow your legacy upon the demon race?’ At this moment, Gong Lingfeng no longer paid any mind to Chi Qiu. He cupped his hands in a respectful bow towards the Yinglong’s phantom, his tone edged with urgency.

‘Demons, humans… to me, there is no difference.’ The Yinglong waved his sleeve, and instantly, the earth trembled. The waters of the Dragon Transformation Pool surged violently, as nine stone platforms, each approximately three chi wide, slowly rose to the surface.

‘The demon race primarily cultivates skin, muscle, bone, and flesh, while humans focus on comprehending the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth to advance their cultivation realms. My legacy, however, is indeed better suited for the demon race to inherit.’

After the nine stone platforms emerged, the Yinglong’s figure appeared noticeably dimmer. His words were slow, yet they caused the cultivators’ hearts to sink.

‘Nevertheless, guests are welcome, and I shall not expel any of you for this reason. Here are nine stone platforms; only by sitting upon one can your physical body be assured protection from being crushed by the waters of the Dragon Transformation Pool.’

By the Dragon Transformation Pool.

‘With a wave of my hand,’ the Yinglong declared, ‘three of these nine stone platforms must be reserved for the cultivators who found the Tribulation Lightning, Pool Wind, and Silent Water.’

No sooner had the Yinglong’s voice faded than three golden beams of light split, descending upon Chi Qiu, the purple-robed man, and the three members of the Qi clan.

‘Only one of you three may ascend a platform. Make your own decision.’

Upon realizing that the Pool Wind had been obtained by three individuals, the Yinglong paused for a moment before withdrawing the golden light.

‘Little sister, you go.’

Qi Feng and Qi Yun, facing each other with an unspoken understanding, gently pushed Qi Yue forward from the group. Qi Yue nodded, then turned to hand an item to Qi Feng. The golden light shone once more, enveloping Qi Yue.

Chi Qiu turned her head, glancing at Su Hanxing, and gave him a subtle nod. Su Hanxing managed a slight smile and nodded. Upon seeing Chi Qiu’s body covered in wounds and her complexion deathly pale, he took out a jade bottle and handed it to her.

‘This is an antidote. Even if it cannot completely cure the poison in your body, suppressing it won’t be difficult. Once you enter the Dragon Transformation Pool, protect yourself well. Without his subordinates, Gong Lingfeng won’t be able to harm you.’

Chi Qiu accepted the jade bottle, her heart touched. She smiled, saying, ‘If the opportunity arises, let us contend for a stone platform together. If we join forces within the Dragon Transformation Pool, we will certainly not be as helpless as we were outside.’

A gentle force within the golden light softly lifted Chi Qiu, then slowly placed her upon one of the stone platforms. Once Chi Qiu was seated, several golden threads enveloped the platform. These golden threads, seemingly fragile enough to snap with a tug, instantly dashed the hopes of all those who coveted her seat.

Seeing herself protected by the great golden thread array, Chi Qiu immediately opened the jade bottle, poured out a pill, and swallowed it. She then sat down cross-legged, entering a state of cultivation.

‘As for the remaining six stone platforms, they shall belong to the capable.’ With a sweep of his hand, the Yinglong sent the six stone platforms floating upward.

‘I shall establish six arenas here. After six shichen, those who remain on an arena will qualify to ascend a stone platform.’ The three small mountains on Dragon’s Rest Island suddenly began to collapse, revealing two thousand-zhang white arenas within the belly of each.

‘Each arena permits only two combatants. The match concludes when one party voluntarily withdraws or perishes. Should anyone violate this rule, their body shall perish, and their soul shall be extinguished.’ As he spoke, golden light gleamed in the Yinglong’s eyes. Limitless golden threads suddenly manifested between heaven and earth, stretching as far as the eye could see.

These golden threads were as fine as gossamer, yet their sharp edges sent shivers down one’s spine. Previously, a cultivator had dared to test the great golden array above the Dragon Transformation Pool, only to be instantly sliced into countless fragments, their very soul scattered into oblivion. With this prior lesson in mind, the cultivators, upon seeing these golden threads, became like startled birds, not daring to touch even a single strand.

The Yinglong, seeing the cultivators awed and deterred by the great golden thread array, nodded slowly with satisfaction. He then turned and vanished.

As the Yinglong’s phantom dissipated, the boundless golden threads between heaven and earth gradually dimmed until they vanished entirely. Only then did the cultivators let out a long breath, relaxing considerably.

‘Six shichen. That should be ample time,’ Qi Feng declared, an irrepressible smile spreading across his face, seemingly brimming with excitement.

‘Indeed…’ Gong Lingfeng nodded. He glanced sideways at Chi Qiu, who was seated cross-legged on a stone platform, recuperating from her injuries. His expression was subtly displeased. He had been on the verge of capturing Chi Qiu, only for his efforts to be thwarted at the last moment, which infuriated him greatly. Yet, even with all his audacity, he dared not provoke the Yinglong’s phantom. Regardless of the phantom’s true strength, the sheer power of the great golden thread array alone was terrifying beyond measure.

Su Hanxing gripped his great spear, his gaze fixed intently on the seemingly unconcerned Gong Lingfeng. A furious blaze ignited within his eyes. He turned his head to look at Chi Qiu, and seeing her pale complexion gradually regain its color and the black aura around her body slowly subside, he let out a sigh of relief.

As if sensing his gaze, Chi Qiu also opened her eyes and looked at Su Hanxing. She offered a faint smile, indicating that she was now unharmed. Su Hanxing nodded, then turned to cast one more glance at Gong Lingfeng. Following this, starlight flickered beneath his feet, and he vanished instantly.

Su Hanxing had been staring intently at Gong Lingfeng, and naturally, Gong Lingfeng had noticed. He understood that his recent actions had deeply offended Su Hanxing. Seeing Su Hanxing disappear after a cold, indifferent glance, a hidden anger simmered within him as well. This divine ability was already a cause for apprehension, let alone when wielded by the current top-ranked genius of the Daqi Heavenly Pride Rankings. Gong Lingfeng suddenly felt as though he had been targeted by a venomous serpent, one now lurking in the shadows, observing his every move, waiting for an opportunity to strike.

The cultivators who had previously been scattered across Dragon’s Rest Island now slowly began to gather. They surrounded the six arenas, yet not a single one dared to step forward.

‘Gate of Wonders, Yishui Gate, Dao Sect—’ Qi Feng muttered under his breath. He retrieved his portable dwelling, and with a burst of radiant light, hundreds of Black Armored Imperial Guards appeared beside him.

Qi Yun, by his side, similarly summoned hundreds of Black Armored Imperial Guards, who then encircled the nearby arenas. On the other side, Gong Lingfeng, having taken control of the purple-robed man’s subordinate cultivators, also moved to surround an arena. In mere moments, the six arenas were completely encircled by the two members of the Qi clan and the Gong family, allowing no one else to enter.

‘Qi Feng, Gong Lingfeng, what is the meaning of this?’ Tan Xiao of the Gate of Wonders demanded, his expression grim. Leading the Gate of Wonders and its three major clans, approximately forty cultivators in total, he approached the arenas only to find their path blocked by the Black Armored Imperial Guards. On the other side, the disciples of Yishui Gate and Dao Sect were similarly barred from entry.

‘Your journey to the Yinglong Tomb has reached its end. Retreat now, and spare yourselves from losses.’ At this moment, Qi Feng was full of vigor. He commanded the Black Armored Imperial Guards to form a grand array, making them as unyielding as bedrock and as steady as Mount Tai.

‘Do you truly believe yourselves to be the masters of the Yinglong Tomb? If you can conceal imperial guards within a portable dwelling, how can you assume we cannot do the same?’ The leading blue-robed disciple of Yishui Gate sneered, then likewise retrieved his own portable dwelling, from which dozens of Yishui Gate disciples immediately surged forth.

‘Donor Qi, you have truly succumbed to greed…’

Before anyone realized, a small boat drifted from Dragon’s Breath Lake, carrying the belated Buddhist cultivators from Spirit Mountain. They finally stepped onto Dragon’s Rest Island at this moment.

‘Presumably, the Heart God Sect and the Dry Mountain Palace have already been swept aside by you…’ The Dao Sect’s senior disciple, a young man in a Taiji Daoist robe, flicked his whisk, similarly summoning dozens of Dao Sect disciples.

‘I knew long ago that you all were colluding. Fortunately, we made preparations early. Today, not a single one of you will escape into the Dragon Transformation Pool!’ Qi Feng’s expression was solemn. Although the number of cultivators brought by the various sects somewhat exceeded his expectations, he remained utterly fearless.

Both sides were poised for battle, their weapons drawn, and a great war seemed on the verge of erupting.