Dragon Boat Secret Realm 12: Dragon Scale Island

Old Black, carrying Ye Mingshi, Ye Rong, and Ji Xingjian, galloped desperately with its four legs, racing toward safety.

Though the evil cultivator was badly wounded, there was no guarantee her allies wouldn’t track them down. Fleeing was the best option.

The trio and mule headed for Zhoushan Island, home to a wild hot spring ideal for healing their injuries.

After the fierce battle, Old Black had escaped by luck, but it felt no relief. Instead, its long mule face drooped in misery. Previously ten percent bald, it was now fifty percent—fate was cruel to mules.

Old Black’s body bore deep wounds, but it didn’t care. Mules were tough, neither whiny like horses nor stubborn like donkeys. It was a wise, enduring creature. Over its long life, it had healed countless injuries, regrowing tender flesh to become a fine mule again.

But one thing pained it: healed flesh grew no fur.

Old Black was ancient, its exact age forgotten. One day, it simply began absorbing qi. Nothing strange about that—why couldn’t a mule cultivate?

It lived freely as a mule, eventually reaching peak Qi Refining, a sage among mules, akin to a Spirit Transformation cultivator in its kind.

It wasn’t boasting about its smooth cultivation path.

It just wanted to say: old as it was, it could no longer grow lush fur like a young mule. Every lost strand was precious, never to return.

No one understood its grief, least of all the humans on its back. One was a good person, one a little demon, and the new one, though barely known, was clearly clueless—mistaking a mule for a donkey.

All three were gravely injured but wouldn’t stop bickering, determined to outtalk each other despite their weakened states.

Ye Mingshi was worst off. Her bloodline secret technique heavily taxed her body. Repeated use spread demonic qi, risking her sanity and potential descent into madness.

Her Master had warned against frequent use, as it could shorten her lifespan. Yet, she’d used it twice today.

*Sigh, a few years less to live.*

Ye Rong and Ji Xingjian, though slightly better, had damaged their roots, needing years to recover after leaving the secret realm.

Ji Xingjian refused to ride a donkey. Even sect spirit horses were too smelly for him. A donkey? Humiliating.

He wanted to stay, waiting for his sect, but two things stopped him. First, his blunder had cost the Hefeng Sect their efforts on Biyun Island, leaving him too ashamed to face them. Second, the map showed Daylight Island was halfway across the sea from Biyun Island—a ruthless trap. By the time his sect found him, he’d likely bleed out.

The only viable transport was this donkey.

Ji Xingjian’s expression flickered, reluctant to ride. If seen, he’d be a laughingstock!

If not for the demonic cultivator dragging him up, he’d never have boarded.

He regretted it instantly. The donkey was painfully thin, ribs jutting, uncomfortable whether sitting or lying. A cultivator, not a beast tamer, he had no fondness for donkeys. It just hurt his backside.

How had the world come to this? A demonic cultivator so poor she couldn’t fatten a donkey?

The bumpy ride was torture. He refused to cling or lie down, sitting upright, poised as if on a noble steed, not a donkey.
@Infinite Good Reads, Only at Jinjiang Literature City

As Old Black hurried, Ji Xingjian slid sideways. Ye Mingshi, exasperated, grabbed his sleeve to pull him back.

Bleeding and immobile, Ji Xingjian still swatted her hand away, glaring. “Don’t touch me, demonic cultivator.”

Ye Mingshi exploded. “*You’re* the demonic cultivator—your whole family is! Ungrateful wretch. I say we leave you here to die.”

Ye Rong, shakily rising, spoke up. “Friend, my junior sister has a demonic bone from birth, not her choice. I swear, she’s never harmed anyone. She’s no demonic cultivator.”

Ye Mingshi scoffed, taunting Ji Xingjian. “Fine, I’m a demonic cultivator. I love eating naive pretty boys like you. Once I’m healed, I’ll start with your heart, then your eyes.”

“Stop spouting nonsense,” Ji Xingjian shot back. “I’ll kill you first.”

“Junior sister, enough,” Ye Rong pleaded.

He worried that if Ji Xingjian reported her demonic bone to his sect, their Master’s protection might not suffice outside the secret realm. The Hefeng Sect, a righteous sect, might target her.

“Demonic is demonic, harmed or not,” Ji Xingjian snapped. “Tainted by demonic qi, you’re doomed to fall. You defend her now, but when she loses her mind and slaughters innocents, that’s your karma.”

“That’s *your* karma,” Ye Mingshi mimicked mockingly. “Who do you think you are, lecturing me? I don’t care. Big shot from the Hefeng Sect, right?”

Ji Xingjian swelled with pride. The Hefeng Sect was renowned, and he was proud of it.

“I know the Hefeng Sect,” Ye Mingshi sneered. “Tangled up with Yanyi Sect, right? Some senior brother loves his junior sister, who loves him back?”

She wrinkled her brow, recalling vague gossip, confused. “Who falls for their senior brother? That’s gross.”

Her words stung Ye Rong. “Junior sister, you just used my name… At critical moments, you show your true feelings. You don’t see me as a senior brother, do you?”

“You can’t take back words,” she shrugged. “I give you enough face usually. We’re half-dead—can’t I speak my mind?”

The topic enraged Ji Xingjian. “A demonic-born, muddled fool like you wouldn’t understand human emotions, spouting nonsense!”

“What’s wrong with a demonic bone?” Ye Mingshi retorted. “You look down on it? I’m human first, with feelings. Who are you to say I don’t understand emotions?”

Outtalked, Ji Xingjian switched tactics. “Is this how you treat your savior? Without me, you two and your donkey would be dead.”

Ye Mingshi wasn’t fazed. “I’m grateful, but you didn’t save me willingly. I saw your killing intent the moment you laid eyes on me. Honestly, I should thank whoever trapped you here!”

“Stubborn demonic cultivator,” Ji Xingjian fumed. “No gratitude—truly a demonic seed.”

“Demonic, demonic,” Ye Mingshi mocked, eyes wary. “I’m not fallen yet, and you keep harping on it. Planning to attack me? Be careful—let’s see who wins!”

They bickered, pinching and shoving on Old Black’s back, nearly knocking Ye Rong off.

Ye Rong couldn’t understand. His sister’s fiery nature was no surprise, but Ji Xingjian, from a righteous sect, was so childish?

As the chaos peaked, Old Black jolted its spine, silencing them.

Finally quiet, Old Black flicked its ears, snorting. Once again: it was a mule, not a horse, not a donkey.

“Blame him for calling it a donkey,” Ye Mingshi muttered, rubbing her sore tailbone, glaring at Ji Xingjian.

Ji Xingjian found it absurd. Humans and donkeys were equally baffling. Donkey, mule—what difference? It wasn’t some rare spirit beast. Why the fuss?

His backside ached, but unlike Ye Mingshi, he refused to rub it.

“What’s the difference?”

“Of course there’s a difference,” Ye Mingshi said matter-of-factly. “Old Black’s a mule with strong self-identity. Like I’m human, not demonic. If I said you’re no different from a monkey, would you be happy?”

“You’re the monkey,” Ji Xingjian choked, turning away. “I’ll judge for myself whether you’re human or demonic.”

“Wait and see!”

The squabble settled, silence falling. Soon, the three, exhausted and pained, slumped into unconsciousness, brows furrowed even in sleep.

Old Black trotted lightly, its steps growing smoother and faster. An old, reliable mule, it had carried countless people and pulled endless carts, knowing how to travel steadily.

…

At Zhoushan Island, they encountered an unexpected group.

It was the Yanyi Sect disciples from Earth Breath Island, looking triumphant, clearly having claimed the island’s treasure.

“Yus Huayi?” Ye Mingshi exclaimed. “What are you doing here?”

The leader, the ninth-layer Qi Refining female cultivator Yus Huayi, emerged from the hot spring, refreshed. Though her demeanor remained aloof, her ease showed her good mood.

Securing the Earth Spirit Pearl and a trial qualification, outshining Shen Liuye, she had every reason to be pleased.

But spotting Ji Xingjian, her faint smile vanished.

“Ji Xingjian?” Her gaze swept the trio and mule, sneering. “A few days, and the Hefeng Sect’s reduced to this? What, your whole group wiped out, leaving just you?”

She chuckled. “My condolences.”

Ji Xingjian flushed with shame, mortified to be seen at his lowest by a rival. “If we’re talking early deaths, Yanyi Sect’s worse. Your sect’s senior brothers and sisters are shameless. Keep Li Weiyang in check, or don’t blame us for dealing with him!”

At Li Weiyang’s name, Yus Huayi’s face darkened. “My senior brother’s renowned in the Sword Pavilion. You dare slander him? He and my senior sister are mutually devoted. It’s your sister stirring trouble, twisting the truth!”

Despite his injuries, Ji Xingjian’s tongue was unscathed. “My sister’s noble and radiant—everyone loves her. No one speaks ill of her. It’s your senior brother who lacks integrity, harassing her!”

Ye Mingshi realized why Ji Xingjian was so touchy about Hefeng Sect gossip—his sister was involved.

She exchanged a glance with Ye Rong.

Ye Mingshi blinked: *If Yus Huayi beats him, we can’t win. Let’s ditch him and run. They’re all from big sects—they won’t die.*

She’d met Yus Huayi before, treated to delicious spiritual tea by a kind sister.

Thinking of that tea, her mouth watered. She craved another cup.

…

On Huoxi Island:

“Though you drew your sword only because someone competed for the treasure, your strength defeated them all. By result, you protected this island, passing the test.”

A crystalline-antlered, snow-white spirit deer stood on a frozen plain, speaking.

“The Fire Spirit Pearl is here. Do you want it?”

With its words, a fiery red pearl appeared between its antlers, shimmering with molten-like energy, radiating fire qi that melted nearby snow.

The snow turned to clear water, nourishing the land. The Fire Spirit Pearl’s presence brought a rare spring to this icy northern island, birthing endless vitality.

This human’s clever, direct approach annoyed the deer, reluctant to grant trial qualification despite her pleasing appearance.

As a fifth-tier Ice Flower Snow Deer, its rare appearances sparked awe, revered as a sign of prosperity.

Beyond beauty, it had a silver tongue, ready to tempt this human.

“Take it, and your cultivation will soar,” it coaxed. “Your power will grow, and this pearl could spark your legend. Everything you desire is here—my reward. Come, look closely.”

Tian Ning listened to the deer, but her thoughts wandered.

This deer was talkative.

And a deer smiling like that was odd.

“I don’t understand you,” she said bluntly, faintly annoyed by the heat. With her variant ice spirit root, the Fire Spirit Pearl was useless. She wouldn’t have come to this icy island if not for its terrain, wasting her time.

Feeling tricked, she said flatly, “I don’t want the Fire Spirit Pearl. Give me an Ice Spirit Pearl.”

The deer’s warm smile froze. This human rejected it? Why? The Fire Spirit Pearl was genuine! And there was no Ice Spirit Pearl in the Five Elements Islands!

Test passed.
@Infinite Good Reads, Only at Jinjiang Literature City

“Selling a Gold Spirit Pearl! Huge discount, dirt cheap! No spirit stones, no artifacts—just a bit of refining material to trade! No loss, no scam, come check it out!”

Jiang Xiaocao watched passersby, then his empty stall, sighing as he cradled his face.

Selling was tough!

He admired Su Qing’s ability to sell so many cups of spiritual tea daily. He used to think only of tea when entering her shop, but now he understood the grind of business.

Jiang Xiaocao was on Stone Island, the largest, most resource-rich, and populous island nearby. He’d set up a stall for three months without a single sale.

His stall held only a golden pearl—the Gold Spirit Pearl. Yet, he couldn’t sell it.

Some came to haggle, sensing a deal. The pearl, even if not a true Gold Spirit Pearl, brimmed with gold qi—a treasure. But they either doubted his reliability, reluctant to trade precious materials, or tried to scam him.

Though a grass spirit, he wasn’t weak. After thwarting scammers, rumors spread he was a con artist running a trap, ruining his reputation. Skeptical onlookers stayed away.

“Time to pack up and move,” Jiang Xiaocao muttered, checking his map. “Where next…”

His refining materials were spent repairing puppets on Forging Gold Island. He hoped the Gold Spirit Pearl would recoup losses.

A busy place was best.

Dragon Scale Island, the secret realm’s largest, was next. With the Dragon Boat Trial nearing, many cultivators would gather, perfect for selling the pearl.

As he studied the map, two passing cultivators chatted. One, seeing the map, said, “They need to update these. Last month, I went to Qingmu Island for a treasure, but it vanished like it evaporated.”

“You mean the Qingmu Island from the Five Elements Islands?”

“Yeah, they said a big treasure appeared. I went to try my luck, but ugh, a wasted trip!”

Their voices faded as they walked off. Jiang Xiaocao packed his stall, tucked away the pearl, and headed slowly for Dragon Scale Island.

…

The Manqing Sword stood quietly, radiating a faint silver glow, brimming with joy so palpable Su Qing could feel it.

She gently wiped its blade. “Full yet?”

It was stuffed. This was the Manqing Sword’s best six months since its creation. Su Qing had spent the time in Biyun Island’s seabed mines, extracting hundreds of jin of second-tier high-grade spirit sea ore.

Though only second-tier, its rarity and difficulty to mine—nested in deep-sea rock—made it valuable, fetching at least a thousand spirit stones per jin.

Before, Su Qing’s finances couldn’t pamper the sword like this. The secret realm was a buffet for it.

But the sword had a flaw: it ate without growing heavier or changing, though its condition visibly improved. Su Qing suspected it was storing energy for a transformation.

She hadn’t idled either, training in body refining and swordsmanship. After finishing her Fierce Erosion Grass, she started on the Nine Heavens Spirit Grass. As a key Foundation Establishment Pill ingredient, it also aided body refining.

Its potency was strong—she could only handle one leaf at a time. Each dose burned her blood, requiring many spiritual energy cycles to refine.

Thanks to the Golden Silk Wood on Pure Water Island boosting her foundation, her cultivation speed had nearly doubled. But she prioritized a solid base over rapid advancement—geniuses chased leaps; she preferred steady progress.

Her time on Biyun Island was wrapping up. Checking her map, compass, and hourglass, she estimated the time.

“Almost time. The Dragon Boat Trial’s starting soon. I should head to Dragon Scale Island.”

A smile curved her lips, eager to reunite with her Sword Sect friends.