Chapter 1059: Riding the Dragon

Phoenix Rain Immortal City.

Many cultivators flew in mid-air, watching the ominous tribulation clouds, which had filled them with dread, finally disperse in the distance. They couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

"Revered Master Zhou, I wonder which senior from your sect has a spirit beast undergoing tribulation. Its might is far more terrifying than the Nascent Soul tribulation I witnessed last time. Could it possibly be a true spirit?"

A Core Formation cultivator beside Zhou Wangshen asked jokingly. This man, with long, flowing hair and a composed face, was Ruan Lilong from the Myriad Stars Alliance in the Barren Sea.

He was a representative of the younger generation from the Flying Sand Sect and also a grand-disciple of Taishi Weiguang.

The Five Elements Merchant Guild was able to establish itself so easily in the Barren Sea not only because of its immense strength and Chen Mobai's formidable reputation but also because Ruan Lilong took the initiative to contact them upon learning of their arrival.

Over the years, Ruan Lilong had led trade caravans from the Myriad Stars Alliance to the Eastern Wilderness multiple times. He was even quite wealthy, purchasing shops in important hub immortal cities like North Abyss City and Phoenix Rain Immortal City to sell many local specialties from the Barren Sea.

Six months prior, his treasure ship, while at sea, obtained a rare fifth-grade Sea Spirit Agate. Knowing that Sect Master Chen of the Five Elements Sect had been collecting this item, Ruan Lilong specially organized a batch of goods and traveled with the Five Elements Merchant Guild to the mainland, hoping to secure an audience with Chen Mobai, the notorious "God of Slaughter" in the Barren Sea.

Unexpectedly, upon his arrival in Phoenix Rain Immortal City, he encountered such an event.

When the little Yellow Dragon Maiden triggered the heavenly tribulation, her bloodline erupted, causing her true form to uncontrollably manifest above the Yellow Dragon Cave Mansion. Although she swiftly vanished beneath the water's surface, many people caught a fleeting glimpse of her radiant, golden dragon form.

The Flying Sand Sect, Ruan Lilong's sect, was formerly one of the Ten Directions Halls of the Eastern Lands Imperial Court. After the Great Tribulation, they left the Eastern Lands and retreated to the Barren Sea, preserving all their inheritances. They also had records concerning true spirits.

The little Yellow Dragon Maiden's true spirit tribulation was far more terrifying than a cultivator's Nascent Soul formation, which immediately led Ruan Lilong to this conclusion.

"The Sect Master and Senior Daxia cultivate quite a few spirit beasts. Some indeed possess true spirit bloodlines. It's probably one with a Flood Dragon bloodline..."

Zhou Wangshen replied casually. Some powerful sacred lands in the Heavenly River Realm particularly favored raising Flood Dragons.

This was because the Flood Dragons of the Mystic Flood Dragon Royal Court were notoriously lustful and fond of procreation, leaving behind countless descendants with Flood Dragon bloodlines scattered across the five continents and four seas.

Given their vast numbers, it was common for some of these descendants to awaken their true spirit bloodline.

If fortunate, these awakened ones could go to the Mystic Sea and reunite with their ancestors.

Those less fortunate would be captured by various sacred lands and used as mounts for their patriarchs.

Previously, the Sky-Swallowing Serpent had also undergone tribulation above the Yellow Dragon Cave Mansion, so many knew that Chen Mobai and his wife possessed a spirit beast suspected of having a Black Flood Dragon bloodline.

Although this time the beast radiated golden light, clearly different from the Sky-Swallowing Serpent, to those unfamiliar with spirit beasts like Zhou Wangshen, it simply meant there was another one.

"This kind of heavenly tribulation likely signifies more than just possessing a true spirit bloodline..."

Another Core Formation cultivator spoke up. It was Lou Xuelong from the Star Heaven Dao Sect.

He had previously been an unorthodox Golden Core cultivator, but with the aid of the Five Elements Sect's Golden Liquid Jade Return Pill, he was now a genuine Core Formation cultivator.

Due to his familiarity with the Eastern Wilderness, he was reassigned to work under Xing Chen.

While Xing Chen was stationed in North Abyss City, Lou Xuelong was dispatched to Phoenix Rain Immortal City.

During the last Righteous-Demonic War, Lou Xuelong had followed the main forces of the Star Heaven Dao Sect and was stationed in Golden Crow Immortal City, where he fiercely battled the Mystic Flood Dragon Royal Court's army for several years.

During that period, to survive, he had learned extensively about spirit beasts, flood dragons, and true spirits.

He was certain that the little Yellow Dragon Maiden's tribulation this time was definitely not a simple advancement to the fourth-tier for a spirit beast.

"Revered Master Lou is indeed incredibly knowledgeable."

Upon hearing this, Ban Zhaodan, who was beside Zhou Wangshen, narrowed his eyes and spoke to Lou Xuelong. For some reason, Lou Xuelong suddenly felt a chill run through his bones, as if a sword were pressed against his neck.

"I merely have a slight understanding, a slight understanding."

Lou Xuelong immediately realized his words were somewhat irritating. He let out a dry laugh and turned his head away.

Besides the Core Formation cultivators, many Foundation Establishment cultivators were also in mid-air, having witnessed the entire process of the little Yellow Dragon Maiden's heavenly tribulation forming and now slowly dissipating.

Among them was Mei Longzheng, a disciple of the Beast Taming Sect.

As a professional in his field, he was trembling all over at this moment.

A true spirit tribulation!

This was definitely a true spirit undergoing tribulation.

And not just any ordinary true spirit, but one with a top-tier bloodline.

However, Mei Longzheng soon became dejected.

The last time he reported the Sky-Swallowing Serpent's tribulation back to the Beast Taming Sect, he had hoped to use that merit to return to the sect, or even advance further. Instead, he was severely reprimanded.

He was told he had conveyed incorrect information, causing Grand Elder Mu Youyi to make a wasted trip, and even leading to a misunderstanding with Sect Master Chen of the Five Elements Sect, almost provoking a large-scale conflict and war between their two sects.

Because of this, Mei Longzheng not only received no merit but was also stripped of sixty years of sect benefits. Furthermore, he was ordered to remain stationed in the Eastern Wilderness indefinitely, forbidden to leave a single step without sect orders.

This was tantamount to expulsion, leaving him to fend for himself in the Eastern Wilderness.

If not for his decent beast-taming skills, which made him a rare talent in the Eastern Wilderness, allowing him to take on tasks assigned by the Five Elements Sect's Spirit Beast Department without excessive competition, he would have likely been unable to survive in Phoenix Rain Immortal City, where land was extremely precious.

Mei Longzheng could swear on his life that the Sky-Swallowing Serpent's tribulation last time was definitely their Beast Taming Sect's True Spirit Transformation Art.

However, since both the Sect Master and the Grand Elder said he was mistaken, then he could only be wrong.

After that incident, to make a living, he began to actively integrate into the Eastern Wilderness. Despite his status as a Foundation Establishment cultivator, he was willing to work, and over the years, he actually obtained more resources.

After all, besides trade, Cloud Dream Lake was also the Five Elements Sect's largest aquatic product immortal city.

Aquatic products were considered a subset of spirit beasts, and because many cultivators had overfished, the Five Elements Sect had even begun aquaculture in recent years. Mei Longzheng's professional expertise and abilities in this area earned him many opportunities and substantial remuneration.

Feeling that he could no longer return, Mei Longzheng even gritted his teeth last year, using the spirit stones he had accumulated as a consultant over the years for a down payment. He then took out a loan from the Five Elements Sect to buy a house that was truly his own, bidding farewell to his long-term rental life.

If he reported back this time that the Five Elements Sect had a true spirit undergoing tribulation, his sect would probably still not believe it. They might even think he was trying to return and stirring up trouble between the Beast Taming Sect and the Five Elements Sect.

Moreover, if they did believe it and a war actually broke out, the price of his newly purchased house would likely plummet instantly.

Unless he sold the house before the war.

However, based on Mei Longzheng's last experience and considering the Five Elements Sect's current formidable strength, he believed his own sect would certainly not dare to start a fight.

Therefore, after considering all scenarios, Mei Longzheng decided to pretend he knew nothing about it.

He thought, "It is what it is."

He would settle down in the Eastern Wilderness from now on. If he was lucky, he might even win the lottery at the Daxia Pavilion for the qualification to purchase a Core Formation spiritual medicine.

Thinking this way, working for the Five Elements Sect actually offered a more promising future than staying with the Beast Taming Sect in the Eastern Lands.

With his thoughts clear, Mei Longzheng let out a long breath and prepared to return to his recently purchased house. He planned to organize information on mixed aquaculture for spirit water shrimp, jade blood carp, giant yellow crabs, and other species, to train the large-scale cultivators within the immortal city.

This was also a task assigned by the Five Elements Sect, aimed at fully yet not excessively developing the precious Cloud Dream Lake region.

The best waters were naturally occupied by the Five Elements Sect, but due to limited manpower, many areas remained vacant. The sect intended to guide cultivators along the coast, including cultivation families and even rogue cultivators, to enter this industry.

This was also considered a policy of shared prosperity.

Just as Mei Longzheng turned around, a sudden commotion erupted.

Then, a blinding light suddenly shone from the center of the distant tribulation clouds, like a golden sun rising. After dispelling all the dark clouds, it was carried by a dragon-shaped creature, approaching Phoenix Rain Immortal City.

This sight greatly astonished everyone in mid-air above the immortal city.

Zhou Wangshen also felt a little nervous. He had already sensed that this being was at least at the Nascent Soul realm. Only after confirming with Ban Zhaodan beside him that Phoenix Rain Immortal City's grand formation was fully activated did he slightly relax.

However, years of caution prompted him to take out a talisman and place it in his Heaven-Penetrating Compass.

This talisman was given to him by Zhou Shengqing. After using it, he could upload the information he wished to report to a channel only accessible by Nascent Soul cultivators.

After uploading, Zhou Wangshen felt a slight sense of relief. Then, with a solemn expression, he walked to the city wall of Phoenix Rain Immortal City.

Ruan Lilong and Lou Xuelong, who were beside him, exchanged glances, both seeing the fear in each other's eyes.

After all, the being riding the dragon-shaped creature towards them, in their perception, emanated an aura even more terrifying than their own sect's strongest Nascent Soul cultivators.

Friend or foe?

If a fight broke out, how would they escape?

Just then, a powerful aura rose from the central teleportation array of Phoenix Rain Immortal City. Accompanied by the sound of gurgling water, a female cultivator of exquisite beauty and pure demeanor landed beside Zhou Wangshen.

"Greetings, Senior Daxia!"

While Ruan Lilong was speculating on the identity of this Nascent Soul female cultivator, Zhou Wangshen had already bowed respectfully to her.

So it was the Sect Master's wife who had arrived.

Ruan Lilong recalled the rumors about Qing Nü and his expression cleared with understanding.

"Senior arrived so quickly."

Zhou Wangshen saw Qing Nü's arrival and thought that she must have been in the nearby Yellow Dragon Cave Mansion, which was why she was the first to arrive.

"It seems the tribulation was successful."

Qing Nü looked at the distant scene of the dragon-rider approaching and smiled faintly.

"It truly is your spirit beast, Senior."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Wangshen completely relaxed and began to admire the "Sun-Bearing Dragon" in the distance, seemingly moving across the water's surface.

"Well, it's not exactly mine. Although I've nurtured it for a while, in terms of contract ownership, it belongs to my husband."

Qing Nü shook her head. Zhou Wangshen was even more delighted to hear this.

So it was the Sect Master's spirit beast undergoing tribulation. No wonder the commotion was so grand.

At this moment, streaks of powerful Nascent Soul spiritual light successively illuminated within Phoenix Rain Immortal City's teleportation array.

It was Zhou Shengqing and other Nascent Soul cultivators from the Five Elements Sect.

They had originally arrived at Yellow Martial Immortal City, preparing to use a large-scale teleportation array to return to North Abyss City. However, upon receiving the information uploaded by Zhou Wangshen, they immediately changed their teleportation destination to Phoenix Rain Immortal City.

Seeing the seven Nascent Soul cultivators of the Five Elements Sect standing in mid-air, Ruan Lilong couldn't help but inwardly marvel, "As expected of the number one sect on the Eastern Continent's frontier."

Lou Xuelong, in particular, felt a sense of realization.

Back when he led the Star Heaven Dao Sect to the Eastern Wilderness for a trade fair, there wasn't a single Nascent Soul cultivator here; Core Formation cultivators were already revered as patriarchs.

Now, the number of Nascent Soul cultivators in the Five Elements Sect was already on par with their Star Heaven Dao Sect.

"Greetings, Martial Uncles, Elders..."

Upon seeing the seven Nascent Soul cultivators standing beside him, Zhou Wangshen, despite his usual composure, felt sweat trickle down his back.

He never imagined that a single talisman from him could cause such a grand mobilization.

Just as he was wondering what to say, Zhou Shengqing and the others simultaneously clasped their hands in salute towards the "Sun-Bearing Dragon" that had now approached Phoenix Rain Immortal City.

"Congratulations, Sect Master Junior Brother! Your spirit beast's successful tribulation adds a profound foundation to our Five Elements Sect for the next few millennia."

Upon hearing Zhou Shengqing's words, everyone present widened their eyes in disbelief and looked outside the city.

At this moment, as the Sun-Bearing Dragon approached, they finally saw it clearly: a mighty creature with golden scales covering its entire body, a slender physique, claws as sharp as blades, eyes like fiery orbs, dragon horns like daggers, long flowing whiskers resembling sharp swords, and a back rising like a series of mountain peaks.

As it flew in the sky, its colossal shadow nearly engulfed half of Phoenix Rain Immortal City. Its dazzling golden eyes, like two brilliant stars suspended high above, made every cultivator in Phoenix Rain Immortal City tremble.

At that instant, they felt an immeasurable gravitational force, as if from the earth itself, descending upon them with its gaze, rendering them immobile.

This was... a true spirit: the Yellow Dragon!

Moreover, it wasn't a bloodline cultivated later but an innate true spirit!

The moment Mei Longzheng first saw the colossal Yellow Dragon circling above the immortal city, he professionally recognized its origin.

Not only him but Ruan Lilong, Lou Xuelong, and even people from other major forces within Phoenix Rain Immortal City all stared with wide, disbelieving eyes at the True Spirit Yellow Dragon that blotted out the sky.

The Five Elements Sect actually possessed such a profound foundation?

Could it be something left behind by True Monarch Yiyuan?

No wonder it was said that the true lineage of Yiyuan resided in the Eastern Wilderness!

As the cultivator who ascended two eras ago, the legend of True Monarch Yiyuan was almost household knowledge, with the tale of him riding a dragon to ascension particularly captivating to all cultivators.

And now, the Yellow Dragon had actually reappeared.

Moreover, it was willingly carrying a cultivator on its back.

As the Yellow Dragon gradually descended, everyone also saw the figure on its back.

Although somewhat insignificant compared to the enormous true spirit's physique, all eyes, at that moment, fell upon him.

He wore an immortal robe with a pure white base and nine fiery dragons embroidered on the cuffs. His demeanor was refined and elegant, his expression gentle, and his hands were clasped behind his back, yet he exuded a powerful aura that commanded universal respect.

"Fellow Senior and Junior Brothers, you are too courteous. My spirit beast's tribulation happened without prior notice, causing you to make an unnecessary trip..."

As Chen Mobai spoke, he descended from the Yellow Dragon's back, then with an invisible lift, he caused everyone from the Five Elements Sect to stand up.

"Sect Master Junior Brother, you exaggerate. This is a momentous occasion; I would gladly make many more trips."

Zhou Shengqing said with a smile. He looked at the little Yellow Dragon Maiden, who had revealed her true dragon form behind Chen Mobai, and already envisioned the Five Elements Sect a thousand years from now: even after their generation had passed, the sect would still be protected by this powerful true spirit for countless millennia.

The lifespan of a true spirit was far longer than that of a Soul Transformation cultivator.

Especially a top-tier innate true spirit like the Yellow Dragon.

"Since you're all here, why not come to my place for a cup of tea?"

Chen Mobai invited Zhou Shengqing and the others, who naturally did not refuse.

"Nephews, there are quite a few aquatic animal carcasses on the water surface where the tribulation took place. Please make the effort to send people to clean them up, so as not to affect the ecological environment of Cloud Dream Lake."

Chen Mobai finally spoke to Zhou Wangshen and Ban Zhaodan, who were standing nearby. His tone was extremely gentle, making it impossible for Ruan Lilong to believe that this was the "God of Slaughter of the Eastern Wilderness," who had annihilated Dongwu and held the lives of millions of demonic beasts from the Barren Sea in his hands.

"Yes, Sect Master!"

The two Core Formation cultivators of the Five Elements Sect immediately nodded. Ban Zhaodan personally led the Spirit Beast Department disciples from Phoenix Rain Immortal City out of the city.

After Chen Mobai and the other Nascent Soul cultivators went to the Yellow Dragon Cave Mansion, Phoenix Rain Immortal City erupted in a flurry of discussions, everyone talking about the scene that had just unfolded.

Zhou Wangshen, having received Chen Mobai's instruction, did not send anyone to stop them.

Soon, all cultivators knew that the being who had successfully passed the heavenly tribulation was the True Spirit Yellow Dragon.

Connecting this to the legend of True Monarch Yiyuan ascending on a dragon, at this moment, even if Chen Mobai claimed he wasn't the true lineage of Yiyuan, no one would believe him.

After all, even the Yiyuan Dao Palace had not seen anyone ride a Yellow Dragon with such splendor for thousands of years.

It was speculated that True Monarch Yiyuan, knowing the Five Emperors Mountain Dao Palace would eventually decline, had preemptively arranged for his true inheritance to be in his homeland, the Eastern Wilderness.

And Chen Guixian, who had obtained the Yellow Dragon, was clearly more legitimate than the Yiyuan Dao Palace.

With this thought, the mystery of how the Five Elements Sect managed to develop into such a superpower in the barren Eastern Wilderness was finally solved.

It was certain that True Monarch Yiyuan, the ascended cultivator, had left most of his treasured possessions to the Five Elements Sect.

Mei Longzheng booked a private room at the Heavenly Dining Tower. While sipping spiritual wine directly supplied by Xiaonanshan Shop, he frowned, deeply conflicted.

The news that the Five Elements Sect possessed a True Spirit Yellow Dragon was simply too astonishing.

For the Beast Taming Sect, such a top-tier true spirit was crucial for their cultivation method to break through to the Soul Transformation realm.

However, Mei Longzheng did not want to send this news back.

After all, he had just bought a house.

At the Yellow Dragon Cave Mansion.

After drinking tea for a while, Zhou Shengqing and the others courteously took their leave.

After all, Chen Mobai rarely emerged from seclusion, and they had already chatted extensively with him in Dongwu. It was best to leave the time for him and his wife now.

"You're able to reach Soul Transformation so quickly. It seems the 'Startling God Melody' from the Immortal Gate truly benefited you greatly."

Chen Mobai had already sent the little Yellow Dragon Maiden to rest in the spiritual vein's core. After he expressed his longing to Qing Nü, she inquired about his situation over the years.

"Alas, although the 'Startling God Melody' showed me the path to Soul Transformation, it also brought an unprecedented great tribulation upon the Immortal Gate. Ancestor Qianxing even sacrificed a millennium of cultivation because of it..."

Chen Mobai sighed and recounted the matter of the Calamity of the God of Death. Qing Nü turned pale with shock upon hearing it.

"I never imagined that the Immortal Gate's next pioneering war would be so terrifying... You..."

Qing Nü hesitated, wanting to speak but holding back, yet Chen Mobai understood her meaning.

"The Immortal Gate is my homeland. Unless absolutely necessary, I will never abandon it and retreat to the Heavenly River Realm."

Hearing his resolute words, Qing Nü, though worried, felt that this was truly Chen Mobai.

Standing tall, courageous, and always leading the way.

"In that case, you'll need to break through to the Soul Transformation realm as quickly as possible. There are still seven years until we leave the Barren Sea. Over at the Five-Corner Ancient Maple, Ming'er is also working hard and should reach the peak of the fourth-tier around that time, enabling her to perform 'Instant Bloom.' Oh, by the way, how is your accumulation of Innate Pure Yang Qi progressing?"

Qing Nü began to calculate the Soul Transformation resources that could be prepared on their side, and she did not forget to ask about his main body's cultivation realm.

"According to the previous progress, it would be almost complete by the time we start pioneering. However, I had another fortunate encounter at the Immortal Gate. My divine sense first broke through to the Soul Transformation realm, allowing me to cultivate a Second Nascent Soul. With its assistance, it should take only two or three more years..."

Facing Qing Nü, Chen Mobai had nothing to conceal. As he spoke, he raised the Pure Yang Treasure Orb from behind his head and demonstrated his Second Nascent Soul.

"I should be shocked, but then again, with your talent, it feels only natural."

Qing Nü's reaction upon seeing the Second Nascent Soul was slightly more understated than Chen Mobai had expected.

There was nothing for it; his 'genius' persona had been established too perfectly.

Even with some assistance from Heavenly River Realm resources, to cultivate to such a realm in less than two hundred years was unprecedented and would likely never be repeated.

"Once my Innate Pure Yang Qi accumulation is complete, I'll be able to take that step into Soul Transformation. Although I'm not yet at Soul Transformation, with two Soul Transformation-level combat strengths, I can already move freely across the Eastern Wilderness."

"There's one more thing I need to tell you."

"It's about Jing'er..."