Chapter 341 – East Sea Dragon Transformation Pool, Peak Golden Core Stage

Roar!

In an unknown sea area, a dragon’s roar pierced through the sky.

A massive Corpse Dragon completely emerged from the sea surface, ascending into the air.

But now, describing it as a Corpse Dragon seemed somewhat inaccurate.

After Ao Yu devoured all the Jiaolong People from the five islands,

his physical body had completely regenerated.

The originally kilometers-long skeletal frame was now not only filled with flesh and blood, but dark red dragon scales had also grown all over its skin surface.

Although from appearance, the current Ao Yu didn’t differ much from a normal Flood Dragon,

the Corpse Qi emanating from his body clearly told everyone that he was still in a half-living, half-dead state.

However, at this point, Ao Yu was only one step away from success.

As long as he could successfully pass the Heavenly Tribulation with his current body,

Ao Yu would be able to transform from a Flood Dragon into a true Dragon, achieving a breakthrough to the Deity Transformation Stage.

Becoming another Great Divine Power practitioner at the Deity Transformation Stage in Central Province.

By then, even with all the crimes he had committed,

relying on his Deity Transformation cultivation, the East Sea Gate might ultimately only impose light punishment, not truly dealing severely with Ao Yu.

All this, of course, premised on his successful breakthrough.

Meanwhile, tens of thousands of nautical miles away from Ao Yu’s breakthrough location.

“Sikong Ming, are you saying that my nephew, in order to achieve Deity Transformation, didn’t hesitate to collude with the Demonic Path and use evil methods for breakthrough?”

In the Underwater Dragon Palace, Old Dragon King Ao Xing’s expression turned very unpleasant after hearing Sikong Ming’s description.

As the previous generation’s East Sea Gate Sect Leader and one of the true Dragons from the East Sea Gate’s Hidden Dragon Abyss,

Ao Lang understood all too well the temptation of Dragon Transformation for East Sea Gate cultivators.

One of the core purposes behind the East Sea Gate establishing a series of sect rules was precisely to prevent situations like this.

Throughout East Sea Gate’s history, there hadn’t been no madmen like Ao Yu who would stop at nothing for breakthrough.

That one time had brought extremely heavy losses to the East Sea Gate.

Not only did they lose many sect members, but the East Sea Gate nearly faced complete destruction.

“Attendants!”

Ao Lang shouted, and soon a Foundation Establishment Stage East Sea Gate Disciple entered.

“Where is that Ao Yu fellow?”

Hearing Ao Lang’s question, the East Sea Gate Disciple tremblingly replied: “Re-reporting to the Revered Ancestor, Sect Leader Ao Yu left a few days ago with many sect members and the Jiaolong People from East Roam Island to open up new sea territories.”

“Wretched beast!”

Bringing Jiaolong People to open up new sea territories?

Ridiculous!

With the Jiaolong People’s weak dragon bloodline and cultivation level, bringing them along couldn’t possibly make any difference.

At this point, Ao Lang was basically convinced of Sikong Ming’s words.

“Roar!”

Accompanied by a dragon’s roar, Ao Lang transformed directly into a ten-thousand-meter giant dragon in front of Sikong Ming, Lu Chen, and others, flying toward the sea surface.

Witnessing this scene, Sikong Ming couldn’t help but remark: “Such dense Bloodline Power, it seems Revered One Ao Lang’s strength has improved again.”

“Alright, the remaining matters are beyond our involvement. Let’s wait patiently for news.”

Hearing this, the Meow King nearby asked confusedly: “Huh? We’re not going to intervene?”

After all their efforts over this period, were they really just going to stand aside now?

Then what had they been busy with all these days?

“Intervene?”Sikong Ming looked speechlessly at the Meow King.

Though Sikong Ming’s eyes were covered by a black cloth.

The Meow King could still feel that gaze treating him like a fool.

Hey, I’m at least an enlightened spirit beast.

Can you not treat me like those unenlightened idiots!

Unfortunately, in Sikong Ming’s eyes, the Meow King really wasn’t much different from those unenlightened spirit beasts.

If the former’s IQ was negative, then the Meow King’s IQ was at most a single digit.

Not much better.

“Leaving aside that this is the East Sea Gate’s private matter, just considering the strength of Ao Yu and Ao Lang, do you think we’re qualified to intervene?”

The Meow King was stunned.

Oh, that… that seems right!

If Ao Yu succeeds in his breakthrough, he’ll become a new Deity Transformation Stage powerhouse.

Plus there’s Ao Lang, an established Deity Transformation cultivator.

Such a battle really isn’t something we can participate in.

However, there was one point the Meow King couldn’t figure out.

“Peak Lord Sikong, aren’t you worried that the East Sea Gate might ultimately not punish Ao Yu?”

Hearing this, Sikong Ming said calmly: “Don’t worry. A Deity Transformation cultivator who breaks through using heretical methods, especially in a bloodline-focused school like the East Sea Gate – even if Ao Yu succeeds in his breakthrough, they won’t tolerate him.”

“I think Ao Yu himself probably knows this, but subconsciously believes that if he truly breaks through, the school might let him off considering his Deity Transformation cultivation.”

“To this, I have only two words for him: foolish.”

Sikong Ming’s explanation only confused the Meow King more.

Because in his view, if Ao Yu truly broke through to Deity Transformation,

the East Sea Gate shouldn’t casually abandon such a top-tier powerhouse.

Even if he might have done something not entirely proper.

“Wu Miao, your cultivation time is still short, and you don’t understand bloodline cultivators well, which is why you can’t grasp the key point.”

“Let me put it this way – if Ao Yu breaks through using heretical cultivation methods, it’s fine if he fails. But once he succeeds, his own Karma will merge with his bloodline.”

“If such bloodline spreads within the East Sea Gate, the short-term effects might be minimal, but over time, the entire East Sea Gate will be affected.”

“Which is more important – one Deity Transformation Stage true dragon, or the entire school’s future? The answer is obvious.”

“Especially when the East Sea Gate itself isn’t lacking in Deity Transformation Stage true dragons.”

Hearing this, the Meow King finally understood completely.

The fundamental reason was the concern that Ao Yu might contaminate their East Sea Gate’s original bloodline.

Thinking about it this way, regardless of whether Ao Yu succeeds or fails,

Ao Lang, and indeed the entire East Sea Gate, would absolutely not let him off.

In fact, they probably wouldn’t even let Ao Yu continue living.

After all, whether considering Ao Yu’s own power or allowing him to produce descendants,

both would create endless troubles for the East Sea Gate.

Thinking of this, the Meow King couldn’t help but sigh.

“Peak Lord Sikong, what exactly was Ao Yu thinking? He was already the Sect Leader of East Sea Gate. Even if he did nothing, he was already one of the top existences in the entire Central Province.”

“But he chose the craziest path instead. This is way too risky.”

“I don’t believe he had no chance of breaking through normally. He was a Sect Leader, after all.”

Sikong Ming sighed, his tone complex: “Wu Miao, some things aren’t as simple as you think.””When you can see the future at a glance, along with your own powerlessness, you might restrain yourself in the short term.”

“But as time goes on, the resentment in your heart grows heavier, to the point where even the slightest temptation could lead you down a path of no return.”

“Moreover, even if you resist one temptation, can you be sure you’ll resist a hundred, or a thousand?”

“I believe Ao Yu likely didn’t have such thoughts in his early years, but as the years passed and he realized his chances of breaking through to the Deity Transformation Stage grew increasingly slim, his resolve finally wavered.”

“Similar situations haven’t happened only to Ao Yu; throughout the history of the Central Province, many comparable cases have occurred.”

“The path of cultivation is long and fraught with obstacles—how many can guarantee they will remain steadfast to the very end?”

“This is why our sect values not only a disciple’s aptitude for cultivation but also their heart-nature.”

“If one’s heart-nature is lacking, even with exceptional aptitude, it may not necessarily be a good thing for the school.”

“Enough of this. Let’s stay at the East Sea Gate for the next few days and await the outcome.”

“Regardless, the East Sea Gate owes us a significant favor this time.”

“It’s time to make them pay dearly.”

At this, Sikong Ming shed his usual elegance and revealed a rare, cunning expression.

He was clearly preparing to extort the East Sea Gate thoroughly.

The matter didn’t keep Sikong Ming and the others waiting long.

Ten days later, Ao Lang returned, dragging his injured body.

In his hand, he held a dragon’s head.

Of course, neither Sikong Ming nor Lu Chen witnessed these events firsthand.

They learned of them from other East Sea Gate disciples.

Though the exact details of what transpired remained unclear,

Ao Lang’s somewhat disheveled state as a veteran Deity Transformation cultivator indicated

that Ao Yu had given him considerable trouble.

Still, it was only a minor hindrance and did not affect the final outcome.

After this incident, however, the entire East Sea Gate suffered a significant loss of Origin Qi.

Not only did they lose many elite disciples, but they also lost a Sect Leader at the Peak of the Nascent Soul Stage.

Fortunately, the East Sea Gate had vast resources and, after some reorganization, quickly selected a new Sect Leader.

As for the Jiaolong People on East Roam Island, the East Sea Gate relaxed the entry requirements,

allowing many who previously did not meet the criteria to ascend the island.

This helped mitigate some of the impact caused by Ao Yu.

As for Sikong Ming and the others, who had revealed the truth to the East Sea Gate, they naturally received generous rewards.

The specifics of the transaction remained unknown to Lu Chen,

as Ao Lang secluded himself for a few days after returning

before meeting privately with Sikong Ming for a long discussion.

What the two discussed,

Lu Chen did not know.

Nevertheless, Lu Chen did not return empty-handed from this journey.

East Sea Gate, Subsea Dragon, Dragon Abyss entrance.

“This is our East Sea Gate’s Dragon Abyss. Generally, those who are not disciples of the East Sea Gate are not permitted to enter.”But since the ancestor personally gave the order, we have no grounds to object.”

“However, Fellow Daoist, please be aware that the Dragon Abyss is the final resting place of generations of our East Sea Gate’s cultivators.”

“This dragon tomb, where so many true dragons and flood dragons have transformed, contains a dragon’s might far beyond that of ordinary places.””Only those True Dragons at the Deity Transformation Stage within our East Sea Gate possess the capability to enter the depths of this Dragon Abyss and cultivate there.”

“There’s nothing inappropriate about Fellow Daoist wishing to use this Dragon Abyss to temper your Sword Intent.”

“However, I hope Fellow Daoist won’t push yourself too hard. When you feel you’re about to reach your limit, you should immediately ring this Dragon-Calling Bell.”

“At that time, someone from our East Sea Gate will naturally bring you out from this Dragon Abyss. Remember this, remember this well.”

At the edge of Dragon Abyss, an East Sea Gate Elder guarding the abyss spoke solemnly to Lu Chen about the precautions regarding this place before handing the Dragon-Calling Bell to him.

Lu Chen nodded and hung the bell at his waist.

“Fellow Daoist, are you ready?”

“Yes.”

Seeing Lu Chen prepared, the East Sea Gate Elder immediately opened the entrance to Dragon Abyss.

Gazing into the profound depths, Lu Chen entered without hesitation.

At the edge of Dragon Abyss, Meow King watched Lu Chen enter with concern and said, “Peak Lord Sikong, are you really letting Junior Brother Lu enter Dragon Abyss alone?”

“You should know that Junior Brother Lu is a Sword Cultivator, not a Bloodline Cultivator. This Dragon Abyss should be of little use to him, right?”

Sikong Ming calmly replied, “That might be true for other Sword Cultivators, but not necessarily for him.”

“Alright, let’s wait here.”

Although Meow King wanted to say more, seeing Sikong Ming’s attitude, he ultimately refrained.

After all, his experience was far inferior to that of an established Nascent Soul Stage cultivator like Sikong Ming.

Moreover, Lu Chen himself, as the person involved, had chosen to enter Dragon Abyss.

East Sea Gate, Dragon Abyss.

Dragon Abyss was a place that remained quite mysterious even to East Sea Gate disciples.

Most East Sea Gate disciples might never set foot here in their entire lives.

After all, this was one of the most crucial locations in East Sea Gate, inaccessible to ordinary people.

If not for the great help Lu Chen and his companions had provided to East Sea Gate,

And Lu Chen’s special status within Azure Cloud Sect,

He would have found it difficult to enter this Dragon Abyss.

Upon arriving at Dragon Abyss, the first thing Lu Chen felt was the almost tangible dragon pressure.

This dragon pressure was quite heterogeneous, clearly originating from different individuals.

And the deeper one went into Dragon Abyss, the stronger this dragon pressure became.

Generally, those East Sea Gate prodigies who entered Dragon Abyss did so to use the dragon pressure here to temper their dragon bloodlines.

Although Lu Chen lacked dragon bloodline, he possessed the Ink Dragon Sword with similar capabilities.

Thus, upon entering Dragon Abyss, the Ink Dragon Sword automatically flew out,

Beginning to greedily absorb the nearly endless dragon pressure here.

Lu Chen didn’t remain idle during this process either.

He circulated his cultivation manual and, relying on his special physique,

Transformed the dragon pressure within Dragon Abyss into his own Primordial Qi.

His cultivation began to improve at a visibly rapid pace.

To accelerate this progress, Lu Chen continuously advanced deeper into Dragon Abyss.

During this process, a massive vortex began to form around Lu Chen.

[Your Ink Dragon Sword is undergoing some transformation under the influence of the residual dragon pressure in Dragon Abyss…]

[You have absorbed the surrounding dragon pressure and converted it into your own cultivation, your cultivation is rapidly improving…]

Golden Core Stage Seventh Revolution, Golden Core Stage Eighth Revolution…In the following period, Lu Chen’s cultivation began to improve at a visibly rapid pace.

And it continued to rise until… the Peak of the Golden Core Stage!

At the same time, a certain presence deep within the Dragon Abyss seemed to be drawn to Lu Chen.

Curiously, it began to observe him closely.

After all, being able to absorb so much Dragon’s Might—even the true Dragons of the East Sea Gate might not be capable of such a feat…

(End of Chapter)