Dragon Canon

Founder Xuan Yue stroked his beard and said after a long pause, “This matter is most peculiar. On the path to immortality, everyone’s Dao Foundation differs, and the mystic energy they cultivate varies accordingly. Even those devouring methods of heretical factions and devilish sects that have been passed down for ages essentially only absorb a portion of one’s blood qi. The more sophisticated ones could also devour a bit of one’s primordial spirit or true spirit—but how could one possibly another’s blood qi and primordial spirit completely?

“Descendants of certain spirit beings and divine beasts may devour and slaughter one another, but that’s merely on the level of consuming a potent tonic. If the total transference of everything one possesses despite all their differences is possible between True Dragon descendants, wouldn’t that mean that the one at the end of the path is equally capable of devouring you? What if the True Dragon isn’t dead, but is waiting for you at the end of the path?”

Wei Yuan had never considered this possibility. Upon realizing it, a chill instantly ran through his heart.

True Lord Xuan Yue continued, “There’s another possibility: a True Dragon does not perish upon death. If you devour one another until you reach the end, it will be reborn within you, and you will become the True Dragon.”

That outcome wasn’t much better either.

Founder Xuan Yue[1] pondered for a moment before saying slowly, “Even if this old Daoist is overthinking it, and devouring one another does not negatively impact your cultivation in a subtle way, it is practically cheating to be able to improve so much in cultivation just by locating and devouring a kin. How could there be no consequences at all? If I’m not mistaken, the true consequences most likely revolve around the word ‘karma’.”

Wei Yuan, who had already experienced the Great Karmic Curse once, didn’t seem to mind.

“Do not tell anyone else about this. I will consult the scriptures or seek advice from my fellow brothers and sisters; perhaps we can uncover some clues regarding the True Dragon bloodline. For now, you should focus on consolidating your foundation. I noticed that the spirituality of your Dao Foundation is formed, but it lacks structure and still has much room for improvement. There is no need to rush toward breaking through to the Avatar-stage. Just focus on nurturing what you already have.”

Wei Yuan then asked many more questions about Avatars and spirituality. True Lord Xuan Yue[2] provided guidance on each one.

After resolving his cultivation doubts, Wei Yuan asked, “Does our Skyblue Hall have any Dao Soldiers?”

Founder Xuan Yue replied, “Yes, but since our hall’s roots are not in the north, we do not have many—only three hundred.”

The founder had phrased it diplomatically, but Wei Yuan understood the truth: The Skyblue Hall could only afford to maintain 300 Dao Soldiers. But despite this, the Skyblue Hall’s military achievements were no less sterling than those of other halls in the battles of the northern mountain gate. It was all thanks to the selfless efforts of the Founders and the Truemen.

Wei Yuan asked, “Might these Dao soldiers be temporarily assigned to my command? In Qingming, I have devised several methods that could rapidly forge a Dao Foundation. Although the quality of these Dao Foundations are inferior even compared to that of an ordinary human foundation, a Dao Foundation is a Dao Foundation.”

Founder Xuan Yue’s long eyebrows shot up when he heard this. After questioning Wei Yuan closely about the details, he said, “That is excellent news! As you said, even the lousiest Dao Foundation is still a Dao Foundation and above the likes of Body-tempering. The merits earned by those three hundred Dao Soldiers are negligible anyway. I will recall them immediately so they may accompany you to Qingming.”

In the blink of an eye, two hours had passed. Wei Yuan took his leave and went to prepare the flying vessel for his return to Qingming.

It would take time to recall the 300 Dao Soldiers from the front lines. Furthermore, a flying vessel capable of carrying several hundred people was different from one designed to transport only Wei Yuan; arranging for such a vessel also took time, so Wei Yuan had no choice but to stay one more day.

The flying vessel was scheduled to depart at noon the following day. Early that morning, Wei Yuan bid farewell to Zhang Sheng and prepared to pay a visit to True Lord Yan Shi and check on his Big Senior Sister. Ji Liuli was also at the northern mountain gate, but she had not come to see him. Perhaps she was in secluded cultivation.

Wei Yuan was just getting ready to set out when a man as graceful as water glided into view. Clad in an aqua-blue robe, every part of him was beautiful and supple. Countless women would have felt ashamed of their own appearance in his presence.

He approached Wei Yuan and said, “I am Hsu Henshui of Mother Nature Monastery. Back then, had I not been outmatched by Ji Liuli, I would have been the one to teach you your cultivation lessons.”

Wei Yuan hurriedly bowed in respect. Be it in terms of seniority and status, this man was definitely his teacher.

Hsu Henshui appraised Wei Yuan with a smile and said, “You truly are a once-in-a-lifetime genius. Chosen Ones really are in a league of their own. Although the likes of us barely qualify as a Chosen One as well, we pale in comparison to you. I wonder how your aptitude was measured back then; the gall of them to claim that your fortune was only one zhang and one chi! That examiner truly deserves to be executed.

“I’ve come here for two reasons. The first is official business. Founder Dan Ming heard that you intend to redeploy three hundred Dao Soldiers back to Qingming for training. He’s quite interested in this and plans to allocate another five hundred Dao Soldiers for you to train as well. Your merits will be assessed separately based on the result.”

Wei Yuan naturally agreed.

Hsu Henshui continued, “The second is a personal matter. I’ve noticed that your Great Realm is still somewhat barren. It lacks adornment and has not a single scenic spot. With a Dao Foundation like yours, how can it not have beautiful scenery to complement it? So I have a few immortal orchids to give you to plant in your Dao Foundation. When they bloom, they can transform the surrounding landscape into an immortal realm of unparalleled beauty, while also bestowing you a touch of immortal spirit qi. Why wouldn’t you want that?”

As he spoke, Hsu Henshui solemnly produced an exquisite wooden box containing four white jade-like bulbs, gazing at Wei Yuan with eager anticipation.

Wei Yuan was overjoyed as a matter of course. He accepted the gift and expressed his sincere gratitude.

Wei Yuan’s reaction seemed to catch Hsu Henshui off guard. He was speechless for a moment before breaking into a laugh. “I’m honestly surprised how much you like my gift. I was actually wondering if I should give you some more immortal silver and elixirs as well.”

It was Wei Yuan’s turn to be confused. “Senior Hsu has gifted me these immortal orchids, and I already feel deeply ashamed that I have no way to repay you. How could I possibly ask for anything else?”

Once again, Hsu Henshui was speechless for a few seconds. Suddenly, he let out a long sigh. “Thank goodness the heavens have eyes—it didn’t allow those two lead such a fine young man astray.”

“Which two?” Wei Yuan was completely baffled.

“Never mind. Just focus on cultivating your orchids. Here is a set of cultivation methods that can accelerate the growth of immortal plants, and this is a pill formula that you can use to process parts of the immortal orchids once they’ve matured. Even its fallen petals can serve as the main ingredient for this formula.”

Wei Yuan accepted the jade paper and thanked him once more.

After Hsu Henshui left, Wei Yuan went to True Lord Yan Shi’s immortal palace and learned that the man was currently engaged in battle in the Beyond. As for Ji Liuli, she had secluded herself in cultivation for the past few days and was still far from emerging.

Shortly afterward, True Lord Huang Yun of the Jianmu Hall sent someone to deliver a fruit resembling a gold ingot. It was the Langya Divine Tree, an immortal plant of the Metal element. In addition, she had sent nine saplings, each about the size of a palm. These were known as Clear Spirit Trees, a high-grade spirit plant. Once planted, they could improve the surrounding environment and enhance spirit qi. A single tree could influence an area spanning 10 li in all directions.

Wei Yuan accepted all the gifts. When the appointed time had arrived, he hurried to the flying vessel dock to muster the Dao Soldiers, watching as they filed into the ship one after another. A large amount of military supplies were being loaded onto the airships as well. True Lord Dan Ming, ever thoughtful, set aside a portion of their already tight provisions to fully supply these Dao Soldiers with three months’ worth of provisions—including even those from the Skyblue Hall.

By noon, the flying vessel took to the skies and soared into the clouds.

The large flying vessel was both fast and stable, gliding steadily above the clouds. Wei Yuan did not remain idle during this time, he inspected various parts of the ship, studying its structural design and the arrangements of its mystic arrays. Having just experienced a 10,000-li escape in the north, Wei Yuan now had considerable insight into flying artifacts in general. He quickly realized that this flying vessel consumed far more spirit qi than the crude flying artifact he had designed himself.

The journey passed without incident. The flying vessel circumnavigated the State of Zhao and, after several days, finally arrived at the realm of Qingming.

1. Did someone like tell the author that sticking to just one name is repetitive so he has to alternate between True Lord and Founder every few sentences or something? ☜

2. SEE? HE DID IT AGAIN! ☜