Spirit Ruin, Sword Coffin, Blind Swordsman

Now that all four ink jiao dragons had submitted to Nine Heavens, they naturally agreed to follow its lead and help the group.

The cultivators aboard the enemy’s two cloud boats clearly hadn’t expected Gu Li and Meng Wanshu to be here with Li Guanqi and the others. They also hadn’t expected four peak tier-seven jiao dragons.

Once the enemy retreated, the spatial seal around the group gradually dissipated.

A spatial fluctuation spread out at once. A few breaths later, Xiang Huaizhi appeared before them.

Flames raged between heaven and earth as a terrifying pressure descended upon the surrounding thousand li.

Even Gu Li was shaken by the sheer magnitude of that terrifying divine consciousness. Sweat beaded on his forehead, and he swallowed hard. He had believed his divine consciousness was nearly on par with that of a Mahayana Realm cultivator. Even if there was still a gap between them, it shouldn’t have been this vast.

Only now did he understand how terrifying the divine consciousness of an elite tier-eight alchemist truly was. Xiang Huaizhi’s divine consciousness was far stronger than even Gu Changsheng’s.

Xiang Huaizhi narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze sweeping the surroundings, sharp as a blade. Frowning, he asked, “What happened?”

Li Guanqi replied in a deep voice, “Two cloud boats tried to ambush and kill us, but they apparently weren’t aware of the ink jiao dragons. It’s fine, though. Nothing serious happened.”

Li Guanqi did not dwell on the attack. Once Ye Feng and the others completed their breakthroughs, the Lu clan would pay for everything.Ever since stepping onto the path of cultivation, Li Guanqi had lived by one principle: repay every grudge in full. This matter was far from over.

Xiang Huaizhi’s expression turned unusually cold. “You’re just gonna let this go? Not a chance. Can you guess who they were?”

Li Guanqi shrugged. “Those cloud boats looked like they belonged to the Zhu clan. During the wager battles, Senior Nangong destroyed the Lu clan’s cloud boat, so their people boarded the Zhu clan’s cloud boat afterward. I took a few extra looks at it back then.”

Xiang Huaizhi froze. A moment later, he burst out laughing so hard that he doubled over, tears streaming down his face.

The trio exchanged baffled glances.

Li Guanqi alone seemed to have an inkling. His mouth twitched uncontrollably.

Xiang Huaizhi pulled out a green jade slip and began recording a message, mercilessly mocking Nangong Xuandu as he spoke. “Hahaha! Nangong, I never thought I’d see you reduced to this. Guanqi was ambushed, most likely by the Lu clan, and I’d bet they’ve joined forces with the Zhu clan. What happened to you? Have you completely lost your edge? Want me to take care of this for you? Hahaha! I can’t take it anymore. I’m telling everyone. Chan Kongzi will be laughing at you for the next hundred years.”

Without giving Nangong Xuandu any chance to respond, Xiang Huaizhi tossed the jade slip into the air and sent it hurtling into the distance with a kick. Brilliant light erupted from the slip as it streaked away.

Xiang Huaizhi clapped his hands and raised one arm. Boundless fire-element power erupted, instantly draping the void within a hundred-li radius in a curtain of heavenly fire.

Li Guanqi’s heart trembled, and Gu Li spoke in disbelief. “Ninth Heavenly Flame, Crimson Sun!”

The crimson wall of fire seemed to connect heaven and earth, stretching beyond sight. Wherever the flames passed, space itself burned away.

Fire-element spirit qi raged. The scorching heat seared even Li Guanqi’s skin, and the heavenly fire gradually suppressed the lightning pool.

Xiang Huaizhi smiled. “All right, let’s head out. That true dragon shouldn’t have any trouble breaking through. The yin and yang powers within its body have reached equilibrium. Advancing shouldn’t pose any difficulty.”

Li Guanqi nodded slightly. As if sensing his thoughts, Nine Heavens released a deep roar in response.

Once the group emerged from the fiery barrier, they finally sighed in relief. Meng Wanshu and Gu Li had both suffered injuries, but fortunately, their foundations were intact.

Gu Li looked down at the ink jiao dragons beneath them. The once-ferocious great demons were now remarkably docile, eyeing Xiang Huaizhi with fear.

Gu Li blurted out a question, saying, “Senior... could you check whether these ink jiao dragons are carrying true dragon offspring?”

Xiang Huaizhi’s expression stiffened, and he snapped irritably, “I’m an alchemist, not a veterinarian!”

Gu Li scratched his head awkwardly. Ye Xuan had promised to prepare four grand gifts, yet he had shown no sign of producing them. Clearly, he wanted to see results before parting with any benefits.

Most of the yin energy within the four ink jiao dragons had already dissipated. Although they had received a true dragon’s yang essence, they showed no obvious outward changes, leaving Gu Li somewhat worried.

Xiang Huaizhi’s gaze shifted slightly as his immense divine consciousness spread outward.

His eyes lit up faintly, the corners of his lips curling upward. “That true dragon is quite impressive. Three of the four ink jiao dragons are pregnant. And after devouring the Dragon Scale Divine Wood, its bloodline power has become even more formidable. These three ink jiao dragons now have a very good chance of transforming into true dragons themselves.”

He continued, “The true dragon yang essence within them has yet to be fully refined. Once they finish refining it, their breakthrough to the eighth tier may also mark the day they transform into true dragons.”

With that, Xiang Huaizhi flicked a finger, sending four streaks of crimson flame into the ink jiao dragons’ foreheads.

The four jiao dragons struggled briefly before realization dawned in their eyes. They understood that he was helping them refine the power within their bodies. All four lowered their heads to him in gratitude and respect.

Rumble rumble rumble!

Heavenly lightning gathered as thick storm clouds rolled endlessly across the sky.

The Gu clan’s pill lightning pool had become nourishment for Nine Heavens instead.

Roar!

A deep dragon roar rang out. Nine Heavens soared into the air, its entire body glowing purple.

Its five claws spread wide, and its whiskers streamed in the wind as it glared furiously at the heavens.

Violent dragon’s might surged in all directions. Although the four ink jiao dragons were at a slightly higher realm, they prostrated in submission toward Nine Heavens.

Xiang Huaizhi sighed in admiration. “As expected of the only true dragon left in the world. Truly majestic.”

Li Guanqi smiled. “Senior, why not visit the Nine Dragon Immortal Sect and ask for one of the ink jiao dragons’ descendants?”

Xiang Huaizhi’s eyes lit up, and he burst into laughter. “Right! You’re quick, kid. If these ink jiao dragons transform into true dragons, their offspring will probably be pure-blooded true dragons as well. At worst, I can find more spiritual treasures later to strengthen their bloodlines! Hehe, you all keep watch here. I’m heading to the Ethereal Immortal Territory!”

Xiang Huaizhi was nothing if not impulsive. The moment an idea struck, he acted on it.

Gu Li quickly raised his hand, as if he had something to say. “Senior! Take me with you! I’ll help you get one!”

Xiang Huaizhi gave him a skeptical look but did not refuse. He took Gu Li and the four ink jiao dragons, then departed.

Meanwhile, Li Guanqi turned to Meng Wanshu, who was still recovering, and pressed a hand against her back.

After absorbing all the lightning from Meng Wanshu’s body, he said softly, “I’m sorry. I made you worry.”

Meng Wanshu smiled and shook her head. Her gaze softened as she looked at him. “Don’t be ridiculous. If I had been the one in danger, wouldn’t you have done the same?”

Li Guanqi smiled bitterly. “How is that the same? You’re my woman.”

Meng Wanshu pursed her lips without answering, light shimmering in her eyes.