Chapter 88, Liu Shiyun’s Opportunity and Dragon Traces

Translator: Raznick

 

“Fellow Daoist Liu, safe travels, and may we meet again if fate allows.”

 

Outside Nine Peaks, Zhou Chun cupped his hands in a gesture of farewell to the departing trio.

 

“Fellow Daoist Zhou, it is with fate that we shall meet again.”

 

Liu Shiyun courteously returned the gesture. Together with her two fellow disciples, mounted two Black Scaled Steeds and departed from Nine Peaks.

 

After watching the three figures and their mounts disappeared into the distance, Zhou Chun turned around and returned to Pagoda Peak. He could not help but ponder deeply on the message that Liu Shiyun had conveyed to him.

 

The news that Liu Shiyun brought was simple enough. In the lower region of the Grey River in Cloud Province, Jing Kingdom, there had appeared a trace of a Flood Dragon—rumors suggested there might even be more than one.

 

Following observations by high-ranking cultivators from the Green Lotus Monastery, it was determined that these creatures were likely preparing to nest and lay eggs.

 

As a result, some of the higher-level cultivators from the Green Lotus Monastery had already begun making preparations. Their goal was to kill the Flood Dragon once they had laid their eggs, in order to seize the eggs.

 

This piece of information was originally a secret within the Green Lotus Monastery, known only among the circles of its high-ranking cultivators.

 

It so happened that Liu Shiyun, by fortunate coincidence, had learned of this matter from her own master.

 

Liu Shiyun told Zhou Chun about the news because she had worked part-time at Spirit Beast Pavilion and learned that Zhou Chun was looking for dragon’s blood grass, dragon’s blood stones, and other such items.

 

At that time, she wanted to repay Zhou Chun for his life-saving help to her and her father, so she silently remembered this matter in her heart.

 

Upon hearing that a high-ranking cultivator from Green Lotus Monastery would be slaying a Flood Dragon in Jing Kingdom, Cloud Province, she hurriedly came to Zhou Clan to inform him about it.

 

After all, if a high-ranking cultivator were indeed to slay a dragon, when the dragon’s blood was sprinkled over the river and the land, it would inevitably give rise to dragon’s blood grass, dragon’s blood stones, and other such items.

 

Whether Zhou Chun sought them himself or acquired them through others, he would have an opportunity to obtain these items, provided he was well-prepared.

 

And Liu Shiyun was not mistaken. Upon learning of the news, Zhou Chun was indeed tempted.

 

Silver Thunder Python Whitey was Zhou Chun’s primary spirit pet now. After being fed Beast Spirit Pill and other pills that enhanced its cultivation, Whitey’s growth had been very rapid.

 

It was likely that Zhou Chun’s own foundation building would take longer than the promotion to second-grade demon beast.

 

If he could administer dragon blood itemsto it before its second-grade advancement, it would allow it to purify the Flood Dragon bloodline .

 

This not only made the second-grade promotion more convenient for it but also ensured that its strength after reaching second-grade would be greater.

 

However, Zhou Chun was well aware that since this matter involved a high-ranking cultivator from Green Lotus Monastery, he couldn’t act on his own. He must inform Clan Leader Zhou Daoyi and seek the opinion of his seniors.

 

“Luck varies for each person. It’s unexpected that Liu Shiyun, whose spirit roots weren’t particularly outstanding among female cultivators, would be noticed by a prominent figure after joining Green Lotus Monastery, directly becoming an inner sect disciple. Her status and standing surpassed many members of our clan.”

 

Thinking about the experiences Liu Shiyun shared regarding her journey into Green Lotus Monastery, Zhou Chun was equally amazed.

 

According to Liu Shiyun, after joining Green Lotus Monastery less than a year ago, she caught the eye of a Violet Palace Stage cultivator, a female Daoist. As a result, she was taken as a disciple.

 

With her master being a Violet Palace Stage cultivator, Liu Shiyun, who had initially been an outer sect disciple upon entering, was directly elevated to inner sect disciple. Her status and treatment immediately set her apart from others.

 

Two disciples from the Green Lotus Monastery’s outer sect accompanied her, essentially serving as her bodyguards. After leaving Zhou Clan, her next stop was the Red Cliff Market to bring her father, Liu Qingshan, to the Green Lotus Monastery. This was also a perk for inner sect disciples of the Green Lotus Monastery, allowing their closest relatives to cultivate within their personal homes at the sect.

 

Although Zhou Chun felt sympathy for Liu Shiyun’s situation, he didn’t feel envious. Even though he didn’t have a master at the Violet Palace Stage, he was all but assured of becoming the next Clan Leader of the Zhou Clan, with prospects that wouldn’t fall short. In his previous world, he’d say he had a bright future ahead of him.

 

After thinking it through, Zhou Chun waited until Clan Leader Zhou Daoyi returned from cultivating and relayed Liu Shiyun’s message to him. “If the news checks out, then this is something worth taking seriously!”

 

Zhou Daoyi grew serious. The Zhou Clan possessed beasts with Flood Dragon bloodline heritage—not only did they have Zhou Chun’s Silver Thunder Python, but also his own spirit pet, the Sky Cloud Python. Furthermore, according to the records and his personal research, for the Sky Cloud Python to evolve into a Flood Dragon, there were two options: either consume the Dragon Pill, made from dragon grass, or risk taking the inner core of a third-stage Flood Dragon.

 

Unlike cultivators who only form their Golden Core Stage after reaching a certain level, demon beasts naturally formed something akin to an inner core, known as a demon core, once they reached the third stage. This demon core was not only a condensation of their bloodline essence but could also be used for alchemy or enhancing other demon beasts’ cultivation. Additionally, some demon beasts with the same bloodline could potentially refine and elevate their own bloodline by consuming the inner core from higher-tier demon beasts.

 

However, the power contained within a demon beast’s inner core was potent and volatile. For a lower-tier demon beast to consume that of a higher-tier one carried immense risks—it might result in their body being torn apart by the bersekr force within, leading to certain death.

 

Therefore, Zhou Chun was thinking about how he could obtain some byproducts from that cultivator’s efforts.

 

Zhou Daoyi was considering whether he could obtain a Flood Dragon’s core. But Zhou Daoyi knew that this idea of his was likely just wishful thinking. Besides the fact that it was uncertain whether the high-level cultivators from the Green Lotus Monastery would succeed in slaying a dragon, even if they did manage to kill one, Zhou Daoyi realized he couldn’t offer anything valuable enough to exchange for such a precious Flood Dragon inner core.

 

But one couldn’t help but have some thoughts, could they? After pondering for quite some time, Zhou Daoyi finally nodded at Zhou Chun and said, “Alright then. Since it was you, Zhengchun, who discovered this matter, you will take charge of leading a team to Cloud Province to set up camp and gather information.

 

“If the high-level cultivators from the Green Lotus Monastery are indeed preparing to slay the Flood Dragon,” he continued, “send word back to our clan as soon as possible!

 

“I personally will lead a team there at that time and see if we can make any progress!”

 

First, send people to scout out and gather intelligence. Then decide whether or not to get involved in this matter.

 

Zhou Daoyi’s arrangement was pretty much what Zhou Chun had expected.

 

He replied, “I understand, but who would accompany me?”

 

“Have Jiapeng and Zhengyu go with you!”

 

Zhou Daoyi thought for a moment before naming two Zhou Clan cultivators.

 

“Twenty-seventh Uncle and Fourth Brother?”

 

Zhou Chun’s mind raced, instantly understanding Zhou Daoyi’s intentions.

 

Twenty-seventh Uncle Zhou Jiapeng’s spirit pet, the Steel Plume Falcon, could carry a person and fly, making it perfect for sending messages.

 

Fourth Brother Zhou Zhengyu, though of low cultivation, was eloquent and smooth-talking, making him ideal for dealing with local rogue cultivators and gathering information.

 

Having two people work with him to scout and gather intelligence in Cloud Province was indeed very suitable. Once the choice of companions for Zhou Chun’s trip to Cloud Province was settled, Zhou Daoyi’s expression shifted slightly. He turned to Zhou Chun and said: “As for Ms. Liu, since Zhengchun you have saved her life and she is a grateful person, it would be good if you two kept in touch and maintained that relationship.

 

“Once the Zhou Clan’s Jade Spirit Bee starts producing honey, I will set aside some of it for gifts. You might also consider using this as an opportunity to connect with her.

 

“If we can secure the support of someone influential at Green Lotus Monastery, then in future endeavors, the Zhou Clan won’t have to be so restrained!”

 

These words carried a hint of favoritism, yet they were exactly what one would expect from a Clan Leader. As a Clan Leader, it was his responsibility to prioritize the bigger picture and make full use of the resources and connections within the clan for its benefit. Just as he had previously helped Zhou Chun by using his own network to have an artifact crafted for him.

 

Zhou Chun listened to Zhou Daoyi’s words and felt no aversion whatsoever. There were countless kinds of friendships in the world, and just because two people had a mutually beneficial relationship din’t mean they couldn’t be friends. In fact, healthy exchanges of interests would only strengthen their bond and perhaps even develop into an unbreakable friendship where they would stand by each other to the death.

 

“Understood,” Zhou Chun nodded quickly in response. “I will keep that in mind moving forward.”

 

“That’s what I wanted to hear,” Zhou Daoyi said with a satisfied nod, clearly pleased with Zhou Chun’s answer. The young man showed great understanding and sense of responsibility. He was right to invest in Zhou Chun.

 

Zhou Daoyi called over Zhou Jiapeng and Zhou Zhengyu and informed them to accompany Zhou Chun on a scouting mission to Cloud Province.

 

At this point, Zhou Chun was no longer the obscure young man he once was within the clan. Regarding his proposal to lead a mission to Cloud Province for reconnaissance, neither Senior Zhou Jiapeng nor his cousin Zhou Zhengyu expressed any dissatisfaction. Through his own efforts and achievements, Zhou Chun had earned the respect of many cultivators within the clan.

 

After carefully planning and discussing matters, Zhou Chun and his two companions quietly departed from Nine Peaks, heading straight toward Cloud Province. Reflecting back to when he first arrived at this world, Zhou Chun’s cultivation was low, and his abilities were inadequate. Additionally, the dangers described in his memories regarding long journeys in the cultivation world made him extremely cautious during his travels.

 

When traveling from Cloud Province to Mist Province, Zhou Chun preferred to blend in with ordinary civilians, advancing slowly within their groups rather than venturing alone into the dangerous wilderness. This cautious approach was a direct result of his initial experiences and understanding of the perils involved in such journeys.

 

Now that he thought about it, it filled him with gratitude.

 

This journey from Nine Peaks to Cloud Province was vastly different from his initial experiences.

 

The three of them rode atop Horned Goats, sure-footed mounts that could cover a hundred miles in a single day.

 

Among the trio, both Zhou Chun and Zhou Jiapeng were highly advanced Qi Refining cultivators with exceptional spiritual power, so they had no need to worry about encountering any dangerous bandits along the way.

 

With their swift journey, it took them just five days to traverse the mountainous terrain, covering over a three hundred miles and reaching the downstream region of Grey River in Cloud Province.

 

The Grey River was the largest water network in southern Jing Kingdom, originating from the Sword Province’s mountains northwest of Cloud Province. It flowed southward into Cloud Province, its waters expanding greatly in width and depth compared to its course through the Sword Province.

 

Its final destination was the ancient, dangerous lake known as Dragon Mire in southeastern Jing Kingdom.

 

This place was notorious for being a haven of demon beasts, home to entire groups of Flood Dragons and other bloodline-infused demonic beasts, some of which rivaled even Nascent Soul cultivators in power.

 

In Cloud Province, the downstream of the Grey River was actually thousands of miles away from Dragon Mire. Normally, it shouldn’t have any Flood Dragons nesting here.

 

After all, within human territory, demon beasts were considered prey, and Flood Dragons, which were creatures whose entire bodies were valuable, were particularly sought after by cultivators.

 

However, for a Flood Dragon to build a nest and lay eggs, it must at least be a third-stage Flood Dragon. At that stage, their intelligence was already significant enough that they wouldn’t ignore such matters.

 

But the information from Green Lotus Monastery couldn’t be wrong. Zhou Chun harbored these doubts in his heart but kept them hidden.

 

Upon arriving at the downstream region of the Grey River along with Zhou Jiapeng and Zhou Zhengyu, Zhou Chun instructed them to split up. Zhou Jiapeng led Zhou Zhengyu to nearby settlements of cultivating clans and rogue cultivator organizations within Cloud Province to gather information about the appearance of Flood Dragons.

 

Meanwhile, Zhou Chun set out alone, following the river downstream into mortal towns to investigate the situation himself.

 

In this world, Flood Dragon records were basically identical to his previous life’s knowledge of them.

 

Any place where a Flood Dragon appeared would inevitably lead to floods, as these demon beasts had a natural love for “causing floods.”

 

Therefore, if a Flood Dragon ventured into the downstream area of the Grey River, ordinary people would also find it relatively easy to hear about such occurrences.

 

However, without news coming from the Green Lotus Monastery, Zhou Chun would not believe reports from ordinary people, even if he heard them.

 

This was because the common folk had shallow experience and often mistakenly identified water demons as Flood Dragons.

 

Furthermore, without having seen one themselves, they would spread exaggerated stories to boast about their own experience when sharing such tales.

 

That being said, listening to the rumors circulating among ordinary people could still be quite helpful in the search for a Flood Dragon.

 

The results of their inquiries were not entirely unexpected for Zhou Chun.

 

The news of a Flood Dragon appearing downstream of the Grey River had indeed spread along the riverbanks in the downstream region of Cloud Province, with many mortal townspeople discussing the matter. However, regarding the exact location of the Flood Dragon’s appearance, opinions varied widely, making it difficult to determine the truth.

 

It was possible that the Flood Dragon had indeed appeared in those reported locations, but its true nest site remained unknown to ordinary mortals. After all, a third-stage Flood Dragon could travel through water with ease, and as long as it did not wish to reveal itself, it could disappear into the riverbed for thousands of miles without anyone noticing.

 

After gathering information about the various reported locations of the Flood Dragon’s appearances, Zhou Chun decided to leave mortal affairs behind and head directly to a predetermined rendezvous point where he would meet Zhou Jiapeng and Zhou Zhengyu. They aimed to see what discoveries they could make together.

 

The meeting place was known as Silver Rock Mountain, a cultivation stronghold established by a rogue cultivator organization in Cloud Province. Similar to the Clear Valley that Zhou Chun had visited before in Mist Province, Silver Rock Mountain was founded by several Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators.

 

In normal times, this stronghold served as a place where the cultivators could practice their craft while also renting out space to earn some spirit coin. Additionally, it functioned as a hub for nearby Qi Refining cultivators to trade and exchange information.

 

Such places can be found in cultivation world across various regions.

 

Zhou Chun arrived at Silver Rock Mountain and easily located Zhou Jiapeng and the other who had been waiting there beforehand.

 

The three of them booked a private booth at a tea house and began sharing the information they had gathered.

 

“We’ll start with the information we’ve gathered,” one of them said.

 

“According to what we’ve learned, news about the Flood Dragon appearing in the downstream area of the Grey River has spread across Cloud Province within the cultivation world, and many native cultivators from Cloud Province are now searching for signs of the Flood Dragon,” another explained.

 

“However, there’s no word about the Flood Dragon building its nest and laying eggs. It’s unclear whether this is because no one has noticed it or those who have noticed don’t want others to know about this information,” another added.

 

“Here are some locations where they spotted the Flood Dragon, Zhengchun. You can take a look.”

 

In the private room, Zhou Jiapeng continued speaking as he handed a list and map of the information they had gathered to Zhou Chun.