Chapter 90, Sword Cuts Down the Flood Dragon and Xu Kaishan’s Secret

Translator: Raznick

 

After agreeing to Xu Kaishan’s invitation, Zhou Chun was unable to leave the Three Rivers Joint with him.

 

According to Xu Kaishan, at present, no one knew where the Flood Dragon would appear. Additionally, none of the high-level cultivators from the various sects and clans in Cloud Province knew where they would carry out their dragon slaying.

 

If everyone were to gather together now, it would only increase their chances of being exposed without any benefits whatsoever.

 

Thus, he merely provided Zhou Chun with a means of contact. They agreed that if the Flood Dragon’s appearance was confirmed, communication could be made through this method.

 

Although Xu Kaishan’s reasoning seemed sound, Zhou Chun saw through the truth behind his words. It was clear that Xu Kaisan did not trust him as a last-minute invited rogue cultivator. Therefore, he did not want Zhou Chun to follow him and find out his secrets. At the same time, preventing these last-minute invited members from meeting avoided the risk of them conspiring against Xu Kaisan without his knowledge.

 

It was indeed a shrewd move! However, Zhou Chun was not at a disadvantage either. Having another source of information regarding the Flood Dragon’s whereabouts would only benefit him. As for Xu Kaishan’s proposal to go for some scales and blood, Zhou Chun had no intention of participating in such matters.

 

A gentleman did not stand beneath a crumbling wall.

 

Only in the Qi Refining Stage, he had no intention of engaging in such an endeavor where risk and reward did not match.

 

Over the course of the next two months, while waiting for news, Zhou Chun made sure to continue cultivating the second stage of the Hard Gold Sword Energy.

 

Back when he was still within his clan, he had already completed half of the progress. With daily diligent practice, he managed to perfect it while outside.

 

Upon sealing the Supreme White Gold Energy in both his left and right hands, Zhou Chun grew even more confident in his abilities.

 

Among cultivators at the Qi Refining Stage, there might be a few who could block one strike of the Hard Gold Sword Energy. However, those capable of withstanding two such strikes were undoubtedly exceedingly rare.

 

And it was on the fifth day after Zhou Chun trained the Hard Gold Sword Energy, that the Flood Dragon finally reappeared. This Flood Dragon had not been seen for over two or three months.

 

This time, the Flood Dragon appeared in the region downstream of the Three Rivers Joiint, less than a thirty miles away.

 

At that time, the rivers were overflowing, and even the area around the Three Rivers Joint was affected.

 

Zhou Chun, who was stationed at the Three Rivers Joint, noticed something unusual and hurriedly commanded his flying artifact to head toward the downstream region where the Flood Dragon had appeared.

 

Several other cultivators acted similarly. Even from higher up, one could see figures of Foundation Establishment cultivators flying swiftly through the air.

 

After flying approximately fifteen miles, Zhou Chun halted.

 

Before him, within a radius of a dozen miles, the sky was dark with clouds and pouring rain.

 

In contrast, where Zhou Chun was located, some miles away, the sky was clear with blue clouds and sunny weather.

 

The abnormal changes in the weather were undoubtedly caused by the Flood Dragon’s extraordinary spiritual power. Any cultivator who ventured into that region would inevitably fall under its influence and be detected by the Flood Dragon. Even those who had not entered that area, such as Zhou Chun, noticed that the spirit beast pouch at his waist was slightly trembling. Inside it, the Silver Thunder Python was awakened from its slumber by the bloodline oppression emanating from afar, growing restless and agitated.

 

Zhou Chun was amazed by the Flood Dragon’s power and communicated with his startled spirit pet through his mind to soothe it. After much effort, he managed to calm the distressed Silver Thunder Python. However, in the region ahead, where dark clouds gathered, another change occurred. A silvery-white sword light sliced through the clouds, resembling a divine blade descending from the heavens, heading straight for the river surface. Under the illumination of this silvery-white sword light, amidst the stormy waves, a shadowy figure of a black Flood Dragon over thirty meters in length could be vaguely discerned, swimming gracefully.

 

Because they were so far apart, Zhou Chun could not have been able to determine clearly whether it was the Black Flood Dragon or the Ink Flood Dragon. Moreover, his attention was already captured by the silver-white sword light.

 

As he observed, the sword light plunged into the water, cutting through waves and striking the submerged body of the black Flood Dragon directly.

 

“It hit!!!”

 

A cultivator in the sky witnessed this and exclaimed with delight.

 

However, the sudden change that occurred afterward caused him to quickly close his mouth, his eyes revealing fear.

 

The Flood Dragon’s body moved slightly, flinging the silver sword away with a mournful sound. The sword showed no trace of blood, indicating it had not truly injured the Flood Dragon.

 

But this strike seemed to enrage the creature in the water. Instantly, a pitch-black water column erupted upward, piercing through the clouds and breaking into the heavens.

 

Then a huge explosion erupted from the skies, accompanied by a voice filled with caution: “You sure are something, fiend.”

 

The voice faded as the silver sword soared into the heavens and vanished without trace.

 

It seemed the mastermind had suffered a loss and had withdrawn.

 

And it appeared that the presence of higher-ranking cultivators had spooked the Flood Dragon into retreating; it swiftly retracted its  powers, diving back into the depths of the river to hide.

 

Without the Flood Dragon’s powers to sustain them, the dark clouds dissipated, allowing sunlight to reclaim the land once more.

 

Meanwhile, along the riverbanks, human villages lay in ruins, their streets littered with the lifeless. Soon, the air was filled with the wails of survivors.

 

This scene witnessed by Zhou Chun caused his chest to tighten. His heart was anything but calm.

 

Having been in this world for over eight years, it was the first time he encountered such a tragic event caused by a demon beast. The sight of countless ordinary people perishing at the hands of the ferocious Flood Dragon left him deeply shaken.

 

The mighty and terrifying evil Flood Dragon towered over all, while the common folk seemed as vulnerable as ants in comparison. Just as a mischievous child could douse a bowl of hot water to wipe out an entire colony of ants, so too did the rampage of this Flood Dragon annihilate multiple villages and towns inhabited by these defenseless civilians.

 

Now, Zhou Chun felt a profound sympathy for the innocent victims who had lost their lives. His heart was consumed with rage toward the evil Flood Dragon that caused such destruction. Yet amidst these emotions, there was also an overwhelming sense of fear—the fear of the power wielded by those who are strong and formidable.

 

In front of a formidable creature like the evil dragon, he, as a Qi Refining cultivator, was no more than an oversized ant that could be crushed with a single flick of its claw.

 

“That’s the power of a Violet Palace Stage master?” Zhou Chun thought to himself, marveling at how vast the gap truly was.

 

The Violet Palace Stage and Qi Refining, separated by just one Foundation Establishment Stage, represented powers that were worlds apart in terms of their magnitude.

 

Comparing them with Zhou Chun’s previous understanding of weapons: a Qi Refining cultivator was akin to a walking tank, while the might displayed even in the scattered scales and fins of the evil dragon suggested capabilities on par with a missile cruiser, if not far greater.

 

In reality, the disparity was likely even more staggering.

 

Soon enough, rumors regarding the suspected black dragon reemerging near the Three River Joint spread rapidly among the populace.

 

Zhou Chun shared the news with Zhou Jiapeng, Zhou Zhengyu, and Xu Kaishan. Although he had seen the Flood Dragon from afar during this incident, he didn’t glean much useful information. Not even who it was that attempted to test the Flood Dragon’s strength did he learn.

 

Unexpectedly, Xu Kaishan came personally after hearing about Zhou Chun’s findings. In the restaurant room, as they discussed the recent appearance of the Flood Dragon, Xu revealed a piece of information that greatly surprised Zhou Chun.

 

“An elderly expert, who is over a hundred years old, had reviewed the details provided by Fellow Daoist Han and managed to identify the attacker. This individual, according to the elder’s assessment, was none other than Lu Jianqiu from Singing Sword Mountain’s Lu Clan, their Grand Elder with mid Violet Palace cultivation.

 

Xu elaborated that recognizing an artifact’s owner solely through their artifact was a rare skill typically reserved for those who had interacted with the artifact’s master before.

 

Although Xu Kaishan gave the credit to a 100-year-old rogue cultivator, Zhou Chun didn’t believe it.

 

After his expression changed several times, he looked at the other party with surprise and sighed: “Fellow Daoist Xu is really powerful. He can know this matter, which makes me very surprised!”

 

This surprise comes from the heart, without any disguise.

 

But Xu Kaishan stopped talking and didn’t respond. He just changed the subject and continued: “Since Senior Lu Jianqiu of the Lu Clan has tested the strength of the Flood Dragon, I believe that the next time the Flood Dragon appears, those high-level cultivators will take action, and then we will have a chance.

 

“Therefore, I came here to ask Fellow Daoist Han to go with me to meet other Fellow Daoists, so that everyone can get familiar with each other, so as not to fight each other when taking action.”

 

To meet other cultivators?

 

After hearing what Xu Kaishan said, Zhou Chun couldn’t help but fall into silence.

 

He had originally teamed up with Xu Kaishan solely to expand his channels for information, without any real intention of getting entangled in the other’s schemes. However, what Xu Kaishan said today caused Zhou Chun to realize just how formidable the powers behind him might be—far beyond his imagination.

 

His curiosity now compelled him to wonder who or what force stood behind Xu Kaishan and what their ultimate objectives were in coordinating with other cultivators. Yet, he was all too aware of how dangerous curiosity could be. Should he follow Xu Kaishan to meet the other Fellow Daoist mentioned, with his current abilities, would he even stand a chance?

 

Zhou Chun mulled this over and decided without hesitation to decline, shaking his head as he said, “There’s no need for us to meet the other Fellow Daoists. I have grown accustomed to acting alone. Should any action be required, Fellow Daoist Xu, simply send a message, and I will readily come to join in.”

 

Xu Kaisan’s expression immediately shifted.

 

He stared coldly at Zhou Chun and berated him harshly: “Fellow Daoist Han, you are being shortsighted! It is precisely because we rogue cultivators always put ourselves first—like scattered grains of sand, unable to unite—as a result, we are repeatedly pushed around by cultivators from both clans and sects.

 

“I have finally persuaded a group of Fellow Daoists to join in the cause and unite to do something big after much lobbying.

 

“Fellow Daoist Han, you are saying you want to act alone at this time. What was the point of all my efforts?

 

He looked extremely distressed, as if he was really doing it all for Zhou Chun’s good.

 

Zhou Chun’s choice was completely ungrateful.

 

Yet Zhou Chun had long since perceived his ulterior motives and would not be deceived.

 

He just said calmly: “Everyone has their own aspirations. Fellow Daoist Xu, there is no need to persuade me. I will take my leave.”

 

After saying that, he stood up and prepared to leave.

 

Xu Kuishan’s expression shifted once more, and with a deep sigh, he said, “Alas! Since Fellow Daoist is set on his own course, I will not press Fellow Daoist further. Allow me to see you out, if I may.”

 

He rose and followed Zhou Chun toward the door, appearing ready to see her off. As he drew within three steps of Zhou Chun, his expression darkened, and his irises glowed with a faint golden hue, narrowing into slit-like pupils typical of reptilian creatures.

 

“Die!” roared Xu Kaishan, sounding like an animal. He charged forward, positioning himself behind Zhou Chun, and swung his right hand to strike his back.

 

But as he thought he would soon retrieve the heart of the rogue cultivator who had been taunting him, a brilliant, murky yellow glow suddenly erupted from Zhou Chun’s chest, instantly blocking the claws he had extended.

 

Indeed, it was a claw! Xu Kaishan’s right hand, from the wrist down, had transformed into a claw covered in green scales, resembling an eagle’s talon.

 

The beast’s claw latched onto the protective aura emitted by the Augur Pendant, causing the light to ripple and shake as if under heavy assault. This forced Zhou Chun to dash forward repeatedly while channeling his spiritual power into the Augur Pendant to reinforce its defenses.

 

“What kind of secret art is this?”

 

Inside the tavern’s hall, Zhou Chun, who had temporarily escaped from Xu Kaishan’s relentless attacks, summoned the Golden Scale Shield to hover around him for protection. He stared in disbelief at Xu Kaishan’s eyes and clawed right hand, his face filled with astonishment over the transformations he witnessed.

 

He could sense the cultivator’s aura emanating from Xu Kaishan, though it was slightly wild and violent. This indicated that he was not some aberrant entity but had merely employed a certain secret art to assume this form.

 

What truly surprised Zhou Chun, however, was that Xu Kaishan, who previously possessed only the Ninth Layer of Qi Refining cultivation, now exhibited an aura comparable to that of a cultivator at the Twelfth Layer of Qi Refining Stage. He wondered whether Xu Kaishan had used some secret art to conceal his cultivation beforehand or if his current monstrous appearance allowed him to augment his spiritual power.

 

Faced with Zhou Chun’s questioning, Xu Kaishan showed no intention of explaining anything. His cold gaze swept over Zhou Chun in silence before turning and walking away without a word, clearly not willing to continue the fight.

 

“Where do you think you’re going?”

 

As Zhou Chun watched Xu Kaishan flee through the broken door, he couldn’t let him escape so easily. Immediately, he called out and gave chase.

 

Not mentioning Xu Kaishan’s earlier sneak attack on him, it was this strange transformation on Xu Kaishan that had piqued his curiosity to no small extent. If possible, he would certainly want to capture the man and interrogate him.

 

But once Zhou Chun followed and saw Xu Kaishan in his current state, he realized how incredibly fast the latter was moving—not just faster than his usual travel by Soaring Art but much, much quicker.

 

Zhou Chun quickly summoned his flying artifact and took to the skies, chasing after Xu Kaishan amidst the gazes of many mortals from the small town.

 

After chasing Xu Kaishan out of the town without Zhou Chun even getting a chance to attack with his artifact, Xu Kaishan suddenly dove into the Grey River outside the town and quickly evaded Zhou Chun’s Divine Sense lock.

 

“So fast, even in water!”

 

Zhou Chun’s face showed a sudden shock as he stared at the river surface, genuinely astounded by Xu Kaishan’s displayed skill. He wondered if Xu Kaishan’s demonstrated secret art carried any serious side effects or costs. However, he was certain it must be a powerful and rare secret art. And how did Xu Kaishan, who claimed to be a rogue cultivator, acquire such a powerful secret art? Who was the one who taught him this secret art?