Chapter 109: Acquiring the Dragon Pearl

“Go to the altar,” the ancient dragon instructed.

Following the command, Zhou Qi sat cross-legged in the place where the dragon eggs had been kept. No sooner had he settled than he saw the blood in the pool rise and pour over him.

Scalding dragon blood cascaded from above, seeping into Zhou Qi’s body. He felt as though a blaze had ignited within him, compelling him to roar aloud. This sensation was unlike being in a ring of fire; there, the flames burned from the outside in, but the infusion of dragon blood spread from within outward.

The immense energy surged through every cell in Zhou Qi’s body, filling and expanding him continuously. His veins felt as if they might burst. The dragon blood fused with his own blood, purging impurities until his once vivid red blood took on a pale golden hue.

Mist rose above Zhou Qi’s head. Through the integration of the dragon blood, his vitality and life force were further strengthened. The essence and longevity he had lost using the Mountain Embrace Seal were replenished. Now, his vigor burned like fire, and a gentle fist strike revealed an overwhelming power.

The dragon blood continued to flow steadily, cleansing and tempering his internal organs. Zhou Qi felt his body swelling to its limit; if this process did not stop, his body might explode.

“My essence is still too powerful for you to fully refine at this stage. You cannot completely assimilate it. Let us end here. You may take the remaining essence with you and use it when your cultivation reaches a higher level,” the ancient dragon said, noticing Zhou Qi’s predicament. With a gentle sweep of his claw, the flow of dragon blood ceased. The blood pool, originally about five square meters, now held only about three.

With the dragon blood integrated, Zhou Qi found no more suppression in his spiritual energy’s circulation. It was clear that the spiritual energy suppression here targeted those outside the dragon clan.

Zhou Qi hastily thanked the ancient dragon and stored the remaining dragon blood within the Medicine Immortal Sanctuary.

“Boy, refining your body with dragon blood brings tremendous benefits, but there is also a drawback,” Feng Qianqian transmitted her voice to him.

“What?” Zhou Qi was alarmed. Such an important matter—why did she wait until now to tell him, only after it was done?

Seeing his panic, Feng Qianqian continued, “It’s not really a drawback. By assimilating dragon blood, you gain a trace of the dragon’s might. But you haven’t forgotten the dragon’s nature, have you?”

“The dragon’s nature is inherently lustful—you know what that means!” Feng Qianqian looked at Zhou Qi mischievously.

Zhou Qi was speechless. He had expected something grave, but the dragon’s lustful nature stemmed from their great strength, which supported such a temperament. His own strength was insufficient to emulate this instinct. The cautionary tale of Huangfu Xiu was a stark warning. Zhou Qi ignored her; no one could claim such desires—not even this foolish bird.

“Now, memorize this next set of techniques,” the ancient dragon said, transmitting a series of incantations directly into Zhou Qi’s mind.

Divine Dragon Transformation: a dragon clan technique. Practicing this method greatly enhances physical fitness; attack, defense, and speed all multiply. Those who master it fully can transform their bodies into a dragon’s form, wielding the dragon’s physical power in combat. However, this technique prematurely exhausts one’s potential and cannot be sustained long without causing irreversible bodily damage.

Zhou Qi silently committed the method to memory. With the Divine Dragon Transformation mastered, fighting beyond his level would no longer be a mere fantasy. Though there were side effects, careful control could make this a tremendous asset.

As he finished learning the technique, Dragon Luo’s massive head suddenly appeared before Zhou Qi. “Boy, can you take one of the dragon pearls for now and come back for the other after the ancient ancestor passes?”

Zhou Qi nodded in agreement. Taking the ancient dragon’s dragon pearl now would be tantamount to killing him immediately.

“No need. I was already nearing my end, destined to die, and having lost all my essence, there’s little meaning in clinging to life. The dragon heir has been entrusted to worthy hands; the dragon clan’s future is hopeful. I have no regrets,” the ancient dragon said, shaking his head as he handed Zhou Qi the dragon pearl belonging to his younger brother.

“Treat the dragon heir well. Should he stray, you may punish him as harshly as you would the Dragon Fang! After I die, take the other dragon pearl yourself,” the ancient dragon solemnly instructed.

Zhou Qi nodded and took the dragon pearl from the ancient dragon’s hand.

“Young phoenix, since the Dragon Fang is also your enemy, I hope that if you can, you will assist the dragon heir in the future. This is merely a request; I have nothing else to offer,” the ancient dragon bowed deeply to Feng Qianqian.

“Agreed. When the time comes to slay the Dragon Fang, I will see to it that your dragon heir lands a few strikes,” Feng Qianqian responded earnestly.

The ancient dragon was resolved and was already preparing his affairs. Everyone felt a heaviness in their hearts.

“Dragon Luo, your wife’s dragon soul is weak. Please refine my dragon soul to help her recover swiftly. I hope you can create a new body for me and help the dragon clan flourish again. There are no dragons left here. Once you leave, this place will self-destruct, becoming the true Dragon Burial Valley, allowing our fallen ancestors to rest in peace,” the ancient dragon said to Dragon Luo.

“No, ancestor, you have considered everyone else—the dragon heir and the clan—but why do you forget yourself?” Dragon Luo wept bitterly, refusing to refine the ancient dragon’s soul.

“Enough words. Rather than dissipate uselessly into the void, I would rather use my last breath to do something for you all,” the ancient dragon roared.

His soul left his body and hovered before Dragon Luo, who still refused to refine it.

“I will now erase my consciousness. My soul will soon disperse. Make your decision quickly,” a voice came from the soul before it began to fade.

Helpless, Dragon Luo swallowed his grief and refined the fading dragon soul.

Zhou Qi fell silent. The ancient dragon’s actions moved him deeply—what a spirit to witness.

Did the human race have such people? Zhou Qi asked himself. Surely, in the face of extinction, there were always those willing to sacrifice everything for a glimmer of hope.

After refining the dragon soul, Dragon Luo said nothing and returned to the Medicine Immortal Sanctuary.

Zhou Qi understood his sorrow. Now was not the time to settle scores. After all, it was for the clan and hope. Zhou Qi had obtained what he needed, and Dragon Luo had fulfilled his promise. He had no grounds to reproach him.

Zhou Qi approached the ancient dragon’s body and bowed respectfully.

“Apologies.” With the Immortal Severing Sword in hand, he slowly cut open the ancient dragon’s frail form, revealing a brilliantly golden dragon pearl.

Securing the dragon pearl, Zhou Qi glanced once more at the Dragon Burial Valley. He felt no attachment. Since the place was to be destroyed, there was no need to bury the ancient dragon here. He needed to hurry and notify the cultivators refining their bodies in the miasma, lest they lose their lives unknowingly.

The entrance was slow, but the exit swift. Zhou Qi had begun to harness spiritual power and overcome his fear of heights. Still, when crossing the perilous chasm, he took out the protective railing. Such a fine mount was too good to pass up, and he might never have another chance.

Unaware that Zhou Qi had conquered his fear of heights, Feng Qianqian wished to follow him out. She had to break her principles again, though Zhou Qi paid no price this time.