Chapter 183 - Arc 12: Ruyi Xianzhuang | Chapter 183: Deep-Sea Blood Dragon
Translator: Lynn
The storage ring initially provided by the sect leader had been securely sealed with incredibly potent magical energy. However, upon arrival at Ruyi Xianzhuang and being jostled, it somehow came into contact with the owner’s aura, causing its contents to be immediately released and resulting in this extraordinary spectacle.
There was an open area of several feet under the steps, and when this object emerged, it surprisingly covered the ground.
It was rooted with a substantial and embracing stem, and its horizontal branches extended at an angle, opening and closing. The moment it appeared, it exuded a fierce and assertive aura in all directions. Despite its immense size, its appearance was crystal clear, and its texture was smooth, giving it a vivid and lively look, as if it were pulsing.
All the cultivators in the room recognized it.
It was undoubtedly an exceedingly large coral. Not only did it occupy half of the palace, but its tallest branch even reached upwards, almost touching the ceiling of the palace. It was truly massive!
Moreover, the branches at the periphery were close to the cultivators on the seats on both sides. They couldn’t reach out to touch it, but they could observe it closely.
Observing this, they were astonished once again.
It appeared that this giant coral had small blood-red bumps on it, darker and richer than its branches, emitting bursts of a pungent fragrance.
The blood in the branches seemed to be flowing, but upon closer inspection, it was frozen like amber, appearing to flow gently and possessing an exquisite beauty.
When this colossal coral emerged, the entire hall fell into a profound silence.
After a considerable time, everyone was able to free themselves from the stifling atmosphere and let out a long breath.
At this moment, the female cultivator in the room announced, “Wuling Immortal Sect congratulates the owner on their birthday and presents a deep-sea blood dragon skeleton.” As she uttered these words, everyone in the audience was astounded.
A deep-sea blood dragon skeleton!
The gift from the Wuling Immortal Sect turned out to be the remains of a deep-sea blood dragon!
It was truly beyond belief!
Whether one was a sect disciple or a casual cultivator, understanding the monsters in this world was essential for their practice and cultivation journey.
Witnessing such an immense blood coral was already awe-inspiring, but upon hearing the words “deep-sea blood dragon,” it was truly earth-shattering, and in an instant, everything fell into place.
Dragons were celestial creatures, born of a different lineage, thriving in the immortal realm, a presence often only encountered in legends.
However, in the world of cultivation, numerous creatures possessed dragon blood and were categorized as “dragon species.”
Among these, the dragon carp, capable of leaping through the dragon gate to ascend to the immortal realm and transforming into a dragon, was exceedingly rare. Yet, the dragon gate remained elusive, having not been seen for thousands of years.
Some serpents dedicated themselves to rigorous practice, enduring countless years to survive the thunder tribulation and ascend into dragons. Before these serpents evolved into flood dragons, they needed to awaken a trace of dragon power in their blood, granting them the ability to undergo the tribulation. These serpents proudly called themselves “Imoogi.”
Thus, in the immortal realm, anyone associated with the word “dragon” was deemed extremely potent. Even if they were scarce, their association with the immortal realm was undeniable.
The deep-sea blood dragon was yet another peculiar creature carrying the blood of a dragon, specifically residing in the depths of the ocean.
Upon birth, this monster was several feet in length and lay in the ocean’s abyss. Besides a single “body,” it could split into numerous entities with countless heads. Every three days, it would open its mouth to absorb water, engulfing all life around it. This created undercurrents beneath the sea, forming a tangled and densely covered forest-like formation.
What was most terrifying was that the deep-sea blood dragon was born as a fourth-order monster, equivalent to a foundation-building cultivator. The more it consumed, the faster it cultivated, multiplying its bodies and allowing each to grow robust. It consumed voraciously but never regurgitated, and everything it swallowed, flesh and blood alike, was deposited in its body, forming the countless blood-red and dense branches.
Upon the deep-sea blood dragon’s demise, it would instantly lose all flesh and blood, transforming into hardened bone and becoming a superior spiritual material. Additionally, as it was born in water, any magical weapon refined from its bones would possess corresponding characteristics, sparking the greed of many cultivators.
Under ordinary circumstances, the bones of the deep-sea blood dragon were rare in the market, but what typically surfaced were only blood keel bones hunted and killed in their infancy.
Now, this bone covered half of the palace, with blood relics growing on the branches, enough to prove that the deep-sea blood dragon that left the bone was an adult.
An adult deep-sea blood dragon was a ninth-order super powerful monster!
When Wuling Immortal Sect presented this skeleton, it was presenting the remains of a peerless powerhouse in the out-of-body stage, often containing a monster’s essence!
Naturally, everyone was astonished.
Only a formidable sect like Wuling Immortal Sect possessed such a profound foundation and the audacity to present such an invaluable and unparalleled treasure as a birthday gift.
This grand gesture overshadowed all casual cultivators and sects, and henceforth, no one could match such priceless birthday gifts.
After unveiling the blood coral, Yun Lie returned to his seat.
Wuling Immortal Sect held a higher rank than Yixianzhuang, and offering birthday respects to Mu Wuxin, seated on the throne, was not about expecting a “reward.” Rather, it was about paying homage with a “gift.”
The subsequent gifts were presented, although they paled in comparison to Wuling Immortal Sect’s offering. Nevertheless, these were tokens meant to preserve the dignity of various sects, both big and small, so they couldn’t be considered inadequate.
Many disciples couldn’t take their eyes off the spectacle and showered praises.
Xu Ziqing accumulated a wealth of knowledge, particularly about the Yunu Venerable seated on the elevated throne. Each time she softly murmured, countless rare birthday presents vanished into the mist like swallows finding shelter in her embrace. This only deepened his awe for many spells and heightened his admiration for Mahayana stage cultivators.
In the Immortal Realm, besides Sanxian, cultivators in the Mahayana stage and the Tribulation Stage were undoubtedly at the pinnacle!
As the ceremony progressed, countless sects, both major and minor, presented their birthday gifts. This procession alone took a full two hours due to the vast number of participating sects. Some smaller sects, whose status and gifts weren’t substantial enough for a grand presentation, entrusted their gifts to the female disciples of Ruyi Xianzhuang for collection.
Finally, the birthday feast officially commenced.
A multitude of female disciples sprang into action, bearing an abundance of immortal blossoms, fine wines, exquisite nectars, and jade delicacies. Expertly prepared monster meat, spiritual delicacies, and fragrant fruits adorned the tables as well.
Soon, every low table was adorned with a plethora of delectables, emanating a tantalizing aroma.
Mu Wuxin remained silent, but the previously chanting female disciple in the room raised her voice, “Everyone, please enjoy!”
Subsequently, many cultivators started sampling the food before them.
The atmosphere at the birthday feast took on a lively air. Female disciples of Ruyi Xianzhuang descended the steps, holding jade pots, to partake in a drink with the attending cultivators.
Conversations flourished, and some even left their seats to share a drink with others, engaging in various gestures and interactions.
Xu Ziqing nodded, eyeing the dishes on the low table. They were undeniably delicate and fragrant, tempting the taste buds of onlookers.
Beside him, Yun Lie picked up a piece of animal meat with chopsticks and savored it.
Observing this, Xu Ziqing’s eyes widened slightly, momentarily taken aback.
Yun Lie noticed Xu Ziqing’s gaze and turned slightly, asking, “Something on your mind?”
Xu Ziqing quickly regained composure, shaking his head and smiling, “It’s nothing, Shixiong. Please, enjoy.” He then picked up a morsel from another food plate and placed it into Yun Lie’s bowl.
Naturally, he was surprised, having never seen his senior brother eat before.
In their past, within the small world, he was the human aspect while “Brother Yun” was a fragment of his soul, rendering him unable to eat. However, in this expansive world, upon his arrival, his senior brother had already attained the Golden Core stage, ceasing the need for eating.
Thus, although Xu Ziqing had also stayed on Xiaolu Peak, he never invited Yun Lie to a meal. Moreover, Yun Lie had no need to eat, and even Xu Ziqing himself was more of an ascetic, often subsisting on Bigu Pill to satiate hunger.
This birthday banquet marked Xu Ziqing’s first time witnessing Yun Lie eat, leaving him in a state of slight bewilderment.
It was indeed a refreshing sight.
Yun Lie didn’t engage in much conversation. He simply tasted the animal meat in his bowl and remarked, “On the table, we have dishes from sixth-level monsters.”
Upon hearing this, Xu Ziqing comprehended. He glanced down again and noticed the three plates in front of Yun Lie. Indeed, the aura of the animal meat was much more potent than what was in front of him. While a Golden Core Daoist didn’t require food, consuming meat from monsters of the same level could undoubtedly provide beneficial aura.
However, upon this realization, he felt a tinge of embarrassment. Earlier, he had served what was in front of him to his senior brother. Although his senior brother ate it to maintain appearances, it ultimately served no purpose.
With a gentle cough, Xu Ziqing refrained from serving more for his senior brother. After a moment of contemplation, he pushed a plate of fruit a bit farther in front of Yun Lie, a gesture of his care. The fruit was from a sixth-level high-grade spiritual plant. Given his expertise as a wood-type cultivator, he recognized its exceptional quality. This fruit should be ideal for his senior brother to consume… it had to be. Shy about the matter, Xu Ziqing shifted his attention elsewhere after nudging the fruit toward Yun Lie.
Yet, as he glanced around the hall, he noticed something new.
Under the steps, two additional long tables had appeared at some point. Each table accommodated six stunning female cultivators, their grace surpassing those conversing with many disciples in the hall.
Xu Ziqing looked intently, recognizing some of them.
Sitting at the right long table was the aloof and black-clad Mu Ronghua, accompanied by the always gentle and dignified Rui Rou. Three others wore different yet elegantly simple attire.
On the left long table, Su Furong was in the third seat. The five women beside her adorned elaborate garments, their presence more resplendent compared to Rui Rou and her companions. Their demeanor was notably distinct.
In an instant, Xu Ziqing grasped the situation. The six individuals on the right were the six Yunu Envoys among the twelve Ruyi Envoys, while the six on the left were the Sunu Envoys.
In Ruyi Xianzhuang, it seemed the Yunu Envoys held a higher status.
However, Xu Ziqing remembered the earlier lesson about not causing trouble. He quickly averted his gaze, picked up a wine pot, and filled the jade cup before him.
A moment of hesitation gripped him. He had heard that his senior brother didn’t drink, but considering it was another person’s birthday banquet, should he still pour a glass for his senior brother?
Just then, a captivating and charismatic smile echoed from outside the palace, and a slender figure appeared at the entrance of the main hall.
An alluring voice purred, “How could the host’s birthday gathering forget an old friend like me?”
Unconsciously, Xu Ziqing’s eyes drifted to what lay beyond the figure.
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