If Ji Yutang hadn’t returned home, Ning Huaizhen would have gone to Wolong Mountain with Ji Mingcheng.
She thought it would be safer in Tianshui City, but now it seems otherwise.
The Yan Family cultivators, along with the demon cultivators, suddenly attacked, and the Ji Family elders stood by.
Although they had the help of the Ran Family, Ning Huaizhen felt guilty watching an elder fall.
After thinking for a moment, Ning Huaizhen said, “I’m planning to go to Wolong Mountain.”
Ji Yutang was startled by her words and immediately said, “Mother, I’ll go with you.”
Ning Huaizhen looked at Ji Yutang gently and didn’t refuse.
She turned her gaze to Wang Shenyu and asked, “Junior Sister Wang, what do you think?” Wang Shenyu hesitated.
If they left the Ran Family, and the demon cultivators attacked again, what would they do? But if they didn’t go to Wolong Mountain, they wouldn’t know Ran Shixiong’s current situation.
After a moment, her concern for Ran Jingri prevailed.
She instructed the Ran Family elder, activated a formation to shroud the entire residence in a hazy mist, and then nodded to Ning Huaizhen, saying, “Alright, let’s go and see.”
Wolong Mountain.
This place was originally the location of the Dragon Vein, with lush mountains and misty clouds.
But now, the Dragon Vein is destroyed, the world has collapsed, and there are deep, bottomless cracks all around, filled with thick, turbid demonic energy.
Amidst the rolling demonic energy, a giant red dragon coiled around the entire mountain, its massive and fierce dragon head protruding, with eyes like the sun and moon hanging in the sky.
At the foot of the mountain.
Ran Jingri and Ji Mingcheng’s magical power surged around them, their expressions extremely grim.
This red dragon is the Demon God Zhu Jiuyin, born from the Demon God Pillar, but it is not the complete incarnation of the former Demon Ancestor, with power barely reaching the Golden Core stage.
With their cultivation, they could completely suppress it, but who knew the Yan Family would suddenly betray them, trapping them in the formation.
This Zhu Jiuyin is related to the Demon Ancestor and has inherited his divine abilities, as the saying goes, “Its closing is dim, its opening is bright.” In the dim and bright, time is slowly stripped away.
If they can’t escape, they will be trapped to death in Wolong Mountain, turning into mere bones.
“Yan Si.” Ji Mingcheng frowned as he looked at the person standing opposite him, his tone cold.
Yan Si merely raised an eyebrow, looking at Ji Mingcheng and Ran Jingri’s group with interest.
A strange smile appeared on his lips as he said, “By now, the Ji Family’s formation should be broken, right?” Ji Mingcheng’s eyelid twitched, thinking of a possibility, his expression suddenly darkened.
He glared at Yan Si, suppressing the anger boiling inside, and questioned, “What do you mean?” Yan Si chuckled, “Who wouldn’t want the Heart of the Great Dao? But it just so happens to appear in a waste—” Before he could finish the word “thing,” he let out a painful hiss, being instantly struck and sent flying by the furious Ji Mingcheng.
Yan Si didn’t expect Ji Mingcheng to still have the strength to resist at this moment.
He sneered, the fire essence around him roiling madly.
He pointed forward, and fiery arrows shot out, transforming into red fire chains in mid-air, lashing towards Ji Mingcheng.
Ji Mingcheng stood his ground, sneering.
A green light surged around him, and he drew a Greenwood Blade from the void, slashing it at the fire chains.
His true essence was of the “wood attribute,” initially very afraid of fire, but now he had reached the Nascent Soul stage, his greenwood true essence transformed into the source of eternal life, endlessly regenerating.
Yan Si would find it difficult to take him down.
Ran Jingri, seeing Yan Si and Ji Mingcheng fighting, sighed.
His primordial spirit manifested behind him, transforming into a great sage immortal master, with righteous energy surging, manifesting into Daoist texts in mid-air, each word a gem.
While they were locked in battle, the Zhu Jiuyin coiled around the mountain, seemingly in endless slumber, suddenly moved.
Its massive tail lashed out, sending rocks and debris flying like a storm.
At this moment, its bright eyes, illuminating the world, were deeply fixed on the cultivators entering Wolong Mountain.
It sensed two powerful forces it couldn’t contend with in its current form, growing more agitated.
Its bright eyes suddenly closed.
“Why has it turned to night?” Ji Yutang, following behind Ning Huaizhen, suddenly felt a jolt.
Ning Huaizhen said solemnly, “It’s Zhu Jiuyin’s divine ability.”
Ji Yutang looked up, “Zhu Jiuyin? Is it really the Demon God Stake?” As soon as she finished speaking, a rustling sound came, and Ning Huaizhen’s expression turned serious.
The Tianzheng Ruler flew up, striking towards the source of the sound.
From the rolling demonic energy, a group of demon cultivators in dark robes emerged, led by none other than Song Wanzhao of the Wangqing Sect! “It’s you again!” Wang Shenyu glared at Song Wanzhao, her gaze sweeping over the other cultivators, recognizing some, like Zheng Yang of the Tianhai Demon Sect, Wei Jue of the Qingtian Sect, and some unknown juniors.
There were cultivators from three demon sects, but Shi Qingchen was nowhere to be seen.
If she wasn’t with the demon cultivators, was she targeting the Ran Family? Wang Shenyu felt a pang of fear at the thought.
Ji Yutang also looked at the group of cultivators, and not seeing Li Jingyu among them, she secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
But as soon as she relaxed, her body stiffened.
Why was she so concerned about Li Jingyu? At most, they were just fellow travelers for a while—no, just a fraud.
“The matter of Wolong Mountain was indeed orchestrated by you.” Wang Shenyu said coldly.
Zheng Yang chuckled, “The great calamity of heaven and earth is approaching, and we of the Demon Sect are merely preparing for survival.
In the past, the various sects joined forces to deduce the changes in the heavenly mechanism, resulting in the prophecy ‘Demon Ancestor descends, Tai Shang returns.’ Didn’t your Immortal Sect prepare for this?” Ning Huaizhen remained calm.
As a rogue cultivator, she had heard of these things but hadn’t been involved.
But Wang Shenyu was different.
As a direct disciple of the Taiyuan Palace, she turned pale at Zheng Yang’s unrestrained words.
Wang Shenyu asked again, “Where are Ran Shixiong and the others?” Zheng Yang looked at Wang Shenyu, winking, “In the dim and bright space.
Don’t worry, you’ll be reunited with them soon.” The Tianhai Demon Sect’s Demon God Stake plan had repeatedly failed.
If they couldn’t gain an advantage this time, how could they stand among their peers? Therefore, Zheng Yang initially planned to incite a conflict among the Tianshui City cultivator families, to completely erase this Immortal Sect’s place of fortune! “Brother Song, I’ll leave the female cultivator with the Tianzheng Ruler to you.” Zheng Yang turned to Song Wanzhao, speaking politely.
Although he and Wei Jue were of the same generation as Song Wanzhao, they lacked the resources for cultivation and had yet to break through the Nascent Soul barrier.
But having touched that level, they could still discern superiority.
If he and Wei Jue challenged Ning Huaizhen together, they might both die.
Song Wanzhao didn’t care who his opponent was.
He nodded nonchalantly, carrying a demonic blade wrapped in black demonic energy.
Ning Huaizhen had anticipated demon cultivators would intercept them.
She patted Ji Yutang on the shoulder, whispering, “Go, activate the Dragon Vein.”
As a bit of spiritual light hit Ji Yutang, she began to dissolve like a bubble.
Even a Nascent Soul stage cultivator couldn’t see her.
This was a superior life-saving talisman, and Ning Huaizhen used it on Ji Yutang without hesitation.
The demon cultivators weren’t like the Yan Family, especially those who had established their own path.
Their desire for the “Heart of the Great Dao” wasn’t as strong as the Yan Family’s.
With one less Foundation Establishment cultivator, they didn’t care.
In Wolong Mountain, magical power swept everywhere, with turbulent currents.
A small cultivator could easily perish if not careful.
Ji Yutang was momentarily stunned.
She looked at Ning Huaizhen with concern, took a deep breath, and activated the Xuanxiang Pearl, flying outwards.
There was no formation protection here.
The aftermath of a battle between Nascent Soul stage cultivators could easily take her life! Her father was trapped in the dim and bright space, and her mother was also blocked by demon cultivators, all for the Zhu Jiuyin born from the Demon God Stake.
The demon sect chose this place with the Dragon Vein to nurture the candle dragon? Once Zhu Jiuyin devoured the Dragon Vein Essence, the situation would become irreversible! If she could seize the Dragon Vein Essence from Zhu Jiuyin, she could stop this! With this thought, Ji Yutang’s dragon power surged to the extreme.
The Dragon Vein Essence had a great attraction to her.
After transforming into a dragon form, she instinctively rushed south of Wolong Mountain.
The woods were dense, with white mist swirling, and occasionally the cries of birds could be heard.
South of Wolong Mountain, the dragon’s roar was like thunder.
The nearby fighting and the turbid evil energy hadn’t reached this place.
The forest was fresh and vibrant with life.
Ji Yutang walked through the lush woods, pushing aside the dense bushes, when she suddenly heard a familiar voice.
“What’s wrong? There’s already a barrier set up here, the Demon Sect won’t be able to sense this place.
You can safely retrieve the Dragon Vein.”
“I just received a message from my junior sister.
The disciples of the Taiyuan Dao Palace are indeed capable.”
“Your sister was rescued?”
“Yes.
It doesn’t matter now, she’s of no use anymore.”
Ji Yutang sneaked a glance and caught sight of a red hem, her heart suddenly tightened.
It was Li Jingyu! Why was she here? Was she here for the Dragon Vein? But was she taking the Dragon Vein for the Demon Sect or did she have other plans? Ji Yutang froze in place, not daring to move.
Shi Qingchen gave a few simple instructions and then left the pond, flying to a nearby peak to guard Li Jingyu.
After the pressure from the Primordial Spirit realm expert dissipated, Ji Yutang felt a bit relieved.
But just as she hesitated about whether to approach, a muffled laugh came from the pond.
Instinctively, she looked up and saw Li Jingyu stepping into the pond.
Her clothes loosened, sliding off her shoulders, revealing a stretch of smooth, white skin! Ji Yutang was stunned, then immediately embarrassed, her face flushed red, wishing she could turn around and leave immediately! This pond must be related to the Dragon Vein, was she just here to take a bath? How absurd! Just as Ji Yutang’s thoughts were running wild, the fallen clothes were lifted, as if the previous “fleeting glimpse” was just an illusion.
“Not coming out?” Li Jingyu’s voice was like jade clashing, with a hint of laziness.
She didn’t turn around, but Ji Yutang was sure she was talking to her.
She fanned her face to dispel the heat, then stepped out from the bushes, suddenly realizing that she had a talisman on her, which even a Primordial Spirit realm cultivator couldn’t see through.
How could she know? Was there a second person here? Was that display meant for him? Ji Yutang thought of this and immediately felt stifled, her tightly furrowed brows hiding a bit of depression and displeasure.
Li Jingyu, seeing no response for a while, turned to look at the bushes and said, “Ji Yutang.”
The three familiar words entered her ears, like an electric current running through her limbs, making Ji Yutang shiver.
So she was referring to her? Ji Yutang was in a daze, and when she came to her senses, she found herself half-submerged in the water, facing Li Jingyu.
She coughed lightly and said, “How did you find me?” The talisman was useless in front of Li Jingyu, so Ji Yutang casually removed it.
Li Jingyu gazed at Ji Yutang, her eyes shifting, full of charm.
She leaned closer to Ji Yutang, her voice like a seductive spell, “Naturally, I smelled you.”
The sudden closeness made Ji Yutang uncomfortable, and she instinctively leaned back, but her waist was suddenly embraced by a hand.
The familiar scent enveloped her, almost wrapping her whole being.
Such words, such a posture, seemed particularly ambiguous.
Ji Yutang pursed her lips, intending to push Li Jingyu away, but when her hands touched the soft chest, she quickly withdrew as if electrocuted.
Li Jingyu’s lips curled into a smile, she looked down at the person in her arms, whose eyes were filled with a small grievance, and laughed lightly.
Before she could let go, Ji Yutang couldn’t help it and transformed into a small dragon about a foot long, trying to escape from her embrace.
Li Jingyu’s eyes darkened, she grabbed her tail and placed it on her wrist.
The silver scales emitted a gentle glow, like a silver bracelet.
Ji Yutang was stiff all over, letting Li Jingyu manipulate her.
She regretted it very much, as being in dragon form was even more difficult than being in human form.
Li Jingyu’s eyes flickered, the small dragon naturally showed no expression, but she could guess Ji Yutang’s thoughts.
Her fingers gently slid along the cold scales, and she said, “My Life-Bound Artifact contains a dragon pill, and you cultivate the same source technique, so it’s not hard to detect you.” After a pause, she added, “You saw me here, how dare you come over? Did you mistake me for Ran Guzhu? Hmm? After all, she is your fiancée, what she said that day was probably in anger, a little explanation and you could reconcile, right?” Ji Yutang didn’t speak, shaking her head, trying to control her body that was wrapped around Li Jingyu’s arm.
Her movements were a bit rough, and soon she noticed red marks appearing on the smooth skin.
Ji Yutang was stunned, feeling a bit guilty, letting Li Jingyu’s fingers roam over her body.
But soon, she realized that a Foundation Establishment cultivator’s body couldn’t be so fragile, even if there were red marks, it was just a scratch for Li Jingyu.
The silver dragon coiled around her arm, Li Jingyu played with it for a while before quickly losing interest.
She smiled and said, “Cultivators who practice dragon techniques have strong bodies and abundant energy, dual cultivation with them would be twice the result with half the effort, right?” Ji Yutang stiffened even more at these words, she suddenly raised her head, her dragon eyes blazing as she looked at Li Jingyu, speaking human words, “How can you say that?!” Li Jingyu said nonchalantly, “I’m the witch of Huoxin Palace, aren’t I?” Ji Yutang: “…” She knew Li Jingyu wasn’t Ran Guzhu, but a fallen cultivator, yet deep down she hadn’t truly associated her with that identity, even holding onto the hope that she was a good person.
Now looking at Li Jingyu, she couldn’t find a trace of humor in her face, Ji Yutang was so scared that her scales stood on end.
“Are you planning to cling to me like this?” Li Jingyu suddenly changed the topic, her attitude casual and composed, giving Ji Yutang a strong sense of disparity, she couldn’t figure out what kind of person Li Jingyu really was.
The dragon body moved along Li Jingyu’s arm, almost disappearing into the wide sleeve.
Li Jingyu frowned slightly, suddenly remembering something, she reached out and pressed Ji Yutang, pulling her off her body.
Holding her by the tail and shaking her, Ji Yutang couldn’t help but feel dizzy.
Ji Yutang originally planned to cling to Li Jingyu to see what she wanted the Dragon Vein for, but now being “tortured,” she couldn’t help but revert to her original form.
However, in her dizziness, she lost her balance and suddenly fell into the pond, splashing a large amount of water.
Li Jingyu just watched with her arms crossed, full of interest.
Ji Yutang bit her lip, suppressing her anger.
She got up and met Li Jingyu’s gaze, not intending to waste words with her here, and said directly, “What are you doing here?” Li Jingyu didn’t answer, instead asked, “What are you doing here?” Ji Yutang said, “Zhu Jiuyin is devouring the Dragon Vein, I can’t let it succeed.”
Li Jingyu nodded, smiling, “What a coincidence, so am I.”
Ji Yutang looked at Li Jingyu suspiciously, not quite believing her words.
Li Jingyu stood openly, allowing Ji Yutang to scrutinize her.
After a moment of stalemate, Ji Yutang couldn’t hold back first, but just as she was about to dive into the water to search for the Dragon Vein, her eyes suddenly caught sight of something hanging from Li Jingyu’s waist… a grass braid.
“What is that?” Ji Yutang asked incredulously, and before Li Jingyu could answer, she added, “Where did you get it?” Li Jingyu smiled, “Picked it up.” She raised her eyebrows at Ji Yutang and said, “The craftsmanship is good, the person who wove this must be skillful.”
Ji Yutang: “…” After shedding the identity of Ran Guzhu, Li Jingyu wasn’t easy to communicate with either.
She didn’t want to talk to this infuriating person at all! Li Jingyu’s attitude seemed gentle, but Ji Yutang wasn’t sure if she would stop her from searching for the spiritual vein.
But dragging it out like this wasn’t a solution, she had to try, at worst, she’d have to fight her! The essence of the Dragon Vein was beneath the pool near the waterfall, but it was bottomless.
Ji Yutang took a deep breath and dove down.
To reach the destination faster, her body began to transform into a dragon, with a pair of dragon horns emerging from her forehead.
Li Jingyu followed behind, not speaking or stopping her, but the intense gaze was hard to ignore.
They dove down a hundred zhang, and the pressing water currents disappeared, like entering a cave world underwater.
Ji Yutang’s feet touched the ground, just as she was about to retract her technique, a voice suddenly came from behind, “Wait.” Ji Yutang’s eyelid twitched, and she turned to look at Li Jingyu.
Li Jingyu raised an eyebrow and said, “You want to take the Dragon Vein to cultivate dragon skills?” Ji Yutang didn’t hide it and said directly, “Yes.” She took a step back, looking at Li Jingyu warily, her eyes full of vigilance.
“You don’t need to be nervous, I only need the dragon core of the Candle Dragon.” Li Jingyu’s gaze swept over Ji Yutang, and after a moment, a playful, malicious smile appeared on her lips.
She suddenly leaned towards Ji Yutang and whispered in her ear, “But since we’re not on the same path, if you want to take the Dragon Vein smoothly, you’ll have to give something in return.” Ji Yutang knew Li Jingyu wouldn’t let her go easily.
Her face was tense as she coldly asked, “What do you want?” Li Jingyu looked at her casually and said, “What can you offer?” Ji Yutang stared at Li Jingyu, “Do you also want the Heart of the Great Dao?” She had nothing else of value besides her heart.
“What would I want your heart for?” Li Jingyu chuckled dismissively, “If I really wanted your heart, I have plenty of opportunities to get it.” Ji Yutang fell silent.
She had been traveling with Li Jingyu for quite some time, and indeed, she had many chances to make a move against her.
Li Jingyu broke the silence, “I want to see the dragon horns.” But as the words fell, the atmosphere became particularly strange.
Li Jingyu cleared her throat and added, “Is that not okay?” Ji Yutang lowered her eyelashes and replied, “Fine.” She turned her head and walked ahead of Li Jingyu.
The rich Dragon Vein Essence was leaking out, and the entire Tianshui City’s fortune was being disturbed by Zhu Jiuyin.
After flying forward for half a quarter of an hour, Ji Yutang finally saw a green dragon shadow, with all the essence emanating from it.
Ji Yutang stared at the green dragon, her gaze falling on a black, ominous dragon core hidden within it—this thing shouldn’t be here, could it be that the Dragon Vein was gradually being demonized? Before Ji Yutang could ask, Li Jingyu answered, “That’s the dragon core of the Candle Dragon.” The Candle Dragon was born from the Demon God Stake and Dragon Vein Essence, trying to devour the entire Dragon Vein using the Demon God Stake’s malevolence to enhance its power.
Although the Dragon Vein Essence hadn’t fully developed intelligence, it had its own instinct to resist.
In such entanglement, Wolong Mountain was naturally in chaos.
Ji Yutang frowned and tried to reach for the dragon core, but a surge of malevolent energy rushed forth, manifesting a red giant dragon above, roaring at Ji Yutang.
Li Jingyu chuckled lightly, “You want to take the dragon core like this?” Ji Yutang turned to look at Li Jingyu, holding back her anger, “Then how should I do it?” Li Jingyu beckoned to Ji Yutang, “Come here.” Ji Yutang, not understanding, approached Li Jingyu.
She stared blankly as Li Jingyu raised her hand until she grasped the dragon horns.
Ji Yutang: “!!!” She slapped Li Jingyu’s hand away and turned her back on her.
Taking out the Falling Moon Bow, Ji Yutang placed her fingers on the arrow, and several green streams of light emerged in the narrow space, crashing towards Zhu Jiuyin without looking back, producing a series of crisp explosions.
Li Jingyu raised an eyebrow, and the Jewel of the Rising Tides flew out, transforming into nine light shadows, striking the Candle Dragon’s core.
The moon phase manifested, and beams of light like curved blades, accompanied by leaping lightning, fell.
A roaring giant dragon burst from the green pearl, its mighty dragon aura suppressing the Candle Dragon’s presence, making its shadow appear more illusory.
But relying on this alone to deal with Zhu Jiuyin was impossible.
Li Jingyu’s eyes flashed, and a purple light shot from her brow.
As the purple light fell, it transformed into a small purple net, capturing the dragon core.
This artifact was called the “Doulong Net,” refined by her mother in the past, and had been in her master’s hands.
