Chapter 532: Chapter 66: Two Years
Since ancient times, in all manner of legends, stories, and novels, Dragon Blood has been said to possess all sorts of mystical powers.
It could grant a complete metamorphosis, extending one’s life and youth.
Of course.
It could also awaken the demonic nature within a person’s heart, causing a Martial Artist to fly into a crazed rage and mistakenly kill their own family and friends.
The reason for these varied effects was the difference in the Dragon Blood’s origin.
Beyond the Third Grade, whether human or Demon, Cultivators would absorb the world’s Legal Principles into themselves, nurturing various innate qualities depending on their Cultivation Method and temperament.
If the dragon’s nature was gentle, its blood essence would naturally be harmless. But if it was a vicious dragon, anyone tainted by its blood would also turn evil without a will of iron to resist it.
“Greed!”
Sensing the unique will within the Dragon Blood, Zhu Ju raised an eyebrow and activated his Ten Thousand Spirits Body Forging Technique at full power.
Although his Cultivation was low, his Primordial Spirit was genuine Third Grade.
Its grade was high, possibly no lower than that of the Dragon Blood’s original owner.
Moreover, this was just a single, tiny vial. It was far too soon for it to think of twisting his will.
However, if anyone else were to refine this Dragon Blood, their strength might soar, but their temperament would undoubtedly be warped.
Stingy, greedy, refusing to part with a single coin…
The Dragon Blood, shimmering with faint golden light, slid down his throat and into his stomach. Before Zhu Ju could even react, a violent energy erupted.
This power could warp flesh and consciousness, even transforming other species into special Dragon Descendants.
Once the transformation was complete, these ‘Dragon Descendants’ would possess absolute loyalty to the original owner of the blood.
Many of the Flood Dragons in the East Sea came to be in this very way.
However…
WHOOSH!
The flesh and blood inside Zhu Ju’s body writhed madly, like a long-starved Taotie, transforming into an Invisible Power that surged toward the Dragon Blood.
The Method activated.
A unique power connected with the Dragon Blood, drawing out its essence to enhance the strength of his Physical Body.
Time slowly passed.
After a long while.
Zhu Ju let out a long, turbid breath and slowly opened his eyes.
‘Just as I thought!’
‘Bloodlines of the Third Grade and above can enhance my Physical Body’s potential, which is like strengthening my foundation. This truly is an Immortal’s Avoiding Tribulation Method. If I had a steady supply of powerful bloodlines to devour, wouldn’t breaking through to the Third Grade be as easy as flipping my hand?’
He raised his hands and clenched his fists.
A profound sense of power welled up within him. Although his Cultivation was still below the Eighth Grade, the strength of his Physical Body was now no less than that of the lower Seventh Grade.
‘Cultivating the Giant Spirit Divine Skill to the Perfection Realm only brought my Physical Body to the upper Eighth-Grade level.’
‘It was only by using my Third-Grade Primordial Spirit to control my body and unlock its potential that I could contend with a Seventh-Grade Martial Artist.’
‘And now…’
‘The strength of my Physical Body alone is comparable to the Seventh Grade. I imagine even the so-called Innate Martial Arts Saint Body is only about this strong.’
‘Dragon Blood is truly worthy of its reputation!’
‘What an incredible Ten Thousand Spirits Body Forging Technique!’
The bloodline of the Golden-Nosed White-Haired Celestial Rat was also powerful, but it didn’t increase physical strength.
Instead, it enhanced his sense of smell.
Dragon Blood.
Is all about power.
‘Unfortunately, this single vial of Dragon Blood used up almost all my saved Primordial Crystals. It’ll be hard to get my hands on more anytime soon.’
Taking stock of his current wealth, Zhu Ju sighed helplessly.
‘No need to rush.’
‘Take it slow.’
‘I’ll start by experimenting with Low-Tier Demon Flesh and Blood. Maybe that can also enhance my Physical Body’s potential.’
…
As it turned out,
he had gotten his hopes up.
The Giant Spirit Divine Skill at the Perfection Realm had already developed his Physical Body to its absolute limit. Low-Tier Demon Flesh and Blood could only help him increase his Cultivation; it had no effect whatsoever on raising the upper limit of his constitution.
Even the blood of certain Great Demons with special abilities was the same.
On the contrary, his once astonishing savings began to dwindle at a visible rate.
‘Third Grade!’
‘Only beings that have absorbed the principles of heaven and earth into themselves are useful. So, is the Ten Thousand Spirits Body Forging Technique looking for those ultimate principles?’
Zhu Ju mused:
‘If my Physical Body reaches the Third Grade, I wonder if the bloodline of a Third-Grade Demon will still be effective.’
‘Most likely not!’
*
*
*
「Two years later.」
Now twenty years old, Zhou Ruxuan was not only tall and graceful, but her complexion was also full and radiant, like jade or a lustrous pearl.
Her old friend, Nie Leyao, however, appeared rather haggard.
“Seeing you… it really makes one envious.”
Nie Leyao’s gaze was complicated.
“We’re the same age, yet you’re still so young and beautiful, while I feel like I’ve lost all my Essence, Qi, and Spirit.”
“They say a woman loses her glow after marriage. Now I finally understand why.”
“How many days are you back for this time?” Zhou Ruxuan asked, not wanting to see her friend wallow in self-pity and changing the subject.
“I’ll get a few of our friends together for a gathering.”
“A gathering?” Nie Leyao chuckled softly.
“After getting married, where is there time for gatherings? Besides… my husband probably wouldn’t allow it.”
“He can’t bear for you to be out of his sight for even a moment,” Zhou Ruxuan said.
“It seems he really dotes on you.”
“Maybe…” Nie Leyao said, her face devoid of expression.
“What about you?”
“When do you plan on marrying Zhu Ju?”
“There’s no rush,” Zhou Ruxuan said, shaking her head.
“I’m already in the middle of the Seventh Grade, and reaching Seventh-Grade Perfection before I’m thirty won’t be difficult. I want to see if I can reach the Sixth Grade.”
“Reach the Sixth Grade?” Nie Leyao’s expression was a mixture of jealousy and admiration.
“If you become a Sixth-Grade, will you still think Zhu Ju is good enough for you?”
“Even if you do, the Zhou Family would never allow a Sixth-Grade Martial Artist to marry a mere cloth merchant.”
“Hehe…” Zhou Ruxuan pursed her lips and smiled lightly.
“Don’t tell me you still haven’t gotten over Zhu Ju and are sticking up for him now?”
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
“Then why say that?”
“Men have needs,” Nie Leyao began.
“At his age, his Yang Qi is overflowing with nowhere to go. Do you think he can wait ten years for you?”
“Besides…”
“It might not even end well. I know your Cultivation Technique is special, and you can’t break your vow of chastity.”
“What nonsense are you spouting?” Zhou Ruxuan’s pretty face flushed red.
“Do married women have no shame?”
“I’m just stating the facts.”
“Pah!”
The two teased each other for a while, and the distance that had grown between them from their long separation seemed to melt away, replaced by their former closeness.
“Seriously, though.”
“Zhu Ju is handsome, has good character, and most importantly, his family background is ordinary. Even if you marry him, you won’t be bullied or mistreated.”
Nie Leyao sighed softly.
“You should lock him down.”
“Look who’s talking,” Zhou Ruxuan said, rolling her eyes.
“You’ve been married for a few years. Why haven’t you had any children? Shouldn’t you get a move on too?”
“That’s not something I can do alone,” Nie Leyao said, her expression complicated.
“Forget it.”
“Miss!” Someone rushed in.
“The Patriarch requests your presence.”
“Oh!” Zhou Ruxuan looked surprised.
“Second Brother is looking for me?”
…
「Zhu Mansion.」
Zhu Ju closed the letter in his hand, a glint in his eye.
‘I never would have thought that those two outcasts from the Huang Family would display such astonishing cultivation Talent after joining the Wenda Sect. One of them even has a hidden Innate Dao Body and was taken in as a disciple by a Third-Grade Expert.’
Becoming the disciple of a Third-Grade Expert caused her status to skyrocket, and it seemed Liuu Tinglan now had the momentum to return to the Huang Family.
Similarly,
certain matters were being brought up again.
For example,
the ambush and assassination attempt on the mother and her two children years ago.
The involvement of the Huang Family themselves was a complicated issue to resolve, but the bandits who carried out the attack would definitely face retaliation.
The Celestial Eagle Thieves…
Zhu Ju’s scheme of borrowing a knife to kill someone two years ago was still paying dividends.
As her savior, Liuu Tinglan had sent this letter specifically to inform him that two Fifth-Grade Experts from the Sea Defense had arrived, preparing to make a move against the Celestial Eagle Thieves.