Chapter 119: Azure Jiao

Under Zhentong’s guidance, the two of them flew continuously for three days and three nights before finally arriving at their destination.

Surrounded by mountains on all sides, below lay a clear lake, its surface frozen over due to heavy snowfall.

At the very center was a small island in the heart of the lake, radiating a chilling aura. At the very least, whoever resided there was around the Pure Yang Nascent Soul realm.

The two landed by the lakeside, cautious not to act rashly. If they angered the island’s inhabitant, it would likely lead to a fierce battle.

Xu Cheng immediately activated the Yellow Spring Eye, scrutinizing the island. The occupant was not some ordinary monster but a colossal Jiaolong dragon, measuring over a hundred zhang in length.

Typically, serpentine demons follow the path of demon cultivation by first transforming into human form through shape-changing techniques. Depending on the nature of their magic, they become either demon immortals or demon fiends. Alternatively, they might take the beast cultivation route: reptilian demons evolve into divine dragons through dragon transformation arts; beast demons can become white tigers or qilins; avian demons can evolve into vermilion birds or phoenixes.

By purifying their bloodline through special magic, they grow into sovereign divine beasts—this is the beast cultivation path.

The Jiaolong at the lake’s center had taken this latter path as a serpentine demon turned beast cultivator.

Its entire body was covered in scales that shimmered with a greenish glow, and the single horn on its head was menacing and fearsome. The formidable creature was clutching a pearl—undoubtedly the legendary Dragon Pearl.

Upon further observation, the horn bore seven distinct knots, indicating it had undergone seven heavenly thunder tribulations, making its strength far beyond what Xu Cheng and Zhentong could contend with.

Seeing this, Xu Cheng sighed with regret, “Let’s go. Unless the two of us can pass through nine lightning tribulations right now, we’re no match for that Jiaolong.”

“Oh… very well,” Zhentong replied, eyes fixed on the island, seeing nothing unusual. His spirit dared not wander freely to investigate, and upon hearing Xu Cheng’s words, he reluctantly followed.

No more than a few steps after they turned to leave, a sudden rustling came from behind.

Xu Cheng spun around sharply. The Azure Jiaolong was flying toward them, trailing clouds in its wake, exuding the majestic bearing of a divine dragon.

Whether it came with ill intent or goodwill, the two could not tell, but they braced themselves cautiously.

Though it might not help much, Xu Cheng’s will to survive burned fiercely.

In an instant, the hundred-zhang-long Azure Jiaolong transformed into a young man clad in blue robes, with eyes shining a brilliant golden red. He then spoke:

“Since you’ve come, why run in such haste?”

“Apologies for disturbing you, honored elder. This junior is filled with trepidation,” Xu Cheng replied respectfully, recognizing the power of the cultivator before him.

“Trepidation my foot! I’ve been waiting here for hundreds of years. If it weren’t to find the so-called destined person, I would have ascended to the Immortal Realm ages ago! And you, kid, years ago you saw me and ran off terrified. I’m a beast cultivator—I only consume the essence of heaven and earth, not people!” The Azure Jiaolong grumbled disdainfully at Zhentong.

“May I ask, honored elder, what qualifies one as the destined person?” Xu Cheng asked with a smile, surprised by the elder’s approachable nature.

“Let me think! It’s been so long, I almost forgot the conditions,” the Azure Jiaolong pondered deeply, recalling after a long moment. “Ah, I remember now! The destined person needs to have three talismans from the Five Dou Rice Dao!”

“The Five Dou Rice Dao? Three talismans?” Xu Cheng’s heart leapt with joy. By coincidence, he happened to possess exactly those three talismans.

“Exactly, not more, not less—three talismans,” the Azure Jiaolong gestured with three fingers.

Xu Cheng retrieved from his small dimensional sleeve the tokens of the Rice Gate, Millet Gate, and Bean Gate—three emblems of the Five Dou Rice Dao—and happily presented them.

“Wow, you really have the Five Dou Rice Dao tokens, not bad at all!” The Azure Jiaolong took them, examined them carefully, and upon confirming their authenticity, returned them. “Come with me!”

He pointed at Xu Cheng but did not invite Zhentong along, clearly unwilling to let him enter the Immortal’s cave on the island.

Zhentong watched with envy and jealousy, powerless without the Five Dou Rice Dao tokens.

The Azure Jiaolong shifted back into his dragon form and whispered, “Come onto my back!”

Xu Cheng’s hand touched the cool dragon scales, his heart swelling with delight—he never imagined he would one day ride a dragon.

“Don’t fumble around. If you’re going to climb on, hurry up. I’m not fond of dragon’s yang!” the Azure Jiaolong growled softly.

Suppressing his excitement, Xu Cheng leapt onto the dragon’s back and settled in. Suddenly, the world blurred as the dragon soared, enveloped in swirling clouds, carrying Xu Cheng skyward. Yet, instead of rushing to the island’s Immortal cave, they circled the air above it first.

Xu Cheng, uninterested in the surrounding scenery, focused intently on the patterns covering the Azure Jiaolong’s body.

These patterns were not mere decoration but formidable spells.

To study them deeply, one would need to activate the Great Enlightenment Boundless Wisdom Immortal Technique—if the Azure Jiaolong allowed it, that is.

After circling once, the dragon dove straight into the island’s solitary volcanic crater.

The rushing wind howled past Xu Cheng’s ears, and when the scenery cleared again, he found himself in an underground chamber.

The Azure Jiaolong had resumed human form and stood nearby.

“Pick whatever you want! Since you have the tokens, everything here is yours!” the Azure Jiaolong gestured expansively.

Around them lay elixirs, spell manuals, and rare heavenly and earthly treasures.

Xu Cheng could scarcely believe such fortune had come to him.

Since it was all his, he activated the jade-green magical power and the small dimensional sleeve technique. A flick of his sleeve swept countless elixirs into his pouch.

In just a few sleeve waves, he cleared the surrounding treasures.

“Wow, you really don’t hold back! Well, my task is complete,” the Azure Jiaolong said with an inscrutable smile before transforming into a streak of azure light and vanishing.

“Honored elder!” Xu Cheng called out, startled by the elder’s sudden disappearance.

“Use these resources well. The Five Dou Rice Dao represents a collection and unification of various minor spells—also a great path. I hope you cultivate it diligently!”

The Azure Jiaolong’s voice echoed around them, then silence fell.

Xu Cheng thought to himself: It seems he has truly gone far away.

He still had many spells left to learn and no time to focus on the great path of the Five Dou Rice Dao.

With a few flickers of his form, Xu Cheng exited the volcanic crater and found Zhentong waiting. After all, Zhentong had served as his guide and deserved some reward.

“Honored elder, did you get any good treasures?” Zhentong’s eyes sparkled with greed—an Immortal’s cave was the envy of many.

“Not bad, but nothing extraordinary,” Xu Cheng replied casually, rifling through his sleeve to find something suitable to give Zhentong.