Cultivation Begins From The Desert-Chapter 871 - 16: Human-Dragon Hybrid, Entering the Treasure Trove
Although he had already decided to seek out Lan Daoist to unearth the treasure together, Zhouyang was not in a hurry to act immediately.
Lan Daoist had explained clearly in the jade scroll that the treasure was not easy to obtain; he only remembered the location and had partial control over the forbidden techniques within the treasure.
The true core of the treasure would most likely still require brute force to break through.
Moreover, Lan Daoist himself harbored a concern, worrying that if he went alone to retrieve the treasure, he might trigger the contingency plans left by his body's original self, possibly erasing his hard-earned self-awareness and turning him into a vessel for his original self's resurrection.
Therefore, he would certainly wait for Zhouyang to arrive before truly attempting to retrieve the treasure.
Similarly, Zhouyang was also concerned about the hidden dangers within the treasure. He felt it would be prudent to wait until he had nurtured his lifebound immortal artifact to a Tier Seven top-grade level before setting out to seize the treasure.
Not long after, upon learning that their master Zhouyang had returned from the lower realm, all six of his disciples returned to Dongyang Peak to pay their respects.
During the time Zhouyang was in the lower realm, his sixth disciple, Wang Qian, who was the only one taken as a true disciple, had successfully achieved Nascent Soul Formation and advanced his cultivation to the Third-Layer Nascent Soul Stage.
His first disciple, Zhu Chongyang, had already reached the Ninth-Layer Nascent Soul Stage and was beginning to consider the matter of Crossing the Tribulation for Immortal Ascension.
The cultivation of the second disciple, Yan Donglai, had also reached the Eighth-Layer Nascent Soul, while the third disciple, Han Sheng, was at the Sixth-Layer Nascent Soul Stage. The fourth disciple, Su Qing, and fifth disciple, He Zhenzhen, were both at the Fifth-Layer Nascent Soul Stage.
"Very well, it seems that in the years I've been absent, none of you have neglected your cultivation; this is excellent."
In the cave abode, Zhouyang cast a glance, thoroughly understanding the disciples' cultivation statuses, and his face showed a hint of satisfaction, generously praising them.
Truth be told, when he initially accepted these disciples, it was primarily to integrate better into the Chixiao Immortal Palace and gain trust from figures like Master Zishan. He had not invested much effort in them.
However, over the years, seeing these disciples serve him diligently without becoming despondent or blaming him for neglecting their instruction, he gradually accepted them in his heart.
After praising them, he took the opportunity to give them an even bigger surprise.
With a gentle look in his eyes, he scanned their faces and spoke softly, "I've seen your performances over these years and kept it in mind."
"It is said that familiar people are heartless; even though I've attained immortality, my heart is still made of flesh and blood, not entirely unmoved by your loyalty and filial piety."
"From now on, consider yourselves my official disciples, and all treatments will follow the standards of true disciples. I will let Senior Brother Zishan know of this."
Being promoted from registered disciples to official disciples was the greatest wish of Zhu Chongyang, Yan Donglai, and the other five since they entered Zhouyang's tutelage.
For years, they had no idea how much effort, sweat, and dedication they devoted to this cause.
Now, finally hearing Zhouyang's words about accepting them as official disciples, even someone like the Ninth-Layer Nascent Soul cultivator Zhu Chongyang was visibly moved.
Female disciples such as He Zhenzhen were so excited that tears welled up in their eyes.
They all expressed endless gratitude, bowing repeatedly to Zhouyang in thanks.
Subsequently, Zhouyang meticulously inquired about each disciple's cultivation status, offering guidance and advice, while also gifting each disciple a present.
After guiding each disciple individually and presenting them gifts, Zhouyang then instructed the other five disciples to retire and reflect carefully on the guidance they just received, leaving only his eldest disciple, Zhu Chongyang, behind.
"Chongyang, how old are you this year?"
Upon hearing Zhouyang's inquiry, Zhu Chongyang respectfully replied, "Master, this disciple's current age is two thousand one hundred and sixty-nine years."
"Reaching the Ninth-Layer Nascent Soul at over two thousand one hundred years old is not exceedingly fast, but still decent."
Zhouyang nodded slightly before continuing, "Do you have any plans for your future path? What are your thoughts on Crossing the Tribulation for Immortal Ascension?"
"Well... thanks to Master's blessing, this disciple has been fortunate enough to peruse the various Immortal Techniques and Immortal Paths in our sect's collection. I feel that the technique I could try is to find a Ninth-Layer Nascent Soul female Dao companion to jointly cultivate the Yin Yang Extreme Transformation Technique, using external forces to break through and achieve Immortal Ascension!"
Zhu Chongyang hesitated for a moment before quietly sharing his intentions.
"Yin Yang Extreme Transformation Technique? Could it be the somewhat ambiguous Life-taking Yin-Yang Spirit Transformation Technique?"
Zhouyang's expression shifted slightly in surprise as he questioned Zhu Chongyang.
Zhu Chongyang immediately lowered his head deeply, responding quietly, "Indeed, it is that technique."
This made Zhouyang furrow his brows more tightly as he looked at his eldest disciple with a lowered head, suddenly realizing that perhaps he did not have a deep understanding of these disciples.
At least due to their infrequent communication, he did not know his disciples' characters as well as when he was in the lower realm with his disciple Lu Xuewei and others.
If not for this interaction, he wouldn't have guessed that his eldest disciple was considering resorting to the contentious Life-taking Yin-Yang Spirit Transformation Technique to achieve Immortal Ascension.
Zhouyang felt the necessity to advise this disciple.
After all, he was currently the closest elder to Zhu Chongyang in relationship, and only he could step in to offer guidance in this regards.
He looked deeply at Zhu Chongyang and said, "I supposed this method's dangers need not be expounded by me. Although the chance of Immortal Ascension is indeed higher than ordinary methods, one of the Dao companions will perish, serving as sustenance for the successful one!"
"Even if you become the successful one, do you really think you won't regret it during the long eons of Immortal Dao in the future?"
However, upon hearing this, Zhu Chongyang replied calmly, "I don't know if I will regret it after achieving Immortal Ascension, but I do know that if I don't take this chance, I will likely regret not taking it in the next millennia."
Hearing this, Zhouyang found himself unsure of how to persuade him further.
He was merely Zhu Chongyang's master, not his parent.
Moreover, to a cultivator, even one's parents cannot interfere with their pursuit of Immortal Ascension.
"Since you know the consequences and have made up your mind, I won't persuade you anymore as your teacher."
"This Jade Scroll contains the[Three Treasures Ruyi Technique], which is the Secret Technique I used for my breakthrough and Immortal Ascension. Although its cultivation is difficult, it doesn't have the side effects of that[Life-taking Yin-Yang Spirit Transformation Technique]."
"My advice is for you to first try cultivating this method, and if it doesn't work out, it's not too late to cultivate that[Life-taking Yin-Yang Spirit Transformation Technique]."
Zhouyang said as he handed the prepared Jade Scroll to Zhu Chongyang.
He had already said what needed to be said, and what Zhu Chongyang would ultimately do was not something he could control.
The so-called master leads you to the door; cultivation depends on the individual.
A master can only point out a path for the disciple.
Whether the disciple is willing to take the bright path pointed out still depends on the disciple.
After Zhu Chongyang kowtowed in thanks and left, Zhouyang couldn't help but think about his wife and children in the Lower Realm again.
His determination to seek the Dao has always been firm, yet Secret Techniques like[Life-taking Yin-Yang Spirit Transformation Technique]are absolutely impossible for him to cultivate given his temperament.
In some ways, he seemed to be quite a passionate person!
After reminiscing alone about his wife and children in the Lower Realm for a while, Zhouyang adjusted his thoughts and entered a cultivation state.
Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, twenty years had passed.
After twenty years of diligent nurturing, Zhouyang finally elevated[Qianyang Golden Tower]to a Tier Seven Top-Grade Immortal Artifact.
Now he had[Sun God Sword]as a Tier Seven Top-Grade Immortal Artifact for offense, and[Qianyang Golden Tower]as his Lifebound Artifact for defense. His attack and defense were respectable among Late-stage Tribulation True Immortals.
Even so, Zhouyang didn't immediately set out to find Lan Daoist, but instead visited[Li Yang True Monarch]to seek a protective and life-saving Immortal Talisman.
At this time, although[Li Yang True Monarch]had not yet set out to search for the treasure left by "Chixiao Dao Ancestor," he was making preparations.
After Zhouyang stated his intention to go out, he was advised by him to wait until he retrieved the treasure before leaving the Sect.
But Zhouyang knew that the treasure left by "Chixiao Dao Ancestor" was of great importance, and unless[Li Yang True Monarch]was fully prepared, he would not easily leave Chixiao Immortal Palace to retrieve it.
Calculating by the lifespan of a Returning Void Stage True Monarch, it's normal for preparations to take several hundred years.
Zhouyang had no desire to wait such a long time before setting off.
He believed that Lan Daoist was unlikely to wait for him that long either.
Therefore, he resolutely declined[Li Yang True Monarch]'s goodwill and quietly left the Chixiao Immortal Palace's mountain gate.
For confidentiality and security reasons, Zhouyang did not use the Cross-Immortal Domain Transmission Array owned by Chixiao Immortal Palace to leave the Chixiao Immortal Realm but chose to teleport and fly on his own.
Although this method wasted time, it was secure and discreet.
Fortunately, the treasure location mentioned by Lan Daoist was within the Yellow Stone Immortal Realm, and Zhouyang's teleportation and flight there from the Chixiao Immortal Realm would only take twenty or thirty years.
Back then, Zhouyang had passed through the Yellow Stone Immortal Realm while traveling from the Chi Ming Immortal Realm to the Chixiao Immortal Realm.
But at that time, he was determined to travel to the Chixiao Immortal Realm and did not linger much in the Yellow Stone Immortal Realm.
After enduring a long journey of twenty-three years, traversing the entire Thousand Mountains Immortal Realm and half of the Chixiao Immortal Realm, he finally returned to the Yellow Stone Immortal Realm.
To keep his whereabouts completely confidential, Zhouyang did not register his Immortal Record with the dominating force of the Yellow Stone Immortal Realm, the Yellow Stone Immortal Palace, upon his arrival, but instead restrained his cultivation and assumed the appearance of a Ninth-Layer Nascent Soul Cultivator to proceed to the address left by Lan Daoist.
Another four years passed this way, and Zhouyang arrived at a place called "Chaotic Sky Sea" within the Yellow Stone Immortal Realm.
"Chaotic Sky Sea" is a famous perilous area within the Yellow Stone Immortal Realm, said to have been the ancestral land of an Alien Race in the True Immortal Realm during ancient times. Later, the Human Race rose and defeated this Alien Race, driving them out.
It is said that when that Alien Race left the ancestral land, dissatisfied with the occupation by the Human Race, several powerful entities equivalent to Late-Stage Void Returning Cultivation joined forces to perform a Forbidden Divine Technique that shattered the void here, permanently altering the Space Law of this place.
As time went on for countless years, the Space Law within "Chaotic Sky Sea" remained extremely unstable. Moreover, many layered spaces emerged, forming various natural Secret Realm Grotto Heavens.
Due to the extreme instability of the Space Law, True Immortals attempting anything here could easily shatter space, leading to unpredictable outcomes, making this place scarcely visited by those of Tier Seven.
Perhaps this was why Lan Daoist chose to place the treasure here.
Arriving near "Chaotic Sky Sea," Zhouyang activated his Secret Technique to send a signal to Lan Daoist to meet him. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺
After waiting for less than half a month on a desolate mountain, he was reunited with Lan Daoist.
At that time, though Lan Daoist's appearance was unchanged from before, the aura of lifelessness was completely gone.
If he hadn't known Lan Daoist's background, even with Zhouyang's current cultivation and Divine Sense, he wouldn't have been able to discern his origins and would have assumed him to be a true Human Race True Immortal.
This amazed Zhouyang, as he felt he had witnessed an incredible miracle.
From being a mere puppet clone, Lan Daoist gradually developed an independent consciousness, breaking free from the clone's constraints, successfully condensed an Immortal Body, and embarked on an unconventional Immortal Dao path. This is undeniably a miracle worthy of the admiration of even Returning Void Stage True Immortals.
Despite his amazement, as long-time friends, Zhouyang didn't reveal his thoughts on his face.
After observing Lan Daoist, Zhouyang warmly congratulated him with a smile, "Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Lan! You've finally escaped the influence of your original form and walked your own path!"
Lan Daoist, upon hearing this, shook his head with a sentimental look and replied, "The one deserving congratulations should be Lan himself. Fellow Daoist Zhou, within a mere millennium of ascension, you've achieved consecutive breakthroughs and reached the Late-stage Tribulation realm. It's truly astonishing and enviable!"
A thousand years might seem like a very long time to a mortal cultivator below the Tribulation Crossing Stage.
But in the eyes of True Immortals who have already ascended, it truly is just a "mere thousand years."
For the vast majority of True Immortals in the Tribulation Crossing Stage, being able to break through a minor realm in three to five thousand years is already quite impressive.
A True Immortal like Zhouyang, who has continuously broken through twice within a thousand years, is not only rare but almost unheard of.
Even among the juniors valued by those of great power, few can achieve this.
So when Lan Daoist saw Zhouyang had reached the late stage of Tribulation Crossing, he was very shocked, knowing that Zhouyang must have had some extraordinary encounters during the centuries they were apart.
As expected, upon hearing Lan Daoist's exclamations, Zhouyang humbly waved his hand and said, "I merely stumbled upon some immortal elixirs by chance, only managed to rely on the power of the immortal pills to break through, not at all deserving of Fellow Daoist Lan's praise."
Having said that, he proactively changed the topic, "Let's talk about the treasure you mentioned in your message, Fellow Daoist Lan. Have you made any discoveries or gains in your investigation over the years?"
Upon hearing this, Lan Daoist immediately understood his meaning and responded, "Speaking of discoveries, I've already located the exact place of the treasure and confirmed that it hasn't been touched by anyone yet."
"However, the trouble is that due to the passage of time, several overlapping Secret Realm Grotto Heavens have emerged near the treasure. If our movements are too big when retrieving the treasure, it's uncertain whether these Secret Realm Grotto Heavens will shatter, forming chaotic space turbulence!"
Zhouyang was slightly surprised to hear this and said, "So, Fellow Daoist Lan, you haven't entered yet?"
"Lan's previous existence was skilled at scheming and planning against others. The treasure he left behind is not easily accessible. Without your protection and company, Fellow Daoist Zhou, Lan wouldn't dare to enter alone; otherwise, if caught in a scheme, it would be too late for regrets!"
Lan Daoist slightly shook his head, expressing his concerns with a serious face.
From his words, it wasn't difficult to tell that although he has walked his own path, he still retains reverence and fear for his former existence, not daring to face it alone.
Zhouyang could understand this.
He gently nodded and promised him: "Don't worry, Fellow Daoist Lan, as long as it is within Zhou's ability, Zhou will definitely not let Daoist be harmed by anyone!"
"Fellow Daoist Zhou has never disappointed Lan before. With your words, Fellow Daoist Zhou, Lan can be at ease."
Lan Daoist's eyes brightened, very pleased and reassured by Zhouyang's promise.
Then, the two discussed matters related to the treasure, and Lan Daoist personally led Zhouyang to the region where the treasure was located.
Because of the fragility and instability of the space law within the "Chaotic Sky Sea," Zhouyang and Lan Daoist dared not easily use the Teleportation Technique after entering, having to fly at a speed equivalent to a Ninth-Layer Nascent Soul cultivator towards the treasure's location.
For them, spending more time traveling was not a concern; the most important thing was secrecy and safety.
Thus, after nearly three months of flying within the "Chaotic Sky Sea," the two finally arrived at a sea region shrouded in gray-white mist, outside of the area Lan Daoist had mentioned.
After they stopped outside, Lan Daoist softly explained to Zhouyang:
"This place is also known as the Sea of Spirit Void by the Yellow Stone Immortal Realm cultivators. The grey-white mist here can distort divine senses and obstruct eyesight. Cultivators below the Tribulation Crossing Stage will experience significant suppression of strength upon entering, whereas demon races with strong physical bodies and sharp instincts will face less constraint."
"Thus, there are quite a few Tier Six demon races hiding here for secluded cultivation, and occasionally, some cultivators with Physical Body Divine Techniques enter to seek treasures."
Upon hearing this, Zhouyang immediately deployed his divine sense inside for some probing.
He quickly discovered that although his divine sense was indeed interfered with, its effective range remained broad, spanning a thousand miles, essentially unaffected.
Then, he lightly remarked, "It certainly has some trickery, but it pales compared to the void mists in Mist Immortal Valley, no effect on us really."
Lan Daoist, unfamiliar with "Mist Immortal Valley," gained insight only after Zhouyang explained it to him.
Instantly, he couldn't help but exclaim, "Fellow Daoist Zhou is truly formidable, able to enter and exit such perilous grounds!"
"Not quite entering and exiting freely, merely escaping with my life!"
Zhouyang shook his head, recalling his experience in "Mist Immortal Valley," feeling quite restless.
But he was not inclined to speak more about past events, quickly urging Lan Daoist to enter the Sea of Spirit Void and hasten towards the treasure.
To prevent any unnecessary troubles, as soon as he entered the Sea of Spirit Void, Zhouyang slightly activated the True Dragon Bloodline within him, releasing an intense dragon influence to deter the demon races lurking within.
However, what Zhouyang didn't expect was that while the dragon influence deterred those demon races, averting many troubles.
Yet, the appearance of dragon influence startled a being in seclusion within the depths of the Sea of Spirit Void.
Within a certain abyss in the depths of the Sea of Spirit Void, a middle-aged man with a pair of black dragon horns atop his head suddenly opened his eyes during meditation, looking above the sea surface with shock and suspicion.
"Hmm? Such pure dragon influence, could a True Dragon have entered the Sea of Spirit Void? Could it be here for the Dragon Spirit Immortal Reishi about to mature?"
"But it shouldn't be. Although I've sealed this place with an Immortal Array to conceal its air, even a Tier Seven Top-Grade True Dragon passing nearby shouldn't sense any hint of true dragon remains here before the Dragon Spirit Immortal Reishi fully matures."
"There are still two to three hundred years until the Dragon Spirit Immortal Reishi matures, so how could the owner of this dragon influence have discovered the Dragon Spirit Immortal Reishi's existence in advance?"
The middle-aged man muttered to himself, his eyes suddenly turning cold, and instantly waved his sleeve, causing a few-foot-long black unihorn flood dragon to fly out from his wrist, swiftly enlarging into a giant flood dragon over several hundred yards long.
Then, he heavily instructed the black giant flood dragon: "Go and see what that dragon influence is about."
"Okay."
The black giant flood dragon responded, instantly flicking its tail, transforming into a black escape light, leaving the seabed abyss.
Not long after, having reached outside the treasure with Lan Daoist, ready to enter, Zhouyang suddenly furrowed his brow.
"What happened? Fellow Daoist Zhou, why did you suddenly frown?"
Lan Daoist keenly noticed the change in Zhouyang's expression and quickly asked with concern.
"I feel as though someone is spying on us, yet I couldn't detect any trace."
Zhouyang's lips moved slightly as he transmitted the reason for his frown.
"That's impossible!"
"Fellow Daoist Zhou, you've already reached the Late-Tribulation Crossing Stage in cultivation. If someone is indeed spying on us in the dark, and even you can't detect their presence, wouldn't it imply that the person's cultivation is likely at the Returning Void Stage?"
Lan Daoist looked at Zhouyang in shock, finding his statement incredibly unbelievable.
Actually, Zhouyang had the same thought in his heart.
His Divine Sense has always been much stronger than cultivators of the same realm, and now, even he couldn't detect the slightest trace of spying, which made him doubt his own feelings, questioning whether he made a mistake.
"Perhaps I truly made a mistake in my feeling!"
With a light sigh, he decided not to dwell on it and believed it was more important to move forward into the treasure.
If a great power at the Returning Void Stage truly exists and spies on them, entering the treasure might be safer.
Lan Daoist thought the same way.
Soon after, he swiftly performed a spell and led Zhouyang into the treasure hidden by the Immortal Array.
"Never expected there to be such a mysterious Immortal Array hidden here, truly an unexpected gain!"
Thousand miles away in the seawater, the black giant flood dragon's eyes emitted a blue glow and spoke with a tone filled with surprise.
Then, with a flick of its dragon tail, its body quickly disappeared from where it was, returning to the deep abyss under the sea.
"Oh, possessing the True Dragon bloodline just like me yet not a half-dragon human hybrid, is it the disciples of Immortal Sects from the Ten Thousand Beasts Immortal Realm cultivating the physical body divine techniques?"
"However, that Immortal Array is indeed interesting. This seat has been in the Sea of Spirit Void for nearly two thousand years and hasn't discovered its existence. That's certainly a method only a Returning Void Stage True Monarch could possess!"
"Looks like my luck has come. Not only will I soon harvest a Dragon Spirit Immortal Reishi, which helps in overcoming the Fire Calamity, but also acquire a secret hidden by a Returning Void Stage True Monarch!"
In the seabed abyss, the middle-aged man with dragon horns lit up in his eyes and showed a greatly interested expression after hearing the words of the returning black giant flood dragon's incarnation.
Guarding the soon-to-mature Dragon Spirit Immortal Reishi here was rather boring for him.
Because his cultivation couldn't improve anymore, he had long passed the Thunder Calamity among the Three Calamities. During meditation, he was just nurturing immortal artifacts or contemplating laws.
Now that he discovered a possible secret hidden by a Returning Void Stage True Monarch in the Sea of Spirit Void, he became interested immediately.
Without delay, after a brief contemplation, he left the black giant flood dragon's incarnation in the seabed abyss to oversee it as it guarded the soon-to-mature Dragon Spirit Immortal Reishi.
Then, he secretly moved toward the location of the treasure that Zhouyang and Lan Daoist entered.
On the other side, after entering the treasure, Zhouyang with Lan Daoist quickly appeared in a confined void space.
Before he could observe the specifics of this void space, a total of five beast-shaped puppets emitting powerful auras appeared in the void space.
Dragon, Phoenix, Tortoise, Tiger, and Qilin, each with different forms and attributes, all emitted powerful auras comparable to Mid-stage Tribulation Crossing True Immortals, surprisingly five immortal-level puppets!
However, just when Zhouyang was on guard and ready to strike first, disabling one of the puppets, Lan Daoist acted first.
Lan Daoist's hands quickly performed the sealing technique, reciting some obscure and profound spells, from his mouth and hands flew golden and silver scriptures, shooting toward those puppets.
Any puppet struck by these scriptures quickly restrained their hostility and aura, remaining motionless.
"Although Lan's main body does not belong to those major sects of Immortal Palace that dominate one area in the Immortal Domain, his cultivation strength is no inferior to those of the same realm from Immortal Palace major sects."
"Moreover, his skills in Array, Talisman, and Puppet Refining Art are distinct due to his extraordinary talent, forming his own unique style, surpassing many True Monarchs from Immortal Palace major sects!"
"This set of puppet with Five Elements Attribute is just the guard of the first gate outside the treasure. Though Lan cannot control them, letting them let us pass isn't difficult."
Lan Daoist calmed down the five immortal puppets, quickly explaining the situation to the surprised Zhouyang.
After hearing this, Zhouyang immediately waved his hand, saying: "Fellow Daoist Lan need not say more, I trust you."
He believed Lan Daoist must have had his reasons for not revealing his origin, no need to pressure him.
As a fellow ascended from the lower realm, Zhouyang's trust in Lan Daoist was definitely higher than that in Master Zishan and those fellow disciples of Chixiao Immortal Palace.
"Thank you, Fellow Daoist Zhou, for understanding, let's proceed to the next gate."
Lan Daoist's expression relaxed, gratefully nodded towards Zhouyang before performing a spell to activate the array restriction here, transmitting the two of them to the next gate.
Under Lan Daoist's operation, Zhouyang and he safely passed through the second and third gates.
Upon reaching the fourth gate, Lan Daoist's authority didn't extend further, making the two of them engage in a difficult battle.
ps: The second update, aiming for another chapter by the end of the month!
