"It seems you have already come to a realization,"

The voice still resonated in Bai Jiaojiao’s mind; Bai Jiaojiao knew that her thoughts were entirely transparent to the other party, so she gave up struggling.

This powerful being had revealed itself to her and spoken these words, certainly for a reason. If it could save Green Snake, she was willing to accept whatever was asked of her.

Although this path was still fraught with difficulty, considering the time it took her to become a True Dragon, every step henceforth was bound to be even more challenging.

But no matter how difficult, there was still hope.

For that hope, no price was too great to pay.

"Please, senior, give me your guidance."

"A True Dragon that seeks to become a Heavenly Dragon has two paths: one through might, the other through virtue. The path of might requires one to harness the great power of heaven and earth, to become the Great Power Heavenly Dragon. The path of virtue requires one to use one’s abilities for the good of the world, to become the Great Virtue Celestial Dragon. This is the Dragon Transformation Scripture, containing the methods for both might and virtue; take it and ponder."

A multitude of knowledge abruptly appeared in Bai Jiaojiao’s mind, encompassing the entire process of the Heavenly Dragon’s evolution.

Bai Jiaojiao had yet to process the latter content as she was already stunned by the volume of information presented upfront.

Based on her previous understanding, only members of the Dragon Clan could become dragons, and the process of transforming was incredibly arduous.

Only after arriving at the Dragon Tomb did she realize that dragons are naturally dragons at birth, that becoming a dragon through cultivation was but a foolish dream. She could become a dragon only because she obtained the Dragon Ball, essentially inheriting the Demon Dragon’s power, and Green Snake possessed the potential to become a dragon because of the Dragon Blood.

All of this confirmed the Demon Dragon’s words within the Dragon Tomb: that dragons are naturally dragons and that cultivating into a dragon is a delusional fantasy.

However, upon reading the Dragon Transformation Scripture, Bai Jiaojiao’s understanding was overthrown once again.

According to the Dragon Transformation Scripture, not only members of the Dragon Clan could become dragons, but all beings could potentially transform into dragons.

Snakes could become dragons, fish could become dragons, and even humans could become dragons.

With the Dragon Transformation Art, becoming a dragon was no longer merely a dream.

"This... "

Bai Jiaojiao was not ready to believe it just yet.

Are we even in the same world?

"Why do you doubt?"

"I once saw a True Dragon, who said that a dragon is a dragon, and an insect is an insect,"

Bai Jiaojiao answered, and she couldn’t help but secretly think that this "ancestor" could see her thoughts, but probably not her memories; at least she could still keep some privacy.

"A mere juvenile dragon dares to speak foolishly of the dragon’s way; how utterly ridiculous!"

The voice in Bai Jiaojiao’s mind came with a clear tinge of anger, something Bai Jiaojiao had not anticipated. Merely shocked in her mind for a moment, and the "ancestor" was already so incensed.

Seeing Bai Jiaojiao’s puzzled look, the voice sighed faintly, "It seems too much time has passed, and our stories are no longer known in this world. Do you know that there were no dragons in this world? Because of Azure Dragon, dragons came to be, and the Azure Dragon was originally but a snake."

Bai Jiaojiao: "..."

She had thought this "ancestor" might be an antique, but she never expected that instead of being a mere antique, this was an actual living fossil.

"Before the Azure Dragon became divine, the fates of all beings in the world were set from birth, no amount of effort could overcome the innate bloodline. It was then that I and the Azure Dragon challenged this Heavenly Dao. From a snake, taking the strengths of all creatures, we finally transformed into dragons.

All beings are creations of God, but the dragon is different."

Only now did Bai Jiaojiao understand why this "ancestor" was so angry.

The dragon came into existence because the ancestor and Azure Dragon, dissatisfied with the inherent hierarchy of strength in the world, defiantly rebelled. No one knows how many adversities they faced before finding their own way and transforming into dragons, giving rise to the Dragon Clan.

And yet, their descendants claimed that dragons are naturally dragons, how could it not make one angry?

However, the information revealed in this dialogue was overwhelming, and Bai Jiaojiao struggled to take it all in.

The notion that all beings could become dragons was minor news by comparison; the "ancestor’s" current revelation was far more shocking.

This "ancestor" was one who alongside the Azure Dragon defied the Heavenly Dao. The Azure Dragon began as a snake and later became divine.

Bai Jiaojiao didn’t know when exactly the Azure Dragon had become divine; after all, the legend of the Four Spirits had begun from a time unknown, likely eons ago.

The other shocking revelation was her statement that "All beings are God’s creations, except for dragons."

Bai Jiaojiao felt as if she had opened the gates to a New World; for a moment, countless thoughts flashed through her mind, but they were so chaotic and complex that she couldn’t sort them out.

So, she cast aside all distractions.

Knowing this was one thing, but it wasn’t of great significance to her. What she needed to focus on now was how to make Green Snake become a Heavenly Dragon and remove the Void Poison.

"Your determination is commendable; you are truly someone I have taken notice of."

The change in Bai Jiaojiao’s mindset did not escape the notice of the being hidden in the shadows, who also admired her rationality.

Understanding so quickly what she really needed, not dwelling on the irrelevant – such temperament was indeed rare.

Her arrival here, to inherit the dragon’s legacy, might also be fated.

"You agree to one thing, and I can help you and your sister become Divine Dragons, but becoming an Ancestral Dragon and Heavenly Dragon will be up to you."

"Thank you, Senior!"

Bai Jiaojiao was overjoyed at the words. She wasn’t particularly anxious about whether she could become a Divine Dragon, but she was concerned that Green Snake might not have enough time. Right now, she was only in the form of a True Dragon, not an actual True Dragon.

If she could become a Divine Dragon directly, it would save her a great deal of effort.

Besides, she had long been mentally prepared to help this ancestor. Now that the other party had openly offered her benefits, Bai Jiaojiao certainly had no reason to refuse.

"Don’t thank me just yet. Once you agree, you will bear a heavy mission, and once I entrust this to you, there will be no turning back," the voice in her mind warned.

Bai Jiaojiao’s expression changed slightly, but she said firmly, "Other than becoming a Heavenly Dragon, is there any other way to resolve the Void Poison?"

"Yes, if you can reach the realm where you create your own world, it can be resolved just the same."

Bai Jiaojiao: "..."

She still hadn’t fully grasped the Heavenly Dao. Although she was a dragon, she was only equivalent to a young dragon. A mature True Dragon should have the strength of the Defiant Heavenly Realm, and she was still a bit short.

The key issue was creating her own world, and she had no clue about how to do that. Becoming a Heavenly Dragon, at least, was a path she could take.

"Since there’s no other choice, please tell me, Senior!"

"Very well, you haven’t disappointed me," the voice responded.

As the voice in Bai Jiaojiao’s mind fell silent, she saw a seven-colored radiance land on Green Snake. This radiance was a combination of all the colors present within the large bubble.

The seven-colored light enveloped Green Snake, and the purple mark on her face gradually shrank to the size of a fingernail, then was pushed by the seven-colored light to the center of Green Snake’s forehead, before it finally disappeared completely.

"I have sealed your sister’s poison. Within a thousand years, if you can become an Ancestral Dragon, you can reinforce the seal for her. However, this method can only seal it for at most five thousand years. If neither of you can become a Heavenly Dragon after five thousand years, the Void Poison will erupt completely.

At that time, you must kill her, to prevent the Void Poison from spreading before it takes hold," the voice explained.

A shiver ran through Bai Jiaojiao’s heart. Green Snake had only five thousand years to become a Heavenly Dragon, and she herself needed to become an Ancestral Dragon within a thousand years; the timing was quite urgent.

She had cultivated for a thousand years and only managed to become a True Dragon by taking risks to seize a chance, with Lin Yun’s help. Even if she could obtain this senior’s assistance to become a Divine Dragon, advancing from Divine Dragon to Ancestral Dragon was not going to be simple.

But right now, she didn’t have a choice.

"Thank you, Senior, for your assistance."

Bai Jiaojiao saw that Green Snake had calmed down. Although she was still unconscious, her body was no longer hot; perhaps she would wake up in a while.

Having received a favor, it was time to repay it through service.

Bai Jiaojiao said, "May I know what task Senior has for me?"

"I need you to protect this world."

Bai Jiaojiao: "???"

She had never anticipated that this was the task she would be given.

Bai Jiaojiao had thought there might be a mission such as restoring the glory of the Dragon Clan or spreading the Dragon Transformation Art. She didn’t expect it to be protecting the world.

Does the world need her protection?

Bai Jiaojiao’s face was filled with confusion and incomprehension.

"Me? Protect the world?"

Bai Jiaojiao felt her capabilities might be insufficient. While her strength was top-notch in the Cultivation World, she always felt rather insignificant at Mount Heavenly Dragon.

How could she possibly protect this world?

"Don’t sell yourself short. First, you just need to know who your enemies are. Then, all you have to do is defeat them," the voice advised.

"Who are my enemies?"

"God and His followers."

Bai Jiaojiao: "..."

This...

Isn’t that a bit overly optimistic? Fighting God’s dependents might be feasible, but can I really defeat a God?

Bai Jiaojiao was lost in wild thoughts when the "ancestor" didn’t offer further explanations or reassurance. Instead, it simply began to narrate the cause and effect, "Have you seen that purple area and the bubbles? Each bubble is a small world, and small worlds are opened up by Divine Spirits. Each houses the children of God, which are the Divine Dependents.

Those purple areas represent the force of the void, steadily consuming world after world. The small worlds, like rootless duckweed in the void, will only become weaker and eventually dissipate completely.

No Divine Dependent wishes to sit idly by as their home is destroyed. They will try to come to this world and seize its vitality, spreading catastrophe here as well.

As long as I am suppressing them, even if Divine Dependents could breach the blockade, they would struggle to retain their powers and memories. For many years, all has been peaceful.

However, I was awakened from my slumber in the early spring of this year. A Divine Dependent broke through the blockade and descended into the Mortal Realm. The force that could awaken my remnant soul must be one that will bring about a cataclysm to this world.

Your duty to protect the world doesn’t require a confrontation with the Divine Spirits. You just need to find that descending Divine Dependent and kill him. That is enough."

At this point, Bai Jiaojiao finally breathed a sigh of relief.

She didn’t know how formidable Gods were, but any being capable of creating worlds was surely not someone she could defeat. By comparison, finding a Divine Dependent seemed a far simpler task...