Chapter 113: The Dragon Kin Revealed [Wishing Everyone a Happy New Year]

Meanwhile, above the Northern Sea, an elderly Taoist with white hair and beard, a ruddy complexion, and eyes as innocent as a child’s, sat cross-legged atop a massive reef. Clad in a Yin-Yang Taoist robe, his hair neatly pinned up with a Taoist hairpin, two long eyebrows fluttered in the breeze. His skin resembled warm jade, glowing with a blush beneath its flawless surface, revealing no trace of pores or wrinkles. His bright eyes shone with a hint of curiosity and innocence, like a newborn’s—pure and clear.

In his left hand, he held a thumb-sized seal, surrounded by swirling mist, while his right hand formed mystical hand seals. Occasionally, he lowered his gaze to the sea, then lifted it toward the sky.

“Ha... those two little rascals!” Suddenly, the old Taoist looked up into the deep blue sky, as if sensing something, and smiled softly.

“Miaohua, my grandniece, since you’ve come, why hide and sneak around? Do you think this old Taoist would devour you?” he called out into the void.

“Greetings, Master Zhang!” At his words, ripples appeared in the empty air, and a Taoist priestess with bright eyes and pearly teeth materialized.

Her face, like warm jade, was flawless and fair; her large eyes were clear and profound, with delicate crow’s feet at the corners that lent her a mature and intellectual allure rather than aging her. Her cherry lips and slender, arched brows gave her a captivating beauty with a hint of resolute spirit. She wore a loose, apricot-colored Bagua robe—though somewhat plain in style, it could not conceal her full, shapely figure.

“Enough, little one, no need for formalities. Please, sit...” The old Taoist gestured into the void, and a pure white cloud rose, inviting the priestess to seat herself upon it.

“Thank you, elder.” Miaohua looked at the old Taoist with curiosity, sitting on the cloud yet her mind swirling with thoughts. She had only met this Master Zhang once during her childhood when her master visited Dragon-Tiger Mountain. In terms of seniority, he was from the same generation as her grandmaster.

She did not believe Master Zhang was unaware of her true purpose here, yet his kindly demeanor and lack of any intention to expel her left her baffled.

“Are you wondering why I, knowing your intent, have no concern?” The old Taoist opened his eyes slightly, a faint smile playing on his lips, and spoke.

“Yes, junior is indeed puzzled,” Miaohua replied respectfully.

“Our Dragon-Tiger Mountain and your Maoshan Mountain both trace back to the Sanqing Dao lineage. With the world’s spiritual energy dwindling, all sects face hardship. I have acted covertly only to guard against evil demons; as for you, you are beyond my vigilance.”

“Thanks to my foresight and prior preparations, if this Dragon Essence still falls into your hands, it must be fate. It’s not your fault. Better in your hands than in those of the evil demons,” the old Taoist explained with a gentle smile.

“Master Zhang, your broad magnanimity commands my respect!” Miaohua said, standing in awe. She knew the old Taoist had no reason to deceive her; with his cultivation, he could have easily banished her.

“What magnanimity? Just an old coward afraid to die, living over three centuries, surviving the disasters of wind and fire. That’s why I’ve never dared to force the thunder tribulation,” the old Taoist joked bitterly, his expression tinged with sorrow.

“Hmm... found it!” Just as the old Taoist spoke with self-mockery, he suddenly sensed a faint, imperceptible disturbance in the incense smoke of the void, a warm gleam shining in his eyes.

“Moo-aoo...”
“Rumble, rumble...”

As soon as the old Taoist’s voice faded, the depths of the Northern Sea stirred violently. Winds rose, clouds billowed, mists thickened, and dark storm clouds raced overhead, crackling with thunder and lightning.

Accompanied by a strange roar, neither fully bovine nor beastly, a towering column of water shot skyward. Within it, a pale azure silhouette flickered amidst the spray, and clouds and mist swirled fiercely in the void.

The old Taoist summoned his mystical vision and saw the giant figure stretched a hundred feet long—majestic and divine. Its head resembled a camel’s, eyes a rabbit’s, neck a snake’s, belly like a clam’s, scales like a fish’s, claws like an eagle’s, palms like a tiger’s, ears like a bull’s. If not for the absence of horns, a wooden measuring stick, fins on its tail, a mane on its neck, and a pearl under its jaw, it would be indistinguishable from a true dragon.

“This is... a flood dragon...” Miaohua exclaimed, her almond eyes wide with shock as she gazed at the solemn, sacred figure radiating pure yang energy.

“Isn’t it said dragons without measuring sticks cannot ascend to heaven?” she wondered, staring at the figure twisting endlessly among clouds and mist, commanding storms and churning seas.

“Hah... dragons without measuring sticks can’t cross the void horizontally, that’s all. Dragonkind are born to ride clouds and mist. Who told you they can’t fly? Besides, this flood dragon is still juvenile. Once mature, it will instantly develop the measuring stick. Lucky for me it cannot cross the void, or I’d be at a loss,” the old Taoist mused, stroking the seal in his hand as he looked up at the imposing, arrogant figure.

“Bully, despicable and shameless, striking from the shadows!” The flood dragon’s eyes, large and bovine, glared fiercely, golden light shooting upward like the Taurus constellation.

“Hmph! Wretched beast, death approaches and yet you dare to defy me!” The old Taoist’s form flickered as a giant white cloud surged skyward. A colossal hand stretched out, darkening the heavens, reaching straight for the flood dragon.

Though seemingly slow, the massive palm struck down with astonishing speed, shattering the atmospheric layers in a shockwave, causing the void itself to seem to collapse.

“Pitiful tricks, daring to disgrace me before my presence,” the flood dragon growled, its tail whipping through the sea, waves rising higher and higher like terraced fields, the entire ocean’s surface swelling.

...

Elsewhere, near Yinghai County, the flood dragon’s appearance was instantly sensed by Li Yang, who transformed into a golden streak of light, soaring into the heavens.

Staring at the scene where sea and sky met, a giant hand blotting out the sun, his expression flickered with uncertainty.

Judging from the spiritual fluctuations, neither the flood dragon nor its opponent were contenders he could provoke. Yet Li Yang was unwilling to give up. Gritting his teeth, he shifted form into a golden six-winged centipede about ten feet long and charged toward the Northern Sea.

Meanwhile, in the sky, Shi Jian and the Taoist Dong Wei, engaged in a chase, noticed the celestial phenomenon. After a brief hesitation, Dong Wei gave Shi Jian a long, resolute look, summoned a red-crowned crane, and turned toward the Northern Sea.

“Dragon Essence, wait for me!” Shi Jian’s face shifted through emotions before settling into determination. He touched the jade seal of the Nine Elders, a protective talisman bestowed upon him by the Miaohua priestess when he swore a solemn oath before the ancestor to investigate matters concerning the dragon species.

Yet in his heart, these were mere excuses; his true purpose was vengeance against Li Yang.

Shi Shaojian’s death was not truly Li Yang’s fault. He had been crushed in the Elysian Spirit Chamber by Lady He, alongside Master He. But whenever he recalled the figure that chilled his soul, his spirit plunged into an abyss of despair.

He knew in this lifetime, he lacked the courage to confront that figure for revenge. Still, unwilling to surrender, after much thought, he pinned the blame on Li Yang, deeming him the chief culprit in his son’s demise.

With his current cultivation, he was at best Li Yang’s equal, making the hope of killing him a fool’s dream.

Thus, the Dragon Essence became his sole hope, for which he was prepared to pay any price.

...

“What a wicked fiend! To think the dragon species’ emergence would summon such an ancient beast.” Dong Wei looked solemnly at the six-winged golden centipede before him.

Though he had only heard of such heavenly beasts, never encountered one, the oppressive aura it radiated compelled him to remain vigilant.

Fearing discovery by the battling parties, he dared not approach the Northern Sea too closely. Thus, Li Yang’s pace remained slow and deliberate as he neared the Northern Sea, only to unexpectedly collide with Dong Wei, who was speeding toward the same destination.

“Hissss...” Li Yang feigned limited intelligence, emitting threatening hisses.

The six-winged golden centipede was a form Li Yang had refined, an aspect of his true body. No one would suspect such a strange method unless privy to his secrets.

In truth, it was not a transformation technique but part of his physical composition, making it impossible for even the highest cultivators to discern his true nature.

“Perfect! Today, this humble Taoist will capture you and bring you back to guard the sect,” Dong Wei declared.

“Clang clang!”
“A thousand swords fly, the Master exorcises demons!”

As Dong Wei spoke, he formed a sword seal. The sword case on his back opened automatically, releasing beams of sword light surging toward Li Yang.

“Clang clang clang... clang clang clang...”
“Hissss...”

Li Yang moved swiftly, allowing the sword light to strike his golden shell, sparks showering forth.

“Impressive, truly an ancient beast!” Dong Wei exclaimed.

“The universe is infinite, all swords return to the source—strike!” Seeing Li Yang unharmed, Dong Wei’s joy grew. He pointed to the sky, and the sword light coalesced into a colossal Taiji sword blade, slashing down fiercely.

“Hisss...” Facing the black and white Yin-Yang dual swords of righteousness, Li Yang finally felt a trace of threat. With a sharp cry, his golden light flickered, transforming into a gigantic golden sword that met the attack head-on.

“Clang clang clang...”

In an instant, two enormous sword lights clashed in the void, the sound of metal ringing endlessly, sparks flying as their fierce duel raged on.

“The cosmos is boundless, the winds and thunder obey the decree: Dragons and tigers rise, demons be eliminated!” Dong Wei’s eyes gleamed as he formed hand seals. His spiritual power transformed into thunderous dragons and wind tigers, lunging toward Li Yang.