Chapter 51: Washing the Dragon

Strange, why are there suddenly so many powerful Xian Shi sweeping back and forth in this area?

On the coast of Donghai, in the eastern part of Nan Shanbu Zhou, along the endless shoreline, a seaside hill stood prominently.

In a small fishing village made up of several dozen simple stone houses, Li Changsheng, disguised as a stern old Taoist, was holding a bowl of hot water offered by a few elderly women. He sipped it slowly while gazing out at the sea.

He had just distributed some Fu Lu in the village, earning the villagers' warm gratitude, which also served as a cover to make his activities along the Donghai coast seem more legitimate.

Many wandering human cultivators used this method to accumulate a bit of destiny and merit for themselves.

But Li Changsheng had long understood a fundamental principle.

Helping the good brings good results; helping the evil brings evil results.

He couldn't be sure whether the recipients of his Fu Lu were good or bad people, so the safest approach was to give away some deliberately flawed ones that had no real effect, like "pillow sleep-aid charms," to avoid getting entangled in karma.

In the distance on the sea, the shadow of a Cang Long glided by quietly before vanishing into the clouds.

'As expected, it's the Long Zu; they seem to be searching for something.'

It wasn't wise for him to go out to sea now, to avoid running into these Long Zu members.

So, Li Changsheng traveled on foot, camping outdoors and moving along the coast from north to south, observing everyday life and gaining a few minor insights from it.

Half a month later, after walking over a thousand li southward, he finally confirmed that the Long Zu experts had left the area they had thoroughly searched.

After some thought, Li Changsheng decided to stick with his original plan and undergo his tribulation in this sea region.

He waited another two months, ensuring that the surrounding hundreds of li were completely peaceful.

On a chosen night, he quietly cast an illusion technique, transforming into a modest-sized fish, and slipped into the somewhat warm seawater.

Using Shui Dun, he headed toward a few small islands he had seen on a fishermen's sea chart.

The tribulation site couldn't be too far from the mortal world.

The human mortal realm was his emergency refuge; if he were ambushed before or after the tribulation, he could escape into the vast sea of people.

But the site also couldn't be too close to the mortal world.

The mundane world's turbid energy could contaminate a Qi Refiner's body and primordial spirit; if he successfully passed the tribulation and ascended to become an Xian Ren, he would naturally absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, and drawing in worldly turbidity, though not harmful, would still be unpleasant.

His own Shifu's tribulation had been incomplete, so the spiritual energy absorption phase had been very brief.

What exactly had the Long Zu been searching for two months ago?

Li Changsheng felt a bit curious about it now.

What person or treasure could prompt such a massive search along the Donghai edge?

Although he couldn't see the Long Zu experts' forms at the time, their auras were completely unmasked, detectable from several hundred or even a thousand li away...

Never mind, it had nothing to do with him.

He would stealthily endure the heavenly tribulation, then find a place to cultivate for a couple of years, stabilize his cultivation, conceal his aura, improve his Gui Xi Jue, and return to the mountain gate to continue his peaceful life as a young disciple of Du Xian Men.

He was already struggling to suppress his realm and could step into Gui Dao Nine at any moment.

Swimming carefully through the seawater, Li Changsheng reached the vicinity of those small islands, each just a few hundred mu in size, and examined them one by one, but found none that fully satisfied him.

It wasn't that these islands weren't suitable for hiding; it was their complex structures, with too many potential hiding spots, that could easily attract thorough investigations.

They weren't ideal for secluded cultivation or tribulation.

Li Changsheng thought for a moment and continued searching southward, since the Long Zu experts had been moving from south to north two or three months ago...

He swam quickly but searched methodically, keeping a calm mindset as he looked for his destined spot.

In the latter half of the night, Li Changsheng's eyes lit up as his Ling Shi detected a promising small island.

The island was ring-shaped, essentially a few small hills rising from the sea; his Ling Shi scan revealed its layout clearly, unlikely to draw unwanted scrutiny.

Transforming into a fish, Li Changsheng approached the island and grew even more pleased. He used Shui Dun to circle the island from a distance for over ten laps before deciding to investigate closer.

When he was still about ten li away...

Hmm? The ocean current seemed off.

Li Changsheng spotted a small vortex in the water and used his Ling Shi to probe inch by inch, quickly discovering a well-hidden underwater cave.

The cave was narrow and slanted upward, connecting to a small pool in the island's interior...

'Excellent, a great spot with a natural escape route!'

The more Li Changsheng examined it, the more satisfied he became.

He decided—this was the place!

...

'Want to capture this Crown Prince? In your dreams!'

Ao Yi had transformed into human form and was pressed against the cold, hard rock wall, carefully scanning the area within three li of the small island while secretly operating the Long Zu secret technique, Qian Long Jue.

He knew he couldn't extend his Ling Shi too far, or he would risk exposure...

But because of that, he couldn't be sure if his clan members were still lingering nearby.

It didn't matter; he had plenty of patience. Even after hiding here for three months, he could wait longer.

For the pursuits of his Long life,

For the bloodline flowing in his veins,

For his responsibilities as the Long Zu Crown Prince!

Once he reached the shore and left the Dragon Palace's sphere of influence, the situation would tilt heavily in his favor.

Ao Yi felt a bit helpless; he hadn't expected the ones searching for him to be his own kin rather than immortals on the island.

That Wu Yun Da Xian had actually notified the Dragon Palace, which dispatched a large force of experts to blockade from north to south!

If not for Ao Yi's quick reaction and his careful progress through the water that day, he would have collided head-on with his clansmen!

Fortunately, his luck held; while hiding on the seabed, he followed the underwater terrain and swiftly found this ring-shaped island and the concealed rock crevice...

Unexpectedly, he had evaded the searches by his clan's experts.

'Hmph, such a prime hiding spot—only this Crown Prince could find it!'

As Ao Yi thought this, he felt a surge of pride.

Suddenly, Ao Yi sensed danger approaching.

This wasn't from his scan; it was an innate ability from his bloodline, forewarning of crises.

Had he been found?

Ao Yi's heart raced, and he hugged the wall even tighter, not daring to move, while frenziedly operating Qian Long Jue.

At that moment, he only regretted that the Long Zu ancestors had been too arrogant and hadn't developed advanced transformation or concealment techniques!

Out of nowhere, a human old Taoist appeared outside the cave and slipped into the rock crevice, heading straight toward him.

Ao Yi breathed a sigh of relief but furrowed his brow and narrowed his eyes; as the second prince of the Long Zu, he quickly made his decision and quietly prepared his strongest attack.

An ambush it would be—this old Taoist's aura wasn't strong, and he hadn't noticed Ao Yi under Qian Long Jue. A little closer, and he was done for!

The immortals deceive the good; the Long Zu endure being ridden by immortals!

That was a lesson from his egg-hatching teacher!

The old Taoist swam closer...

Ten zhang...

Eight zhang...

Five zhang...

Now!

Ao Yi's eyes narrowed. When the old Taoist, Li Changsheng, was just three zhang away, Ao Yi struck fiercely from the wall, his form erupting in a burst of green light!

In the dim seawater and narrow crevice, a Qing Long dragon head suddenly lunged out, its massive jaws wide open, aiming to swallow Li Changsheng whole!

Innate divine ability: Tun Tian Shi Di!

Li Changsheng was clearly startled...

But his reaction was lightning-fast; almost instinctively, he dodged to the side, his left hand quickly gripping two porcelain bottles.

In a flash, the dragon head shimmered with dazzling green light in the water, its jaws snapping off Li Changsheng's left arm and swallowing it in one gulp!

Li Changsheng grunted in pain and retreated hastily, his right hand swiftly forming seals.

Ao Yi's surprise attack had missed its mark, and he was astonished by the old Taoist's speed.

The Qing Long immediately pursued downward, but to his surprise, the opponent had already cast Shui Dun and darted out of the underwater cave...

He couldn't let him escape!

Ao Yi panicked, swinging his dragon tail to chase, but suddenly felt dizzy...

What had he just swallowed?

As he charged forward, he checked internally and saw a small 'paper' arm in his stomach, two porcelain bottles nearly dissolved by his divine ability, and two masses of medicine that had already begun to spread...

His head grew heavy, his tail light, and drowsiness overwhelmed him!

A mi yao?!

Such a potent mi yao!

Ao Yi realized he had been tricked; his dragon bloodline erupted, and a green light flashed on his forehead.

In this dire situation, fainting would mean death, so he had to kill the one-armed old Taoist while the drug hadn't fully taken effect!

Charge!

Whoosh—

The water ahead cleared suddenly as the Qing Long burst from the crevice.

To counter the drug's spread, Ao Yi inflated his body instantly, but in that moment, he saw the stern old Taoist standing quietly in the dark seawater ahead...

The dragon mouth opened wide and lunged forward again!

Surrounding the seawater, prism-shaped Xuan Bing with flames inside shot toward the old Taoist simultaneously!

His arm was healed?

No, this wasn't the same person!

Ao Yi's massive dragon head dipped as the dizziness intensified, his thoughts slowing dramatically, filling him with anxiety.

At the same time, he felt more of the same drug force converging from all directions in the seawater, seeping into his body and directly assaulting his dragon soul!

Suddenly, several identical figures emerged behind the old Taoist, each holding an open porcelain bottle!

They all used Shui Dun, and the six figures scattered swiftly in the water, easily evading Ao Yi's inertia-driven charge.

Six bottles of Ruan Xian San in total, one of them super-grade...

Ao Yi managed to steady his form in the water, his dragon eyes growing murky, his dozens-of-zhang-long body swaying unsteadily, yet he tried to surge toward the surface...

As if reading Ao Yi's intent, the six figures regrouped above;

Their twelve sleeves billowed in the water, the treasure pouches within opening to release sheets of Fu Lu that wove into a massive net!

One hundred and eight Fu Lu acted like one hundred and eight small array bases, with spiritual power flowing through them, rapidly drawing in the water-attribute spiritual energy from the sea.

Fu Array: Shui Yuan Jing Tian Yin!

In the blink of an eye, a massive square seal, a hundred zhang in diameter, formed and smashed down toward the oncoming Qing Long!

The seal's surrounding light surged, carrying the force of collapsing mountains, and since it was made of pure spiritual energy, it ignored the resistance of the seawater.

The Qing Long below roared with its head raised, mane bristling, claws extended, charging forward with unstoppable momentum!

At this point, Ao Yi had no spare mind to think; the intense dizziness left him unable to judge further, his heart filled only with fierce fighting spirit and an unyielding dragon's will!

I am Ao Yi, the second prince of Donghai Dragon Palace!

"Ang—"

The Qing Long roared; the seal fell!

A visible shockwave exploded in the sea!

The surrounding ten li of sea surface churned with massive waves, and the nearby island trembled violently!

Then—

The seal shattered with a bang, yet the Qing Long emerged unscathed!

But its long dragon eyes slowly closed, its massive body going limp as if all strength had drained away, sinking toward the hundred-zhang-deep seabed...

'Even immature Long Zu are this resilient? I need to refine the Ruan Xian San formula.'

From a rock crevice three hundred zhang away on the seabed, Li Changsheng frowned, his Ling Shi monitoring the thirty li around him.

Fighting in water was naturally different from land, forcing him to use some spiritual power-consuming tactics.

It was time to test the effects of San Mei Zhen Yan.

That Fu Array had been all show.

Li Changsheng narrowed his eyes and casually pulled six small silver flying swords from his sleeve, tossing them to the paper person divisions.

The six swords trailed white light, instantly extending to three chi long, and were steadily caught by the six paper person divisions.

Li Changsheng spread his left hand's five fingers, and the six paper person divisions wielded the swords, their forms intertwining to form a Liu Mang Jian Array.

With his left hand pressing down, the six paper person divisions flipped head over heels, activating the sword array and slashing toward the Qing Long below, each immortal sword igniting with strands of San Mei Zhen Yan!

The surrounding seawater seemed nonexistent; the power of San Mei Zhen Yan was undiminished!

Suddenly...

Li Changsheng felt helpless; the six Zhen Yan immortal swords, already about to pierce the Qing Long's scales, halted just in time.

It wasn't out of mercy;

This Qing Long had attacked ruthlessly, intent on killing him, so counterattacking was justified.

Settling the karma on the spot, then escaping calmly to undergo tribulation on the edge of the South Sea, and returning to the mountain afterward—that was the plan Li Changsheng had formulated the instant he was ambushed.

But a flashing purple triangular scale appeared on the Qing Long's back, inscribed with Fu Wen secret techniques that Li Changsheng had seen in ancient texts.

Killing this dragon would immediately lock his primordial spirit with a Long Zu secret technique, leading to endless pursuit by the Long Zu.

According to Long Zu rules, seeing this purple scale flash and stopping would mean the attacker faced no retaliation and even received a Dragon Palace reward...

The information in that ancient text had been released by the Dragon Palace itself, serving as an extra safeguard for their important young ones, and it had been verified multiple times since ancient times without falsehood.

Who was this small dragon? Clearly, someone of high status.

He was likely the target those Long Zu experts had been searching for.

Li Changsheng shook his head; the six paper person divisions quickly returned and began erasing any traces he might have left.

But as Li Changsheng was about to clean up and leave, he glanced at the Qing Long below, which had already transformed back into human form and was snoring deeply—the second prince of Donghai Dragon Palace, Ao Yi.

It was him?

What was he doing here?

Those Long Zu experts had been searching from south to north...

Connecting it to the last time this small dragon had intentionally lost to him...

Could his earlier guess be right? At the Dang Yao Da Hui, this second prince had indeed tried to reverse-shame the Long Zu but ended up 'winning' against him and ruining his own plan?

Then... had he used the excuse of visiting a sage's sect to further provoke the Long Zu?

In the end, this guy was sent to the Jie Jiao territory to study... and escaped to this place?

This really could be a ongoing saga!

If Ao Yi had fled from the south and ended up here, judging by his path, he was clearly heading toward Zhong Shen Zhou or Dong Sheng Shen Zhou, and might even be aiming for Du Xian Men...

Li Changsheng narrowed his eyes;

If this little one reached Du Xian Men, the most likely response would be to first appease the dragon prince, then inquire with the Dragon Palace, which could lead to a major incident.

Forget it; Du Xian Men was his sect, after all, and this small dragon had the Long Zu secret technique protecting him, so he couldn't just kill him...

What a hassle.

This time, he had lost out big—used up so much mi yao and couldn't even collect any dragon blood.

Li Changsheng released a few more paper persons and took out the premium Jia Ren Mei Yuan liquid he had refined for his junior uncle.

A moment later, a bamboo raft floated gently on the sea surface;

Ao Yi lay on it, reeking of alcohol, with a faint purple light flickering over him.

Ao Yi wore a serene smile, clutching a shell-made 'wine flask' in his hand, drifting with the current toward the northern deep sea.

After being force-fed over twenty bottles of Jia Ren Mei Yuan liquid, he was expected to sleep for dozens of days.

Ao Yi's entire body had been thoroughly washed multiple times, leaving no trace of any external aura...

Even the tiny piece of paper that Ao Yi had swallowed and his dragon stomach couldn't digest had been retrieved by Li Changsheng's paper persons.

As for the Dragon Palace reward, Li Changsheng had no interest in it; he had already escaped toward the south.