Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension Chapter 1600 - 862: Transformation into a Flood Dragon

Seasons cycle through spring's departure and autumn's arrival, turning endlessly as thirty years flash by like a finger's snap.

Early that morning, a light mist gathered over Hualong Lake, drifting lazily while the biting chill slowly melted away.

From the fog's ripples by the shore, two figures—one tall, one short—emerged gradually from the haze, reaching the brink of Hualong Lake.

Staring at the crystal-clear, profound waters, Zhao Xiuxin, her cheeks flushed and teeth gleaming, anxiously pulled at her brother's sleeve, her voice quivering as she said, "Brother, let’s... let’s go back. Ancestor forbids us from approaching here."

Zhao Qingwen focused on threading bait onto his hook, ignoring his sister at first, then replied offhandedly, "Third sister, don’t be afraid. If you don’t tell, and I don’t tell, how would Ancestor know we’ve sneaked to Hualong Lake?

Listen, the spiritual carp here brim with dense Spiritual Energy and tender succulence. Devouring a few pounds of their flesh equals ten days of grueling cultivation. Catch a bunch more, trade for Spirit Stones, and I’ll get you that Youthful Appearance Pill. Just don’t breathe a word to Ancestor about coming here."

Hearing "Youthful Appearance Pill," Zhao Xiuxin bobbed her head eagerly like a pecking chick, forgetting all about leaving, and settled down to watch her brother intently cast and reel, joining him in fishing.

Perched on a large lakeside boulder, Zhao Qingwen clutched the jade-green rod firmly with both hands, gaze locked on the water, patiently awaiting the spirit carp's nibble.

Moments ticked by slowly; the mist thinned and vanished, the sun soared overhead, bathing the lake in shimmering light that set the surface ablaze like flames.

Suddenly, the rod in Zhao Qingwen's grasp dipped sharply, the silken-transparent line snapping taut, sending ripples crashing across the lake.

"Haha, it's hooked—reel it in!" Bursting with joy, Zhao Qingwen seized the rod tight, leaped to his feet, poured every ounce of power into the battle against the massive underwater beast.

Yet soon his face reddened, body lurching forward repeatedly as he was inexorably dragged toward the water.

Spotting this, sister Zhao Xiuxin cried out in panic, "Brother, use the Five Elements Primordial Qi right now!"

Her words jolted him awake like a dream's end; he swiftly activated his Mysterious Skill, a blue sheen blooming over his features, chest and belly swelling, his form enveloped in soft azure radiance.

Strength exploded through Zhao Qingwen in a flash; his feet dug grooves into the stone, body arched like a mighty bow, anchoring him firmly as he locked in deadlock with the submerged giant.

Seeing her brother in this struggle, Zhao Xiuxin fretted wildly, itching to help yet fearing she'd botch it, so she cheered him on fervently from the sidelines.

A quarter of an hour,

Two quarters,

...

An hour passed, leaving Zhao Qingwen drenched, ashen-faced, body quaking faintly, on the verge of collapse.

"Brother, perhaps we should quit...!"

As Zhao Xiuxin urged her brother to abandon the fight, the bright sky abruptly dimmed.

Myriads of ominous clouds surged from nowhere, blanketing the firmament with heavy menace.

Boom!

A deep thunder growled from the cloud's heart, lightning bolts ripping through layers, searing arcs tearing the gloomy sky, heralding an imminent tempest.

Gaping at the domineering Thunder Cloud above, Zhao Xiuxin's face drained to ashen horror, shrieking instinctively, "Heavenly... Heavenly Tribulation!"

Words barely out, she yelped again, "Brother, trouble! Heavenly Tribulation's here—run for it!"

By now, Zhao Qingwen felt the peril too. Ignoring the rod, he flung it aside and vaulted from the rock in haste.

Seizing his sister's arm, he hauled Zhao Xiuxin along as they bolted frantically into the distance.

Boom!

They hadn't gone far when a colossal blast erupted behind from the lake,

Lake waters exploded skyward; a behemoth burst from the depths with a bellow, trailing endless waves, plunging straight into the roiling Thunder Light overhead.

Fleeing, Zhao Qingwen glanced back instinctively, beholding a colossal carp exceeding ten meters, clad in scarlet scales and emerald eyes, whipping up torrents of water to soar into the boundless Thunder Light.

Bolts of thick lightning hammered the Red Carp, erupting in blinding Thunder Fire across its form,

Shattered scales mingled with fiery embers rained down, slamming into the lake and splashing wildly.

The Red Carp surfed the waves, defying the relentless barrage; vast waters vaporized in flames, its thick Devil Qi Barrier crumbling fast—this millennium Red Carp soon lay battered, flesh mangled, vitality plummeting.

Suddenly, thunder fire clusters plummeted from above, several hurtling straight at Zhao Qingwen and his sister.

As the blazing thunder fire dove at terrifying speed, Zhao Qingwen paled to deathly white. On reflex, he clutched his sister tight, hunched protectively with back exposed, bracing for the fiery strike.

In that dire instant, a fair, jade-like hand extended, perfectly shielding the siblings' crowns.

The next breath, a pristine white barrier materialized from void, encasing them and halting the descending thunder fire.

After a few breaths, Zhao Qingwen noticed the shift, lifted his head cautiously, and scanned about.

Abruptly, a dashing young Taoist in elegant robes appeared before him.

Zhao Sheng eyed the still-trembling pair, smiling warmly as he spoke, "Little ones, this isn't for play. Scram while the master hasn't noticed!"

Zhao Qingwen let go, scrambled up to bow deeply in thanks, overflowing with gratitude, "I am Zhao Qingwen, and I offer profound thanks to the benefactor for saving our lives! Might I learn the benefactor’s esteemed name? I vow to repay this life-debt someday."

Zhao Sheng dismissed it with a wave, "I just happened by and lent a hand on impulse. Forget this day; get going!"

But stubborn Zhao Qingwen held firm, bowing once more insistently, "How could I overlook such a lifesaving favor? Please share your name!"

Meeting Zhao Qingwen’s determined stare, Zhao Sheng chuckled softly, "Zhao Sheng here, this place's master. Now you know—begone."

Zhao Qingwen reeled in shock, realizing this was Hualong Island's fabled Island Master opposite him.

Ancestor had cautioned against nearing Hualong Lake, above all not disturbing Hualong Island's master.

Hualong Island's master commanded immense prestige in the clan, his strength bottomless, not to be provoked!

In essence, the benefactor’s cultivation surpassed Divinity Transformation at minimum, towering a full realm over even Ancestor.

Flustered, Zhao Qingwen felt his sleeve tugged secretly by sister Zhao Xiuxin.

Glancing down, he saw his third sister’s face etched with terror and dread.

Snapping to, he bowed profoundly to the benefactor, hoisted his sister, and fled posthaste.

With a mere thought, multilayered barriers sprang up around the siblings, shielding them from the thunder's fury.

This done, Zhao Sheng’s face turned serene and aloof, observing the Red Carp's ordeal under heaven's wrath.

Boom!

As the thunder tribulation waned, the wounded Red Carp survived the ordeal, its massive fish form shifting toward Dragon Serpent shape.

Its contours stretched sleek and lithe, iridescent Dragon Scales sprouting across its body, gills morphing to draconic maws, whiskers elongating gracefully severalfold, gleaming with soft luster.

The spirit fish's shift to Dragon Serpent brought agony untold; this ancient Red Carp writhed amid searing thunder fire, issuing drawn-out howls blending infant wails and piercing dragon cries, sending lake denizens cowering in terror.

With tribulation clouds scattering, skies cleared anew. The millennium Red Carp sloughed its final scale, ascending as a nine-zhang Blood Flood Dragon, crimson radiance pulsing.

Ang!

A mighty dragon's roar shook the heavens. Elated, the Blood Flood Dragon whipped tempests aloft, rain clouds boiling forth; it danced through vapors and fog, unleashing a deluge over Hualong Lake.

Eyes on the Dragon Serpent weaving through storm clouds, Zhao Sheng thrust his hand skyward.

Instantly, a colossal palm manifested from ether, snaring the frenzied Blood Flood Dragon.

The Blood Flood Dragon sensed nothing amiss until constriction gripped it, yanked by irresistible force.

With a thunderous crash, it smashed earthward, carving a vast crater.

Floating over the pit, Zhao Sheng regarded the barely-living Blood Flood Dragon, shaking his head faintly in disappointment.

Though transformed successfully, its bloodline's impurity doomed it from ever becoming a True Dragon.

To Zhao Sheng’s exalted standards, a mongrel Dragon Serpent unworthy of draconic ascension held no appeal.

In truth, thirty years proved too brief to breed a pure-blood Dragon Serpent, much less advance his cultivation to late-stage Returning to Emptiness.

Zhao Sheng spared the Blood Flood Dragon no further look, vanishing abruptly into nothingness.