Chapter 1178: Chapter 25: Provocation

“It’s okay, this is quite interesting.”

Jin Yanhua opened the permissions, and An Jing also called upon a cluster of Cloud Jade for careful observation.

The Cloud Jade was obviously some sort of divine creation of the Dragon Clan, not just ordinary diffused water vapor.

It was interlinked and penetrated by Thunder Light, transforming the loose vapor into a gel-like state. When touched, it initially felt soft, but if force was applied, it would become incredibly firm, akin to solid steel jade.

Using the Cloud Jade as a material, An Jing fashioned a chair ergonomically suited for a human form, lying comfortably as he conversed with Jin Yanhua: “I heard from Ruohui about the Ancestral Dragon Hall and thought it included many human-used structures.”

Jin Yanhua was already hovering, manipulating the Great Void Altar beside her into concealment. She nodded while operating and said, “Of course there is an Ancestral Dragon Hall, but the Ancestral Dragon Hall and the Heaven Sea Dragon Court are not the same concept.”

“Just like beneath the Bright Mirror Sect, there are Dust Li Countries, so too is the Dragon Country beneath the Ancestral Dragon Hall the Heaven Sea Dragon Court.”

“The Ancestral Dragon Hall is the supreme hall of the True Spirit Path for all life under heaven, encompassing all, naturally allowing communication in human form as the Leader of Ten Thousand Spirits, but the Dragon Court is the kingdom of dragons, without the need to consider other races.”

“Of course, everyone actually kind of likes humanoid form, as it consumes less resources and causes less disturbance, so the Dragon Court also has many cities and halls modeled after humans. After all, when everyone gathers in human form, it won’t cause excessive celestial disturbances that unsettle the mortal realm.”

“Not to mention, there’s room for both the large and the small.”

As she spoke, Jin Yanhua transformed again, turning into a human form amidst Thunder Light. The Dragon Lady tossed her hair, soft and flowing, disguising the fact that moments ago she was a massive metal dragon Weapon God Dragon.

“You see.”

She raised her hand with a smile, Soldier Killing Five Thunders transformed into exquisitely intricate divine weapons revolving around her, resembling Yinglong Wings: “The true form of the dragon body is strong, but cannot master delicate skills, while no matter how powerful human skills are, they can’t easily manifest divine skills like summoning wind and rain.”

“Both the specialty of True Spirit King and Leader of Ten Thousand Spirits, we must have and master; that’s complete.”

“This transformation technique of the Dragon Clan is indeed formidable.” The Human-Dragon Transformation displayed by Jin Yanhua truly amazed An Jing, but Jin Yanhua shook her head: “It’s merely a legacy of ‘Imitation’ from the Dao Courtyard, and only one of its simpler parts.”

“It is said that this Imitation was the original path of the Dao Courtyard, refined by several Daoist Venerables over time for new advancements. Unfortunately, after the Demon Calamity, much of the legacy was lost, and many of Imitation’s essences were scattered. Yet, we Dragon Clan still preserve a part.”

“If you wish to learn and transform into a dragon, I can teach you later, but this method is mainly effective for colossal true spirits like us, as it essentially involves cutting a piece of flesh from our body to transform into human form. For a human to cultivate a part of their flesh into a dragon and grow it into a hundred-zhang long dragon form, it’s too troublesome, too complex, and not cost-effective.”

“I may not need to use it, but I cannot afford not to know it.” Naturally, An Jing was interested: “Then thank you, Jin.”

For ordinary people, this Transformation Technique might be useless to learn, but An Jing already possesses a Cave Heaven. Within his Cave Heaven, the ‘Heavenly Punishment Tree’ thrives, and who knows how large it will grow in the future. It’s likely to be exceptionally useful for transformation.

Jin Yanhua didn’t know this, only gazing at her humanoid hand and musing: “In the Divine Storage Realm, one creates a Divine Power Body, which converts oneself into a dragon—otherwise, there wouldn’t be so many people at this Dragon Palace inquiry, Zhaolin Banquet.”

“Of course, other True Spirits might desire to convert themselves into humans. Ultimately, whatever form, for the Ancient Dao Court, they’re all humans. But because the initial creators of the Dao Courtyard were humans, it’s a habit, thus the Great Dao also recognizes humans.”

“The habits of the Dao Courtyard eventually became the essence of the Great Dao itself. In the world crafted by the Dao Courtyard, a human body is just very useful.”

The habit of the Dao Courtyard is the essence of the Great Dao itself.

“Such a brilliant era, after all, has come to an end.”

Hearing these words, An Jing could more profoundly understand the grandeur and might of the ancient Dao Courtyard and was equally cautious of the Heavenly Demon’s power: “Although the Heavenly Demons are currently in decline, even appearing quite feeble, who knows when the Demon Calamity might rise again.”

“According to the Ancestral Dragon Hall records, the ancient ‘True Demons’ were far more aggressive, mad, and inexpressible compared to the current Heavenly Demons.”

Jin Yanhua didn’t let her guard down against the Heavenly Demons: “These crazed, venomous creatures are all dormant now, but who knows when they might suddenly make a big move.”

“Especially on the North Mysterious Sacrifice Continent, which has already experienced two consecutive Demon Calamities. You at Bright Mirror Sect must be cautious.”

“We will.”

An Jing nodded slightly, just as he was about to inquire about matters concerning the Ancestral Dragon Hall with Jin, he suddenly sensed something: “Oh? Wait, Ruohui is seeking me.”

The Emperor’s Blood was vibrating, and as An Jing responded, soon, clearer and more direct than before, a voice like that of a young girl seemed to directly appear by his ear: “An Jing, have you arrived in Central Continent?”

“Yes, I didn’t see you and was planning to find you later.”

An Jing’s Divine Sense exchanged with You Ruhui, and with the projection of Emperor’s Blood, the figure of a young girl emerged. When she saw Jin Yanhua, she smiled sweetly and said, “Sister Jin!”

“Hmm, Ruhui, you’ve worked hard.” Seeing You Ruhui, Jin Yanhua responded with a smile, hinting, “An Jing, recently, Ruhui has been conquering under my command, exterminating quite a few overseas demons. She even captured an island, greatly advancing her cultivation and prepared a little gift for you.”

“It’s been a while since you two met, and I’m free, so I’ll take you to the East Sea shortly.”

“That’s quite impressive.” An Jing genuinely praised, knowing well that while he was making rapid progress, others were also advancing. Though not as fast as he, no one would stand still.

It was convenient since he had many unsolved problems with the Pocket World Technique, and he could teach You Ruhui directly how to cultivate!

“Actually, it’s not much of a gift. It’s just that using the high-level Spirit Qi Furnace you gave me last time, I slightly optimized the Dragon Storing Bottle to create a Spirit Qi Furnace that can gradually enhance its strength as it absorbs the quality of Spirit Qi.”

You Ruhui smiled, waving her hand.

As Gu Yeqi said, besides Martial Arts cultivation, other pathways are necessary for support. Jin Yanhua and Jiang Ziji are both Heavenly Mechanism Masters; You Ruhui, with her exceptional talent and Heaven and Earth Core, has her own insights in creation. An Jing’s recent engagement with puppetry mechanical creations also inspired her research, naturally leading to results.

“An automatically upgrading Spirit Qi Furnace?”

Hearing about this technology, An Jing’s interest was piqued: “If this were used on the Feathered People… intriguing! Ruhui, let’s discuss the details of this technology later!”

Jin Yanhua watched this scene with a smile.

But soon, outside the Cloud Vortex, a series of provocatively-toned dragon roars sounded, causing her to frown.

“Hmm?”

An Jing also heard the long roars that ordinary humans couldn’t hear, which resonated with Spirit Qi itself. He raised an eyebrow, looking beyond the Cloud Vortex: “What is the meaning of this?”

Although the language of the Huaixu Ten Thousand Clans is used universally, dragons’ roars hold inherent meanings, an instinctual language engraved in their bloodline. The long, thunderous, sea-like sounds contain rich information, with just a few rises and falls equating to a full conversation.

The meaning of this dragon’s roar was evidently unpleasant. Jin Yanhua, usually maintaining a faint smile since receiving the Bright Light Dust God’s communication object, lost it and squinted her eyes, her voice turning cold: “Just some despicable little dragons under my brother’s command… humph, ignorant ones, which is why I don’t like going back to Dragon Court.”

“Despicable little dragons under your brother’s command…”

An Jing pondered. Though familiar with Jin Yanhua, he didn’t understand the backstory of this sister-like Dragon Lady—why did she long for distant places, venture into the Endless Heavens? Why did she reject becoming the Dragon King’s divine craftsman under his command, choosing instead to fight her way out?

And now, with Jin Yanhua’s apparent direct conflict with her elder brother… he knew nothing of it all.

[Ruhui, what’s the situation?] An Jing turned his head, silently exchanging glances with You Ruhui, whose eyes sparkled with a simple message: [Isn’t the Dragon King’s Imperial Court all about competing for the throne?]

Though fundamentally simple, there must be more complicated underlying stories. An Jing looked at Jin Yanhua, who was furrowing her brows and holding back her anger. She seemed uninterested in responding to the provocative dragon roars from outside, and he understood—it was because of his presence that she chose to endure.

No. Or perhaps… it’s a habit.

Being reserved for too long can make one forget to be flamboyant. Enduring for too long can make one forget how to brilliantly display their power.

This is not right.

Perhaps, whether human or dragon, to preserve oneself, one must endure.

But Martial Arts never endures.

“Sister Jin, are you really going to swallow your pride?”

And so, the Martial Artist spoke: “Besides the fact that I don’t need your protection, don’t forget: our goal for returning to the Ancestral Dragon Hall of Dragon Court is for the Zhaolin Ye Zhen Banquet, to seize the position of Chief of the Three Elements.”

“On this journey, we’ll have to fight, kill countless Heaven’s Chosen, and kick to death countless stray dogs on the roadside. I suggest we don’t wait for the grand banquet; let’s start today.