BOOK 2: CHAPTER 407: DRAGON FISHING PLAN, UNDERWATER DRAGON PALACE

Vol 2 Chapter 407: Dragon Fishing Plan, Underwater Dragon Palace

"Using our technology to resurrect the ancient dragon race?"

Upon hearing Zheng Fa's idea, Jiao Wuji wiped the cold sweat off his forehead and exhaled in relief.

"Yes, I heard from Fairy Xiao that Lord Shuyu Dragon has a few dragon eggs in his possession."

In other words, Zheng Fa wanted to see if he could use genetic technology to clone the ancient dragon race from those dragon eggs.

Resurrecting extinct species is not particularly novel in modern times, like reviving mammoths.

Of course, none of those attempts were very successful;

the biggest problem is that the genes of extinct species are incomplete.

But the ancient dragon race is not truly extinct, at least Lord Shuyu Dragon remains.

As long as this technology is effective, cultivating the ancient dragon race might actually be easier than those modern projects.

After hearing Zheng Fa’s plan, Jiao Wuji understood. He pondered for a while and discussed with the Ancestor of the Blood River before saying, "This should not be too difficult for ordinary spiritual beasts, but the ancient dragon race is different. Even the two of us cannot say for sure if it will work."

Zheng Fa had already considered this.

From Lord Shuyu Dragon’s demeanor, the ancient dragon race is far from ordinary spiritual beasts;

the favor of heaven and earth is no joke.

Techniques that work on ordinary spiritual beasts might not work on the ancient dragons—that's the first difficulty.

The second is whether useful genes can be extracted from those dragon eggs.

Therefore, he had not told Xiao Yuying about this yet.

"I'm not asking you to produce ancient dragons right away," Zheng Fa explained his intention. "I want you to first start a similar project and demonstrate it to Lord Shuyu Dragon."

Jiao Wuji nodded in understanding. "Resurrect other spiritual beasts first?"

"Exactly. Find a dead spiritual beast egg to test."

Zheng Fa internally called this the Dragon Fishing Plan.

Simply put, it was about producing a preliminary experimental result, making a presentation, and then boasting to Lord Shuyu Dragon—well, pitching for investment.

As for whether it would succeed…

One can only say, investment involves risks;

the Dragon Lord must be cautious.

After instructing them, Zheng Fa’s figure flickered as he left Jiushan Realm and arrived above the sea.

Regardless of whether the Dragon Fishing Plan succeeds, Zheng Fa and Senior Sister Zhang still had to patrol the sea area during this period.

After all, Jiushan Sect was too weak;

he had no other support.

What Zheng Fa did not know was that someone was silently working hard for him.

"Protecting the trade route?"

Inside the main tent of the Tianhe Sect's Taishang Dao, Li Sanxian looked at Lady Nishang, then glanced at Ancestor Xuanding, who remained silent.

"Yes, this trade route is not just Jiushan Sect’s business;

it is also very important to Yaochi."

Lady Nishang thought it over and decided to try her best.

True Immortal Xuanding sat behind a low table without a word, only furrowing his brows slightly.

Lady Nishang added, "Leiyin Temple has gone too far, still using these means now. Can Taishang Dao really just sit back and do nothing?"

"If this continues, won’t Zheng Fa become disloyal to Taishang Dao in the future?"

After she said this, Xuanding's expression remained unchanged.

Li Sanxian, however, was deeply moved. He looked at Xuanding and spoke, "Indeed, Leiyin Temple cannot be allowed to act so recklessly."

Xuanding glanced at both of them, his gaze suddenly becoming very strange.

Lady Nishang and Li Sanxian exchanged glances, unsure why Xuanding looked at them like that.

Xuanding whispered, "Is it worth it?"

Lady Nishang suddenly understood the meaning behind Xuanding’s gaze.

She had risked everything to speak up for Zheng Fa.

Not only her, but Li Sanxian as well.

It was as if they had been bewitched by Zheng Fa.

Li Sanxian was silent for a while before replying, "Master, I have never met the Tianhe Venerable. Among all the people I have met in this life, Zheng Fa is the most gifted."

"If we don't help him today, I fear… we will regret it."

Ancestor Xuanding nodded lightly, neither agreeing nor disagreeing, then looked at Lady Nishang.

Lady Nishang glanced at Li Sanxian and then spoke her truest thoughts:

"Xuanding, if Taishang Dao does not act, I will return to Yaochi to support him."

Silence filled the tent.

Even Xuanding's eyelids twitched.

Lady Nishang seemed to have realized something: "The Tianhe matter certainly concerns our great Dao, but Zheng Fa relates to Yaochi’s survival. If Leiyin Temple breaks the rules, I would rather see the Nine Nether Demon Ancestor succeed."

Her tone was firm.

Li Sanxian was startled and hurriedly said, "Lady Nishang, that’s too extreme!"

Xuanding also looked at her, his eyes showing slight shock.

Lady Nishang’s face was resolute. She looked at Xuanding and said deliberately, "Even the Four Slaying Immortal Swords relate to the entire Xuanyi Realm, but if Yaochi is gone, what meaning does Xuanyi have?"

Li Sanxian smiled bitterly, "Lady Nishang, Taishang Dao and Yaochi have been allies for several eras. Are you willing to throw everything away for Zheng Fa?"

Lady Nishang showed no hesitation.

She understood that Xuanding was someone who calculated gains and losses in all matters.

For a trade route, a few Nascent Souls or Golden Cores, and conflicts with Leiyin Temple, he might not be willing.

But if it’s about himself, about eradicating the Nine Nether Demon Ancestor, he would have to care about the losses.

Finally, Ancestor Xuanding spoke, "Threat?"

Rarely, there was a hint of anger in his voice.

Lady Nishang smiled faintly, "Yes, a threat."

"Good."

Lady Nishang left the tent, glanced back once, and sighed quietly.

She knew that after today, there would likely be some friction between her and Xuanding.

But…

She took out the Tongjian and sent a spirit message to Zheng Fa: "I have persuaded Taishang Dao to warn Leiyin Temple. If they act again, Yaochi and Taishang Dao will retaliate."

…

When Zheng Fa received the spirit message, he was watching a spiritual snake by his feet.

"Success?"

"Yes, not difficult. We have done similar experiments many times."

Zheng Fa nodded and said to Jiao Wuji and the others, "Organize the experimental data, especially the recordings from the Memory Seal."

"Understood!"

Zheng Fa flew out of the Azure Dragon Dormitory, took out the Creation Jade, checked the Tongjian messages, smiled, and replied, "Thank you, Lady Nishang."

He was naturally grateful for Lady Nishang’s efforts.

But he was not too happy.

Zheng Fa deeply doubted how much Leiyin Temple feared Taishang Dao’s warning.

On the other hand, it was obvious that after Leiyin Temple killed some Jiushan Sect disciples, would Taishang Dao really fight hard?

In the end, every sect has its interests.

The key still lies in Jiushan Sect’s own strength.

He transformed into Rainbow Light and landed in Xiao Yuying’s courtyard.

"Sect Leader?"

Xiao Yuying looked up from her study, surprised to see the uninvited Zheng Fa.

"Fairy Xiao, what are you doing here..."

"Oh, I’m organizing the data from previous explorations of secret realms," Xiao Yuying set down the jade cylinder and smiled, "I want to compile a history textbook for Jiushan University."

Around her were about ten jade cylinders, clearly she had been working on this for a long time.

"Textbook?"

"Yes, recording major events of several eras in Xuanyi Realm." Xiao Yuying smiled, "It will take time and effort, quite difficult."

"What are the difficulties?"

Zheng Fa momentarily forgot his original purpose. He valued education highly, especially since many secrets were hidden in Xuanyi Realm’s history.

The value of history classes was actually much higher than now.

"Many secrets are hidden from us," Xiao Yuying sighed. "Many events in this era are the result of the Tianhe Turmoil."

"But the cause and result of the Tianhe Turmoil remain unknown to us."

"Many things cannot be clearly explained."

Zheng Fa nodded silently.

"Not to mention the previous eras, where records are even scarcer. I have to cross-reference many accounts."

Zheng Fa sighed, "Jiushan Sect’s foundation is still too shallow."

To be honest, in history alone, Jiushan Sect probably lagged far behind other sects.

Sect like Taishang Dao is a living history itself.

Xiao Yuying also smiled bitterly, "I know no matter how good this textbook is, it can’t compare to the Four Sects’ records… but I want to find something to do."

Zheng Fa smiled and saw Xiao Yuying looking at the jade cylinders, quietly saying, "Master no longer responds to my greetings."

Looking at Xiao Yuying, Zheng Fa suddenly said, "I came to see you, Fairy Xiao, because I want to visit the Dragon Lord."

"Ah?" Xiao Yuying immediately understood Zheng Fa’s thoughts and said, "My master has a bad temper, and… now probably thinks I’m ungrateful."

The bad temper was obvious.

Ungrateful… somewhat, she gave her disciple a life-saving artifact, but it ended up saving a stranger.

Lord Shuyu Dragon was already cold and distant, now he seemed to be giving up on Xiao Yuying as a disciple.

"Fairy Xiao, just tell him I might have a way to cultivate the ancient dragon race."

Xiao Yuying’s mouth parted slightly. Seeing Zheng Fa nod, she took out a piece of green jade and softly chanted.

After a moment, a cold response came from the green jade: "Agreed."

"The master agreed." Xiao Yuying’s face brightened. The green jade jumped, floating before them like a guide.

Zheng Fa brought Xiao Yuying and followed the green jade out of Jiushan Realm.

After flying for a while, they arrived at the seaside.

The green jade dove into the water. Zheng Fa and Xiao Yuying exchanged glances and followed it underwater.

They did not dive straight down but followed the jade’s guidance, sometimes forward, sometimes turning, generally descending.

At first, the water was bright.

But as they went deeper, the light from above gradually faded.

They no longer saw fish or shrimp around them.

The water was pitch black and heavy, with only the green jade’s glow flickering ahead.

The silence was something Zheng Fa had never experienced before.

No sight, no sound—an eerie stillness like death.

Until the green jade paused in the water.

Then, the area below them lit up.

Zheng Fa looked down and saw that they were at the mouth of an underwater abyss. From within came bursts of treasure light and a mighty oppressive aura.

He knew Lord Shuyu Dragon was here.

Grabbing Xiao Yuying’s arm, they entered the abyss, both stunned.

It was hard to describe what Zheng Fa saw.

On the steep abyss cliffs were over a hundred giant murals.

They depicted dragons playing and frolicking, clouds forming rain, attacking all directions, and countless creatures kneeling in worship.

The murals were blurry, seemingly moved from elsewhere, with irregular cracks.

At the bottom of the cliff stood a crystal palace.

But the palace emitted no light at all.

Entering the palace gate, the first thing Zheng Fa saw was over a hundred enormous bronze pillars.

These pillars were thousands of feet tall, patterned like dragon scales. They must have been exquisite in their prime, but now the patterns were faint and covered in lichen.

Beneath the pillars were bronze tripods, each estimated by Zheng Fa to hold over a hundred of himself.

In his mind, he imagined hundreds of dragons circling inside the hall, drinking, enjoying food, and celebrating.

Looking further into the hall, in the darkness was a high platform.

On the platform was a chair, and sitting in it was a figure watching them.

Lord Shuyu Dragon had sat alone in this huge, dark, empty hall for thousands, perhaps tens of thousands, of years.

Silently watching the happiness, grandeur, and glory of the ancient dragon race…

…

The two approached the platform.

Lord Shuyu Dragon did not look at Xiao Yuying but fixed his gaze on Zheng Fa.

"You say you have a method to cultivate the ancient dragon race?"

"Yes."

"Ridiculous!" Lord Shuyu Dragon’s tone was icy. "Since the Divine Dao Era began, I am the only one born of the ancient dragon race!"

"For a million years, I have not seen a single kin."

Lord Shuyu Dragon’s voice rose:

"Do you think I would believe you?"

The bronze pillars in the hall hummed lowly, as if growling angrily. Zheng Fa felt the surrounding seawater grow heavier.

"But Dragon Lord, you still agreed to see me, didn’t you?"

Lord Shuyu Dragon paused, his gaze landing on Xiao Yuying’s face, then said after a long moment, "I wanted to see what had bewitched my disciple to change so much."

"You even gave away the Ocean Pearl to a stranger, and repeatedly offended me for him."

Xiao Yuying lowered her head.

"Do you know that the sea holds no secrets from me?"

"You are no older than fifty, and Jiushan Sect has less than thirty thousand years of history."

"You have never even seen the ancient dragon race and dare to speak recklessly."

This indeed sounded like Divine Path reasoning.

Zheng Fa, in Jiushan Realm, had a somewhat similar ability.

Faced with Lord Shuyu Dragon’s interrogation, Zheng Fa remained calm and took out several Memory Seals. "Dragon Lord, you are right. Aside from you, I have never seen the ancient dragon race."

"Therefore, I cannot guarantee that I can cultivate them."

"But I want to show you an experiment."

Lord Shuyu Dragon paused, puzzled. "Experiment?"

Zheng Fa threw out a Memory Seal.

In the dark palace, a light screen appeared, showing Jiao Wuji, Ancestor of the Blood River, and others.

Honestly, when Jiao Wuji appeared, Zheng Fa felt the bronze dragon pillars tremble slightly, and the dragons carved on them seemed about to come alive.

Zheng Fa hurried to divert Lord Shuyu Dragon’s attention: "What they are doing now is cultivating a Lingbo Snake from a dead egg."

Because Lord Shuyu Dragon obviously did not understand genes or cloning, he had to explain simply.

Lingbo Snake is one of the older spiritual snakes in Xuanyi Realm, rumored to have some dragon bloodline—through a secret method of dragon transformation—a branch of the dragon race.

"Dead egg… cultivating…"

Lord Shuyu Dragon murmured, his gaze fixed on the light screen.

Zheng Fa said no more, letting him watch quietly until a little snake broke out of the shell.

After a long time, the hall remained silent.

"Is this real? That snake egg was dead?"

Lord Shuyu Dragon’s tone was complex—doubt, excitement, and hope all mixed.

"Dragon Lord, if you don’t believe it, you can visit Jiushan Realm yourself."

Lord Shuyu Dragon watched the light screen fade, then snapped back to reality and asked Zheng Fa anxiously, "...The ancient dragon race, are you confident?"

"I wouldn’t dare say confident," Zheng Fa became cautious. "After all, the ancient dragon race is not an ordinary spiritual beast."

"What do you want?"

Sure enough, Lord Shuyu Dragon was not disappointed.

Simply put, Zheng Fa was probably her only hope.

She seemed afraid Zheng Fa would refuse and said, "The sea is full of treasures, all belong to me, along with ancient dragon relics… Now I have fifteen large treasure vaults and five secret vaults."

"Even the Five Sects may not be as wealthy as I am."

"You want whatever you like;

just choose."

As she spoke, the crystal palace suddenly lit up.

Only then did Zheng Fa realize the palace was not just one, but about thirty chambers.

They were all resplendent with gold and jade, brimming with spiritual energy, undoubtedly storing many spiritual treasures and materials.

Honestly, he was envious.

But his appetite was bigger.

This single, powerful, and wealthy Dragon Lady was worth far more than these treasures.

Not to mention her control over the sea, which was irreplaceable for the Eastern and Western Continental trade routes.

Moreover, these people were all Jiushan Sect’s—how could the treasures belong to anyone else?

Not to mention, this Dragon Lord seemed to want to raise offspring.

Now she had no family or followers, no way to handle it;

if she truly cultivated the ancient dragon race in the future, that would be when she would spend money…

"Dragon Lord, whether the ancient dragon race can be cultivated requires step-by-step experiments, which may take a long time."

Lord Shuyu Dragon nodded lightly, her gaze full of doubt.

"And my Hundred Immortals Alliance is now on the brink."

Lord Shuyu Dragon was stunned.

"Since you control the sea, you naturally understand Leiyin Temple’s hostility towards my Hundred Immortals Alliance."

"Yes." Lord Shuyu Dragon suddenly said, "Recently many of their people have entered the sea."

Damn!

I knew this wouldn’t end!

"Dragon Lord, this trade route concerns the life and death of Jiushan…"

"What do you want?" Lord Shuyu Dragon frowned. "If you want me to bow and obey, that is impossible."

"Of course not."

Zheng Fa was not arrogant enough to think so. The previous demonstration experiment was just a possibility.

Ordering Lord Shuyu Dragon was simply dreaming.

"Dragon Lord, I hope you can share sea domain intelligence with Jiushan Sect."

This was Zheng Fa’s fundamental purpose this trip.

This was naturally not difficult for Lord Shuyu Dragon.

For Zheng Fa, it would solve urgent problems and turn the passive into active.

As expected, Lord Shuyu Dragon thought for a long time and slowly nodded.

"On the other hand, Jiushan Sect hopes to cooperate with you on cultivating sea life spiritual beasts and spiritual plants." Seeing Lord Shuyu Dragon’s confused expression, Zheng Fa added, "This should also benefit ancient dragon race cultivation."

Lord Shuyu Dragon nodded lightly, then suddenly asked, "Is that all? You don’t want any treasures?"

She seemed to think Zheng Fa’s demands were a bit too low.

Zheng Fa suddenly turned to Xiao Yuying, then back to Lord Shuyu Dragon, saying:

"The rest, Fairy Xiao has already paid."

Lord Shuyu Dragon’s gaze fell on her disciple.

Xiao Yuying looked up and saw Lord Shuyu Dragon smile faintly at her.

She had never seen her master smile at her before.