CHAPTER 208: CHAPTER 76: TEN THOUSAND TALISMAN RECORD

"If that place truly holds the Token, what should we do?" Gu Qingqing frowned, "The cultivation of that Black Flood Dragon isn’t low, we might not be able to defeat it."

"Senior Brother, even you can’t beat it?" Mu Chen asked Si Lin.

The others also looked at Si Lin.

"Although we’re both at Half-step Immortal Rank, it probably ascended much earlier than I did. And you know, demon beasts of the same level are inherently stronger than humans, but it’s not impossible to defeat." Si Lin remained relatively calm.

As someone with an Innate Sword Body, he was naturally much stronger than others of the same level. Although demon beasts were powerful, it was still unclear who would win without trying.

"This Black Flood Dragon seems quite intelligent. We can try speaking to it first; fighting isn’t the only option." Yue Zhao thought of the Black Flood Dragon’s earlier reaction and suggested to the others.

"Second Senior Brother is right," Gu Qingqing nodded, "This Black Flood Dragon is nearing Dragon Transformation; it definitely isn’t stupid."

Rong Ye and the others agreed. Some demon beasts indeed possessed high intelligence.

"Then let’s go and try that first; if it doesn’t work, we’ll think of another plan." Si Lin decided decisively.

The others naturally had no objections, so they returned to the Cold Pond.

The Black Flood Dragon had submerged back into the depths of the Cold Pond after they left. At this moment, the surface of the pond was calm, just like when they first arrived.

After exchanging glances, they didn’t resort to throwing stones like before; instead, Rong Ye stepped forward to the shore.

"Senior, I have something to ask you. Could you please show yourself?" Rong Ye used Spiritual Power as he spoke. His voice wasn’t loud but was clear enough to be heard by everyone present, especially the Black Flood Dragon at the bottom of the pond.

After saying it three times, he stopped and quietly waited.

The once calm water surface rippled again, and soon, the Black Flood Dragon appeared on the water.

"Didn’t I tell you to leave quickly and not disturb my rest? Why have you returned?" The Black Flood Dragon, indeed quite intelligent, was noticeably displeased but spoke rather politely without immediately resorting to violence.

"I apologize for disturbing your rest, Senior. I wonder if you’ve seen the key to this Trial Land, something akin to a token?" Rong Ye remained courteous towards the Black Flood Dragon, hoping to avoid conflict if possible.

The Black Flood Dragon’s gaze paused on Si Lin for a moment before settling on Rong Ye, "If you think I have the key, would I still be staying here?"

The tone was full of displeasure, clearly dissatisfied with being trapped in this Trial Land.

When the Trial Land was first established, the Black Flood Dragon was just a small black snake. It got trapped here just as it began cultivation. Even though after a thousand years it was close to transforming into a Dragon, the laws here were incomplete. No matter how much Spiritual Power it accumulated, it couldn’t trigger a Heavenly Tribulation. Only by overcoming the tribulation could it truly become a Dragon!

Years of frustration followed, with its only wish being to leave this Trial Land. Unfortunately, few people entered over the years, and even fewer reached its location.

Hearing this, Gu Qingqing and the others exchanged surprised looks.

They originally thought the Black Flood Dragon was guarding the key, but it turned out the dragon didn’t even know the key existed.

Judging by its demeanor, the Black Flood Dragon wasn’t lying; it was indeed just a step away from Dragon Transformation. However, everyone knew that in this Trial Land, the Black Flood Dragon could never truly become a Dragon!

"However, I do have something you need," the Black Flood Dragon said, looking at Rong Ye.

Rong Ye was puzzled, unsure what the Black Flood Dragon was referring to, until an item appeared in the air.

It was an old, tattered book, its pages yellowed with age. Gu Qingqing and the others could see from its appearance that it had the characters "Ten Thousand Talisman Record" written in ancient script.

Upon seeing the book’s title, Rong Ye’s pupils contracted and his breath quickened, his gaze glued to the book, unable to pull away.

"Fifth Senior Brother, what is that book?" Gu Qingqing stood next to Rong Ye and, noticing his unusual expression, tugged at his sleeve with curiosity.

Rong Ye snapped back to reality when Gu Qingqing tugged, taking a deep breath to calm himself and forcing his eyes away from the book.

"The ’Ten Thousand Talisman Record’ is a treasure of Talismanic Dao, also the Rong Family’s heirloom. It was lost three hundred years ago. It records all talismans from ancient times up to five hundred years ago, essentially the ancestor of all talismans. Most importantly, it contains eight Ancestor Talismans!" Rong Ye explained, his eyes glowing with longing for the ’Ten Thousand Talisman Record.’

"What are Ancestor Talismans?" Gu Qingqing, having never heard the term before, couldn’t help but ask out of curiosity.

"Simply put, Ancestor Talismans are the most primitive talismans, the foundation for constructing talismans. All subsequent talismans evolved from these eight Ancestor Talismans. Years ago, the ancestors of the Rong Family had an epiphany after obtaining the ’Ten Thousand Talisman Record,’ and they ascended." Rong Ye, always patient with Gu Qingqing, explained in detail seeing her confusion.

Hearing this, Gu Qingqing and the others looked at the ’Ten Thousand Talisman Record’ with changed expressions.

Rong Ye is a talisman cultivator; Spiritual Power was just one aspect of his cultivation, with his achievements in Talismanic Dao being the main focus. If Rong Ye obtained this ’Ten Thousand Talisman Record,’ his accomplishments in Talismanic Dao would be even greater!

"Senior, what do you need us to do for you to give us this book?" Rong Ye asked the Black Flood Dragon, fearful of losing focus, and didn’t dare look at the ’Ten Thousand Talisman Record’ in the air.

Although the ’Ten Thousand Talisman Record’ was the Rong Family’s heirloom, it had been lost three hundred years ago. Regardless of how the Black Flood Dragon obtained it, the book was in its possession now, so naturally, they needed to negotiate carefully, hoping to avoid a confrontation.

"I do enjoy speaking with smart individuals," the Black Flood Dragon seemed pleased with Rong Ye’s response, even nodding in approval, "I don’t need you to do anything bad; I just need you to take me with you when you leave here."

After guarding this place for so many years, the Black Flood Dragon finally encountered humans, and these humans might leave this place; it had to seize the opportunity.

Gu Qingqing and the others exchanged glances, with Yue Zhao stepping forward in the end.

"Senior, with such a request, it seems leaving here might not be easy for you. Please tell us how we might take you with us?" Yue Zhao sensed a backstory with the Black Flood Dragon’s lower half always submerged in the Cold Pond, needing to understand if it posed any danger to them in fulfilling the dragon’s request.

The Black Flood Dragon’s eyes flickered; it hadn’t expected Yue Zhao to grasp the crucial point, giving the group newfound respect.

It didn’t speak but moved its body, stirring the Cold Pond water. Its body grew longer, revealing the Black Flood Dragon’s predicament to Gu Qingqing and the others: its lower half was bound by chains, some embedded into its flesh, causing blood to seep from the wounds when it moved. Yet the Black Flood Dragon seemed oblivious to the pain.

The chains were inscribed with talismans, evidently the most crucial aspect.

"This book was entrusted to me by your ancestor from the Rong Family for safekeeping. He also placed these chains on me, intending to assist in my Dragon Transformation. But three hundred years have passed, and I have yet to transform. Moreover, I’ve realized I can never become a true Dragon here, so I need your help to unlock these chains and take me away." The Black Flood Dragon spoke calmly, showing only a hint of agitation when mentioning its inability to transform.

Hearing this, Gu Qingqing and the others were surprised.

Initially seeing the chains, they thought the Black Flood Dragon had offended someone and was locked here as punishment. Who could have guessed it consented to the chains in pursuit of Dragon Transformation?

"There are talismans on these chains; without deciphering them, even cutting the chains won’t help free you, Senior. I have some expertise in talismans. May I take a closer look at the runes on the chains?" Rong Ye immediately noticed the unusual nature of the runes but hesitated to approach without permission, fearing the Black Flood Dragon’s displeasure.

The Black Flood Dragon didn’t expect Rong Ye to be so considerate and immediately nodded in agreement.

Rong Ye lightly tapped his toe and glided over the Cold Pond to examine the chains closely, intently studying the runes.

As expected, these runes were much more advanced than those he usually encountered. Just a glance drew him in completely, making him forget everything else around him, with only those runes remaining in his sight.