Chapter 339 - Origin-Level Flood Dragon
Chapter 339 – Origin-Level Flood Dragon
However, while Gu Zuo was also embarrassed by that term of address, he didn’t actually have any other thoughts regarding it.
In any case, everyone could practice martial arts. After frequent breakthroughs, one could be several hundred to a thousand years old. Most of all, for the great majority of women, their appearances would stop at their most beautiful spring-times.
This Ice Phoenix Goddess appeared to be only twenty years old. Her grace was natural, and her looks were stunning.
At this moment, the Ice Phoenix Goddess had taken the initiative to speak. As if the ice was broken, the attentions of the present prodigies all focused on this trip’s primary objective.
They came to slay a flood dragon, but slaying a flood dragon didn’t mean that everyone could fight recklessly. Rather, they needed to make a plan beforehand — While this didn’t point towards joining forces for total cooperation, at the very least, they couldn’t get in each other’s way.
Immediately following this, Fan Meng was the first to agree with the Ice Phoenix Goddess: “Would the Lady Baizhi have any thoughts on the matter? I’d like to hear what you have to say. Since we arrived, we ought to get rid of that origin flood dragon. Otherwise, we’ll really lose face.”
Qi Xuanao raised an eyebrow: “If Goddess Mu has something to say, this Qi will naturally lend a respectful ear.”
Meanwhile, Bao Hong’s panther-like eyes swept across: “What’s this? We’re all just going to listen to a woman’s words?”
His tone wasn’t too pleasant. Then, Bao Hong’s gaze fell upon Gongyi Tianheng. He clearly wanted to have a look at the temperament and behavior of this prodigy.
Qi Xuanao gave a free and unconstrained smile: “We can always make more suggestions to any plans, but what Brother Bao said is reasonable, too. Currently, there’s a higher-level sect present. I’m afraid it’s unsuitable to… Haha.”
Previously, he responded to Fan Meng and Mu Baizhi with an answering voice, and now he parroted Bao Hong. It seemed like his opinions were shared unanimously, but this prevented people from making out what he was really thinking in the end.
Tianheng noticed that each of these people were sounding things out. The corner of his mouth hooked into a grin. According to reason, he ought to follow along with their conversation and reveal some things, but in actuality, he spoke in a straightforward manner: “We’ve just met, so none of us know each other’s inside information. If we try to cooperate, we’ll end up binding our own hands and feet instead. It would be better for each of us to take action — The flood dragon’s head, claws, and tail will be answered by one person each, and its body will be answered by two people simultaneously. This would be more appropriate.”
He continued: “I intend on attacking the flood dragon’s tail. The head and claws, these two sections, will be selected by Brother Bao and Brother Qi themselves. It’s only the people attacking the flood dragon’s body who need to have some tacit understanding. I see that Goddess Mu and Brother Fan are on good terms, so it may be assumed that you two can act together.”
Once these words were uttered, several prodigies promptly quieted down.
Bao Hong was rather unhappy in his heart.
Everyone was a prodigy. Although this personage resided within a silver-ranked organization, how could this Brother Gongyi make arrangements for him like this?
Qi Xuanao was quite reserved. Whatever he was thinking about, none of it showed on his face.
The Ice Phoenix Goddess still had a cold and cheerless expression. Only her elegant eyebrows suddenly furrowed, but this didn’t allow bystanders to sense anything.
There was only Fan Meng. Originally, he was angered when he listened to Tianheng’s words. After hearing that he was going to be arranged with the Ice Phoenix Goddess, he restrained this anger. This was especially due to that phrase “tacit understanding”. It could even be said that this scratched his itch, easing his expression in a split second.
Yet, Tianheng’s proposal wasn’t inappropriate. No matter what thoughts these few people had, after some careful considerations, they also felt that this method was the most optimal — If it was a proposal that suggested total cooperation for the sake of fighting against that flood dragon, then they would’ve been even more displeased. Therefore, there was nothing to be done. Since Bao Hong and the others tried to probe the situation in advance, they could only hold their noses and suffer through it without complaints now.
Following this, Bao Hong choked back his anger, and was the first to speak: “My Bao Clan possesses the <<Violent Bear Profound Cultivation Method>>. With unrivaled defense and superior strength, I can deal with that origin flood dragon’s head without fear of its sharp teeth, and I’ll strike its skull’s vulnerable spots.”
Qi Xuanao had no objections: “I practice the Hundred Skies Sect’s <<Hundred Revolving Steps>>. My body techniques are quite fast. With some sharp weapons, I can respond to the origin flood dragon’s claws.”
Thus, Fan Meng brazenly said on the side: “I shall make use of some methods to injure the origin flood dragon’s body.”
After he finished speaking, he looked towards the Ice Phoenix Goddess with some anticipation in his eyes.
Mu Baizhi’s expression was indifferent: “I have the <<Ice Phoenix Heavenly Dance>> to lock people in place. Against the origin flood dragon, perhaps it’ll be of some use. I can coordinate with Brother Fan.”
As before, Tianheng wore a smiling expression: “Since it’s like this, the flood dragon’s tail will be handed over to me.”
Just like this, it was settled. The group of prodigies swatted their mounts, and went to give orders to their army commanders. They intended to encircle and kill the origin-level flood dragon.
— In the end, that origin flood dragon’s realm was one level higher. To prevent it from escaping, there had to be numerous battle slaves to hold the lines. Otherwise, if there was a mistake, the flood dragon would get away. Perhaps, it would stir up trouble and cause a mess in some other location.
Soon, the other prodigies made their own preparations. Tianheng turned around, and spoke to Gu Zuo in a soft voice: “Ah Zuo, for the time being, watch the battle from over here. Don’t move away.” Then, he gave further commands, “Ao Ying, Xi Ying, Feng He — You three must protect Ah Zuo. Don’t let a single hair come to harm!”
The three battle slave powerhouses responded urgently: “Yes, sir!”
Meanwhile, Gu Zuo’s countenance carried a trace of determination: “Big brother, fight without worries. I’ll stay here and wait for big brother’s triumphant return!”
Tianheng smiled. Shortly thereafter, he leaped up. Like a male falcon, he soared towards the bank of that huge river!
In front of the Black Sand River.
Consequently, because it was going to be a water battle, the four male prodigies didn’t ride on mounts. Rather, they fully utilized their body techniques, and stood a distant three hundred meters up in the air. They calmly looked down below.
Only that Ice Phoenix Goddess sat on the back of a wild bird. It hovered beside these few prodigies.
When it was time to get down to business, the group of prodigies didn’t harbor any signs of unwillingness like before. Rather, all of their expressions were upright as they looked towards the middle of that great river.
At this moment, Fan Meng had also curbed any of his silken thoughts, and spoke solemnly: “I have information to share. Although this flood dragon stays inside the river, it’ll suddenly venture in and out at indeterminate times. Every time that happens, living people from nearby villages will be swallowed by it. In addition, due to this flood dragon, some of the large ships passing through the Black Sand River would go missing every few days. It may be assumed that this flood dragon swallows everything into its stomach when it’s hungry. From the earliest reports until now, it has already devoured a thousand people. It ought to be captured so that its bones are picked and its skin flayed. Then, it can be refined into leather armor and medicinal ingredients!”
Qi Xuanao interjected: “Since it doesn’t emerge at regular intervals, how will we capture it? I’m afraid we’ll have to think of a way to draw it out before surrounding and killing it.”
Bao Hong said: “This flood dragon is extremely cunning. Currently, it hasn’t come out for half a month. Perhaps, it knows that someone wants to make things difficult for it. Therefore, it has withdrawn into the river. If it’s like this, we may have to enter the river and chase it out. However, we aren’t as proficient in the water as this flood dragon. Our strengths would plummet after entering the river. I’m afraid that once we go in, we’ll also end up perishing in this flood dragon’s jaws.”
Three people had spoken. In the end, it was necessary to get the flood dragon out of the river. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be able to find a solution. Even if there were countless methods, none of them would work effectively.
The Ice Phoenix Goddess said: “I see that Brother Gongyi has come prepared, but I’m not sure if you have a way to deal with this. How about telling us about it so we can discuss it?”
The other three prodigies looked at Tianheng as well.
They didn’t necessarily lack any plans, but they wanted to know something even more. How capable was this Gongyi Tianheng, who had just arrived and dared to command them?
Tianheng had a smile on his face: “Under this type of situation, there are two methods. The first is to use benefits to lure the flood dragon, and the second is to use strength to force it out. If we want to make that origin flood dragon appear, we’ll have to use these two methods. Attacking this problem from two angles at the same time should prove useful.”
Luring with benefits, and forcing with strength.
When this statement was uttered, these prodigies understood Tianheng’s meaning.
Strength referred to martial prowess, and benefits…meant that they needed to find items that the origin flood dragon couldn’t bear to part with, and use them as bait.
Right now, the top priority was finding those things.
Tianheng didn’t wait for them to say anything. After speaking, he already spread out his palm where a small box appeared. Then, he said: “This is Swimming Dragon Grass. It’s rumored that after an ancient, ferocious dragon died, this medicinal herb grew from the remnant qi and blood. However, after a long time, the qi and blood within this grass has dwindled more and more. Now, none of it remains. However, although it’s like this, an echo of the presence of that qi and blood exists within this grass. While it’s only somewhat useful for tempering our bodies, this grass can further stimulate the origin flood dragon’s bloodline, allowing it to advance another step.”
Upon seeing this, those prodigies had a hitch in their breaths.
Then, Qi Xuanao spoke first: “Since Prodigy Gongyi is being so generous, this Qi will take something out as well. Everyone, behold —”
A small box also appeared within his hands. Its color and luster were crystal-clear. Inside the box, there was a lump of flesh that pulsated like a heart: “This is a Sky Serpent Gallbladder. It was dug out the instant that the Sky Serpent was slain, which preserved all of its toxins. What’s more, because the Sky Serpent was terrified as it neared death, its poison is ten times as potent! If we martial artists were contaminated with a trace of this poison, even an Atomic Realm would be harmed. However, with regards to the origin flood dragon, this thing can increase the power of its poison sac. Thus, this gallbladder has a bit of luring capabilities.”
Even Qi Xuanao had something to show, so the other two male prodigies weren’t going to be outdone.
Bao Hong said: “I have an Earth Dragon Fruit. It possesses dragon blood like the Swimming Dragon Grass. It’s just that this dragon blood doesn’t belong to an ancient, ferocious dragon. Rather, it’s from an ancient flood dragon. Although it’s inferior to the Swimming Dragon Grass, it’s also rather useful to the origin flood dragon.”
Meanwhile, Fan Meng said: “I have a Flood Dragon Eye. However, this thing isn’t a genuine eye of a flood dragon. Instead, it’s a type of spirit medicine produced from heaven and earth. It would be beneficial for a real flood dragon’s eyes.”
Tianheng faintly nodded his head.
Sure enough, since they came to hunt and slay an origin flood dragon, anyone who had some plans in mind were capable of anticipating that they needed to have items to lure it into a trap. Prior to Tianheng’s departure, the Blood Transformation Palace Master had sent someone to deliver the Swimming Dragon Grass, which saved him the effort of searching. Those remaining prodigies of several large organizations also brought along the appropriate objects.
Finally, the Ice Phoenix Goddess, who hadn’t spoken the entire time, raised her beautiful eyes and gently opened her deep-red lips: “My resources are shallow, and there aren’t these types of rare and wondrous treasures. However, the profound cultivation method I practice mutually restrains the flood dragon. Once utilized, we’ll be regarded as natural enemies. After these senior brothers use their dragon-tempting objects, this little sister shall unleash her internal qi to stir up the great river. This should help.”
At this time, Fan Meng smiled and said: “Naturally, who can say that Sister Baizhi’s profound cultivation method won’t be even more useful?”
Bao Hong and Qi Xuanao both said nothing.
Tianheng opened his mouth: “Then, it’s settled. Let’s send people to ask the surrounding forces to move further back so we may act.”
Having heard what was said, the other prodigies pondered this for a moment, and wholeheartedly agreed.
Soon after, behind every prodigy, a number of Atomic Realm powerhouses moved out, each leading a team of battle slaves. Along the large river, they negotiated with the numerous, spectating organizations. These forces originally came to watch the prodigies eliminate the flood dragon. This was for the sake of developing relationships. They naturally didn’t have any intentions of offending others, so they gave words of compliance one after another, and fell back.
Not long after, everyone retreated a little more than fifty kilometers. With their eyesight, they could still witness the might of the various prodigies on the great river. They wouldn’t be affected by the residual powers of the battle that would occur in a short while.
Everyone held their breaths in endless anticipation.
— The prodigies were going to slay the flood dragon. Who knew what kind of magnificent spectacles there would be?
Returning to the topic at hand, since those prodigies came to a decision, they didn’t tarry.
The troops of the five prodigies stood at the ready along four sides. Gongyi Tianheng, Qi Xuanao, and the other two male prodigies opened the small boxes in their hands. In an instant, several streams of pungent, medicinal fragrances soared into the sky. These scents, which carried extreme enticement, spread in all directions! Because these odors were trapped for a long time inside the boxes, their fragrances were several times stronger than normal. Even though the spectating martial artists were fifty kilometers away, they could also smell it. While they experienced chest pain, they also felt full of vitality. It was a sensation that was difficult to describe.
The martial artists were far away, and these rare and wondrous treasures weren’t that useful to these people. Yet, they all had these feelings. Did anything need to be said about that origin flood dragon hiding inside the Black Sand River?
Although this flood dragon had advanced, breaking free from the category of those ignorant and foolish wild beasts, it hadn’t been long since it evolved. Moreover, its spiritual wisdom wasn’t decisive or witty, and its body had become even more beastly… Therefore, after several items that were incredibly attractive to it were revealed, it was controlled by its bestial nature and greed. Beneath the great river, it churned fiercely.
At this moment, the Ice Phoenix Goddess suddenly set forth. While standing atop that light-cyan wild bird, her waist gently moved side to side, her lotus root arms were sweet and charming, and her footsteps were spry and lively. At once, she began dancing.
In a split second, an icy-cold power floated from within those dancing steps. Soon, it formed an intangible force. Behind her, it seemed like a transparent ice phoenix was taking shape. Amid the beating of its wings, it produced a clear and melodious phoenix cry.
If it was said that the previous couple of enticing items were the fuse, then this dance of the ice phoenix became the blazing fuel that ignited this fuse. In the blink of an eye, the river water violently roiled and seethed. All of a sudden, dozens of large and small, irregularly-shaped whirlpools formed. They spun wildly!
Tianheng held the Swimming Dragon Grass in his hand, and his gaze deepened slightly.
He could see it clearly. These dozens of whirlpools didn’t mean that dozens of other wild beasts were revealing themselves within the water. Rather, the dozens of sharp spikes on that origin flood dragon’s body were suddenly rising up. Countless cyclones were circling around it, which also caused the river water to rapidly rotate around the flood dragon accordingly, revealing this unusual sight!
However, since this occurred, that origin flood dragon was about to emerge from the surface of the river!
The remaining prodigies steeled their expressions. All of them had taken their own precautions, wanting to take action!
The facts really weren’t outside Tianheng’s expectations. After a few seconds, the waves on the river’s surface rolled and crashed again and again. Then, a wall of water as gigantic as a lofty mountain instantly rose into the air. It was no less than a hundred meters tall!
Qi Xuanao immediately said: “Go up!”
— In fact, there wasn’t any need for him to warn them. The figures of Tianheng, Fan Meng, and Bao Hong had already moved to higher altitudes. They had gone a little more than three hundred meters upwards. Although the dancing Ice Phoenix Goddess hadn’t changed positions, the bird she rode was quite intelligent. In the blink of an eye, the wild bird flapped its wings, and went up.
In a flash, the circumstances hidden within the river waves were unveiled to the people.
It was an extremely malevolent flood dragon head. Its pair of eyes were scarlet-red. Within them, there was insatiable greed, a thirst for blood, and incomparable cruelty. This flood dragon didn’t have any humane qualities or emotional sentiments. Every one of its actions was driven by interests and governed by desire. It was attracted by the dragon-tempting items and incited by the dance of the ice phoenix. Now, after coming out of the river, it saw several puny bugs with exuberant qi and blood. In a split second, its appetite was whetted. With a nod of its head and a shake of its tail, it wanted to devour them!
In the time it took to blink, this origin flood dragon had already risen over three hundred meters out of the river. But although it was like this, it hadn’t completely emerged from the water’s surface. Its lengthly flood dragon tail was still inside the river.
At this moment, it wasn’t really the best time to attack.
While the one attacking the flood dragon’s tail was Tianheng, which had nothing to do with the other prodigies, these prodigies also weren’t going to attack at this point. Instead, they continued to fly higher, wanting to draw out the entire flood dragon!
The origin flood dragon was urged by its greed. Sure enough, it was excited and wasn’t able to act rationally. At once, it followed them upwards. Gradually, all of the gigantic flood dragon’s body emerged from the water. The entire body of the flood dragon was revealed!
Unexpectedly, it was almost a kilometer long! How terrifyingly colossal!
Tianheng and the others saw that the long flood dragon had already been completely drawn out. They simultaneously signaled at the numerous battle slaves.
Within several organizations, Ascendant Realm powerhouses instantly took action. Using prohibition formations, the surface of the river was sealed. This forced that origin flood dragon to battle the prodigies above the river. It wouldn’t be able to dive back into the water to escape.
In the air, the origin flood dragon only wanted to feed on blood and flesh. It didn’t have the slightest thoughts about the sealed river. Opening its blood-soaked mouth, a terrible air permeated the whole place. Its lengthy tail, which seemed capable of tearing the sky and splitting the earth, coiled with extremely frightening strength! Its sharp teeth were long and pointed, and each tooth looked like it could bite through the void. Its entire body twisted with formidable qi energy, and space would faintly tremble everywhere it passed as if it wasn’t able to bear this power!
At this exact moment, the prodigies uniformly acted, and the dragon-tempting items in their hands were put away. Once the objects disappeared, Mu Baizhi’s ice phoenix dance also came to a halt as she withdrew her qi energy.
The various heady fragrances, which originally lingered in the sky, immediately faded away. What remained were the couple of prodigies and the origin flood dragon whose head and eyes slightly cleared!
The origin flood dragon’s enormous eyes opened, and it looked at these tiny insects.
It was only at this moment that the flood dragon realized that they had lured it out to harm it!
However, the origin flood dragon wasn’t afraid.
Insignificant mole crickets and ants, and inferior realms — How could they be its opponents? Even if they fought it at the same time, they would merely be giving it a bloody meal!
However, it had been enticed by these insects, which aroused this origin flood dragon’s fury. Ever since it advanced, it had been practically successful in every endeavor. And now, it was being provoked by these insects. How could the flood dragon tolerate this?
At once, the origin flood dragon moved its body. Its long tail swung out, and its enormous jaws opened. The flood dragon lunged over to kill them!
The next instant, the prodigies separated to all sides.
Compared to this origin flood dragon, this group of prodigies indeed looked insignificantly small. However, although their sizes were lacking, their qi energies were majestic and boundless.
Qi Xuanao and Bao Hong abruptly shot out to either side like two cannonballs. One dashed towards its head, and the other veered straight at its claws. The two’s body techniques became incredibly strange. Qi Xuanao’s agility possessed a hundred transformations, and Bao Hong was as violent and fierce as lightning! At almost the same time, their dantian’s erupted with rays of light. Spirit weapons with ample spirituality suddenly appeared in their hands!
Tianheng’s gaze moved slightly. Without the slightest hesitation, he splayed his hand to grasp a long spear. This spear was a golden-level spirit weapon. After he broke through to the Immortal Realm, he searched out this spear, and stored it inside his qi ocean for his dantian to continuously refine it. These days, one man and one spear had already developed a tacit understanding. Once he poured in his profound qi, the spear hummed with a sonorous keen, and the spear shaft turned silvery-white. Spear qi rushed out of the front end, and extended about a hundred meters out. The sharpness of the spear tip was unrivaled!
Tianheng promptly flourished the weapon in his hand, gripped the spear tightly, and moved towards that origin flood dragon’s tail. His spear tip shook, and qi energy burst forth — Suddenly, it pierced through the softer scales that crisscrossed the tail!
At practically the same time, Qi Xuanao brandished his saber, and slashed between its sharp talons amid the clawing winds. Bao Hong’s two halberds directly stabbed the origin flood dragon’s pair of eyes. The Ice Phoenix Goddess slightly opened her hands, and blew softly. Cold air currents rushed forth, and enshrouded its body. As for Fan Meng, his hands held two short spears, which were thrusted into the left and right sides of the origin flood dragon’s abdomen!
Every prodigy acted together. Even though that origin flood dragon’s spiritual wisdom was poor, which caused it to view these humans as insignificant insects, how could they really just be mole crickets and ants?
The weapons in these prodigies’ hands were golden-level spirit weapons. Once utilized, they made the sharpest blades. Although the flood dragon’s scales had extremely formidable defenses, between these scales was soft flesh. The abdomen, eyes, between the talons, and the softer scales of the tail were all weak points.
It was one thing if these prodigies didn’t seek them out, but once they found the right opportunity, they instantly inflicted serious damage upon that origin flood dragon with the help of their golden-level spirit weapons!
Areas all over the origin flood dragon were attacked, and the surfaces of its body were run through. Its pair of dragon eyes had been stabbed by sharp weapons, and qi energy had pierced into them in an attempt to destroy its brain and take its life!
The origin flood dragon suddenly unleashed a bleak and miserable roar.
It had never expected that it would be wounded to such a degree by a few puny bugs. More than that, it didn’t anticipate that underestimating these enemies during this confrontation would cause it to sink into this predicament!
Fifty kilometers away, on the back of a gigantic wild beast.
Gu Zuo watched this distant scene, and his heart was overcome with amazement.
He originally thought that it wouldn’t have been that easy if they wanted to stab this origin flood dragon…
T/N: Thanks for the corrections, Charysa.
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