Chapter 279 : Three Realm Beast General

Chapter 279: Three Realm Beast General

The lakes of Cloud Dragon Marsh were scattered like stars—some vast as seas, others small as pools—with water veins crisscrossing and miasma lingering year-round, where beast creatures roamed unchecked.

Ordinary Qi Refinement cultivators entering would face certain death.

Yet where danger lay, so did opportunity.

For some rogue cultivators at the Qi Refinement and Foundation Establishment stages, Cloud Dragon Marsh was undoubtedly a land of treasure.

Across ten thousand miles of vast marshes, countless rare spirit items, wondrous treasures, and even legacies left behind by fallen cultivators were hidden within.

Even the Mirror Moon Sect would frequently dispatch core disciples to temper their combat prowess, hunt high-grade beast creatures, and harvest essential alchemical and forging materials like beast cores and essence blood.

Buzz!

In the outer market of Cloud Dragon Marsh, the teleportation array lit up as Chen Beiwu's figure slowly emerged.

To avoid attracting the attention of the other four major sects, Chen Beiwu kept a low profile on this trip. Thanks to the illusion of the Golden Egg at the level of Manifested Phantom Form, none of the dozens of sect cultivators who teleported with him noticed anything amiss.

“The ambient spirit energy here isn’t bad.”

Taking one step forward, Chen Beiwu instantly appeared beyond the marketplace, finding himself surrounded by endless lakes, the spiritual density reaching the level of Second-Grade Upper-Quality.

And this was just the periphery of Cloud Dragon Marsh. The deeper one ventured, the richer the spiritual essence became. His destination this time was the core region—See Dragon Lake.

Sensing the flood dragon’s pressure emanating from the Golden Egg, the beast creatures along the outer edge of the marsh fled in panic. Not one dared to approach.

Thus, Chen Beiwu pressed forward swiftly and soon arrived at a magnificent lake shrouded in mist year-round.

Splash, splash...

Within the fog, massive shapes stirred beneath the surface, sending up loud splashes and bursts of waves.

Ignoring the noise from the lake, Chen Beiwu closed his eyes slightly and consulted the Nine-Breath Fortune Absorption, deducing with the Supreme Spirit Treasure Karmic Scripture.

“Primary Hexagram: Heaven above, Earth below—Stagnation of Heaven and Earth. Changing Hexagram: Thunder above, Mountain below—Minor Excess of Thunder over the Mountain.”

Chen Beiwu let out a sigh of relief. “Overlapping hexagrams, with Fire above and Water below—seemingly ill-omened, yet truly auspicious. This place is indeed suited to be the Golden Egg’s Lake of Flood Dragon Emergence.”

Gurgle.

The Golden Egg raised its head, visibly eager.

The Nine-Bend River was too violent. If it were to emerge as a flood dragon there, the disruption to the dragon vein tributary would trigger chain reactions—flooding the lands.

But Cloud Dragon Marsh was a vast expanse of intersecting water veins.

According to Chen Beiwu’s deductions, the flood dragon evolution would cause upheaval in See Dragon Lake’s dragon vein, shattering the spiritual nexus and flooding several hundred miles, but it wouldn’t disrupt the grand layout of the entire marsh or cause significant casualties.

“Don’t rush. Before the evolution, I must inform the Patriarch and obtain sect approval.” Chen Beiwu pressed a hand against the Golden Egg’s head.

See Dragon Lake was a land of dragon veins, with a Fourth-Grade spiritual vein hidden beneath, capable of producing vast quantities of spirit stones. It was one of the sect’s earliest discovered treasures.

If it weren’t so far from Mirror Moon Sect and plagued by the presence of Fourth Realm Beast Kings, the sect would’ve already developed it.

For Chen Beiwu to initiate the flood dragon emergence there, he had to obtain permission.

Buzz.

Activating the Gate of Ten Directions, Chen Beiwu returned to the sect—not to immediately visit the Patriarch atop Taiyi Peak, but to first stop by the Arcane Secrets Hall for an item exchange.

[Mirage Breath Talisman]: Third-Grade Lower-Quality talisman. Once activated, it can capture, store, and imprint the momentum and pressure of a locked aura, able to record the aura of a late-stage Core Formation cultivator at most.

Exchange Cost: 20,000 Contribution Points.

With talisman in hand, Chen Beiwu turned and made his way to the summit of Taiyi Peak to pay respects to the Patriarch.

“Disciple Chen Ziang seeks audience with the Patriarch.”

Outside the grand hall, Chen Beiwu gave a slight bow as a gesture of respect.

The heavy hall doors roared open, unleashing a vast, ocean-like pressure of a True Monarch.

Chen Beiwu’s heart tightened.

As his cultivation grew, he could more clearly sense the unfathomable gulf between Core Formation cultivators and Nascent Soul True Monarchs.

“What business do you have with me?” Zhu Wuyá asked in a deep voice, eyes still closed.

“Disciple humbly requests use of See Dragon Lake in Cloud Dragon Marsh to aid my beast companion in its flood dragon emergence,” said Chen Beiwu.

“Flood dragon emergence?” Zhu Wuyá opened his eyes, gaze sharp as lightning, landing on Chen Beiwu:

“Do you realize that See Dragon Lake is the confluence of dragon veins? Once the flood dragon emerges, the veins will be thrown into chaos—”

Halfway through his sentence, Zhu Wuyá’s pupils contracted. He had noticed that the aura around Chen Beiwu flowed flawlessly. Within his dantian’s sea of Qi, five-colored divine radiance surged upward, faintly forming five divine shadows encircling him—like five directional deities safeguarding his cultivation.

“You’ve fully mastered the Five Direction and Five Old Taiyi Core Formation Method?” Zhu Wuyá’s tone was calm, but within, waves surged violently.

A Nascent Soul True Monarch could see much with spiritual sense, but knowing too much could also become a shackle.

To comprehend the Dao, Zhu Wuyá seldom used spiritual sense during cultivation and rarely pried into the secrets of his disciples.

Yet with his lofty insight, even without spiritual sense, a glance was enough to perceive the transformation in Chen Beiwu’s Qi.

“If not for Patriarch’s help in the past, this disciple would not have glimpsed this realm even after a hundred years of cultivation,” Chen Beiwu replied modestly.

“Good. Very good.” Zhu Wuyá nodded slightly, then laughed heartily, his tone full of praise: “The Five Directions gathered, Taiyi manifests. If your core succeeds, it shall shake the heavens and earth—a Taiyi Core indeed.”

The Five Direction and Five Old Taiyi Core Formation Method was the sect’s highest alchemical inheritance—only cultivators of great will and insight could achieve it.

Since the founding of Mirror Moon Sect, aside from the first-generation Patriarch, none had succeeded in forming a Taiyi Core to restore the glory of the Taiyi Dao Sect.

Even Zhu Wuyá, though now a Nascent Soul True Monarch, had been unable to form a Taiyi Core despite supplementing his foundation to strive toward Soul Transformation.

“A mere See Dragon Lake,” said the Patriarch gently. “Since Ziang wishes to use it, then take it.”

“Many thanks, Patriarch.”

Chen Beiwu keenly noticed the change in how the Patriarch addressed him and promptly bowed in response.

“For a fish-beast to transform into a flood dragon, the blood of a flood dragon must serve as the catalyst. The higher the grade of the dragon blood, the greater its potential after transformation.”

Zhu Wuyá cast a glance at the Golden Egg, contemplating completing the karmic debt in one go.

With a wave of his sleeve, a beam of golden light flew out and landed before Chen Beiwu.

It was a drop of essence blood interwoven with scarlet and gold, within which a True Dragon seemed to roar, exuding a heart-piercing draconic might.

“A hornless dragon, its scales golden, claws as sharp as swords—among dragonkind, the fiercest in slaughter.”

The Patriarch’s voice turned solemn as he stared at the blood. “As you see, this is essence blood of a Fourth Realm Crimson-Hornless Dragon—of metal nature. It’s something I’ve preserved for many years.”

At this point, the Patriarch tapped a finger, and a phantom dragon appeared above the blood.

New Elements and Characters Introduced:

云龙泽 (Cloud Dragon Marsh) – A vast and dangerous marshland interlaced with water veins and dense miasma.

见龙湖 (See Dragon Lake) – A dragon-vein lake within Cloud Dragon Marsh, hiding a Fourth-Grade spiritual vein.

九曲江 (Nine-Bend River) – A turbulent location unsuitable for flood dragon emergence due to its volatile dragon vein.

蜃息符 (Mirage Breath Talisman) – A Third-Grade Lower-Quality talisman used to record the aura and pressure of powerful individuals.

太上灵宝业报因缘经 (Supreme Spirit Treasure Karmic Scripture) – A scripture used for divination.

五方五老太乙铸丹法 (Five Direction and Five Old Taiyi Core Formation Method) – The sect’s highest alchemical inheritance method, used for forming the Taiyi Core.

太乙金丹 (Taiyi Core) – A legendary core formed through the Five Direction and Five Old Taiyi Method, representing supreme core cultivation.

螭龙 (Crimson-Hornless Dragon) – A hornless dragon of metal nature, known for being the fiercest among dragonkind.

陈子昂 (Chen Ziang) – Alternate formal name/address for Chen Beiwu (he).

祝无涯 (Zhu Wuyá) – Nascent Soul True Monarch, Patriarch of Mirror Moon Sect (he).

Its entire body was a fiery scarlet-gold, with blade-like scales. Though it bore no dragon horns, its might was no less than that of the Flintrock Coiling Dragon Chen Beiwu had seen within the Immortal Alliance—perhaps even more formidable.

“This drop of blood came from a Gold-Edged Crimson-Hornless Dragon. Back then, I battled it personally, severed its tail, and refined it to obtain this essence blood,” Zhu Wuyá briefly explained. “This blood contains the sharpness of golden edge. Ordinary Foundation Establishment beast creatures would be wounded just by touching it. If your fish-beast can successfully refine and evolve into a flood dragon, its scales will bear golden edge, and its claws will be capable of piercing a cultivator’s magical treasures.”

“But keep one thing in mind—this blood is fierce and baleful. Refining it must be done with great caution,” Zhu Wuyá added.

The essence blood of a Fourth Realm Beast King held immortal metallic nature and an immortal aura. It could easily suppress Core Formation cultivators, seize control of a Third Realm Beast General’s body to undergo rebirth, and restore its own bloodline.

To prevent this outcome, Zhu Wuyá had long used his magic power to eliminate all latent dangers hidden within the essence blood of the Gold-Edged Crimson-Hornless Dragon. That didn’t mean, however, that it posed no threat at all.

“This disciple thanks the Patriarch for the treasured gift.”

Chen Beiwu accepted the drop of crimson-dragon essence blood with both hands and stored it away.

“Go.” The old patriarch’s voice became ethereal and distant.

Upon hearing this, Chen Beiwu gave a respectful bow and departed.

Once his figure had left the grand hall, a faint sigh echoed from within. “Today’s youth… truly remarkable.”

Zhu Wuyá lightly tapped the jade chime at his side, his expression faintly complex.

A Nascent Soul True Monarch’s vision was broad. After several interactions, he had long discerned that Chen Beiwu was carrying multiple legacies, and that his cultivation methods leaned more toward the Beast-Assisted Cultivation Path rather than the Five Direction and Five Old Taiyi Core Formation Method.

But to Zhu Wuyá, that mattered little.

Secrets were a given. In the Southern Wasteland’s cultivation world, what accomplished genius didn't have a few?

As the Patriarch of Mirror Moon Sect, Zhu Wuyá, though petty by nature, prioritized the sect’s interests.

As long as the Dao Son bore no rebellious intentions, had a strong sense of belonging to the sect, and could uphold the sect’s Dao lineage in the future, he didn’t mind tacitly agreeing to these secrets—and even allocating some sect resources to nurture Chen Ziang’s beast companion.

What truly left Zhu Wuyá conflicted was that Chen Ziang’s ambition seemed so vast that even forming a Taiyi Core wouldn’t satisfy him.

‘If he merges the legacy of Taiyi Dao Sect with the ancient Beast-Assisted legacy of the Southern Wasteland to forge a new path… If Chen Ziang survives the tribulations ahead, he will surely become the pillar of the sect in the future.’

Gazing in the direction Chen Beiwu had left, Zhu Wuyá’s thoughts swirled.

The Beast-Assisted Cultivation Path had always been a niche.

Back in ancient times, there had only been a few notable beast-assisting sects in the Southern Wasteland. Though none could match Taiyi Dao Sect, they had produced many Soul Transformation True Venerables. Even now, they would be formidable powers the Mirror Moon Sect wouldn’t provoke lightly.

The Beast-Assisted legacy Chen Ziang had stumbled upon likely originated from one of those ancient sects.

Such a fortunate encounter wasn’t enough for Zhu Wuyá to covet—let alone push away a peerless genius loyal to the sect and capable of reaching Soul Transformation.

---

Elsewhere, back in Moonwater Secluded Dwelling, Chen Beiwu couldn’t help but exhale a heavy breath.

The sect hadn’t even set out to slay the dragon in the Profound Vast Sea, and yet the Patriarch had already bestowed him with the essence blood of the Gold-Edged Crimson-Hornless Dragon—willing even to relinquish a dragon vein treasure ground. Unlike when Senior Sister Yun had tried to dissuade him from “wasting time” on the Beast-Assisted path, the Patriarch had instead supported it outright.

This meant the sect’s Patriarch had, to some extent, seen through some of his secrets—but chose to maintain silence and act in tacit understanding.

Chen Beiwu had long anticipated this outcome.

Simply put, he could not abandon the Immortal Alliance’s Beast-Assisted Cultivation Path to cultivate solely in the Southern Wasteland’s traditional ways.

Even though this would inevitably expose how his cultivation techniques conflicted with the mainstream of the Southern Wasteland.

What struck Chen Beiwu most was that although the Patriarch seemed to have vaguely noticed his secrets, there was no sign of greed—only practical action to ease his concerns.

“Gurgle.”

The Golden Egg’s soft whimper interrupted Chen Beiwu’s thoughts.

“Don’t worry. Everything’s ready now.”

Chen Beiwu smiled, stored away the Golden Egg, and, under the pretense of meditative cultivation, headed for the Rotating Star Hall to use the teleportation array to return to Cloud Dragon Marsh.

Buzz!

After finding a desolate, uninhabited lake, Chen Beiwu activated the Gate of Ten Directions and teleported to the Immortal Alliance.

The Nine Heavens Stellar Suppression Array covered the entire Abyssal Star. To legitimize his companion beast’s advancement, the Golden Egg would need to undergo the Second-Ninth Heavenly Lightning Tribulation and ascend to the Third Realm Beast General.

The next morning—

After reporting the companion beast’s breakthrough to Senior Brother Jiang Chuan, Chen Beiwu looked toward the Golden Egg, which had reached peak condition in spirit, energy, and essence.

“Gurgle.”

The Golden Egg nodded, indicating it was ready—ready to ignite its bloodline and condense immortal golden nature, ascending to the Third Realm Beast General.

“Then let’s begin.”

Chen Beiwu took out a premium-grade Flood Dragon Transformation Pill.

“Gurgle.”

The Golden Egg gave him a resolute look, then opened its mouth and swallowed the pill in one gulp.

Boom!

As the pill dissolved, a surge of power erupted. The Golden Egg’s eyes filled with blood, its aura skyrocketing, and its surface scales all fell away, revealing flesh tinged with faint golden luster.

“Gurgle.”

Feeling its bloodline boil, the Golden Egg endured the pain, opened its mouth, and activated the Myriad Streams Assimilation Art—swallowing all its shed scales, determined not to waste a thing.

Seeing this, Chen Beiwu sat cross-legged and activated his spiritual sense, guiding the Golden Egg through the Ten Thousand Laws Returning Flow, Jianmu Scripture.

In the Immortal Alliance, once a cultivator successfully formed their core, the core’s grade was fixed.

Unless they were willing to pay a tremendous price to start over, the core grade could not be changed.

But it was different for companion beasts. While the grade of the core formed by a Third Realm Beast General might vary, it could continue to strengthen as their bloodline and cultivation deepened.

Boom!

Boom!

Boom!

As time passed, muffled thunder sounded from within the Golden Egg’s abdomen. Basic Dao Marks deep in its meridians surged like rivers, instantly exceeding five hundred in number.

Crack!

At that moment, the Golden Egg’s twin internal vortices split open, erupting with blinding golden light.

Sensing a beast core taking form, storm clouds gathered above the Three Peaks Cave Abode of Cloud-Resting Residence, thunder echoing non-stop.

‘What’s going on? Someone forming a core?’

‘No, that’s the Second-Ninth Heavenly Tribulation—it must be a peak Second Realm beast attempting to break through to Third Realm Beast General!’

‘If I recall correctly, that’s the cave abode of Shen Yuanbao, ranked fourth on the Newcomer Rankings.’

‘Shen Clan’s prodigy indeed. In just three years at Jade Purity Immortal Sect, his companion beast, the Violet Lightning Leopard, is already advancing to Third Realm Beast General!’

‘Ahem… Senior, you’ve been in seclusion too long. That abode’s aura has long been taken over by Chen Beiwu.’

Upon hearing this spiritual transmission, several nearby Immortal Sect Students were momentarily stunned—recalling the profile of Chen Beiwu’s companion beast.

Unbelievable. Such an earth-shaking phenomenon akin to a Superior Earth Fiend Beast… and you’re telling me it’s just a rare golden-scaled variant evolving?

---

Inside the cave abode, the Golden Egg looked vigorous—its earlier pain entirely gone.

Perhaps it had consumed enough heavenly materials and treasured herbs, or perhaps the dragon blood within was simply too potent. Under Chen Beiwu’s spiritual guidance, it broke through the Second Realm’s barrier with ease, forming a slowly rotating inner core.

Though this inner core emitted threads of immortal golden nature, to Chen Beiwu’s spiritual sense, it still appeared rather ordinary.

‘As expected—it still needs heavenly tribulation to temper and refine the gold.’

Chen Beiwu looked up toward the sky outside the cave abode.

The thunderclouds had already formed three layered anomalies.

Eighteen cerulean lightning bolts descended like a celestial river breaking its banks!

Boom!

Boom!

Boom!

The Golden Egg opened its mouth wide and, without dodging, swallowed all eighteen lightning strikes, letting them temper its newly formed inner core.

Buzz!

Vital essence within the lightning seeped into the core, etching three luminous patterns upon its surface—matching the legend of the Three Radiant Patterns of a Treasure Beast’s Brilliant Core—further purifying the immortal golden nature within.

“Gurgle.”

The moment core refinement completed, the Golden Egg closed its eyes, carefully sensing the transformation of its spirit, mana, bloodline, and life essence—but its expression turned slightly disgruntled.

Unbelievable. According to the Immortal Alliance’s classification, this core is only equivalent to a third-grade golden core. Not even second-grade!