Chapter 285 : Reversed Heavenly-Gang

Chapter 285: Reversed Heavenly-Gang

In the perilous core of Yunlong Marsh, undercurrents surged silently.

Twelve colossal skeletal pillars of mysterious ancient beasts stood deep at the bottom of the marsh, arranged in an arcane pattern. They flickered with ghostly white light, shrouded in dense mist.

“Great King, he killed five Golden Core Beast Generals and destroyed the Dragon Vein of Yunlong Marsh. Are we just letting him go like that?” A hoarse voice echoed from the shadow of a bone pillar.

Atop the throne, a half-illusory, half-solid, dreamlike white Mirage Dragon slowly raised its head, expression calm.

Its dragon head resembled a flood dragon yet was not, hornless, with narrow draconic eyes. Its long body coiled, not composed of mere flesh and blood, but of mist, flowing light, and mirage energy intertwined.

Though its true body had not fully manifested, the entire fog of Yunlong Marsh was already within its grasp.

It was the true ruler of Yunlong Marsh, sovereign of the eight hundred aquatic beast tribes—the Fourth-Realm Beast Sovereign, the Mirage Dragon of the Misty Sea.

“Fool.” The Mirage Dragon yawned lazily. “You truly believe a mere Golden Core Flood Dragon can stir chaos in my Yunlong Marsh?”

“Subordinate is foolish. Then what do you mean, Great King?”

From the shadows suddenly crawled a giant crab with massive pincers, its voice tinged with surprise.

“Since you know you're foolish, use your brain for once.” The Mirage Dragon closed its eyes, tone heavy with impatience. “Withdraw.”

Mirror Moon Palace, Profound Sword Pavilion, Greenwood Sect, Blazing Flame Sect, and Heavy Gold Sect—these five major cultivation sects each had Nascent Soul True Monarchs in residence. None were to be trifled with.

What the Mirage Dragon hadn’t expected was that Zhu Wuya, that old monster, would issue the Bright Moon Decree for the sake of a mere Foundation Establishment junior.

If it dared to harm that Foundation Establishment cultivator and the Three-Headed Mystic Flood Dragon, the entire Yunlong Marsh would be razed to the ground, forever losing its chance to become a path of Dao.

‘Mirror Moon Dao Child, Chen Zi’ang. This king shall remember you!’ thought the Mirage Dragon silently.

——

Mirror Moon Sect, Taiyi Hall.

“Disciple Chen Zi’ang greets Patriarch.” Chen Beiwu saluted according to sect protocol.

“You’ve successfully formed your Golden Core!”

A soft murmur echoed, and Chen Beiwu suddenly found an elderly man with white hair and youthful features beside him—it was none other than the sect patriarch, Zhu Wuya.

“Patriarch overpraises. This disciple has not yet formed his core.”

In front of the sect elders, he could hide it—but in front of the patriarch, Chen Beiwu saw no need to conceal his cultivation.

Cultivation was a path of striving.

Mirror Moon Sect had hundreds of thousands of disciples, with hundreds of true disciples. If he didn’t show sufficient talent and potential, why would the patriarch, as an angel investor, pour so many resources into him?

Not to mention, the fact that Golden Egg had successfully completed his Flood Dragon Transformation this time was largely due to the sect’s deterrence—this, Chen Beiwu clearly understood.

There existed a Fourth-Realm Beast Sovereign deep within Yunlong Marsh. Before attempting the Flood Dragon Transformation, Chen Beiwu had deliberately consulted the patriarch to gain sect approval and understand the risks involved.

The patriarch’s agreement at the time meant that the sovereign in the depths posed no real threat—and indeed, this proved true.

‘“Not yet formed your core?”’

Hearing this, even Zhu Wuya, as a Nascent Soul True Monarch with a calm and mirror-like heart, couldn’t help but feel ripples stir in his Spirit Platform.

That shouldn’t be possible. By his spiritual perception, the strand of supreme immortal brilliance within Chen Zi’ang’s Dantian Sea of Qi was clearly the manifestation of the Indestructible Golden Attribute of the Taiyi Golden Core—how could he not have formed it?

“Could it be you’ve already cultivated the Taiyi Pill Forging Method of the Five Great Emperors to perfection?” Though shocked, Zhu Wuya betrayed no emotion and maintained a serene expression.

Chen Beiwu nodded and cupped his hands slightly. “Reporting to Patriarch: this disciple, upon studying the Taiyi Pill Forging Method, discovered a transitional realm prior to the formation of the Taiyi Golden Core. This disciple has named it the Proto-Core Realm.”

Zhu Wuya’s eyelid twitched.

What kind of joke was this? The Taiyi Golden Core was the highest pinnacle of Golden Core inheritance from the Taiyi Dao Sect, far superior to ordinary third-grade cores. It was unparalleled, created by a Void-Refining Dao Venerable, its name drawn from the phrase “Taiyi births water, primordial returns to unity.” Only those with a Flawless Foundation and mastery of the Pill Forging Method could hope to achieve it.

And now, Chen Zi’ang, a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator, had simplified and modified the Taiyi Pill Forging Method of the Five Great Emperors and even created a whole new realm system?

Wouldn’t that suggest Chen Zi’ang’s Dao comprehension talent was comparable to that of a Void-Refining Dao Venerable?

Yet despite the disbelief and doubt, Zhu Wuya’s attitude remained utterly respectful, showing not the slightest disdain due to Chen Zi’ang’s youth or cultivation.

If this had been a sect Golden Core hearing such a claim, they would’ve thought Chen Zi’ang had failed at forming his core, made a false one, and had gone mad under the blow.

But Zhu Wuya asked humbly, “What is the Proto-Core Realm?”

“There is a thing formed in chaos, born before heaven and earth.” Chen Beiwu explained, “The Golden Core is yet unborn, but the Dao is already gestating—that is the Proto-Core.”

“Metal not yet returned, yet nature already fulfilled—why cling to form and appearance? Why should the Proto-Core not be a Golden Core?” Zhu Wuya’s interest was piqued.

“The Dao is realized through the heart, the heart illuminated by the Dao.” Chen Beiwu replied softly. “When the Five Element Radiances comb through the Proto-Core, the Taiyi Golden Core is naturally born—thus, it is the Proto-Core.”

“……”

There is no hierarchy in learning—those who understand are teachers.

By the end of the discussion, Zhu Wuya realized that Chen Zi’ang’s concept of the Proto-Core Realm contained no flaws.

At least, with his Nascent Soul True Monarch cultivation, he could not find any theoretical grounds to refute the existence of the Proto-Core. And the very originator of that path now stood before him.

As their Dao discourse continued, Zhu Wuya’s curiosity deepened. He began asking Chen Beiwu about how to retrain in the Taiyi Pill Forging Method of the Five Great Emperors, how to defy fate with a second-grade core, and how to reform a Taiyi Golden Core.

As the conversation unfolded, Chen Beiwu unexpectedly became the instructor in the Golden Core Dao, and Zhu Wuya, the eager student.

It must be said—had a sect cultivator entered Taiyi Hall at that moment and seen such a reversal of Heavenly-Gang roles, they would likely have believed they’d gone insane, hallucinating from cultivation deviation.

What they wouldn't know was that Chen Beiwu’s Proto-Core Dao, built upon theory from the Immortal Alliance, fused with the Taiyi Pill Forging Method of the Southern Wastes and the Yuqing Nine Revolutions Yuanshi Pill Canon, had drawn from the shoulders of many cultivation titans—and now surpassed the comprehension of most Southern Wastes cultivators.

It was no exaggeration to say: in terms of combat power, Zhu Wuya, as a Nascent Soul True Monarch, could effortlessly crush Chen Beiwu with a single finger.

But in terms of understanding the Dao of Core Formation, even Zhu Wuya, despite his lofty realm, lagged behind due to the gap in inter-realm knowledge and his lack of access to Immortal Alliance methods.

Precisely because of this, Zhu Wuya gained many insights during the discussion, even glimpsing a hope of reforging a first-grade Golden Core.

“Excellent. A fine concept, this Proto-Core Realm.”

With a light chuckle, the Dao discourse concluded. Zhu Wuya now gazed at Chen Beiwu with deep admiration.

Previously, he had considered Chen Zi’ang the most likely among all sect disciples to reach Divine Transformation—but still only gave him a thirty percent chance.

Don’t underestimate that thirty percent; Zhu Wuya considered his own odds of breakthrough to be merely twenty percent.

But this exchange made Zhu Wuya understand what it meant to be a peerless prodigy, and what it meant to possess talent that defied reason.

More importantly, Chen Zi’ang had not hidden his secret of the Proto-Core, which gratified Zhu Wuya even more.

After a brief silence, Zhu Wuya spoke: “If this method of Proto-Core cultivation spreads, it will undoubtedly throw the Earth Proliferation Territory into chaos.”

Hearing this, Chen Beiwu nodded with sensible understanding, bowed slightly, and replied with gratitude:

“This method is of great consequence and should indeed be kept secret. But this disciple’s insight is entirely due to the sect’s nurturing. Without the sect’s foundation, this disciple would never have achieved what I have today.”

“This disciple is willing to offer the Proto-Core Method to the sect, to assist fellow disciples in their cultivation.”

As soon as these words were spoken, the hall fell silent.

Zhu Wuya’s gaze flickered slightly. He had not expected Chen Beiwu to offer up such a secret method so willingly.

One must know—in the cultivation world of the Southern Wastes, for the sake of the cultivation path and Golden Core methods, there were no shortage of cultivators who betrayed their sects, turned against their brothers, or even committed patricide to seize the Dao. It showed how precious Daoist inheritances were.

“Since the Dao Child is willing to offer this method, the sect shall naturally not let a meritorious contributor go unrewarded,” Zhu Wuya said solemnly. “What is it that you desire?”

Upon hearing this, Chen Beiwu was not surprised in the least.

A favor given freely was the most expensive of all.

If he had been the one to raise conditions, it would have seemed like a mere transactional exchange, greatly diminishing his standing in front of the Patriarch.

But if the Patriarch took the initiative to ask—then that simply followed sect rules.

At this thought, Chen Beiwu lightly patted the Spirit Beast Pouch at his waist. A dark shadow leapt out, landing at his feet—it was none other than Iron Egg, without his Heaven-Warding Cloak.

“This hound’s name is Iron Egg. He has followed this disciple since youth.” Chen Beiwu gently stroked Iron Egg’s head, his tone soft. “He was born with crippled hind legs. Though he barely managed to step onto the cultivation path, it is ultimately difficult for him to advance further and break through to become a Golden Core Beast.”

“This disciple hopes the Patriarch might bestow upon him a Three-Turn Nirvana Pill, to help him restore his foundation.”

Hearing this, Zhu Wuya was slightly taken aback.

The Three-Turn Nirvana Pill, though a third-tier superior fire-element treasure pill, capable of regenerating severed limbs, reconstructing meridians, and refining fire-type spirit beast bloodlines, was far beneath the value of the Proto-Core Method.

Frankly, if Chen Zi’ang had asked for a Core-Forming Pill, Zhu Wuya would have had to seriously consider it.

Yet unexpectedly, Chen Zi’ang had made such a modest request—just one Three-Turn Nirvana Pill.

“You are certain?” Zhu Wuya looked at Chen Beiwu with a deep gaze.

“This disciple is certain.” Chen Beiwu nodded.

“So be it.”

With a wave of his sleeve, Zhu Wuya produced a green jade pill bottle that landed steadily in front of Chen Beiwu.

Chen Beiwu put away the jade bottle and bowed solemnly. “Many thanks, Patriarch, for your generosity.”

“The Dao Child has great talent and is capable of great things. Would you be willing to take on more responsibility and open a new lineage for the Mirror Moon Six Lineages?” Zhu Wuya, feeling the reward insufficient, made an offer of his own.

Chen Beiwu was a little surprised.

The Mirror Moon Sect was divided into Mirror Moon, Illusory Sea, Cold Marrow, Deep Abyss, Floating Cup, and Hollow Spring—six lineages in total. Mirror Moon stood as the main lineage at the top, while the other five were considered equal in status.

If he were to establish a new lineage for the sect and become its head, the authority he wielded would match that of the Golden Core Elders of the main lineage.

And if he combined that with the title of Dao Child, taking another step forward, the position of Sect Master of Mirror Moon Sect would essentially be a sure thing for Chen Beiwu.

“This disciple is willing to serve the sect and open a new lineage—the Beast Taming Lineage.” Chen Beiwu readily agreed.

Zhu Wuya nodded slightly, indicating that all cultivation resources required for opening the lineage would be funded by the sect’s Hall of Mysteries. Whatever resources Chen Beiwu needed, he could submit a request for them.

With the patriarch’s investment secured, Chen Beiwu put away Iron Egg and took the initiative to request leave.

“Buzz!”

As the doors of Taiyi Hall closed, Zhu Wuya grew even more appreciative of his own discernment.

That Chen Zi’ang did not abandon even a crippled hound that followed him—such a pure and sincere nature would surely not betray the sect’s nurturing.

——

Back at Moon-in-Water Dwelling, Chen Beiwu hung a Closed-Door Cultivation sign outside his cave residence.

Establishing a new lineage was no small matter. It involved many aspects and needed to be approached slowly.

Chen Beiwu handed over the affairs of founding the Beast Taming Lineage to Shu You, the diligent assistant, then activated the Gate of Ten Directions to return to the Immortal Alliance.

“Buzz!”

Unlocking his phone, Chen Beiwu found numerous unread messages—all congratulating him on his Companion Beast successfully advancing to the Third-Realm Beast General.

“This is just the beginning.”

Chen Beiwu chuckled and set down his phone, then retrieved a third-tier inferior Talisman, the Mirage-Breath Talisman, from his storage ring.

This talisman recorded the aura fluctuations from Golden Egg’s evolution into the Three-Headed Mystic Flood Dragon in the Southern Wastes.

There was no choice—both the Flood Dragon Transformation and bloodline evolution required a process.

To make the explanation consistent, after Golden Egg completed the Flood Dragon Transformation in the Southern Wastes, he would need to go through a similar procedure within the Immortal Alliance.

As for why no heavenly tribulation descended after Golden Egg’s evolution—it was easy to explain.

To the upper echelon of the Yuqing Immortal Sect, Golden Egg had evolved by consuming a Dragon Vein Pill, not by flooding rivers and destroying dragon veins through the Flood Dragon Transformation. Barely qualifying as a “benevolent flood dragon,” it made sense that no heavenly tribulation descended.

‘Act it out well. Let your bloodline aura gradually strengthen through the Mirage-Breath Talisman,’ Chen Beiwu instructed.

If you’re going to act, go all the way.

The cave residence formation was linked with the Yuqing Immortal Sect’s Protective Formation. As the master of the cave, he could freely control the formation, deciding whether and how much of Golden Egg’s aura to leak out.

Naturally, for safety’s sake, Chen Beiwu decided to suppress the aura at first, only allowing one-thousandth of Golden Egg’s aura to leak out when the Mirage-Breath Talisman neared completion.

In this way, even if the Yuqing Immortal Sect, full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers, had a True Monarch or True Venerable become curious and probe with their divine sense, they would only sense that Golden Egg had already completed evolution, without knowing when it began.

“Relax, I’m an Oscar-winning actor.” Golden Egg’s eyes shone with confidence as he patted his chest with his flood dragon claw.

“Boom!”

“Boom!”

“Boom!”

As time passed, seven days soon went by. Under Chen Beiwu’s spiritual control, the Mirage-Breath Talisman concluded, and in its place erupted Golden Egg’s awe-inspiring flood dragon might.

At that moment, Chen Beiwu activated the cave formation, deliberately leaking out a thread of Golden Egg’s aura.

However, Chen Beiwu still underestimated the changes in Golden Egg’s bloodline—just this trace of pure and powerful flood dragon aura was enough to send countless prodigies in Qiyun Residence into shocked alarm.

Thirty li east of Qiyun Residence, in the Three-Peak Cave Residence:

“What is it, Violet-Lightning Thunder Leopard?”

Shen Yuanbao opened his eyes and looked toward his Companion Beast, frowning slightly.

“Roar!”

The Violet-Lightning Thunder Leopard’s gaze was fixed firmly in the direction of Chen Beiwu’s cave, its body trembling slightly.

“What? You mean a Heavenly-Gang Mystic Beast has appeared?!”

Shen Yuanbao was shaken to the core, following his Companion Beast’s gaze to look at Chen Beiwu’s cave.

Wait—wasn’t Chen Beiwu’s Companion Beast supposed to be a Mutated Golden-Scaled Beast? When did he contract a Heavenly-Gang Mystic Beast?

Could it be a gift from a Divine Transformation True Venerable of the Yuqing Immortal Sect?

Shen Yuanbao stood frozen, his gaze firming.

A Companion Beast was a cultivator’s second spiritual root and second innate talent.

He couldn’t even defeat Chen Beiwu, who had contracted a Mutated Golden-Scaled Beast—how could he ever reclaim his pride against Chen Beiwu, who had now contracted a Heavenly-Gang Mystic Beast?

No—he had to form his core as soon as possible. He had to seek help from his clan and raise the Violet-Lightning Thunder Leopard to the fourth-tier Mystic Beast level, and then battle Chen Beiwu once more.

——

Qiyun Residence, One-Peak Cave Residence (Fourth-Tier Spirit Vein).

It wasn’t just Shen Yuanbao. Yu Zhaohua, who was comprehending the Yuqing Nine Revolutions Yuanshi Pill Canon, also sensed a strange fluctuation in the world’s spiritual mechanism.

“What a peculiar flood dragon aura!”

Yu Zhaohua’s brows furrowed slightly, her gaze turning toward the Flintrock Coiled Dragon beside her.

Just like the Violet-Lightning Thunder Leopard, the Flintrock Coiled Dragon’s body trembled slightly.

But the difference was—where the Thunder Leopard trembled from fear before a superior bloodline, the Coiled Dragon trembled with excitement at encountering a rival of matching bloodline strength, itching to challenge it and prove its dominance.

“That direction... it seems to be Chen Beiwu’s cave.” Yu Zhaohua’s expression suddenly grew serious.

The weak weren’t worth her attention—but the strong were a different matter!