Dragon Tamer
Chapter 1362 - 1366: Thousands of Malicious Intentions

Chapter 1362: Chapter 1366: Thousands of Malicious Intentions

"Maybe it’s because Jiu He cursed me somehow, the number of heavenly tribulation embodiments targeting the Nine-tailed Dragon has been unusually high," Zhu Minglang said.

The heavenly tribulation embodiments can originate from the wandering Heavenly Souls of the gods, nearby deities in residence, or even demon cultivators and evil Buddhas drawn by the commotion.

One cannot help but notice how similar this scene is to what happens in the Dragon Gate. To seize the Spirit Root, even the most upright deity will transform into a ravenous specter eager to devour—but it’s critical to note that these are just embodiments, not their true forms!

That embodiment, grotesque like a crimson-faced demon giant, might very well belong to a Fairy cultivating peacefully on some Fairy Island.

An old figure, exuding a saintly demeanor with an air of celestial integrity, could simply be a thousand-year-old demon ghost lurking in the Black Sea Trench.

The dazzlingly radiant embodiment that appears as a golden-hued mist dragon might actually be the True God of an Earth Temple in the City of Ten Thousand Miles!

In the end, they are here to plunder!

As embodiments, they are bound to be the most feral and ruthless!

The embodiments at the Moon Radiance Stage approach with disdain and rage, angered by the audacity of the Nine-tailed Dragon—that which is below daring to rise above.

Meanwhile, those at the Starlight Stage in the Lower Realm exude envy and resentment at the Nine-tailed Dragon’s imminent escape from its class confinement.

No compassion exists, only the most primal, raw malice!!

No matter how magnificent or awe-inspiring this Ascending Gate may seem, no matter how imposing and sanctified these heavenly tribulation embodiments may appear, the scene here is akin to a mire of venomous serpents, wicked catfish, vicious crabs, and treacherous frogs...

They fix their gaze on the beings striving to escape the foul, toxic swamp, waiting for them to be battered by the overwhelming currents—shattered into pieces, so they can fight over the remains!

The Nine-tailed Dragon is both fearful of these lofty, hypocritical heavenly tribulation embodiments above and thoroughly disgusted by the demons and monsters below, salivating to divide its spoils. Gritting its teeth, it ascends higher. Ten-thousand-fold thunder and soul-destroying winds ravage its flesh. The flowing ink-black fur of its fox-like tassels is drenched in red, as if aflame—so fierce, so feral, so fervent!

"Woo... wooooo~~~~~~~~~!"

Falling into the fetid swamp below and being torn apart by those scavengers means enduring the agony of a thousand cuts. Not even a single breath can be spared. No one would admire its bruises and scars from climbing upward; its reward would instead be mockery!

But should it reach the summit—looking down from on high—those still wallowing in the putrid swamp, scrambling over scraps of rotted flesh, would appear far more laughable and pitiful!

The Nine-tailed Dragon soared to the highest point. After enduring the thunder, fire, and wind tribulations sent from the heavens, its final test awaited—the embodiments from the Upper Realm. They scrutinized the Little Jiuwei Dragon with contempt and ridicule, one by one lifting their feet in anticipation of stomping it back down with merciless force!

"A meager Little Fox Spirit like you dares to be here?"

"Dreaming of ascending to the heavens? You’re still hundreds of lifetimes of cultivation away from even coming close!"

Even without speaking, their arrogant eyes overflowed with disdain, exuding malice so thick it felt overwhelming!

The Upper Realm, the Moon Radiance Stage, the position of Superior Gods—these are exceedingly limited. Not just any abomination or lowly demon can ascend and call themselves celestial!

When the Nine-tailed Dragon reached this stratum, gazing upon the ferocious and domineering heavenly tribulation embodiments, it was as if the very presence of the heavens stood upon the clouds, oppressive without even needing to act. Their expressions and stares alone exerted crushing psychological pressure!

Inferiority!

Under such scrutiny, the Nine-tailed Dragon’s internal sense of inferiority was magnified to an unbearable degree.

No matter its outer shell, no matter how divine its soul or form had become, at its core, the Nine-tailed Dragon had started as nothing more than a small, insignificant Fox Spirit. Compared to these high-born beings who seemed as if they had the blood of deities coursing through their veins, its innate sense of inferiority was laid bare...

Inferiority is often accompanied by fear.

It hesitated at first, then wavered, and under the immense psychological pressure began to grow timid.

It wanted to back away; it feared this unfamiliar, terrifying, and malevolent Upper Realm. It feared that even if it became a Moon Radiance Dragon, it would still remain the most insignificant and humble existence. In that case, wouldn’t it be better to stand out as a Starshine Dragon instead?

"Little Xian Tail, don’t be afraid. We’re here to protect you. Close your eyes and keep moving upward. Lift your head high and walk past them with pride. Leave everything else to us." Zhu Minglang’s voice echoed gently in the Little Jiuwei Dragon’s ears.

The Little Jiuwei Dragon heard the soothing voice. It initially thought its master would reprimand its hesitation, but his voice remained as tender as ever, as if no matter how many mistakes it made, not a single word of blame would escape his lips...

Why does he fear nothing?

Clearly, when we first met, he was just a frail young boy among the Human Race.

What has he endured? Why, even with such profound understanding of the Heavenly Dao, did he end up so destitute that he had to rely on the Young Spirit Court’s charity to obtain his first Juvenile Spirit?

"Woo~~~~~" At this moment, the Nine-tailed Dragon couldn’t help but utter a questioning cry. It wanted to know—it wanted to understand what had happened to its master.

Why, even when the heavens clearly did not welcome them, the Ordinary Spirits, must they nonetheless charge forward, breaking their bodies and shedding their blood in the attempt?

The Little Jiuwei Dragon’s question left Zhu Minglang momentarily lost for words.

Why strive for ascension, even if it means shattering one’s body and soul?

For humans, whenever they look up, life presents one Dragon Gate after another, heavy and relentless—cascading like celestial waterfalls over the paths of their destinies...

Some choose to lounge idly in the waters below, but some choose to endure the torrents and clamber upward.

In truth, from the beginning, everyone’s heart and soul instinctively gave them the answer.

When, in the cold silence of night, someone forsakes the comfort of sleep to read under flickering candlelight.

When exhaustion weighs them down, and a voice in their mind says running any farther will kill them, yet they grit their teeth, enduring the agony of burning bones and tearing muscles to sprint forward.

When surrounded by mockery and taunts urging them to crawl into a hole and never emerge, but they instead smile brighter than anyone else.

To linger in this place brings neither satisfaction nor safety. Better to embrace the grind, endure the hardships and challenges, and finally reach a height where both soul and body can find peace and rest!!

The Little Jiuwei Dragon’s bewilderment mirrored that of Zhu Minglang and of every being ascending their personal Dragon Gate.

Zhu Minglang had already made up his mind. He only needed to convey this realization simply and directly to the Nine-tailed Dragon—freeing it from the fear and confusion rooted in its inferiority!

"Calm your mind. Your body will guide you,"

"You don’t need to think. Your body already knows the answer,"

"Just look at yourself."

Zhu Minglang said to the Nine-tailed Dragon.

At first, the Nine-tailed Dragon couldn’t grasp the meaning. But as it momentarily forgot its fear and focused on its own limbs, it began to realize...

Though its limbs were ravaged into skeletal remains by wind, fire, and lightning, they clung fiercely to the crevices of the rocks, refusing to let themselves be swept away!

And its entire body, stretched taut to its limits, was channeling every ounce of strength within it to resist the crushing forces head-on!