Immortal Venerable of the Beast Race
Chapter 355 - 267 Return to the Outer Sea_1

Chapter 355: 267 Return to the Outer Sea_1

Lu Tianhai nodded and said, "Not bad, but I’ve been stuck at a bottleneck for over a hundred years."

At this point, Lu Tianhai sported a worried expression.

"Resolving a bottleneck is no easy task, without any clear pattern to follow."

Shen Long could deeply relate.

He himself had been stuck at a bottleneck for decades, surviving several life-and-death situations before finally resolving it, which was considered rather fortunate.

"Indeed! I have traveled far and wide these past years, sparring and exchanging insights with other daoists, yet I could not resolve my bottleneck."

Lu Tianhai sighed.

"Effort leads to opportunities, there must be a way."

Han Yilong comforted him. He shifted his gaze to Shen Long and said, "I’ve long heard about Taoist Friend Shen from Taoist Friend Lin, and meeting you today indeed proves you to be a person of talent."

"Taoist Friend Han is too kind with his praise. I am not such a talented individual; I merely have some understanding of alchemy."

Shen Long modestly replied.

The five sat around the green stone table, sipping tea and discussing the Dao.

"By the way, Taoist Friends Han, Lu, and Madam Yu, have any of you heard news about the essence blood of a fourth-tier Flood Dragon?"

Shen Long inquired.

"The essence blood of a fourth-tier Flood Dragon is rare. It’s extremely difficult to slay a fourth-tier Flood Dragon. It’s not something ordinary Nascent Soul Cultivators can achieve."

Han Yilong frowned as he spoke.

"Does Taoist Friend Han know the whereabouts of a fourth-tier Flood Dragon?"

Shen Long pressed on with his question.

Han Yilong nodded and said, "Recently, Guangyuan True Monarch and four friends encountered an early-stage fourth-tier Wind Flood Dragon in the Absolute Spirit Sea Domain. Except for Guangyuan True Monarch, the other four Nascent Soul Cultivators were all killed by the Wind Flood Dragon."

"A fourth-tier Flood Dragon is that powerful! After all, Guangyuan True Monarch is one of the ten immortals of the Northern Sea, known for his profound divine skills."

Ice Silkworm True Person exclaimed in surprise.

"Wind Flood Dragons are known for their speed. They couldn’t land a hit on the fourth-tier Wind Flood Dragon nor inflict serious damage. If not for Guangyuan True Monarch executing a secret technique, he too would have perished."

Han Yilong explained.

"Taoist Friend Han is so well-informed! I hadn’t heard about this incident yet," Yu Ke remarked with a sigh.

"Guangyuan True Monarch just happened to encounter our Witch Clan members, which is how we learned about it. This incident will probably spread soon. That fourth-tier Wind Flood Dragon likely isn’t in the Absolute Spirit Sea Domain anymore."

Han Yilong clarified.

"If the Absolute Spirit Qi were released, that Wind Flood Dragon would surely have died in the Absolute Spirit Sea Domain," Ice Silkworm True Person analyzed.

"Let’s hope that’s the case! A fourth-tier Flood Dragon is not to be trifled with. Taoist Friend Shen, I would advise against setting your sights on a fourth-tier Flood Dragon. Throughout history, many daoists have perished at the hands of such creatures," Han Yilong solemnly warned.

"Yes! A fourth-tier Flood Dragon isn’t like other fourth-tier Monster Beasts; its physical body is too abnormal. Even if the five of us joined forces, we wouldn’t stand much of a chance against a fourth-tier Flood Dragon," Lu Tianhai echoed.

Shen Long nodded and said, "I was just asking casually. I am aware of my own limits. Should any of you hear news about the essence blood of a fourth-tier Flood Dragon, please notify me."

The three, including Han Yilong, agreed, with Ice Silkworm True Person also offering to keep an eye out for Shen Long.

After chatting idly for over an hour, Shen Long learned about major events that had occurred recently in the Northern Sea Cultivation Realm.

"I have other matters to attend to and can’t stay any longer, Taoist Friends Han, Lin, and Shen, take care," Lu Tianhai said as he rose to leave, and Yu Ke also excused herself to depart.

"Shen Long, I plan to return to the Donghua Cultivation Realm for secluded cultivation. Would you like to join me?" Ice Silkworm True Person asked.

His trip to the Northern Sea Cultivation Realm was mainly to hold the dual cultivation ceremony with Han Yuwei, providing her with a formal status. He intended to go back to the Donghua Cultivation Realm for secluded cultivation.

Shen Long shook his head and replied, "No, thank you. I need to search for the essence blood of a fourth-tier Flood Dragon; I’ll return later."

The Northern Sea Cultivation Realm was rich in cultivation resources and had seen several fourth-tier Flood Dragons. Shen Long needed to acquire the essence blood of a fourth-tier Flood Dragon to continue cultivating the Nine Transformations Flood Dragon Art.

"Alright then! Take care, and here is a demon core from a fourth-tier Green Wind Roc. You should take it," Ice Silkworm True Person said, taking out a green jade box and handing it to Shen Long.

Shen Long thanked him and accepted the green jade box.

After some more casual conversation, Shen Long stood up to take his leave, departing from Golden Gourd Island.

Arriving at the Zihu Marketplace, Shen Long made his way to the Zihu Palace, where people were constantly teleporting in and out.

He approached a transference array, paid a sum of Spirit Stones and joined nine others. Once they were ten, the guard input a spell, sending up a dazzling burst of Spiritual Light that engulfed the figures of Shen Long and the others.

After a brief dizzy sensation, Shen Long appeared in a spacious and bright hall, with the din of noisy voices coming from outside.

Shen Long strode out, finding the streets outside teeming with people and bustling with activity.

He headed to the Golden Flood Dragon Pavilion and went straight upstairs.

Reaching the ninth floor, he met Ximen Yu.

Sensing the powerful Spirit Pressure from Shen Long, Ximen Yu quickly stood up and bowed respectfully, saying, "Congratulations, Senior Shen, on advancing to the Nascent Soul Stage."

"I wish to purchase two sets of fourth-tier formations. Do you have any good recommendations?" Shen Long inquired.

The Xuangui Great Array had been rendered useless, and Shen Long planned to buy two sets of fourth-tier formations to assist him in hunting down Monster Beasts. Over the years, he had accumulated quite a bit of wealth, making the purchase of two fourth-tier formations no difficult task.

"These are our fourth-tier formations available at the store. Please take a look, Senior Shen."

Ximen Yu took out a golden Law Disk and handed it to Shen Long.

Shen Long received the golden Law Disk and examined it carefully.

A set of fourth-order formations starts at one million Spirit Stones, and better ones at two million Spirit Stones.

Shen Long selected two sets of fourth-order formations, specifically the Four Symbols Demon-Locking Formation and the Mysterious Fire Demon-Burning Formation.

"Senior has really good taste, these two formations are excellent, especially the Four Symbols Demon-Locking Formation, where all four Formation Flags are Dharma Treasures, costing two million three hundred thousand Spirit Stones. The main Formation Flag of the Mysterious Fire Demon-Burning Formation is a Dharma Treasure, and the auxiliary Formation Flags are all top-quality Magic Artifacts, costing one million Spirit Stones, for a total of three million three hundred thousand Spirit Stones."

Ximen Yu said enthusiastically.

A Dharma Treasure starts at five hundred thousand Spirit Stones, and the main Formation Flag of a fourth-order formation is definitely a Dharma Treasure. If the main Formation Flag is a Spiritual Treasure, the power of the formation will be even greater.

"Let’s settle on these two formations! Send someone to fetch them."

Shen Long said, having slain quite a few Core Formation Cultivators over the years, the Spirit Stones in his Storage Bag were well over three million.

He had previously slain a Nascent Soul Stage cultivator from the Witch Clan and acquired quite a fortune as well.

Ximen Yu acknowledged with a sound, took out a green Messaging Plate, input a spell into it, and gestured for a while.

"Senior, please wait for a moment; the people below will bring the formations shortly."

Ximen Yu said politely.

"By the way, has there been any major event in the Outer Sea lately?"

Shen Long asked casually.

"A major event? A fourth-order Wind Flood Dragon appeared in the Absolute Spirit Sea Domain, killing many Nascent Soul Cultivators. Oh, right, Qixia Alliance is offering a hefty bounty for the capture of Xuanfeng Hermit."

Ximen Yu said.

"Xuanfeng Hermit? What crime did this person commit to have Qixia Alliance offer a hefty bounty on him?"

Shen Long asked, puzzled.

"It is said that Xuanfeng Hermit attacked Qixia Alliance’s caravan and stole something very important. The exact details are unclear, but the reward from Qixia Alliance is very generous, whether dead or alive. Here is a portrait of Xuanfeng Hermit."

Ximen Yu took out a golden scroll and handed it to Shen Long.

Shen Long unfolded the scroll, which depicted a tall and thin elder in green robes.

Shen Long memorized Xuanfeng Hermit’s features and asked, "What’s with that Wind Flood Dragon? Isn’t there a fellow cultivator who wants to eradicate it?"

"It roams the Absolute Spirit Sea Domain, and due to the Absolute Spirit Qi there, many seniors prefer not to go to the Absolute Spirit Sea Domain. If they encounter a surge of Absolute Spirit Qi, it would be troublesome. One of the Ten Immortals of the Northern Sea, the Green Flood Dragon True Monarch, died in the Absolute Spirit Sea Domain."

Ximen Yu explained.

"What? The Green Flood Dragon True Monarch died in the Absolute Spirit Sea Domain?"

Shen Long said in surprise.

He had heard of the Green Flood Dragon True Monarch, who was said to have raised a third-order Green Flood Dragon and had hopes of achieving the Divinity Transformation Stage, having not shown himself for hundreds of years.

"This news has only recently come to light; the Life-Bound Magic Treasure of Green Flood Dragon True Monarch even appeared at an underground auction, so it must be true."

Ximen Yu affirmed.

"Such a pity, I thought he could advance to the Divinity Transformation Stage!"

Shen Long said with a tone of regret.

"No matter how great your divine skills, coming into contact with Absolute Spirit Qi leaves you helpless. Therefore, that Wind Flood Dragon roams the Absolute Spirit Sea Domain, and those seniors with vast divine skills don’t wish to go to the Absolute Spirit Sea Domain to eliminate it."

Ximen Yu explained further.

After some idle chat, a man of medium stature dressed in green robes approached, took out a green Storage Bag, and handed it to Ximen Yu.

"Senior Shen, please see if this is what you wanted."

Ximen Yu passed the Storage Bag to Shen Long.

Shen Long scanned it with his Divine Sense, nodded his head, paid the Spirit Stones, and left the Golden Flood Dragon Pavilion.

A short time later, he appeared at the entrance of the Sun’s Artifact Refining Shop, where Sun Yiyue and Song Sen were attending to customers.

"Senior Shen!"

Sun Yiyue and Song Sen’s expressions were excited as they quickly walked out.

After many years, they were still at the Foundation Establishment Stage.

"Congratulations to Senior Shen on advancing to the Nascent Soul Stage,"

a respectful male voice sounded.

As the voice fell, Song He quickly walked over, his demeanor respectful.

Over the years, he had helped Sun Yiyue’s business by selling her some second-order Monster Beasts.

Shen Long smiled faintly and said, "Song, my friend, it’s been a long time."

"Senior Shen, may I have a word in private?"

Song He said cautiously, full of anticipation.

After many years, Shen Long had advanced to the Nascent Soul Stage.

"Alright! Lead the way."

Shen Long agreed, turned to look at Song Sen, and instructed, "I will contact you later; wait for my message."

"Yes, Senior Shen."

Sun Yiyue and Song Sen promptly agreed, their expressions respectful.

Shen Long followed Song He away, leaving Sun Yiyue and Song Sen excited.

"Shopkeeper Song, Madam Song, you actually know a Nascent Soul Cultivator! Why haven’t you mentioned it before?"

"Yeah! Once you two rise to great heights, don’t forget about us."

"Shopkeeper Song, Madam Song, if there’s ever anything you need, just say the word."

The many Foundation Establishment Cultivators spoke one after another, hoping to cultivate a closer relationship with Sun Yiyue and Song Sen.