Dragon Tamer

Chapter 742: Chapter 746: Superior God Hua Chou

The three malicious individuals’ faces all turned dark. How could they have anticipated encountering such a shameless and deceitful person? Realizing that each of the opponent’s dragons possessed at least the strength of a demi-god, they dared not linger here any longer and hurriedly fled in three different directions.

The people within the Dragon Gate are decisive, always ready to turn and flee if they find the situation unfavorable. Pride and dignity are utterly irrelevant!

Zhu Minglang had already instructed the Nuwa Dragon to set up a binding earth array, so how could he possibly let these three trapped fish, which had already bitten the hook, escape?

“You, a cultivator of kindness, dare to commit such despicable acts. Are you not afraid of tarnishing your virtue and ruining your path?” the man in the black Taoist robe cursed.

“You needn’t bother worrying about me,” Zhu Minglang said with a wave of his hand, as the Heavenly Slaughter Dragon pounced forward, biting the black-robed Taoist to pieces…

…

...

Having dealt with the three ill-intentioned thugs, Zhu Minglang’s purse was a bit fuller.

Being both a Sword Cultivator and a Dragon Shepherd, along with the auspicious and virtuous purple aura around him, he had deceived countless people in the Dragon Gate without fail.

Yet Zhu Minglang mainly targeted those who harbored greed and malicious intent. And the Dragon Gate had no shortage of such people, which Zhu Minglang understood as soon as he encountered some upon his entry.

Continuing to ascend the mountain, Zhu Minglang saw a splendid forest of plum trees stretching from the foothills to the middle of the mountain. The scenery was exceptionally enchanting, and now and then, you could see one or two fairy-like maidens passing through, adding to the beauty. It’s a pity that few in the Dragon Gate stop to appreciate such sights.

Zhu Minglang passed through the forest, where the mountain terrain varied dramatically, sometimes rolling and majestic as vast ocean waves, sometimes as gentle as the plains with flowers spreading far and wide, and sometimes rising abruptly as if the earth had swelled hundreds of feet, inspiring awe in all who looked up.

No matter the path forward, from any wide-open view, one could always see that solitary peak piercing the sky, seemingly suspended above and unreachable. Despite having entered the system of Mount Zhi Tian, it did not feel like being within it at all…

Before he knew it, a month had passed.

Though day and night alternated rapidly here, Zhu Minglang, being half an immortal, was quite fast on his feet. Moreover, with several future Dragon Gods to ride, he had roamed the entire vast mountainous continent. How could he continuously fail to find the path leading up to Mount Zhi Tian?

“Why is it this plum blossom forest again? How many times has this happened?” Zhu Minglang exclaimed in dismay when he saw the plum trees once more.

Even if he couldn’t find the path, he shouldn’t have inexplicably gone downhill, right?

The plum blossom forest was clearly at the base of the mountain!

“Forget it, wandering blindly inside is just a waste of time. I’d better head back to Peak Falling City to see what’s going on. I’m running out of Spirit Rice,” Zhu Minglang sighed in resignation.

Back in the city, Zhu Minglang chanced upon some familiar faces, including Miss Linghu Ling from the Yuheng Star Palace, who was cleaning house.

In fact, Zhu Minglang had run into her once or twice in the mountains; she too was searching for a way to climb Mount Zhi Tian. Almost everyone believed that to achieve Divine Enthronement, one must ascend that sky-reaching peak, yet the very mountains at the base of the peak already trapped a great many Divine Chosen, demi-gods, and Loose Immortals…

Without much conversation, Miss Linghu simply nodded slightly upon seeing Zhu Minglang.

Considering the current impasse in reaching higher ground, Zhu Minglang felt that some communication was necessary at this point, since working in isolation was futile.

“Miss Linghu, have you made any discoveries? No matter how we climb, it seems we mysteriously end up going down the mountain,” Zhu Minglang asked proactively.

“It must be a trial imposed by the heavens. I am already searching for a pattern and believe a way to ascend will be found in a few days,” responded Linghu Ling.

“Is that so? Then it’s unlikely for you to make it, since Miss has not yet reached the realm I have. What a pity,” Zhu Minglang said with a smile and a shake of his head as he walked away.

Linghu Ling frowned, dissatisfied with Zhu Minglang’s somewhat arrogant words.

She saw Zhu Minglang had not gone far and called out, “Do you, fellow Daoist, believe this palace to be mistaken?”

“I thought the young lady possessed wise eyes, but it turns out to be somewhat foolish. I’m off to buy some Spirit Rice from a friend. It should not take me many days to ascend to a higher peak,” Zhu Minglang replied, not very politely, primarily due to his lack of fondness for the Yuheng Star Palace.

His inquiry was a mere probe to see if she was aware of his level. If they were not on the same plane, there was no need to inform her, thus avoiding an unnecessary competitor.

Of course, during these days, Zhu Minglang had also been investigating, inquiring, and understanding the situation.

This Miss Linghu Ling was the true Sword Cultivator Celestial Maiden from the Yuheng Star Palace. Aside from lacking an official divine position, her influence, status, and symbolism were no different from that of the gods. She was upright in character and held in high esteem. Yu Shanhan was just committing fraud under her banner…

“Although my understanding may not be particularly high, I’m not so lacking as to fail a simple test for initial gods. As for you, you wandered in the mountains for nearly a month, just like me, yet you managed to return to this city. Why do you belittle me?” Linghu Ling carried her inherent pride.

“It’s not a matter of belittling. It’s just that your Yuheng Star Palace indeed left a very poor impression on me at first. However, after some understanding, I gradually learned of the true conduct of your Star Palace. It’s so prosperous and powerful, it’s understandable that some unworthy individuals would emerge. I can understand that,” Zhu Minglang said.

“If the fellow Daoist understands, then regarding the matter of climbing the mountain…” Linghu Ling was also puzzled for a long time. Her idea of returning to the city was very close to Zhu Minglang’s—to find other people and exchange information, to find other ways to ascend the mountain.

“Although I haven’t found the entirely correct path, I probably already know how to climb the mountain, at least more thoroughly than you do. I’m actually quite interested in the swordsmanship of your Yuheng Star Palace. I could share a more accurate direction with you, to help you climb, and in return, you could teach me the basic Divine Sword Sword Score. How about that?” Zhu Minglang said.

Yu Shanhan, a Sword Girl of the Yuheng Star Palace who had gone astray, had shown an incredibly powerful Flying Sword ability, and Zhu Minglang naturally realized that the Sword Sect in the Supreme Court was far behind such divine sects. If he wanted to enhance his strength, he indeed needed to learn more powerful swordsmanship. Mr. Jinli was also right; establishing a good relationship with the Yuheng Star Palace would do no harm, provided that he recognized the genuine Sword Cultivator Celestial Maiden of the Star Palace.

“Since you got rid of Yu Shanhan for me, letting her cause less harm to people, I don’t mind giving you the Sword Score,” Linghu Ling said with the grace that only a Celestial Maiden could exhibit.

Having said that, Linghu Ling extended a hand and handed a multicolored Divine Stone to Zhu Minglang.

Zhu Minglang, who had never seen such a thing before, revealed a puzzled expression.

“This Sword Score Divine Stone is one of the few items that can be brought into the Dragon Gate. I use it for study and rest; it contains three kinds of swordsmanship, all of which are quite advanced and complex. I see that your Sword Cultivator realm is not low, so presumably, if you spend some time and focus on understanding it, you should be able to comprehend one or two out of ten parts of these three kinds of swordsmanship. As for when you can fully comprehend and master them, that will depend on your own insight,” Linghu Ling said.

Zhu Minglang curved his lips upward, having been cleverly outmaneuvered.

It seems Linghu Ling wasn’t as generous as she appeared, just right in returning Zhu Minglang’s earlier words.

“Since the lady has already given me the Sword Score, I should also point out a direction to the lady…” Zhu Minglang said.

“It’s not necessary; this still counts as repaying you for cleansing my house of treachery. And besides, if a fellow Daoist can see through it, so can I. Farewell!” Linghu Ling said.

After finishing, Linghu Ling walked alone towards the city. Her stunningly beautiful and somewhat alluring figure indeed attracted the attention of many, even those whose powers had already reached the Divine Realm were unable to remain completely undisturbed.

…

At the farm by the city’s edge, the lush Green Pearl Fruits were growing beautifully on a vine, their abundant Spiritual Energy seeming to ripple through the air, and even the fragrance emanating from them could be smelled from a great distance.

Peng Chen wiped the sweat from his forehead. Rolling up one trouser leg, he stood in the muddy field, his skin darkened by the scorching sun, a far cry from his original handsome appearance, now perfectly embodying a farm-working man!

“Disciple, you really have a knack for farming, even coming up with the idea of using Lishui to isolate some impurities from the soil so that the wooden roots absorb more Spiritual Energy. These Green Pearl Fruits have a rich Spirit Root; you could probably exchange some for Demonic God Pearls with the Divine Chosen in the city. If this continues, not only will your Cultivation Base become stable when you leave the Dragon Gate, but it might also see a significant increase!” the white-haired elder praised greatly.

“Hehe, cultivating and farming are what I love most; fighting and killing are the scariest…” As Peng Chen said this, he seemed to sense something, and he abruptly turned around, his black pupils focusing on an unwelcome guest standing in the Lingtian!

That unwelcome guest seemed to be standing, but in fact, he was always an inch above the muddy water of the Lingtian, with his bare feet untouched by any dirt!

Unfamiliar with me?” The barefooted man came closer, stepping on the water-soaked muddy field, but the water didn’t ripple at all with his steps.

“My eyesight is poor, and I do not recognize the Superior God. Surely, only a celestial from the stars above would have such extraordinary temperament,” Peng Chen let go of his alertness, hurriedly bowed with utmost respect.

“Tianshu… Hua Chou the Superior God!” The white-haired elder’s eyes widened in disbelief!

“Since you know who I am, why don’t you come and pay your respects?” the barefooted man said flatly.

The white-haired elder hesitated for a moment but eventually hurried over, burying his head in the muddy field and pushing his nape toward the feet of the divine Hua Chou.

“The crops are well-grown, rich in Spirit Root. I happen to be heading for the mountain; have your disciple pack these harvests for me,” Hua Chou stepped down firmly, pressing the white-haired elder deep into the muddy field.

The white-haired elder choked on the muddy water but dared not resist.