January 26th.

A dragon's roar echoed through the mountains, sounding three times, resonating for miles around.

The pool water was dark and cold, deep and mysterious.

Jianghu guests gathered in Dragon Claw Town, as the strange sounds of pythons and flood dragons echoed. It stirred up noise, discussions everywhere, many unable to make up their minds. Among them, there were those with deep insights, knowing of many strange tales and said:

"Heh heh, everyone, it's the old dragon senior, mustering his forces! Let's go and take a cleansing in the water, and in the days to come, we'll reap endless benefits!"

They went together to the Old Dragon Pool.

Again amidst the crowd, someone shouted: "Everyone, don't squeeze in all at once. If we all rush in together, won't we ruin the flowers, grass, and trees? Let's go in batches."

Jianghu guests are the hardest to manage. How could they be obedient, doing things orderly, following the rules?

But everyone had different thoughts, with those impatient, those calm and composed, those waiting and observing, and those possibly deceitful... naturally dividing themselves into batches.

The impatient ones led the way, a sprawling group of several hundred people.

They stopped a hundred paces away from the pool.

The Jianghu guests, fearing to offend, all stood still. After a moment of hesitation, a Jianghu guest slightly braver shouted loudly: "Old dragon senior, we're here to help you transform into a dragon! Are you mustering forces, or do you have something to say, please speak directly."

The pool water surged, waves rippled, as if a giant creature stirred it. Suddenly, with a "splash," an enormous spray of water splashed onto everyone.

The crowd was bewildered. The hot-tempered ones almost started cursing. Suddenly, one person said: "I understand, I understand, this is to soak in dragon energy. Someday, when the old dragon senior crosses the waters to transform into a dragon, we'll also be bathed in dragon soup and gain endless benefits!"

Everyone's clothes were soaked, their faces ecstatic, and said: "Thank you, senior, thank you, senior, we will surely do our best to stir the wind and waves for you! Hahaha!"

They joyfully left.

The heroes gathered, helping the flood dragon cross the waters.

They naturally had schemes, driven by interests.

With shared interests, they would be wholeheartedly committed!

Before long, another batch of Jianghu guests arrived. Dressed lightly, eyes full of expectation, someone said: "Old dragon senior, I wish you a day of ascension, roaming the heavens and galloping across the universe!"

Acting in the same manner.

A dragon's roar echoed from the pool. A spray of pool water came forth, under the sunlight, a rainbow dazzlingly shone. Splashed onto everyone's bodies, those who came were all filled with joy.

Like this, several more batches of heroes arrived. All left soaked through and through.

Outside the pool, it was lively and bustling, with congratulatory words constantly emerging. Mostly wishing for ascension to the dragon gate, longevity rivaling the southern mountains, dragon-like grace and phoenix-like beauty, and choosing a day to become a dragon...

At noon, the banquet-goers in Dragon Claw Town, most had been bathed in "pool water", first infused with dragon energy.

The pool returned to silence, but the visits were not over, rather just starting. In the following days, in Wangzhen Building, the second floor central seat, the third floor high seat, the top guest rooms, and the private guest boxes...

Would each choose a time to visit the old dragon individually. Whether showered with golden rain, or bestowed with another chance, or to observe the dragon's body, or to negotiate deals.

Those attending the Dragon Appreciation Banquet, all had their own designs, and their own schemes. Specific details, never leaked out.

By evening.

The setting sun cast oblique shadows, the pool surface like coated in golden varnish. The vegetation flourishing, vitality brimming.

On the third floor high seat of Wangzhen Building, Jianghu expert 'Golden Saber Earth Flood Dragon·Zhu Butong' came visiting alone.

He carried a golden saber, his figure tall, and stood by the pool, saying: "Zhu Butong has come to visit, old dragon senior." As he spoke, the pool water surged, splashing forth.

Zhu Butong let out a cold snort, swinging his golden saber, tightly shielding himself.

The water spray was dense, but couldn't touch the hem of his garment.

The sword skill astonishing.

He thrust the saber into the ground, the earth around him quaking, and said loudly: "Old dragon senior, I've come from afar, can I not exchange for a single scale?"

There was no response.

Zhu Butong said: "Fine, if the old dragon senior looks down on me so, then I'll show the old dragon senior my strength!" Immediately performing the sword technique, golden light swirling, the sword aura dazzling...

Suddenly it rose, the dragon soaring into the sky.

Then it slashed downward, the flood dragon diving into the sea.

This was the "Golden Flood Dragon Fifteen Blades," an extremely formidable middle-level martial art. Zhu Butong displayed his strength, adding weight to his terms.

A moment later. A scale shot out from the depths of the pool. Zhu Butong, with a distant grapple, caught it in his hand. The flood dragon's scale was tough, icy to the touch.

He said joyfully: "Thank you, old dragon senior, I wish you an early ascension!"

He put away the scale, leaving with satisfaction.

It turned out...

The grand Dragon Appreciation Banquet was an exchange of interests.

The python-flood dragon crossing the waters, seeking to become a flying dragon.

They must face the great barrier of heaven, earth, and man. It is a convergence of heavenly brilliance, facilitated by the destiny of the land, and a gathering of human talents and elegance.

If the crossing of the waters succeeded, heaven and earth would resonate, marvels would present themselves, and there would be 'heaven-bestowed blessings'.

Those who helped the flood dragon enter the sea, would all gain something.

Bathing in the pool water would prolong life, strengthen the body, acquire dragon energy. Immense benefits, indescribable.

Those who obtained a flood dragon's scale would receive heaven's blessings, and the flood dragon's scale would transform into a part of the 'Dragon Shedding', a Human Yellow level essence treasure!

The Dragon Shedding, shedding the scales of a python-flood dragon, traversing ten thousand miles of waterway, entering the sea to become a dragon, receiving heaven's permission, transforming into the Dragon Shedding.

...

...

Thus, by nighttime.

The waning moon hung high, reflected in the pool.

The pool water was like a mirror, reflecting the night sky. By the pool stood an ancient, gnarled tree, its leaves lush and its branches numerous. Reflected in the water, it appeared as a silver tree draped in moonlight.

The mist hangs like a fairyland.

The night is no longer lively; monkeys sleep among the treetops, and fish play in the pond.

Outside the Old Dragon Pond, Li Xian and Wen Caishang walked slowly.

As they reached the edge of the pond, Wen Caishang whispered, "Elder Dragon, I have come to assist your ascent to dragonhood."

A scale of a flood dragon surfaced on the water. The scale was light green with golden threads. Wen Caishang shook her head and said, "Elder Dragon, please come forth."

Water splashed, and a huge python-like flood dragon swam out from the bottom of the pond. It was covered in green scales and had grown claws and horns...

Li Xian examined it carefully, thinking, "Horns on its head, claws on its belly. It no longer resembles a snake. Since my past life, I have heard tales of dragons. Unexpectedly, seeing it now, it differs slightly from my imagination, with a somewhat fishy yet fragrant smell."

Wen Caishang said, "Please bestow your heart's blood, to stain this scale. I will give my all to help you enter the sea."

"Wen Caishang..." The python flood dragon opened its mouth and spoke in human language: "You are too greedy. I've already given you my heart scale, the only one. What use is it to also shed my heart's blood?"

Wen Caishang said calmly, "You need to know. If you fail in the water-walking, the heart scale will be just a slightly tougher snake scale. It has its uses, but it's still a mundane thing."

"If the water-walking succeeds, strictly speaking, the Heaven and Earth Treasures are not bestowed by you, but by the heavens."

"Heavenly Essence and Earthly Splendor are acquired from the heavens. Even a true dragon, can its scales be considered treasures? If that were the case, wouldn't dragons be wiped out by martial artists?"

"You should know that even if you succeed in transforming into a dragon, and the scales become Dragon Shedding, these treasures are related to you, but not granted by you."

"If you hide your skills, I'll naturally do the same. In the end, all I'll lose is a piece of treasure, but Elder Dragon will lose your life."

The python flood dragon swam around in the pond, thinking: "The heart scale is already the extreme, and when the Dragon Shedding descends from the heavens, two-tenths will be monopolized by the holder of the heart scale. And yet, she wants me to irrigate it with blood. Could it involve Earthly Splendor?" With a mysterious sense of perception, it said, "Your ambition is grand, do you seek Earthly Splendor?"

Wen Caishang did not answer.

"What you said is true; the Heaven and Earth Treasures aren't given by me. I'm only deciding on the distribution. Since that's the case, I hope you'll do your best." The python flood dragon regurgitated its heart's blood, dripping it onto the 'heart scale'.

A bit fishy, a bit fragrant.

The python flood dragon said, "The vastness of heaven and earth has its own reasons. As I strive to become a dragon, heaven and earth lay down layers of obstacles. Yet, they've given me a lifetime of resources to allocate and form dragon-ascending allies. Now, the final resource is in your hands. I hope you'll assist me with all your might."

"That is how it should be." Wen Caishang smiled and said, "Besides... Elder Dragon, please grant him a bath."

The python flood dragon brought its head closer, sizing up Li Xian and sniffing his scent, "Boy... your scent is very distinctive."

Li Xian bowed and asked, "How so distinctive?"

"Very fragrant." The python flood dragon smiled.

Wen Caishang said, "He also has a perfect appearance, exuding a natural fragrance, which is perfectly normal."

"Wen Caishang, with such a fine spouse, you are indeed fortunate." The python flood dragon whipped its tail, sending water splashing, baptizing Li Xian, who immediately felt a refreshing coolness.

Li Xian was momentarily surprised. Wen Caishang said calmly, "The nature of dragons is inherently lustful. Though it has not yet transformed into a dragon, it already possesses such a nature. It's just passing it along, you need not pay it any mind."

....

....

They returned to their guest quarters.

The incense in the room had not yet burned out, its fragrance calming and peaceful.

Li Xian straightforwardly asked, "Madam, you conversed a lot with Elder Dragon just now. I only caught snatches and bits. Could you explain it to me again?"

Wen Caishang took out the Heaven and Earth Treasure Box, palm-sized, exquisite. She placed the blood-stained heart scale inside the box and put it away in her sleeve. She sat quietly and said, "What would you like to know?"

"What exactly are true dragons and essence treasures? I truly don't understand," Li Xian said, feeling quite curious.

Earlier in the day, he saw heroes excited, each coming back drenched, as if baptised by blessed rain. He thought the Elder Dragon had bestowed an opportunity, but when he bathed personally, the pond water was fishy and cold.

Though a soak might relieve the summer heat, there was nothing miraculous about it. Why were the heroes so excited?

Wen Caishang explained, "The flood dragon walking in the water is a great event of heaven and earth. The opportunities of heaven and earth are often hidden in such great events. Otherwise, why would the many heroes of Yu Nan Dao and Longxiong Dao have come to stir the pot?"

Li Xian joked inwardly, "I know, if not for substantial benefits, would Madam humble herself to come here?" He thought again, "Saying this out loud would probably get me two sword slashes."

Wen Caishang, in good spirits, continued, "There are two opportunities in a flood dragon's water-walking. The first is to bathe in the Dragon Soup, absorbing Dragon Qi. Muscles, lifespan, talent, luck... all can be enhanced."

"Moreover... in this world, some powerful martial arts related to dragons. Those who absorb Dragon Qi can practice them more in tune, with greater power."

"The second concerns the essence treasures."

"When the python flood dragon succeeds, heavenly essence descends, named 'Dragon Shedding'. Those who hold its scales will naturally share in the Dragon Shedding."

Li Xian asked, "And what about that Earth Radiance mentioned earlier..."

Wen Caishang thought, "It's fine to let Li Xian know this." She said, "This is a secret known only to me. Telling you is fine, but once you know, it'll be hard to part from me even a bit. You're young; you might want to explore and adventure someday. Don't let curiosity now block your path ahead."

Li Xian said, "Please tell me, Madam."

"Alright." Wen Caishang's eyebrows relaxed as she spoke, "The flood dragon walking the water not only hides the Human Yellow level but also contains 'Earth Radiance', named 'Dragon's Foot Grass', ranked fifty-nine."

"The opportunity is here, but acquiring it is not simple."

Then she succinctly explained the mysteries within. Wen Caishang realized that Li Xian's experience was still shallow, and he didn't understand much of it. So she didn't elaborate in detail.

Wen Caishang said, "That's not all."

She walked to the window, opened the east window, and gazed out at the ever-flowing river. She pointed lightly and said:

"This water-walking spectacle."

"Those who help the flood dragon transform into a dragon will enjoy the benefits. Those who hunt dragons along the river will also gain great wealth. In the future water-walking, on the banks of the Benhua River, there will be many obstacles."

"The flood dragon walking in the water might be seen as defying heaven. Those who hunt dragons follow the way of heaven, slaying the dragon in the river, preventing it from walking the water. They can also enjoy heaven's gifts and partake in a Human Yellow item."

"If the python flood dragon transforms into a dragon, I can obtain the Earth Radiance."

"It's just..."

Li Xian asked, "Just what?"

Wen Caishang was silent. According to family records, though this method could obtain "Earth Radiance," it was not orthodox. It had the implication of "stealing," so... at best, luck would be hindered; at worst, it could bring calamity.

"A flood dragon walking the water is a rare event in a hundred or even two hundred years. This Dragon's Foot Grass is a significant section of my dietary plan; I must strive to seize it. If my luck is hindered, I'll find a geomantic treasure land, hide for a few years, and avoid it," Wen Caishang thought.

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