If you don't give up, I'd like to be your adoptive father.

Chapter 1234 The Past of the Dragon Clan

Xiaoyu asked in surprise, "Why can't I transform into a dragon? Is there some taboo about cultivating immortal techniques and transforming into a dragon?"

Master Qin lowered his eyes and said, "The emperor has his crown and robes, and the ministers have their hats and court robes."

Commoners were not allowed to wear crowns at will, and their clothing had to be distinguished from that of the powerful and wealthy.

If this is the case for humans, then other innate demon gods naturally also have their own 'rites and ceremonies'.

The ancestors of the Shimen clan were always treated as servants by the dragons. Some rules, along with their way of life and special 'dragon-raising secrets,' have been etched into the blood and soul of the Shimen clan, and cannot be changed.

Xiao Yu said, "This is no longer the ancient era. Humans are in charge now, so we don't need to care about the dragons' opinions."

Your sect has also integrated into the 'modern' world, and is no different from other cultivators in the Qin Dynasty. Why don't you make any changes?

"It can't be changed." Master Qin said with a complicated expression, "Grand Tutor, you've seen many servants, but you must not have observed them carefully, have you?"

For example, in the southwest corner of Xianyang Palace, there is a "hidden palace" where people who live there are slaves for generations.

The nobles in the court also liked to use eunuchs and palace maids who came from the hidden palace, because they were particularly good at serving people.

Born in a hidden palace, the knowledge one is exposed to from childhood is all about how to please noble people, what kind of people noble people like, how to serve noble people and make them more satisfied.

There were even people in secluded palaces who created martial arts specifically for serving others.

My master's family is the same.

Of all the cultivators in the world, only my sect is the most skilled at raising dragons.

Because no one understands dragons better than us.

We know exactly how many scales a dragon has and what shape each scale is.

We also know what quirks dragons have, and how to make them sleep comfortably and eat happily.

For example, I have a unique skill called "Dragon Subduing Skill", which includes a set of whip techniques called "Eight Forms of Dragon Slaying".

Even if it's a true dragon ten times stronger than me, I can subdue it with my Dragon-Slaying Whip.

However, the "Dragon Subduing Skill" evolved from the "Eighteen Claws of Flowing Clouds".

"The Eighteen Claws of Flowing Clouds" is specifically designed to massage the acupoints of ancient dragons and help them scratch their itch.

There is a story in "The Eighteen Claws of Flowing Clouds" titled "Ancient Dragon's Taboo".

The text details the ancient dragon's body structure, specifying which parts should never be touched, which areas should not be massaged with excessive force, which acupoints should be massaged with which type of vital energy, and which types of vital energy should never be used to stimulate them.
Reversing the ancient dragon taboos and specifically targeting the dragon race's vitals, it becomes the Dragon Subduing Skill.

The "Eight Forms of Dragon Slaying" only strikes the dragon, causing it excruciating pain and even bone damage, but without killing it.

After hesitating for a moment, Shi Men Qin quietly transmitted his voice and said, "Actually, my sect is also keeping up with the times."

The taboos of yesteryear are being abandoned.

In recent years, some members of the clan have even gone so far as to attempt to create a forbidden chapter of the "Dragon Subduing Skill"—the Nine Methods of Dragon Slaying.

It is said that once one masters the Nine Techniques for Slaying Dragons, slaying dragons is as easy as slaughtering chickens; one can kill a true dragon on sight without even needing a second move.

Xiao Yu recalled the day the dragon was released in the Zhang River. When Zhao Juhua was bitten by the dragon, Qin from his sect unleashed his dragon-slaying whip and lashed her wildly.

The alligator dragon was beaten until its skin was torn and its flesh was ripped open. It shouted angrily about the "Eight Styles of Dragon Beating" and said, "The dragon-raising clan are the true dragon's domestic servants. How dare you lay a hand on your master?"

In the end, Zhao Juhua was still bitten to death.

The Eight Forms of Dragon Strike can only hurt the real dragon, but cannot damage its vital points.

If Qin, a disciple of the sect, was practicing the "Nine Methods of Dragon Slaying".
"In this day and age, you still consider 'dragon slaying' a taboo? You don't even dare to create the Nine Methods of Dragon Slaying."

Master Qin sighed, "Grand Tutor, how can you still not understand? Raising dragons is the root of our sect!"

Betraying Gu Long and abandoning our destiny of raising dragons, our Shimen Clan will surely lose its reason for existence.

Our ancestors, our spiritual culture, our secret teachings. The reason why my Shimen clan is called Shimen clan is because we raise and protect dragons.

We cannot become like Gu Long; that would be a desecration of Gu Long.

We cannot develop techniques for slaying dragons; that would be utterly rebellious.

We are also keeping pace with the times, not going directly from being slaves to dragon slayers, but from being slaves of the past to becoming friends and mentors of dragons.

We are incredibly satisfied and proud to have helped the little dragon grow into a great true dragon.

Xiaoyu really didn't know what to say.

The Shimen clan was not only completely tamed by the ancient dragons, but they also became "parasites" living on the ancient dragons.

"The reason why my 'Dragon God Transformation' can become a perfect ancient dragon is because it expounds the 'Great Dao of the Ancient Dragon'."

"Without cultivation, just reading will greatly enhance your sect's understanding of ancient dragons," she said confidently.

Master Qin held Grand Tutor Yu in high esteem, but upon hearing these words, he subconsciously curled his lip, revealing a look of contempt.

"Grand Tutor, I understand your intentions. I will help you convey this to the clan, and it should be able to help you obtain a secret manual that records the past of the sage. As for the 'Dragon God Transformation,' we don't need to exchange it."

Xiaoyu was very annoyed. How dare they look down on her Dragon God Transformation!
But since they had already given her the secret manual for free, she couldn't say anything more.

"Does your sect welcome outsiders? I'd love to see the scenery of the Ancestral Dragon Secret Realm."

After hesitating for a while, Master Qin said somewhat uncertainly and reluctantly, "I can help the Grand Tutor convey his thoughts."

The clan leaders should not refuse a great human leader like the Grand Tutor.

However, the Grand Tutor can only go to the Ancestral Dragon Secret Realm when his sect enters the world again.

Even a 'minor calamity' takes hundreds or thousands of years to occur.

"The Ancestral Dragon Realm only opens during major calamities in the human world. Is this intentionally controlled by your people, or is it a form of restriction?" Xiaoyu asked.

Master Qin said, "Whenever there is a great calamity in the human world, the rules of heaven and earth will change."

The Ancestral Dragon Realm must align itself with the vast world and accept and adapt to changes in its laws.

This is a rule set by the First Dragon when he created the secret realm; it can't be considered a restriction.

Xiao Yu said, "This great calamity of heaven and earth has only just begun a few years ago, and it's still a long way from ending."

You don't need to rush back.

The Dragon Cave has so many dragons; it's already short-handed. Without you all, wouldn't it be complete chaos?

I understand the will of Heaven and know destiny; I can accurately predict when the great calamity will end.

I will notify you in advance and see you off when the time comes.

By the time the great calamity is nearing its end, I should be free of trouble, so perhaps I can head straight to the Southern Wilderness.

Master Qin said with a bitter face, "Actually, we didn't want to leave so soon either."

The Ao clan of the Four Seas already harbored hatred for the Shimen clan. Now that the little dragon we raised has usurped their throne, I fear some wicked dragon will extend its hatred to the crows within their nest and seek revenge against us.”

Grand Tutor Yu's expression changed slightly. "A monstrous dragon has already approached the Qinling Mountains?"

"I'm not entirely sure, but we've developed a sense of crisis. It might become even more pronounced once the Grand Tutor leaves Xianyang again. With the Grand Tutor around, even the evil dragon is afraid!" said Qin Dao, a member of the sect.

Xiaoyu said, "Now that I know about this, you don't need to worry anymore."

Master Qin looked puzzled.

Xiaoyu said, "I know, we'll be of one mind. I know before the evil dragon even moves."

As long as you stay near the Dragon's Cave and don't wander around, you'll definitely be safe.

Master Qin was still somewhat hesitant. "I'll discuss it with them later."

"Why would the Ao clan hate you? Although the little dragons you raise are of mixed blood, they are still their offspring," Xiaoyu asked, puzzled.

Master Qin sighed, "It has little to do with the little dragons. It's a problem of their own dragon clan."

As the saying goes, the dragon has nine sons, each different from the other.

The First Emperor also fathered many dragon princes.

During the struggle for supremacy among the three races, the dragon princes each led an ancient dragon clan to suppress the four seas and eight wastelands on behalf of the ancestral dragon. The ancestors of the Ao clan were the lords of the ancient 'Ao Tan'.

Ao Tan is named "Tan" (pond), but it is actually a desolate sea east of Buzhou Mountain.

However, Mount Buzhou was simply too vast and magnificent. Compared to it, the desolate sea, spanning tens of thousands of miles, seemed like a small pond.

After the ancient era ended, the demon race established the Heavenly Court. The ancient dragon race was still unwilling to relinquish its position as the 'protagonist of heaven and earth'.

Just as the human race became the dominant force in the world, the witch and demon races were both dissatisfied and fought for many years. Even now, with humanity at its peak, the demon gods of Beiju Luzhou are still causing trouble.

Just like the imperial dynasties on earth and the heavenly court, both are fighting against demons and monsters. Back then, the demon race's heavenly court also severely suppressed the ancient dragon race.

It almost crippled Gu Long.

The dragon, phoenix, and qilin fought for supremacy, but the ancestral dragon met a tragic end.

The ancient dragon clan has largely survived.

After being suppressed by the Heavenly Court of the Demon Race, the ancient dragons were scattered and could no longer form a unified group.

After the split, the hearts of the ancient dragons were scattered, and their ideas differed.

The dragons of Ao Tan surrendered to the new Heavenly Court, which is the Heavenly Court of the Jade Emperor.

Seeking refuge in the Heavenly Court is not as simple as saying a few words or kneeling down and kowtowing.

The Ao clan completely surrendered the ancient dragon's water rights and rainfall rights to the Heavenly Court.

Back then, the Ao Tan Dragon Clan was the 'leader of the ancient dragons,' equivalent to the 'Chinese mainland' in the human world today."

Master Qin, his face full of indignation, his hands waving unconsciously, shouted angrily: "Grand Tutor, think about it, the superior nation of China, which governs humanity, has suddenly betrayed humanity."

"If we offer the destiny of humanity to the demon race, how will the other human races react?"

Xiaoyu wanted to remind him: Hey, wake up! You're not Gu Long, you're just Gu Long's servant! Why are you getting so worked up about the infighting among your masters?

"Later, the Ancient Dragon and the Ao Clan had a great battle? Your sect sided with the Ancient Dragon, and thus was hated by the Ao Clan?"

The indignation on Shi Menqin's face turned into bitterness and sorrow, "There was no great battle, we didn't have time."

The other ancient dragons were still shocked by the betrayal of the Ao clan and were discussing how to punish them.

The Ao clan, along with the celestial gods of the Heavenly Court, has taken the initiative to wipe out the ancient dragon clan in the human world.

It's not that the remaining ancient dragons are causing trouble for the Ao clan; it's that the Ao clan wants to exterminate the remaining ancient dragons.

Xiao Yu was stunned for a moment, then realized, "If the Chinese nation betrays humanity, the fate of humanity will surely turn to the barbarian lands."

If the other ancient dragons are wiped out, the Ao clan will become the sole dominant force.

The dragon race has no choice but to tie its fortune and water rights to the Heavenly Court.

"The Dragon King Ao is very knowledgeable!"

"They were so knowledgeable back then, how come they're so stupid and reckless now, completely oblivious to fate?" Xiaoyu asked curiously.

"The Ao clan of dragons doesn't understand; it was the Heavenly Emperor who taught them, and it is also because the Heavenly Emperor is ruthless and vicious."

Master Qin looked up at the sky with a wary expression and whispered, "It was not the Ao clan that voluntarily submitted to the Heavenly Court."

It is unknown how the Heavenly Emperor secretly subdued them.

The Ao clan originally had no intention of excluding dissidents, since they were all their own clansmen.

It's highly likely that they were acting under the orders of the Heavenly Emperor.

Many ancient dragons were captured by the gods and subjected to brutal torture in Heaven.

Xiao Yu exclaimed in surprise, "It was all the Heavenly Emperor's scheme. There was no Dao Ancestor or Xuanmen Immortal acting as a go-between or guarantor?"

Master Qin shook his head and said, "When the Ao clan surrendered to the Heavenly Court, the other ancient dragon clans were certainly shocked."

Phoenixes and unicorns, demons and witches, and even immortals from the three religions—all these are equally unbelievable.

Grand Tutor, having cultivated Taoist arts, must know that the Taoist esoteric school has no shortage of rain-related powers.

The Xuanmen sect has no need to subdue the dragon race and deprive the ancient dragons of their water rights.

The Xuanmen sect has the backing of the Dao Ancestor, so it lacks nothing.

The Heavenly Court of yesteryear was far less imposing than it is today, dominating the entire Three Realms.

In the eyes of many ancient beings, the Heavenly Emperor was a joke, and no one cared about him.

Until He suddenly used thunderous means to subdue the Ao clan of dragons and take control of the power to bring rain to the human world.

Gu Long had the right to water, but not the right to govern it.

In its early days, the Heavenly Court had administrative power but no water rights, and therefore no power to rule the Three Realms.

With the power of rain and the power of governance, he easily controlled the human race.

Humanity began to abandon its primitive rituals and convert to faith in the Heavenly Court.

Qin Xi, a member of the sect, sighed and said, "Back then, the Nine Netherworld was not as orderly as it is today."

Before a systematic system of underworld gods and spirits was established, the netherworld was filled with all sorts of demons and monsters.

Does the secret vault of the Imperial Observatory's Earthly Palace not contain the true forms of ghosts and spirits?

They are incredibly diverse and numerous, making them impossible to guard against.

Now, however, they have become extremely rare.

The main reason was that the different human tribes at that time worshipped different objects.

Some worship a shaman who possesses the power to communicate with the spirits, some worship a deceased tribal chief with extraordinary powers, some worship evil gods, and some worship mountain spirits and monsters. Ten thousand tribes, ten thousand 'gods'.

For example, Shao Siming and Da Siming are the 'wild gods' of the Chu region.

Do people in the Central Plains still believe in them?

But they didn't disappear; they just changed their names and became the Star Lords of Fate in the Heavenly Court!
After the Heavenly Court took away the incense offerings and divine power of the human race, many powerful tribal 'wild gods' were also incorporated into the Heavenly Emperor's ranks and became official gods of the Heavenly Court.

Xiaoyu immediately thought of Lady Danhua.

"What does this have to do with your sect? Why does the Ao clan hate you? Did you avenge your master and threaten them?"

Qin Dao, a member of the sect, said, "Our sect doesn't even dare to cultivate the 'Nine Methods of Dragon Slaying,' so how could we possibly threaten the dragon race?"
Back then, we only protected the ancient dragons as they fled the 'Middle Lands', and we also helped seal and relocate many of their caves, preserving some of their heritage.

After escaping the Central Plains, our Shimen clan must continue raising dragons.

As they nurtured it, they managed to reclaim a portion of the ancient dragon's authority.

Hehe, it was an unintentional act. As the ancient dragon clan expands, the authority naturally returns.

The Grand Tutor's 'Dragon God Transformation' was able to wield the power of the ancient dragon, and we have to thank our sect for that!
The water rights that were completely surrendered to the Heavenly Court by the Ao clan back then have been partially destroyed.

The Shimen clan, which later entered the Central Plains, only raised dragon cubs for the Ao clan.

The Ao family knew we were servants, and although they disliked us, they could tolerate our presence.

Now that a wicked dragon is taking its anger out on us, it's like the fish in the moat suffering when the city gate catches fire.

"Our little dragon has usurped the power of the Ao family patriarchs."

"So, your sect is still living with a large ancient dragon clan?" Xiaoyu asked.

Shi Menqin shook his head bitterly and said, "Of course we hope so. But Shi Men are ultimately servants and cannot make decisions for their masters."

After the ancient dragon clan grew stronger, a Western sage came to the Southern Wilderness. It is unknown what they discussed.

Within two days, the ancient dragons followed the Western saints and joined the Western Religion, becoming the 'Dragon Clan' among the Eight Heavenly Dragons.

The 'Dragon Clan' no longer needs us. They left behind several ancient dragon relics, and asked our sect to guard the tomb of the ancestral dragon.

Our sect was disheartened and, instead of searching for other ancient dragon clans in the Eight Desolations, we lived in the Ancestral Dragon Realm with a few other equally disheartened old dragons.

(End of this chapter)