Starting as pearl divers, they have endless jobs.

Chapter 178 Advancement to the Ultimate Profession, Awaiting Return

At this moment, Chen Ye let out a long breath and relaxed completely.

I’m so tired!
That seemingly casual strike had actually exhausted all his mind and will.

Because that strike not only severed Yuanlan's bloodline shackles, but also represented the ultimate sublimation of his own sword intent.

So at this moment, Chen Ye felt weak all over and didn't even have the strength to lift a finger.

"Well done." A gentle yet magnetic voice rang out in front of Chen Ye.

Chen Ye struggled to lift his head, then froze.

Standing before them was a young man dressed in a long black robe, with a face so handsome it was almost otherworldly.

The man's black hair cascaded down his shoulders like a waterfall, and his golden eyes, like two pieces of melted amber, were deep and majestic, as if they could see right through people's hearts.

His skin was so white it was almost translucent, and his features were exquisitely refined. He possessed an innate nobility and aloofness, as if he did not belong to this mortal world.

Chen Ye stared for a long time before finally finding a familiar shadow in those golden eyes.

“Yuan…Yuanlan?” he asked uncertainly.

Even when Yuanlan transformed into human form, he still retained obvious demonic characteristics, and the cold and fierce aura emanating from him could not be concealed.

But the man in front of her, apart from his inhuman golden eyes, was almost no different from a real human being.

No, it should be said that it is more perfect than the vast majority of humans.

"Indeed, this is the original self. What do you think of this avatar?"

"Very good, I reckon it could charm countless girls," Chen Ye joked.

Yuanlan laughed and then said, "In fact, this is my true Dao body. Before, my dragon body was mixed up, but now that I have broken free of the shackles and shed my mortal form, it will naturally manifest its most original form."

He paused, then looked at Chen Ye, who was slumped on the ground, and a sincere gratitude appeared in his golden eyes.

"Chen Ye, thank you very much this time."

"If it weren't for your final strike that severed my karmic entanglement at just the right moment, even if I could have used Jian Jingchuan's power to soar to the heavens, I could only have completed 99% of the transformation at most, and I wouldn't have been able to achieve perfect merit, or even perish and disappear."

Yuan Lan spoke calmly, but Chen Ye could sense the danger in her words.

On the path of spiritual practice, one wrong step leads to another.

Especially at such a critical moment of transformation, any tiny flaw could be magnified infinitely in the future, ultimately leading to utter ruin.

"Don't mention it. We're partners. Your success won't hurt me either," Chen Ye said, waving his hand.

While his help to Yuanlan was partly due to a promise, it was also largely for his own benefit.

Moreover, Chen Ye gained a great deal from this slash, because just now, a system notification appeared in front of him.

[My main class, Hundred Tribulations Blade, is at max level. Shall I advance to the ultimate class?]

I've finally reached the maximum level.

Chen Yeqiang suppressed his excitement and temporarily ignored the choice, because he had many things to deal with and no time to delve into it.

“One thing at a time.” Yuanlan insisted, “A promise is a promise, and a favor is a favor. You helped me sever my thousand-year-old destiny, which is an immense favor. I, Yuanlan, will remember it. If anything happens in the future, as long as it does not violate my Dao heart, I will do my best.”

A promise from a true dragon king whose strength rivals that of a Nascent Soul Ancestor!

This favor is so significant that it could drive the entire cultivation world of Qingzhou crazy.

Chen Ye stopped being coy and nodded, saying, "Alright, I'll remember that. If any fool dares to mess with me in the future, I'll mention your name."

“Sure.” Yuan Lan’s lips curled into a smile. “In this Qingzhou region, and even in the entire Dongsheng land, my name should still have some influence.”

He spoke casually, yet possessed an air of domineering authority.

Then Yuanlan glanced at the devastation around them and said to Chen Ye, "You rest here for a while, I'll take care of this mess."

After saying that, Yuanlan made a hand seal with one hand and muttered some incantations.

The next second, Chen Ye saw a scene that left him dumbfounded.

The entire valley floor began to ripple slowly like water.

Under the pull of an invisible force, the collapsed rocks and shattered land began to automatically return to their original positions and heal.

The cliffs that had been flattened by Jian Jingchuan's sword energy were regrowing and rising at a visible speed.

Clear spring water suddenly gushed out of the dried-up lake and quickly filled it again.

Even the flowers, plants, and trees destroyed by the aftermath of the battle sprouted from the soil, took off branches and buds, and regained their former vitality and greenery in just a few breaths.

Moving mountains and filling seas, recreating the world!
This is no longer a simple spell, but a supreme divine power that allows one's words to become law and directly mobilize the laws of heaven and earth!
After the scene was cleared up, Yuanlan was very satisfied.

"Let's go outside and take a look."

As Chen Ye and Yuan Lan walked out of the valley behind the mountain side by side, the natural illusion array surrounding them automatically parted to the sides, making way for a passage.

Yuanlan is now the true master of this southern wilderness mountain. Every mountain, every ridge, every blade of grass and every tree here is in harmony with his will.

When they arrived at Kawa Village, they saw that all the villagers' faces were filled with fervor.

Especially after Yuanlan landed on the ground, the mountain people were so excited that they were speechless.

Then the old clan chief walked over shakily, then knelt down with a thud, trembling with excitement.

"On behalf of all the people of Kawazhai, I respectfully welcome Lord Dragon!"

As he knelt, the entire mass of mountain people behind him followed suit, their movements perfectly synchronized and filled with piety.

"Welcome, Lord Dragon Lord!"

The roaring sound echoed through the valley, filled with awe and reverence.

Yuanlan looked at the simple yet enthusiastic mountain people before him, a hint of gentleness flashing in his golden eyes.

He raised his hand, and a gentle force lifted everyone up.

"Get up, all of you," he said gently. "Though I have transformed into a dragon, I am still your mountain god."

Yuanlan's voice wasn't loud, but it clearly reached the ears of every mountain dweller, as if carrying a calming power that slowly soothed their excited and tense emotions.

"Thank you... thank you, Lord Dragon Lord!" The old patriarch stood up tremblingly, his cloudy old eyes filled with tears.

He never imagined that he would witness the miracle of the mountain god transforming into a dragon in his lifetime.

What an honor!

"Lord Dragon Lord, you..." The old patriarch was so excited that he could hardly speak.

“Just call me Mountain God.” Yuan Lan smiled slightly. “I’ve heard this title for hundreds of years and I’m used to it.”

"Yes, yes! Lord Mountain God!" The old clan chief quickly corrected himself, his smile almost reaching his ears.

Yuanlan's words undoubtedly reassured all the villagers of Kawazhai.

Their biggest worry was that after the mountain god transformed into a dragon, he would leave this mountain and no longer protect them.

But now it seems that the Mountain God has not forgotten his most loyal followers.

"Today, I was able to successfully transform into a dragon and break free from the shackles of fate, thanks in large part to the devout offerings of your Kawazhai clan for hundreds of years," Yuanlan said slowly, his gaze sweeping over every mountain dweller present.

“I can feel that the power of your faith has stabilized my newborn dragon body and allowed me to control this power more quickly.”

Upon hearing this, the mountain people all straightened their chests, their faces showing immense pride.

It turns out that they also contributed to the mountain god's transformation into a dragon!

"This is what we should do! It is our honor to serve the Mountain God!" Ah Shan said loudly, his dark face glowing with excitement.

“That’s right! Our descendants in Kafan Village will forever worship the Mountain God!” A Niu shouted in agreement.

"We will forever believe in the Mountain God!"

The other villagers joined in the shouting, their cries rising higher and higher, filled with heartfelt fervor.

Yuanlan looked at them, a relieved smile on his face.

He raised his hand and pointed gently at the entire Kawa Village.

"In return, I will bestow upon you a blessing today."

As he finished speaking, visible golden specks of light flew from his fingertips like fireflies, then slowly merged into every corner of Kawa Village. Some of the specks of light merged into the rammed earth walls and exorcism talismans of the village, making the already sturdy defensive array even more stable, shimmering with a faint golden light.

Some of the light spots blended into the fields and water sources in the village, instantly imbuing the ordinary crops and spring water with a faint spiritual energy. Long-term consumption of these substances was enough to prolong life and prevent all diseases in mortals.

Some of the light spots flew directly into the bodies of the young and strong hunters and children, nourishing their muscles, bones, and blood.

Although this change is very subtle, given time these people's physiques will surely far surpass those of ordinary people, and it is even possible that a descendant with cultivation aptitude will emerge.

This is the Dragon King's blessing!

After doing all this, Yuanlan withdrew his hand.

The villagers were completely immersed in this miraculous blessing. They were so excited that they couldn't speak and could only kneel down and kowtow to express their endless gratitude.

Chen Ye watched from the side, nodding inwardly.

Yuanlan is a man who clearly distinguishes between gratitude and resentment.

He was ruthless towards his enemies, capable of destroying their souls with a single thought.

But he was generous with his followers, giving them real benefits.

"Alright, I've finished my business, it's time for me to leave." Yuan Lan glanced at the sky and said to the old patriarch.

"Mountain God, you...you're leaving?" Upon hearing this, the old clan chief's face immediately showed a look of reluctance.

The other mountain people also quieted down, watching Yuanlan expectantly.

"I need to go into seclusion to cultivate and condense my natal dragon pearl," Yuanlan explained. "But don't worry, I won't leave the Southern Wilderness."

Hearing this, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

"Then... Lord Mountain God, will we ever see you again?" a bold child couldn't help but ask.

Upon hearing this, Yuanlan looked down at the child, a rare gentleness appearing in his golden pupils.

He reached out and gently touched the child's head.

"Of course, the day I emerge from seclusion will be the day you see me again."

After saying that, he turned to look at Chen Ye, nodded, and then transformed into a golden light that shot into the sky and disappeared into the horizon in an instant.

It came suddenly and left just as quickly.

With Yuanlan's departure, the atmosphere in the village relaxed considerably, shifting from tension and reverence.

All eyes turned to Chen Ye.

Ah Shan laughed first, "You're really something, kid! You've been sticking by the Mountain God's side the whole time! We were so worried about you!"

"Yes, Brother Chen, the fighting in the sky was so fierce just now, are you alright?"

"Brother Chen, is the Mountain God really that powerful? Did he kill that bad guy in one move?"

The mountain people surrounded Chen Ye, chattering excitedly, their faces full of curiosity and concern.

Looking at the simple and warm smiling faces in front of him, Chen Ye felt a surge of warmth in his heart.

He answered their questions with a smile, omitting many of the dangerous details, only saying that he had been watching from the sidelines and had not been affected.

"It's good that you're back! It's good that you're back!" The old clan chief leaned on his cane, looking at Chen Ye with a face full of relief. "Everyone, don't just stand there! Quick, bring out the best wine! Bring out the fattest wild beast! Today we're going to have a proper celebration for the Mountain God's transformation into a dragon!"

"it is good--!"

The entire village of Kawa was once again engulfed in deafening cheers.

Just as the mountain people were preparing for the banquet, Chen Ye quietly opened the system panel and selected "confirm".

In an instant, golden light appeared before my eyes.

[Profession Advancement to the Ultimate Profession - Myriad Calamities Blade Master]

[The Lord of Myriad Calamities: All things have their tribulations, all laws have their destinies. You are both a walking calamity and a player in the game of fate.]

[Talent: Eye of Calamity—Your eyes can see through the lines of calamity and destiny in all things. The lines of calamity represent destruction and end, while the lines of destiny represent life and fortune. You can not only sever the lines of calamity to trigger collapse, but also use your own true essence as a guide to manipulate and even weave subtle lines of destiny, influencing the course of things and the trajectory of fate invisibly.]

Eye of Calamity!

Chen Ye was deeply shaken.

If the previous Eye of Calamity only granted him extreme destructive power, then the current Eye of Fortune has given him a more mysterious and unfathomable ability—to interfere with fate!
Although the talent description states that it only involves manipulating the fine threads of the weaving process, Chen Ye is well aware of just how terrifying the potential of this ability is.

The proverb goes, "A thousand-mile dike can be destroyed by an ant hole."

Often, a seemingly insignificant change can trigger a massive chain reaction.

Just as Chen Ye was deep in thought, the banquet was ready, and a mountain villager came to invite Chen Ye over. So he turned off the control panel and went to the party.

Chen Ye's appearance naturally attracted many mountain villagers to offer him a toast, which he accepted without hesitation, drinking whatever cup was offered.

The atmosphere of the party reached its climax in an instant.

While the Kawa Village deep in the Southern Wilderness Mountains was immersed in revelry, the entire cultivation world of Qingzhou was in an uproar because of this earth-shattering phenomenon.

The back hall of the Qingzhou government office.

Dressed in official robes, the dignified prefect of Qingzhou stood solemnly by the window, gazing at the southern horizon.

Although they were hundreds of miles apart, he could still feel a terrifying aura lingering in that direction that made his heart tremble.

"grown ups!"

An official from the government office rushed in from outside, his face showing undisguised shock.

"Speak," the Lord of Qingzhou said calmly without turning around.

"Reporting...Reporting to Your Excellency! Our spies who were sent to monitor the area near the Southern Wilderness have sent back news!" The official swallowed hard and said urgently, "Just two hours ago, strange phenomena occurred in the direction of the Southern Wilderness Mountains. The wind and clouds changed color, and thunder roared!"

"And then?" asked the Lord of Qingzhou Prefecture.

"Then the scout said he saw with his own eyes a giant dragon burst out of the dark clouds and coil up in the sky! The dragon's might could be felt even from a hundred miles away!"

"A dragon?" Upon hearing this, the Lord of Qingzhou's pupils contracted sharply. He finally turned around, his eyes flashing with a sharp light. "Are you sure it's a real dragon?"

“Absolutely true!” The official nodded vigorously. “The spies said that it was definitely the legendary true dragon! And… and shortly after that, the life-bound soul lamp of the manor lord Jian Jingchuan, enshrined in Tianjian Manor, also went out!”

"What?!" Even the calm and composed Lord of Qingzhou couldn't help but gasp upon hearing this news.

Jian Jingchuan is dead?
The master of Tianjian Manor, who had been entrenched in Qingzhou for hundreds of years and whose cultivation level was as high as the late stage of the Core Formation Realm, died just like that.

He connected the two pieces of news, and a guess that even he found hard to believe came to mind.

Could it be... that the great demon from the Southern Wilderness has successfully transformed into a dragon?
Moreover, it was it that killed Jian Jingchuan?

"Is the news true?" he asked in a deep voice.

"It's true! Our informant in Tianjian Manor has confirmed it! Tianjian Manor is now in complete chaos!" the official replied confidently.

The lord of Qingzhou remained silent.

He paced back and forth, his expression shifting between light and dark.

If all of this is true, then the fate of Qingzhou is truly about to change.

A true dragon that has just successfully transformed into a dragon and is capable of killing a late-stage Core Formation cultivator must have a strength that far exceeds everyone's imagination.

"Pass on my order!" He abruptly stopped, a resolute glint in his eyes. "Immediately prepare a generous gift—no, three! Then send someone to deliver them to the outskirts of the Southern Wilderness Mountains. Remember, the gesture must be even more humble than last time! Show the Qingzhou Prefecture's sincerity in being willing to befriend and even pay tribute to us to the greatest extent possible!"

"Huh?" Upon hearing this, the official was stunned. "Sir, this... this is too much..."

"What do you know!" the Lord of Qingzhou shouted coldly. "This is called assessing the situation! A toothless tiger has died, but a real dragon has appeared! If we don't speak up first now, we'll be crying when others get there first!"

"Get it done immediately! There must be no mistakes!"

"Yes! Your humble servant obeys!" The official dared not say another word and quickly accepted the order and withdrew.

Similar scenes are playing out repeatedly throughout Qingzhou.

Countless sects and independent cultivators, sensing an opportunity, rushed to the Southern Wilderness to pay their respects to the newly appointed Dragon Lord, hoping to get a share of the spoils.

Without exception, they were all blocked by an invisible force at the outer edge of the Southern Wilderness Mountains.

(End of this chapter)