Shulong Daojun

As the white mist dissipated and the sky brightened, the carcass of a ten-foot-long carp lay across the stream, its mouth limply opening and closing, spewing out strings of bloody foam.

Lin Shu couldn't bear to see it suffer, so he simply killed it with a single blow.

He flipped his wrist, took out another slicing knife, stepped on the fish, and skillfully made a horizontal cut along the tail.

With a few quick cuts and a couple of flicks, the flesh is separated from the bone, just like a skilled butcher dissecting an ox.

The white, smooth fish flesh has a faint, refreshing scent, with dark gold patterns embedded in the natural lines of the fish's body, seeping into the skin and quietly spreading to the golden scales.

Upon seeing this, Lin Shu's heart stirred, and he recalled the record in the Dragon Book: "Dragon meat, when pickled in soy sauce, will produce literary talent."

This golden carp with its dark patterns has clearly embarked on the path of transforming into a dragon and has become a member of the dragon family.

We just went a bit too far and went a bit astray.

If it grows human-like hands and feet instead of the nine resemblances to a dragon, it has already lost its true dragon form and deviated from the path to becoming a dragon.

If we keep cultivating them, they might give birth to a monster called the Fish Demon.

After waiting for dozens of days, only to find that the carp is not a carp at all, all the effort has been in vain, which inevitably makes people feel disheartened.

Lin Shu remained calm, glancing at him briefly before raising his hand slightly.

The clear stream flowed gently, as soft as silk, washing over the fish. With a gentle shovel and a caress, several pebbles rolled out with a thud.

Some are as big as a fist, others as small as a bead; they are smooth, different in color, and different in shape.

Upon closer inspection, one can see a stone in the center, made of indigo and jade-like material, with a few faint dark gold lines on its surface.

It was exactly the same as the meat from carp, with no difference whatsoever.

"Stone is the essence of the mountain. The green ones are called green jade, and the ones with patterns are called patterned stones."

Dragons are scattered everywhere; scaled insects, beasts, mountains and rivers, and even astronomical phenomena can all become dragons, and there are corresponding methods for raising dragons.

As he was removing the bones and taking the meat, he suddenly remembered that carp often forage for food in the mud at the bottom of the river and are prone to accidentally swallowing small stones that slip into their stomachs.

Although the dark gold-patterned carp has become a wild spirit, it did not appear overnight. When it eats, it is very likely to swallow some pebbles at the bottom of the stream.

These pebbles, having remained inside the fish's belly for so long, may have undergone changes due to its influence.

Now that we see it, it's indeed true.

Recalling what was recorded in the "Dragon Book," Lin Shu smiled faintly, bent down to pick up the blue stone, and carefully put it into his bosom.

This pebble has now become his treasure.

If the path of carp transforming into dragons is blocked, then the method of stone eggs emerging as dragons is also a good one.

As the saying goes, after returning to the world, the fish with white, smooth flesh was carefully stored away. Then, with a burst of magical power, the huge fish skeleton beside him was crushed into fine powder.

Immediately, he scattered into the stream and fed the fish directly.

These fish bones are a treasure; they originate from dragons and are considered spiritual materials, highly nourishing.

A casual action today might give birth to a carp that can transform into a dragon tomorrow; there is gain in loss.

As the carp began to feast, Lin Shu's gaze shifted, and he snatched a long tail, gifting it to the old man in hemp clothing. Then, turning away, he disappeared into the Panxi River.

The stream eventually becomes a river, where the water and sky blend into one color, and clouds roll and unroll.

Sailing on the rapids, passing through nine bends, and plunging three thousand feet, we arrived at a certain place.

Embracing the green mountains on both sides, it lies hidden at the end of the river.

It is called the Dao Yi Tai Miao Zhen Men.

In the secluded valley, a stone tablet entwined with grass and vines bears the six characters of the clan name, and the cries of monkeys and the flight of white cranes can be heard from time to time.

It is a small, secluded place in the wilderness.

In one corner of the pavilion, a sturdy young man dressed in a blue robe was wearing a straw hat and using a hoe to dig a row of ridges in the ground.

Beside her was a little girl with double buns riding a white crane.

Before Lin Shufang could even utter a word, a string of silvery laughter rang in his ears:

"Hehe, Senior Brother is back! Little Bean missed you."

"Senior brother, senior brother, did you bring any delicious food or fun toys for Xiaodou'er?"

But it was Little Bean who came riding on the crane, her big, round eyes blinking, her little hands wrapped around the crane's neck.

Looking at the figure, Lin Shu smiled gently and, as usual, stretched out his hands to catch the little bean that was flying towards him.

He took the opportunity to hug Xiaodou'er and held her in his arms, explaining softly, "Senior brother was so busy catching dragons this time that he didn't have time to go to the market."

Next time, next time I will definitely bring Xiaodou lots and lots of delicious food and fun things.

OK?"

As he spoke, he gently patted Xiaodou'er's head again.

"Okay, okay." Little Bean was reasonable, her eyes crinkling as she nodded in agreement.

Immediately, she glanced furtively to the left and right, then leaned close to Lin Shu's ear, her little face serious, pouting, and whispered:

"Senior brother, Master heard that you went to catch dragons again. He's so angry!"

Little Bean saw that his eyebrows were all knotted together, and he looked fierce.

Before the words were finished, an old Taoist priest in a white robe appeared quietly, holding a whisk in his hand.

He had a kind and gentle face, and cleared his throat lightly: "Little Bean, your teacher is always kind, how could I possibly wear the word 'fierce' on my face?"

Your second senior brother has been hoeing the ground for a long time, and he must be a little thirsty. Fetch him some spring water to moisten his mouth.

Your senior brother and I have something to say.

"Oh." Xiaodou lowered her head and pursed her lips. "Master, then please keep your voice down later, so as not to scare the little white crane."

After saying that, she secretly winked at Lin Shu.

He then summoned the white crane to his side, gently stepped away from his embrace, and, supporting the crane's neck, sat steadily.

Lin Shu watched the two figures, one large and one small, disappear into the distance and smiled knowingly.

However, before half a breath had passed, it was interrupted by a cold voice:

"You traitor! Why are you laughing?"

Could it be that they've captured a dragon this time?

The Taoist priest glanced at Lin Shu, his feelings towards this disciple a mixture of love and hate.

At sixteen, he had the appearance of a gentleman, and was humble and polite.

Knowing when to stop in life, he possesses a touch of divine grace; diligently practicing the Tao, he is unparalleled in the Three Mountains and Five Peaks.

But I've become obsessed with raising dragons. How foolish of me!

Thinking of this, the Taoist priest brushed away the dust, glared at him, and sighed, "My disciple Lin Shu, the path of cultivation requires performing five daily morning rituals to build a foundation, refine oneself, and eliminate all the turbid energy in one's body."

Nine years later, one will gain nine abilities, including the ability to see a thousand miles and hear ten thousand miles, and will be unharmed by ghosts and gods, and unharmed by water and fire.

You have reached the point of fulfillment, more than three years have passed. When do you wish to experience spiritual connection and conceive?

He paused slightly at this point, "In about a month, it will be time to accept the invitation to the Kunyuan Dharma Assembly."

As far as I know, all your disciples of the same generation have achieved spiritual harmony, receiving a wisp of spiritual energy into their bodies and forming a Dao embryo.

The Taoist priest's words were meaningful, and Lin Shu understood immediately.

Compared to other disciples, he had been searching for the dragon for two or three years, and his cultivation was half a step behind.

The Kunyuan Dharma Assembly will inevitably involve a contest of shrewdness, and given his current situation, he will likely be embarrassed in public and unable to save face.

However, that was all yesterday.

Yesterday is gone, today is here.

"Please rest assured, Master, I will definitely condense my Dao Embryo within a month," Lin Shu said with a confident smile.

The Taoist priest's brows twitched, and he said with delight, "My good disciple, have you come to a realization and given up on the method of condensing a Dao embryo using the spiritual essence of dragons and serpents?"