When I woke up, the entire cultivation world was talking about my master.

Before Hua Ling could finish speaking, Chu Xianlan hurriedly and embarrassedly covered her mouth.

Hua Ling struggled desperately, flying a little further away, and said, "Why are you making such a fuss? Aren't there examples of this? After successfully cultivating together, one can completely absorb the essence and origin transferred from the other's body with their physical body, saving more than ten years of detours! And thus break through the bottleneck!"

A cultivator's essence is always extremely precious, as it is the foundation for the refinement of one's cultivation. The higher the cultivation level, the purer and richer the essence becomes, containing the essence of the Great Dao.

The true path of dual cultivation involves the mutual exchange of spiritual energy and the nourishment of each other's essence, in a continuous cycle. This method benefits both parties, but the party with lower cultivation level benefits far more than the party with higher cultivation level.

...What does that mean?

Dual cultivation...absorbing...absorbing the master's essence...

Chu Xianlan froze, her face turning bright red. She recalled a previous instance of dual cultivation—hands clasped, lips pressed together—to suppress the Entangling Gu. But that was merely a exchange of spiritual energy, not a deep, superficial practice. If it reached the point of absorbing each other's essence… wouldn't that…

Wait! What is he thinking about?! Why is he actually pondering this so seriously...?!

How could a righteous disciple resort to any means necessary just to achieve a breakthrough... Absolutely not!!!

Unable to control herself, Chu Xianlan blurted out the last four words.

Hua Ling exclaimed in shock, "You're so stubborn! Your relationship is perfectly legitimate, Yi Chen will definitely be more than willing, what's wrong with that!"

Chu Xianlan covered her ears and rushed forward, away from Hua Ling's ear-piercing cries. She gritted her teeth and rushed onto the deck, her eyes drawn to the vast scenery.

The terrain of Beiming is much more treacherous than that of Nancang, with dense forests everywhere. About two-fifths of the area retains its original appearance. At this moment, the demon ship passed through many high mountains and came into view a vast expanse of water.

The vast expanse of blue water blends seamlessly with the sky.

As the demon ship sailed into the air above the water, an indescribable surge of powerful spiritual energy suddenly swept over, drawing everyone to the deck to investigate.

The spiritual energy was water-based, making Xue Ling feel very light and comfortable, making her whole spirit soft and limp. Her little hands dangled outside the railing, swinging back and forth. Xue Ling rarely felt so relaxed, and she kept rubbing against it like a kitten sunbathing.

Hua Ling floated over slowly, reached out and poked her face: "Little Xue Ling'er, you've melted."

"Ugh!" Yan Ling was so overwhelmed by the high concentration of water-based spiritual energy that she vomited.

Hua Ling mercilessly mocked Yan Ling a few times, then turned around and asked with a grin, "Yi Chen, you have an ice spirit root, do you feel comfortable here?"

Yi Chen remained silent, his gaze fixed on the deep pool below.

Even if she was ignored, it didn't affect Hua Ling's mood. After all, Yi Chen always liked to act profound, and she was used to it.

"What kind of place is this? The spiritual energy is so pure and abundant." Wei Jin also has a fire spiritual root, but he is not as sensitive as the spirits of heaven and earth. He spoke while gently brushing his hair, which was ruffled by the wind.

"Water Dragon Abyss." Ming Si's voice suddenly came from the side.

He appeared and disappeared without warning, startling Chu Xianlan.

Ming Si rested his chin on his hand, his face full of lingering relish, and said to himself, "The crab spirits of the Water Dragon Abyss are incredibly delicious, with thin shells, thick meat, and golden roe. They are even more fragrant and sweet when paired with peach blossom wine; the silver threadfin fish are transparent, and when sliced ​​into thin pieces and dipped in sauce, they melt in your mouth; the Mo Lingzhang has tender and crisp flesh, and when slowly smoked over spirit wood charcoal, it becomes both charred and sweet."

He described fish, shrimp, crab, and clams with great relish, making Yan Ling hungry and causing her to swallow hard.

"Smelling such a fragrance, even cultivators who live in secluded valleys year-round would be tempted to feast upon arriving here," Ming Si said with a wicked smile.

"..."

"…………?"

Everyone fell silent for a moment.

Fasting?

Enjoy a hearty meal?

Chu Xianlan's lips twitched, and she almost spat out her drink. The world is right, the demon race is indeed illiterate!

He was completely absorbed in the moment, and everyone cooperated tacitly, not exposing the demon king's true colors. So, Ming Si recited a series of dishes, and then said:

"Of course, these are nothing. Have any of you ever heard of—a true dragon?"

The others present didn't react much after hearing this, except for Chu Xianlan and Yi Chen who exchanged a glance.

True Dragon. The word coming from the mouth of the current Demon King always gives people a bad feeling.

Chu Xianlan's heart skipped a beat.

You don't have any grand ambitions, like wanting to transform into a dragon, do you?

Ming Si narrowed his eyes and continued:

"In ancient times, Water Dragon Abyss was the dwelling place of the true dragon clan. Dragons lurked in the abyss, and clouds and mist rose. Later, the true dragon clan suffered a great calamity, gradually withering and perishing, and finally all of them perished, leaving only this body of water—known as the richest spiritual vein in the Northern Underworld. The water-based spiritual energy we feel is actually the fragmented dragon energy that has not dissipated from ancient times to the present."

The Demon King stretched out his hand and gestured vaguely downwards.

"Legend has it that the Water Dragon Abyss was not this vast in the past. After the true dragon perished, its blood and marrow flowed out, filling the entire lake. The hard dragon bones sank to the bottom of the abyss, gradually raising the water level, which is how the Water Dragon Abyss came to be today."

"Look," Ming Si turned around, pointing arrogantly to the front of the demon ship, "the dragon bone that powers this flying ship was personally salvaged from the Water Dragon Abyss by me."

His tone was somewhat smug.

Chu Xianlan frowned and asked, "Personally salvage it?"

That's a very pertinent question. Ming Si seemed quite pleased with his question, flicking his sleeves with an elegant posture: "Not bad. I have collected over a hundred such exquisitely assembled dragon bone demon ships. I'll take you to admire them one by one when the time comes."

"..." Chu Xianlan coughed twice, then probed very deliberately, "Your Majesty the Demon King loves dragons so much, haven't you ever thought of finding a living dragon?"

Mingyi gave him a strange look and said casually:

"What's the point of a living dragon? There's nothing good to say about it, and I can't turn it into a demon ship. Besides, all the real dragons are dead."

Chu Xianlan suddenly realized, "So that's how it is." Collector's obsession, I understand.

What a hypocrite!

Wait, that was rather unremarkable.

As they were talking, the demon boat had already sailed away from this area of ​​water. Yi Chen turned around and glanced at it again.

-

Meanwhile, on the other side of the world...

The cultivators have arrived at the Imperial City Council Hall.

Pei Fang'an, the acting leader of the Taiyi Sect, stood in the crowd, waving his fan, greeting this person, and chatting with that person, his demeanor relaxed and natural, quite at ease. He seemed completely unconcerned that his sect had produced four wanted criminals, who were none other than his second junior brother, junior brother, nephew, and nominal disciple.

Compared to him, Fairy Shuyu, who was standing not far away, was not so relaxed.

The atmosphere within the entire Xuan Yang Sect was somber.

In the past, the Heavenly Sword Sect would have definitely made a few sarcastic remarks, but at this moment, the sword cultivators were not in the mood. They would occasionally glance at the Profound Sun Sect, scratch their faces and pick at their heads, like they had ADHD.

He Jingxuan, the senior disciple of the Heavenly Sword Sect, was also very worried.

In the past, gatherings of people from all walks of life like this often meant meeting several friends, but now...

He Jingxuan was hunched over, standing awkwardly. Sect Leader He kicked him expressionlessly, "You good-for-nothing."

Everyone else has made a name for themselves, so why is it that his good-for-nothing son is still so obedient?

He Jingxuan turned around and looked at his father with a wronged expression, but didn't dare to say a word.

The atmosphere inside the hall was tense when the hall doors suddenly swung open.

Ji Ran walked out of the inner hall.

He wore a black python robe and a white jade belt around his waist, exuding a gentle and refined temperament.

"I've kept you all waiting."

"Half-demons roam freely, and the world is in chaos. Although the Southern Cang royal family has been relentlessly pursuing them, the power of the royal family alone is ultimately limited. Every sect and faction has the responsibility to protect the cultivation world. The reason I have invited you all here today is to discuss the matter of joining forces."