Chapter 1243: Dragon Sound
"Ah—" In a short period of time, screams resounded left and right in these woods along with a series of bone-breaking noises.
At this time, Li Qiye was stomping on the legs of these cultivators. Their legs were crushed completely as they howled like slaughtered pigs. These shrill screams echoed across the thicket.
"Who is so ruthless?" The screams alarmed some of the nearby cultivators. They came with curiosity and saw Li Qiye's leg-breaking fest. Their eyes darted at each other and wondered just who this human kid was and why he dared to be so vicious.
Eventually, with a loud bang, Li Qiye stomped on the noble-looking youth and coldly glared at him.
The paled cultivator busily shouted: "Don't, don't do anything stupid. I, I am a disciple of the Wyvern Country, a great power in the Dragon Demon Sea. If, if you dare to kill me, my country will not treat it lightly."
"Ah!" His wrist was stomped by Li Qiye.
This Wyvern disciple and everyone else shut up. They knew that they had messed with the wrong guy. This fella was too ruthless.
Li Qiye only wanted to teach them a lesson. If he wanted to kill them, it would have been easier than crushing an ant.
"Boom!" Li Qiye kicked this disciple from Wyvern flying through many trees while shouting: "Scram, don't let me see you again!"
These cultivators pissed their pants from fear. After hearing this, it was like they had been pardoned; they quickly rolled on the ground to get up and run away.
The disciple from Wyvern was from a great power and so couldn’t swallow his anger. After he flew far enough, he exclaimed: "Brat, leave, leave your name if you dare!"
Li Qiye gave him a side-eye and replied: "Li Qiye."
After hearing this, the disciple faltered several steps backward in horror. He had just heard this name recently.
Many cultivators who were watching for fun were startled as well, especially those who heard the news from the Jade Sea, they became completely pale. One of them said: "He is the disciple of the Peacock Tree, the successor of that land. He, he helped the tree sacrifice a billion Teeming Fish, no wonder why he is so ruthless!"
News of the tree's blood refinement had reached the Dragon Demon Sea. Of course, many believed that this was the masterpiece of the Peacock Tree while Li Qiye only acted as the tree controller. He became famous overnight due to the prestige that came with being an ancestral tree's disciple.
A cultivator commented in horror: "Damn! He helped the Peacock Tree annihilate an entire race. This ancestral tree is definitely a monster, so being its disciple, he can't be a kind person either; he's definitely a little monster as well."
The massacre of the Teeming Race, the most populous tribe in Heaven Spirit, had shocked countless people. This added to Li Qiye's notoriety despite everyone assuming that he was only the treefather's accomplice.
Just imagine, billions of lives were refined overnight. Anyone would quiver with weak knees after hearing this. As for the Wyvern disciple and his companions, needless to say, they turned and fled as far as they could. They didn't dare to think about taking revenge any longer. Li Qiye's fierce reputation had shattered their courage.
In a short period of time, the cultivators outside the thicket had ugly expressions. Many even chose to run away to avoid provoking this fierce person.
Li Qiye ignored them and leaned on a tree as he watched Zhang Baitu.
A long time had passed, yet there was still no changes with Zhang Baitu. Nevertheless, Li Qiye was confident in him because the Zhang had some ties with this place as well as Rainbow City. It was just that their descendants didn't know about these secrets.
Minutes came and went, but Zhang Baitu remained motionless as if he didn't gain anything.
Prior to this, very few would watch him meditate. After all, those who had heard of his name knew that his talents were completely insufficient since he was still a failure after joining so many sects. They thought that this was simply a waste of time.
However, after being aware of Li Qiye's great name, some became curious. Even though they didn't know why this fierce man was hanging around Zhang Baitu, they wanted to see if the old man could harvest anything.
One thing was for certain as the clock ticked down, Zhang Baitu had reached a state of total calmness.
A while later, a crisp voice resounded next to Li Qiye: "Will Brother Zhang be able to do it?"
No one knows when Hong Yujiao appeared beside Li Qiye. She was quite worried while watching Zhang Baitu under the tree.
Li Qiye flatly said: "All of you know nothing about what kind of people your ancestors were and what they experienced. This is because you have no interest in them at all."
Hong Yujiao couldn't refute because she was indeed ignorant of them.
Hong Yujiao eventually spoke: "You are the successor of Peacock Land, a tree controller." After returning, she uncovered all of his information and understood his identity.
Li Qiye didn't answer and continued his watch.
"I misunderstood you before." She spoke after a moment of silence: "The Peacock Treefather has always been protecting the human race and is adored by many. You are its disciple, so I'm sure you weren't scheming against Dongting Lake."
Li Qiye chuckled after hearing this. It seemed that the misconception of him being related to the Peacock Tree had spread uncontrollably. However, he was too lazy to correct them.
"My father wants to meet you." She eventually revealed her goal.
Li Qiye laughed and replied: "What does he want to talk about? The Hundred-Saints Hall or what happened with the Ironscale School?"
"Most likely the business of the human race." She replied: "Peacock Land is the second largest haven for humans after the Exquisite Valley. Even though Dongting Lake isn't as large as Peacock Land, there are many things that can be done to mutual benefit."
"That's fine, if he wants to talk, tell him to come and see me." Li Qiye just smiled with a completely indifferent attitude.
She refrained from speaking. Li Qiye's words sounded like a command for her father, so she couldn't exactly tell him this.
"It's time." Li Qiye had been fixated on Zhang Baitu the whole time. His eyes flashed as he noticed something.
Hong Yujiao quickly turned to look at her senior brother as well. A buzzing emanated from Zhang Baitu's body as it lit up, emitting a frightening light.
The old tree behind him unexpectedly shook a little bit along with his body; it was as if they were touching something. The brilliance from his body increased as time went on, and the light slowly turned into rays.
The tree then stopped moving and a very faint sound came about. While listening to it carefully, one could vaguely hear the roar of a true dragon. The roar sounded as if it was saying something, but humans couldn't understand it.
"Is that really the sound of a dragon?" The cultivators outside the thicket were astonished.
"What? How is this possible? Zhang Baitu actually obtained a fortune?" Some of them couldn't believe this scene while murmuring to themselves.
They felt that this was simply impossible. Even though people said that dragon cries were present in the valley, only a very small number of masters were able to hear them. Others didn't have this privilege.
Thus, it was even more impossible for Zhang Baitu who was known to have rubbish talent. Continuously failing despite joining so many sects left others thinking of him as a being that was hopelessly stupid.
It would be daydreaming for someone like him to think about gaining enlightenment in Dragonhark Valley.
However, a strange visual phenomenon was occurring around him. The impossible was unraveling before the crowd.
"That's a dragon's cry?" Hong Yujiao became absent-minded as well. She didn't have much hope in Zhang Baitu either. It was not because she looked down on him, but because he indeed possessed some flaws in terms of cultivation.
"I think so." The cultivators outside were jolted. They quickly sat down and focused in order to listen. They wanted to understand what the dragon was saying to obtain this fortune.
Hong Yujiao attentively listened as well in order to comprehend the faint cries of the dragon.
Chapter 1244: Dao Breakthrough
With the passage of time, Zhang Baitu's body became increasingly luminous while the dragon sounds from the old tree became more sonorous. In the end, it was no longer a vague sound, it truly became the voice of a dragon.
"It really is a dragon's cry! The valley truly has them!" The voice of the dragon had alarmed many people. More and more came and were jolted by this sound.
Despite the rumors of its existence, few people had heard it before. Many had failed and given up in the past, but now, they were both ecstatic and somewhat afraid after hearing it.
In a short period of time, many cultivators began meditating right outside of this thicket and carefully listened to the profundities encompassed within these draconic sounds. By successfully doing so, perhaps they could understand the great mysteries of the supreme grand dao. From that, it might lead them to the path where the true dragon bones and immortal draconic runes awaited.
However, despite their best efforts, they couldn't understand it. Even Hong Yujiao was no exception.
As time passed, the light from Zhang Baitu's body gradually dimmed and the dragon's voice from the old tree became fainter until it disappeared completely.
Many listeners returned to the present after it disappeared. They received nothing out of it since they couldn't understand what it was saying or the mysteries within.
They, instead, stared at Zhang Baitu in disbelief, especially those who knew about him beforehand. This was an incredibly cruel joke.
He stood up before the crowd with a delighted expression. Without a doubt, he had quite a harvest. He walked to the front of Li Qiye and immediately prostrated to express his gratitude: "Thank you for guiding me from my past mistakes, this lowly one will never forget your kindness for the rest of my life."
Li Qiye nodded his head and accepted the grand gesture.
"Congratulations, Senior Brother. With today's enlightenment, your future potential is limitless." Hong Yujiao was happy for Zhang Baitu. By finally being able to take this step, he would surely have many amazing accomplishments later on.
"Sister, you are too kind. I only learned a little bit and can't be shameless enough to accept the praise of having limitless potential." Zhang Baitu was very modest in his response.
Nevertheless, he was still very excited because, in his eyes, only geniuses would be able to explore the grand dao. Ordinary cultivators wouldn't reach this level, let alone a stupid person like himself.
He couldn't even train regular merit laws, so he didn't dare to think about the impossibility that was exploring the grand dao. However, he felt as if his mind had been cleared. With his newfound wisdom, a grand dao was appearing right before him.
People stared at him in disbelief due to his past reputation of being an incurable fool. It was simply inconceivable that such a guy could have become enlightened from listening to the voice of a dragon.
"Let's go." Li Qiye told Zhang Baitu and turned to walk away.
The brother and sister quickly followed him out of the thicket.
Of course, this valley didn't only have dragon cries. It also contained other supreme immortal items, but Li Qiye naturally wouldn't search for them.
After they left, a bunch of cultivators immediately jumped into the thicket and competed for the spot below the old tree.
The first cultivator that got to the tree said: "I was here first, let me try to meditate."
"Why do you get to go first? Everyone here has paid, so if you want to meditate, the rest of us should be able to as well." Another immediately voiced his displeasure.
Very quickly, the scene became chaotic. Everyone wanted to sit under this old tree to meditate. They felt that if a fool like Zhang Baitu could hear a dragon's voice under the tree, then the rest of them would be able to gain much more than him.
The news of Zhang Baitu's enlightenment spread across the valley. Many people had thought that it was not worth spending money to enter the valley, but they were now tempted and immediately handed their jades over to jump inside. They didn't want to be one step slower than the others.
When Li Qiye got outside of the valley, he looked at the old man and leisurely smiled: "I heard that there is a treasure trove at Dragonwell, is that true?"
The old man's expression changed after hearing this. Li Qiye laughed in response: "Don't worry, I'm just messing with you. As for the treasure trove and dragon bones, they should be left for the destined ones." With that, he turned and left.
"I'll give you an eighty percent discount next time." The old man cheerfully smiled at Li Qiye who was walking away.
Li Qiye chuckled and didn't turn around to answer.
After they walked for a while, Hong Yujiao curiously asked: "Does Dragonhark really have dragon bones and runes?"
Li Qiye continued on while lightly answering: "Their existence isn't important since they are not destined to be yours. However, if you must know, just keep in mind that your Dongting Lake and Rainbow City have deep ties. The same goes for the Giant Dragon Kingdom. I hope that as the lake's descendants, you two won't forget about your ancestors and roots. One day, you might need to rely on Rainbow City."
"We have deep ties with Rainbow City and the Giant Dragon Kingdom?" Hong Yujiao was surprised.
Zhang Baitu felt the same way. He had never heard about this before and spoke with disbelief: "I heard that the Giant Dragon Kingdom doesn't actually exist since it is only part of the legends. No one has been there before."
Li Qiye stopped and turned to look at the two: "It looks like you descendants are becoming worse and worse since you don't even know your own roots. Just keep my words in mind. Aim higher than other people while maintaining your ambition and courage. Your clans chose to fight each other for power, but in the eyes of others, this is only a competition between ants. No one will care about the past glory of your ancestors."
The duo exchanged glances. They didn't completely understand what Li Qiye was referring to.
"Rely on each other during times of turmoil while maintaining great magnanimity towards all as well as your ancestors' great moral values. One day, you two will understand your roots and at that time, those existences up in the clouds will finally take note of you. That will be the day when you find out just how glorious your clans used to be!"
He gently sighed and left one final remark while looking at them: "This is all I can do. The future relies on juniors like the two of you to build."
Li Qiye didn't want to bother with Dongting Lake's power struggle back then, but right now, out of consideration for the ancestors from the Hong, Zhang and Xu Clans, Li Qiye couldn't help but ultimately guide them. Whether they would be able to figure it out and take the next step would be up to themselves.
They must be the ones to grasp their own destinies. Others could only show them the way.
The duo carefully contemplated Li Qiye's words. Even though they didn't understand them completely, they certainly memorized them.
They didn't go too far after leaving the valley when a young man came before them. He had an extraordinary presence and a bright glow. There was a pair of translucent jade-like horns that made him look quite fierce.
He grew happy the moment he saw Hong Yujiao and quickly walked forward to enthusiastically greet them: "Young Sister, we meet again." 1
"Young Noble Shangguan, long time no see." Hong Yujiao nodded her head in a polite manner that wasn't overly welcoming yet not too distant at the same time.
The youth enthusiastically asked Hong Yujiao: "I heard that you wanted to go to Rainbow City. That's great, how about we go together to Dragonhark Valley?"
She gently shook her head in response: "Thank you, but I was summoned by my seniors and must return to the sect."
The youth became disappointed after hearing this. His eyes then darted over towards Li Qiye.
Since the beginning, he didn't care for Li Qiye, but after seeing Li Qiye's face, his eyes narrowed and he coldly stared at him: "You are Li Qiye, the successor of Peacock Land?"
"So what?" Li Qiye glanced at him in response.
The youth coldly said: "It's very good that you have admitted it. You are the one who harmed disciples from my Wyvern Country."
So it turned out that this youth was the Wyvern Crown Prince, Shangguan Feilong. He had recently heard of Li Qiye since his fellow disciples were beaten by him. He wanted to settle the score with Li Qiye.
Li Qiye indifferently replied: "Maybe."
"Remember that this isn't your Peacock Land. This is the Dragon Demon Sea, not a place for you to act presumptuously." Shangguan Feilong coldly said: "You need to give our country a proper answer for hurting our disciples."
"Young Noble Shangguan, your disciples were at fault." Hong Yujiao slowly spoke: "They provoked Young Noble Li which resulted in them being injured. They can only blame themselves for their lack of skill."
At this time, Hong Yujiao stood up for Li Qiye.
The sister for this one is for family friends. ↩