Chapter 50: Departing the Mountain Part 2

Pi Changge said, “Chaosheng already told me. For this, I’ve asked Yuzhou to help you figure it out.”

Xiang Xian breathed a sigh of relief. Having Yuzhou carry them down the mountain would be much better than trekking thousands of li back to Kaifeng. Unexpectedly, Pi Changge continued, “He’s almost prepared. Last night, he guided Brother Hulü all night. In a bit, we’ll try purifying your dragon.”

“Thank you so much!” Xiao Kun’s drowsiness vanished instantly.

The Dragon Soaring Jade had been personally given to him by Le Wan Shuang, said to be a treasure left by his father Jing Pian Ge. Xiao Kun had asked his father, who confirmed that he had once ridden the golden dragon from the Western Regions to the Central Plains. But this item dated back to an even earlier era. The War Dead Corpse Ghost Clan had little knowledge of magic treasures, and Jing Pian Ge had admitted he was powerless against the demonic qi.

From childhood to adulthood, he had been companions with the golden dragon. Though it could not speak and was more “spirit” than “artifact,” in those lonely days, it had been Xiao Kun’s sole companion.

In the morning, Yuzhou stood in the open plaza in front of White Jade Palace, where a peculiar magic array had been drawn on the ground.

“This Dragon Jade Pendant of yours dates back further than the eras known to all living beings,” Yuzhou said. “Its origins are untraceable.”

Xiao Kun replied, “It’s said to be a burial item, perhaps from the tomb of the Corpse Immortal Drought Fiend.”

“Mm.” Yuzhou nodded solemnly, took the Dragon Soaring Jade from Xiao Kun, signaled for the others to stand at the edge of the array, beckoned Hulü Guang over, and said, “Inside it remains one of the Three Souls and Seven Poises of a dragon—only a single poise.”

“Oh…” Xiang Xian nodded. “So, no intelligence is normal.”

Yuzhou knew Xiang Xian was an expert in crafting magic treasures. “Though this dragon’s true form can’t be defined, the fact that it can still take shape with only one poise suggests it was a great dragon that could influence heaven and earth—perhaps even Zhuyin itself.”

“That’s the progenitor of dragons,” Xiang Xian said.

Yuzhou: “You get what I mean?”

“No.” Xiao Kun said frankly.

Yuzhou was helpless, wanting to say something, but Xiang Xian guessed his thoughts.

“One generation is inferior to the last.” Xiang Xian took the initiative to mock himself. “Compared to the many Grand Demon-Exorcists and Senior Yuzhou, our cultivation bases are truly too meager.”

Yuzhou explained, “The Wheel of Fate was formed from Zhuyin’s Dragon Pearl. Zhuyin is the dragon god that governs years and time. If this dragon spirit is connected to Zhuyin, it must have some resonance with the Wheel of Fate.”

Now Xiang Xian and Xiao Kun fully understood. They said together, “Thank you for the guidance, Senior!”

“Come, hold it.” Yuzhou signaled for Hulü Guang to stand in the center of the array, cradling the Dragon Soaring Jade. “Begin. Use the method I taught you yesterday.”

“Rise!” With Yuzhou’s clear shout, Xiao Kun activated the Dragon Soaring Jade. The pitch-black dragon spirit suddenly surged forth!

Everyone tensed immediately. Pi Changge flashed to a high vantage, assumed a palm stance, and shouted, “Seal!”

Pi Changge struck a dashing side pose, extending his palm. The Sacred Tree Jumang emitted a brilliant light. Vast spiritual qi from within White Jade Palace gathered in Pi Changge’s hand, transforming into countless intricate chains that crisscrossed and locked the demonized dragon spirit with a resounding clang!

Xiang Xian and Xiao Kun cheered in unison, realizing that this Garden Protecting Pixiu, who had lived for several thousand years and once served as the Queen Mother of the West’s pet beast, possessed extraordinary power.

The demonized dragon spirit struggled madly, black qi manifesting all over its body. Yuzhou shouted, “Now!”

Hulü Guang yelled, sidestepped, spun, and in that turn, unleashed the Heart Lamp’s brilliant light. A massive flash spread across the plaza in front of White Jade Palace, scattering the Sacred Tree’s countless blackened leaves into the air, where they were purified by the Heart Lamp.

In the vast sea of light, Xiang Xian and Xiao Kun joined forces to form a barrier, aiding Pi Changge in restraining the demonized dragon spirit. Amid the tremors, the dragon spirit let out a roar that shook heaven and earth. Yuzhou had transformed into an azure dragon, carrying Hulü Guang into the sky. Hulü Guang pressed one hand on the azure dragon’s head. The azure dragon gathered white Dragon Flame in its mouth and dove headlong at the demonized dragon spirit.

The oppressive force of the dragon was immense. In the instant the azure dragon dove, its momentum nearly pinned everyone to the ground—even Mu Qingshan could not withstand it and kept retreating. In the gale, Dragon Flame poured down like a waterfall, while the Heart Lamp turned into a fierce wind.

The demonic qi on the golden dragon scattered continuously, revealing a flickering black mist orb at its horn!

Xiao Kun spread his arms and leaped. Xiang Xian swung the Wisdom Sword horizontally for him to use as leverage, propelling him into the air. Then, Xiao Kun drew his blade and slashed at the black orb.

The black orb exploded. The Heart Lamp light and Dragon Flame withdrew simultaneously. With a massive boom on the flat ground, the golden dragon erupted in brilliant light.

Pi Changge dispelled the spiritual qi chains. The golden dragon issued its familiar roar, circled once above White Jade Palace, turned, dove, and was once again drawn back into the Dragon Soaring Jade.

Hulü Guang panted heavily, drenched in sweat. “So… so good.”

Exhausted, he collapsed to the ground.

Chaosheng hurried over. Wu Yingzong picked up Hulü Guang and carried him aside to rest.

“Hulü Guang still can’t truly wield the Heart Lamp. Every time he channels its power, it’s through Ignite Divine Sense—that is, burning his Three Souls and Seven Poises at the cost. But he wants to help you all,” Yuzhou said flatly. “So I respected his decision and lent a hand.”