Chapter 8: The Three Treasures (Part 1)

  When he heard the strange man say that his boundary had been upgraded, Hailong was overjoyed and immediately concentrated his spiritual power on himself, shouting: "Shunfeng ear listens to orders, investigate. Hmm, I'm only at the initial stage of Fútǔ! This is too low. Could it be that the ginseng I ate that day was a fake radish?"

  The strange man laughed and said, "You little kid, don't be too greedy. That Thousand Year Blood Snow Ginseng is the most yang and harmonious immortal grass, with extremely strong effects. Originally, I planned to not let you break through to the Fútú realm within ten years. But with Xiǎo Yī's magical powers added on top of you eating so many immortal grasses, the effect was too strong, although under my hard work suppressing it, most of the effect was sealed off, but still managed to get you into the initial stage of Fútú. You should know that ordinary people cultivating, at least need ten or more years to reach your current realm. And yet, you've only been cultivating for a mere four years."

  "Hai Long asked in puzzlement: 'Senior, why are you suppressing those effects? Don't you want me to absorb them?'"

  The strange man slowly shook his head and said, "Don't ask about these things. When the time comes, I will naturally tell you."

  The monster was so mysterious in the eyes of the sea dragon, and the sea dragon had too many puzzles to ask clearly. But he knew that unless the monster himself spoke out, no matter how he asked, there would be no result. He nodded and said, "Good, I believe you will not harm me. Ah! Right, senior. What about Little Machine? It's been three years now, what has it become? Has it grown very big?"

  Before the stranger could respond, a gray-brown figure had already frantically pounced over, and the familiar scent made Hailong's whole body tremble, subconsciously embracing the black shadow that pounced into his arms.

  "Wow, little guy, how did you gain so much weight? Is it because you've been eating too many good foods?"

  The little monkey has indeed grown up, and it's heavy in his arms. If it stands on the ground, it's already above the waist of the sea dragon, and its sturdy arm circumference is even bigger than those few large macaques. With its bright red eyes, it looks quite fierce. It seems extremely excited, and its pair of grown-up monkey paws keep messing up the sea dragon's hair. The sharp squeaking sounds keep stimulating the sea dragon's hearing.

  A warm and thoughtful feeling made the dragon's eyes warm, stroking the little machine spirit's big head, he muttered: "It seems that I have really been asleep for three years. Time flies so fast!"

  "The strange man said, 'For you, the past three years have been utilized to a very high degree. In these three years, everything I wanted to do has already been accomplished. Although it's still not very stable, it's basically done. With this last wish fulfilled, starting from tomorrow, I can make my final sprint and strive for an early return.'"

  Hailong furrowed his brow and said, "Senior, can you please stop saying things that I don't understand? It makes me feel really uncomfortable."

  The monster fell silent, and for a long time he didn't make a sound. Xiao Jiling jumped down from Hailong's arms, hopping to the monster's side, chirping away, as if telling him something.

  The strange man let out a soft sigh and said, "Hai Long, you can go now. You don't have to come back for a while either. Two years from now on August 15th will be the day I head west, if you're willing, come see me off."

  Hai Long's whole body shook, and he heard a hint of melancholy in the stranger's tone. "Senior, isn't it said that our lives as cultivators are very long? If I'm not mistaken, your cultivation should be at least on par with those second-generation ancestors from Lianyun Sect. Since you've already reached the realm of impermanence, why would you still return to the west?"

  The strange man shook his head and said, "I am different from them. They are all orthodox cultivators, but I have something different. Don't ask too much. I don't want my affairs to become your trouble. How about this? You have a lot of things you want to know, right? Then come find me here on August 14th two years later, and one day will be enough for me to explain everything to you. As for Little Smart, he will meet you at Moyunping in the future. I hope you can become lifelong friends."

  Hailong nodded and said: "Senior, then I won't disturb your rest. Two years later, on August 14th, I will definitely arrive here on time. Take care of yourself."

  At this moment, a hint of desolation flickered in the eyes of the sea dragon as he gazed at the stranger's back, looking so lonely.

  "Hai Long, just as you were about to leave, the strange man said: "Hai Long, after returning, diligently cultivate the Tian Xin Decree. If you want to become a member of the Xian realm, you must lay a good foundation. You should know that for cultivators, the first hundred years are the most important. I have calculated that soon, you will have an opportunity to undergo a trial, and you must seize it yourself. The small iron rod I gave you must be carried with you at all times and not lost. I have reattached my divine consciousness, and this time it can be activated by you alone. When you encounter danger, just shout the two words 'Qian Jun', and it should save your life. Your personality is prone to impulsiveness, so sometimes control yourself and don't offend those who are unable to cope. After returning, first go to Mo Yun Dong Fu to see your master, you can rest assured that he won't target you again."

  The image of Daoming's stout figure flashed through Hailong's mind, and his mouth twitched slightly as he said, "Daoming's cultivation realm is so high that I can't even compete with him. As long as he doesn't come to provoke me, I won't take the initiative to oppose him."

  The strange man nodded slowly and said, "Little clever one, you send Hailong back."

  They reluctantly took a last look at the strange man, and then Ha Long and Xiao Jing Ling simultaneously rose into the air, transforming into two shooting stars heading in the direction of Mo Yun Ping. Because his mind was still lingering on the strange man by the water's edge, it wasn't until they had traveled halfway that Ha Long suddenly realized he was still naked. He grabbed hold of Xiao Jing Ling and asked awkwardly: "Xiao Jing Ling, where are my clothes?"

  The little machine shook its head and looked bewildered.

  Hai Long smiled wryly in his heart, thinking to himself that it seemed he really would have to return empty-handed. But fortunately, all of his masters were male, and it had been three years since they last saw him - he wondered if they still remembered the mischievous little scamp he used to be.

  Under helplessness, Seadragon found a large leaf in the forest to surround his lower body's important part, and then returned to Moyunping with Xiaojiling.

  Moyunping was as usual, the same as three years ago. The row of small houses still stood quietly there, surrounded by wooden fences, and various immortal grasses were more lush than before. Breathing in the familiar air, looking at the familiar scenery in front of him, Hailong's eyes became moist. The words of concern from his masters kept echoing in his ears. Those were all people who truly cared about him!

  He raised his spiritual power to the limit, and the sea dragon transformed into a virtual shadow. After a few ups and downs, he had already arrived outside the wooden house. The door of the room where he originally lived was closed, while the other houses clearly transmitted long breathing sounds, obviously the masters were in meditation. The surrounding area of Moyun Peak is covered with restrictions, as soon as someone touches it, the alarm will immediately wake up Lingtongzi and others. With this layer of defense, they generally close their six senses during daily meditation, devoting themselves to sitting in stillness. At this time, the sea dragon returned from the mountain forest where the monkeys were, so he didn't disturb them.

  Hai Long touched his smooth face and found that he had unknowingly shed two lines of tears. He was startled in his heart, thinking to himself, "When did I become so weak?" Feeling someone touch him from behind, he subconsciously turned around to look. He saw Xiao Jiling smile mischievously and point towards the road back home. Hai Long understood that Xiao Jiling wanted to go back. He nodded lightly and said in a low voice, "Tomorrow, come find me directly here."

  The little creature jumped high, lightly tapping on the dragon's head, and then disappeared into the mountains. Looking at its agile back, the dragon shook its head helplessly. Turning around to push open the door, it walked into its own former room.

  The decorations in the room were as they had always been, and there was nothing different from when he left. The bed and tables were spotless, with a faint scent of dryness and freshness floating at the tip of his nose. It was clear that someone had been cleaning regularly. Hailong's eyes moistened again, and he muttered: "Masters, are you keeping this room for me? Do you still remember Hailong?"

  He changed into a set of dry clothes from the closet, and the loose robe now fit him perfectly. Sitting on the bed, surrounded by the familiar atmosphere, Hailong couldn't help but feel a little dazed.

  "Little kid, you're back." The door opened and a stout figure appeared in Hailong's line of sight.

  Hailong's whole body shook, and he exclaimed: "Dead Fatty, is that you?" The one who came was his master, Dao Ming True Person.

  Dào Míng's face changed slightly, and he smiled wryly: "After all, I am your master's master, can't you be more polite when speaking to me?"

  Feeling Dao Ming's change in attitude, Hai Long slightly froze and said: "You, you can also smile?"

  Daming rubbed his chubby face and smiled: "Why can't I laugh? Just now, I received a notice from my senior that you're back, so I rushed over immediately. How was it, sleeping for three years, very comfortable, right?"

  Hailong curled his lip and said, "What's comfortable about that? Unknowingly, so much time has passed, I don't even know how I grew up myself."

  Daming let out a soft sigh and said, "In the past, my temper was really too heavy. In these three years, I have come to realize many things, and now I am no longer the Daming of before. You don't need to be afraid of me anymore, I will conscientiously teach you the Taoist arts."

  Hailong smiled and said: "I don't think I've ever been afraid of you, Dao Ming Chub."

  A flower appeared in front of him, and Dao Ming had already arrived at his side. That chubby right hand tapped on his head, sending waves of pain. "From now on, you will address me as Shifu, if you still call me Chubby, I...I..."

  Looking at Dao Ming who seemed more humanized than before, Hai Long suddenly felt very relieved and laughed: "What's wrong with you? Can't I eat it? You're already quite fat anyway."

  Dao Ming snorted and said: "Hmph! If you, little monkey, don't behave yourself, I'll make you cultivate here until old age, and won't let you find a wife."

  Hai Long was shocked, stood up and said: "What? We cultivators can also find wives? This, how is this possible? Sixth Master has said before, we belong to the out-of-the-world people, should cut off all desires."

  Daoming smiled and said, "What's impossible? We don't abandon everything like those monks from the Fanxin Sect. As long as you're willing to look, no one will stop you. In our Lianyun Sect, except for the second generation ancestor, there are also disciples in the third and fourth generations who have formed Dao companions. Although this may affect their cultivation, it's not impossible."

  Ling Fei Zi, Piao Yu Dao Zun's lovely faces flashed before his eyes one after another. Hai Long felt a surge of heat in his heart and hastily appeased him, saying: "Pang, ah! No, Master Ancestor, wise and powerful Master Ancestor, please tell me carefully about finding an old lady."

  Dao Ming sighed helplessly and said, "I knew you'd be interested in this aspect. Among us cultivators, as long as the male and female are compatible, after reporting to our master, we can form a Dao companion. Forming a Dao companion will harm our cultivation realm, many of our combinations are on a spiritual level."

  Hai Long curled his lip and said, "I don't believe that finding a wife would affect my cultivation. Isn't the relationship between men and women the most primitive and natural thing? In the future, who knows, maybe I'll find a Daoist partner to ascend to immortality with."

  Daming snorted in disdain and said, "You think it's easy? Although your senior holds you in high regard, true cultivation requires gradual progress. You can't just sit on a flying sword and expect to reach the top without effort. If you really have the ability to become a third-generation disciple equal to me in a short period of time, then I'll listen to whatever you say from now on. Let's make you my master."

  The dragon's expression changed, and he excitedly said: "You'd better keep your word, let's make a bet. As long as I reach the realm of three generations of disciples within a hundred years, you will worship me as your master, and from then on, listen to everything I say."

  Daming touched the dragon's forehead and said, "You little guy isn't dreaming, are you? Since the emergence of cultivators, I've never heard of a sect that can produce a genius who reaches the peak in just over a hundred years. Alright, I'll bet with you. But if you lose, what then?"

  Hai Long thought for a moment and said, "I'll acknowledge defeat and call you master even if I lose."

  Dào Míng hit him again and said, "Nonsense, I was your master's master to begin with, what else do you want to call me? Alright, if you lose, you'll have to admit defeat to me in front of everyone at the Lianyun Sect's gathering of all peaks, and from then on, you'll have to listen to everything I say, without any disobedience."

  The dragon smiled and said, "Alright, I'll bet with you." He thought to himself, "You stupid fatty, don't you know what it means to not count as a promise? Even if I lose, so what? I can just deny it."

  "It's as if he saw through the dragon's thoughts, and said with profound meaning: 'Young one, for us cultivators, the promises we make must be kept, otherwise, it will be impossible to achieve great success in this life. That little wicked thought of yours is better put away.'"