Chapter 26: Breaking Out of the Cocoon (Part 2)

  Today's VIP has been updated with two chapters, and there will be another update of two chapters tonight. I've been using all my strength to update these days. However, the number of VIP subscribers is not many. To be honest, I'm feeling very conflicted. I spend almost all my time writing every day, hoping that fans can read it as soon as possible. But I'm a writer, and I need to eat too. So, I really hope everyone can subscribe to my VIP more. The cost of VIP is not expensive, giving up one ice cream stick can get you 100,000 words, which for me, takes at least a week of hard work to write. Giving up one pack of cigarettes, you can read hundreds of thousands of words. I really hope everyone can support the original version and support me. Otherwise, if we writers don't have enough food to eat, we won't be able to continue our profession. Please subscribe and vote. After unlocking this chapter, I might not unlock again until next Monday. I'm a writer who buys out my own works, if subscriptions don't go up, I really can't keep going. My VIP has an absolute speed guarantee, although I may not be the fastest among all books every day, but my updates are absolutely stable. Finally...

  Hong Zhi let out a soft sigh and said, "Yes! Eight hundred years have passed. Time really flies, in the blink of an eye, I'm already one thousand eight hundred and sixty-one years old. Big brother, many things happened during these eight hundred years."

  Hailong hadn't yet awakened from the shock of time and said bluntly: "Speak up and let's hear it."

  "Eight hundred years have passed since the divine state underwent a heaven-shaking transformation. The Yuanmeng nation launched a million-strong iron cavalry, attacking both the Li and Zhao nations simultaneously when they were unprepared. Perhaps due to their prolonged period of peace, the Li and Zhao nations initially had no ability to resist, and large tracts of land were occupied by the Yuanmeng nation. Fortunately, although the Yuanmeng nation was invincible on flat plains, they were not skilled at siege warfare. After several years, the Li and Zhao nations managed to hold off the Yuanmeng nation's elite forces with a few sturdy cities. However, under the Yuanmeng nation's 'war-nourishing-war' attacks, both nations suffered greatly weakened national strength.

  Currently, on the divine state's land, the Yuanmeng nation has become the most powerful country. The continuous wars led to widespread displacement of civilians, and various plagues and diseases consumed numerous lives, also providing opportunities for the evil path. Due to their vastly superior strength, the three evil sects remained hidden, but after the war, they began recruiting young disciples in large numbers and training them with cruel methods, continuously strengthening their own power.

  Two hundred years later, although the situation between the three nations stabilized, the evil path's influence also greatly increased. However, they were able to endure until three hundred years ago, when you entered seclusion for five hundred years. Perhaps feeling that their strength was sufficient to rival ours, they began openly operating. Now, it has been exactly three hundred years.

  In these three hundred years, too many things have happened. Our seven orthodox sects joined forces nine times to engage in decisive battles with the evil path, but everything did not turn out as beautifully as we had expected. The results were mostly defeats and few victories. It was only when the nine Daoist masters of the Lianyun Sect participated in the war that our orthodox sect managed to regain some momentum.

  Now, your Lianyun Sect has taken over the position of the Wuzhao Xian, becoming the largest orthodox sect. In recent years, whether it be the orthodox or evil path, powerful experts have emerged one after another, and conflicts have become increasingly intense. Sometimes, they even involve ordinary people."

  At this point, Hongzhi couldn't help but reveal a hint of melancholy.

  "They are willing to fight, let them fight. People have life and death separations, aren't these all normal things? It's just a matter of dying early or late."

  Hong Zhi was taken aback for a moment, then said: "Big Brother's words seem to be in line with the Buddhist scriptures, but after all, we are the Orthodox Way. Saving people from water and fire is what we must do. If it weren't for helping you protect the law, I would have already joined the battle long ago. Now, on Lianyun Mountain, only Tian Shi and Deng Xian, two Taoist masters, are left. The other seven Taoist masters are leading the Orthodox Seven Sects against the Evil Way."

  Hai Long let out a soft sigh and said, "Don't mention these things to me again, I don't want to hear them. Do you have any news about Dou Ya? It's been 800 years, Zhang Shu and Zhang Shu are probably...".

  Hong Zhi revealed a hint of dissatisfaction and said, "I don't have any news about your good friend, but as for Zhang Shu and Zhang Shu's wife, you can rest assured. They later adopted a son and are enjoying their old age. Big brother, don't you really want to lend us a helping hand?"

  A strange glow flashed in the dragon's eyes, and he suddenly shouted, "Seven Repairs Sword, out of its scabbard!" A cold light flashed, and the blue Seven Repairs Sword flew out from somewhere, flashing blue light. Under his deliberate control, the Seven Repairs Sword cut off more than half of his long hair, leaving it scattered to his waist. Without the cover of his beard and hair, the dragon in front of Hongzhi and Xiaojing suddenly became much more spirited. His appearance was not much different from when he first started practicing, except that he had an extra touch of elegance.

  The scabbard appeared behind him, with a clang, Qiuxiu sheathed his sword and said calmly: "I'm not really interested in all this fighting. However, I will eventually go to the Demon Sect. Regardless of whether Douyao is dead or alive, I must get an outcome. Xiao Zhi, sometimes you should let some things go. In fact, even I myself can't say clearly whether I am a righteous person or not. If you don't want to acknowledge me as your big brother, you can leave at any time. For these eight hundred years, thank you for protecting the law for me."

  Xiao Jingling suddenly jumped to the side of the Sea Dragon, chuckled and said: "Regardless of whether the fake monk follows you or not, I am determined to follow you. When you used the purple fungus to save my life back then, I vowed that for this lifetime, I would stick with you until death. Ah, the old ancestor said that if I keep following you, who knows, one day I might be able to ascend to immortality like him."

  Hong Zhi listened to Xiao Jiling's words and seemed to have thought of something, his eyes suddenly lit up, and he burst out laughing. As he laughed, he said: "Haha, big brother, I almost got fooled by you! In the past, when you were still in the Fuhu boundary, you dared to risk your life to kill zombies. Now that your powers are deep, how could you not care about worldly affairs? Once you see evil people harming innocent lives, it's impossible for you not to take action."

  A dragon said with a hint of helplessness, "I do things based on my own preferences. Freedom is the most important thing to me. No one can restrain me. You can think whatever you want. Which Taoist friend has been watching for so long? It's time to come out." A golden light suddenly burst forth, and a powerful aura emanated from the dragon's body. The iron rod in his hand shone brightly, transforming from black to radiant gold.

  "Huh. Eight hundred years of closed cultivation wasn't wasted after all, and I can actually detect you." A cyan light flashed, and two figures appeared simultaneously in front of the Sea Dragon, a hundred meters away. It was indeed the Sea Dragon's Master Ancestor Dao Ming Zhen Ren and his Ancestral Master Tian Shi Dao Zun. As soon as he saw these two, the Sea Dragon subconsciously blurted out, "So it's you, Old Fool Tian Shi." He had only discovered one aura earlier, which was that of Dao Ming Zhen Ren. Although eight hundred years of closed cultivation had greatly advanced his cultivation, there was still a significant gap between him and Tian Shi Dao Zun.

  Tian Shi Dao Zun's eyebrows rose, and with a grab at the void, a cyan light burst forth in his palm. He shouted, "You little brat, still so ignorant of the heavens and the earth! Let this Dao Zun teach you a lesson!" With a wave of his hand, the cyan light shot out instantly.

  Hai Long was no longer the Wu Xia Ao Meng of old; although his cultivation was far inferior to Tian Shi Dao Zun's, he didn't show any signs of panic. Grasping the small iron rod with both hands, he shouted, "Qian Jun Cheng Yu Yu!" A million rays of light burst forth, and Hai Long moved in tandem with the rod, unleashing countless golden lights that flashed and danced, covering the sky as they attacked Tian Shi Dao Zun.

  The momentum was so overwhelming that it startled Tian Shi Dao Zun, and his cyan light was easily dispelled. The golden light showed no signs of weakening, surging forward to attack Tian Shi Dao Zun. With 800 years of cultivation, Tian Shi Dao Zun had entered the realm of Mysterious Initial Stage; although he was shocked, he didn't panic. In an instant, a layer of milky white barrier appeared in his hand, shielding himself and Dao Ming Zhen Ren.

  A dense, drumming sound erupted as Tian Shi Dao Zun set up a seal, causing intense tremors that seemed to sense something amiss. Tian Shi Dao Zun's expression turned slightly panicked as he released two blue energies, enveloping his Tian Shi within them.

  A loud crash, the dragon's body flipped over and stumbled a few steps before standing steadily beside Hongzhi. The previous blow seemed to have consumed a lot of his magic power, his chest heaving slightly, his face pale.

  Tian Shi Dao Zun and Dao Ming Zhen Ren floated in, Tian Shi under his deliberate protection, finally did not repeat the mistakes of the past. He let out a sigh of relief, looking at Hai Long's vigilant expression, smiled and said: "Good kid, really beyond my expectations. Eight hundred years, actually achieved such high cultivation, I want to see what realm you are in. Listen to the wind, investigate." A yellow light suddenly brightened, Hai Long's body trembled slightly, subconsciously holding a small iron rod in front of himself. Tian Shi Dao Zun exclaimed: "Heavens! How is this possible? In just eight hundred years, you kid actually reached the late stage of the 'Out of the Womb' realm and have already formed a Golden Elixir! When I was cultivating for one thousand five hundred years, I had only just entered the early stage of the 'Out of the Womb' realm. You kid is really rising up on a flying sword!"

  Dao Ming was also shocked, muttering to himself: "Master, this can't be possible. I've already cultivated fast enough, and with the help of Liu Er's spiritual medicine, I'm only in the initial stage of breaking out of my shell. He's actually higher than me in cultivation? To think that I've cultivated for over 500 years more than him!"

  Tianshi Daozun suddenly burst out laughing, "You, now you're far inferior to him. At your current pace, it'll take at least 300-500 years for you to form a Golden Elixir. From now on, you won't be his Master Ancestor anymore. Good, good, my Tianshi lineage has indeed produced a talented individual, what a great kid! Although he's an oddball, this time they'll be envying him to death."

  Hailong said in a bad tone: "What's so great about being a genius? What are you proud of, my skills weren't taught by you. This so-called ancestor of yours is just a decoration."

  Tianshi Daozun was apparently in a very good mood, not getting angry at all due to Hailong's impoliteness. He smiled and said: "Now you shouldn't call me Ancestor, but should call me Master instead. You have far surpassed the boundary of Dianfeng. Now, I confer upon you the dharma name Dao Yu, formally accepting you as my disciple."

  Hailong's eyes revealed a hint of joy, and Tian Shi Daozun smiled as he looked at him, thinking to himself, "I don't believe I won't be able to move you, young one. There are many people who want to be my disciple." But Hailong's next sentence made him extremely disappointed. Hailong lowered his head and muttered, "Finally, it's not Tan Yu but Dao Yu. No one will call me phlegm anymore. Haha, great, I'm Dao Yu now."

  Tian Shi Dao Zun turned his head and looked at Dao Ming Zhen Ren with a glance, shook his head helplessly, and said: "Hai Long, don't you want to pay respects to your master?"

  The dragon hummed and said, "You haven't taught me anything, why should I pay respects to you? In the past, when Daoming asked me to sincerely call him Master, it was at the cost of three pieces of treasure. You are a respected Daoist, can't you be more generous than him?" As he spoke, he subconsciously twirled his fingers.

  Listening to Hailong's words, Hongzhi and Xiaojiling couldn't help but sneak a smile on the side, this is the Hailong they know! Even the bamboo stick of Tiānshí Dào Zūn dares to knock, it's indeed bold enough.

  Tian Shi Dao Zun said sternly: "You young man, don't have a bit of respect for your master and the Tao. Where is there anyone who actively asks their seniors for treasures? However, considering you're talented at a young age, I can give this treasure to you. But there's one condition."

  The dragon smiled and said, "Go ahead, but don't go too far."

  Tian Shi Dao Zun's eyebrows furrowed slightly, and he was about to erupt in anger. However, thinking that he still needed Hai Long to add luster to himself in the future, he suppressed his rage and said, "I can give you a few magical artifacts, but on one condition: when you sign up for the Seven Sects' Newcomer Competition, you must declare yourself as a disciple of Tian Shi Dao Zun of Lian Yun Sect. What do you say?"

  Hai Long furrowed his brow and said, "The Seven Sects' Newcomer Competition? What's that?"

  Tianshi Daozun said somewhat impatiently: "When the time comes, I will naturally tell you. Just say whether you agree or not."

  Hai Long thought for a moment and said, "Isn't it just saying a few more words? This is easy. Alright, I agree to your request. However, you must give me some good treasures in return. The treasures that Dao Ming gave me back then are no longer suitable for use now." In fact, he also understood that Tian Shi had ulterior motives, but his desire for the treasure was too great, and he believed that Tian Shi would not harm him, so he readily agreed.

  Tian Shi's eyes flashed with a hint of joy, and he thought to himself: The small iron rod in your hand is the best treasure, it doesn't matter what I give you, anyway, I won't be able to use it. He said with a sigh: "You tell me, what kind of treasure do you want? I can give you anything."

  Hai Long's eyes rolled, and he finally got this opportunity. With his temperament, he naturally wanted to get the most benefit for himself. He chuckled: "Just now, I saw that the screen you set up with the Heavenly Stone was not bad. You can give me this Heavenly Stone first, and as for the others, I'll think about it later."

  Tian Shi Dao's eyes widened in shock, "What? You want my Tian Shi? Don't dream about it, this is my protective artifact. You're really bold to ask for something like that!"

  Hai Long Dao said: "It was you who let me choose, how is it? Are you regretting now? If not, then don't give it to me, no big deal. Anyway, you still can't be considered my master."

  Tian Shi Dao Zun sighed helplessly and said, "Hai Long, you can't be too greedy. This Tian Shi is the symbol of my Tian Shi Peak, only those who have managed Tian Shi Peak in the past are eligible to possess it. Although it's not a sacred artifact, it has very high symbolic significance. How about this, choose some other magical artifacts, Master will promise you, I'll definitely give you the best."

  Hai Long also knew that Tian Shi Dao Zun would not give him his Tian Shi, so he asked for it just to gain more benefits. After thinking for a moment, he said: "Alright then, Master Tian Shi, I won't make things difficult for you either. Just casually give me a few defensive-type magic treasures. That should be enough, right?"