Chapter 43

After Lingya Laozu took on the role of the temple guardian, Zhu Ganglie was able to focus on his cultivation without worrying about external affairs.

This seclusion lasted for three months. Although the time seemed a bit long, during these three months, Zhu Ganglie only managed to condense one Ice Spirit Essence.

This made Zhu Ganglie quite depressed; the speed was too slow. On Ice Spirit Peak, he could condense two essences.

This was still thanks to his senior brother Qu Gai allowing him to borrow the spiritual energy of the hundred-zhang mountain vein. Otherwise, it would have been even slower.

This made Zhu Ganglie realize how important a blessed land was for cultivators. No wonder there was a saying about wealth, companions, methods, and land in cultivation.

It also made Zhu Ganglie realize that Ice Spirit Peak was still the best place to condense Ice Spirit Essence.

If he could obtain a cold-attribute item, he could also absorb its cold energy to condense essence. However, at this moment, Zhu Ganglie did not plan to continue cultivating, as it was too time-consuming and energy-draining.

"Junior brother, I have an important matter to tell you."

After Zhu Ganglie emerged from seclusion, Qu Gai came to him, slightly excited and even a bit solemn.

Seeing Qu Gai's expression, Zhu Ganglie glanced at him and smiled, "Congratulations, senior brother, on achieving the divine body. It won't be long before you can condense a divine position!"

Zhu Ganglie did not expect that Qu Gai would absorb the incense and wishes in just a few months, completely condensing his soul body into a divine body.

After condensing the divine body, one could use divine power and have some combat ability. His task was considered a success.

He thought that Qu Gai was telling him about this, so he immediately congratulated him.

Qu Gai smiled, knowing that his junior brother had misunderstood, and said, "This is thanks to your help. If it weren't for you capturing Lingya Laozu and making him the temple guardian, I might not have condensed the divine body so quickly.

Lingya Laozu, though not highly cultivated, is a skilled expert in the human world. In these few months, I have gained believers within a few hundred miles, naturally increasing the incense and wishes.

However, the matter I want to tell you is not this, but about two spirit pearls!"

Qu Gai smiled, feeling a bit pleased about his cultivation, but did not dwell on it.

He knew that achieving the divine body, though powerful in the human world, was insignificant in the eyes of high-level cultivators.

Especially in front of his junior brother, a disciple of Ice Spirit Peak.

With the discerning eye of Uncle Ice Spirit, his disciples must have excellent potential. Through their interactions, he knew that his junior brother had an excellent character and boundless potential.

He would not boast about his divine path.

Hearing about the two spirit pearls, Zhu Ganglie was delighted. If he could obtain the spirit pearls, he could exchange them for a large amount of merit points, which would greatly benefit his future cultivation.

After all, future cultivation would require many heavenly treasures, which would need these merit points to exchange for. Even without merit points, returning to the sect with these treasures would gain the sect's attention.

He asked excitedly, "Senior brother, what news have you found?"

"Lingya Laozu received a message that the Ten Thousand Saints Dragon King of the Bi Bo Pond, several thousand miles away, recently obtained a treasure pearl from a demon."

"According to Lingya Laozu's description, this pearl is somewhat similar to the Golden Spirit Pearl."

"Is there such news?"

Zhu Ganglie's face lit up, and he asked earnestly.

"It is likely true, but I cannot be 100% sure, so I did not report it to the sect.

Junior brother can go and investigate. If it is true, reporting it to the sect will also be a great merit. However, you must be careful!"

Zhu Ganglie, who was originally very excited, showed a bitter expression, "Since the Bi Bo Pond is guarded by a dragon king, I might not be able to investigate. It would be better to report it to the sect!"

Zhu Ganglie was not a naive person.

He knew that the dragon king, a respected dragon, must have reached the realm of an immortal.

He was only at the manifestation stage, far from the realm of an immortal. If he entered the Bi Bo Pond, he would likely be detected by the Ten Thousand Saints Dragon King.

Qu Gai smiled and continued, "Junior brother, don't worry. Although the Ten Thousand Saints Dragon King is called a dragon king, he is actually a black dragon that has become a spirit, only at the golden core stage, not a true dragon or a dragon king above the immortal realm.

It's just that the Bi Bo Pond is far from the four seas, so this black dragon spirit has become arrogant.

Junior brother can infiltrate and investigate whether the spirit pearl is a true Golden Spirit Pearl."

Hearing Qu Gai's words, Zhu Ganglie felt more at ease and thought of a plan. He nodded and smiled, "Thank you, senior brother. I will go and investigate!"

"Very well. I don't need you to stay here. You can go to the Bi Bo Pond now, but be careful."

Qu Gai said this and did not try to retain Zhu Ganglie.

Zhu Ganglie knew he didn't need to stay, so he bid farewell and headed directly to the Bi Bo Pond, several thousand miles away.

He planned to infiltrate as a black dragon and investigate.

He hid in the Tower of Sealing Gods, and with the black dragon talisman, the entire tower transformed into a huge black dragon.

Zhu Ganglie used the black dragon talisman as his soul and the Tower of Sealing Gods as his body, unleashing the black dragon's original strength, even surpassing it, reaching the peak of the manifestation stage.

His physical form became even stronger. After transforming into the black dragon, Zhu Ganglie quickly flew to the Bi Bo Pond. After three days, he arrived at the vast Bi Bo Pond, where the green lotuses swayed in the clear water, a beautiful sight.

Zhu Ganglie revealed his black dragon form and circled above the Bi Bo Pond, emitting dragon roars.

"Which demon dragon dares to cause trouble in my Bi Bo Pond!"

After a moment, a night-fork with a fierce face and green skin broke through the water surface and roared at Zhu Ganglie, but was also frightened by the dragon's might.

Zhu Ganglie glanced at the night-fork and said, "I have heard of the great name of the Ten Thousand Saints Dragon King of the Bi Bo Pond and have come to join him. Please inform the dragon king!"

The night-fork thought for a moment and said, "Wait here, I will inform my dragon king!"

Seeing the night-fork leave, Zhu Ganglie was not in a hurry. He transformed into a burly, dark-skinned man and stood by the Bi Bo Pond, waiting quietly.

After a while, the night-fork parted the water and called Zhu Ganglie in.

Zhu Ganglie transformed back into the black dragon and followed the night-fork through the water, diving hundreds of miles to a huge palace.

Entering the palace, Zhu Ganglie saw an old man in a purple-gold robe with a golden-threaded crown sitting in the air.

Seeing the old man, Zhu Ganglie suppressed his aura and bowed, "Black Dragon from the left side greets the Ten Thousand Saints Dragon King!"

"You are the black dragon who has come to join me? Your strength is not bad. What skills do you have?"

The Ten Thousand Saints Dragon King scanned Zhu Ganglie and asked in a deep voice, his gaze fixed on him.

Zhu Ganglie knew the Ten Thousand Saints Dragon King was testing him. He turned his eyes and said in a hoarse voice, "This small dragon has been tempered for hundreds of years, reaching the manifestation stage. Thirty years ago, I listened to the teachings of the wise monk at Dali Temple and gained insight into the Buddhist eye."

Zhu Ganglie was here to investigate and might even have to steal, so he did not reveal any of his own powers. Using Buddhist techniques to disguise himself was appropriate, and if discovered, he could use the Qingyang Ancient Lamp for defense.

As he thought, a circle of Buddhist light appeared behind his head, and a vajra mace appeared in his hand.

"Good! Good!"

Seeing the Buddhist light behind Zhu Ganglie's head, the Ten Thousand Saints Dragon King's eyes lit up, and he praised him.

"Since you are part of the dragon clan and have such cultivation, you can temporarily lead a troop in my Bi Bo Pond and serve as a general."

The Ten Thousand Saints Dragon King said this and waved his hand, and a talisman appeared in Zhu Ganglie's hand.