Nine Transformations of the True Spirit.

Wang Xuanyue replied without hesitation, "Our ancestors' teachings are a matter of principle; how can we, their descendants, disobey them?"

Chen Yuan's eyes flashed: "Could it be that your ancestors were enemies of the demon race?"

Wang Xuanyue hesitated for a moment before saying, "To be honest, I am not entirely sure why our ancestor was so hostile to the demon race."

“Our Cangnan region has a long history, but after several changes, many of the books left by our ancestors have been lost, leaving only two or three.”

"But our ancestors warned us that the demon race is untrustworthy and is the greatest enemy of our human race, with an irreconcilable hatred."

"If you encounter a demon, never believe what they say or associate with them. Otherwise, not only will my Cangnan region face a great calamity, but the entire human race will also face annihilation."

"Although Wang was unaware of the details, he dared not disobey his ancestors' instructions. Fortunately, he was saved by his fellow Daoists, which saved his life."

"However, I do not yet know your esteemed name. May I ask for your guidance?"

Chen Yuan said, "I am Chen Yuan. I admire your firm belief in the Dao, which is why I offered my help."

Wang Xuanyue gave a wry smile: "Fellow Daoist Chen is too kind. I do not wish to save my life, nor do I wish to protect Cangnan from the slaughter of the demon race."

"It is only because our ancestors went through hardships to establish the tribe, which has been passed down to this day, leaving behind teachings that are more important than life and death."

"Wang had no choice but to fight to the death. Even if he was defeated and died, he would have no regrets."

A hint of admiration flashed in Chen Yuan's eyes. Whether human or demon, most of them were obsessed with immortality, selfish, ruthless, and focused on preserving their lives above all else.

However, immortality is elusive and the path to immortality is fraught with difficulties. Some cultivators, knowing that ascension is hopeless, place even greater importance on the inheritance of their sect or their integrity and Dao heart, and are not afraid of death. This gives them the opportunity to go further on the path of cultivation.

Wang Xuanyue looked down at the ruins below, then changed the subject: "This place is now a ruin, not a place to talk. I would like to ask you to come with me to another place so we can continue our conversation, shall we?"

Chen Yuan readily agreed: "Very well, fellow Daoist, please wait a moment. Demons are similar to dragons and beasts, and their flesh, blood, and fur are all quite valuable. Please allow me to deal with these three beast corpses first."

After saying that, he descended in a beam of light, first taking out the demon cores from the bodies of the three demon generals, then cutting off their fur, claws, beaks, tortoise shells, and other materials, and finally taking away the Mustard Seed Ring.

He originally intended to use the power of the three demon generals to investigate the situation in the Xuanli Realm, and even find the descendants of the True Spirit, and the location of the True Spirit's cave, before taking action.

However, Wang Xuanyue identified himself as a member of the human race, and even in the face of life and death, he did not change his mind, which did not seem like a pretense. Only then did Chen Yuan change his mind and suddenly launch an attack.

Rather than feigning friendship with those three demon generals, it would be better to rescue Wang Xuanyue. With a dragonman familiar with the Xuanli Realm as a guide, it would be easier to find the True Spirit Cave.

After a flurry of activity, Chen Yuan flew into the sky, pointed to the three mangled beast corpses below, and said, "Although these demonic beasts do not possess dragon energy, they contain immense blood energy, which can strengthen the body when consumed."

"If you don't mind, you can share it with your people."

Wang Xuanyue hesitated for a moment, then shook her head slightly: "Thank you, fellow Daoist, but these three demons can transform into human form. It would be inappropriate to eat their flesh and blood. Let's leave it at that."

Chen Yuan didn't insist: "Since that's the case, then I, Chen, will burn these three beast corpses to avoid leaving any traces and letting others know."

Having said that, he raised his right hand, spread his five fingers, and several silver lightning arcs burst forth from his palm, crackling and intertwining into a ball of lightning that flew out, splitting into three and landing on the three enormous beast corpses.

The lightning ball spread out, transforming into clusters of silver lightning flames, rising intensely and enveloping the three beast corpses.

After comprehending the fragments of the Green Mantis Realm's origin, Chen Yuan's application of the Thunder Law became increasingly diverse, no longer confined to the few supernatural abilities inherited from the Kui Niu's true blood.

Upon seeing this, Wang Xuanyue's eyes flashed with admiration: "This technique is so effortless, fellow Daoist's thunderous divine power is truly divine."

"If I am not mistaken, fellow Daoist is also proficient in spatial supernatural powers, able to use the technique of teleportation, fearless of the power of sealing, moving freely and invincible."

"Furthermore, the black light condensed on the Ruyi Divine Weapon is very similar to a spatial rift, and its sharpness is unbearable."

"Are all human cultivators outside the world like you, fellow Daoist, so well-versed in such a wide range of knowledge, cultivating several laws of power simultaneously, and mastering them with such profound skill?"

Chen Yuan's heart stirred, and he said, "My cultivation method is special, and I have other opportunities, but most cultivators only cultivate one path."

As the two watched the three beast corpses slowly turn to ashes, Chen Yuan said, "There are many demons who entered the Xuanli Realm this time, more than a hundred of them, and at least three of them are no less powerful than me."

"I urge you, fellow Daoist, not to publicize what happened today, and to conceal my identity, lest you bring disaster upon the Cangnan region."

Wang Xuanyue's expression turned serious, and she immediately agreed.

Once the three beast corpses had completely turned to ashes, he broke the illusion array, while Chen Yuan flew into the sky, concealed his aura, and disappeared into the night.

The scene inside was revealed, and dust billowed up, alarming the Cangnan soldiers patrolling nearby, who all rushed towards this side.

They were terrified by the sight and immediately summoned three more elders of the Soaring Cloud Realm. They then dispersed to search for the intruder.

It was Wang Xuanyue who stepped forward, claiming that he was testing a supernatural power and had accidentally leaked its power, causing the cave to turn into ruins, and that everyone should not panic.

The soldiers of Cangnan calmed down only after seeing that their chieftain was unharmed.

Wang Xuanyue then ordered everyone to clear the ruins, while she herself went to a separate courtyard to stay temporarily.

Chen Yuan secretly followed, arriving above the courtyard and descending with his escape light.

The courtyard had already been set up with an array that could block divine sense from spying on it.

But just as Wang Xuanyue activated the formation, before Chen Yuan could even sit down, someone arrived.

However, it was two elders from Cangnan, as well as Wang Xuanyue's wives, concubines, and children, who were alarmed by the collapse of his cave and came to visit him one after another.

Chen Yuan had no choice but to enter a quiet room to hide for the time being.

Wang Xuanyue only met with the two elders, explaining that it was merely a test of his supernatural powers and that he had made a mistake, but there was nothing seriously wrong with it.

The two elders, unsuspecting, left one after the other.

As for his wives, concubines, and children, Wang Xuanyue refused to see them and turned them all away.

After everyone left, the courtyard finally quieted down. Wang Xuanyue then invited Chen Yuan out of the quiet room and into the reception room, where they sat down as host and guest.

After learning that the Dragonkin race evolved from the Human race, Chen Yuan looked at the courtyards and palaces in the North City. Although they were almost all made of stone and emphasized grandeur, they were quite similar to human architecture.

Wang Xuanyue's cave dwelling and this villa are almost identical to human architecture, exquisite and elegant. However, due to the special size of the dragon's body, both the houses and furnishings are much larger.

However, Chen Yuan did not dispel the secret technique, and his physique was also exceptionally robust, making him extremely suitable.

The dragon people do not have the habit of drinking tea. Instead, they serve guests a kind of spiritual dew, which is fragrant and sweet. It is brewed from rare flowers and herbs, but unlike spiritual wine, it does not make people feel intoxicated. It has a unique flavor.

Wang Xuanyue picked up a rather uniquely shaped jade bowl, offered it to Chen Yuan, and said apologetically, "I had some trivial matters to attend to just now, and I apologize for neglecting you, fellow Daoist."

Chen Yuan also picked up the jade bowl, drank the spiritual dew in it in one gulp, and said, "Fellow Daoist, you flatter me. As the clan leader, the collapse of your cave dwelling is no small matter. It is only natural that your elders would come to visit you."

"But why does Fellow Daoist refuse to let his wife, concubines, and children into the house? If it's because of me, then there's really no need for that."

Wang Xuanyue said, "The elder must not be seen, otherwise people's hearts will be unsettled." "But I, Wang, am focused on cultivation and have been in seclusion for many years, separated from my wives and concubines for a long time."

"His offspring are pampered and spoiled, with mediocre temperaments, none of them amounting to anything, so it's better not to see them at all."

Chen Yuan nodded secretly. Among humans, there are cultivators and mortals. Most cultivators sever their ties with the mortal world and focus on the pursuit of the Dao. Very few cultivators in sects marry and get married; the main method is the master-disciple relationship.

All dragon people can embark on the path of cultivation, and can at least cultivate to the Dragon Breath Realm, living for thousands of years. They are divided into tribes, similar to immortal cultivation families, and the vast majority of them will marry and have children.

Chen Yuan could see clearly from the quiet room that Wang Xuan Yue's wives and concubines were all at the Manifestation Realm and had extremely long lifespans; otherwise, they would probably have already passed away.

However, the higher one's cultivation level, the longer one's lifespan. A single period of seclusion can last for decades or even centuries, and even the deepest feelings will eventually fade away.

Wang Xuan Yue changed the subject: "Let's not talk about that. Just now, you mentioned that there are over a hundred demons who have entered the Xuanli Realm. What are they here for?"

Chen Yuan considered for a moment and said, "This matter is a long story. I wonder if you know the origin of the Xuanli Realm?"

Wang Xuan Yue's eyes narrowed, and she sighed, "It seems they really did come for the True Dragon Cave..."

Chen Yuan's eyes lit up: "That's right, Fellow Daoist already knew that the Xuanli Realm was the location of the True Dragon's Cave?"

Wang Xuanyue said, "The Dragon Clan has thrived in the Xuanli Realm for hundreds of thousands of years. How could they not know the details of this realm?"

“Even the ancestors of my dragon race once saw that true dragon, and the name Xuanli Realm was given by the true dragon himself.”

Chen Yuan pressed on, "Did your ancestors ever see a real dragon, and do they know where the dragon's lair is located?"

Wang Xuanyue shook her head: "The Cangnan region was only established after that true dragon left the Xuanli Realm, and our ancestors never saw the true dragon."

"As for the location of the True Dragon Cave, although not many people know about it, it is not exactly a secret."

Chen Yuan frowned: "So, it turns out that dragon-human tribes have already entered the True Dragon Cave?"

Wang Xuanyue said, "Indeed, some dragon people have coveted the True Dragon Cave, but no dragon person has ever entered it."

Chen Yuan asked, puzzled, "Why is that?"

Wang Xuanyue hesitated, and Chen Yuan frowned and said, "The demon race has come for the True Dragon Cave. If you don't speak up, and let the demon race get there first and gain something, or even attract the demon king and demon saint, it will be too late to regret it."

Wang Xuan Yue's expression changed slightly: "Those three demons said today that the Demon Saint's strength is comparable to that of a Heavenly Realm cultivator from my Dragon-Human race. Is this true?"

Chen Yuan nodded slightly: "That's right..."

He briefly recounted how several demon saints had joined forces to seize the True Dragon Cave, and also informed Wang Xuanyue of the division of cultivation realms between the human and demon races, as well as the corresponding realm for the dragon-human race.

Finally, Chen Yuan said, "Human cultivators will also enter the Xuanli Realm, but due to the restrictions of the great formation, they will only send Nascent Soul cultivators, who may not be a match for the demon race, and it is unknown when they will arrive."

"Please tell me the truth, fellow Daoist. Under no circumstances should we allow the demon race to enter first."

Wang Xuan Yue's eyes flickered with uncertainty as she murmured, "The protective array... I see..."

Without further hesitation, he said, "That's enough. Since things have come to this, I have nothing to hide."

"The True Dragon Cave is located in the Myriad Flames Mountains in the center of the Xuanli Continent, but outside the cave, a great array has been set up, based on thirty-six large fire veins, with astonishing power."

"If that's all there is to it, then so be it. No matter how strong the formation is, there will eventually be a way to break it."

"But that formation contains profound restrictions, and any divine power containing dragon energy cannot shake it in the slightest."

“In the past, our Dragon Clan had no shortage of cultivators at the Heavenly Realm who joined forces to break the formation, but they still returned empty-handed.”

"Since then, no tribe has dared to attempt to raid the True Dragon Cave."

"Over time, fewer and fewer people knew about the True Dragon Cave. Only in ancient tribes did some records remain."

Chen Yuan's heart stirred, and he asked, "Are there still cultivators at the Imperial Heaven Realm in the Xuanli Realm?"

Wang Xuanyue sighed softly: "The last cultivator of the Imperial Heaven Realm in the Xuanli Realm passed away 130,000 years ago."

“Since then, no more cultivators in the Heavenly Realm have appeared, and even cultivators in the Dragon Transformation Realm have become increasingly rare.”

"To this day, there are only a handful of early-stage Dragon Transformation Realm cultivators, but they have not shown themselves for a long time, and it is unknown how many of them are still alive."

Chen Yuan asked, "Why is that?"

Wang Xuan Yue looked somewhat dejected: "Fellow Daoist should know that we dragon people can only absorb the dragon energy in heaven and earth and cultivate to the peak of the Blood Condensation Realm at most."

"To break through the Manifestation Realm and even reach a higher realm, one must rely on the power of the Dragon Qi Tide; otherwise, it is impossible to break through the bottleneck."

"This is related to the origin of the dragon people. Our ancestors were originally human, and they looked no different from you, fellow Daoist. The cultivation methods they practiced also used spiritual energy as their source."

"Unfortunately, there is no spiritual energy in the Xuanli Realm, only dragon energy, so they had to change their cultivation methods."

"After a long period of time, we dragon people have finally managed to adapt to the dragon energy, and our appearance has changed to what it is today."

"But this is ultimately a result of later modifications. We dragon people can never fully adapt to the dragon energy, nor can we directly absorb the violent dragon energy gushing out from the Dragon Breath Platform."

"But hundreds of thousands of years have passed, and the dragon energy in the Dragon Breath Platform has begun to disappear inexplicably. The dragon energy gushing out from it has become increasingly thin, and the dragon energy tides have become weaker and weaker."

"Small and medium-sized Dragon Breath Platforms are better; the dragon energy tides don't change much, and there are no obstacles to breaking through to the Manifestation Realm and the Cloud Soaring Realm."

"However, the dragon energy gushing from the large dragon breath platform has gradually weakened. Tens of thousands of years ago, cultivators in the Dragon Transformation Realm were no longer able to use the dragon energy tide to break through to the Heavenly Ascension Realm."

"Moreover, for cultivators in the Dragon Transformation Realm, the dragon energy in the world is too impure and cannot be used for cultivation."

"Fortunately, the physical body of a cultivator in the Dragon Transformation Realm is strong enough to directly absorb the violent dragon energy surging out from the Dragon Breath Platform and improve their cultivation."

"But as the dragon energy emanating from the Dragon Breath Platform becomes increasingly thin, the cultivation of cultivators in the Dragon Transformation Realm can only stagnate."

“In the past, there have been cultivators in the Dragon Transformation Realm in Cangnan, but their cultivation level remained at the early stage of the Dragon Transformation Realm for their entire lives.”

"By 50,000 years ago, cultivators in the Cloud Transformation Realm could no longer use the Dragon Qi Tide to break through to the Dragon Transformation Realm."

"The few remaining cultivators at the Dragon Transformation Realm all broke through 50,000 years ago, but their cultivation levels should also remain at the initial stage of Dragon Transformation, unable to advance any further."

"The reason why I am ready to die today is not only to abide by the teachings of my ancestors, but also because I have no hope of becoming a dragon. I have been in seclusion all day long, searching for a way to break through the bottleneck, but I have gained nothing. I am disheartened and decided to fight to the death."

"But after hearing what you said today, I, Wang, have learned that there is a protective array that covers the entire Xuanli Realm, and it is very likely that the Dragon Breath Platform is the base of the array."

"The dragon energy within the Dragon Breath Platform mysteriously disappears, most likely to maintain this grand formation that envelops the entire Xuanli Realm. This is why the cultivation of us dragon people has stalled." (End of Chapter)