Gentlemen, it's time to enter the Banner of Ten Thousand Souls.

Chapter 480 Where is the Shore?

On the snow-capped mountain, the wind and snow continue.

However, the Dragon Pool that once captivated countless cultivators has now lost all its spiritual energy. The water in the pool is still and clear as a mirror, with no trace of magical power remaining. It is no different from any ordinary lake in the snowy region.

The Great Sage of the Overturning Seas's dragon body, coiled like a mountain, had at some point withdrawn all its oppressive aura. Only its occasionally opened golden eyes still indifferently looked down at the mortals below, who were like ants.

The ten-day period has come to an end.

The atmosphere in the room was so oppressive it was suffocating.

Besides the Tianxin Island group, following the six people including Master Jiaoyue, another exceptionally talented disciple managed to break through at the last moment, bringing the total to seven, which drew widespread envy.

The Qinghe Sword Sect only sent two people. Su Chunyi had already developed magical power on the first day, and Sheng Huai'an lived up to expectations, completing his training after seven days of arduous practice. These two relied purely on their own talent, truly befitting the Qinghe Sword Sect, which has the strictest standards for selecting disciples.

Meanwhile, the Yunlu Immortal Sect remained shrouded in gloom and despair.

Apart from Zeng Wenyu, no one else in the entire sect has managed to cultivate magical power.

The Five Elements Master's face was ashen. He looked at his dejected disciples behind him, unable to even utter a sigh.

Although Yunlu Immortal Sect also has one person, Zeng Wenyu's actions are truly disgusting, and Wuyun Zhenren has no choice but to cover it up for the sake of the sect.

Looking at the disciples surrounding Zeng Wenyu, fawning over him, Master Wuyun felt even more disgusted.

Is it really possible to entrust the future of the Yunlu Immortal Sect to such a despicable person?
The Five Elements Master was conflicted, but he could only pretend to be calm and collected.

As for the Yellow Spring Sect, only Chen Ye remained in the snow mountain.

Several days ago, Chen Ye had already sent his disciples away quietly. No one knew exactly how many people in the Yellow Springs Sect had cultivated magical power, but both the Five Elements True Person and the Mermaid True Person were certain that the number of people in the Yellow Springs Sect who had successfully cultivated magic power must have exceeded that of other sects.

However, even the opportunity to become an immortal was given by Chen Ye, so naturally no one dared to utter a single complaint.

When the appointed time arrived, the surviving cultivators no longer had any intention of lingering.

The Five Elements True Man and the Mermaid Moon True Man mustered their spirits, led their disciples, and came before Chen Ye, bowing respectfully.

"We will never forget the kindness shown to us by Sect Leader Chen. If he ever needs our services in the future, we will not hesitate to accept them."

Regardless of the outcome, having this opportunity is already a tremendous favor.

Chen Ye simply waved his hand dismissively without saying anything more.

After everyone expressed their gratitude, they receded like the tide, turning into streaks of light and disappearing into the horizon.

The Great Sage Who Overturned the Seas didn't care at all; he didn't even open his enormous dragon eyes.

In his eyes, these mortals were nothing more than fish and shrimp in a pond; no matter where they swam, they could never escape this small pond. When needed, a single call would be enough for them to obediently return to the hook.

If someone dares to take the benefits but refuse to obey orders, then the Great Sage Who Overturns the Seas wouldn't mind tasting human flesh again.

When only Chen Ye and the Great Sage Overturning the Sea remained on the summit of the snow-capped mountain, Chen Ye stepped forward with a wry smile, opened his palm, and presented the handful of shimmering, multicolored sand to the giant dragon.

"Great Sage, this junior has lost."

According to the bet, of the more than one hundred cultivators who came to listen to the lecture, the number who ultimately cultivated magical power was far from half of the promised amount.

Chen Ye accepted his defeat wholeheartedly, and he had long been prepared to concede.

However, the Great Sage Who Overturns the Seas only glanced at the handful of divine sand and did not accept it.

His thunderous voice, tinged with amusement, rang in Chen Ye's ears.

"You've casually given away my favor. Now it's your turn to do me a favor."

Chen Ye's heart skipped a beat, knowing that the real show was finally about to begin. He bowed respectfully and said, "What can I do for you, Great Sage? I will gladly risk my life for you."

The Great Sage of the Overturning Seas slowly lowered his enormous dragon head, his golden vertical pupils like two blazing suns, locking onto Chen Ye.

“I sensed unusual activity in the Heavenly Court a couple of days ago, probably because they sent some lackeys down to the mortal realm. But the mortal realm is too fragile, and I can’t act rashly, lest I accidentally use too much force and shatter it into pieces like the Heavenly Court.”

He paused, his tone turning sinister. "So, you go. Go and investigate those who descended to the mortal realm. Find out who they are and what their schemes are. Ideally, find out how many people are still alive in the Heavenly Court."

Upon hearing this, Chen Ye felt a chill run from the soles of his feet straight to the top of his head.

Should we send him to investigate the people from Heaven?
Isn't that sending him to his death?
He quickly bowed, his face showing bitterness: "Great Sage, please understand! This junior's cultivation is shallow and my cultivation is meager. How could I be qualified to fight against someone from the Immortal Realm? Not long ago, I was ambushed by an unknown immortal envoy. If it weren't for your timely intervention, Great Sage, I would probably have died long ago. I still feel lingering fear!"

"Hmph, look at your pathetic self!" The Great Sage of the Overturning Seas let out a disdainful sneer.

"Your Eight-Nine Arcane Arts is the most supreme method of Taoism. Even in the Immortal Realm, it is a first-class protective divine power. However, you have never been able to enter the gate before. It is like a child wielding a divine weapon, so you are naturally restricted at every turn."

"Now that you have cultivated your magical power and possess the dragon scale robe I personally crafted, your supernatural abilities are far beyond what they once were. What you should do now is to teach me the dragon transformation technique thoroughly!"

At this point, the Great Sage of the Overturning Seas' tone suddenly became somewhat strange, as if tempting Chen Ye, he said, "Boy, I think your human form is quite troublesome. Mortals have their limits after all, so why don't you give up being human and become my son instead?"

Chen Ye was stunned by this sudden suggestion and couldn't speak for a long time.

To...to be his son?
"You practiced the Eight-Nine Arcane Arts, which allows you to transform into countless forms. As long as you wish, you can transform into a dragon at any time. Once you get used to maintaining the form of a dragon, you will be a true dragon. Moreover, you mastered this transformation technique by borrowing the dragon pearls from my four children. You and my dragon clan have a connection."

Surprisingly, a hint of anticipation crept into the voice of the Great Sage Who Overturned the Seas.

Although Chen Ye was still a mortal, he was indeed different in the eyes of the Great Sage Overturning the Sea. Putting aside the connection with Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, Chen Ye gave the Great Sage Overturning the Sea a different feeling.

Who would casually give away their destiny of immortality, especially not to a close friend or relative?

Although Chen Ye is strange in many ways, he is indeed an open-minded person, and monsters like to make friends with this kind of person.

However, treating each other as equals is not an option; adopting a godson would be much better.

After hearing this, Chen Ye felt a mix of emotions.

He knew that the Great Sage Overturning the Seas was genuinely trying to help him. Once he abandoned his human form and transformed into a dragon, it would be equivalent to ascending to heaven in one step, transcending the mortal realm, and becoming an existence of the same kind as the Great Sage Overturning the Seas.

For any cultivator, this is an irresistible temptation.

However… Chen Ye shook his head, but still bowed deeply, his tone unusually firm.

"Thank you for your kindness, Great Sage. However... I was born a human. Although this dragon body is good, it is not what I wanted."

Upon hearing this, the Great Sage Who Overturned the Seas remained silent for a long time.

A fleeting hint of disappointment flashed in those enormous dragon eyes, but it was quickly replaced by indifference.

He slowly coiled his dragon body back up, his voice regaining its former domineering and majestic quality.

"Very well. Since you insist on becoming a mortal, I will not force you. However, you still need to learn the art of dragon transformation. Only by mastering this art will you truly have the means to deal with those lackeys of the Heavenly Court."

Chen Ye felt relieved and quickly replied, "This junior obeys and will diligently study to live up to the Great Sage's expectations."

"Alright, then transform into a dragon now, and do not walk in human form without my order!"

At the command of the Great Sage Overturning the Sea, Chen Ye immediately used the Eight-Nine Arcane Arts and transformed into a black dragon.

The Great Sage Who Overturns the Seas nodded in satisfaction and instructed, "The method of cultivation for dragons is very simple: come from the sea and return to the sea. You only need to swim to the other side, and you will have mastered it."

"On the other side?"

Chen Ye looked at the enormous Dragon Pool. Although it was just a bathing pool for the Great Sage Overturning the Sea, it was a large lake for Chen Ye. However, it would be too easy for him to just swim to the other side.

Just as they were wondering, the Great Sage Who Overturned the Seas sneered and gently blew a breath.

The next moment, Chen Ye felt pressure descend upon him, as if he had fallen into the deep sea and was under the pressure of tens of thousands of tons of water.

The voice of the Great Sage Who Overturned the Seas came: "I have transformed this sky into a deep sea. Swim, and the other side will be at the end."

After saying this, the Great Sage Who Overturned the Seas sank into the Dragon Pool and said no more.

Chen Ye was suspended in mid-air, but he felt like he was in the ocean. The problem was that the sky was still empty all around him. Where could he swim to reach the other side?
(End of this chapter)