That idiot from the Sword Sect turned out to be a lucky charm.

Lin Zhifeng said, "Actually, Senior Fuxi himself doesn't care about those empty titles. My showing off a little is just to be clever, to win favor, and to please the elders. It's nothing."

Meanwhile, Fu Xi, who was composing poems with Longquan, was very observant and attentive. Hearing Lin Zhifeng's words, he became even more satisfied, finding the child clever, cute, and tactful.

After the two masters of poetry and painting finished their masterpieces and admired them, Fu Xi said, "I've taken up quite a bit of your time today, now you may go!"

After saying that, he opened the passage to the ninth floor for them.

After expressing their gratitude, everyone embarked on their journey.

Everyone was quite happy, after all, this hurdle was overcome relatively easily and smoothly.

Only Longquan was still somewhat downcast by Fuxi's words: "Limited by talent, unable to ascend."

Lin Zhifeng knew exactly what he was thinking. He stepped forward and casually put his arm around Longquan's shoulder, laughing, "Brother Long, don't worry about what Fu Xi said earlier. Our cultivation is inherently defying the heavens. When I was a fool, everyone said I wouldn't live past a hundred years. Now, in less than a hundred years, I've already broken through to the Nascent Soul stage, and barring any unforeseen circumstances, I should still have a lifespan of five hundred years. You see, if we believed everything others said, what would be the point of striving?"

"Besides, didn't he give you high praise for your poetry and painting? Isn't that a rare thing?"

"If I were you, I'd be overjoyed! Think about it: those with higher cultivation levels than you aren't as skilled in poetry and painting; those who excel in both poetry and painting aren't as skilled in cultivation as you. You're practically a winner in life, aren't you? Hahaha..."

Could Longquan have such close contact with others? From a young age, he was required to abide by various rules and pay attention to etiquette in the palace; others dared not make such moves towards him because of his status as the crown prince. Only this Lin Zhifeng did not treat him as the crown prince of the Shenlong Dynasty, but only as Longquan as a person.

Lin Zhifeng's words relieved Longquan's previously depressed mood.

Longquan thought to himself: I bear the responsibility of the entire Divine Dragon Dynasty on my shoulders, how can I have time to be sentimental? I should just strive towards my goal and leave the rest to fate.

The group chatted and laughed, and in the blink of an eye, they arrived at the entrance to the ninth floor of the pagoda.

The ninth and final pagoda is guarded by the Chiwen.

According to legend, Chiwen was born from the mating of a dragon and a fish, and has the head of a dragon and the tail of a fish.

The group pushed open the doors of the nine-story pagoda and found that the ninth floor was just like any other ordinary floor. It had none of the unique features or special characteristics that belonged to the guardian beasts, unlike the other floors.

Lin Zhifeng, being a quick-witted working man, took the initiative to act as the messenger, calling out loudly, "Is Senior Chiwen here? We are from the Divine Dragon Dynasty, here to request the sacred artifact."

As soon as he finished speaking, a mythical beast with a dragon's head and a fish's tail appeared in the middle of the pagoda.

Everyone hurriedly bowed respectfully.

The dragon-like creature spoke in human language: "It's you! You've come so quickly this time!"

Everyone: "..."

Chiwen said, "I'm a pretty easygoing person, so the gate I guard never makes things difficult for anyone. Unlike my brothers, I'm a pacifist, and I usually patrol the human world. Everyone calls me the embodiment of good fortune and peace. I think they're right!"

The group was at a loss for words upon hearing this, but Lin Zhifeng, who had done his research beforehand, quickly said, "That's right! I've long heard that you are a guardian deity of peace. If someone carves your image on their roof, they can stay away from fires and other disasters!"

Chiwen said, "You're absolutely right! My statues are now everywhere in the mortal realm. I'm getting busier and busier!"

Lin Zhifeng said, "There's no other way. With great power comes great responsibility, and one has to shoulder more. I'm just sorry to trouble you, senior!"

Chiwen said smugly, "It's really hard work, but the merits I gain are also great! Just you wait and see, I might be the first among my brothers to become a true dragon."

Lin Zhifeng said, "Then I'll congratulate you in advance on your success!"

Chiwen said, "Hahaha, you really know how to talk!"

The others thought to themselves, "Heh, your other brothers think so too. They all adore Lin Zhifeng, and they're all vying to take him to heaven as their attendants without taking the exam!"

Lin Zhifeng adhered to the principle that "flattery will never fail," praising everyone he met to make them feel comfortable, no matter who they were. He was quite adept at psychological warfare.

Then Lin Zhifeng, acting as the spokesperson, respectfully asked, "Senior, since you say you won't make things difficult for us, why not bestow the sacred object upon us? So that we can return home as soon as possible."

Upon hearing this, Chiwen's already ruddy complexion seemed to deepen by another shade.

After a long pause, Chiwen said apologetically, "The sacred object you are taking away this time was originally kept by me. But I, this dragon, have had a bad habit since I was a child—I like to swallow things indiscriminately."

"People regard me as a guardian deity of fire prevention, but it's just a coincidence that they encountered me eating fire. It's a beautiful misunderstanding, in a way..."

When everyone heard him start talking about things that had nothing to do with the sacred object, they all had a strange sense of foreboding—that sacred object, Lord Chiwen, you've kept it safe, haven't you?

As expected, Chiwen's next words turned everyone's premonition into a cruel reality.

Chiwen continued, "I originally intended to keep it safe. But I'm a dragon here, and this is the final hurdle. I don't know how long I'll have to wait. So, when I was bored and just playing around with it, I accidentally swallowed it."

Everyone was shocked and horrified. What should they do?

Chiwen continued, “That sacred object is a scale of my father. By the way, it’s the same as the key you used to enter the tower. However, the one you have has been used and is very old, so the power of the dragon has weakened to almost zero. This new scale is full of the power of the dragon and can help the inheritor awaken the dragon bloodline and achieve a great breakthrough.”

The group thought to themselves, "You make it sound so amazing, it truly is a wondrous existence. But what if we swallow you? Are we supposed to kill you, dissect you, and then obtain the sacred object?"

Let's not even talk about whether they can win. Even if they could, who would dare to kill Chiwen and take the sacred artifact?

Longquan is a descendant of countless generations, while Chiwen is the ninth son of the old dragon. How could the old dragon not distinguish between close and distant relatives?

Lin Zhifeng was unwilling to admit defeat, after all, they had come to the very last step.

He pressed on, "Senior, you've swallowed that sacred object, so what are we going to do? Should we ask your father—Senior Divine Dragon—to bestow another piece upon us?"

Chiwen said, "That won't do. Wouldn't that make me get punished?"

Lin Zhifeng said, "But the heir of the Divine Dragon Dynasty desperately needs this sacred object! Without it, he cannot awaken the Divine Dragon bloodline, and the Divine Dragon Dynasty's promise to continue for ten thousand generations will be forced to break. At that time, the Divine Dragon Elder will also hold him accountable."

Lin Zhifeng's words were a warning to Chiwen: "Our Longquan Prince's ancestor was also the old dragon's beloved. The old dragon promised to help the Divine Dragon Dynasty continue for ten thousand generations. Even the nine of you were captured to help. You can see how much the old dragon values ​​this branch of the Divine Dragon Dynasty. If you try to embezzle the sacred object, you definitely won't be able to get away with it."

Chiwen thought about it and realized that made sense, so he said dejectedly, "Well, there's nothing I can do about it!"

After saying that, he flicked his tail and said, "It's also your fault for clearing the tower so quickly this time. If you had come tomorrow, I could have taken it out, right?"

Everyone: "..."

Is it what we think?

It's not what we think, is it?

You mean you'll be able to poop tomorrow?

If we hadn't arrived early, wouldn't we have taken that sacred object that had traveled all over your intestines as a treasure and happily brought it back with us?

Fortunately, absorbing the dragon energy from the sacred object doesn't require swallowing the scales...

Oh my god, that's disgusting!

Several people with poor tolerance turned pale and felt like vomiting.

Lin Zhifeng was also at a loss for words, and asked, "Then what do you suggest we do now, senior?"

Chiwen said, "What should we do? Take it out!"

Lin Zhifeng said, "How can we take it? We would never dare to harm even a single scale of our senior!"