Chapter 113: Like a Dragon Roaming the Boundless Sea

Setting aside the discussions among the immortals in the Taiyuan Palace, Ji Feichen had already entered the sea under the name of the "Loose Immortal Qinghong."

Some days ago, a mysterious figure had imparted to him the state of "Heart Like Still Water." During his journey to the coast, he had been practicing this aquatic state of mind. He traveled along the inland rivers, treading upon the waves and walking across the water to cultivate this "still water heart." Fortunately, most immortals were currently gathered in the Taiyuan Palace, leaving few abroad to notice his peculiar movements.

As all rivers flow east to the sea, Qinghong followed the currents, passing through lakes and rivers until he finally crossed into the ocean. Standing at the estuary, he gazed out at the vast, expansive world of the sea. It was dusk, and in the distance, sailboats were returning from their fishing trips. Lines of seagulls danced amidst the rolling waves, and the setting sun scattered shimmering, fragmented orange light across the water’s surface. Unable to resist any longer, Qinghong transformed into a black dragon and plunged into the depths.

Only when the dragon entered the sea did he realize the true magnitude of the world. Gazing at the endless expanse of turquoise waves, Qinghong felt invigorated, casting aside the entanglements of the mainland. With the surging tides and leaping fish, the black dragon swam freely. Dark, rolling mist emanated from his ink-colored scales, coursing through his entire body. These scales possessed the divine power to refine his draconic form, pushing his black dragon physique closer to that of a True Dragon.

"I wonder which Heavenly Dragon these scales came from; they are truly marvelous," Qinghong thought with quiet joy. With the mysterious figure’s help, he had purged the evil filth of the blood oath from his body, leaving him as pure and immaculate as an immortal. Thus, he could safely use the *Dragon Scripture* to temper his physical form and forge an indestructible true body.

Refining the soul through the *Taishang* method, tempering the body with the *Dragon Scripture*, and ultimately forging the Great Dao using the Twenty-Four Diagrams of the Eight Sceneries—this was his philosophy of cultivation. However, he had already begun to blend these methods into his own unique path. Should he one day achieve the status of an Earth Immortal, he would be able to compile his own orthodox scripture and establish his own sect.

After playing for a while, the black dragon shot into the clouds, kicking up a mist of spray. As the sunset dyed the clouds a brilliant crimson, Qinghong shook his body, transforming back into his human form, appearing every bit the enlightened immortal.

"I cannot take on the dragon form while appearing as Qinghong. It is better to use Ji Feichen’s appearance for that." With that, Qinghong walked across the water, enjoying the scenery. Wherever he stepped, the waves would automatically still, allowing him to traverse the surface as if it were solid ground.

The vast ocean seemed endless. After walking for an unknown duration, thunderous roars echoed in the distance, accompanied by the faint sounds of a struggle. "Perfect. I don't know the location of Changguang Island and cannot find Lady Chen. Perhaps I should seek out some local water demons to inquire?" Thus, Qinghong went to observe the battle.

From a distance, he saw a giant eight-tentacled octopus fighting a streak of silver light. The octopus brandished its tentacles wildly, each one faintly forming the shape of a dragon’s head. Covered in dark cyan dragon scales, it appeared to be of draconic lineage.

Qinghong blinked. Above the octopus's head hung a cloud of blood-red demonic energy, swirling with karmic debt that threatened to burst into flame. "This creature carries such heavy sin; how many must it have slaughtered to accrue such evil?" The demonic cloud writhed like thick, congealed blood, no less ferocious than the villains of the Central Plains' demonic sects.

"I’ve only eaten a few humans, you little loach! Is it really worth chasing me this far?" the octopus roared at the silver light. A feminine voice retorted from within the light: "Not only do you devour humans, you foul beast, but you also dared to steal treasures from our Dragon Palace. Your crimes are punishable by death!"

*Dragon Palace?* Qinghong’s interest was piqued. He observed the silver light more closely, his thoughts stirring: *The silver light vaguely takes the shape of a dragon. Could she be a Dragon Maiden from the Dragon Palace? It is said the Dragon race are the masters of the sea; I can use her to learn about the state of the Eastern Sea.*

Intending to make her acquaintance, Qinghong saw the octopus attempting to flee and used his cloud to block its path. The octopus churned the sea, its aura towering as waves of black light and turbulent water surged forth. Seeing an immortal blocking its way, it didn't hesitate to lash out with its tentacles: "Where did this mongrel come from? Get lost!"

As the tentacle struck down, Qinghong remained unmoved, tossing a strand of precious beads from his wrist. When traveling, Qinghong carried the Azure Tide Beads, the Demon-Subduing Banner, the Dragon-Whisker Fan, and the Mysterious Gold Pagoda. However, the Dragon God Pagoda held great significance, and he was unwilling to reveal it in the sea. The Dragon-Whisker Fan was a precious treasure of the Cloud Pavilion, and the Demon-Subduing Banner was an ancient relic; he could not rely on such items every day.

Therefore, his standard armament was his set of beads. He had mastered countless ways to use this combined treasure, earning praise even from the mysterious figure. As the Azure Tide Beads were thrown, they erupted with brilliant light, striking the giant octopus with a crackling force that left it severely wounded.

Behind him, a small dragon flew out from the silver light. Seeing the fourteen beads, its dragon eyes flashed, then it noticed Qinghong’s presence. "An immortal?" She had no time to think, opening her mouth to spew dragon fire that incinerated the octopus. Controlling her emotions, she assumed human form and stood aside. "From which immortal sect do you hail? I thank you for your help today!"

The young girl wore a dress of shimmering silver waves and held a conch-shaped magic treasure. Her eyes were fixed intently on Qinghong’s Azure Tide Beads, refusing to look away even while greeting him.

*They say the Dragon race loves treasures, especially beads. It seems true,* Qinghong thought, growing wary. He put away the beads and bowed. "I am the loose immortal Qinghong, from the mainland. With the arrival of the great calamity, I have come to the overseas lands to seek refuge."

"The mainland?" The girl floated over on a cloud, circling him. "I heard that the mainland is preparing for the Immortal-Demon Calamity. How could an immortal like you escape it?" She scrutinized him, sniffing with her small nose, and suddenly realized, "You are a Qi Practitioner? Are there still Qi Practitioners in the Central Plains?"

She questioned him with great interest. Qinghong gave a wry smile, recycling his usual excuse: "I was fortunate enough to receive teachings from a senior, and thus I follow the lineage of the Qi Practitioners."

The overseas Dragon race also largely followed the ancient methods of the Qi Practitioners; otherwise, they would not tolerate so many of them hiding in the overseas islands. The Dragon Maiden smiled. "Then you need not worry. There are many of your kind overseas; you are safe from the calamity here." As her gaze lingered on the beads at his wrist, Qinghong couldn't help but ask, "May I ask why you were in conflict with that creature?"

"Ah, I nearly forgot!" The Dragon Maiden exclaimed, suddenly remembering her mission. She examined the octopus’s corpse, retrieved a glaze-colored bead, and carefully tucked it into her conch. "Pardon my rudeness. That wretch stole a treasure from our Dragon Palace, and I was ordered to hunt him down."

Qinghong glanced at the corpse. Calculating the heavenly secrets, he knew the origin of the octopus. It was a scandal for the Dragon race: the creature was the offspring of a Dragon Uncle from the Dragon Palace and a sea demoness. Discriminated against by the dragons, it had grown twisted and cruel, eventually stealing the Glazed Heavenly Bead from the palace.

The Dragon race dominated the seas, their power rivaling the Three Palaces. Some even referred to the Dragon Palace as a fourth sacred land. Among the dragons, those with three claws were in their juvenile stage, equivalent to the Mortal-Shedding realm, while four-clawed dragons were adults, equivalent to Human Immortals—known as Dragon Uncles. The five-clawed dragons were the nobility, known as Dragon Marquises. The Golden Lake Dragon Uncle was a Human Immortal-level water dragon.

The girl before him, in Qinghong's eyes, was nearing adulthood but still lacked the strength of a true Human Immortal. *Yet her aura is pure; her parents must be Dragon Marquises. That is why she does not fear retaliation from the octopus's father.*

In truth, the Dragon race despised mixed-bloods. Without reaching the dragon form, they weren't even recorded in the clan annals. The octopus’s father cared little for this child, as he had fathered many across the world. However, Qinghong’s intuition was correct: this girl was indeed the daughter of two Dragon Marquises, born into nobility.

Desiring to build a connection but fearing she might covet his beads, Qinghong said, "Are you interested in my life-bound treasure?" He emphasized the word "life-bound." The Dragon Maiden, though naive, understood the ways of the world and dared not resort to robbery, lest she make an enemy.

"Mm... it is quite nice," she said, withdrawing her gaze with reluctance. Qinghong laughed, "I have heard the Eastern Sea is vast and rich. How about I teach you the method of refining, so you may craft your own set later?"

Her eyes lit up, and she immediately pulled him aside to ask about his refining techniques. "Your treasure set is quite effective, especially at sea. If you could explain it in detail, that would be wonderful." She led him to a coral reef, where he began to detail the refinement of the Azure Tide Beads.