The Magic Forest, a fantastical place on the Divine Martial Continent, holds great significance for the Dragon Teng Dynasty, as it was here that their ancestors gained immense fortune and founded a vast martial arts holy land. From all directions, they came to pay homage, and the Eight Desolates revered it together.
"This isn't right. Something seems off. There shouldn't be monsters of this level appearing in this area," the old national teacher said in confusion, not knowing how long they had been walking. Tian Fan looked down at the ground, where the corpse of a werewolf at the Cloud Heaven realm lay, a blood hole in its forehead, a single strike killing it.
"Alright, let's continue deeper. Aotian, remember, stay vigilant at all times. Or, you can have your children head back," the national teacher said. After hearing the national teacher's words, Dragon Aotian turned and looked at his sons.
"Father, don't worry. We can protect ourselves. If we retreat at the slightest trouble, how will we face the entire world in the future?" Dragon Batian stepped forward, meeting Dragon Aotian's gaze, speaking proudly while disdainfully glancing at Tian Fan.
"I agree with my older brother!" The second prince also stepped forward, standing side by side with the eldest prince, speaking loudly.
"And you, the eighth?" Dragon Aotian asked the youngest prince.
"I will continue moving forward," the youngest prince said, not willing to fall behind, puffing out his chest and speaking boldly.
"I'm going too!" Without a doubt, Long Yueying was determined to follow. She was famously fearless, never afraid of anything.
"Good, as expected from my children, brave and bold. But remember, courage and boldness aren't enough. Sometimes you must also know when to advance and when to retreat. Do you understand?" Dragon Aotian said solemnly as he looked at his children.
"Yes, Father!" they all replied in unison.
Tian Fan silently observed all of this, not speaking a word. Dragon Aotian didn't even glance at him, nor did he ask him anything. Perhaps, even if Tian Fan were to die right here, Dragon Aotian wouldn't say a word.
He had already become used to this. In the past, he had worried, been afraid, and had felt hurt. He had once angrily questioned Dragon Aotian, asking why, as his child, he was treated this way. But the response he received was: "As my son, you are destined to be a top figure in the cultivation world. Since you can't cultivate, you've lost some of the privileges of being a descendant of Dragon Teng!"
After that, Tian Fan became cold and indifferent. He learned to endure, and nothing could shake the peace in his heart.
The group continued their journey deeper into the Magic Forest. They had already walked nearly three miles, cutting down countless monsters along the way, some even close to the Return to Immortality realm. This was simply too unreasonable.
"That's it!" Suddenly, Dragon Aotian let out an exclamation, his face filled with shock as he stared ahead.
With his status, only a step away from entering the Return to Immortality realm, such a person could hardly be startled by anything. For him to shout out loud, it was evident that what he saw was extraordinary.
The others followed Dragon Aotian's gaze, and immediately, they were all rooted to the spot. Even Tian Fan, whose heart was usually as calm as the sea, showed a look of surprise.
Ahead of them, the trees were shattered, and monster corpses lay scattered on the ground. Among them were beings close to the Return to Immortality realm, and in the midst of the countless bodies, a colossal creature lay weakly on the ground. It had a horse-like face, a snake's body, deer antlers, eagle claws, and fish scales—this was a dragon!
"A dragon!"
Everyone was stunned, feeling parched in their mouths. They knew that dragons were a rare and legendary existence in this world, much like the phoenix, standing at the pinnacle of the pyramid of life.
For all these years, there had been descriptions of dragons in the Divine Martial Continent, but no one had ever actually seen one. If one were to appear, it would undoubtedly be revered as a god by all.
"No, this isn't a true dragon. This is a jiao, a near-legendary creature that is about to surpass its true form. It's about to evolve!" The old national teacher was also deeply shocked, but in just a moment, the old man realized something was wrong.
Legends say that the jiao is a descendant of the dragon, but the divine dragon's bloodline has become extremely thin. It could only be activated through a great force and opportunity, granting it the chance to evolve into a true dragon.
Although jiaos were rare in the Divine Martial Continent, they were still occasionally seen, but no one had ever witnessed one activate its bloodline. Now, the jiao lying on the ground was actually in the process of evolving into a divine dragon, seeking to ascend to the heavens in one step.
"A jiao? A jiao about to evolve!?"
Dragon Aotian, reflecting on the national teacher's words, first felt shock, then a look of ecstasy appeared on his face. The jiao was currently in the midst of evolution, so its strength was greatly reduced. Judging from the corpses on the ground, the energy it released when activating its bloodline had attracted many powerful enemies who attempted to devour its essence. These enemies were all killed by the jiao, leaving it weak.
What an incredible opportunity, Dragon Aotian thought. If he could absorb the jiao's essence now, he would definitely break through to the Return to Immortality realm!
"No, since this jiao has the potential to evolve into a dragon, it cannot be absorbed. Stay here and protect it!"
When Dragon Aotian conveyed his thoughts to the old national teacher, the old man firmly rejected him, insisting that they both stay there to protect it.
"Aotian, as a cultivator, strength is important, but the heart is even more important! If this jiao can successfully evolve, it will ascend to the heavens, transform into a dragon, and if you form a good relationship with it, it will certainly be grateful. In the future, it can become a powerful guardian for the Dragon Teng Dynasty, complementing your rule!"
The old national teacher, seeing Dragon Aotian's disappointed expression, spoke earnestly. As a lifelong friend of his father, he cared deeply for his descendants.
Being the ruler of a dynasty, Dragon Aotian was not incompetent. In an instant, he understood the key point. As the old man said, he could still find other opportunities to enter the Return to Immortality realm, but this jiao was currently trying to awaken its divine dragon bloodline. Once successful, it would be the only true dragon in the Divine Martial Continent. If they formed a bond, the Dragon Teng Dynasty would have a great chance to gain a supreme dragon god, becoming the most powerful force in the continent.
"Yes, National Teacher, you are right. I will stay here and protect this jiao with you," Dragon Aotian said respectfully after understanding the meaning behind the situation.
As they were communicating, the jiao lying on the ground suddenly woke up. Its lantern-like eyes opened, and upon seeing the humans before it, the eyes were filled with unease. The previous battle had drained most of its strength.
When its gaze fell on the old national teacher, it visibly trembled. The jiao clearly sensed the old man's immense power and felt a deep sense of despair. If it were at full strength, the old man might not even be a match for it, but now...
It began to struggle, attempting to stand up, only to realize it had no strength left. As it watched the old man approach, it let out a feeble roar of unwillingness.
"Brother Jiao, do not worry. We mean you no harm. You can focus on activating your divine dragon bloodline. We will stay here and protect you," the old national teacher, sensing the jiao's misinterpretation, immediately explained.
Upon hearing the old man's words, the giant jiao was momentarily stunned, clearly not expecting such words from the powerful human. Its eyes were filled with distrust.
Tian Fan, watching the creature on the ground and listening to the old man's words, couldn't help but feel a deep respect for the elder. Although he could not cultivate, his knowledge of ancient texts made him respect the elder's mindset.
"Brother Jiao, please be at ease. I am the current emperor of the Dragon Teng Dynasty, and this is our dynasty's national teacher. You are in great danger while trying to activate your divine dragon bloodline. We will definitely stay here and protect you!" At this point, Dragon Aotian stepped forward, bowed respectfully to the jiao, and spoke seriously.
"Brother Jiao, you can rest assured and continue your breakthrough. If we had any ill intentions, we wouldn't be speaking so much to you now," the old national teacher added.
"Roar..."
Suddenly, a massive roar came from afar, as a powerful unknown being drew near. The jiao's eyes grew desperate.
"Brother Jiao, do not worry. We will protect you here," Dragon Aotian reassured.
The roar grew louder, and soon after, a massive magic ape appeared in their line of sight. Tian Fan felt his heart leap into his throat. Though outwardly calm, he couldn't help but feel some fear.
The magic ape's entire body was covered in thick snow-white fur, radiating a faint white glow. It was clear that this creature was an incredibly powerful being, a peak Hunyuan realm existence, close to breaking into the Return to Immortality realm.
As soon as the magic ape appeared, it saw the jiao and, sensing the aura close to a divine dragon's origin, its dark face showed an excited expression. It charged directly at the jiao, startling the creature. The jiao, now weak, quickly retreated.
Just as the magic ape's palm was about to reach the jiao, a dazzling sword beam descended from the sky, white light shining brilliantly, and a terrifying aura immediately locked onto the magic ape. The ape was startled and, until now, had focused solely on the jiao, not noticing the powerful humans around it.
The deadly aura descended. The magic ape struggled to move its body in an attempt to dodge the fatal strike, but it felt as if it was stuck in a swamp, its movements severely hindered.
However, it was a powerful being, close to the Return to Immortality realm. At the critical moment, it erupted with a burst of black demonic energy, which made its movements smoother, and it swiftly dodged. But the white sword beam had already arrived, severing its right arm, which had yet to retract.
"Roar..."
The arm covered in white fur was severed from the magic ape's body, blood spraying as it let out a heart-wrenching scream.
Tian Fan looked on in astonishment and awe. The old man had merely waved his arm lightly, but he had severed the magic ape's arm. Although Tian Fan could not cultivate, he longed to possess such combat power.
"The divine dragon bloodline is awakening. A true dragon is about to appear on the Divine Martial Continent. Anyone who dares to obstruct it—kill!" The old national teacher's face was solemn, his expression grave, and in his hand appeared a blood-red war sword.